Category: APPAREL

Women Jewelry & Fashion

 

Significance of Indian Jewelry

Jewelry has been a significant adornment for Indian women since ages. Its significance in an Indian woman’s life can be judged from the number of jewelry gifts she receives on a variety of auspicious occasions in her life and how even the poorest of women possess some kinds of jewelry they can afford. Indian women’s decorating themselves with jewelry is not only a customary tradition, but also has a lot of values attached to each and every jewelry piece worn by the women.

Significance of Indian Jewelry
Image Credit: http://www.weddingsutra.com/bride/fashion/3379-the-best-onscreen-wedding-dresses

Why is Jewelry Important for Indian Women?

Apart from increasing the beauty of Indian women, Indian jewelry is also considered to be a matter of great security in time of financial crisis due to its good value.  To accentuate the feminism factor, women wear jewelry created with precious metals like gold, silver and diamonds. Traditionally, having a good collection of jewelry symbolizes power, good status and immense wealth of the owner.

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Jewelry and Indian women share a deep connection as its value lies not only in traditions, but also has a great significance in scientific terms. We must understand the reason behind each jewelry piece adorned by Indian women as it lies deep rooted in science. It would certainly increase our love and respect for Indian women’s jewelry.

Jewelry and Indian women
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Wide Variety of Indian Jewelry Adorned by Women

Jewelry designs are available in a wide variety in India as each state has its own culture and jewelry is made accordingly to highlight the values of those traditions. Some of the most commonly used jewelry by Indian women includes maangtika, nose rings, necklace, earrings, mangalsutra and bangles.

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Now, let’s understand the significance and the logic behind each piece of jewelry worn by Indian women. Here we have a list of some of the most commonly worn jewelry pieces with their cultural and scientific significance.

Significance of Jewelry worn by Indian Women
Image Credit: http://www.shaadietyadi.com/blog/1018/maang-tikkas-more/

Tika

Tika consists of a chain with a pendant in the front and a hook at the other end.  The hook is used for holding the tika at the hair end, while the pendant embellishes the center of the woman’s forehead. A woman’s forehead, especially the center part is believed to be the place of chakra which refers to preservation. Traditionally, the chakra is visualized to have two petals where the half-male and half-female androgynous deity Ardhanarishvara resides. It symbolizes the final union where there is no division. In view of science, this union is the meeting of the male and female elements in nature at both the physical and the mental level.

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Nose ring:

Nose ring called as nath by Indian women is definitely the most seductive jewel piece without which a married woman’s make up is considered incomplete. It forms an integral part of traditional bridal jewelry keeping in view its conventional and scientific value. Aristocratic families get special nose rings created for the bride as it’s considered the most auspicious jewel to be worn on the occasion.

Nath (Nose Ring)
Image Credit: http://www.weddingsonline.in/blog/editors-pick-bridal-nose-ring-designs-we-love/

Scientifically, it is believed that women having pierced nose experience less pain during childbirth. Ayurveda considers it a valuable piece which is worn on the spot directly connected with the health of the female reproductive organs. As per a theory, nose ring is also connected to emotional, romantic and sexual propositions of a woman. It also prevents a woman from being hypnotized due to its power to control the brain wavelength.

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It is one of the most fascinating jewelry pieces worn by both married and unmarried women. Available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes, it attracts every woman towards it and makes an important part of the woman’s fashion accessories. Matching earrings with garments enhance the attraction quotient manifold.

Earrings
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As per the famous legends, evil spirits were believed to enter the body through any of its openings. By wearing ornaments in the ear, the woman attained a state of complete well being. The latest studies have also revealed that ear is a microcosm of the entire body and has an important nerve that connects cervix, brain and kidney. By applying the right amount of pressure in the right ear to which the nerve of the kidney is connected, the health of the kidney and the bladder can be taken care of.

Necklace:

Necklaces worn near the heart are believed to control emotions and strengthen one’s love. Wearing a necklace of stones is believed to bind ourselves with their eternal powers. Since ancient times, necklaces, pendants, strings of beads and elaborate ornamental collars were worn by women to bring good luck and ward off the evil eye. The necklace is also believed as a protective ornament against hypnotizing as such attempts are successfully undermined. So, this neck ornament not only adds an exquisite look to a women’s beauty, but also acts as a potent restraint against effects of evil charms on virtuous maidens.

Necklace
Image Credit: http://www.metromela.com/bollywood-divas-in-statement-necklace-designs/

Bangles:

Bangles, the word itself seem to fill one with the sweet tinkling sound produced by it! Wearing bangles can be easily afforded by any woman whether rich or poor as it is available in almost all metals from highly precious ones to wooden bangles. The attractive designs in which bangles are available make it even more stunning and a woman’s beauty is considered incomplete without ornamenting with it. Apart from being an important ornament worn by a married woman, this ornament also has immense romantic and amorous connotations as well. The sound of a woman’s bangles expresses her presence and her wish to gain attention. Scientifically, it is known to increase a woman’s blood circulation level and channelize the energy passing through her outer skin. This is made possible by the circular shape of the ornament with the cute tinkling sound.

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Toe rings:

The most eminent scientific theory behind wearing toe rings is its help in making menstrual cycle regularized which is a common problem faced by women. The nerves in toes are connected to the uterus and passes through the heart. While a married woman does her chores while wearing these rings, the friction created help in revitalizing her reproductive organs.

As toe rings are generally made of silver, it absorbs energy from the earth and refreshes the entire body of the woman by passing the energy to it.

Toe rings
Image Credit: http://www.fuccha.in/17-amazing-scientific-reasons-behind-hindu-traditions-mysteries-explored/

Ring:

Wearing a ring on the fourth finger from the thumb is directly connected to the nerve passing through this finger to the brain neuron cells. With metallic friction, women attain good health and get confidence to handle life with ease. The wedding ring worn in the middle finger is believed to be directly connected with the heart which helps in controlling the wearer’s emotions. Nowadays, rings of various stones are worn by women for various health benefits attached to a variety of gem stones.

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Mangalsutra:

Mangalsutra is believed to control body pressure levels and make blood circulation regular in the body of the woman wearing it. Traditionally, the bridegroom gives it to the bride during the wedding and it is worn by the married woman symbolizing feelings of love and commitment between the married couple.

Mangalsutra
Image Credit: http://speakingchic.com/2015/05/bollywood-fashion-guide-kangana-ranaut-in-tanu-weds-manu-returns/

Hip/Belly Belt:

Hip or popularly known as belly belts are not regularly used by women, but only during wedding or some festive occasions. Nowadays, it is also used by many women in modern designs to add to their glam quotient. Scientifically, these belts are believed to prevent saturation of fat in the waist and help in maintaining a woman’s figure.

Hip/Belly Belt
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This describes why a woman does ‘solah shringar’ as it’s not only to add to her beauty, but for various other logical reasons attached to it.

 

Wear Your Pearls On Fashion Friday!

How Classic Pearls Became Improbably Hip

We trace the traditional ornamentation from European royal courts to radical fashion runways and red carpets

STRANDS OF TIME From left: Queen Elizabeth II in a triple-strand in 1955; a faux-pearl-encrusted mask at the Givenchy spring 2016 runway show in Paris.
STRANDS OF TIME From left: Queen Elizabeth II in a triple-strand in 1955; a faux-pearl-encrusted mask at the Givenchy spring 2016 runway show in Paris. ILLUSTRATION: MATT CHASE

By

Nancy MacDonell

WHENEVER I ENCOUNTER a reference to Kate Middleton or Meghan Markle as fashion icons, I heave an inward sigh. Partly because we toss around the term “icon” too easily, but mainly because royals and fashion are diametrically opposed—or should be, if both are doing their jobs correctly. Fashion is clothing that changes for the sake of change; royalty is concerned with the maintenance of tradition. Royals may be correctly dressed, they may be well turned out. But fashionable? No. Princesses or duchesses may, however, influence fashion, which brings me to the point of this column: the resurgence of interest in pearls, the most classic item in the jeweler’s repertoire.

In the past few years, pearls’ opalescent glow has been making appearances on some very stylish people, including the red-carpet stylist Kate Young, the art dealer Sarah Hoover and the rapper A$AP Rocky, who piles on strands of pearls in a way that recalls the opulence of the Indian maharajahs.

The “Kate-effect” and the “Meghan-effect”—that is, the instant sell out of whatever these relentlessly photographed royals wear—has been well-documented. When it comes to their jewelry, which skews very traditional, emulation is trickier. Most of us can’t spring for a tiara or diamond brooch, but a pearl pendant or earrings, even if fake, comes close. If nothing else about your outfit says “I’m going to cut the ribbon at a hospital opening,” pearls, long associated with modesty and good taste, add an element of faultlessness that reads as royal-ish.

‘Though Kate and Meghan are popularizing pearls again, true tastemakers reject conventional ways to wear them.’

Of course, not everyone who wears pearls wants to look like a royal. An ’80s jewelry revival, for instance, has begot big chunky pearl necklaces unsuitable for ribbon cuttings. Other factors pushing pearls of all varieties to the forefront of fashion include influential designers like Phoebe Philo, whose baroque pearl earrings for Celine (when it was Céline) have become even more in-demand since she left the brand earlier this year; Miuccia Prada, who’s made pearls part of the vocabulary of Miu Miu; and Simone Rocha, for whom the pearl has become something a professional emblem.

Younger women are definitely driving the pearl resurgence. As the owner and creative director of fine jewelry brand Sidney Garber, Brooke Garber Neidich is renowned for her pearl designs—such as the large pearl drop earrings that Mary-Kate Olsen wore to the Met Gala in 2014—and has observed at close hand the interest that younger women have in the gems. “My daughter, who doesn’t wear makeup and doesn’t put anything in her hair—she wears pearl earrings,” she said. “I was married in pearl earrings that belonged to my mother. My hip daughter-in-law with tattoos was married in the same earrings.”

Kentaro Nishimura, the chief operating officer of Mikimoto America, a subsidiary of the Tokyo company, said that sales of traditional pearl necklaces have been strong, but that what really interests younger customers are “smaller pieces like rings and pendants,” which tend to be less expensive. Male customers, he said, are buying black pearls in the form of bracelets and necklaces.

It’s worth noting these sales trends at Mikimoto because it’s the company that first put pearls within the reach of the non-wealthy consumer by perfecting the cultured pearl process in the 1890s. Before that, pearls were fabulously expensive because of their scarcity. Natural pearls remain rare: Only one in 10,000 oysters will produce one good enough for commercial use. When Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain agreed to finance Christopher Columbus’s journey to the New World, pearls nearly topped the list of goods they expected him to bring back; they knew that whoever controlled a fresh source stood to make a fortune. On his third voyage, in 1498, Columbus discovered rich pearl beds off the coast of what is now Venezuela. Pearls harvested from these beds, which were depleted in about 150 years, are visible in 16th and 17th century portraiture.

Johannes Vermeer’s 1665 canvas, “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” likely qualifies as the most famous pearl-related painting, but also interesting is Adriaen Becker’s “Regentesses of the Amsterdam Orphanage” from 1683, which depicts four women wearing double- and triple-strand necklaces that would not look out of place in a photo from the 1950s, another pearl-mad era, or on a female political figure of today.

Though royals are popularizing pearls again, the way true tastemakers wear them echoes Coco Chanel’s 1920s rejection of tasteful tradition. She chose instead to pile on both real and fake pearls and, as Christian Dior later remarked, “With a black pullover and 10 rows of pearls she revolutionized fashion.”

Today’s pearl disrupters, too, have little patience for conventions. Ms. Rocha, whose (fake) pearl hair clips are favored by cool girls like Alexa Chung, says that’s her preferred way to wear them. “It’s very classic but very playful and also practical. It’s unexpected,” she said.

Pearls, unexpected? What a welcome change.

HAVING A BALL / Surprising Designs That Rework Pearls
How Classic Pearls Became Improbably Hip
PHOTO: F. MARTIN RAMIN/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

From natural pearls to stark settings, luster is letting loose. Clockwise from far left: Collar, $600, sophiebuhai.com; Hair Clip, $25, reliquiajewellery.com; Earrings, $9,000, sidneygarber.com; Hirotaka Earring, $195, barneys.com; Mules, $1,725, jimmychoo.com; Skirt, $3,990, oscardelarenta.com; Ring, $11,400, Chanel, 212-535-5828.

THE 2019 ‘IT-COLOURS’ Get Early

BAZAAR

THE 2019 ‘IT-COLOURS’ TO GET IN ON EARLY

Ahead of the curve.

BY MAHALIA CHANG

We may not be even half way through 2018 yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep a weather-eye on the horizon.

With Resort ’19 wrapped up at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia and Cruise ’19 unfolding in Europe, the latest collections have given us a glimpse at the colour palette we’ll be wearing come 2019.

While this year’s obsessions may have still been Millennial pinks, fire-engine reds and the occasional infusion of lemon yellow, next year will be all about the contrast between dark and light.

Gone will be the days of primary-colour brights and colour-clashing, 2019 will see dark colours like olive green and cobalt blue taken darker, and shades like sky blue and camel taken lighter.

Here, your colour forecast. We recommend stocking up now.

LIVING CORAL

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2019 (left); Acne Studios S/S 2018 (centre); Brandon Maxwell S/S 2019 (right).
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN SPRING/SUMMER 2019 (LEFT); ACNE STUDIOS S/S 2018 (CENTRE); BRANDON MAXWELL S/S 2019 (RIGHT).

After naming Ultraviolet as the 2018 Colour of the Year, Pantone named ‘Living Colour’ (Pantone 16-456) as the hot shade for 2019. the colour-matching company described the colour as “an animating and life-affirming shade of orange with a golden undertone” that was all about optimism—a much-needed attribute of late.

“Just as coral reefs are a source of sustenance and shelter to sea life, vibrant yet mellow PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment,” a press release from the company stated.

BUTTERMILK YELLOW

Lee Mathews Resort '19 (left); C/MEO Collective Resort '19 (middle); Bianca Spender Resort '19 (right).
LEE MATHEWS RESORT ’19 (LEFT); C/MEO COLLECTIVE RESORT ’19 (MIDDLE); BIANCA SPENDER RESORT ’19 (RIGHT).

Lee Mathew’s breezy, resort-in-a-tropical-location-appropriate separates focused heavily on the dark-light dichotomy. Between maxi dresses in barely-there beige and off-white, and military button-ups in deep green, the medium was neither here nor there. The stand out? This soft buttermilk yellow, a few shades lighter than its 2018 Gen-Z counterpart.

Also seen at: C/MEO and Bianca Spender.

POWDER BLUE

Christopher Esber Resort '19 (left); Karla Špetić Resort '19 (middle); Louis Vuitton Cruise '19 (right).
CHRISTOPHER ESBER RESORT ’19 (LEFT); KARLA ŠPETIĆ RESORT ’19 (MIDDLE); LOUIS VUITTON CRUISE ’19 (RIGHT).

After seeing a lot of sky blues in 2018, we’ll expect to move towards a slightly deeper powder blue. Karla Špetić sent dresses, blazers and shorts down the runway in a powder blue marle, which felt fresh and feminine.

As seen at: Christopher Esber, Louis Vuitton.

SAGE GREEN

Louis Vuitton Cruise '19 (left); Camilla and Marc Resort '19 (middle); Louis Vuitton Cruise '19 (right).
LOUIS VUITTON CRUISE ’19 (LEFT); CAMILLA AND MARC RESORT ’19 (MIDDLE); LOUIS VUITTON CRUISE ’19 (RIGHT).

One of the most eye-catching elements from Louis Vuitton’s latest show (aside from the flaming red roses painted onto the foreheads of the models) was the soft sage green seen in some of the pleated smocks and fold-detail shorts.

Also seen at: Camilla and Marc.

OAT

Christopher Esber Resort '19 (left); Anna Quan Resort '19 (middle); Christian Dior Cruise '19 (right).
CHRISTOPHER ESBER RESORT ’19 (LEFT); ANNA QUAN RESORT ’19 (MIDDLE); CHRISTIAN DIOR CRUISE ’19 (RIGHT).

Clear out your crisp whites and oyster silvers, we’re predicting 2019 will be all about oat. A muted take on linen, this shade is the new neutral. Wear paired with deeper tones like olives, navies or terracottas, or with white and black.

Also seen at: Dior, Christopher Esber, Anna Quan.

DEEP OLIVE GREEN

Camilla and Marc Resort '19 (left); Albus Lumen Resort '19 (middle); Lee Mathews Resort '19 (right).
CAMILLA AND MARC RESORT ’19 (LEFT); ALBUS LUMEN RESORT ’19 (MIDDLE); LEE MATHEWS RESORT ’19 (RIGHT).

We’ve always had an affinity for the wearable olive green, but this season’s take—moodier and deeper—hits all the marks for us. Albus Lumen’s liquid-silk shift dresses and Camilla and Marc’s leather fringe bandeaus are a trend in the making.

Also seen at: Lee Mathews.

AUBURN RED

Christopher Esber Resort '19 (left); Albus Lumen Resort '19 (middle); Thomas Puttick Resort '19 (right).
CHRISTOPHER ESBER RESORT ’19 (LEFT); ALBUS LUMEN RESORT ’19 (MIDDLE); THOMAS PUTTICK RESORT ’19 (RIGHT).

Although we have already seen terracotta emerge as a trend in the colour space, we’re predicting 2019 will see it go deeper and slightly more brown-toned, veering towards auburn. Christopher Esber and Thomas Puttick included doses of warm reddish-browns, signalling the shade will see darker days.

Also seen at: Albus Lumen.

EGYPTIAN BLUE

Prada Cruise '19 (left); Pereira Fitzgerald Resort '19 (middle); Hansen & Gretel Resort '19 (right).
PRADA CRUISE ’19 (LEFT); PEREIRA FITZGERALD RESORT ’19 (MIDDLE); HANSEN & GRETEL RESORT ’19 (RIGHT).

One or two shades lighter than Yves Klein Blue, Egyptian blue was a feature on the runways. Prada’s Cruise collection was shot through with blue elements—blazers, miniskirts, hats—while it was a main attraction at the likes of Hansen & Gretel and Pereira Fitzgerald.

CHOCOLATE BROWN

Albus Lumen Resort '19 (left); Christopher Esber Resort '19 (middle); I.AM.GIA Resort '19 (right).
ALBUS LUMEN RESORT ’19 (LEFT); CHRISTOPHER ESBER RESORT ’19 (MIDDLE); I.AM.GIA RESORT ’19 (RIGHT).

This year’s mocha and caramel browns will also be shifted towards a deeper tone. Buzzy label I.AM.GIA focused on a range of chocolate browns, and Christopher Esber closed his show with a covetable sheer-panelled maxi.

Vionic Jessie Bootie

Vionic Jessie Bootie

Have a Question?

            Jessie BOOTIE

Elevate any day with this almond-toed stacked heel bootie. Padded backing behind the ankle provides plush support.

DETAILS

  • Uppers: Weather resistant suede.
  • Footbed: Removable Microfiber Covered EVA
  • Outsole: TPR
  • Heel Height: 2.4″
  • Our innovative podiatrist-designed Orthaheel Technology provides superior orthotic support, relief and stability which helps realign the feet back to their natural position.
  • Research supports Orthaheel Technology’s success in reducing over-pronation, which can help relieve associated common aches and pains, such as heel pain (plantar fasciitis), knee pain and lower back pain.

FIT & CARE

  • Available in women’s whole and half sizes in two widths.
  • Medium width, sizes 5-10, 11
  • Wide width, sizes 6-10, 11
  • For the greatest comfort, we recommend wearing your new Vionic footwear for just a few hours for the first few days to allow your feet to adjust to the new level of orthotic comfort and support.
  • Within one to two weeks you should find the product completely comfortable and supportive.
    • To preserve the appearance of your Vionic shoes, we recommend that you clean the leather, if needed, using a dry, cotton cloth to wipe away dirt or dust.
    • Keep leather footwear away from direct heat to prevent the leather from drying out. If your shoes become wet, please allow them to dry naturally.
    • We recommend that you test any product by applying a small amount to a discreet area and allowing it to dry. Do not use cleaners which contain acid or detergents, as they may damage and prematurely age the leather.

I bought my first ever bootie in black  and  this shoe is Comfortable with arch support