A Glamorous Extravaganza of Designer Fashion and Lifestyle

By Pranthi Lakkimsetty

Photographs by Pranthi Lakkimsetty

The Taj Krishna witnessed a spectacular fashion affair from the 27th to the 29th of May with the grand SUTRA: The Indian Fashion Exhibition This highly anticipated event showcased a vibrant array of chic trends and lifestyle products, capturing the essence of fashion, luxury, and artistic expression With over 180 exhibitors and an estimated 6,000 visitors, SUTRA offered an extraordinary platform for fashion enthusiasts to explore and indulge in a world of exquisite designer clothing, accessories, home decor, and more

SUTRA embraced the artistry of different regions, with artisans from various corners of the country coming together to display their exceptional skills The exhibition featured awe-inspiring Aari work from the skilled artisans of Kashmir, showcasing intricate embroidery that reflected centuries-old traditions

The Label by Shivani Thumbe presented a captivating summer collection titled "Solace in the Blue " Inspired by nature's colorful blooms, each ensemble was named after a different flower Shivani's focus on sustainability was evident, with her choice of fabrics like Mul Chanderi, known for its subtle shine and breathability, perfect for the scorching summers

SUTRA not only catered to the fashion-forward but also offered a plethora of lifestyle and wellness products SUTRA: The Indian Fashion Exhibition at Taj Krishna proved to be a dazzling extravaganza providing fashion visitors a myriad of choices SUTRA succeeded in creating an unforgettable experience, leaving attendees inspired and enthralled by the creativity and craftsman -ship on display

Fashionable Jewelry for a Fraction of the Price

By Rishikesh Kr Singh

Silver jewelry is an important symbol of wealth, culture,heritage, and pride in rural India Women in tribal areas wear heavy silver jewelry as a way to express financial security and beautify themselves. The jewelry is made of silver and oxidized into designs such as bangles, sashes, rings, earrings, nose rings, necklaces, chains, and toe rings

Melting down old silver to transform it into precious stones is still a well-known practice in these regions. The old silver designs from rural areas have become highly sought after in the fashion world, inspired by their origins and foundations Oxidized silver designs with semi-precious stones are famous worldwide for their old and rough look. They are also affordable and versatile, making them a popular choice The patterns and styles of silver jewelry vary from place to place in India, with each region having its unique motifs and finishes The jewelry often reflects a woman's marital status or community identity For instance, designs from Kolhapur (Maharashtra) to Hathra (UP), Salem (Tamil Nadu), Rajkot, and Kutch (Gujarat) are embellished with different effects and stonework In addition, these jewelry designs have inspired many popular brands worldwide

Students of art and creative fields enjoy working with scrap silver jewelry because it offers a range of affordable options compared to gold Moreover, this jewelry reflects traditional creativity while being cool, elegant, and full of funk at the same time It has a broad appeal due to its affordability, versatility, and rich cultural roots The beauty and value of silver jewelry from rural India continue to captivate and inspire people worldwide, making it an essential part of the country's rich cultural heritage

By Sudhnas

With the advent of cosmopolitan way of life, many times carrying cultural identities may seem an uphill task, but not anymore, there has been rising numbers of youth leading the mantle with the introduction of paintings of different art form in the textile industry Now one can carry the illustrations of different custom and tradition on their designer wears

Eagle Block Pr

Designs) Located in the bylanes of Eagle Chowk in Secunderabad, is a boutique cum block printing and tailoring store It is one of the creative outlets engaged in the makeover of the plain fabrics Latika kumar, the store owner exuberantly expresses “the quest of adorning uniqueness and classy, in the conventional fashion trends has breathed a new life into the traditional art form ’’ Her daughter Shobita Kumar, who is a fashion designer adds further “earlier the same art which was taught as a skill passed on generations, remained merely an artistic expression, now the same skill is providing livelihood to many, at the same time carrying all other aspects of the trade intact ” Looking at the footfall in the store one can easily observe the growing popularity of the design styles The other involved factor of the rising popularity is the way through which a wide variety of services has been incorporated in such stores

Now one can get fabrics dyed, tailored, and embroidered to their liking or pick from their boutique that has palazzo pants, gowns, sarees, kurtis, and dupattas l ecosystem has its own considerable h is well acknowledged by the store the details and scope of one such art painting’ Sanskar verma a senior n textile designing department at the ersity, elaborates the intricate details its commercial aspects “Madhubani ly an art but also a life of folk and this art form has their own value and t uses daily life motifs with rough and istinct feature With the time many ners are evolving to adapt and execute various day to day use items We could ni art in sarees, curtain, on boxes and ollectively culminating into a large rm not only gives occupation to local orates them more intricately in social adds that the way present market is shaping with the entry of many institutions starting their own firm and with more designers and celebrities coming into fray, from design to production to exhibition this market has definetely gleaming times ahead

Self-Expression Through Colorful Fashion

By Rishikesh Kr Singh

The trend of dyed hair has taken the world by storm, with young individuals embracing it as a powerful extension of their identity and a form of self-expression Social media has played a significant role in exposing people to endless hair color possibilities, encouraging them to explore their unique identity and push the boundaries of fashion In Southeast Asia, particularly in India, colorants hold a significant share in the multi-billiondollar hair care industry, with Garnier Black Naturals being the top-selling hair dye brand among Indian women

Dyed hair has become a celebrated symbol of selfexpression, allowing individuals to break free from societal norms, embrace their uniqueness, and boldly showcase their individuality By blending pigments into their locks, individuals can regain confidence, celebrate the vibrancy of life, and embrace a youthful spirit, even as gray hair surfaces The transformative power of hair dye has paved the way for a colorful fashion revolution, inviting all to unleash their creativity and express their true selves

Thrifting as a commercial practice like in the West is yet to bloom in India

By Krishna Mohan B

Thrifting, or the practice of buying second-h items, essentially fashion goods, is not as po in India as it is in some other countries for s reasons like cultural values, lack of availabil stores, limited awareness, etc Speaking of cu values, in India, there is a strong cultural empha cleanliness and hygiene, which makes some p reluctant to buy used items There is some consensus surrounding such a practice of tradin clothes of some unknown people Although consensus happens to be vague and unclear it be understood from their cultural stance that th reluctant to borrow or accept anything that som used to wear be it chappals or clothes Because believe it would bring them the misfortun whoever owned the item previously But this ki value consensus seems to be fading awa contemporary times

When I asked some of my friends if they hav tried thrifting, they said that they would certain the dresses of their siblings, their father or m and some close relatives and friends Again, when asked about why that was th d if h any cultural limitations as to or borrowed any cloth strangers they said that t a n though some of them een to trade clothes wi eir friends they happen share a different fash tement from that of th en I tried to find a s out there in Hyderab ly any store offline B a few online like Bom nse, Copper Broom Vi on Instagram e in some other countr , common, there are relatively few such stores India This limits the availability of secondor purchase Thrifting is a relatively new concept in India and there may be limited awareness h l l b t its benefits However, cept of recycling and ulture for centuries

ID e friends had different g styles from me ural I don't think so In ase et opportunity maybe

By Saurabh Upadhyay

Summer is here, as are fashion brands with their new and vast collection of outfits to attract customers At the same time, cotton and Linen lightweight clothes are already suggestions from our grandparents Brands are adding bold, vibrant color patterns and different silhouettes to their clothing Brands also suggest chambray and rayon material

Rayon, a textile fiber or fabric made from regenerated cellulose (viscous), to keep us cool during hot weather Rayon allows it to breathe more than other fabrics and gives it a lightness that prevents it from sticking to the body in hot weather

Fashion these days is entirely influenced by video creators on reels and shorts The same clothing can be seen in popular, affordable, fast-fashion showrooms such as Zudio, H&M, Max, Trends, and Westside

For women, the trend of cargo pants can be seen as having a return in the market, which is being paired with simple Tank-tops, Crop-tops or even boyfriend t-shirts Breezy dresses with floral prints and Gingham patterned Playsuits are also in trend

Whereas, for Men, people have started wearing baggy trousers and have ditched the previous trend of skinny jeans and tight-fitting pants Baggy trousers in light, breathable fabrics have become the go-to option for men It can be paired with T-shirts or shirts for a more casual look Baggy Jeans and trousers can be paired up with oversized t-shirts also

Chinos are classic and timeless pieces whose value never got Faded They are comfy, versatile, and perfect for summer

It can be seen near corporate offices people wearing them with cotton shirts and Polo t-shirts to achieve a semicasual look

A portion of showrooms can be seen full of colorful, vibrant shorts and t-shirts Outfit with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal strip shirts and t-shirts. Stripped pajamas for men are also in trend this season

After the pandemic, a lot of things have seen changes, and the fashion industry is one leading of them From comfy wear during the pandemic to working from home, consumers and designers have learned the importance of comfortability in clothing, prioritizing it over anything else