History and Background

Mehndi is famed for its medicinal properties and use in body art around the world. The word originates from the Sanskrit word mendhika referring to the plant from which it is derived. References suggest that mehndi had its presence in varied cultures apart from India such as Egypt, Asia Minor, Middle East, and was even used by Cleopatra, pharaohs, and Prophet Muhammad. However, the body of art of mehndi had its roots in ancient India from where it spread to different nooks and corners of the world. Discovery of the henna plant’s cooling properties led to the popularity of use on the skin. The plant has even been used to color wool, silk, animal skin, human hair, and more.

Lawsonia inermis, the botanical name of the mehndi plant, is generally found in tropical climates on the Indian subcontinent. Fresh henna leaves, as opposed to powdered henna, have no odor. The leaves of the plant are used to produce a paste that leaves a dark reddish-orange color after application.

The dried leaves of henna are crushed to produce a powder that is then mixed with water, eucalyptus oil, and lemon juice to create a smooth pastelike texture. The paste is left to rest overnight and then poured into a plastic cone for application.

Application and Design

The tip of the cones are cut according to the desired thickness of the line. Cones are then squeezed lightly to apply uninterrupted designs, all ranging from simple to ornate depending on the individual’s taste or the occasion.

When having mehndi applied, it is best to wear short sleeves to keep the hands and arms exposed. From stunning, intricate designs to checkered and geometric patterns, the design options are endless. For minimalists, Arabic designs are elegant. Having mantras etched is the latest fad. Wedding motifs such as elephants and palanquin are the all-time traditional favorites. The feet are not to be forgotten – mehndi done in a prominent motif in the center is quite popular.

Once applied, the mehndi is left to dry for color blending and uniformity. To enhance the color outcome, a mixture of lemon juice and sugar is applied to the Mehndi. Once dry, the mendhi naturally crumbles and falls off. Using water to remove the mehndi is not common practice as this can make the color lighter.

Mehndi as a Ritual

In South Asian weddings, the mehndi event is a ritual where henna is applied on the bride’s hands and feet in anticipation of the wedding ceremony. Not only limited to the bride, all the bridesmaids and guests have beautiful designs done on their hands and arms from hired professionals. The ritual involves the ceremonial singing of traditional songs to the beat of drums and dholaks. Mehndi designs for the bride are elaborate, intricate, and as part of the tradition, it often includes the name of husband-to-be for him to seek on the wedding night.

For some, weddings are a time for doubt and stress. Anxiety and nervousness might be overwhelming, but given mehndi is scientifically proven to be a cooling property, the art of applying henna is a way to calm the bride’s nerves.

Sanskrit word mendhika

Egypt

Asia Minor

Middle East

Cleopatra

pharaohs

Prophet Muhammad

ancient India

henna plant

color wool

silk

animal skin

human hair

Indian subcontinent

henna leaves

reddish-orange color

dried leaves of henna

eucalyptus oil

lemon juice

plastic cone

Arabic designs are elegant

intricate designs

geometric patterns

Wedding motifs

elephants

palanquin

mixture of lemon juice and sugar

South Asian weddings

henna

wedding ceremony

traditional songs

drums and dholaks

wedding night

Anxiety

nervousness

bride’s nerves

Floral top and Shorts Ideas

Animal print dress designs

Exotic JumpSuits Ideas

Puff shoulders

Summer Spring Fashion trends

Summer Fashion looks

Spring Season Looks

floral designs

athleisure look

real animal skin clothes

party-wearing

informal jumpsuits

long-sleeved Jumpsuits

Below we feature some of the latest fashion worn by our beloved Bollywood movie stars, as well as looks well accepted by fans and worldwide!

Bollywood

Bollywood fashion

ankle-grazing longline jacket

Indian fans

Airport looks

Bollywood celebs

Hot Bollywood Trends

Button-down Shirts

Longline Jacket Pictures

Ripped Jeans Pictures

Pencil Skirt

Shimmering Outfits of bollywood

Casual look

Funky look

Reception parties

Distressed jeans

Malaika Arora

casual jeans look

Shaadi trend

Women have been known to keep track of new jewelry trends including the use of different materials. With every coming year, the excitement for traditional and new, modern jewelry designs continues to grow. This year, the most votes go to casual jewelry, which is a burning hit of this era.

Casual jewelry can be worn with any sort of outfit, whether a simple everyday look of jeans and a top or a floral dress. Simple earrings, bracelets, and lockets completes any woman’s look. Sets of rolled-up chains in gold, silver, or alloy are also a must-have. The trend of going bold and big never changes, and this year, chunky chains and statement earrings are all the rage!

Colored gemstones and oxidized jewelry continue to be fan base favorites. Use these pieces to bring a certain royalty to your look. Oxidized jewelry is popular among the younger crowd and is great for everyday wear. Pearls and studded jewelry are making news especially during the wedding season.

 Wearing jewelry is a requirement for many Indians, and the trend is spreading worldwide. New designs of gold, silver, pearls, ivory, alloy and metal jewelry is telling of the fact that jewelry is no longer for occasional wear, but rather has spread to daily fashion. From youngsters to adults, wearing uniquely designed ornaments is a trend that may be here to stay.

Jewelry trend

Trends of jewelry

Ornamental materials

Jewellery designs

Casual jewelry

Ear-rings, bracelets and lockets

Colored gemstones

Oxidized jewellery

2019 jewelry trends

High End Jewelry

The love affair between a woman and her saris is unmatched. What the Western world perceives as a long piece of fabric is in reality a six-yard garment whose every fold, drape, and tuck can transform a woman into any facet of her being. Poised at the top of this hierarchy is the handloom-woven sari. These luxury pieces are one-of-a-kind designs of wearable art whose weaving is unique to an Indian state, emblematic of its history and culture. Simply put, a machine has never touched the fabric. Each sari is carefully crafted by an artisan whose family has been in this profession for eras; their hands are quite literally keeping this art alive and by purchasing handloom, consumers are doing the same. One of the world’s oldest nations, India, is renowned for its vibrant heritage and handloom weavers are a rich component in India’s cultural fabric. Now, Devam is bringing this cultural glory to the US.

South Florida-based design house and retailer Devam is known for its offerings of handloom silks, handcrafted fine jewelry, and customization experience. From traditional bridal jewelry to an array of handloom silks to modern engagement rings, Devam’s vast selection of luxury products has attracted Indian-Americans from all over the United States.

While there are numerous Indian jewelry and apparel retailers across America, Devam’s focus on craftsmanship distinguishes them from others. Strictly using handloom materials and only the high-end quality gems, Devam’s pieces are inspired by royals of the past, ingeniously incorporating different eras into one.

“Our materials are straight from the source. Each and every style of silk we curate, we find from its origin state,” said Devam’s vice president Punita Jhaveri. “We visit different regions and find the top weavers in each area, working with them to develop our unique designs.”

Devam’s handloom silks are then transformed into lenghas, saris, and scarves. Devam specializes in creating custom Indian bridal apparel, catering to Indian-American families across the States for their special occasions. From the bride who envisions herself as a fairytale princess to one who prefers a simpler elegant visage, Devam’s customizable collection caters to all audiences.

“Each bride’s style is completely unique from the next, which make our job all the more special,” said Jhaveri. “It makes our creative process more complex but even more rewarding.”

Recently, Devam has been utilizing its silks to create Western-style blouses, pants, and gowns. An eclectic East meets West collection, Devam’s Western apparel is satisfying a demographic whose values and opinions are comprised from influence of both India and the US. The inspiration behind this new vision is that the Indian-American women wearing these clothes will be able to fully express themselves, unabashedly capturing both sides of their identify by merging two cultures that are often not the easiest to mix. Celebrating the Indian heritage and promoting cross-cultural designs, Devam is imprinting its decadent mark throughout the Southeast and soon, across the United States.

Posted on: 11-2-2018 by: Deshvidesh

Next, I find it so refreshing to be able to meet so many people that I haven’t had a chance to see or keep in touch with in a long time other than on social media. I love meeting up with old friends and family from years past as hearing about the progress they have made in their lives, especially for my most authentic relationships, warms my inner soul and brings me great joy.

Hand loomed pure Hyderabadi silk saree worn with intricately designed Indian jewelry. Wearing my art and heritage, wearing my pride, feeling rooted.

Makeup artist:

Enhancing natural beauty is foremost in the mind of makeup artist Summer when she works. A makeup artist with more than 15 years’ experience in the areas of fashion photo shoots, creative studio photo shoots, makeup education and product consultations, Summer has learnt from her clients one universal rule: women want to look fresh, flawless and beautiful. She believes, “When you look beautiful you feel beautiful, and it’s that kind of happiness that I try to give to women every day.”

Summer is available for any makeup service, personalized makeup lesson to achieve flawless makeup at home, or to style for special events.

Please visit Bonnie or Summer at Zaina Hair Salon located at 7846 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, FL 33067 or to make an appointment call (954)-278-6899.

Hair Stylist:

Bonnie, of Middle Eastern descent, is a master colorist and stylist, and she enjoys the art of hair and taking clients from start to finish. She has advanced training in hair extensions, smoothing treatments, and is flawless in the art of hair styling. Bonnie has worked in the Cosmetology industry for over fifteen years. Bonnie has a passion for creativity and flare. Bonnie can ensure you’ll absolutely love your new look.

About the Author

Siddhi Desai is currently a stay-at-home mom residing in Parkland, FL, with her two young children and husband. She is a cancer researcher by training holding BSc and MSc degrees in Biotechnology. Siddhi has always held deep passions and diverse interests in the realms of science, spirituality, and fashion. Follow her on Instagram @siddhidesai9999 for additional musings and pictures on all things fashion and lifestyle.

Posted on: 09-6-2018 by: Deshvidesh

Fashion is about assembling a wardrobe that tells your story. Stories that reflect your journey, culture, heritage, and travels. Travel is an integral part of fashion as it allows you to incorporate your experiences with other cultures to create your own eclectic style. There’s an immense amount of beauty emanating from the diversity of the world that I fearlessly incorporate into my own style by mixing and matching pieces from different designers and artists from around the world and various time periods. And today the world is flat — we are all one humanity and fashion has become a celebration and visual representation for the acceptance of multicultural art and love for one another.

Fashion is also about expressing yourself and your individuality. There are no rules for fashion as long as your look embodies your true inner self. Some people try to keep up with what’s “in” for the latest season, but for me fashion is timeless, and I collect timeless pieces across seasons that I would love to wear even many years from now. Whether a collection is from this season or last or even several years old, fashion is art. And art is divine and immortal because it reflects the soul of all of our cultures collectively.

In order to preserve the soul of our ancient Indian artistic craftsmanship, we must support our struggling handloom sector. The handlooms of India capture our rich and diverse cultural heritage through the masterful artistry of our incredible weavers. Unfortunately, the art of hand-weaving is being lost as the livelihood of these artisans is not being appreciated enough for them to sustain a living. Let’s support our artisans in order to preserve our rich traditional art form and a piece of our cultural heritage. Preserving our own culture, heritage, and art is essential to keeping the beauty of diversity in the world intact.

A few designers and labels I hold dear to me play their part in preserving their own cultures and in supporting their local communities. Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi received one of France’s highest arts distinctions, becoming Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, an honor awarded to leaders of the international arts community for their “contribution and commitment to cultural service.” She recognizes the strength of the people of her native country and helps them to achieve their potential.

Nepalese-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung chooses to manufacture over 80% of his collection in his hometown of New York in order to support the local community and is committed to sustaining domestic employment and incomes. At the same time, Gurung performs extensive humanitarian work in his native Nepal supporting efforts to end women trafficking, educating underprivileged children, and helping those affected by the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.

Finally, the Colombian label eywacorazón honors ‘EYWA,’ which means the great mother who wants a better world for her children. Eywacorazón was created to provide a means to underprivileged mothers going through difficult times but that have warrior souls to fight to create a better future for their kids.

Let these few examples help illustrate the importance of fashion in helping preserve the soul of our cultures, celebrating our global diversity, and creating a better society for all of us. May the divine flow of fashion and creativity keep flowing through your wardrobe collection!

About the Author

Siddhi Desai is currently a stay-at-home mom residing in Parkland, FL, with her two young children and husband. She is a cancer researcher by training holding BSc and MSc degrees in Biotechnology. Siddhi has always held a deep passion and diverse interests in the realms of science, spirituality, and fashion. Follow her on Instagram @siddhidesai9999 for additional musings and pictures on all things fashion.
Photo Credits: ©A.D. Desai

Shloka wore a heavily embellished gold Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga for the ring ceremony. Her outfit included floral motifs, sequins, and thread work.

Shloka’s hair was styled into a half up do, while makeup was classy. She completed her look with diamond jewelry and a gold waistband with emerald drops.

Shloka later changed into a blush pink outfit and jewelry from Sabyasachi for the reception. Akash complemented her in a pastel bandhgala–kurta and later donned a purple bandhgala.

Isha & Nita Ambani	Priyanka Chopra:
The mother-daughter duo opted to wear Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla outfits. Isha wore a blush embellished lehenga. Nita wore a red saree with traditional jewelry. Both later wore the same designer’s outfits – Isha a pastel pink ensemble and Nita a gray saree.	The actress attended with rumored boyfriend Nick Jonas. She also wore a red Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla saree with silver gota patti. Her hair was messy and lips red.
Alia Bhatt	Gauri Khan
She rocked a pink Manish Malhotra saree with silver jewelry. Her hair was styled into a bun with gajra with black bindi, blush makeup and matte lipstick.	She attended with SRK and son Aryan. The men looked dapper, while Gauri dazzled in a black-silver Falguni & Shane Peacock outfit. Her hair was side swept. She later wore a pastel outfit by Tarun Tahiliani.
Shweta Nanda, Navya Navelli and Sara Ali Khan also opted for Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla creations. Parineeti Chopra looked edgy in a Shantanu Nikhil saree with pants. Kajol, Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor-Mira Rajput, Tiger Shroff-Disha Patani, Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Aradhya, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Siddharth Malhotra, Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar also glammed up for this festive occasion. Event Management: Seven Steps (a division of 70 EMG) Event Design & Decor: Seven Steps, Karen Tran, Sharmistha Roy, Dinaz Noria, Havovy Readymoney Program & Show Coordinators: On Cue Productions Creative Director: Vaibhavi Merchant Invitations: EDC Makeup Artist: Puneet B Saini Hairstylist: Priyanka Borkar Saree Draping: Dolly Jain Food & Desserts and Beverages: Foodlink, Pinch Food Design, Laduree, The Wedding Bartenders

Posted on: 07-31-2018 by: Deshvidesh

Posted on: 07-30-2018 by: Deshvidesh