Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts

The 6 Most Creative Henna Tattoos

Mehndi art or henna tattooing is one of the most popular rituals among Indians. A bride has henna applied on her hands and feet just before the wedding ceremony. It’s a symbol of beauty, aesthetics, and fertility and is considered a blessing as she starts her new life as a married women. The art and history of applying henna in intricate designs is something India is proud of.


 Even westerners are becoming increasingly interested in getting themselves tattooed with henna as it not only looks beautiful but also smells great. And the best part is it is temporary.  Henna or mehndi also has medicinal properties as it’s a natural component derived from mehndi plant. It soothes your stomach and skin and has other ayurvedic properties too. One can have ample design options ranging from flora and fauna to other motifs with delicate patterns that can all be drawn with henna.
So, let’s have a look at some of the most creative henna tattoos.

Floral pattern
Flowers as henna tattoo looks amazing. It not only has aesthetic value but also has a meaning when used as a bridal henna design. Blooming flowers signifies the onset of new beginning or life. One can choose to get a detailed floral pattern, a lotus flower, vines, leaves or a simple petal flower henna design. All designs look delicate and feminine when done with precision and neatness. Basically application of henna can lead to the formation of a myriad designs. It could be anything and everything. But floral patterns are one of the most common as well as creative styles of henna tattoo.









Animal instincts
Henna tattooing is among the most sought-after forms of body art. One can adorn different parts of one’s body with mehndi without any fear of pain or side-effects. Also, its temporary nature gives you an opportunity to experiment with various designs. Other most creative style of henna tattooing is getting animals drawn on with mehndi. In India, brides insist on getting a peacock done with henna on their hands. A peacock is considered lucky and happens to bring good fortune in the post-marriage life of a bride. Also, parrots, butterflies, swans and humming birds are drawn to support the elaborate henna design and symbolize the messenger of love and success. You can get a little edgy and can get a cat tattoo done with henna if you happen to be a cat-lover. When it comes to henna tattooing, options are limitless!

Dreamcatcher design
A dreamcatcher design has its origin in native North America. People in North America are besotted with the prominence of dreamcatcher design and don’t shy away to get a permanent tattoo done with dreamcatcher as the main element. The intricate design and symbols that together create a dreamcatcher can be drawn with henna tattoo. The dreamcatcher is usually used to protect kids from nightmares and catch good dreams. Now more and more people are becoming inclined to get a dreamcatcher made with the help of mehndi. Generally it is a circular pattern with interweaving symbols and designs. It is unique and creative.

Sun, Moon and Stars
Apart from flowers and animals, other creative forms of henna tattooing are becoming prominent. For example, things like sun, moon and stars made with mehndi. Such designs not only look amazing but also have a meaningful relevance.  Getting a star designed with henna represents your shining qualities. On the other hand, the moon henna tattoo signifies lasting love. Not to forget, the sun design shows that you are a lover of everything bright.


Names and phrases
The list also includes another very creative yet common henna tattoo design which is getting one’s name or an important phrase made with mehndi. Some people like to get their names or just initials designed with henna on different parts of their bodies. Others love to get a phrase like ‘carpe diem’, ‘seize the day’ etc designed. These kinds of henna designs show one’s intellect, passion and personality.

Other random designs
Henna tattooing is so versatile that one can choose to get anything and everything made with it. But the majority of people love to get something either they are fond of or has some relevance to their lives or identity. Most popular among these designs are those of dragons, snakes, mermaids, roses, scorpions, hearts, butterflies, owls, feathers and tinkerbell (to name a few).
I’m sure by now you must be tempted enough to get yourself a cool and trendy henna tattoo. So, what are you waiting for?

Image sources: Sara's Henna, Danasokh, Pinterest, Fabulousdesign


Reinterpretation of Traditional Textile Art by Indian Designers

For Indian women, the garment is the most used and popular women’s wear and we can find it by different ways small and big ones, across all the country.

But the Indian fashion designer Rimzin Dadu to “reinvent” Indian textiles took almost two years to finish her silicone Jamdani saree. Jamdani, one of the finest muslin textiles comes from the Bengal region in India and Bangladesh. This textile is also using a labour-intensive handloom and can be decorated by grey and white motifs that are woven on the loom.

The Indian designer used silicone sheets because it’s a very delicate and elastic material to weave her Jamdani saree. This work that Rimzin Dadu has been doing is for an exhibition called “Fracture: Indian textiles, new conversations” held at Devi Art Foundation. This exhibition wants to reflect a definition of Indian craft for global and domestic audiences. 

Reinterpretation of Traditional Textile Art by Indian Designers | Fracture exhibition - Astha Butail


Indian textiles are appreciated and well known for their craft all over the world. The purpose of this exhibition is to send a message that these textiles are beyond compare because of their incredible diversity in techniques and aesthetics. They recover the multiple genres of design, arts and manufacturing.

We all know that India has a magnificent heritage of textiles and craft. However, it’s the time to have some fresh and modern perspective of it. This exhibition is a perfect occasion to find out what more people can do with this Indian’s heritage. The main message is to tell everyone that India is not just a manufacturing hub but also creating their own innovations to compete with the world.

Reinterpretation of Traditional Textile Art by Indian Designers | Fracture exhibition - Bhikari Moharana


For the ones who lives on London, you will get a chance to see the exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, it will be called “Fabric of India”

Big names of Indian Fashion will also be part of it such as the Indian designers Rajesh Pratap Singh, Manish Arora, Aneeth Arora, Rahul Mishra and Kallol Data. It’s important to have these masters of Indian fashion participating at this exhibition because their work is also important to modernise and re-invent this textile's art history. It will open new ways of appreciating Indian textile history and heritage.

Reinterpretation of Traditional Textile Art by Indian Designers | Fracture exhibition - Bhikari Moharana


Of course, there are a lot of designers and artists that can help to reinvent Indian textiles but we have also the weavers from different places.

Thanks to this exhibition, people will see the skilled nature of all the work that artisans and weavers do in India.

Different Techniques Used to Create Unique Indian Textiles

Just found this infographic and think that it is really interesting! 

A brief explanation:

This infographic gives you an idea of all the different techniques, used to create Indian textiles employed for Indian fashion clothing, and the places they come from. It takes you through India to discover the indigenous Indian textile crafts and the specific region where they are employed. Did you know that these age-old crafts and their techniques continue to be used by fashion designers to create beautiful Indian fashion? Discover a lot more that will awe-inspire you by taking you on a journey across India and Indianfashion. Hop on board the Strand of Silk Journey Map at strandofsilk.com > strandofsilk.com/journey-map.





An artistic show for contemporary Indian textiles at Devi Art Foundation

For those who often attend of Indian Fashion weeks, you will probably be aware of the phrase "reviving ancient Indian textiles". Meanwhile, a Baluchari bustier or a Kimkhab sari dress being showcased on the runway may seem a slightly futuristic and non-traditional in comparison. Nowadays, we are now seeing ancient crafts being fused into the contemporary 21st century through radial and unique ideas.

An artistic show for contemporary Indian textiles at Devi Art Foundation | Traditional Indian Textiles


Mayank Mansingh Kaul, Sanjay Garg and Rahul Jain have recently organised talks at Devi Art Foundation, Gurgaon about Fracture – Indian textiles,  showing a wide range of hand-made Indian textiles that have been introduced in a modern context.

The Devi Art Foundation showcased a variety of items such as a series of Indian clothes and silk thread cloths presented as a futuristic sculpture in 3D. All of these works have been part of a project that gathers together a plethora of hand made Indian textiles from across India.

“Though, in India, textiles are such a visible concept, there are no museum quality masterpieces” said Mayank Kaul, all these textiles were ordered between 2000 and 2014. “We wanted to discuss and deliberate what contemporary means in textiles today and what it means to break away from tradition” he completes. 

Here is a variety of creations that are exhibited in the show:

Fashion designer Rimzim Dadu, chose to use another original material such as silicon rubber sheets shredded to thin yarn which he displayed as a given the length of a sari. This textile piece showcases a stunning pattern that looks like the Jamdani weave. The material is graceful and light as a feather, and the stretched yarn brings an undulating pattern.

An artistic show for contemporary Indian textiles at Devi Art Foundation | Saris in Silicon

To represent earthly silhouettes, Shaikh Mohammad Hussain used block print on cotton to illustrate nine concentric spheres. We can see the work of two different views, nearly every sphere differs in pattern. When observed from a distance, it just looks like a repetition of sphere, all thisis  to remember the diversity of these textiles and patterns.

An artistic show for contemporary Indian textiles at Devi Art Foundation | Music of the spheres


Astha Butail created 'Yoking of the Felicity', this installation takes inspiration from the Rigveda, where cloth has great importance. The artist constructed the piece in a contemporary way, by changing a simple product into a three-dimensional format, crafted from the loom itself.

An artistic show for contemporary Indian textiles at Devi Art Foundation | Playing with dimensions

Abraham & Thakore: A Success Story


Abraham & Thakore is now one of India's most successful and valued brand for fashion, accessories and even home textile products. This unique design label was initially established by David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, both graduates of the National Institute of Design.

Each Abraham & Thakore collection explores an innovative modern design voice whilst also focusing on the rich cultural and traditional vocabulary of Indian design and craft. The design sensibility is low key yet highly distinctive, with a strong respect for material, form and craft. A&T reiterates the belief that real luxury lies in specially crafted product in limited numbers of high quality.

Abraham & Thakore have never simply followed current trends, but approached then in innovative and quirky way, making their own trends along the way. The stylish designer duo have always made up their own fashion rules, sticking to their own personal idea of stylish contemporary Indian fashion with a touch of culture.

Abraham & Thakore Catwalk


For one of their campaigns the quirky designer duo joined forces with well known Banarasi silk leader Ekaya, for a beautiful collection fashioned from hand-crafted brocade in striking tones of bright pink, saffron, bronze and vermillion. The collection was extremely sophisticated in its approach; the garments were created to challenge the current ample Indian silhouettes into more subtle and stylised western proportions. While the modernist styling of the collections offered an interesting angle, the definite standout garment in the collection was decidedly more traditionalist – a stunning liquid gold sari with matching blouse.

Abraham & Thakore Catwalk


Other collections by Abraham & Thakore, which are presented each season, represent the extremely modern collaboration between fashion and lifestyle, with an undeniable unifying vision for the way the contemporary urban consumer dresses and lives - whether in New Delhi, London or Tokyo. Each season both the fashion and home textile collections are showcased to high-end international buyers in prestigious trade salons in Paris. In India, the collection is presented biannually at the India Fashion Week, New Delhi.

Abraham & Thakore Catwalk

See other Indian designers!

Going To India?


Here are 5 tips for you first time in India, enjoy!



1.     Plan you route judiciously

According to your interests, you might want to go through a different path from an average tourist’s. If you want to visit some famous Indian destinations, begin your journey with Delhi (Hamayun’s Tomb, Old Fort), then Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri) and finally Jaipur (Pink City, fort at Amber).
Apart from visiting, go to Goa for the beautiful beaches, Delhi to do some shopping and learn more about Indian fashion, Madhya Pradesh to get to see tigers, Varanasi if you’re into religion, etc.


2.     Take your time

Don’t make it your goal to cover all of India in one trip: it will stress you (and who might accompany you) out and keep you from fully appreciating everything you come across. Enjoy the beauty of the landscape, meet interesting people, discover a great culture and take your time to do so is the only rewarding way.

3.     Keep away from the crowds

You might get overwhelmed with how crowded and noisy the streets are. If that’s the case, you might want to consider planning for a quiet retreat along the way, and you have a lot to choose from! Like the backwaters of Kerala or Ladakh, surrounded by mountains, or yet again one of India’s many hill stations.

4.     Be careful with your health

What you eat, what you drink and what hygiene you keep, all of that must be carefully watched over 
if you don’t want to get sick.

You mouth should not get near any tap water, and that means avoiding ice, prepared fruits or salads and any other washed food. Also check if your meat is properly cooked, 
if you eat any meat there at all since vegetarian food would be a safer choice.

The toilets are also famously dirty so be cautious and prefer washing yourself to using toilet paper. Don't forget to thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.

5.     Stay in control

There is a high probability that, at some point, someone is going annoy you or to try to take advantage of you by overcharging you for some service or price, or even dupe you. Keep in mind that things can get out of hand very easily in India and the best thing to do is to keep your cool and move on if you can’t resolve the problem.

Interested in Indian fashion instead?