The Heritage Saga, 2020

The Heritage Saga, 2020.

Samuel Bourne The photographer I have taken inspiration from is Samuel Bourne. Samuel Bourne was a British photographer known for his prolific seven years’ work in India, from 1863 to 1870.

The speacility about Bourne’s photographs was that he captured people in a way that indicated their social strata in the society. A lot of his Indian portraits revolve around “Nawabs” and “Zamindars”, whom he has photographed in their homes, wearing a lot of jewelery and placing a lot of antiques and wearing brocades. In the 1800’s only rich people could afford to get their photographs clicked, and usually the photographs used to portray their wealth and accomplishments in the society.

I have tried to encorporate this approach in the follwing assignment.

Portrait of Samuel Bourne, taken in 1864.

Trending: Banarasi Brocade Banarasi Brocade Silks are among the finest saris in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk and opulent embroidery. The saris are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, and, because of these engravings, are relatively heavy.

They are practically classics, and most married women have one in their wardrobe. Why? That is because they are perfect for weddings and social gatherings. They make you stand out from the crowd while looking elegant and classy.

Bollywood celebrities are often spotted dressed in Banarasi on cultural events, award functions and marriage ceremonies.

A banarasi is basically as timeless as the streets of Banaras.

Kangana Ranaut wearing a Banarasi Brocade

Media Scan

Sareeka

Sabhyasachi

Masaba

Ayush Kejriwal

Anita Dongre

Ritu Kumar

“These old rusted antiques are what we have, that makes us remember our glorious past”

Concept The brief was to style our family members stylishly and make them look chic while hunting our family heirloom. For the following shoot my inspiration has been the heritage of indian portraits itself. Like portraits of kings and queens, I have tried shooting three members of my family with antiques like jewellery box, “Saraunte”, “peek-daan”, “paan daan”, “Itr daan”, ancient locks, etc. Also, like the portraits of old kings, they are made to pose confidently.

The shoot is in two parts - indoor and outdoor. In the indoor shoot, you would be able to see the bonding in indian families, the essence of antiques and the similarity of a family even after generations of gap. In outdoor shoot, you would find a touch of modernity, in the poses, the ligting and the expressions.

Also, as I am from Uttar Pradesh, the female members have been shown wearing exaggerate banarasi’s, while the male member have been shown in a vintage checked coat, and maroon bow tie.

Styling Elements Creme striped dress shirt Maroon pre-tied bowtie Tweed notch collar coat Creme striped pocket square

Look 1

Handlebar Moustache Dress Pant Derby Shoes

Model Akshay Bhardwaj

Location Arya Nagar, Lucknow.

“It is the elegance of the brocade that makes the Banarasi, a Banarasi.”

Makeup & Hairstyle Centre parted sleek bun Coke brown lipstick Base Makeup Rustic Golden Nail paint

Styling Elements

Look 2

Oversized white oxford button down shirt as a blouse Silver Banarasi Brocade Saree Oxidized earings, oxidized earings as a broach Multiple rings, nosepin, artificial “Gajra”, “Bindi”

Model Seema Verma

Location Arya Nagar, Lucknow.

Details, excerpt, the Heritage Saga, 2020

There is a different exquisiteness in being together.

Ms. Prem Verma, homemaker, b.1942.

Look 3

Styling Elements Oversized white oxford button down shirt as a blouse Silver Banarasi Brocade Saree Oxidized earings, oxidized earings as a broach Rings, nosepin, artificial “Gajra”, “Bindi” Spectacles

Makeup & Hairstyle Centre parted sleek bun Nude brown lipstick

List of Props (right to left) -Copper “Phool Daan”, ca. Early 20th Century -Copper “Paan Daan”, ca. Late 19th Century -Brass and wood “hukka”, ca. 1930 -Copper “Gulaab Paash”, ca. Late 19th Century -Bronze “Pitaari”, ca.1930’s -Copper “Khaas Daan”, ca. Late 19th Century -Brass “Surma Daani”, ca. 1950’s

-Teak Wood Mirror with Belgian Glass, ca.

1930’s -Silver “Izwaari”, ca. 21st Century.

-Bronze “Peek Daan”, ca. 1950’s -Copper “Pitaari”, ca. Mid 19th Century -Brass Locks , ca. Early 20th Century -Copper “Phool Daan”, ca. Late 19th Century -Copper “Aaftaba”, ca.Mid 19th Century.

“Vintage trends keep coming back, its a loop, but nothing can be trendier than your heritage”

“Grihasti”

“Always more confident in a saree”

“Zamaana toh hamaara hi acha tha, log mil baat kar rehte khaate the”

Costing Sheet Look 1

Item Creme striped dress shirt Maroon pre-tied bowtie Tweed notch collar coat Creme striped pocket square Dress Pant Derby Shoes

Total Look 2

Brand

Rs. 1,400 Rs. 400 Rs. 4,200 Rs. 50 Rs. 2,400 Rs. 4,000

Zodiac Myntra Blackberry Street Market Blackberry Mochi

Rs. 12,450

Item

Cost

Brand

Oversized white oxford button down shirt as a blouse Silver Banarasi Brocade Saree Oxidized earings, oxidized earings as a broach Multiple rings Nosepin artificial “Gajra”, “Bindi”

Rs. 1,200

Peter England

Rs. 21,000 Rs. 100 Rs. 150 Rs. 32,250 Rs. 1,800 Rs. 205

Banaras Market Street Market Street Market Goldsmith, Street Market Goldsmith Street Market

Total Look 3

Cost

Item

Rs. 56,705

Cost

Oversized white oxford button down shirt as a blouse Silver Banarasi Brocade Saree Oxidized earings, oxidized earings as a broach Rings “Bindi” Spectacles

Total

Brand

Rs. 1400

Zodiac

Rs. 28,950 Rs. 150 Rs. 150 Rs. 5,500 Rs. 5 Rs. 1,200

Gifted by Diwaan of Tilohi Street Market Street Market Goldsmith Street Market ABC Chasmewaale

Rs. 37,355

Special Thanks to Models Akshay Bhardwaj Prem Verma Seema Verma Assistance Bhupendra Verma Ireen Ashta Shalini Soni Gyan Prakash Verma

Created by Jasleen Ashta