Yes, bejewelled jeans are a thing again
Designer Ritwik Khanna's label Rkive City is reviving old denim with hand-applied gems and embroidery. 'Embellished jeans feel like a natural revival, since they're rooted in vintage but are reimagined through the lens of reclamation,' he says.
A post shared by rkivecity (@rkivecity)
Even Mannat Sethi, co-founder of Grain, agrees. She 'We're bringing back mukaish badla, chikankari, and spill sequins, not as a trend, but as texture, memory, and movement. Embellishment here isn't surface, it's structure, story, and soul.'
A post shared by GRAINE (@graineworld)
Celebs are also putting their own twist to the trend. Hollywood actors Blake Lively and Anne Hathaway were spotted in Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren creations, respectively. Closer home, actor Anushka Sharma had social media buzzing when she wore a glittery pair at the Indian Premier League final, while actor Aditi Rao Hydari showed up at this year's Cannes Film Festival looking like a disco dream.
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Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
From Love Island to Bollywood, the bandanna is firmly back — and better than ever
Just when it seemed like fashion had exhausted every throwback trend from the Y2K era, a surprising blast from the past has crept back into the spotlight: the bandanna. Gen Z's newest Instagram obsession, Love Island USA, saw two contestants casually wearing triangle-folded bandannas like it was 1995, which quickly turned into a viral fashion moment. Social media lit up with comparisons to everyone from Tupac to Steve Carrel's 'Prison Mike,' and it became clear. The bandanna is officially back. A post shared by Samantha Bush (@bravohistorian) But while the recent resurgence might seem playful or nostalgic on the surface, there's far more to this square of fabric than meets the eye. With roots in ancient Indian textile traditions, it's enjoying a fresh wave of relevance, thanks to celebrities, stylists, and a new generation rediscovering its charm. To call the bandanna a 'trend' might actually be a disservice. Its story is far older and richer than most people realise. 'The word 'bandanna' actually comes from bāndhnāti, a Sanskrit term meaning 'to tie,'' explains Dr Sadhna, Associate Professor at Woxsen University's School of Arts and Design. 'It's directly connected to bandhani, the traditional Indian tie-dye technique still practised today.' According to Dr Sadhna, colourful bandhani textiles from Gujarat and Rajasthan were already being traded globally by the 1600s. They featured bold patterns, often with the iconic teardrop-shaped boteh, a Persian motif we now know as paisley. These vibrant squares evolved, over time, into cultural and political symbols. By the 18th century, the British East India Company had introduced the bandanna to Europe. From there, it made its way into colonial America, even being used for political prints (even George Washington once had his face on one). As the decades passed, it became part of the working-class uniform: worn by miners, cowboys, and railroad workers to block dust and sweat. Fast forward to the 20th century, and the bandanna's identity became even more layered. Red bandannas symbolised labour solidarity during Appalachian miners' strikes. Rosie the Riveter wore hers as a sign of female resilience during WWII. In the Caribbean and across the African diaspora, bandannas became expressions of cultural pride, especially when head coverings were once used to control or suppress identity. And then came the music. Jimi Hendrix in his psychedelic head wraps. Tupac in his signature front-tied red bandanna. Chicano pride. Punk rebellion. Queer codes. The bandanna had officially gone from functional to fiercely symbolic. While a couple of Love Islanders may have re-lit the match, celebrities in India and beyond have been fanning the flames for a while now. Take Alia Bhatt, for instance. At a sun-soaked destination wedding in Spain, she wore a purple bandhani bandanna that instantly turned heads. Styled by Rhea Kapoor and designed by Arpita Mehta, the look paired traditional craft with effortless cool. A post shared by Alia Bhatt 💛 (@aliaabhatt) Her matching mirror-embroidered choli, swirling skirt, and potli bag were stunning, but it was the scarf tied over her head that gave the outfit a punch of personality. Suddenly, every Gen Z bride's guest list included one essential accessory: the bandanna. Then there's Kiara Advani, who pulled off a laid-back, boho-chic look during promotions for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Dressed in a metallic crop top and printed palazzos, she tied a bandanna in the same abstract pattern as her pants, giving us a wearable, trend-forward moment that felt spontaneous but polished. And Neha Dhupia? She's made the bandanna part of her signature. 'When you can't decide which scarf 🧣 to wear… it's simple! Twist them n wear both!' she wrote on Instagram once, reminding us all that fashion rules are meant to be bent. A post shared by Neha Dhupia (@nehadhupia) Even Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood's forever icon, has sported bandannas off-duty. On him, they feel lived-in. Relaxed. Timeless. Maybe it's nostalgia. Maybe it's the comfort of a tried-and-tested accessory that feels both effortless and expressive. Or maybe, in a time when identity is more fluid and personal than ever, we're drawn to things that carry meaning without needing explanation. The beauty of the bandanna lies in its duality: it's both ancient and current, rebellious and traditional, playful and political. You can wear it to a protest, a picnic, a wedding, or a workout. It fits in everywhere, and that's what makes it timeless. As Dr Sadhna puts it, 'The bandanna has always been about more than just style. It's about who you are and what you stand for, wrapped up in a square of cloth.'
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Economic Times
IPL for Gen Z: Cricket, commerce, and connected screens
Synopsis The Indian Premier League has evolved into a significant social and commercial hub for India's Gen Z, with 85% following the tournament. A considerable portion actively participates in fantasy sports leagues, driven primarily by the opportunity to win money rather than testing their sports knowledge. ET Online For India's Gen Z, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is no longer just a cricket tournament. It has become a multi-layered experience where entertainment, peer interaction, gaming, and commerce come together. The second edition of the ET Snapchat Gen Z Index, which tracked this demographic during the three-month IPL season, found that 85% of Gen Z follow the tournament—well ahead of other sports. Male engagement is higher at 91%, and followership is strong among those aged 24–28 at 89%. More than half of regular followers watch every match or most of them. Cricket remains king. But it's shared, not soloYou cannot take cricket out of Indian blood, and the Gen Z are not even trying. For them, too, cricket just 'slaps'. Cricket continues to dominate, and Gen Z is no exception. The survey, powered by Kantar, shows that 64% of Gen Z watch IPL matches with family and 48% with friends. The mix of entertainment, convenient timing, and cultural relevance has made the tournament a regular fixture in their social lives. Fantasy gaming turns fandom into financial play Fantasy sports platforms like Dream11, MPL, and My11Circle have become central to the IPL experience. While earlier generations watched passively, Gen Z is actively participating. About 63% of Gen Z respondents said they have played fantasy sports, and 44% of working Gen Zs do so regularly, often aligning their picks with live matches. The main driver is money: 44% cited winning cash as their reason for playing, compared with just 2% who said it was about testing sports knowledge. Another 31% said the appeal was competing with friends. This trend points to a link between disposable income and participation in reward-driven digital platforms, as employed Gen Z use these games to balance risk, gratification, and social validation. Second screening shifts advertising from recall to action Another key behaviour is second screening. About 81% said they use another device while watching the IPL, and more than half of them engage with IPL-related content at the same time. This habit is changing how ads work. Some 53% of Gen Z viewers said they searched for or bought a product after seeing it during an IPL ad. For advertisers, this shows how contextual triggers drive instant action, not just recall. Gen Z's interest in IPL is deepening, not declining Despite assumptions about short attention spans, 62% of Gen Z said their interest in the IPL has grown over time, while only 27% said it had declined. The tournament continues to deliver experiences through stadium events, fan parks, and meet-and-greets that keep audiences connected. Gen Z's engagement with the IPL shows more than fandom. It reflects how entertainment and commerce are converging. From fantasy sports and social viewing to impulsive digital shopping, the IPL has become both a sporting spectacle and an engine of digital economic activity. Read full report here
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
RJ Mahvash Gets Stuck In Mumbai's Heavy Rain, Shares Update: ‘It's Really Scary'
RJ Mahvash shares her experience of being stuck in Mumbai's heavy rains, calling the situation "really scary" as the city faces severe weather and flooding. Severe rains have been recorded in several parts of the country in the past few days, and the situation in Mumbai is quite critical, with the city on red alert and an advisory to stay indoors. In this, RJ Mahvash, who is rumoured to be dating ace cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, has taken to her social media to share that she was stuck in the rain and the situation is very scary. 'Please be saf,e Mumbaikars. Don't go out. Bhot bura phans ke aayi hu main bhi. It's really UNSAFE and scary. Stay home. Barish ruk hi nahi rahi hai 4 din se," Raj Mahvash wrote on Tuesday while sharing a picture of a flooded road with a car stuck on it. About Mumbai Rains Heavy rains in Mumbai have flooded many areas, stopping trains, delaying flights, and blocking road traffic. Schools and offices stayed shut. The Mithi River crossed the danger level, forcing 400 people to move out. The city recorded over 300 mm of rain in a day. Why is RJ Mahvash in the news? 'Please be safe Mumbaikars. Don't go out. Bhot bura phans ke aayi hu main bhi. It's really UNSAFE and scary. Stay home. Barish ruk hi nahi rahi hai 4 din se." A user commented, 'Kisika pati churana??? Cheating," hinting at Yuzvendra Chahal's separation from his wife Dhanashree Verma and their rumours since then. Hitting back at the troll, Mahvash replied, 'Maine churaya nahi isliye I wouldn't know but yes kisika pati churana CHEATING." People began to speculate about her relationship with Chahal after they were seen watching a Champions Trophy match together in Dubai. She was also seen cheering for him during his Indian Premier League (IPL) games. Who is RJ Mahvash? RJ Mahvash is an actor, radio host, film producer, and social media personality. While she has established herself well in the worlds of the internet and radio, Mahvash has also dabbled in acting, appearing in projects such as Section 108 and Yash Patnaik's miniseries. Mahvash was seen in the web series Pyar Paisa Profit. The drama is based on Durjoy Datta's bestselling novel Now That You're Rich… Let's Fall in Love. It is streaming on Amazon MX Player and stars Pratik Yadav, Mihir Ahuja, Neil Bhoopalam, Nitish Sharma, Shivangi Khedkar, and Ashish Raghav. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
