Saree+Typography

That's A Lot Of Scribbling On That Fabric or What Does It Say?

Being in the design field, I have a crush on typography, and yes, my home is filled with books and other items graced with typography.  So, it would make sense that two of my favorite things in the world would come together to create something so beautiful.

Yes, it has been done with type and icons (think Masaba Gupta-more on her later) and I'm sure there are many examples floating out there on the Web, but this year's (SS2015) collection of Satya Paul's via Gauri Khan (yes, that Khan) is quite an eye-catcher.  It combines typography with an explosion of colour (me likey, likey) and nine yards of splendor. You cannot possibly complain.

I would love to see a movie heroine sporting these designs in a movie, at a gala or grand opening of some sort.

Mrs. Khan should wear one to a gala or movie opening ... wait a minute, she didn't wear a saree to LFW SS2015 ... blouse and short skirt!

Okay, something has to be done...

If I am not mistaken, Mrs. Gauri Khan
in one of her creations.

These colours really work for me.

Design as above, but a different colour combo.

Rocking the Tie Dye

(a.k.a. bandhej, bandhini)

c/o Flickr

If I lived near a saree shop, I would never have money!

Not sure if it was mentioned or not, but I'm gaga (not the singer) about bandhej sarees.  I'm already mad for tie dye and add a saree into the mix ... BAM! Pure bliss.  In western wear, tie dye isn't taken seriously, it's looked at as something for hippies or potheads.  That's not true of bandhej sarees.

They are distinct because of the bright colors and intricate patterns.  It goes hand-in-hand to create something so cool, yet go everywhere-home, office, and night on the town.

Of course bandhej isn't limited to sarees, it's also on turbans (for men) and flowing duppattas just to name a few items of clothes.  I'm sure it's on many more items of clothes and household items, but I'm in the USA, and can't go to Indian shops or markets ... yet.

I have a few bandhej, but want more, more, more!

Love this saree!

Red and gold-so perfect for a wedding.

Lakme Fashion Week 2015

Oh How I Wish I Was There!!!

Once again Lakme Fashion Week has come and gone.  Sigh. Well, it's a little difficult to be there, besides the fact I live in Florida, USA, and it takes place in India-where else would it be?

Okay, enough self pity and onto the show!

It looked pretty nice and a lot of Indo-Western wear. As for the sarees there wasn't a riot of colour-boohoo-but rather "adult" (I wasn't there, so how would I know???).  Okay, I digress, now the standout collection, in my very, very humble opinion, was from Gauri Khan.  Yes, that Gauri Khan. It's pretty bold and I wanted a few to add to my wardrobe. As a side note, I had to reread who the collection was from because I couldn't believe it, and yeah, she got some design skills.

Here's a few pics I gleaned from the internet, and maybe, just maybe, one day I will be in India covering the show.

I can dream can't I?

Gauri Khan

Vaishali S

Gaurang Shah

Mandira Bedi

A Moral to the Story

Okay, this is a tell-all with no pics, so bear with me on this one.

I went to this big party and I decided I would wear a saree.  Great idea on paper, in action, another story. Mistake number one, I wore an art silk saree.  Ladies, please listen to all of the advice on the right saree for your body: bigger women wear a georgette. crepe or chiffon (sheer factor on this fabric) saree, do not wear cotton or silk-it will make you look even bigger-unless your are a pro wrapping it. Mistake number two: I thought my friends were culturally open to such things. Not so much. In truth, there are a lot of small minded people that refuse to look outside of their cultural roots to appreciate other ones, and that is so sad because you can miss out on so much.

The results: plenty of compliments, very harsh criticism from a "dear" friend, and not one guy dared to dance with me. I ran from the party crying.  I felt beautiful but crushed.  And that dear friend thought I looked like someone wrapped in a fabric bag. Georgette, chiffon, crepe and handwoven cotton for me please.  Besides, I should have stuck to my guns and enjoyed myself.

Moral of lesson:  Be yourself, not everyone will understand you, but that is okay.

That's it for today.  :-)

Oh My Goodness, One and a Half Years????

First, apologies.

I am so sorry that it has taken me this long to come back to this blog.  A lot has happened, which is also called life, and stuff continue to happen.

Second, I have a bit of a dilemma: create a printed magazine about the saree in all of it's variations and glory, or create a really awesome web site about the saree in all of it's glory ...

What do you think would be worth my time and efforts? Please,  let me know.

And also, thank you viewers!

Best to All,
Taba