Latest news with #ShivanBhatiya
Mint
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
How to make knitwear cool for summer
International as well as homegrown brands are breathing new life into an old craft: knitwear. Over the past few weeks, several designers have presented, both on and off the runways, their unique experimentations with knitwear using colours, shapes and techniques. Weaves like jacquard, crochet, macrame and lace have been seen across beach twinsets, holiday dresses and rompers. At the Chanel's cruise show in Lake Como, for instance, models presented a range of lace and crochet pieces, which looked perfect for a lazy brunch as well as a resort getaway. Back home, designers like Shivan & Narresh, Ranna Gill, NOIB and Rareism, too, dropped summer collection focused on knitwear. Also read: How to cinch it with a cummerbund like Shah Rukh Khan According to Shivan Bhatiya, founder and head designer of Shivan & Narresh, knitwear is a 'key trend" for the summer season, with several celebrities opting for them for both on and off-camera. Actor Blake Lively, for example, wore a butter yellow short sleeve sweater top worn with a silk maxi while promoting her recent release, "Another Simple Favor", in New York City. Ananya Panday is often seen in knitted pieces during media appearances and in her vacation photographs on social media. One of the reasons for kintwear's popularity is its tactile quality that gives a distinctly summer vibe. Plus, they fit perfectly well with the current trending relaxed yet polished aesthetic. 'You can turn the most basic knitwear item into a statement outfit with printed accessories—think silk scarves or statement totes," says Bhatiya. 'And they are a great option for the holiday wardrobe." Small wonder then crochet has become a beachwear essential. It's being used to create cover ups, dresses, ready-to-wear pieces, even accessories. 'Crochet brings in a nostalgic yet contemporary vibe—it's handmade, intricate, and unique," says designer Ranna Gill, who's currently experimenting with crochet. 'Jacquard allows for bold patterns and structure without compromising fluidity. Macramé, with its knotted elegance, introduces a touch of bohemian sophistication. Designers are drawn to these weaves not just for their beauty, but for the craftsmanship and storytelling they represent." Gill offers a styling tip: pair a detailed crochet top with high-waisted linen trousers or denim for a modern contrast. 'A full-length crochet dress works beautifully with sleek sandals and minimal accessories to let the texture shine," she says. "For beachwear, a crochet cover-up over a solid swimsuit feels timeless yet on-trend." The other reason for the growing experimentations with knitwear is that they offer a refreshing departure from conventional summer fabrics like cotton and linen, believes Surabhi Vaidya, founder of the brand NOIB, which has used digital printing on crochet in its recent collection. 'Knitwear is moving beyond clothes to accessories and belts," says Vaidya. 'It's an indication of the kind of interest it is generating in the design community. You know the biggest thing about knits is that the focus remains on the fabric, its drape, its movement, and the natural character of the weave. Heavy embellishments or accessories aren't that necessary, because the fabric is telling the story." Manish Mishra is a Delhi-based writer and content creator. Also read: Are ballet flats the 'it' shoes of 2025?
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Creativity or cultural invasion? A fashion show sparks a row in Kashmir
A fashion show held last week in a picturesque, snow-clad town in Indian-administered Kashmir has sparked a major controversy that is still simmering. The show, by the well-known fashion brand Shivan & Narresh, was held last Friday at a ski resort in Gulmarg to display their skiwear collection. The label is the first big, non-local brand to hold a fashion show in Kashmir, a scenic Himalayan region which has seen decades of violence. But it soon sparked outrage among locals, politicians and religious leaders in Muslim-majority Kashmir after fashion publisher Elle India posted a video on social media which showed some models wearing underwear or bikinis. Locals were also angry over another video - shared by online magazine Lifestyle Asia - of a party held after the show, which showed people drinking alcohol outdoors. Many took offence with the show being held in the holy month of Ramadan - a time of fasting and prayer for Muslims - and accused the designers of "mocking their faith" and "disregarding local culture and sentiments". Some clerics called the show "obscene" and said it was like "soft porn". Some others explained that the outrage had arisen not only from religious conservatism, but also from a fear of cultural imposition from "outsiders". Kashmir has witnessed decades of armed separatist insurgency against Indian rule since the late 1980s. The backlash prompted Elle India and Lifestyle Asia to delete their videos. Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, the designers behind the label, also apologised, saying that their "sole intention was to celebrate creativity" and that they didn't intend to offend religious sentiments. Kashmir - known as the land of saints and Sufism (Islamic mysticism) - has a rich tradition of spirituality which influences many aspects of peoples' lives. The traditional attire is modest, with locals - both men and women - often wearing the pheran, a long, loose cloak. The row also moved off social media and a discussion about the show and the after-party caused a ruckus in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. The opposition criticised the government, accusing it of giving permission for the event despite being aware of local sensitivities. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah distanced his government from the event, saying it had been organised by private entities, and asking local authorities to investigate the matter and submit a report. "If law has been violated, strict action will be taken," he said in the assembly on Monday. The police have not yet given details about who organised the event and what laws, if any, have been violated. The fashion brand did not respond to the BBC's questions about the show, including about permissions it obtained. It's not surprising that scenic Gulmarg - one of India's few skiing destinations and a favourite with tourists - was the choice of venue for a show highlighting a skiwear collection. Fashion journalist Shefalee Vasudev says it's not uncommon for designers to want to hold fashion shows in exquisite locations. In fact, international designers like Alexander McQueen and Karl Lagerfeld are remembered as much for their creative, theatrical fashion shows as they are for their iconic designs. But experimentation brings with it the risk of controversy and so, it's important to be mindful of the political and cultural sensitivities of a place, Ms Vasudev told the BBC. And this holds especially true in a place like Kashmir, which has witnessed wars and decades of armed conflict. Article 370: What happened with Kashmir and why it matters 'Don't beat us, just shoot us': Kashmiris allege violent army crackdown Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in full but control it only in parts. Since India's partition and the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two wars over the territory. Thousands of people have been killed since the late 1980s, when a separatist insurgency broke out against Indian rule. Though the separatist movement has lost steam over the years, many locals continue to view the administration in Delhi with distrust. These sentiments have deepened since 2019 when the federal government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, stripped the region of its autonomy. So some locals told the BBC that they were not surprised by the reactions to the show. "Everything in Kashmir is political; people see things through a political prism," says Mir, a professor at a local university (he asked for his surname to be withheld to protect his identity). He adds that people are sceptical about big corporate events like the fashion show and - even if they are organised by private players - they believe that the government is trying to dilute their culture. Arshid Ahmad, a researcher, uses stronger words to express public angst. "The government is trying to dilute the spirit of resistance in Kashmiris," he says. This isn't the first time an event held by non-locals has triggered a controversy in Kashmir. In 2013, separatists and human rights activists in the region protested against a show by renowned conductor Zubin Mehta. They said it was an attempt by the government to show the world that all was well in Kashmir when people were "suffering and dying". Some of the recent apprehensions around culture and identity can also be tied to the increase in tourists to Kashmir from other states in India. The federal government has often connected this boom in tourism to the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its autonomy. Nousheen Fatima, 34, says because of government messaging, people outside Kashmir now see the region as being safer and "more assimilated with India". But she alleges that many tourists do not respect the region's culture. Last year, a video showing tourists drinking alcohol during a boat ride on the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar evoked outrage from political and religious leaders, who called the behaviour "un-Islamic and unethical". In February, locals put up posters in Srinagar, asking tourists to "respect local culture and traditions" and "avoid alcohol and use of drugs", but these were later pulled down by the police. In an editorial for The Voice of Fashion magazine, Ms Vasudev argues that the outrage needs to be examined from a critical lens. She asks if it would have been all right for the show to have been held in another Indian city instead of Kashmir, where Muslims would also be observing Ramadan. And whether it would have been acceptable to hold the show in Kashmir if it featured only outfits perceived as modest. She also points out that Kashmir is home to the "world's finest wool yarn; some of the finest handspun, handwoven pashmina creations and its artisans". "What Kashmir creates and stands for cannot be replicated anywhere. Shouldn't a fashion show at Gulmarg then, with innovative garments made with 100% wool, be seen as regenerating interest in untried ways?" she asks. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Creativity or cultural invasion? A fashion show sparks a row in Kashmir
A fashion show held last week in a picturesque, snow-clad town in Indian-administered Kashmir has sparked a major controversy that is still simmering. The show, by the well-known fashion brand Shivan & Narresh, was held last Friday at a ski resort in Gulmarg to display their skiwear collection. The label is the first big, non-local brand to hold a fashion show in Kashmir, a scenic Himalayan region which has seen decades of violence. But it soon sparked outrage among locals, politicians and religious leaders in Muslim-majority Kashmir after fashion publisher Elle India posted a video on social media which showed some models wearing underwear or bikinis. Locals were also angry over another video - shared by online magazine Lifestyle Asia - of a party held after the show, which showed people drinking alcohol outdoors. Many took offence with the show being held in the holy month of Ramadan - a time of fasting and prayer for Muslims - and accused the designers of "mocking their faith" and "disregarding local culture and sentiments". Some clerics called the show "obscene" and said it was like "soft porn". Some others explained that the outrage had arisen not only from religious conservatism, but also from a fear of cultural imposition from "outsiders". Kashmir has witnessed decades of armed separatist insurgency against Indian rule since the late 1980s. The backlash prompted Elle India and Lifestyle Asia to delete their videos. Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, the designers behind the label, also apologised, saying that their "sole intention was to celebrate creativity" and that they didn't intend to offend religious sentiments. Kashmir - known as the land of saints and Sufism (Islamic mysticism) - has a rich tradition of spirituality which influences many aspects of peoples' lives. The traditional attire is modest, with locals - both men and women - often wearing the pheran, a long, loose cloak. The row also moved off social media and a discussion about the show and the after-party caused a ruckus in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. The opposition criticised the government, accusing it of giving permission for the event despite being aware of local sensitivities. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah distanced his government from the event, saying it had been organised by private entities, and asking local authorities to investigate the matter and submit a report. "If law has been violated, strict action will be taken," he said in the assembly on Monday. The police have not yet given details about who organised the event and what laws, if any, have been violated. The fashion brand did not respond to the BBC's questions about the show, including about permissions it obtained. It's not surprising that scenic Gulmarg - one of India's few skiing destinations and a favourite with tourists - was the choice of venue for a show highlighting a skiwear collection. Fashion journalist Shefalee Vasudev says it's not uncommon for designers to want to hold fashion shows in exquisite locations. In fact, international designers like Alexander McQueen and Karl Lagerfeld are remembered as much for their creative, theatrical fashion shows as they are for their iconic designs. But experimentation brings with it the risk of controversy and so, it's important to be mindful of the political and cultural sensitivities of a place, Ms Vasudev told the BBC. And this holds especially true in a place like Kashmir, which has witnessed wars and decades of armed conflict. Article 370: What happened with Kashmir and why it matters 'Don't beat us, just shoot us': Kashmiris allege violent army crackdown Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in full but control it only in parts. Since India's partition and the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two wars over the territory. Thousands of people have been killed since the late 1980s, when a separatist insurgency broke out against Indian rule. Though the separatist movement has lost steam over the years, many locals continue to view the administration in Delhi with distrust. These sentiments have deepened since 2019 when the federal government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, stripped the region of its autonomy. So some locals told the BBC that they were not surprised by the reactions to the show. "Everything in Kashmir is political; people see things through a political prism," says Mir, a professor at a local university (he asked for his surname to be withheld to protect his identity). He adds that people are sceptical about big corporate events like the fashion show and - even if they are organised by private players - they believe that the government is trying to dilute their culture. Arshid Ahmad, a researcher, uses stronger words to express public angst. "The government is trying to dilute the spirit of resistance in Kashmiris," he says. This isn't the first time an event held by non-locals has triggered a controversy in Kashmir. In 2013, separatists and human rights activists in the region protested against a show by renowned conductor Zubin Mehta. They said it was an attempt by the government to show the world that all was well in Kashmir when people were "suffering and dying". Some of the recent apprehensions around culture and identity can also be tied to the increase in tourists to Kashmir from other states in India. The federal government has often connected this boom in tourism to the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its autonomy. Nousheen Fatima, 34, says because of government messaging, people outside Kashmir now see the region as being safer and "more assimilated with India". But she alleges that many tourists do not respect the region's culture. Last year, a video showing tourists drinking alcohol during a boat ride on the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar evoked outrage from political and religious leaders, who called the behaviour "un-Islamic and unethical". In February, locals put up posters in Srinagar, asking tourists to "respect local culture and traditions" and "avoid alcohol and use of drugs", but these were later pulled down by the police. In an editorial for The Voice of Fashion magazine, Ms Vasudev argues that the outrage needs to be examined from a critical lens. She asks if it would have been all right for the show to have been held in another Indian city instead of Kashmir, where Muslims would also be observing Ramadan. And whether it would have been acceptable to hold the show in Kashmir if it featured only outfits perceived as modest. She also points out that Kashmir is home to the "world's finest wool yarn; some of the finest handspun, handwoven pashmina creations and its artisans". "What Kashmir creates and stands for cannot be replicated anywhere. Shouldn't a fashion show at Gulmarg then, with innovative garments made with 100% wool, be seen as regenerating interest in untried ways?" she asks. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.
BBC News
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gulmarg fashion show sparks row in Indian-administered Kashmir
A fashion show held last week in a picturesque, snow-clad town in Indian-administered Kashmir has sparked a major controversy that is still show, by the well-known fashion brand Shivan & Narresh, was held last Friday at a ski resort in Gulmarg to display their skiwear collection. The label is the first big, non-local brand to hold a fashion show in Kashmir, a scenic Himalayan region which has seen decades of it soon sparked outrage among locals, politicians and religious leaders in Muslim-majority Kashmir after fashion publisher Elle India posted a video on social media which showed some models wearing underwear or bikinis. Locals were also angry over another video - shared by online magazine Lifestyle Asia - of a party held after the show, which showed people drinking alcohol took offence with the show being held in the holy month of Ramadan - a time of fasting and prayer for Muslims - and accused the designers of "mocking their faith" and "disregarding local culture and sentiments". Some clerics called the show "obscene" and said it was like "soft porn". Some others explained that the outrage had arisen not only from religious conservatism, but also from a fear of cultural imposition from "outsiders". Kashmir has witnessed decades of armed separatist insurgency against Indian rule since the late 1980s. The backlash prompted Elle India and Lifestyle Asia to delete their videos. Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, the designers behind the label, also apologised, saying that their "sole intention was to celebrate creativity" and that they didn't intend to offend religious sentiments. Kashmir - known as the land of saints and Sufism (Islamic mysticism) - has a rich tradition of spirituality which influences many aspects of peoples' lives. The traditional attire is modest, with locals - both men and women - often wearing the pheran, a long, loose row also moved off social media and a discussion about the show and the after-party caused a ruckus in the Jammu and Kashmir opposition criticised the government, accusing it of giving permission for the event despite being aware of local sensitivities. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah distanced his government from the event, saying it had been organised by private entities, and asking local authorities to investigate the matter and submit a report."If law has been violated, strict action will be taken," he said in the assembly on Monday. The police have not yet given details about who organised the event and what laws, if any, have been fashion brand did not respond to the BBC's questions about the show, including about permissions it obtained. It's not surprising that scenic Gulmarg - one of India's few skiing destinations and a favourite with tourists - was the choice of venue for a show highlighting a skiwear journalist Shefalee Vasudev says it's not uncommon for designers to want to hold fashion shows in exquisite fact, international designers like Alexander McQueen and Karl Lagerfeld are remembered as much for their creative, theatrical fashion shows as they are for their iconic experimentation brings with it the risk of controversy and so, it's important to be mindful of the political and cultural sensitivities of a place, Ms Vasudev told the this holds especially true in a place like Kashmir, which has witnessed wars and decades of armed 370: What happened with Kashmir and why it matters'Don't beat us, just shoot us': Kashmiris allege violent army crackdownBoth India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in full but control it only in parts. Since India's partition and the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two wars over the of people have been killed since the late 1980s, when a separatist insurgency broke out against Indian rule. Though the separatist movement has lost steam over the years, many locals continue to view the administration in Delhi with sentiments have deepened since 2019 when the federal government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, stripped the region of its some locals told the BBC that they were not surprised by the reactions to the show."Everything in Kashmir is political; people see things through a political prism," says Mir, a professor at a local university (he asked for his surname to be withheld to protect his identity). He adds that people are sceptical about big corporate events like the fashion show and - even if they are organised by private players - they believe that the government is trying to dilute their Ahmad, a researcher, uses stronger words to express public angst. "The government is trying to dilute the spirit of resistance in Kashmiris," he isn't the first time an event held by non-locals has triggered a controversy in Kashmir. In 2013, separatists and human rights activists in the region protested against a show by renowned conductor Zubin Mehta. They said it was an attempt by the government to show the world that all was well in Kashmir when people were "suffering and dying". Some of the recent apprehensions around culture and identity can also be tied to the increase in tourists to Kashmir from other states in India. The federal government has often connected this boom in tourism to the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its Fatima, 34, says because of government messaging, people outside Kashmir now see the region as being safer and "more assimilated with India". But she alleges that many tourists do not respect the region's year, a video showing tourists drinking alcohol during a boat ride on the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar evoked outrage from political and religious leaders, who called the behaviour "un-Islamic and unethical".In February, locals put up posters in Srinagar, asking tourists to "respect local culture and traditions" and "avoid alcohol and use of drugs", but these were later pulled down by the an editorial for The Voice of Fashion magazine, Ms Vasudev argues that the outrage needs to be examined from a critical lens. She asks if it would have been all right for the show to have been held in another Indian city instead of Kashmir, where Muslims would also be observing Ramadan. And whether it would have been acceptable to hold the show in Kashmir if it featured only outfits perceived as also points out that Kashmir is home to the "world's finest wool yarn; some of the finest handspun, handwoven pashmina creations and its artisans"."What Kashmir creates and stands for cannot be replicated anywhere. Shouldn't a fashion show at Gulmarg then, with innovative garments made with 100% wool, be seen as regenerating interest in untried ways?" she BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.
