When Beauty Has A Language

Published

13 years ago

December 6, 2011

For Hari Anand, the innovative fashion designer, making his ensembles appealing to the world matters the most. His collections echo his view of life – less is more. Here Hari Anand talks about his passion, fashion.With his eighteen plus years of experience, he revolutionized the fashion scene in Kerala. A designer who braved migration he setup his boutique in Kochi.

The great French writer Stendhal said “Only great minds can afford a simple style”. Personally I feel the same that style should speak for itself. Less is more.

Karma

Each dress is a designer’s interpretation. The Karma of designing requires a lot of imagination and effort. The value that a user gets from a designer’s clothes is far more than any regular clothing could provide. Mine or any designer’s dress will not go out of style for at least five years. A lot of detailing goes into the making of a designer statement. Every designer ensures the quality without compromising on anything. The yarn for stitching, the button used, everything needs to be perfect and should stand the test of time. An example is the white bead I import from Japan for embroidery purposes. It costs about rupees sixty for one bead while a packet of locally available beads cost only rupees ten. The local ones fade in the due course whereas the imported ones last for decades. A dress is a designer’s language to express beauty. The designer understands the requirements and his designs perfectly match the client’s personality and the occasion. A designer’s signature style is all about making the client unique among his/her peers. Buying designer clothes used to be considered an unwanted luxury. But it is changing slowly.

Mother Earth

I draw energy from nature. Earthy colours, mainly black, white, beige, brown etc are the ones I love to work with. Natural materials like Silk, Cotton, Linen etc. are used mostly. I use synthetic materials only when I can’t replace them. Dresses should be classy and have clean lines. Every dress should have an international appeal. A person should be able to fly to Milan or Amsterdam wearing the same clothes he/she wears at Delhi or Chennai. The world is shrinking. One should wear clothes that are recognized worldwide.

Escapism

Dress should enhance a person and not subdue a person’s beauty. Today’s intelligent, independent brides feel that their wedding dress should be simple and elegant unlike the flamboyant display of colors and loud embellishments that we are used to. When Kerala Kasavu is infused into a Georgette Saree, it is subtle, has a cosmopolitan look and is a great bridal wear. It doesn’t divert the attention from the bride’s personality. My boutique is also designed with this concept in mind. Glada has black walls and ceiling. It gives a feeling of infinite space. The attention is all drawn to the dresses and not on to the walls.

Alphabets

When crossover between art and fashion takes place, something beyond all these is born. A designer gets to experiment and an artist gets to create something outside the canvas. I met an amazing cartoonist and illustrator from New York, Patti Stern and was bowled over by her creativity; then started a strange collaboration of dresses and cartoons. I used her cartoons and illustrations and what evolved was a whole collection of clothes from sarees, lingerie, shirts and trousers. Many of the prints have word bubbles depicting love and anger.

Images

Indian fashion is still in its infancy and we have a long way to go. We are inspired by European fashion and most Indian designers create a fusion of clothes by mixing the best elements in each of them. Kerala amazes visitors with her sense of fashion. Kochi hosted an international fashion week recently and many more are in the pipeline. But when it comes to using her own strengths, Kerala lags behind. The traditional crafts like Kasavu making and embroidery are in the verge of extinction and needs to be revived. The Engineer- Doctor syndrome kills the birth of a great many artists and designers. Youngsters need to be encouraged to enter the world of fashion. JD Institute setting up a fashion school in Kochi is promising. More than any kind of education, it is the imagination and sheer honesty in expression that will mould a person into great designer. The patience to learn, the willingness to accept; all of it is imperative. My search for a protégé still continues.

Popular Curtain Fabrics to Consider for Your Home

Published

2 months ago

September 30, 2024

Reshma Vivekanandan

When it comes to decorating your home, curtains play a crucial role in shaping both the aesthetic and the functionality of a space. The fabric you choose can dramatically alter the atmosphere, offering anything from opulence to a laid-back vibe. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular curtain fabrics that can elevate the look and feel of your home.

1. Luxurious Velvet

Velvet curtains bring a sense of luxury and elegance. Known for their plush texture and rich appearance, velvet is perfect if you’re looking to add sophistication to a room. They not only provide excellent insulation but also block out light, making them ideal for bedrooms, home theaters, or any space where you want a cozy, private atmosphere.

Best for: Bedrooms, formal living rooms, and home theaters.

2. Airy Sheer

Sheer curtains offer a light, breezy aesthetic that lets natural light filter through. These curtains are made from translucent fabrics like chiffon or voile, creating a delicate and ethereal look. Sheers are perfect for rooms where you want to maintain privacy while still enjoying sunlight, such as living rooms, dining areas, or sunrooms.

Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms, and sunrooms.

3. Classic Cotton

Cotton is one of the most versatile curtain fabrics, known for its breathable and lightweight properties. Cotton curtains come in a wide variety of patterns and colors, making them easy to fit into any design scheme. They’re also low-maintenance and can be machine washed, which makes them practical for high-traffic areas in your home.

Best for: Bedrooms, kitchens, and casual living spaces.

4. Elegant Silk

For a luxurious and glamorous touch, silk curtains are the go-to fabric. Silk adds a glossy finish and drapes beautifully, exuding elegance and grandeur. However, they require extra care and are better suited for formal spaces. Silk curtains are often lined to protect them from sun damage and to provide additional body and privacy.

Best for: Formal dining rooms, master bedrooms, and sitting rooms.

5. Versatile Linen

Linen curtains offer a natural, textured look that blends well with both contemporary and rustic designs. Linen is a durable fabric that allows light to softly filter through, and it also has excellent temperature-regulating properties. It’s perfect for creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere in any room.

Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and spaces with lots of sunlight.

6. Durable Polyester

If you’re looking for an affordable, low-maintenance option, polyester curtains are a great choice. They are resistant to wrinkling, shrinking, and stretching, making them a durable option for everyday use. Polyester curtains are available in a wide range of styles, colors, and patterns, giving you plenty of choices to suit your home’s décor.

Best for: High-traffic areas like living rooms, guest rooms, and children’s bedrooms.

7. Chic Satin

Satin curtains are known for their smooth, glossy surface, which reflects light and adds a subtle sheen to any room. They are often used in contemporary and modern designs to bring a sense of refinement and class. Satin works well for rooms that require a touch of glamour without being as heavy as velvet or silk.

Best for: Bedrooms, formal spaces, and accent rooms.

Choosing the right curtain fabric can have a significant impact on your home’s overall design. Whether you prefer the lushness of velvet or the breezy nature of sheer fabrics, the right curtains can create the perfect balance between style and function in your space. Consider the mood you want to create and the practical needs of each room to select the best fabric for your home.

Pure as Love- Bhima Jewellers Astonishes with the New Ad

Published

4 years ago

April 16, 2021

Abhirami Chandran

Bhima Jewellers has come up with an ice-breaking advertisement representing the journey of a trans women and the internet has fallen in love with it!

We have all seen jewellery ads with ladies flaunting the necklaces and bangles, giggling, happy and such an such. This ad is different. Bhima a portrays the journey of a transwomen from her childhood to adulthood. It’s pictured beautifully, just like a movie, with utmost care. The transformation of an unshaven young man to a confident woman with the support and care of her parents will surely tear you up.

The father gifting her with anklets to the final scene of her in the bridal attire is heartwarming. There is no anger, frustrations or melodrama shown, it normalizes something that the society is yet to take in wholeheartedly and the caption strikes, “Pure as Love”.

The best part of the advertisement? A transwoman, Meera Singhania is the protagonist, which just makes the representation better.

Well the ad is ‘pure gold’, check it out!

Famous Advertisements that attracted controversies this year.

Published

7 years ago

December 29, 2017

Contributor

A recap of the most controversial Advertisements in 2017.

In 2017 some brands inadvertently landed themselves in controversies because of cheeky puns, risky taglines, and ‘insensitive’ use of gods and religion in ads. Let’s have a look at the ads that faced the heat in 2017.

Manforce Condoms

Manforce Condoms was forced to withdraw nearly 500 hoardings in Gujarat after protests broke out earlier this year. Sunny Leone’s condom ad for Manforce that tried to piggyback on the Navratri festivities faced severe outrage in Gujarat this year. The people of Gujarat took offense to the hoarding that portrays Sunny Leone seductively holding dandiya sticks.

Image source: pepnewz

Zomato

The recent outdoor ad campaign by online food ordering and delivery app Zomato faced a lot of controversies. Critics of the ad felt that one of the creatives of the campaign glorified desi expletives as it mentioned words like MC (mac n’ cheese) BC (butter chicken) in an attempt to connect with the brand’s core target audience – the millennials. Though the ad had to be pulled down, the advertisement got maximum exposure among the target audience.

Image source: thequint

Jawed Habib

Hairstylist Jawed Habib came under fire for hurting religious sentiments of the Hindus when he used the context of Durga Puja to promote his salon’s services. The ad suggested that even the gods visit Jawed Habib’s salon. The backlash was such that Jawed Habib had to apologize for the issue.

Image source: republicworld

Meat and Livestock Australia

Though not an Indian ad, reference to Hindu God, Ganesha didn’t go that well for Indians. The ad showed Ganesha, sitting at a table for a meal accompanied by Jesus, Moses, Zeus, Mohammed, Aphrodite, and even L Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.The Indian High Commission in Canberra took notice and registered a complaint with the Australian government over the ad. The ad was banned as it was found to be “discriminatory to those of Hindu faith” by an independent review by the Australian Advertising Review Board.