Category Archives: Vintage

A Net of Pearls

Posted on 13/09/2022 by Anu M

At the time of Rhea Kapoor’s August 2021 wedding, I was struck by her pearl net veil, surely the standout feature of the ensemble. Back then I also did a mini poll on the veil with a few folk and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900s, 19th century, Accessories, Ancient India, Costume, Early 20th Century, fashion, gems, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Bride, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Jewellery, Late 19th century, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Strange Weather in Mumbai

Posted on 15/01/2022 by Anu M

Nearly a year has elapsed since I blogged here. Even for someone like me, used to a quiet life, pandemic anxiety and fatigue set in by mid 2021. If our immediate family made it through the year covid-less, this was … Continue reading →

Posted in Indian Women, Personal, Vintage | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Knits in Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!

Posted on 28/02/2021 by Anu M

I must confess I was a little lukewarm towards DBB when it released but meant to do a review of its vintage vibe all the same. A second viewing awhile ago made me appreciate the film, its attention to detail … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, Actor, Bengal, Bengali, Bollywood, Cinema, costume design, Costumes in Cinema, film costumes, Film Costuming, Indian Actors, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian men, indian style, Indian Women, Period Drama, retro fashion, Sari, Vintage, Vintage Dress, winterwear | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Polka Dot Post

Posted on 21/09/2020 by Anu M

Today let’s look at Rekha’s commitment to the polka dot – with a side serving of leheria (diagonal stripes or literally waves)! As with Vijeta, the look is very consistent, bar a “dream sequence” and a wedding. The movie: 1982’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s, 20th century, Accessories, Actor, Cinema, clothing, colour, costume design, Costumes in Cinema, fashion, film costumes, Film Costuming, Hindi cinema, Indian Actors, Indian Cinema, Indian Costume, Indian fashion, indian style, Indian Women, late 20th century, retro cinema, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage fashion, vintage sari, Working Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Film Post (1980s)

Posted on 29/07/2020 by Anu M

Everything 1980s can be found in one Rekha movie or the other. From indie style to gharelu chic to plain old Bollywood glamour, she showcased it all in her 1980s films. Each movie often had a signature look with the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s, 20th century, Actor, bindi, Bollywood, Cinema, Costumes in Cinema, film costumes, Film Costuming, handlooms, Indian Actors, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, indian style, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, Movies, retro cinema, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage sari | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The 1910 saree

Posted on 02/11/2018 by Anu M

Details of a studio portrait of the youngest daughter of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Princess Sudhira. Taken in 1910. Though Gayatri Devi is the most well known, Cooch Behar royalty that preceded her had a distinctive style and you … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910s, 20th century, Accessories, Bengal, British Raj, Dress Reform, Early 20th Century, fashion, Hairstyles, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian royalty, Indian Women, Photography, Royalty, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape, sari history, Studio Portraits, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage sari, vintage women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Folk Jewellery of Pakistan

Posted on 24/12/2017 by Anu M

Folk jewellery of Pakistan, 1973 PIA Calendar. The link for the last postcard is unavailable but from the bandhani dupatta and mirrorwork suggests Sindh.  For pics 1 to 3, the captions are as follows: 1. The punjangla has a ring for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, 2017 posts, Culture, fashion, Folk, Jewellery, late 20th century, Pakistan, Tribal, Vintage, vintage jewellery, vintage style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brief Notes from Japan

Posted on 12/11/2017 by Anu M

サリーの女 (Maiden in a sari), 1983. From the Museum publication on the artist Akino Fuku (秋野不矩)). While in Japan I made a visit to the Akino Fuku Museum in Hamamatsu, Japan. While my favourite work of hers was not on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s, 2017 posts, Art, Asia, clothing, Costume, costumes in art, Culture, East Asia, fashion, India, Indian Costume, Indian Women, Japan, Japanese art, Japanese Costume, Paintings, Personal, Vintage, vintage art, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On instagram

Posted on 12/11/2017 by Anu M

I have to confess I am a tumblr and wordpress fan and steer clear of facebook, twitter, insta etc. Still despite not having a personal facebook account I do maintain a page there for folk who find tumblr user unfriendly … Continue reading →

Posted in clothing, India, Indian Women, Personal, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sparsh (1980) deconstructed

Posted on 22/10/2017 by Anu M

Just 4 years separate Kadambari and Sparsh but the former is firmly rooted in 70s styles while Sparsh gives a glimpse of the styles of the early 80s with barely a hint of the 70s.  So let’s look at what … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s, 2017 posts, Actor, arthouse, Cinema, Costumes in Cinema, fashion, film costumes, Film Costuming, Hairstyles, handlooms, Indian Actors, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, late 20th century, Men, retro cinema, retro fashion, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari history, Sets, Vintage, vintage cinema, vintage costume, vintage sari, vintage style, winterwear, Working Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments