High fashion is getting higher, quite literally!

Alexander Wang FW16 | Image: Dazed Digital

Pot leaf motifs from Alexander Wang’s FW16 collection set the message straight: cannabis can be chic.

Mara Hoffman SS16

In 2015, marijuana motif set the ramp ablaze at Mara Hoffman’s runway show.

Vetements Weed Grinder

Fashion’s moment of greenery hit a new high few months ago when cult underground fashion brand Vetements introduced the ultimate stoner’s accessory – a weed grinder pendent.

Cannabis has taken over mainstream television and pop stars of our era comfortably light a joint on onstage. Celebrity strains from the likes of Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa and Rihanna have embarked monumental strides for marijuana.

Pop culture and fashion industry has had a long time kinship for youth culture. Every time the industry runs out of ideas, trends start trickling up from the streets and now, even from social media. In the era of fast growing modernist stoner subculture, marijuana has matured from its stereotypical college dorm room image to suit and tie, middle-class and even ostensibly conservative folks. Slowly but steadily, the perceptions of stoner figure is finally going up the smoke and entering sanctioned waters. Unlike the stereotypical lazy video game playing stoner bro, the millennials are dedicated to their work and smoke pot to cut loose from the suffocating demands of their career-oriented lifestyles. The breaking bad generation has significantly helped cannabis break free from closet by being upfront about using pot as a creative tool and for recreation.

Instagram hasn’t yet introduced a pot leaf emoji… but hey, guess someone hasn’t kept pace with the speedily evolving youth culture. Another phenomenon that’s spreading like a wildfire among youth right now is Mini Militia. From coffee shops to college hostel rooms, it’s a common sight to watch young guns glued to their phones, and then comes bullets, grenades and lot of yays and nays. There is no debating the addictive nature of both Mini Militia and Marijuana. Like most things in life, everything comes down to finding a balance. Drawing inspiration from the lifestyle of millennial stoners who effortlessly balance out their work and leisure, I recreated youth culture’s moment of greenery in camouflaged trousers. The idea: Get stoned in greens, browns and nudes to combat the world outside!

Photo: Nawin Krishna | Styling: Purushu Arie

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Reinventing the self sometimes involves sauntering unexplored roads. The only time I wrote about kidswear styles in this fashion blog was when I shared kids fashion illustration back in fashion college days.

Kids Fashion Illustrations | © Purushu Arie

Blooming lilies and the sunny skies signal spring and the much loved kid’s festival; Easter. With the eggcellent celebrations round the corner, it’s time for some Easter egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, hot cross buns and some Simnel cake. And let’s not forget dressing up in vibrant hues of floral prints to mark the season of rebirth. After all it’s the day of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

With Easter coming up, kids are bound to have some amazing parties marked on their calendars. To contribute to their fun and frolic, why not ornate our own little bunnies in colourful party dresses! Kidology, with its designer collection of Kids’ party wear, will definitely make their celebrations a lot more gala.

The following are some easy kids’ party dressing ideas that would definitely make your tiny tot stand apart!

Satin Bow Dress

SATIN BOW DRESS

A classic bow dress does full justice to the word melodrama. A sensational dramatic design combined in regal ruby hue, this piece boasts of timeless elegance and style. The elegant red bow add just the right amount of drama to this timeless kidwear silhouette.

Lily Dress

LILY DRESS

A perfect blend of simplicity and style, the dress is bound to make heads turn throughout the party, be it running around hunting for eggs or performing the traditional Morris dance. Paired with metallic silver ballerinas or black sequined bow peeps, Lily dress would be one of my absolute favourite picks this Easter.

Butterfly Dress

BUTTERFLY DRESS

What symbolises ‘a new beginning’ better than a butterfly. A simple cut with a bold print instantly makes this piece an easy choice. Not only will it make her a treat to look at but also ensure her comfort throughout the merrymaking day. Club it with the Sequins Bow Soft Band to add that hint of bling and she is absolutely ready to go.

Russian Rose Shift Dress

RUSSIAN ROSE SHIFT DRESS

The Russian Rose Shift Dress featuring black threadwork roses embossed on blush pink satin silk is a contemporary & quirky combination. The round high-neck makes it the perfect pick for those looking for sophistication. Worn with the Champaign Head Band, the Russian Rose Shift Dress will definitely put your child’s way ahead of everybody on the fashion curve.

Bougainvillea Cluster Dress

BOUGAINVILLEA CLUSTER DRESS

One look at this piece, and you may want to be 5 again. A sure shot fairytale look, the Bougainvillea Cluster dress is bound to make your girl feel like a princess. A stunning example of fit and flare, this one is unlike any other I have seen in a very long time. Complement this piece with the Marine Coat Head Band and the Flower Clasp Chain bag to complete the look with finesse.

Scooter Print Shirt

SCOOTER PRINT SHIRT

Why let our tiny gentlemen feel left out. The perfect pick to radiate the dreams & desires of young boy, the scooter printed shirt is a fresh change from the run-of-the-mill plaids and stripes, the classic black vest renders the quintessential English charm. Team up the set with a traditional 20^th century beret from Kidology to complete the look.

Block Print Shirt

BLOCK PRINT SHIRT

A contemporary take on the traditional shirt and vest look, the block print shirt will make your boy an instant attraction at all the fancy Easter parties. The combination of indigo vest and statement white buttons adds just the right amount of formal to the attire. Team it up with a pair of classic white trousers along with the trendy Dalmatian shoes, and he’s good to go.

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A daughter’s first style inspiration is none other than her mother. A mother’s collection of saris, pearls, diamonds, and makeup never cease to fascinate daughters. While growing up, wanting to dress and replicate her mother’s style comes absolutely naturally to a daughter. With a plethora of memories of her precious kid’s attempt to adorn herself in her magnificent saris and beautiful jewels replete with a botched up make-up job, watching her daughter transform into a young woman is a thing of joy for every mother.

As a girl advances in her years, her desire to have a share in her mother’s beauty secrets gets amplified. The desire to initiate her daughter into womanhood is inherent in every mother. One of the ways that a mother acknowledges her daughters approaching womanhood in Indian society is by granting her access to precious diamonds on the occasion of her wedding. This is one of the grand unspoken gestures of love that transpires between a mother and daughter. Diamonds owned by a mother especially in various forms are extremely versatile in their usage and are appropriate to be worn by young girls.

Listed below are the different types of diamond jewellery pieces that echo the evolving taste of Indian women. Strengthen the bond of love with diamonds to declare the bond of love between man and woman or even between parents, siblings or any other beloved special one.

1. Diamond Studs

Considered being an essential must-have piece of jewellery for every woman, diamond studs radiate sophistication like none other. Available in various sizes and cuts, this simple piece of accessory is all you need to look dazzling any outfit, formal or traditional. What’s more important is that this quintessential piece of accessory is perfect for young girls.
While buying the perfect pair of studs for yourself that your daughter can also incorporate in her wardrobe, pay detailed attention to the cut and size of the diamond that you are investing in. Hazoorilal diamond jewelers offer a magnificent collection of diamond studs that you must take a look at. Such pieces make for perfect hand-me downs from a mother to a daughter.

2. Bracelets

Unlike any other type of diamond jewellery, a gold or platinum diamond bracelet might not be as eye catching as a diamond ring or pendant will be. Bracelets are amongst those pieces of accessories that are perfect for both daughter and mother.
Being a sophisticated band of diamonds set in gold or any other metal, this piece of jewellery is the ideal accessory for your daughter that she can wear for just about for any occasion without fretting about appearing flashy or ostentatious. An understated diamond bracelet can effortlessly be paired with your formal as well as traditional attires. Polki jewellery designs are some of the great options for you to invest in.

3. Pendants

The next piece of jewellery in our list of accessories that can be shared by both mother and daughter is an elegant diamond pendant. Nothing spells grace and elegance better than a charming gold or platinum chain with a delicate pendant around the neck. One of the many versatile pieces of jewellery, a diamond pendant can add grace to any outfit.

4. Traditional Jhumkas

Symbolic of our tradition and culture, traditional jhumkas have been an all-time favorite piece of jewellery for women amongst all ages and cultural backgrounds. What could be a better way to introduce your daughter to the old-world charm and legacy than by sharing your pair of exquisite gold and diamond jhumkas?

The timeless graceful appeal of diamonds never fails to inspire awe. Considered to be the ultimate token of love and affection, diamonds are indeed forever. There couldn’t be a better way to strengthen the bond of love and care between a mother and daughter than by sharing your diamond jewellery with her.

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DriesVanNoten SS17

Speaking in terms of financial returns, Chennai isn’t among the ideal cities to work as an independent fashion blogger. I’ve been taking up various styling and fashion design projects to make up for the dip in revenue of brand collaborations ever since I relocated from Mumbai to Chennai in 2014. And in midst of those circumstances, I received an email from Talent Acquisition Team of Amazon India stating that my profile and core work area could be a potential fit in their editorial team. The idea of extending my career in fashion journalism by serving a challenging position at a reputed firm was enticing and I immediately fixed a telephonic interview on 30th March (I turned 26!). Following the interview on my birthday, I heard back from the Amazon team few hours ago and I was compelled to write the following feedback via email:

Hello Smriti,

Thank you for updating me regarding the interview I had with Amazon, India on 30th March 2017. I was keenly waiting for your response to the interview, not only to know the result/reaction from the company’s side but with even more eagerness to write back my own pointers in reaction to the roughly half an hour telephonic conversation I had with Ms. Yamini Batra from your team.

I’ve had frequent interactions with various clients and employers for potential collaborations and other scope of business in past. Some of those interactions turn up into a mutually beneficial deal whereas others simply don’t materialise. However never have I written back to state my assessments after an interview in past and I am unsure if it’s a frequent practice where the interviewee provides feedback to the interviewers. You may question my attitude for stating the fact that I was rather disappointed with the unpreparedness of the under-qualified interviewer who failed to have understanding of basic fashion terminology, etymology and trends, but my cynicism comes from a logical position.

To begin with, there was no formal introduction from the interviewer’s part other than her name and the firm she represents. In a classic case of unpreparedness, the interviewer had not gone through my resume or my fashion articles that I had sent across in prior to the interview and I had to take her through the details of my educational qualification, links to fashion columns from past, and other work experience and accolades spanning over the last eight years over phone in spite of elaborately mentioning the same in resume & email.  Amazon’s core leadership principles stresses on obsessing over the customers, and directing even a meagre percentage of the obsession and preparedness towards the interviewee would demonstrate lot more dignity and value towards the qualifications, spirit and more importantly the time of the candidate.

My contempt for the interview comes from the fact that even a little spelling error can result in grave scrutiny from interviewees (spotted yet?) but they get away by not knowing some of the most basic concepts concerning the domain of expertise. The first and only factual question from the interviewer asked me to state top SS17 trends for men & women.

I went on to explain about how my favourite trend of the moment – camouflage is setting the Indian streets ablaze and the interviewer who had no knowledge of this trend went on to indict me of not doing my research.  I was rather flabbergasted by her assertive proclamation of ignorance but gave her the benefit of doubt since I didn’t expect HR executive of Amazon to be updated with latest fashion trends. Given my status as India’s leading commentator of fashion trends & styles, I felt important to educate her about how camouflage is a hot trend and it’s seen literally everywhere from runways to streets… Little knowledge can never hurt, even if it’s coming from an interviewee.  

Camouflage trend is taking over the streetstyle culture and is sported by various celebs including the likes of Gigi Haid, Bella Hadid, and even US President Donald Trump. Camouflage was featured in various SS17 shows including the likes of Bottega Venata, Dries Van Noten, Cerruti, Mr. Porter and Valentino. Camouflage trend story is reported by the likes of Vogue, GQ, People, Refinery29, Telegraph, Hindustan Times & several other big media houses.

“We’ll leave that there…,” she explained in response to how camouflage was a trend and asked me to state other top fashion trends for the season. May be I was being too ahead of time by stating camouflage, at least by the interviewer’s standards and I went on to talk about trends that have lived for a while now and still making waves in order to make it easier for the interviewer to recognise/identify with. I talked about how jogger pants have just trickled down to Indian masses & men are now wearing jogger denims & chinos even to workplace. White sneakers are still making waves in Indian streetstyle repertoire. Then there’s flared pants, an emerging trend from revival of 70s styles…..[[SNAP]] “But these are just products, not trends. I need trends… Athleisure is a trend for example,” claimed the interviewer Ms. Yamini Batra.

I was left with no choice but to explain how Athleisure is longer lived “macro-trend”, whereas styles like joggers are examples of shorter lived “micro-trend” which are derived from “macro-trends” like Athleisure.India’s most prestigious fashion institution, NIFT New Delhi has taught me that everything from a colour, silhouette, cut and style that’s adopted by majority of a socio-cultural group at a given point of time is a fashion trend. I was extremely confident about my answer however the interviewer expressed her unwillingness for basic listening capacity and went on to say how she doesn’t need long explanations and requires just pointers.

The other questions were mostly phrased in form of situations and I found it extremely difficult explaining to an individual who isn’t intellectually sound on principles of fashion in general. Every candidate looks forward to work in an atmosphere where they can gain knowledge and experience, and grow as a professional. I was constantly correcting or educating your interviewer and that doesn’t leave a good taste for someone who has applied for a job in your firm. For one of the situational question, I didn’t have an option but to explain your interviewer how I cannot elaborate more without using fashion & design terminologies which she may not grasp. It was exactly the moment when the interviewer claimed that she’s from fashion design background too and she’s the fashion editor at Amazon and I already knew I wouldn’t want to work with someone whom I need to educate. By the time interview got over, my friends who overheard the conversation went on to joke about how I ended up interviewing and assessing the interviewer itself. I knew right after I cut the phone call that I will have to write back to you regarding the same, irrespective of what the result is. I would appreciate if Amazon can provide me with audio recording of the telephonic conversation since I can upload the same on my blog and inform millions of other candidates who attend interviews on a daily basis about the potential interviewers fielded by even big players like Amazon… Thousands can definitely learn a thing or two from the same from that telephonic conversation.

It’s not a great sign when the interviewee feels smarter than the interviewer itself. In a hypothetical role reversal where I interviewed your interviewer, I would not go ahead with the candidate for lack of preparedness and poor understanding of basic concepts of fashion and trend cycle in general.

The job of interviewing is one of the core competencies in talent acquisition in today’s world and it’s important to field candidates who are strong with not only the foundation principles concerning the domain knowledge but also current trends which are changing in blink of an eye. Vast knowledge of fashion & costume history and an eye for groundbreaking trends of tomorrow is my forte. I have interacted and given seminars concerning fashion trends to professionals of various leading fashion & lifestyle brands in past. Please feel free to buzz me or hire any other qualified professional who can help your editorial team by enriching them with knowledge of basic etymology & principles concerning fashion and how to spot changing trends in times of fast-fashion culture – because it’s required and I believe it’s worth spending an additional 15 minutes to provide you with this feedback. Hope it helps.

 

Regards,

R V Purusothaman

The post And I Ended Up Correcting The Job Interviewer…. appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Gown: Purushu Arie, Tuxedo: Tailorman, Styling: Purushu Arie, Photography: Rajesh Thanikachalam, MUA: Anusha Swamy

The essence of marriage lies beyond the ring worn or paper signed. It is the union of two hearts whispering reliance for the other’s happiness and well being. Togetherness is something as beautiful as radiant rose petals that unfurl to the warm sun. Perhaps that is why I extensively used handcrafted rosettes in Rincy’s wedding reception gown.  Dazzling array of crystals, beads and pearls strike an eternal bond with Georgette rosettes in champagne-pink. The sophisticated allure was a tribute to Rincy’s chic, urban and trendy persona.

With the sun shining down, Rincy and Shankar walked hand in hand to majestic beats of traditional Shingari melam. Friends and family gathered at a West Chennai banquet hall to celebrate the commitment of love and support between two wonderful people. Shankar made a striking statement in head-to-toe Tailorman look featuring a black tuxedo teamed with printed pocket square and a romantic bow tie in red.

Scroll down for entire look + exclusive giveaway from Tailorman!

Rincy’s Gown: Purushu Arie | Shankar’s Tux: Tailorman | Styling: Purushu Arie | Photography: Rajesh Thanikachalam | MUA: Ananya Swamy

It gives Tailorman and myself immense joy to be part of Rincy and Shankar’s fairy-tale wedding. Celebrating the special occasion, I’ve teamed up with Tailorman & will be giving away custom made Tailorman shirts to my readers. It’s time to upgrade your shirt game! Read the terms & conditions below.

Follow Tailorman on Instagram (@TailormanIndia) or Facebook (@TailormanIndia)

Follow Purushu Arie on Instagram (@PurushuArie) or Facebook (@PurushuArie)

Share your best shirt style on Instagram or Facebook, tag @PurushuArie & @TailormanIndia with the hashtags #TailormanIndia & #ShirtGameOn

The Facebook & Instagram post with highest likes will win custom made shirt from Tailorman India.

DISCLAIMER:
1. Only those living in India are eligible to participate.
2. Do not forget to use the hashtag #TailormanIndia & #ShirtGameOn, and tag@purushuarie & @tailormanindia in your posts.
3. The contest will end sharply at 11:59PM, 1st May 2017.

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Marc Schulze by Sharif Hamza for Dazed & Confused Magazine

The metrosexual look is dead. Well, almost dead. But what has survived is yet the boldest and most flamboyant subtribe of metrosexual culture. The term ‘metrosexual’ was coined in the mid 90’s to describe a folk of men who were meticulous about taste in fashion, appearance and grooming. From skin care routine to the names of high-end luxurious brands, a metrosexual man knows it all. Coming to the 21st century, the fashion sense of a metrosexual man is all about eclectic tryouts and accessories. Just a satchel bag or a bright glare or even a hat can bring up your style quotient. Men’s fashion has entered a phase- where a bold look coupled with the right blend of attitude and individualism is all that takes to stand out.
Having stated that, when it comes to style, there is a thin line between doing it right and going overboard. Read on for handy style tips, and the dos and don’ts from the fashion world of 2017 that will transform you into what the French call- a la mode (fashionable).

First, the Dos

Happy & Gray

Quintessentially the masculinist colour ever- the humble, subtle and sexy gray is a top colour for men to don this season. Be it the all classic gray suit, knitted jumpers, oversized scarf, head gears, sweat pants or shoes, the colour gray rules all the way. The all staple grays can work for both formal and a drenched down look. Textured suits in gray are big winners this season. As for the casual look, team up classic denim with gray trench coats or sneakers or a jumper or a scarf. Gray it up Guys!

Bobby Abley’s dark Disney skater boys

Kit Neale SS15

Ola Rindal

The Accessory Table

What does the accessory table look like this season? For starters, it looks well spread. You have hats, scarves, slip-on shoes, neckerchiefs, sling bags, and even diamond rings for men to choose from. If teamed wisely, even a glint of rock can sweep praises for your look. There is a range of rings available online, especially engagement diamond rings for men, for the guys who are looking at getting hitched this season. In fact, you may also want to consider designing your own engagement ring with CaratLane.com if you are looking for something customized that compliments your taste and accentuates your engagement look pretty well.

Design by Charlotte Roden. Picture: Dazed Digital.

In the hats segment, it doesn’t matter if you are a baseball fan or not, but baseball caps are clear favorites this season. Basic and minimalist, baseball caps goes well with casual shorts, denim and sportswear. So, whether you are sweating it out in the sun or relaxing at a club, baseball caps are a stylish must-have.
Scarves and neckerchief are an example of how a humble yard of cloth can metamorphose into a high-end fashion accessory. Holidaying at Oia, Greece or by the French Rivera this spring? Don’t forget to pack those for that leisurely vacation look.

Givenchy

Who said what you wear to the gym doesn’t matter, as long it’s comfortable and stretchable? Blah to that thought. It’s time to bid adieu to hoodies and tracks and instead design your look based on the part of the body you will work out on. For example, on the chest day wear a tank top that shows off the contours of your chest, on a leg day wear shorts and on arm day wear sleeveless T’s that exposes your ripped arms. And yes, don’t forget Fitbit bands, stealth headphones, gym bags and quirky shoes are other subtleties of sporty fashion.

Distressed Denims are Anything but Distressed

Ripped, Distressed and washed denim screams fashionable as well as minimalist. Just pair your distressed denims as a pair of jeans or bomber with a basic Tee or checkered shirt and you are ready to rock a date or a night out with friends.

Photo: Vanity Teen

Now, the Don’ts

The Hipster Beard

The fake Hipster fad is dead, for good.  Be it 1990s or 2010s,  a metrosexual man’s personal hygiene shares an inverse relationship with body/facial hair. The fad is dead and it’s time to confidently flaunt jawlines.

Dump Those Cargos

I know, not so long ago camping gear such as the legendary cargo pants had made it to the mainstream fashion circuit. Cargo pants, cargo shorts are everything and comfortable. But guys, it’s time to dump the blobby pockets attached to pants and exchange it with suave and well-tailored pants that come in great shades complementing the bright summer season.

Do NOT Buy Those Graphic Tees Advertised on FB

Graphic Tees never leave the fashion circuit. They are quirky, smug, cheeky and well attention drawing. But a graphic Tee too mainstream and unoriginal for a metrosexual man‘s sartorial expression.

The post 2017 Style Upgrade – The New Metrosexual Man appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Echoes of a far-flung memory drifted through labyrinth of time and rang the alarm of blog anniversary. A late alarm but nevertheless, I’ve carried the tag of a fashion blogger for eight years in a row now! Ever since that day of liberation eight years ago, I still ponder – Why do I continue to keep writing here? Welcome to my machine, a mercurial one it is. For someone whose plans and agenda barely broaden beyond the time in grasp, most special dates on the calendar ends up like any other, or may be every day is special. But topping up the occasion with an award is rather a blissful recognition that helps you pursuit excellence in positive spirit and mind.

WINNER: BREAKTHROUGH CONTENT OF THE YEAR, PALLADIUM #SPOTLIGHT AWARDS 2017

Coral blazer jacket by Sasya Blue lungi by Purushu Arie

Photography: Kumar

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It can actually be fun and adventurous experience to shop from the opposite gender’s collection. Whether labelled as men’s or women’s, it’s the well put look which makes a difference. A centrepiece jacket or a pair of dominating leather Doc Martins is all you need to carve your attitude on the rest. Mix classic combos of men’s clothing with newest selections of women’s footwear to discover eclectic new looks. Together, they make great gender fluid looks inspired from the global trends of 2017. Choose what fits you

WOLF OF WALL STREET

Lead the pack in polished yet edgy clothes. The back bench rebels are breaking proportions. Continuation of 70s retro revival – silk shirt (extra large may be?) with statement necktie. Skip the skinnies for wide leg trousers, boot cuts or even skirts if your culture permits you. Stripes are having a major runway moment too. Wear one in varying widths and proportions.

KEY TRENDS: XL CLOTHING, SILK SHIRT, STRIPES, POINTED SHOES & NECK TIE.

STEPPING STONES GET STONED

There’s a heated socio-political debate on climate, immigrants, cultural appropriations, fights, wars and the list goes on and on and D-A-M-N. Get stoned in greens and make peace with nature. May be we can be more inclusive, appreciate one another and look for progress – the colour green stands for. Prep up this cool colour combination in psychedelic prints. How about fur in acid tones? Doc Martens and sneakers will always remain travel favourites.

KEY TRENDS: GREENS, BROWNS, PSYCHEDELIC PRINTS, CULTURAL TEXTILES, FUR & ACID HUE ACCENTS.

THE 90S KID GOT $$$

And are secretly broke at the same time. Lol. I’ve read confessions on magazines about how one kid skipped lunch to save money for a Michael Kors bag. We continue to suck, no matter what decade it is and that kinda unites the millennials in a wicked way. Normcore & Athleisure are still here to stay and it’s a good sign to see trends starting to last longer. Hip Hop has officially replaced Rock as the most popular genre. Wear statement graphic knits. Drop the shoulder line and put on metallic chains. Roll necks are making a noteworthy comeback for winters ahead. Let your shoes sparkle & shine. If your sweat doesn’t glitter, try opting orange – something as catchy. Orange is the new black, period.

KEY TRENDS: OVERSIZED CLOTHES, ROLL NECKS, METALLICS, ORANGE, OFFBEAT SNEAKERS, SCHOOL BOY SHORTS WITH SOCKS.

The post Gender Fluid Looks Mixing Men’s Apparel and Women’s Shoes appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Ambedkar proudly wore his blue suit. In contrast, MK Gandhi gave up luxurious suits in favour of loin cloth. Nehru was among the first Indian men to feature in Vogue magazine. Indian nationalist movement, a reaction to colonial imperialism saw Indian political figures effectively use style statement as a significant political statement.

Gandhi probably donned charcoal classics or trendy neck tie patterns during his stint in South Africa. However, on 22nd September 1921, at Madurai, Tamil Nadu, he made a radical alteration to the way he dresses by adopting the costume of peasants whom he met on the train from Madras.

Left: Gandhiji in Madras Right: Gandhiji in Madurai after adopting the loincloth

This is an almost Gautama to Buddha like transformation where a wealthy man decided to find liberation by adopting the masses. This philosophically means Gandhi did normcore before you. Let that sink in, lol. The modest dress code sends the message to relate, connect & strike a chord with the underprivileged.

Meanwhile….

In Tamil blockbuster Kabali, Rajinikanth says, “Naan munnuku varadhu thaan prachnana, Munnuku Varuven, Coat Suit poduven.” Translation: If my progress is your problem, I will make progress; I will don a coat-suit. It was among the rare moments when an Indian film didn’t downplay the ambitions of Dalits. Rajinikanth’s attire was a direct tribute to the champion of social justice in India: Dr. BR Ambedkar.

Dr. Ambedkar was the first untouchable ever to clear matriculation in Mumbai and his clothing mirrors his own journey: change and progress. His style openly contrasted Gandhi’s politics of austerity. Having born into a community who were once denied even the right to cover upper-body, Ambedkar’s blue suit which he wore for last three decades of his life was the first fundamental image of a modern educated universal Dalit man who rises beyond socio-cultural barriers and unjust.

Nehru was yet another political figure who didn’t shy away from dressing up.  Jawaharlal Nehru’s clothing clearly didn’t feel guilty for being elite. The first Prime Minister of India under whose watch the foundation of modern India was laid also went on to lay the foundation of modern Indian politician’s uniform – The Nehru Jacket. The classy yet sophisticated jacket was so popular that everyone from The Beatles to Modi to Manmohan Singh to even Kiran Bedi has worn. Fashion designers like Ermenegildo Zegna and Karl Lagerfeld have used and drawn inspiration from Nehru’s dressing. Nehru’s rich elegant clothing not only paints a picture of visionary but offered aspiration goals for a young independent country.

Image: LIFE Magazine

AFP PHOTO/INTERCONTINENTALE/FILES

Indira Gandhi made handloom saris the emblem of Indian women’s power dressing. Laughed off as a gangi-gudia (dumb doll) on entry in politics, it was a matter of few years when the tag changes to iron lady (or dragon lady – depending upon who’s narrating these tales.) Iron or dragon, her authority in the patriarchal world of politics was unquestionable. She chose functionality over vanity by chopping hair length but didn’t completely brush away vanity and maintained a silver streak, – the iconic Indira Gandhi hairstyle was born.

The first lady Prime Minister of India (& 2^nd ever female head of a government in modern world) was a well travelled desi who embraced heritage with a modern twist by mixing silhouettes like trench coats and jackets with sari. Her neatly pleated handspun saris in earthly colours teamed with high-nape blouse and elbow length sleeves have influenced the sartorial choices of Indian women at workforce for generations to come. Indira Gandhi’s sartorial statement was direct: I am a powerful modern Indian woman who means serious business and sky is my limit.

The post The Political Statement Inherent in Style Statement: Early Indian Politicians appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Our choices revolve around one question – what’s next? We so badly yearn to uproot the old and bring in something fresh to the table. We all crave change and it’s amazing when you watch the change happen right under your nose. When it comes to footwear, a lot of revolutionary changes happened in last 10 years. Your leather oxford shoes are still a classic, but it’s no longer worn the way it was a decade ago. The sneaker culture has changed drastically. The way these shoes are marketed and sold has changed. See how the shoe game changed in last 10 years.

2008

The converse trend was meeting its demise by late 2008s. However in summer of 2008 when I walked into my first day of grad school at NIFT Delhi, nearly every foot adorned a pair. Such was the popularity of this legendary classic among students. Not just students, but punks, artists, pop stars, athletes, shoppers… every cool kid on the block wore Converse All Star. Converse was not just a trend, but a tradition!

2009

The year 2009 confirmed that Kanye West was the force to reckon in fashion. Kanye’s influence still remains unmatched and Nike Air Yeezy went on to change the sneakers game forever. Elsewhere, Usain Bolt makes history on tracks… Olympics and some iconic football action propelled Puma’s go-to sneaker brand status in last 2000s. Whether in bold reds or metallics, in canvas or suede… sneakerhead or not, everyone had Puma kicks in their bucket list.

2010

The boot length rose up to knees in colder regions. High ankle boots became an immediate craze on streets. Doc Martens was a symbol of toughness in the world just recovering from economic recession. Indians took pride in tucking their trousers under Woodlands boots. Glad, they don’t do that anymore!

2011

Popularity of Skate shoes were such that high fashion labels like Celine & Givenchy introduced a range in coming years. Vans high ankle skate shoes were hot favourites on campus. Checkered in black and white patterns, denim texture, suede variations, prints…  there’s no way you missed the towering presence of skater shoes in 2011.

2012

2012 marked the arrival of men’s influencers. Men’s streetstyle is now just as serious as women’s. Instagram took charge of shoe trends. Hip-hop’s monumental influence on fashion, saw sneakers having a major moment. Supreme x Nike gave us Lunar Flyknits. Nike’s Air Force, Jordans, Puma x Undefeated Clyde Gametime Gold ruled the internet.

2013

2013 was the year of over-accessorizing on Instagram. #MenWithClass trended with sleek bow-ties, brooches and pocket squares. Printed shirts worn with sleek brown oxford shoes were a hot combination. But nothing ruled the year like Mankles trend – wearing your loafers and brogues without socks. Wear them with colourful chinos, snap and Instagram it!

2014

2014 was the year of statement footwear. Name a colour and you had the footwear retailing somewhere online. And footwear prints reached a new high… animal prints, camouflages, tropical, geometric – these patterns were no longer too brash for men. Hipsters of 2014 obviously had a hand.

2015

2015 was the year when everyone unanimously claimed individuality in Instagram. 2015 was also the year everyone unanimously drooled over and wore Yeezy styles and its knockoffs. The year of Yeezy has arrived and Adidas just upped their sneaker game to new heights.

2016

By 2016, Kanye West was a self-proclaimed fashion designer and his wife’s bosom was printed literally everywhere. Thanks to the whopping volumes of glorified paid editorials, people got sick of reading Kanye-Kardashian melodrama masquerading as “fashion” news… And everyone wore white Plimsolls. Classic Adidas Stan Smiths made a quiet but striking comeback.

2017

Luxe variations of sneakers and loafers continue to dominate the mens footwear scene. However, sandals are the real winners. Strappy and flat gladiator sandals made waves much earlier in 2014s and have gone mainstream in 2017.

The post Biggest Shoe Trends Guys Wore in Last 10 years appeared first on Purushu Arie.

A trans-person concluded the fashion show? Fine, that does empower the movement fighting intolerance towards trans-people. But no beating around the bush:

The attributions to empowerment in fashion has been one sided so far.

Not many brands acknowledge how they’re empowered in return by the genuine appeal for the marginalised people. Don’t want to point out any one particular designer brand name but their media buddies are all writing tales about how those who once sold you misogyny, objectification, sexism and body ideals are apparently disgusted with selves and are the new saviours of this society. Fuck y’all. The same fashion folks are the ones who created these problems in the first place. They’re the same ones who did the damage. They’re the same ones who sold toxic ideas of beauty and NO, they don’t deserve a medal for the damage correction happening right now. The world knows that it’s nothing but new ways to make PROFITS.

TILL YESTERDAY:

Ethics are reduced to a marketing tool to make people buy more.

The truth is, in recent times well known corporations have taken a mighty fall. Well known fashion personalities have reported losses and in an attempt to figure out new ways to make profits – the fashion industry equated elitist wealthy splurges with social responsibility thereby shadowing actual values and reducing the marginalised sections to under-credited marketing tool.

Ethical lifestyle is now an accessory to make an elitist statement.

You only carry Vegan bags & if that made you feel like some saviour of this planet or entitled, remember… you’re just well-off, not wealthy enough to fill your BMW with vegan petrol. A petrochemical industry tycoon who shops 20 different trends for one season, is making a socially ethical statement by wearing that 100% organic cotton kurta as opposed to the poor kid whose only occasion wear was that red kurta, more likely a sweatshop knockoff. The same elites who built this capitalist system are ethically concerned about how the lower middle class buy cheap goods manufactured at sweatshops. Elites at PETA are cribbing about that poor farmer using an ox to transport his goods whereas only humans from movers & packers were tortured when the urban elite relocated. The upper caste doesn’t eat meat & it’s socially established that lower caste’s traditional diet made of beef is unethical. Regular folks cannot afford nutrition rich vegan diet or turmeric dyed organic Kurta. Capitalism surpasses its own unethical standards when it commercialised ethics by targeting collective conscience, planting ideas of what’s ethical and setting a price tag so high to establish that being socially ethical is a luxury not everyone can afford. Amusing how cynical elitist egos are disguised as socially concerned personas! Reality check: The vegan bag you could afford is your privilege, not favour to this mankind. You’re intellectually wealthy the day you can consume less & think about equitable distribution of resources.

REDUCE/REUSE/RECYCLE is the key, and when you’re really helping your environment, what you’re taking away from earth shouldn’t be more than what you’re giving back… Else, the MEDIA-HYPED organically grown hand spun blah blah blah follows last, and has almost negligible influence in saving this planet as opposed to the extent it’s required to exploit this planet in order to buy those pricey ethical clothes of yours. They’ll tell you how ethical denims can save up to 1000 litres of water as opposed to regular ones. But consumers also deserve to know the 100000000 litres of water consumed by the company in everyday operations & productions. The damage correction figures are rather deceiving.

Vivienne Westwood genuinely promoted DIY culture by making it a global trend. Most Punk in that era went on to create their unique accessories. That’s a social agenda! Vivienne didn’t do – “BUY SOCIALLY ETHICAL DIY FASHION AT 30% OFF & GET 2ND PURCHASE FREE!” Hope as an industry we reignite dialogues & reforms as to how one can seriously save this planet & not have it as a mere CSR project/PR exercise. As of now, Indian fashion industry is handing out ethical fashion like some janeu/poonool to the elite section of the society and they shall be marked *sacred* for their contribution towards ethical fashion. In the name of ethical fashion, global fashion industry is selling you a superficial sense of self & wrapping it with stories of environmental well-being too!! *WINK*

Glamorizing violence in the name of ACTIVISM is more SHOCK THAN CHIC.

Fashion celebrates creativity and the thrill of the imagery. But dressing up a brutal and horrifying crime scene with lights, expensive designer clothes and cosmetics comes across as a fetish rather than an artistic form of expression that’s intended to create awareness. Fashion, even as a form of art is a medium to advertise or promote a commodity – be it a brand name or product or the artist himself. Glamour is a medium to celebrate something that we look up to and it probably takes 20% sexual perversion, 30% insensitivity and 50% infantile attention seeking desperation to glamorize violence in the name of activism. Glamorizing violence is not raising awareness against a social issue but it is the cheapest and most insensitive way to cash in on the social construct that sex sells and controversy give you easy fame. Yes, we are assured that your products are high end and you don’t have to advertise it by recreating a rape scene to show that her lipstick or mascara does not necessarily smudge even in the course of violence.

Vogue Italia’s depiction of domestic violence in fashion shoot

In an awfully late introduction, the need for this topic arose when a friend commented that I am doing a big favour to this society by launching my gender neutral fashion label. Truth is that I am doing no favour to anyone. I just want to do what the reformers of past did: fight hatred with art. Art and sports have something special – they bring together people. India-Pakistan cricket matches are the best example. Art & sports were instrumental in helping people look beyond several social evils & gave humanity a hope. For those few who were unfairly kicked in gut by the evil social norms… A well established career is never enough… Progress is never just about money. That’s where art can add value to their lives. Art gives a reason for existence. My art is the strongest force that made me wake up another day and welcome another sunrise. Like it or not, but my art will rule your fate directly or indirectly. I have a mission, a selfish mission that I deserve to live in a world with less hatred. A world where my friends & family live is devoid of regressive & divisive social norms. Where everybody are given the same opportunities. A world where people spread love. And, I don’t have any such feeling of entitlement to do so. I don’t need badges of honour decorating my sleeve to do so. I do it for a purpose that helped me survive & live. And that purpose gives hope, to see another day.

The post Schrodinger’s Catwalk: The Paradox of Empowerment in Fashion appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Your handloom and handwoven garments need dry cleaning when:

• It’s made of silk or wool.
• They feature decorative trims.
• The clothes feature stiff & stabilising seam finish which water may ruin.
• You see details like crisp ruffles, pin tucks or pleats.
• Your clothes have rigid stains that cannot be treated at home.
• Garments have structured/tailored details like lining, interfacing, padding, leather, boning etc.
• The garment is really old and is prone to damage in case of washing. (And it’s worthy enough for the repeated dry cleaning cost.)

If you are free from the checklist above, you can go ahead and wash your handloom garments. Please read the wash and care instructions below:

Water is precious. Wash your garments only when it’s necessary.

Cutting down on the number of washes will greatly improve the life of your handloom and handwoven clothes.

TIP: Consider drying your handloom garment in ventilated shade or air dry it to keep your clothes fresh for use up to couple of times before washing again.

REMEMBER

SHRINKAGE: Handloom fabrics are prone to moderate shrinkage on the first wash. Expect up to 5-10% shrinkage with time depending upon how you care for the garment.

BLEEDING: Handloom and handwoven fabrics often bleed colour on the first few washes. Rub a wet cotton swab on the inside of seam or hem, and check if the fabric transfers dye into the cotton.

SORTING YOUR HANDLOOMS FOR WASH

If the garment shows tendencies to bleed, wash it separately the first few times. It is also advisable to sort your clothes colour wise and wash the same colours together. Never mix colours with whites. Turning the clothes inside out helps in retaining the colour in the long run.

WASHING

It is advisable to hand-wash your handloom garments for longevity. If hand washing your clothes is demanding, machine wash on gentle cycle is an alternative option.

Always use cold water to wash handlooms & handweaves.

Standard machine wash protocol: Close all the zippers, hooks & other fasteners before washing.

Never-ever put your handloom or handwoven clothes in a machine dryer.

HAND-WASH INSTRUCTIONS

SOAKING: Use mild detergent and cold water. Do not soak the clothes for too long. Wash the clothes immediately after soaking.

RINSING: Rub the dirty areas gently with hand. Never use a brush, scrub or a solid bar of soap directly on your handloom garments. Remove the detergent completely by rinsing a few times in cold water. Using diluted starch solution for the final rinse give a crisp finish.

DRYING

Hand to drip dry your handwoven garments in well ventilated evening settings or shade since direct sunlight causes colour fading.

IRONING

Iron your cottons when still damp. Spray water to dampen the fabric if completely dry. Woollens are relatively more crease resistant and you can use steam if necessary.

STORAGE

Store your clothes in cool and dry place with no direct sunlight. Use scented satchels to ensure your clothes don’t pick up cupboard odour. Store silks in cloth covers.

The post Wash & Care Instructions For Handloom & Handwoven Clothes appeared first on Purushu Arie.

via Businss of Fashion

My first reaction was: Wow! Comme des Garcons looks are out? But the BOF FB update read Rick Owens. Duh! We’d have seen vivid and rich textile textures and more importantly unorthodox construction techniques had it been on Rei Kawakubo’s runway. Unlike the raw seam finishes we’re accustomed to on Comme des Garcons runway, neatly finished gray knits bandaged duvet forms on Rick Owens Spring Summer 2018 runway. From the the dark world of drapes and sharp lines, Rick is now dealing with the utopian world of voluminous stuffy forms.

Nobody has polarised opinions in fashion in recent times like Rick Owens and the top comment on BOF’s update compared the look to effortless cool of Parisian pigeons. By large, disapproval for the look was rooted in where-and-who will wear the creation. Rick’s though process begins where most people’s end. Why should anyone wear it? Why should clothing presented on runway always be “wearable” for your taste? Why does it irrationally discomfort your senses when somebody else’s taste isn’t same as yours? When can one respectfully accept a few others who don’t see the world in the same eyes as you do?

Rick Owens has caused major discomfort to controlled imaginations of what’s beautiful and ugly. The cocoons probably depict the metamorphosis – a change in approach, in a changing world. Those shapes are drawing boundaries away from reality and duvets are cushioning, protecting and constricting at the same time. It reflects the present reality of living in denial of reality, building walls, hide under a duvet, and lazily wait there for a change. Who is ready to take the lead? Rick Owens always took the lead to make a deeper statement with clothing as the medium.

The show’s title “Dirt” is worth the mention. Dirt invokes the fear of causing disgust to other humans. That primitive emotion of fear was instrumental in establishing the norms of modesty that dictates what’s appropriate and what’s inappropriate. Only two years ago Rick Owens questioned the absolutist notion of sexual modesty with clothes that evidently flashed male penis. Penises were never really the point of the show but quite evidently it became the talking point. But that was the whole point of those garments. Why does it bother you? Why should someone else have the same sense of shame as you?

Paris Fashion Week is as much of a platform for ideas and innovation than just what trend you should be wearing next season. Rick’s creations may or may not be wearable by your standards of personal style, but extraordinary fashion design skills went into narrate tales of discomfort, rejection and hope. And it is probably because of his ability to skillfully craft clothes while redefining aesthetics with unheard ideas that Rick Owens makes everyone go WTF. His clothes might ring a bell only for a niche few, but his ideas ignite EVERYONE.

Duvet like forms were only part of the show, but predictably all eyes were on them. Those shapes probably make up for a wonderful alternate styled editorial fashion shoot but for me, the real heroes of Rick’s show were the beautifully cut out dresses which didn’t compromise on relevance of theme in process of achieving wearability. Crisscrossing shapes, melange of drape and structure, asymmetric tailoring – all signature Rick Owens elements wear a new outlook of hope while still stressing on worldly affairs – from climate and conservation to ugly syndrome.

Footnotes: Beyond the duvet look, Rick Owens SS2018 (via Business of Fashion)

The post Decoding Rick Owens Spring Summer 2018 appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Whether you’ve already found the right partner or not, every wedding you attend adds to the expectations going into your own wedding day. You’ve possibly dreamt of a honeymoon stay at a top-tier luxury hotel, like here, that offers even rolling surf on sandy beach. Nothing has intrigued me like the festive rituals involved in Indian weddings and how these customs vary greatly with geography and cultures. Apart from the auspicious celebration of love and commitment itself, one unfortunate aspect that brings together weddings from myriad of cultures is the sexism inherent in customs.

Plenty of sexist wedding customs were shaped in a society that that wasn’t ready to accept neutrality of genders. Ever hit in your gut why it’s the woman who is socially expected to take up husband’s surname? Or worse, how millions are denied the fundamental right to get married on basis of sex or sexual orientation? Customs that establish power balance on basis of sex builds unrealistic expectations of what one expects from their partner. A great deal of what your children expect from their partners can depend on the example that you set. A wedding can be a brilliant start. How about making offbeat gender neutral statement by skipping deeply entrenched sexist traditions that are inherent?

WEDDING CUSTOMS CENTRED ON WOMAN’S VIRGINITY

Kanyadaan, translating to “Gift of a Virgin” is a popular Hindu tradition involving the act of “giving away” the daughter in charity by her father.

The veil often symbolises the bride’s hymen which the husband will remove when he deflowers her. The white wedding gown represents the bride’s sexual purity. Ditch the white dress! How about an exotic champagne color wedding dress online? Pink wedding dresses are trendy alternatives of the hour. Or simply wear what you want. If you’re hell-bent on sticking to the customs stressing on sexual abstinence, just have your partner follow the same to square the deal.

Excessively focusing on chastity of one particular gender only strengthens the implication of their primary role of a sexual being after marriage. Insecure unfuckable men of patriarchal past probably had a great role in establishing these norms… but hey, you live in 2-0-1-7.

LEECHING OFF BRIDE’S FAMILY WEALTH & DIGNITY

Modern weddings can be rather pricey, and it’s unfair to demand the bride’s family to pay for the wedding. Dowry is legally banned in India but the culture still prevails in subtlety in form of expectations of expensively gifts like jewellery, car and apartments from the bride’s family.

Washing feet is seen as an act of respect in Indian traditions, but respect should come from both ways. The bride’s family is expected to wash the groom’s feet and the groom may not always return the sign of respect.

Garter toss is a Western tradition where bride’s garter is removed from her leg by the groom and tossed to a gathering of single men.

Another insensitive gender specific wedding custom involves the absence of bride’s mother during various rituals.

EQUATING WOMEN AS MAN’S PROPERTY OR FINANCIAL BURDEN

Carrying the bride across threshold has roots in Roman society where the bride was dragged to bedroom for deflowering in public witness to attest the marriage’s consummation.

The act of father “giving away” daughter is too obvious to mention. Bidai, a popular wedding custom in India involves the daughter leaving her home to settle with in-laws. In a fair world, the groom’s parents should be returning the act by giving away their son to the girl.

Gender specific wedding iconography like engagement ring/thaali/mangalsutra for her, but not for him only makes your auspicious wedding look like a market place trade deal. How about “exchanging” rings, garland or mangalsurta and make it a two day deal to establish your marital status?

“The ritual of tying a “thaali” (or mangalsutra) around the woman’s neck at the marriage ceremony and considering her to be his slave is similar to buying a buffalo, tying a cord around its neck and dragging it home.” – Periyar

Kashi yatra is a popular custom in Tamil Brahmin weddings where the groom refuses to marry the bride and sets on (mock) pilgrimage to Kashi in search of ascetic life. In process, the bride’s father pleads the groom, reassures him the benefits of conjugal life in marrying his daughter.  In a country where there are stark gender disparities in literacy rate, when will it be the woman’s turn to seek knowledge?

There are other sexist traditions, one even involving the bride eating the groom’s left-over food (over-glorified in South Indian films). Equating husband with god is another overdone cliché in India. The bride always bows down to touch the husband’s feet and you’ll almost never see vice-versa happening in traditional Indian weddings. And finally, gives up her surname to acquire her husband’s. All these customs on multiple levels reinforce the conception of woman as man’s property after marriage.

FIXING WOVS

It gets as simple as saying “husband and wife” rather than “man and wife”. Gender prejudice sparks in with vows such as “honour and obey” specifically for women (& absent for men.)

It is no secret that weddings come with problematic customs of past. But it is up to the present to be the change that can help build a world where we and our children can live in absence of dichotomy based on gender. The key to gender neutral thought lies in designing customs according to individuals involved and not their genders.

The post Gender Neutral Wedding: Skip the Sexist Customs appeared first on Purushu Arie.

The post Why We Wear What We Wear? appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Most Indians relate to how mothers and grandmas prudently match their blouse material with sari. The ubiquitous sari-blouse greatly influenced the crop tops I designed in my recent gender neutral collection. A good number of feedbacks said: “I want to wear crop top but I’m fat.”

In contrary to popular belief, crop tops aren’t exclusive to flat tummies. For anyone who doesn’t have a flat stomach – yes, you can pull off a crop top. The style rules of wearing crop top changes with body types but don’t let a controlled mind convince you otherwise. Here are some simple style tips to wear crop tops for plus size body types.

HIGHWAIST

Wearing a crop top doesn’t imply that you’ll have to bare your stomach. Wear it with high-waist trousers to define a high waistline and taller profile. Tailor a straight fit structured pair in wool, linen and blends. Flared drape of lighter fabrics like georgette adds more volume, and can be avoided unless intended. A high-waist flared skirt is a perfect alternative when trousers bore you.

WITH SARI

Sari is a fascinating size-neutral garment which doesn’t come in S, M, L or XXL. Sari is for every-body. Draping one with quirky crop tops is probably the trendiest way to the garment right now.

LAYER

Layering a crop top with a dress is an easy hack to balance shoulder to hip ratio of plus size frame. Pair a crop top featuring shoulder details or fullness with knee length dress or kurta when the hip is broader than shoulder. Wear sleeveless crop tops with long a-line dress to balance broad shoulder with smaller hips.

The post #AskPurushu appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Image: Lili Murphy Johnson Period Blood Jewellery

So far the narrative was: diamond jewellery is the ultimate symbol of luxury. Every millennial is sold million dollar dreams. So the million dollar question: Why aren’t millennials buying diamonds? Well, they don’t have millions. Career goes on to define long term goals than any other aspect of life for most millennials. They value experiences than materials. It’s more about living NOW while the old school security can wait. The price we pay: messing with quality of life. The concept of savings still belongs to the father’s generation. The 90s peeps are more willing to live away from home, even with near empty wallets. Many millennials are in debt. Most white-collared millennials are still in start-up to beginner level manager and executive roles. They are ambitious and diligent but impatient too. Millennials burnout easily. They’re seriously overstressed and underpaid.

Millenials are broke by the time they pay Uber and order pizza. If any savings are managed, they’re more likely to buy sneakers than diamond earrings online. Caught between dues and sneakers, last seven of the month goes without ordering pizza. Millennials, the trendy urban poor are too cool for diamonds. Basically, they can’t afford diamonds. Millennials are not going to buy diamonds, not at least till they learn to make better economic decisions. Their spending habits are highly inclined towards disposing income than making investments. Millennial thought may not be forever but diamonds are.

Diamond, gold or even a house for that matter is an investment. Diamonds now come even with EMI schemes. The glitz of a gem stone or valuable metal never loses sheen. Our desire to associate emotions with iconography is eternal simply because we have senses which interact with nature. Diamond’s exclusivity will always be treasured. The psychology for exclusiveness is inherent in humans. Exclusivity is inbuilt in our hierarchy of needs and wants. Every Insta profile is shouting aloud: I am unique. Millennials are largely narcissistic, have a sense of entitlement, and disregard what they cannot have. The carbon lattice is unique in its own ways. Millennials are still young and figuring things. They are barely concerned about investments, definitely not at times when they’re still uncertain about a long term role at present workplace. The same girl who was once too cool for diamonds will probably Google rings for men to celebrate her anniversary in future. In response to The Economist’s cult question: Just give her time to shine on like a crazy diamond.

The post Economist’s Cult Question: Why Aren’t Millennials Buying Diamonds? appeared first on Purushu Arie.

Which of the above watches belong to women? What kind of mysterious witchcraft makes men’s watches different from women’s watches? Women’s watches are specifically designed to ease period cramps? Oh, that was bluff. Gender cataloguing watches is far more redundant. Men’s watches come in bigger sizes and women’s watches are available in smaller sizes. A good number of sizes overlap both men’s and women’s category. Apart from the size aspect, everything else boils down to the regular gender norms: men’s watches offer more functionality than women’s and women’s watches come in more colours and crystal studs than men’s. Watches are among the most pointlessly gendered products. Gendered watches, regardless of what time they read, belong to HISTORY.

Gender neutral style is taking over and wrist watches are a brilliant and easy way to celebrate your personality regardless of gender. Tennis stars Agnieszka Radwanska and Andy Murray, both ambassadors of Rado watches are photographed wearing similar styles.

The first wrist watch was designed for women, at times when men were carrying pocket watches. First wrist watch was more of a bracelet like jewellery piece than a functional accessory. We’ve come a long way since then. Head to popular retailers like Ethos Watch Boutiques and you’ll find watches of today come with cutting edge technology, trendy designs and unbeatable craftsmanship. A wristwatch is now an item of personal sentiment – a reflection of your life’s choices, your priorities and who you are. A luxurious timepiece represents the refined sense of your personality. Oprah Winfrey’s wrist watch stands testimony to the changing times where women are no longer restricted to tiny dials or ornamental wrist watches.

It is also noteworthy that both Oprah Winfrey and Andy Murray are wearing their watches on left wrist. Unlike what stereotypes tell you, gender is no factor to determine the hand you’re wearing the watch. The most practical approach is to wear your watch on the left wrist if you’re right handed and right wrist if you’re left handed. Not wearing the watch on the dominant hand minimises movement, thereby minimising long term damages. Rather than coming in two genders, wrist watches are heading towards a future where they probably come in sizes – small and large.

And finally, the watches in the image above belong to advertisements featuring Hritik Roshan & Lisa Ray. Did you guess that correctly?

The post How To Tell: A Man’s Watch Different From A Woman’s appeared first on Purushu Arie.