Raksha Bandhan Tweets from Bollywood

SONAKSHI SINHA

       

SHRADDHA KAPOOR

     

GENELIA D'SOUZA

          

ATHIYA SHETTY

7 Historical Tales That Tell Us the Significance of Rakhi

Every year you witness the vivid pomp and splendour of the festival called Raksha Bandhan, when you shop for gifts, clothes, eatables for the occasion. This is an auspicious occasion to rekindle the sibling love. However, there certainly is so much more to it than these customs and traditions. Here are 7 tales which tell how Rakhis formed an important part of history at various junctures:

I.                    King Porus or Puru as he is popularly known in India; combated Alexander the Great in a Battle of Hydapses in 326 BC. Puru was an outright Hindu king who received a sacred thread from wife of Alexander the Great, along with a request of avoiding to harm him during the course of battle. Puru honoured the sacred thread when he was on the battle field. He was about to slay Alexander when his vision fell on the thread tied on his wrist which prevented him from making that attack. 

II.                  Famous since ages as a ‘protection thread’ Rakhi was sent by Queen Karmavati of Chittor to Humayun seeking protection from Bahadur Shah.

III.                At the turbulent time of partition of Bengal in 1905, there was total communal chaos between Hindus and Muslims. It was then when first Nobel Laureate of India Rabindranath Tagore used the festival of ‘Rakshabandhan’ to propagate peace by calling people of both sects to tie Rakhis to each other and live in brotherhood.

IV.                Shishupali’s death left Lord Krishna with a bleeding finger which was attended by Draupadi as she tied a strip torn off her silk saree around Krishna’s wrist. This simple gesture of care touches Lord Krishna immensely causing him to announce himself her protector. Krishna promised to pay back this debt many folds, which he did.

V.                  As per the famous tale, Guru Brihaspati asked Sachi the wife Indra to tie Rakhi around her husband’s wrist ensuring that he is victorious in battle against Vrita, the King of Asuras to which he had previously lost his kingdom.

VI.                King Bali sort Lord Vishnu’s help in restoring his kingdom conquered by enemies, to which the Lord consented. Goddess Laxmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu concerned for his well-being made it to Bali’s mansion disguised as a Brahmin woman and on the day of Shravan Purnima revealed her purpose of being there and tied a revered thread on Bali’s wrist. Moved by the love she had for her husband, Bali then requested Lord Vishnu not to leave his abode. The festival is hence also known as ‘Belva.’ And is symbolic of Bali’s devotion for Lord Vishnu.

Now that you have your eyes open about the significance of this festival both mythological and historic, we believe you are ready to shop for it? Visit www.theethnicroute.com

8 Budding Indian Fashion Designers to Follow

No one can deny the absolute authority that celebrated fashion designers cast over a person of finer tastes. However, there remains due a stage of saturation when you think everything that exists seems too predictable and done. Enter a new battalion of Indian Fashion Designers marching straight to the limelight in a no nonsense manner.

    1.       Pratima Pandey- Prama

Basic prints like stripes, dots and simple motifs amalgamated with delicate embroidery brings well structured pinafores to life which come paired with loose skirts. Most pieces by Pratima are elaborate affair of monochrome colour-play which she excellently aces by working with fabric textures. Say yes to a life of carefree style with Prama, a brand by the designer herself

2.       Ragini Ahuja- lkai

A dash of ‘cool’, handful of ‘handsomeness’, eccentric silhouettes worked together in a beautiful fashion is what one can call a signature Ragini Ahuja creation. Working revolutionarily on nude colours and unconventional structures lead her into giving birth to the fashion and apparel brand ‘Ikai.’

   3.       Archana Rao- Frou Frou

Winner of the 2012-13 Vogue India Fashion Fund award Archana Rao gathered all applaud and praises for her collection at the event that was a captivating blend of vintage and modern. Find all by her at the label Frou Frou.

      4.       Mrinalini Gupta- Mrinalini

Backed with a raw and wild instinct, Mrinalini’s creations provide you a break from whats conventional at the ramp. Bauble love is one distinct characteristic that stands out in her pieces. For more info, check out her label Mrinalini.

5.       Nupur Kanoi 

Discover the uncharted territories of fashion with the new found ‘queen of sensuality’, Nupur Kanoi. Pleated kurtas , draped skirts and all else to ignite that feminine mystique Nupur is a hot favourite.

6.    Ruchika sachdeva- Bodice

 Mostly ‘casual chic meets bohemian tomboy’ reeking clothing that appeals the unrestricted sense of fashion of any connoisseur, Ruchika is a heart stealer. Label Bodice comprises of all what she has to offer.

    7.     Hemant and Nandita

If hottest trends had a language they’d speak Hemant and Nandita. Playing around with colours, prints, patterns and techniques not so subtle, the designer duo knows what it takes to own the limelight.

8. Anavila

A glimpse of the style sense & sensibilities of generation next is Anavila Mishra with      authentic organic linen saris that she gets folk artisans to craft. Social welfare and fashion in one bite ? Consider us sold!

Shopping LBD at www.theethnicroute.com with Akriti Rana

A perfect wardrobe is a blend of Indian as well as western clothing option selected to match the current style scenarios. Focusing on either one and neglecting the other one is gross injustice that we can’t let you live with. With the same consideration, we at www.theethnicroute.com came up with a separate collection showcasing a vivid range of western wear options like tops, dresses, gowns, kurtis and bottoms that are designed to keep up with everyday styles.

Celebrated Fashion and Style Blogger Akriti Rana from La Chica Loca fame adorned one of these pieces in a look that she styled called ‘Little Black Dress.’  

‘Little Black Dress’ just the wardrobe essential without which your closet stands incomplete.

Off-Shoulder Little Black Dress from Theethnicroute.com fits her in such stunning manner and brings out her slender frame.

This Black Dress paired with Golden Accessories and Footwear reeks of luxury, style and everything nice!

A velvet dress is a must have for any fashion-conscious closet of today!

Style Notes to Take From Amazon India Couture Week 2015

 Look left and right, all you see are crazy fashion fanatics going gaga over the new collections showcased at Amazon India Couture Week 2015. For all kinds of designs, fabrics, silhouettes up on the ramp might appear to some like a frenzied affair; we spell down the season trends for Indian Ethnic Wear clothing the way they have been brought out at Amazon India Couture Week 2015. Take notes!


Colour Schemes

Marsala, Ruby Red, Bold Browns, Turquoise, Golds and Lilacs have become the essential colour tones for the season with most designers following the creed. Designer Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi served as the premiers in bringing about this regal colour revolution on the ramp have showcased collections like ‘The Empress Story’ and ‘Barter’ respectively to make hearts flutter.



A-line Silhouette

Seasons come and go, however the A-line silhouette is on the ramp for a long haul. Heavily clothed empire cut dresses in A-line silhouette glazed the ramps for Amazon backed India Couture Week 2015. All mostly long sleeved suitable for the fall winters that await us! Gaurav Gupta, Manish Malhotra and Monica Jaisingh have all followed the trend in their respective collections.

Cape + Cape Sleeves

If there is anything that has captivated distinct glances at the Amazon sponsored Indian Couture Week 2015; it definitely is the trend of ‘capes’ that has been making rounds in the fashion circles of the nation. Suits, Dresses and even western wear have embraced the exquisite style influx that capes and cape sleeves have brought along for the season. Trends like this give a distinct twist to Indian Bridal Wear clothing as well.


Lace-work Heavy Embroidery in Dull Gold and Silver

Done with the traditional hand work embroidery, stone work, thread work and sequin; designers now have turned focus on Lace Work embroidery mostly in dull hues of Gold and Silver which looks ravishing on dark bases like Marsahla, Brown , Black and Blue. Aishwarya Rai looks stunning in this Manish Malhotra Marsala Gown Dress with a subtle Off-White Gold Shimmer Sequin Jackets here!


Sheer Over Jackets

Another note point while looking at Indian Ethnic Wear designs through the Indian Couture Week 2015 was the massive adoption of sheer jackets both long and short that were paired with cholis, blouses and even formed a part of designer western wear clothing. A look at the current Page 3 websites and media will show you how Bollywood saree and Bollywood Bridal Wear have adopted this elegant trend.

Boat Necks + Off Shoulders

Walking off from last year’s ban collars, Chinese and round collars; Indian Ethnic Wear and well as Western wear trends have their strict concentration around boat necks and off-shoulders this season.  Not essentially low cut, off shoulders can be done both in with-sleeves and without sleeves versions.

 Now well-versed at the style lessons for the season, we hope you are ready to ace that race in most stunning ways! To find more upgrade on latest trends; visit www.theethnicroute.com .