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Walk the Line

For every hem that goes under the stitch, there’s a mile of thoughts that run in a mind. Every sequin is like a soldier on a march. What’s celebrated on runways, is the calculation of creativity and precision. The designers’ pencil strokes finally get to walk their talk. In a conversation with Hari Anand.

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Walk in the line

hari anandFor every hem that goes under the stitch, there’s a mile of thoughts that run in a mind. Every sequin is like a soldier on a march. What’s celebrated on runways, is the calculation of creativity and precision. The designers’ pencil strokes finally get to walk their talk. In a conversation with Hari Anand.

A line is art and his clothes are constructed with a line of thought. Hari Anand, the designer who makes us enjoy fashion as an art. It’s refreshing that he goes beyond the cliché as a person who sees design as a passion. Every single element from the architecture of his home to his showroom are aligned, it’s no surprise in the 20 years of fashion he hasn’t fallen out of the line. It’s already known that he’s needled his way through the haystack of Kochi’s conventional fashion sense. In this era of mushrooming designers, he has time traveled through twenty years and made Glada stand out as a landmark that was always eyed by the teenagers of Convent road.
Design or Stitch, the studio has the charm of being enclosed in black walls, a kaleidoscope of sequins, a few fringes here and there, and fresh textiles sprawled in his studio like paint on an easel. His fashion show is somewhere around the corner, and there’s a bustle with telephone calls, he’s busy with sketches as the clothes measurements are under scrutiny. He finally settles with some black coffee. The sunlight streams in, and a conversation unfolds.

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THE IDEALS OF DESIGN

It doesn’t take a long time to understand that he’s riding with the reigns of his fashion ideologies. Unlike galloping into fads, he’s always been loyal to minimalism. This concept was embraced earlier by a club of intellectuals, the French and Italians with the exception of their wedding trousseau. But now he yearns for it to become a lifestyle choice and work its way as an equilateral movement. He added, “With minimalism there’s a high energy level because it has volumes to say although there’s only a little that seems to be expressed.” On the contrary, people try to communicate with excessive ornamentation and florid make up. It would be a revelation in his world of fashion to see the city of Kochi embrace pastel shades, monochromes and subtle motifs. Such a concept seems far-fetched- especially when color and intricacy is an integral part of our culture .Then he showed a mauve georgette sari with dusky gold lines, it was elegance personified.

hari_anand_5In his eyes, fashion evolves as his style stays timeless. So how does he exactly make a different cut on minimalism?

“Fashion is the interpretation of art, and if you interpret art, you’ll need detailing.” The complexity of simplicity lies in trying to bare oneself. While going through his collection at Glada, even a button goes unturned. From the coats with large rounded buttons to coordinated graphic designed buttons on a rusted fan themed shirt, from the pleated sarees to double plallusarees , it constantly resonates his quintessential style. ” If you see a design it’s not a design you should feel it just like the wind.”

The conversation slowly strayed into philosophy and his sources of inspiration. He slowly laughs, isn’t art imitates life a little too much of truism? Like Aristotle refused to deny so did he, saying that nature has all the charm. In his new collection Nirvana, he’s hinted his inspiration and it would have crossed our eyes. From trucks carrying iron to the tangled electricity wires, his new collection has a few elements of surprise such as safety pins and torn edges. Guided by the gradient color of the earth he’s settling for a nude color palette. It’s to focus more on the state of mind. A very tabula rasa approach, his new collection is set to take the next step of its evolution.

WOVEN TALES

He hasn’t revealed all the details of his next collection, Nirvana, but there was enough of art to surprise me while surfing through the studio. It takes a little observation to spot a few pieces here and there, and one cannot resist the Glada cover bags and the portfolio etched with so many witty love advises. One of them was, “Between love affairs there’s chocolate.” The creatives of his cover bags were inspired by the sixties optical illusion art of Bridget Riley. There’s a story behind half of his inspirations and it’s an irony that the woven tales are unknown. For the Sex and the City Collection, he had collaboration with Patti Stern a famous illustrator of New York. After the quirkiest 40, 000 interviews, she calligraphically sketched the funniest love quotes and factors in the post -it note style. All of these were dappled in colors and printed on textiles and it finally brimmed with life in his collection, Glamo.

Observation is one of his greatest strengths, as simple as the fallen wilted leaf to the view of rice paddies from his balcony is enough to get his minds twirling. He says, “I enjoy the dark as I get to see those stars lucidly and I love to write on white board with white paint. The key is to stand out, and as all of us may be dazed with his statement, he slowly chuckled and continued, “Make a statement with texture!” If it’s enough to leave a mark in the fashion world, he’s designed clothes with his finger print and customizes clothes with yours too.

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IN LINE WITH THOUGHTS
Promoting fashion philosophy, he’s coined many quotes to share among his followers. “It’s not an exclusive club for intellectuals but an egalitarian popular movement, the most wide reaching movement. Think minimalist, think precise”. Thus, getting into the discussion of every aesthetician, the philosophy of form and content. He stressed that the form is as pivotal as German engineering. As it’s translated into efficiency in his interpretation of fashion, it lies in functionality. For example creating Indian clothes, like a coat that’s still functional in New York. “Content is not necessarily having words and images sprawled over textiles. Every apparel has an aura and that’s what makes a statement. He believes clothes are not meant to say look at me but look at that. This ideology is what inspired him to start an image consultancy and the script for a wedding gown. Before a wedding dress is designed factors such as location, time, weather, jewellery revolve around a gown. He says women these days must know what they want to wear and believe a design is cut out for them and not copy another trend. He hit the point when he said, “Your clients are individuals, if you are in prison of others, you’ll never find something new.”

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Kochi is buzzing as a city and the upcoming metro is the allure of a coveted metropolitan charm. The fashion progression is still shadowed, as he says “Kochi is growing individually and not collectively.” Many are still pressed by social taboos and he aptly quoted “It’s fashion for some, an art for the chosen few. For us it’s civilization.” Kochi is getting there, yet it’s taking slow steps.
From a stroll to the studio, to the showroom and a ride to his house, you can’t help it and realize it’s all structured to reflect his notion of minimalism. The detailed lines of his sketches finally tell you a story that clothes are beyond needle and thread. It’s not about the glamorous fashion shows but design is truly a way of life. As we sat in his home and looked through the myriads of sketches, you cannot deny he does not live to design but lives in design. As everyone lives a life of ups and downs, Hari Anand lives through the thick and thin lines.

Quickies
Ultimate style icon : Nehru
Hollywood character: officer and gentleman
Iconic Bollywood: Amitabh Bachchan
A western staple: Jacket
A trend that you love :color
Metallic or neon : none
Coffe or black : black

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Grace Personified: Alia Bhatt’s Mesmerizing Black Saree Ensemble

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In the world of fashion and Bollywood glamour, certain looks transcend trends and become timeless classics. Alia Bhatt, with her impeccable style and innate grace, often sets the bar high when it comes to iconic fashion moments. One such instance is her mesmerizing appearance in a black saree, where she effortlessly personifies elegance and sophistication. Alia Bhatt just took a quick flight to London to go to the premiere of her next web series, Poacher. She arrived at the occasion with elegance, wearing a gorgeous black velvet saree and pearl jewelry that gave off a timeless charm. Along with her sister Shaheen Bhatt and mother Soni Razdan, the trio enhanced the event’s glitz. 

Offering fans a peek into the Poacher screening, Alia posted images from the event to her Instagram account. Her fan accounts quickly reposted the images. She shared a series of pictures with Shaheen with the message, “With my best, shaheenb,” and an endearing picture of Soni, Shaheen, and herself sitting together in the crowd, which only served to heighten the anticipation.

The producer-actress looked stunning in a stunning black saree. For the evening, a corresponding sleeveless blouse was worn with the velvet Sabyasachi outfit. Alia, who exuded a royal aura, accessorized her black velvet saree with matching earrings, scarlet lips, and a bundle of pearl necklaces. She looked angelic with her hair tied back in a bun.

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Beauty

Jennifer Lopez’s Daring Fashion Choice: A Wetsuit-Inspired Gown Steals the Spotlight on the Red Carpet

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When it comes to making a statement on the red carpet, Jennifer Lopez is no stranger to turning heads. The multi-talented star recently attended the premiere of “The Flash” to support her husband, Ben Affleck, who reprises his role as Batman. While their public display of affection grabbed attention, it was their coordinated and eye-catching outfits that truly stole the show. Lending her style expertise, J Lo stepped out in a bold and unconventional gown inspired by wetsuit designs, proving that she continues to push the boundaries of fashion.

Styled by the talented duo Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haen, her gown was a striking creation from Gucci’s resort 2023 collection, fresh off the runways of Seoul. The ensemble featured a sleek black zip-up bodice reminiscent of scuba suits, adding a unique and unexpected element to the traditional red carpet attire. Contrasting the sporty top, a flowing peach satin maxi skirt with a long train exuded elegance and femininity.

While the gown was originally presented on the runway with a fully zipped-up collar, J Lo made a daring choice to unzip hers just above the belly button. This modification transformed the look into a more revealing and sensual ensemble, showcasing the star’s confidence and willingness to embrace risks. With every step, the gown accentuated her enviable figure, commanding attention and setting a new standard for red carpet fashion.

To complete her show-stopping look, Jennifer Lopez made careful choices when it came to accessories. She opted for a pair of white leather platform pumps from Gucci, elevating her height and adding a touch of sophistication. The choice of accessories further emphasized the fusion of sporty and elegant elements in her outfit. Complementing the gown’s black bodice, she adorned herself with exquisite jewelry pieces from Daniela Villegas and Le Vian, adding a touch of luxury and sparkle. Carrying a sleek black leather clutch bag by Kurt Geiger, J Lo effortlessly showcased her ability to curate every aspect of her ensemble.

One cannot overlook the sartorial synchrony between Jennifer Lopez and her husband, Ben Affleck. Affleck, known for his impeccable red carpet style, consistently mirrors the overall vibe of J Lo’s look. For the premiere, he opted for an all-black ensemble, comprising a sleek black suit, a matching black shirt, and polished black leather dress shoes. The couple’s synchronized fashion choices not only showcase their undeniable chemistry but also demonstrate their commitment to presenting a cohesive and visually appealing appearance together.

Jennifer Lopez continues to push fashion boundaries and surprise the world with her red carpet choices. Her wetsuit-inspired gown at “The Flash” premiere exemplifies her fearless approach to style. By incorporating sporty elements into a sophisticated ensemble, she proves that fashion can be both daring and elegant. Alongside her partner Ben Affleck, the power couple’s synchronized looks create an awe-inspiring visual spectacle, solidifying their status as fashion icons. J Lo’s ability to effortlessly command attention and make fashion statements ensures that she remains an influential force in the world of celebrity style.

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Beauty

Padma Lakshmi Radiates Confidence and Empowers Women in Jaw-Dropping Bikini Shoot

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Prepare to be dazzled! Padma Lakshmi, the talented author of “Love, Loss and What We Ate,” has graced the pages of a magazine with a jaw-dropping series of bikini photos that exude sheer radiance. With a vibrant spirit and unapologetic confidence, Lakshmi is breaking barriers and celebrating the beauty of women of all ages, body types, and skin colors.

In a world obsessed with unrealistic beauty standards, Lakshmi’s decision to embrace the ‘Quiet Luxury’ of her own body is nothing short of revolutionary. This trailblazing trend champions subtle and understated elegance, proving that true beauty transcends labels and price tags. With each pose, Lakshmi sends a powerful message: women are multifaceted, unique, and deserve to feel gorgeous in their own skin.

During the captivating shoot, Lakshmi not only showcased her enviable figure but also shared her profound wisdom and life experiences. Her words resonate deeply with young women, encouraging them to embrace their journey and recognize that growth, resilience, and self-discovery make them even more captivating individuals, both inside and out.

Overflowing with gratitude, Lakshmi’s newfound confidence is rooted in appreciating her body’s incredible abilities. From the miracle of childbirth to the pure joy of indulging in delicious food, she cherishes every moment and honors her body’s remarkable capabilities. It’s a refreshing perspective that reminds us to be thankful for our own bodies and the journeys they’ve carried us through.

As news of Lakshmi’s empowering bikini shoot spread like wildfire, fans couldn’t contain their admiration. Social media exploded with heartfelt messages of awe and inspiration, as followers expressed their sheer amazement at her timeless beauty and captivating presence. One fan couldn’t help but gush, “Padma is an ethereal goddess, defying the laws of aging and leaving us all in awe!” Another enthusiast echoed the sentiment, proclaiming, “You’re a true inspiration, Padma! Your confidence is contagious, and you look absolutely stunning!”

This isn’t just a mere photoshoot; it’s a seismic shift in the conversation surrounding body image and self-acceptance. Lakshmi fearlessly shares her personal journey, shedding light on the impact of societal pressure on young minds. By vowing to redefine beauty standards, she proves that our worth extends far beyond the numbers on a scale or the size of our clothing. She emboldens her daughter and countless others to celebrate their individuality and find strength in their unique selves.

Padma Lakshmi’s vibrant and vivacious presence continues to shine a spotlight on the importance of body positivity and self-love. Her audacious choice to flaunt her beauty in a stunning bikini shoot speaks volumes about her resilience and determination to inspire others. In a world that constantly tries to dictate our worth based on appearances, Lakshmi stands as a beacon of authenticity, reminding us that true beauty radiates from within. Let her empowering journey ignite the spark of self-confidence within us all, as we celebrate the vibrant tapestry of women’s bodies and the stories they tell.

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