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The BIG FAT Goan White Wedding Dress:

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We have now entered the wedding season and love is in the air. Brides-to-be have probably dreamed of their perfect wedding day all their lives. They’ve found the prince of their dreams; it’s time to make it official. There’s going to be a party, and music, and good food, and wine, and dancing and the white dress. Oh Yes! The White dress! Every bride dreams of looking picture perfect on her big day, and the white wedding dress has a massive role to play in it. The white wedding dress has always been the hallmark of weddings in Goa. From the conservative to the bold and daring, we have seen all sorts of trends in wedding dresses emerge. Our wedding dresses are often inspired by western trends which are heavily influenced by those worn either by royalty, or by Hollywood celebrities. In ancient times, the clothing worn by queens and princesses influenced fashion trends. This applied to wedding dresses as well, which also reflected the bride’s social standing and indicated th

What if fashion slowed down?

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In the wake of the Corona virus outbreak in Italy, Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani recently staged its women’s Autumn/ Winter 2020 show in Milan without an audience. The fashion house released a statement telling guests not to attend the show due to public health reasons and announced that the show would be live streamed on its website, Instagram and Facebook pages instead. This got me thinking that if a crisis situation could push a giant fashion house to slow down just one element of its functioning, what it would take for the entire fashion industry to slow down. Fashion has always been showcased as per the seasons. Seasonal fashion drives consumers to buy as per seasonal trends and discard clothing for the next season as it is rendered “out-of-fashion”. This puts a toll on the planet and encourages consumerism. Initially, designers showcased two collections. While internationally it was showcased as Spring/ Summer and Autumn/ Winter, in India it is called Summer/ Reso

Ninoshka Interview - with the designer on her new collection

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Evolution of the Swimsuit

If there is one piece of clothing that has evolved more than any other through the decades, it’s the swimsuit. The changes in the styles of swimwear over time differed between cultures and came about with the changes in social, religious and legal attitudes towards swimming and swimwear. In the classical era, swimming and outdoor bathing was either done in the nude, or in one’s underwear. However, in the Middle Ages, swimming and outdoor bathing was discouraged. It would appear that until the 1670s nude female bathing in the spas was the norm and that after that time women bathed clothed. The bathing gown in the 18 th and 19 th century was a loose ankle-length full-sleeve chemise-type gown made of wool or flannel that would not become transparent when wet, with weights sewn into the hems so that they would not rise up in the water. This was not only cumbersome, but very dangerous. In the Victorian era, Western cultures deplored nudity of any degree, and people took gr

8 Reasons to ditch synthetic clothing

We once lived simple lives – grew our own vegetables, ate homemade food, wore cotton clothes and generally lived a peaceful and healthy life. Over the last few decades, there has been a drastic shift in our lifestyles; and consumerism and the global market haven’t brought in any relief. If anything, the quality of life has greatly reduced and we’ve been left with fewer healthy choices. We are constantly, knowingly or unknowingly, pumping our bodies with toxins and chemicals. The by-products of our choices have an adverse effect on our environment. There is one area which we can control and that is our choice in clothing. Many favour synthetic clothing over natural fibres, such as cotton, linen and silk, simply because it’s cheap, durable and convenient to maintain. Although wearing synthetic clothing may have short term advantages, the downside of these fabrics are greater and extremely damaging both to our bodies as well as our planet. Here are the top reasons why you

Colours through fashion eras

Have you ever come across the sayings “Red with rage”, “Green with envy”, “Tickled pink” or “Got the blues”? Have you ever wondered how colours came to be associated with emotions? We’ll soon be celebrating Valentine’s Day and marketing professionals will be promoting their products by associating them with the colour red which is associated with love. The colours we wear can convey a strong message about who we are, how we feel, where we live or what we believe in. Throughout fashion history colour tells a rich story of class, politics, consumerism and self-expression. Colour in clothing, especially bright, saturated and vibrant colours were often highly symbolical and reflected the status of those wearing the clothes. In fashion, colours are directed by the seasons. Dark colours that absorb heat are applied in the winter season where as pastels and light colours are used in the warmer months. Warm and bright colours have the ability to lift one’s mood and are used in the mo

How to launder your clothes so they last

I’m sure you’ve experienced clothes getting worn out, fading or losing its shape over time. How fast clothes wear out largely depends on how they are cared for. Every item of clothing requires different kind of wash care and caring for clothes is often overlooked. Here are a few points on how to launder your clothes so they last for a long time. Hand wash: This is the best way to preserve your clothes as it is gentle on the clothes and it prevents fading. It is specially recommended that you hand wash delicate clothing. It’s generally best to knead the garment and avoid twisting and wringing of the garment. Wash in cold water: One of the best things you can do for your clothes is to wash them in cold water and air-dry them. Just like heat damages your hair overtime, it can wear out your clothes and make them fade a lot quicker. It can also make your clothes shrink, especially if they have elastic or spandex fibres that can be damaged by heat and cause the garment to l

New Year Resolutions for a Greener Wardrobe

It’s the New Year and a time for many to make resolutions; could be to eat healthier, exercise more, wake up earlier or work harder this year. It’s also a good time to give our wardrobe a thought so as to make it conducive to the environment and simplify our day to day lives. I have personally owned a green wardrobe for the longest time and I feel that it is very satisfying. I am happy to share a few tips that could change your wardrobe and make life so much easier. Downsize: It’s the first step to owning a green wardrobe. There is no point in hanging on to clothes that don’t fit you or accessories that you haven’t used for a long time or don’t think you will use again. De-clutter your wardrobe and get rid of what you don’t want or need anymore. You can donate it to charity or put it up for a jumble sale. Downsizing can save up a lot of space and storage and give you a clearer idea of what you really need. Plan a capsule wardrobe: A capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few