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Up Your Fashion Quotient With Khadi Denims From DesiTude

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Khadi jeans is the newest entrant in the fashion circles as Siddharth Mohan Nair tries to make a difference with his brand ‘DesiTude’

Text Credits: Charishma Thankappan               Image Credits: DesiTude

His face is a curious combination of contradictions. With a clean-shaven look and well-kept hairstyle, he exudes a look of seriousness; his wide, exuberant smile though, is exceptionally warm and friendly. All of 26 years, Siddharth Mohan Nair might give off politician or government official vibes due to his appearance, and it comes as a big surprise to know that he is behind a fashionable brand that is making a change or two in society.
And making a change is what drives Siddharth, who follows the ideals of Gandhism in steering his almost two year old venture, DesiTude – a clothing brand, which has Khadi denim as its USP.

What does being a Gandhian, as Siddharth proclaims himself to be, mean in today’s day and age? “I relate to Gandhi on a personal level and not political,” he says. “Speaking the truth and the concept of ‘swadeshi’ are what I value most.” However, the youngster is clear-headed about the practicalities of the school of thought. “Some of the things that Gandhi professed are not valid in today’s time and age. He emphasised on complete use of swadeshi, but it is impossible for us to follow that today as a lot of things we use today are foreign-made.” Siddharth cites his own example, where he says he is a consumer of internationally made products when it comes to electronics.
But the idea of promoting something indigenous to his land motivated him to venture into the production of garments made out of khadi denim. The idea struck him when he was pleasantly surprised by the khadi jeans that he came across at a Khadi Bhandar store. Khadi also reaffirmed another principle of Gandhism that he follows – that of minimalism. He took it upon himself to further the idea, and started his own label called DesiTude.

Jeans has lasted over the ages as the favoured attire for its characteristic of being a hardy garb, which is durable, needs very little maintenance, and is washed infrequently. Does khadi have the same features? Siddharth puts all doubts to rest. “DesiTude khadi denims are extremely durable despite being pure cotton. Its durability is because of its weaving; there is no additional fibre that is added.” Which is also why the brand proudly declares that their apparel don’t need to be starched or ironed.

Siddharth dispels the notion of khadi being a ‘common man’s cloth’. In the days of yore, the cloth was really cheap and was spun and woven by individuals; but today, handicrafts are expensive. He explains the logic behind DesiTude’s pricing of their garments, which is on the higher side, “The conventional jeans is mill-made, where the fabric is not expensive, and is mass manufactured – so the manufacturing cost per piece is very low. For us, our material is not mill-made, and is very time consuming to be made as it is still spun and woven by hand by workers. Therefore, the fabric cost is very high. And since it is denim, the weaving is difficult. The highest cost that we incur is the fabric cost, which is sourced from Rajkot. Also, we are not manufacturing it on a large scale, as we make it only on a made-to-order basis.”

One of the striking features about the brand is their use of common people in the photographs on their website. Siddharth says, “All advertisements show people as flawless, fair, and tall. Because of that, there is a pressure on people to look like that. We are made to feel bad about our looks and such advertisements want us to aspire to become like those people by using their products. I didn’t want to do anything like that. I want people to buy DesiTude seeing the products worn by ordinary people like them with whom they can relate.”
DesiTude’s buyers are mostly from Bangalore and Mumbai, and as of now, Siddharth is promoting it online. He hopes to have a store soon, and start functioning in Kochi as well.

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Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s Traditional Ladakh’s Heritage Attire

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As Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding festivities come to an end, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja chose to dress in Ladakh traditional garb. The event featured a number of topics, with India’s rich past being the focus yesterday night. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja emphasized this by dressing in Namza Couture, which was established in 2016 by Padma Yangchan and Jigmet Disket and is renowned for its commitment to Ladakhi fabrics.

 The Mogos, a gown-like item with a shimmering zari border and pistachio green brocade, was part of Sonam’s ensemble. She wore a rani-pink shawl called a “Bok,” which is usually made from silk or goat skin and is worn to keep warm by the locals. This outfit was made of silk by Benaras artisans, and it had intricate phoenix embroidery, which stands for knowledge and vigor. It also had a crane image, which stands for prosperity and peace.

Her jewelry selections also honored custom; she wore a neckpiece set with diamonds and an emerald stone in the center. She accessorized this with striking statement rings and copper handcuffs, all tastefully matched with pearl earrings. She chose metallic juttis to complete her look, and she carried a bespoke purse by re-ceremonial.

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Decoding Wedding Looks of Rakul Preet Singh & Jackky Bhagnani

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The most anticipated nuptials of the year were that of Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky  Bhagnani. When the famous couple released official images from their wedding ceremony a while back, the anticipation surrounding seeing them in their wedding finery finally subsided. The couple looked stunning together as they exchanged vows in a sundowner ceremony in South Goa, becoming husband and wife. 

The wedding outfit of Rakul Preet Singh has everyone in awe! In terms of bridal style,she is a shining example of grace and elegance. Examine her gorgeous lehenga in great detail, taking note of its elaborate design and the symbolic significance of its colours. Examine her jewelery selections, beauty tips, and hairstyle specifics. Take inspiration from Rakul’s sophisticated and magnificent wedding look and pick some style advice for your own unique occasion.

Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani, the romance of the hour, likewise made the choice to forgo the vivid colour scheme in favour of delicate pink and ivory tones. The couple held their partners close to each other while flashing their million-dollar smiles in the official pictures they shared on the internet.

Rakul’s custom-made pastel pink lehenga by Tarun Tahiliani made her look like a dream. The actress donned a skirt covered in hundreds of small floral designs that were heavily glittered, beaded, and pearl-studded. She chose to wear a bustier for her choli, which was made with layers of net fabric that matched the colour of her lehenga. She chose full sleeves with a soft, see-through material buttoned down towards the end of her wrist as opposed to the short-sleeved option. Her dupatta was exquisitely adorned with numerous tiny, vibrant flowers throughout. Pearl and bead embroidery adorned the portion of the chunni that was precisely fastened to her bun.

The groom looked great in his ivory-coloured Tarun Tahiliani sherwani, which was embroidered with more elaborate flower patterns. He wore an achkan-style attire that gave off a royal vibe, and his exquisitely tied pagdi matched his choodidaar. It was covered in little studs all over and bordered with embroidery. The actor-producer channeled his inner Akbar by wearing a traditional mojris and carrying his drape in an elegant manner that matched his turban. Jackky also had a sarpech on his safa and a layered neckpiece made of kundan in shades of green. He was observed donning a sophisticated watch, his wedding band, and an additional emerald ring on his other hand.

Regarding Rakul’s jewelry, she opted for a stunningly crafted choker instead of the lengthy neckpieces. Her necklace’s enormous, blingy stones may easily cause blindness in anyone. Pearls, beads, and a few more medium- and small-sized gemstones were used to balance and assemble them. A maangtika and large, hanging earrings finished her ensemble. The massive, elegant, and shimmering engagement diamond she flashed on her ring finger was the talk of the town. Additionally, she donned pink kaliras and custom-made, minimalist choodas by designer Mrinalini Chandra.

The actress chose to use soft glam makeup in hues that complemented her wedding attire for her makeup look. For her D-day, she accessorized her eyes with eyeliner, a glowy base, and dark arched eyebrows, all complemented with a delicate pink lipstick shade. The actress also sported a modest mehendi on her hands, in keeping with the trend. They even decided on a backdrop and décor made of flowers. Baby’s breath flowers and enormous pink roses were used to make the varmalas.

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How to Identify an Authentic Banarasi Saree

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The saree is a timeless fashion item. Because of its unparalleled elegance and timelessness, sarees are referred to as classic ensembles. Even though sarees come in a variety of styles, nothing compares to a genuine Banarasi saree. A Banarasi saree has it all: a royal vibe, elegance that will make you the topic of the town wherever you wear it. Genuine Banarasi sarees are expertly crafted by experienced weavers using the finest silk yarn, paying close attention to every last detail.

The best type of silk saree is the banarasi saree, which has significant cultural and historical value in India. Their elaborate designs and opulent fabrics have made them famous and beloved worldwide.On certain occasions, women adore showing off their lavish and royal banarasi sarees. Banarasi sarees currently come in a range of shapes and designs in lightweight materials, in addition to the heavier ones, that suit the tastes and fashion sense of the current generation. There can be a lot of banarasi saree merchants or retailers in the market, but keep in mind that not all of them are likely to be offering authentic or high-quality sarees. Be sure to choose an actual banarasi saree while making your purchase. So here are few tips on identifying an authentic banarasi Saree

Check the saree’s reverse side.

Simply examining the saree’s reverse side will allow you to identify its authenticity. There will always be floats inside the weave and warp grids of loom-woven Banarasi sarees. Sarees woven by machines will be smooth to the touch.

Ask to see a certificate

Another crucial item to check for when buying pure silk sarees is the Certificate of Authorised Use of the Silk Mart Logo. Make sure to always ask for a certificate if you are purchasing a real silk saree.

Seek out the minor “imperfections”

The little “imperfections” that give a handwoven sari its unique beauty are what give them their beauty. The flawless “imperfections” are what set Banarasis handlooms apart from powerlooms. A handwoven textile will nearly always have subtle human touch elements, such as picks in the foundation fabric or even black lines running along the textile’s selvedge.

Think about the cost.

In general, price is a good way to tell if a Banarasi is real or not. Handmade items are expensive and require time to complete. Making it takes hours, but the finished product has a touch and sense of absolute quality. Therefore, if you’re finding a fantastic “deal” online, it’s usually not real. The history, craftsmanship, and quality of a Banarasi are unparalleled, and as buyers, we ought to be prepared to shell out a reasonable amount to guarantee its continued existence.

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