Indian Couture Week 2018
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Indian Couture Week 2018

Indian couture week is one of the most awaited Indian fashion weeks that brings us some of the most beautiful and the most glamorous collection every year.  And its finally here! Presented by Hindustan times and Sunil Sethi design alliance, this big event starts from July 25 to July 29 at the Taj Palace, Delhi  featuring India’s  top couturiers –Anju  Modi, Amit  Aggarwal, Rohit Bhal, Eynu Tandan, Shyamal and Bhumika Shane and Falguni, Rahul Mishra, Pallavi Jaikishan and Varma. The extravaganza portrays stylish silhouettes to luxurious traditional bridal wear  that spells ‘grandeur’. This is going to be the 11th edition of the couture week, and it is undoubtedly the best fashion event in the country. Acquiring HT as a partner for this year, the fashion event will be propelled to a level of unprecedented importance. Designer Reynu Tandon agreed with Sunil saying that the week would be showcasing bridal trends for 2018. She also said that her collection was all for the youth who wanted an amalgamation of traditional and modern stylistic perspectives. The event started on a glamorous note on July 25 with ace designer Tarun Tahiliani showcasing his collection ‘Elysium’. Aditi Rao Hydari, who walked the ramp as his showstopper looked exquisite in a peach lehenga teamed with heavy gold jewellery. Tahiliani’s collection celebrated the modern Indian bride, with a  style of her own which had  all the elements of luxury incorporated in it along with a touch of contemporary fashion. Hydari, too symbolized the same, in the heavily embellished, off-shoulder lehenga featuring a semi-sheer, cape-styled dupatta with a long train. Her outfit further had floral embroidery all over it with fringes on the hemline. The traditional style choker from Shri Paramani’s Heritage collection complemented her ensemble. This was followed by Anju  Modi’s  collection which showcased trends from the Victorian  era with Kangana Ranaut’s bridal piece. The actor’s handcrafted lehenga teamed with a Victorian-style luxe velvet jacket and a plunging neckline is everything that a contemporary bride can ask for. Drawing her inspiration from the Victorian era, Modi took a step back in time and brought back the old cuts, silhouettes and designs. (Express Photo by Sristi Keshri) After being amazed by the royal presentation by Hitiani and Modi, there was a showstopping collection by Shane and Phalguni that enthralled us on the opening day. Kareena Kapoor Khan made hearts skip a beat as she walked the runway for Falguni and Shane Peacock. She walked down the ramp wearing a gold embellished lehenga with a plunging neckline with a see through dupatta with the duo’s signature feather twist with it and minimalistic jewelry to keep the highlight on the clothing. On the third day, the ramp was honored by the stunning  Shilpa Shetty who teamed up with Amit Agarwal wearing his collection named ‘Crystalis’. She wore a plum colored contemporary sari which looked like a wraparound gown with a slit on one side. It was embedded with crystals, which was paired with a halter blouse. The saree had metallic geometric patterns which made it look interesting, and unique, yet dashing. It had the designer’s signature polymer detail. Her accessories and make up matched her outfit. She went with a studded ear cuff on one ear and metallic rings on her fingers. plum eye-shadow with glossy lips to complement her outfit. Shyamal and Bhumika , the genius designer duo’s collection on the 4th day had brilliant traditional lehengas with a modern twist. Rising actor Kiara Advani teamed up with the duo and wore a sea green embroidered lehenga. The blouse had a plunging neck line and had netted and sleeves with puffed shoulder. The event that went on for 5 days finished in the best way possible. Designer Rohit Bhal’s collection inspired by  ‘a bouquet of flowers’. It had a variety of lehengas and anarkalies with floral prints, with velvet, elegant jewelry and geometric motifs. Every outfit worn by the models  looked elegant yet screamed glam and luxury. A lot of lace, geometric patterns, flamingos and parrots, and huge floral stems gave an amazing touch of contrast.

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Fine Arts with Fine Coffee | Kashi Art Cafe
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Fine Arts with Fine Coffee | Kashi Art Cafe

Metaphorically speaking, Kashi Art Cafe in Kochi embodies the feeling of being Zen. As sublime as it can get, Kashi cafe is a place where one can enjoy great food with tastefully curated pieces of art the surrounds the space. Nestled in the charming burger street, Kashi Art Cafe is a gem of a place started by Anoop Scaria & Dorrie Younger in an old Dutch house in 1977. The house was renovated to its present aesthetically-pleasing form in 2012 by Edgar Pinto, who then took up the ownership of the cafe. On a pleasantly bright day, if one is in fort Kochi, they can undoubtedly head to Kashi café. It can be an introverts rendezvous or a great choice of place for a cozy hangout spot for friends! There is a generous amount of light that fills in the semi-courtyard like setting with wooden chairs and tables infused with a cozy-casual vibe along with tasteful melodies playing in the background. As charming as the ambiance is, the food does not disappoint either! The café has been known to serve fine-fresh food, mainly breakfast /brunch/evening munchies. Popular choices of the people in the café are those delicious sandwiches which are made out of Freshly home-baked bread and cheese with strong coffee and various detoxifying drinks. The cuisine might feel limited to some but options are still many and the taste is just as exuberant as the setting itself. While one is at the cafe, they can’t help but admire the art instillation put up by the local artists which adds a niche to the place. Most of the artworks seem like a representation of the present world with an insight hidden wanting to be discovered and talked about by the visitors. Admirers of the place aren’t any less, it is often visited by many well recognized people, and artists from different countries exhibit their works of art every now and then. By : Akshatha | Photo Courtesy : Sreekanth Pranavam

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Streets of Fort Kochi
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Streets of Fort Kochi

Did you know Vasco da Gama was buried in one of the oldest church in Cochin? Entwined by a beautiful port, old streets, beautiful Churches, Cafe’s that host the ancient European tea and coffee culture, enchanting backwaters, fresh sea food, I felt that i was in a different era. We came across the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica as we entered the streets, and then we were welcomed by guides who spoke English, with a pleasant Malayalam-accentuation. It just feels that the people who inhabit this area know this city like the back of their hands. It was astonishing to see antique shops which were almost 700 year old! Kochi was the colonized by the Portuguese. The first European settlement was found here around 1500’s. The Dutch and the British made Cochin one of their important centers in regards to trade activities. This place definitely exudes a synchronization of cultures originating from the European colonialism. Visiting Kochi will not disappoint you any way it is a place for vacationers for sure. FACT :It also has the first Indian international airport built without any Central Government funding, and it’s the world’s first fully solar energy powered airport. Photo Courtesy : Sreekanth Pranavam

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Should We Pay Tax for Being a Woman? / Is GST Valid for Sanitary Pads?
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Should We Pay Tax for Being a Woman? / Is GST Valid for Sanitary Pads?

We often talk about how we are growing as a nation and how the thinking and consideration among our people is becoming better and broader day by day! But why the matter of taxation on sanitary pads considered so tiny and ignored? Find out the facts and points about what we think about this subject What is GST?  It is the biggest tax reform since 1947. The country welcomed a new tax regime, GST, on 1st July. It embodies the principle of one nation, one tax, and one market. Now the concern is, the goods and services tax for pads is – 12%. Basically, we are being taxed for being a woman. We don’t really have a choice about our periods. There has been a never-ending list of people putting us down for being unclean and believing that menstrual blood is polluted. A minister in Tamil Nadu said, he’d like to have an X-ray scanner to check for menstruating women so that the temples are not being polluted. How sad is that? The sadder part is our government does not realize, if they do not give women their rights, people like these ministers are not going to stop. Now, Why do we pay tax? What is it used for? Tax, in the definition, is used by the government to invest in technology, education, health-care systems, and to provide goods and services for the benefit of the society. It’s just not fair and we need to be acknowledged as equal & strong citizens of this country. Why there shouldn’t be any tax on sanitary pads? *According to an AC Nelson study, insufficient menstrual protection makes many adolescent girls miss school for at least 5 days a month i.e., 50 days a year. *Of 355 million menstruating women, only 12%use sanitary napkins. They cope up with sub-optimal alternatives like cloth, sand, husk and even ash. *97% of the gynecologists believe that sanitary napkins can act as a preventive measure against reproductive tract infection, it can act as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. For a lesser known fact Usha Multipurpose is a co-operative bank run by sex workers. Entities supply napkins to this society and they may stop doing so. Where the society is one of the largest of its kind in India. It has 30,222 members hailing from Bengal and provides sanitary napkins and condoms to thousands of sex workers at a subsidized rate.  The bank used to procure 1 sanitary napkin at ₹ 3.33 and sell at 63 paise. After the implementation of GST, the bank will have to pay 8 for one napkin. This will result in the sex workers refraining to use them and become more vulnerable to health hazards. Women in a low-income family, even though sanitary napkins are available to them very easily, will rather use cloth or other means to save money without realizing the health risks. We do not need Sindoor, Bangles, Bindi etc (which are all tax-free by the way) to define our femininity. We reserve the right to hygiene. If condoms can be tax-free which of course are used by both man and woman, Sanitary napkins should definitely be tax-free to protect women health. All the items mentioned above-being tax-free are sexist, because it encourages beauty-enhancing behavior and discourages hygiene-enhancing behavior. Sanitary napkins are not luxury, it is our need. FACT: Kenya raised 5 million dollar budget for the purpose of giving free sanitary pads for the year 2017-18. We are not asking for you to make them free at least don’t tax us for our rights.

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SpeedBaker – The Answer to a Sugar-Craving Soul
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SpeedBaker – The Answer to a Sugar-Craving Soul

In today’s social media scene, pages like Tasty and Tastemade have a permanent presence on our feeds and minds. There are millions of videos and posts that impulsively make our mouths water and hearts crave for that perfect rainbow cookie or the pancake that looks like a minion. While the videos may comfort our eyes, it’s really rare to find a bakery, in reality, that speaks to our soul. SpeedBaker is that one rare gem. An insta-bakery to satisfy every sweet craving your Nutella loving, Sugar obsessed heart could possibly dream of, SpeedBaker is your one-stop solution to all things baked. Started by Aishwarya Menon, one of the most talented chefs I know, Speedbaker is a treat for your eyes and your dessert-loving soul. What started as a dream when she was just 11 years old, has shaped her into a pastry magician. She trained at the Institute of Baking and Cake Art & the Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts before she turned her dream into a sweet reality. While the Oreo Cupcake has stolen my heart, Speedbaker has a variety of savories and sweet goodies to choose from. They make everything fresh and to order, and the taste may leave a lasting impression in your mind. It certainly doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. One bite of their moist cupcakes or Rum & Raisin truffles is a one-way ticket to dessert heaven. To top off the already artistic and appetizing presentation, they will wrap your goodies in beautiful packaging, like pretty polka dot boxes, net baskets with pine cones or silver truffle boxes. If you have a beau who needs to be wooed with cookies, a best friend who has always been there for you and deserves something nice for all their love, or you just want to make yourself feel special because you deserve all the happiness, then SpeedBaker is your answer. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeedBaker1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speedbaker1/ Phone: 9900013599 Blog by: Niveditha Vijayanand Insta: @thepurpletrendasaurus

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Retreat to the Mountains. Pahalgam – The Valley of Shepherds.
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Retreat to the Mountains. Pahalgam – The Valley of Shepherds.

Deranged society and mean people loom around me. Before insanity overpowers, I had to find my sane space up in the mountains. I had to retreat to the valley, the valley that is mine. The serenity that solely belongs to me. Like any other Kashmiri, the feeling of being here has intrigued me so much so that merely words can not explain. Within two days of being here, the overwhelming feeling of exploring the Paradise took me to Pahalgam (The Valley of Shepherds) Pahalgam is a hill station in the Anantnag district of Kashmir. where Mountain trails run northeast to Amarnath Cave Temple, a Hindu shrine and site of the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. Pahalgam hosts the ‘Overa Aru’ Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to numerous animal species. To the Northeast, the Lidder River runs through the scenic betaab valley as the chilly river flows out of Kolhoi glacier. To the Southeast, Tulian Lake is flanked by mountain peaks and often frozen which indeed makes the scenic beauty thousandfold more mesmerizing. The area holds a rich cover of vegetation dominated by conifer forest which account for over 95% of the landscape. There are many species of rare, endangered and protected species that inhabit this area. Among them, the predominant species are hangul, musk deer, serow, brown bear, Leopard, rhesus macaque, grey langur, Himalayan mouse hare, etc. Wild bears still roam much of the area, and local villagers are on constant alert to their presence. With the abundance of fresh trout in the rivers and local farm animals, they have plenty to eat. Monkeys also populate the area. The area houses a good population of pheasants and upland birds apart from other species, both resident and migratory. The common birds are snow cock, kashmiri roller, griffon vulture, koklas,jungle crow, blue rock pigeon, monal,European hoopoe etc. Pony rides, fishing/angling, golf, trekking (to Lidderwat, Sonmarg and kolhoi glacier), camping, sledging, and skiing are the varied options available for the adventure lovers. For the nature buffs, there are trek trails, walks and a mini zoo which in fact are the main attractions for the travelers. For the shoppers, there are many wool products,traditional wears, Handmade Artifacts and the famous Kashmir silks to choose from. On conclusion, verily, I can refer to only one suitable quotation to describe my experience. The enchanting and illuminating words of Mughal Emperor Jehangir : “Gar firdaus bar-rue zaminast, hamiasto, haminasto, haminast.”   “If there is a heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here”   By : SHABAZ AHMED DAR

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Meraki – A Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine
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Meraki – A Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine

By Pojashree Vakati, Rashika Madikar, Shagun Sethi, Yashaswi Jadwani ‘Meraki ‘ is a first attempt at putting up a magazine by four very creatively exuberant amateurs. ‘Meraki’ literally means a piece of one’s soul that has been let out. The editors elaborate the  reason behind the name, quoting – “Having worked on a magazine content  for the first time for three months, the ‘Meraki’ is very near to our hearts. We have certainly left a piece of our souls in the magazine and hence the name Meraki”. The magazine is a fashion and life-style editorial that consists of conversations with interesting people and description of unique places. It covers sustainable topics (tips on sustainable styling) and sustainable designer (Anuj Sharma “Button Masala”), and androgynous fashion. The contents are as follows: Like Mother Like Daughter: Interviewed Wanita Ashok and her daughter. who share the same passion for fitness. Wanita Ashok, the mother, is a fitness queen, and her daughter is a fitness baker. Nirjal Basnet: Spoke about the evolution of androgynous fashion. Interviewed Nirjal Basnet – Famous androgynous model from Bangalore. Button Masala: Interviewed Anuj Sharma, an Ahmadabad-based designer. He makes garments with the help of buttons and rubber bands and no stitching. This ensures that a person can wear the garment several times in different styles, making it a sustainable option. Evolution of Style: Styling then and now. How people styled before and how its done now. Also trend take : One item of clothing or shoes can be styled in different ways to gain different looks Seva Cafe – an Ahmadabad-based cafe, where your  eat your meals and the bill comes to you as it is being gifted by some other random person. Ecological Homes: Spoke about sustainable interiors and mud houses. Interviewed Chitra Vishwanath – an architect in Bangalore. Covered street Food of Bangalore: VV Puram Make-up Trends from Breakfast to Dinner To view the magazine fully click on the link: http://anyflip.com/zjwp/nens

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Offbeat Places to Trek Near Bangalore for the Newbies
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Offbeat Places to Trek Near Bangalore for the Newbies

As the city drowns itself in the fast paced lifestyle amidst honking horns, nerve wrecking traffic, tiresome working hours, one gets coiled in the hustle–bustle of the city life during the weekdays in a city like Bangalore. Hence, weekends are the time to unwind and begin another  week with new enthusiasm! One such rejuvenating activity for the people of Bangalore is trekking. In the vicinity of the city (within 150 km) are some of the most picturesque and thrilling locations to trek. Here are some of the trekking spots which are offbeat, yet worthy of a visiting, even for the people who are taking baby steps in the world of trekking! Pic credits: www.thetravelreminiscences.inDistance: 120 km (Near Chikbalapur) Trek Trail: 30 minutes, easy (stairs/pathway) Avalabetta is worth a visit because of its unique hanging cliff with a pond on top of the mountain. The trail is quiet simple and has two options for the climb – either through a 100-and-odd count of stairs, or a walk through the cemented road after the parking space. Since it is faced towards the west, witnessing sunrise is not possible, and the spot is closed after 5 PM. Despite of not having the cliched perks of beautiful sunsets and sunrises, it is a sight to behold nonetheless! You can skip the shrine if you aren’t into that, and move on to relish the beautiful canvas created by mother nature! Distance : 76 KM Trek Trail: slightly challenging ,4 km one way. The less explored trail of Narayangiri hill offers a double delight, firstly of an adventurous path through the rocky boulders of the Jalamangala forest, and secondly a spectacular view from the top, after a tremendous trek of an hour. You can also go for the night trek and camp under the roof of embezzled stars with the warmth of the camp fire at night, and witness the darkness fading to unveil the beautiful sunrise in an equally beautiful panoramic setting. Distance: 65 km (near Kolar) Trek Trail:Moderate ,3 km One of the most exciting spots to visit around Bangalore is the thrilling trek up the mountain of Shathashrunga range, which is not so steep and makes it perfect for the amateurs. Start with the  cave exploration- which gives you a feeling of Indiana Jones (a bit)! Then move on the mysterious stream flowing between the crevasses of the rocks. The peak of the hills are usually windy and offers a pretty amazing view of the city of Kolar. It also offers trekking opportunities during the night for the trek enthusiasts. Distance: 60 km(Near Doddabalapur) Trek Trail: Slightly challenging, 4 km Makalidurga is a must  visit spot to explore for  the enthusiasts, the beginners, and the experienced alike, as it offers numerous paths to climb up the naturally occurring granite rock. As one passes by the fragrance of the lemon grass trail, one can feel the freshness of nature! The beginning of the trek is marked by a railway track , passing by the Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva shrines ( if you take the conventional path marked by painted arrows) and on the top stands the old ruins of the fort which once served as the granary of King Makaliraya. The top also offers a beautiful view of the crops beneath and a lake (which is in the shape of south American continent) nestled midst them. Night trekking is also a way here if you aren’t scared of the strange animal/insect sounds! Distance: 70 km (near Chikaballapur) Trek Trail: Moderate, 8 km Skandagiri is a place that makes u feel as if u were among the clouds. Truly a surreal experience of seeing the crimson sky and the sun rising almost parallel to you. The trek is across six concentric fortified walls , and the summit stages the ruins of the fort. The trek is easy but can get tiresome for some people as it is comparatively longer.  But hey, it’s all worth as the view beholds a quality of enchanting you to the point where all the stress, anxiety, and exhaustion leaves and gets replaced by calmness and contentment! Note:Some of the treks get closed on certain days. Hence, it is suggested to inquire before heading towards Skadagiri. The forest department charges Rs 450 per head on most of the treks (mandatory since Aug 2017). The writer of this blog is a trek enthusiast and has cherished trekking at all the spots mentioned above.

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JD Annual Design Awards 2018
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JD Annual Design Awards 2018

Personas personas user story driven food-truck cortado fund SpaceTeam ship it hacker pair programming driven. Hacker quantitative vs. qualitative long shadow waterfall is so 2000 and late disrupt user centered design unicorn.

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