Latest news with #Indo-Western
Fashion Value Chain
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Value Chain
Desi But Make It Fashion: Ethnic Wear Brand Guide
If ethnic wear is your vibe, this is the only guide you need. From college looks to shaadi-ready glam, Indian wardrobes thrive on ethnic staples — but scrolling endlessly for the right brand is exhausting. So, here's your shortcut to the most reliable and stylish ethnic wear labels in India. Sarees – Koskii For timeless elegance, Koskii delivers with gorgeous silks, easy georgettes, and glam sequins — ideal for weddings and big celebrations. Ethnic Kurtas – Rangita Rangita's everyday kurtas are comfort-meets-style. Breezy fabrics, chic prints, and flattering silhouettes? Perfect for office or off-duty days. Anarkalis – Libas Libas' flowy Anarkalis are made for modern-day royalty. Elegant but not overdone, they're great for festive dinners or small gatherings. Indo-Western Fusion – W for Woman Can't decide between Indian and Western? W's experimental cuts—draped skirts, tunics, and layers—strike the perfect fusion balance. Sharara Sets – Biba Biba's shararas are playful yet comfy. Perfect for Diwali parties, mehendis, or when you just want to be the glam vibe in the room.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mrunal Thakur's floral ethnic co-ord set is here to brighten up the dull monsoon days
(Image Credits: Instagram) An epitome of grace and glamour, Mrunal Thakur is all set to entertain her fans on the big screen with her upcoming release. But before the big unveil, she's giving us a taste of her fashion and it's sweeter than ever. Known for her thoughtful and statement-making style, the actress has once again proven that fashion doesn't always have to be loud to leave an impact; it just needs to feel polished and comforting. Dressed in a stunning Indo-Western outfit adorned with florals, she's here to brighten up our dull monsoon days with effortless elegance. Her look perfectly balanced charm and ease, embracing comfort, functionality, and style all at once. (Image Credits: Instagram) For her latest outing, Mrunal wore the Mihira Jacket Set by Ridhima Bhasin, priced at ₹64,000. Made from delicate organza and chiffon, the three-piece floral ensemble featured a bustier with fine floral embroidery, bringing a touch of magical spring to life. Paired with high-waisted, flowy sharara pants, the look felt breezy, sleek, and feminine. John Abraham, Mrunal Thakur promotes 'Batla House' To top it off, she layered the outfit with a long sheer jacket, detailed with scalloped edges and intricate embellishments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo This ensemble is a beautiful blend of elegance and modern flair - lightweight, vibrant, and blooming with floral motifs. (Image Credits: Instagram) When it came to accessories, Mrunal kept it subtle yet impactful. She chose a statement gold cocktail ring and a dainty choker with a tiny pendant. A pair of simple wedges completed her look, maintaining the minimal but striking aesthetic. Her makeup was fresh and glowing, a soft flush on the cheeks, flawless radiant base, defined eyes with liner, kohl, and mascara, and a delicate pink lip. Letting her hair fall in soft, blow-dried waves, Mrunal's look was the perfect reflection of her effortless, down-to-earth personality with just the right amount of glamour.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Grace Meets Glamour: Mrunal Thakur's Rs 64K Ethereal Red Look Is A Summer Dream
Last Updated: For the promotions of Son of Sardaar 2, Mrunal Thakur stunned in an ethnic set that came with a bustier blouse, sharara pants, and a matching jacket. Mrunal Thakur is all set to enthral her fans on the big screen with her upcoming movie, Son Of Sardaar. Ahead of the film's release, the actor has been spotted out and about in the city for the movie's promotions. In true Mrunal style, she has been serving glam with a refined and polished edge. Her latest look is yet another proof. For the promotions of Son of Sardaar 2 in Mumbai, Mrunal Thakur opted for a comfortable yet stylish Indo-Western ensemble. Viral pictures and videos from the event show Mrunal turning heads in her red look. She was seen posing with her co-star Ajay Devgn before she posed for some single shots for the paparazzi. Her look was all about grace and elan without missing out on comfort and style. A Vision In Indo-Western For her latest outing, Mrunal opted for a jacket set by Ridhima Bhasin. The Mihira Jacket set retails for Rs 64,000 on the brand's official website. Crafted from chiffon and organza, the contemporary three-piece floral set comes with a bustier that features delicate floral embroidery. Mrunal paired the bustier blouse with a pair of matching, flowy, high-waisted sharara pants that offer a breezy, feminine silhouette. The look is elevated by a matching long sheer jacket, detailed with scalloped edges and intricate embellishments. Crafted in lightweight chiffon with floral motifs, this set is a perfect blend of elegance with modern flair. For the accessories, Mrunal opted for a statement cocktail ring in gold and a dainty choker set that came with a tiny pendant. She slipped into a pair of wedges to complete her look. Minimal Glam, Maximum Impact For the glam, Mrunal went with a flawless base. She defined her eyes with kohl, eyeliner, mascara, and a soft brown shade on the eyelid. She added a sweep of blush to her cheeks for that youthful glow. She added a delicate pink shade to her lips and finished her look by leaving her hair open. She styled her hair in blowout waves. On The Professional Front On the work front, Mrunal was last seen in The Family Star with Vijay Devarakonda. She also made a cameo appearance in Kalki 2898 AD. Apart from Son Of Sardaar 2, Mrunal has Dacoit: A Love Story, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Tum Ho Toh, and Pooja Meri Jaan in the pipeline. view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 08:57 IST 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.
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Scandinavian scarf or a dupatta: What the TikTok trend reveals about cultural appropriation in fashion
Remember Kareena Kapoor Khan's iconic character Poo in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham flaunting a black dupatta with her beige jacket and halter-neck top? Chic, classy and oh-so-elegant, Poo became a fashion icon in the 2000s, setting off a trend among college students and young millennials. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, too, rocked a similar look in Bride and Prejudice, pairing a slinky dupatta with her Indo-Western ensembles. Now, decades later, TikTok has repackaged this dupatta-wearing '2000s baddie' look into a Western concept, calling it the 'Scandinavian scarf' trend. Harshita Srivastava, senior faculty of fashion styling at Pearl Academy, explained that the Scandinavian scarf refers to 'a soft piece of fabric resting on the front of the neck and shoulders, cascading down the back.' It's now being sported by celebrities, models, and pop culture influencers, and widely adopted by young Western fashion enthusiasts. The trend has sparked criticism on social media, as the so-called 'Scandinavian scarf' looks suspiciously similar to the South Asian dupatta. But the phenomenon of the West acknowledging and celebrating something only when they adopt it is hardly new. 'In 1498, Vasco da Gama 'discovered' India, they say, and paisley 'rose to popularity' in the 1800s because of Queen Victoria's taste. It raises the question: discovered for whom, and popular where?' asked Srivastava. 'The list of such trends is endless: yoga, chai tea lattes, turmeric milk, incense sticks, curry sauce, 'namaste', henna tattoos, naan bread, mango lassi… The point is, this isn't an isolated event, and certainly not the first time Europe has viewed itself as the centre of the world,' she said. We live in a world that has been tilted, one where no act of borrowing from another culture can exist without historical context. 'When a privileged community adopts from a marginalised one, especially one that has faced historic oppression, colonisation, etc., they trigger and repeat the original trauma. Imperialism, identity, and systemic erasure are linked,' said Srivastava. According to her, Eurocentric aesthetic preferences are how dominant cultures engage with a trend while actively shrinking the visibility of the culture and people they are adopting from, reinforcing unfair and oppressive structural dynamics. 'Cultural appropriation happens when patterns, symbols, silhouettes or designs are taken from an oppressed culture without context or consent. Especially when the dominant culture 'appreciates' things it once dismissed, or even punished,' Srivastava said. She raised an important concern –– who gets to profit from a culture and who is punished for it? Raghavendra Rathore, founder of Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur, said that in the ever-shifting world of fashion, the line between inspiration and appropriation has grown even more difficult, and more critical. 'Inspiration comes from various periods and cultures and even the structures and textures of nature; creativity lives on references. For designers, this referencing is a means of storytelling, a process that revitalises classic forms, not an imitator strategy,' he explained. But when reverence becomes replication, the integrity is lost. 'Inspired work is legitimate when it's honest –– it acknowledges the source, respects the context, and adapts with purpose. It's about paying respect to history and the original creator, not just copying a look,' he said. That said, now, with social media, we have the tools and the power to question and disrupt a repressive cultural erasure with radical visibility. We get to take part in a trend while combating it at the same time. To wear, flaunt, and celebrate the dupatta without calling it a 'Scandinavian scarf'. The rise of artificial intelligence complicates the conversation further. 'AI recycles and redefines past work by scanning billions of images, designs and styles. While this enables rapid creation, it risks diluting originality, leading to a homogenised visual culture,' said Rathore, adding that today's idea of 'originality' is already shifting since almost everything we create is built on something that came before. This debate is especially relevant for Indian fashion, with its deep well of artisanal techniques, regional crafts, and visual diversity. As Indian designers reinterpret global influences and global houses borrow from Indian aesthetics, the question of inspired vs appropriated becomes a complex one. This dialogue is especially important for Indian fashion, which rests on a rich foundation of tradition, craftsmanship, and diverse regional aesthetics. The challenge, according to Rathore, is to move from surface-level borrowing to respectful cultural exchange. In fashion – as in all creative work – it comes down to the integrity of the process. 'If one finds inspiration in another's work, the garment must clearly deviate in form, function, or context,' said Rathore, who believes that paying respect to a source honestly marks intellectual and artistic strength rather than a sign of weakness. In a world becoming ever more transparent and algorithm-driven, Rathore believes the future of fashion belongs to those who can responsibly and honourably turn influence into innovation. If you are bored with the regular way of draping a dupatta and serving major traditional vibes, Srivastava shared some quick and easy ways to style this piece of fabric. 'You can either drape it like a dupatta from the same or a contrasting colour and fabric family, draped like a shawl around the shoulders or the head, as a 90s scarf to tie the hair on a hot summer day or you can even opt for a monochrome set, adding bindis, chudis and even some ribbons,' said the fashion expert. Ishika Roy is a is a Trainee Sub Editor for the lifestyle desk at The Indian Express. She shares a keen interest in reading, writing and researching on all things beauty, entertainment, pop culture and lifestyle. Ishika holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Miranda House, Delhi and a Post-graduate degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune. ... Read More
Economic Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Zen Diamond looks to open 100 stores in India in 5 years
Diamond jewellery brand Zen Diamond plans to open 100 stores across India by 2030, especially in quality malls, a senior company executive has company has two stores in Mumbai, and has signed up for three more, two in the south and one in the north, taking the total to five by the end of this calendar year., according to the official. "We are looking at retail expansion in India. We are planning to have 100 stores across India in the next five years, initially in the major metros, followed by tier II cities," Zen Diamond India Managing Director Neil Sonawala told PTI. He said the stores will be located in quality malls, which already attract consumers and already have the presence of international brands. For its India presence, the company has already invested Rs 100 crore, funded through internal accruals, he said. "We plan to expand, at least up to 10-15 stores, through internal accrual. Post that, for 100 stores in India in the next five years, we will tap different channels for funding. Maybe it could also be a franchise or we could also have some other alternate funding arrangements. It's a bit premature to talk about that at this stage," he added. Currently, Zen Diamond has over 450 stores across 20 countries. Sonawala further said that Zen Diamond is launching an e-commerce platform and has also collaborated with Pernia's pop-up. "We are launching an e-commerce platform. So, we will also have a shop-in-shop in 4-5 Bernier outlets by the end of the year," he added. When asked about the jewellery designs, Sonawala said, the Zen Diamond stores in India will have 75-80 per cent of selected international designs. "But, of course, in India we also need to blend with the local culture and the local taste and preferences. So, 20 per cent of designs are also created in India and which are more on the Indo-Western line. We are on the modern, trendy, international side of designs, ranging from Rs 20,000 and going all the way up to Rs 15 lakh. Our focus is everyday wear, evening wear and gifting," he added. For this purpose, the company has set up a manufacturing unit in Mumbai with a capacity of producing 5 lakh jewellery pieces annually," he said. "We have a manufacturing unit in Mumbai. So, everything is made in India in our facilities. We have a capacity of close to 35,000-40,000 pieces a month. So, almost 500,000 pieces a year," he added. PTI
