Category Archives: Contemporary

East+West

Posted on 13/02/2017 by Anu M

There are plenty of examples of clothes from the West that make use of Indian textiles, at least from the Regency period onwards. Examples include muslin, paisley shawls, 1950s dresses and cotton gauze dresses of the 70s and 80s. There … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Colonial, Contemporary, contemporary fashion, Costume, Early 20th Century, fashion, India, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Late 19th century, late 20th century, salwar, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape, Sari Dress, sari history, Vintage, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Last of Spring

Posted on 06/04/2016 by Anu M

Expectedly has a floral theme. My cousin Sujata who is a habitual sari wearer and looks pretty glorious in it. Taken on a Rang Panchami day @ the Empress Garden in Pune. The celebrations – by a private party who … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Contemporary, contemporary fashion, Culture, fashion, Flora, Flowers, Hinduism, indian festivals, Indian Women, Personal, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Colour of Skin

Posted on 16/06/2015 by Anu M

The red glow of her body, like an unfolding bud. Her black rimmed eyes like flowers, her skin like gold. Who can see your face in the moonlight, like milk in milk. Her lustrous complexion like a blue sapphire. Fair … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, 20th century, Ancient India, Art, Colonial, Contemporary, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, Girls, historical art, historical fashions, in Colour, indian art, Indian fashion, Indian Women, miniature paintings, Paintings, Sets, Shringaar, vintage art, vintage fashion, vintage illustrations, vintage style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Regional Cinema Post

Posted on 14/05/2015 by Anu M

For very many reasons Bollywood is Indian cinema.  Now and then regional cinema makes a splash – especially at the National Awards – but for the most part the audiences are local.  You could however argue that all the interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st century, Accessories, Actor, Cinema, Contemporary, contemporary fashion, Contemporary Style, Culture, fashion, Film Costuming, Flowers, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Jewellery, Manipur, Marathi cinema, North East, North East India, Period Drama, Punjab, regional styles, Sari, Sari Blouse, Sets, South Indian Cinema, Tamil Cinema, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Love Post

Posted on 04/04/2015 by Anu M

MADANA, a name of Kama, the hindu god of love. In the hindu religion, festivals are held on the 13th and 14th of the month Cheyth*, in honour of Kama, the god of love. Madana, he who intoxicates, with desire, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1610s, 18th century, Ancient India, Contemporary, early 18th century, indian art, indian festivals, Indian men, Indian Women, miniature paintings, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ladies Tailor

Posted on 14/03/2015 by Anu M

All my past attempts at making a vintage(ish) blouse have been rubbish, not least because I have never found a tailor with any interest in old patterns. Just a few months back I finally located a tailor who was quite … Continue reading →

Posted in churidar kameez, Contemporary, contemporary fashion, fashion, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Late 19th century, Salwar Kameez, Sari Blouse, Tailoring | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

वसन्त ऋतु – Spring

Posted on 09/03/2015 by Anu M

It’s spring in India. And while the illustration above* is all mildness and white (and indeed the kunda finds mention in a lot of Sanskrit spring poetry) the flowers of spring that are emblematic of the season are quite red … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Art, Asia, Contemporary, Costume, Culture, Flora, Flowers, historical art, historical costume, historical dress, historical fashions, History, Illustration, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian History, Indian Illustrators, miniature paintings, Paintings, Poetry, Sanskrit, Sculpture, South India, Vintage, vintage art, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

On the Street, India

Posted on 08/01/2015 by Anu M

Click for larger view. 1. Nauvari and Nath girls looking very lovely, Somaiya College, Mumbai. Taken on the college’s “Traditional Day”. 2. Mochi (cobbler) in Mumbai.  She is not alone: Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ernakulam, 3.  Anklet wearing schoolgirls. Taken in Bengaluru. … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st century, Accessories, Contemporary, Contemporary Style, Costume, Culture, fashion, Girls, India, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Jewellery, Personal, Photography, regional styles, Sari, Sari Blouse, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Aya de Yopougon

Posted on 07/01/2015 by Anu M

Sari Break. Immigrant Côte d’Ivoire ladies in Paris offer up their honest opinion on leopard prints. From the utterly delightful bande dessinée I am presently reading, Aya: Love in Yop City, set in 1970s Côte d’Ivoire. Everyone should read Aya … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, Africa, African, Art, Authors, Comics, Contemporary, Culture, fashion, french illustrations, Illustration, retro, retro fashion, Vintage, vintage fashion, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Shawl Post

Posted on 07/01/2015 by Anu M

The blue shawl first, a canopy of blue, The Face, Conrad Aiken New Kangra Painting and Girl with Blue Shawl by Wink Willett.

Posted in 21st century, Accessories, Asia, Contemporary, Contemporary Style, Costume, Culture, fashion, Girls, historical art, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Paintings, Photography, Sets, winterwear, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments