Ninety thousand rupees will fetch you a brand new six-pack. Ask Dr Mohan Thomas, a senior cosmetic surgeon and consultant at Mumbai's Breach Candy hospital.
Dr Thomas gets 20 to 30 people every month who want six-pack abs the easy way (by a surgery called injection lipolysis - see box). And a lot of men do want them the easy way, because, face it, working to get a six-pack is very hard.
But it's also apparently very desirable to have one. Blame it on luck, blame it on fate. actually, blame it on Shah Rukh Khan, who kicked off the trend less than three years ago with Om Shanti Om. And on Aamir Khan in Ghajini, Shahid Kapur in Kaminey and more recently, Imran Khan in I Hate Luv Storys.
The consensus among the people who do matter is: if you ain't got a six-pack, you ain't fit!
Fortunately, that kind of thinking is usually restricted to models and film people. "Sixty per cent of the people who come to me are aspiring models," says Dr Thomas.
"Everyone comes to Mumbai to try their luck in the world of glamour and naturally, they all want to look the best they can. I think people looked at SRK and Aamir and thought 'hey, these two went from being regular guys to being 'ripped,' so why can't I?'"
While the other 40 per cent of Dr Thomas's clientele comprises older men struggling with mid-life crises, it's primarily men in the glamour industry who are obsessed with six-packs.
"It's simple: an aspiring model who does have a six pack certainly has an edge over one who doesn't, even if the other person does have a flat, toned tummy," says Pranav Awasthi, who runs Glitz Model Management, a leading modelling agency.
"That's not to say that models don't require other skills. But at the end of the day, they're expected to be fit and today, the definition of fit includes having a six-pack."
Fashion designer Prasad Bidapa is one of those people who welcome the trend and take it seriously.
"The '50s and the '60s were the years of the prosperity paunch; the '90s were the years of the bulky macho man with huge shoulders. This decade, lean is in," he says.
Bidapa thinks that having a six-pack is a reflection of our changing perception of health and beauty. "I see it like this: sporting a designer bag with a six-pack works. Sporting a designer bag with a flabby body doesn't work. It's that simple," he laughs.
"So every model that comes to audition for me has six-packs - the serious ones have eight - and that's because the competition is so intense."
So is having a six-pack the be all and end all of making it big in the glamour world? "Unfortunately, that's exactly what the newbies feel," says Awasthi.
"But ultimately, acting skills is where the real money is because unless you become a supermodel, you're probably just one of the 10-15 guys walking the ramp."
Redefining fitness Some filmmakers believe that there's no novelty in actors having six-packs anymore. Shahid Kapur didn't flaunt his abs in Badmaash Company even though the film did have the mandatory beach scene. Director Parmeet Sethi claims that this was a conscious decision.
"Shahid Kapur has not shown his physique in my film because both of us came to the conclusion that it looked extremely pretentious, a been-there-done-that kind of a thing, you know. I mean, let's face it - Shahid's character is supposed to be your average kid from the '90s and at that time, abs were certainly not in vogue."
Sethi is point blank when airing his views about the trend. "For some strange reason, the younger generation today feels that having a six-pack somehow means you have arrived! I think actors today are competing in all the wrong areas - you know, abs, hair, dancing skills, rather than things that matter like the kind of films they do and the roles they play."
Having six-packs is not bad, he sums up. "But having only six-packs most certainly is." Punit Malhotra, the director who presents young Imran Khan in a most un-Imran Khan avatar in I Hate Luv Storys too claims that he "only wanted the actor to look fit and getting washboard abs wasn't a conscious decision at all.
But of course, by today's definition, 'fit' equals six-pack." It's a trend, not a requirement, says Malhotra, but adds, "I'm not sure if it's a healthy trend." It certainly doesn't seem very healthy. Even gym trainers warn people off it.
"Sometimes, Aamir used to shriek in pain and cry doing the stomach crunches while training for Ghajini, but he did not skip a single day," says his trainer Satya. It took Aamir 13 months of intense four-hour workout sessions daily and a carefully monitored diet regimen to achieve his look in the film.
"I'm not sure how safe that is for normal people to attempt," says Satya. The real meaty issue is the fact that at the end of the day, washboard abs are a modern-day, machine made construct (ever saw yesteryear wrestlers and even bodybuilders flaunting their six-packs?).
The odd part is that most females find them positively gross and claim that a six-pack is certainly not what they're looking for in their guy. But showbiz has its own rules - most of them made by men!
The trend
2007: Shah Rukh Khan, of all people, kicks off the trend with Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om. The actor's six-pack creates much buzz around the film.
2008: Aamir Khan follows in his footsteps and unveils a pumped up new body and a brand new six-pack for the Hindi remake of the action flick Ghajini.
2010: Imran Khan is the latest entrant on the six-pack scene in the just-released romantic comedy, I Hate Luv Storys.
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Monday, July 05, 2010
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Fashion porn: Dressing to titillate?
We’re chronicling times of unrest in fashion.
The classic designs are getting weird, there’s no classic aesthetic anymore. In Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker rightly says, “It’s all a circus! Two hundred people, Page 6! This is my third marriage. How do you think it makes me look!” The girls are making a statement that resembles Fashion Porn, reports the New York Metro.
They’ve redefined the chaotic look. Those who watched the movie, confess they only watched the clothes. The movie’s Look Book has broken every rule in the book. Designer Raakesh Agarvwal agrees, “There’s nothing vulgar about Fashion Porn, it’s a dirty word but it defines the fashion mood for extreme, bold dressing. Like Tom Ford’s latest advertisement. This is the rise of black fashion and being outrageous. It’s about sexy dressing, styled to the hilt breaking all rules. In the movie SATC, Sarah Jessica Parker epitomises the mood. It’s saluting women like Madonna, who is the godmother of Fashion Porn, she’s the lady who made conical corset popular.”
But, we’re curious, now how did fashion ever become porn? We asked India’s young designers, how they interpret fashion porn? Is it all about pink-carpet fashion and over-dressing? The look is stupendous — it’s an over-obsession with style, dressing and looking perfect. Says designer Gaurav Gupta, “When I was studying in London, clothes, I realised, had sexual titillation. New age fashion had no rules. It had no trends. It was fashionable to be unfashionable. The LBD (Little Black Dress) has been re-invented. It’s not about vulgar clothes but wearing something sexually exciting.”
Sure, after all, that’s the definition of porn, something that excites. The buffet of expensive clothes, big hair, and killer stilettos is hard to resist. Says designer Khushali Kumar, “Style wise, everyone’s dressing more expensive, more funky and more futuristic. You’ll be wearing hot blue Manolos looking gorgeous, sexy, and maybe a bit impractical.”
So, how do you decipher the language of fashion? Is fashion without rules such a dirty word? Christina Binkley writes in The Wall Street Journal that women wear work attire that’s more liberal. Says designer Paras of Geisha Designs, “Fashion is about sensuality, but it becomes sexual, if there’s a Carrie Bradshaw around. We’re all fashion victims. There’s a certain vibrancy — we’re breaking away from Ally McBeal’s boring style.
Style is constantly about overhauling the self, exciting people around you with your fashion make-over strategy.”
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Are we over-glamourising the bikini?
‘Bikini is fashionable art’
That’s so Sensuous! The evolution of the bikini has been interesting. Now, the bikini is almost a prized piece of art. There’s great fascination around its history, invention and evolution. The bikini was invented to create a fashion sensation. Wow, it’s always got a great reaction! That said, there is a practical aspect in that, it’s much simpler to get in and out of a two-piece than a regular swim costume. Historically, during war time, rationing textile made it more efficient to wear a bikini. It was a dramatic change and made the bikini socially acceptable. That’s what led to the glamourisation of two-piece swim costumes. It should be considered that the one-piece costume caused a very similar reaction in the 1910-1930 period, as women were seen for the first time with bare legs, active and outdoors. Glamour women in a bikini had arrived and were making a sensation. When stars like Brigitte Bardot and Ursula Andress began wearing the bikini, the star factor attached itself to their clothing. To feel as glamorous as a movie star, it made perfect sense to copy what they wore.
There is evidence of bikini-shaped garments from antiquity -- Greek images on urns and Roman mosaics depict women athletes wearing what is essentially the modern bikini. The bandeau top is functional and acts as a brassiere for athletes -- ancient and modern. The best-known version of the story is that engineer Louis Reard and fashion designer Jacques Heim invented the ‘Bikini’ in 1946 in Paris -- and named it for the atomic bombs being tested in the Bikini Atoll of the Pacific in July of that year. Apparently, they thought it would cause a similar explosive reaction. Heim & Reard’s ‘Bikini’ was actually quite daring, with a high cut string bottom, although the version that eventually became popular. Gradually, as it became acceptable in Western society to bare the midriff, bikinis have become smaller, and sometimes leave out the top altogether--see Rudi Gernreich’s edgy (and not very popular!) ‘Monokini’. Different styles are acceptable in different places -- a beach in Brazil is different to one in North America.
Fashion wise, the two-piece or bikini just follows the development of the 20th century. First it became acceptable for women to bathe in the sea, and woolen swimming dresses emerged; as women began to assert themselves as athletic and advances were made in fabric technology,synthetic one-piece costumes developed. The next logical step was the simpler two-piece. It’s popularity has in- creased in proportion to the popularity of sunbathing, swimming, beach holidays, and other aspects of modern life. Hence, bikini wars started. To a point, where the bikini became an obsession!
The bikini is nothing but a three piece triangle. It’s like the bermuda triangle, where men just lose themselves. It drives men crazy. The bikini makes men forget any other attachment they have. Essentially, the bikini was adapted from the lingerie. It’s almost like an undergarment which can be worn outside.
The evolution of the bikini triggered the inside-outside revolution. Gautlier revolutionised the bikini and corset by making his models wear them on clothes. In fact, La Perla’s colourful bikini tops are worn only under transparent shirts, to show-off. The fashion interpretation of the bikini has been over-glamourised. Now, I see women on Miami beaches wearing bikini briefs with sexy halter tops. I agree, bikini’s the most seductive piece of clothing ever invented.
It has an emotional, physical and metaphysical dimension to it. It can be sensual, sporty, seductive all at the same time. When it’s sporty, bikini’s construction is not so exhibitionist! Most men I know, find it the most exciting piece of garment. Iconic images of a bikini always arouse great curiosity. Men and bikinis have a unique, interesting relationship -- it’s pure erotica. That’s why bikini has been over-glamourised because it’s the briefest garment in the world. The bikini has changed the shape and style of fashion. There’s nothing sexier than the itsy-bitsy, teenie weenie bikini!
There is evidence of bikini-shaped garments from antiquity -- Greek images on urns and Roman mosaics depict women athletes wearing what is essentially the modern bikini. The bandeau top is functional and acts as a brassiere for athletes -- ancient and modern. The best-known version of the story is that engineer Louis Reard and fashion designer Jacques Heim invented the ‘Bikini’ in 1946 in Paris -- and named it for the atomic bombs being tested in the Bikini Atoll of the Pacific in July of that year. Apparently, they thought it would cause a similar explosive reaction. Heim & Reard’s ‘Bikini’ was actually quite daring, with a high cut string bottom, although the version that eventually became popular. Gradually, as it became acceptable in Western society to bare the midriff, bikinis have become smaller, and sometimes leave out the top altogether--see Rudi Gernreich’s edgy (and not very popular!) ‘Monokini’. Different styles are acceptable in different places -- a beach in Brazil is different to one in North America.
Fashion wise, the two-piece or bikini just follows the development of the 20th century. First it became acceptable for women to bathe in the sea, and woolen swimming dresses emerged; as women began to assert themselves as athletic and advances were made in fabric technology,synthetic one-piece costumes developed. The next logical step was the simpler two-piece. It’s popularity has in- creased in proportion to the popularity of sunbathing, swimming, beach holidays, and other aspects of modern life. Hence, bikini wars started. To a point, where the bikini became an obsession!
‘ Men think bikini is the most sensual garment'
The bikini is nothing but a three piece triangle. It’s like the bermuda triangle, where men just lose themselves. It drives men crazy. The bikini makes men forget any other attachment they have. Essentially, the bikini was adapted from the lingerie. It’s almost like an undergarment which can be worn outside.
The evolution of the bikini triggered the inside-outside revolution. Gautlier revolutionised the bikini and corset by making his models wear them on clothes. In fact, La Perla’s colourful bikini tops are worn only under transparent shirts, to show-off. The fashion interpretation of the bikini has been over-glamourised. Now, I see women on Miami beaches wearing bikini briefs with sexy halter tops. I agree, bikini’s the most seductive piece of clothing ever invented.
It has an emotional, physical and metaphysical dimension to it. It can be sensual, sporty, seductive all at the same time. When it’s sporty, bikini’s construction is not so exhibitionist! Most men I know, find it the most exciting piece of garment. Iconic images of a bikini always arouse great curiosity. Men and bikinis have a unique, interesting relationship -- it’s pure erotica. That’s why bikini has been over-glamourised because it’s the briefest garment in the world. The bikini has changed the shape and style of fashion. There’s nothing sexier than the itsy-bitsy, teenie weenie bikini!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Salwar Kameez!
Indian Salwar Kameez or Shalwar Kameez is a dress normally worn by North Indian and traditional dress worn by various peoples of south-central Asia. It is a traditional dress of Punjab in North India and that why it is also called “Punjabi Suit” and this is national dress for both men and women in Pakistan and Afganistan. Some time is instead of Salwar it is pronounced as Shalwar but basically both are referring to same outfit. The word kameez is derived from the Latin camisia ( shirt or tunic ), from which it probably made its way into various European languages (Chemise) and also into Arabic, the likely immediate source for kameez .
Normally the salwar of patiala salwar kameez is having a number of pleates of different styles. The fall of pleates goes back and looks like baggy with pleates. Patiala salwar is very comfortable to wear. From top, it has belt like any other traditional salwar and a long tunnel for drawstring. The upper portion like traditional salwar is wide spread or has a big room for hips and legs movements. The silk fabric is among the most regal of all fabrics. It has been associated with luxury and sensuality since ages. It is one of the oldest of natural fibers, and was prevalent in China as way back as 27th century BC. Silk was also popular among the royals in Rome during the Roman Empire, and was known to sell for its weight in gold.
Normally the salwar of patiala salwar kameez is having a number of pleates of different styles. The fall of pleates goes back and looks like baggy with pleates. Patiala salwar is very comfortable to wear. From top, it has belt like any other traditional salwar and a long tunnel for drawstring. The upper portion like traditional salwar is wide spread or has a big room for hips and legs movements. The silk fabric is among the most regal of all fabrics. It has been associated with luxury and sensuality since ages. It is one of the oldest of natural fibers, and was prevalent in China as way back as 27th century BC. Silk was also popular among the royals in Rome during the Roman Empire, and was known to sell for its weight in gold.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Phychology of clothing
In 1930 J. C. Fluegel wrote a work entitled “The Psychology of Clothes.” One of his major precepts stated that nonconformity in choice of clothing was an outward expression of nonconformity in the thought and political outlook of the individual.
So, what? Summer is here and a whole new mass of job seekers are entering the market. People are made and broken by their appearances. You have just about 20 seconds to make an impression. And, if you know this you can turn it to your advantage.
Make sure your clothes are ALWAYS neat and clean. Keep your shoes well maintained. There is a reason for the expression, “down at the heels.” Keep you hair neat and keep it trim. Ladies, if you choose to wear make-up, keep it subtle and understated. Keep you nails well manicured. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If you desire a management position dress as if you already have one.
If you wish to portray yourself as self-confident and well composed, you should dress in a moderate and traditional fashion. Competent people do not feel the need to display themselves with extravagance and flamboyant attire.
Leave the daring edge of fashion to those who are striking out on their own business ventures. If you wish to be perceived as competitive and aggressive, attire yourself in the sport fashion. Sport jackets and khaki slacks communicate a subliminal message of activity and aggression. Too aggressive can be seen as threatening.
Dress aggressively if you need to stake your territory with other staff members. If you wish to avoid being perceived as immature and conquerable, leave your jeans in the closet. This apparel sends the message that you would rather find a way to make do with comes rather than take a stand for what you want.
Save the jeans for the weekends. Wearing loud, flamboyant clothing screams “look at me!” and “I need you to reassure me.” The exception being the Hawaiian, or camp, shirt. This merely screams, “these four wall are too small to contain me!”
If you dress in a flamboyant fashion, don’t expect to have your ideas taken seriously. Military cut clothing communicates a desire for structure and conformity. This are good choices if you are a banker. Expect to be perceived as rigid and inflexible in this type of attire. Broad woven cottons and subdued earth colors communicate a desire for times gone by and can indicate you are trapped in the past. Remember, casual doesn’t mean sloppy. Sloppy doesn’t work in any business situation.
Dress like this and you can expect to be seen as “out of touch.” Remember, you are marketing a product–You!
So, what? Summer is here and a whole new mass of job seekers are entering the market. People are made and broken by their appearances. You have just about 20 seconds to make an impression. And, if you know this you can turn it to your advantage.
Make sure your clothes are ALWAYS neat and clean. Keep your shoes well maintained. There is a reason for the expression, “down at the heels.” Keep you hair neat and keep it trim. Ladies, if you choose to wear make-up, keep it subtle and understated. Keep you nails well manicured. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If you desire a management position dress as if you already have one.
If you wish to portray yourself as self-confident and well composed, you should dress in a moderate and traditional fashion. Competent people do not feel the need to display themselves with extravagance and flamboyant attire.
Leave the daring edge of fashion to those who are striking out on their own business ventures. If you wish to be perceived as competitive and aggressive, attire yourself in the sport fashion. Sport jackets and khaki slacks communicate a subliminal message of activity and aggression. Too aggressive can be seen as threatening.
Dress aggressively if you need to stake your territory with other staff members. If you wish to avoid being perceived as immature and conquerable, leave your jeans in the closet. This apparel sends the message that you would rather find a way to make do with comes rather than take a stand for what you want.
Save the jeans for the weekends. Wearing loud, flamboyant clothing screams “look at me!” and “I need you to reassure me.” The exception being the Hawaiian, or camp, shirt. This merely screams, “these four wall are too small to contain me!”
If you dress in a flamboyant fashion, don’t expect to have your ideas taken seriously. Military cut clothing communicates a desire for structure and conformity. This are good choices if you are a banker. Expect to be perceived as rigid and inflexible in this type of attire. Broad woven cottons and subdued earth colors communicate a desire for times gone by and can indicate you are trapped in the past. Remember, casual doesn’t mean sloppy. Sloppy doesn’t work in any business situation.
Dress like this and you can expect to be seen as “out of touch.” Remember, you are marketing a product–You!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Indian Fashion Glossary
Ambi A mango-shaped motif - the paisley pattern (lit. 'rich') Amli Needle work embroidery native to Kashmir
Angarkha A long-sleeved, full-skirted tunic for men, generally open at the chest and tied in front with an inner flap
Ari Awl-like hooked needle, often used for chain stitch embroidery
Badam A textile term for oval-shaped motifs
Badla Flattened gold or silver wire
Badla Mukaish Knots of badla sewn onto cloth
Baluchar A type of brocaded silk sari
Bandgala Achkan and shervani (lit. 'closed neck')
Bandhini The mode of tie-dyeing fabrics to form patterns (also known as bandhej)
Bandi A short jacket or waistcoat
Batik A paste or wax resist dyeing technique
Bel A stylized creeper pattern
Buti A smaller version of a buta the term is used also to denote stylized animal motifs printed in block repeats
Calico A term used by early European traders
Cheent Spotted
Chikankari White embroidery, predominantly floral patterns, executed on fine white cotton with untwisted threads of white cotton or silk
Chiru Himalayan antelope
Choli A woman's blouse or bodice usually tight-fitting
Chunari A tie-dyed dotted pattern, a veil
Chunnat Pleated or crimped gota ribbon
Churidar paijama Style of tight-fitting paijama, rouched from the knee to the ankles (lit. the paijama with bangles)
Dhoti An unstitched garment used to drape the lower body, very much in use today
Dori A cord
Dupatta An unstitched length of material for the upper body traditionally worn by both sexes, but now mainly worn by women as part of a salwar kameez (paijama and tunic) ensemble
Farshi A wide legged trailing paijama
Ganga Jamuna The juxtaposition of silver and gold in a woven pattern, named after the confluence of dark and light waters of the two sacred rivers
Ghaghra A gathered skirt usually very flared
Ghera Circumference, fullness of a garment
Gheru Saffron, ochre
Ghundi A button made of silk or cotton, sometimes covered with gold or silver wire, held together with a loop
Gota A metallic ribbon in which badla forms the weft and silk or cotton the wrap
Gota Moti A beaded cord covered with gota, often used for finishing ghaghra and jama hems
Gota Patti Small leaf shapes made of gota
Gote The bottom part of a farshi paijama which is made up of three sections, often richly embellished
Holi A lively and colourful festival celebrated on the last day of the month of Phalgun to welcome the onset of spring
Ikkat The name of the pattern created by the tie-dyeing the weft and wrap threads before weaving which is a specially of Gujarat Orissa and Andhra Pradesh
Izarband The decorative drawstring at the waist of a lower garment, usually a ghaghra or a paijama with ornamented tasselled ends
Jaal An all over pattern in a printed or embroidered fabric
Jala A small wooden frame used by master craftsmen, on which threads are tied to form a grid of the wrap and weft outling the design of the weave
Jamakhana The storehouse for garments in the Mughal and other royal courts
Jamavar The trade name for the woven or embroidered Kashmir shawls
Jamdaani A weaving technique traditional to the town of Tanda, Jais and Dacca used to produce figured muslins
Jhoomar A jewelled hair ornament worn on the side of the head
Jhumka A bell-shaped piece of jewellery
Jutis Slip on shoes, usually elaborated embroidery and with unturned toes
Kalamkari Painted cloth (as a trade term it referred to both painted and printed cloths)
Kali A gored panel
Kalioyndar Paijama A wide bottomed paijama made up of several panels
Kameez A tunic
Kanchala - Kundal A type of earing
Kanchli A sleeveless bodice worn in Western India
Kanni A complex weaving technique originating in Kashmir (known in the West as the double twill-tapestry technique)
Khadi Fabric made of handspun yarns, symbol of India's fight for Independent
Kurta A loose, stitched garment worn by men and women, most commonly described as a tunic (also known as a kameez)
Kurti A short kurta usually worn by women a type of grass fiber)
Lahariya A pattern in which diagonal wavy stripes are formed by the fold-resist dyeing technique of the same name
Lehnga A skirt
Libaas An ensemble or dress
Mashru A medium weight wrap faced satin or twill fabric with silk wrap and cotton weft
Minakari Coloured enamel jewellery, borders or butis woven with different coloured silk to give the appearance of enamel
Mothra A criss-cross pattern obtained through fold-resist dyeing in woven fabrics the term
Moti A bead or pearl
Mulmul Cotton, usually in reference to Indian muslin, particularly the muslin woven in Bengal
Odhini A veil, usually 3m x 1m, worn by women with a ghaghra, kurti and kanchli, it covers the head and the right shoulder, is drawn across the body and either tucked into the waistband or left hanging in front
Pagri The common term for a turban
Paijama Drawstring trousers worn by men and women with many different styles
Paithani Cotton and silk sari produced in Paithan
Pallav The decorative border at one or both ends of a length of fabric usually of a sari, odhani or patka
Pashmina The wool made from the fleece of the underbelly of the rare Tibetan wild mountain goat
Patti A border or edging
Peshwaz A long high-waisted gown
Phulkari Folk embroidery typical of the Punjab
Poncha The ankle opening of a paijama, usually the salwar, which is often quilted or ornamented with decorative stitching
Purdah The practice of sequestering women, the flap of fabric in the angarkha that covers the chest, the pieces of fabric used to make up the cups of a choli
Sari An unstitched length of fabric up to 9 yds in length and 18 to 60 in width with a decorated end panel draped in a wide variety of styles
Shatoosh The fleece of the tibetan chiru antelope that is spun and woven into fine shawls
Shal A shawl
Salwar Paijama A baggy style of paijama tapered at the ankle worn mainly in the Punjab, Afghanistan and African garment
Shervani A formal knee-length coat fitted to the waist
Sinjaf The facing inside the hem of a garment
Sitara Tiny metal discs, often of gold or silver with a tiny hole at the centre
Tanchoi Figured silk with multiple supplementary weft threads, that create a heavy densly patterned fabric
Teej A festival celebrating conjugal love, held in Northern and western India in The month of Shravan
Tikka A forehead ornament also used to refer to a bindi
Tikki Metal discs used in zardozi embroidery
Topi A cap
Tussar A type of wild silk made in Eastern and Central India from hand spun yarns
Tikki / Tikki Embroidery Metal discs used in zardozi embroidery
Vastra Clothes
Zardozi Gold thread embroidery using metallic elements and threads, sometimes mirrors, precious or semi precious stones
Zari metal wrapped yarn used for zardozi embroidery
Angarkha A long-sleeved, full-skirted tunic for men, generally open at the chest and tied in front with an inner flap
Ari Awl-like hooked needle, often used for chain stitch embroidery
Badam A textile term for oval-shaped motifs
Badla Flattened gold or silver wire
Badla Mukaish Knots of badla sewn onto cloth
Baluchar A type of brocaded silk sari
Bandgala Achkan and shervani (lit. 'closed neck')
Bandhini The mode of tie-dyeing fabrics to form patterns (also known as bandhej)
Bandi A short jacket or waistcoat
Batik A paste or wax resist dyeing technique
Bel A stylized creeper pattern
Buti A smaller version of a buta the term is used also to denote stylized animal motifs printed in block repeats
Calico A term used by early European traders
Cheent Spotted
Chikankari White embroidery, predominantly floral patterns, executed on fine white cotton with untwisted threads of white cotton or silk
Chiru Himalayan antelope
Choli A woman's blouse or bodice usually tight-fitting
Chunari A tie-dyed dotted pattern, a veil
Chunnat Pleated or crimped gota ribbon
Churidar paijama Style of tight-fitting paijama, rouched from the knee to the ankles (lit. the paijama with bangles)
Dhoti An unstitched garment used to drape the lower body, very much in use today
Dori A cord
Dupatta An unstitched length of material for the upper body traditionally worn by both sexes, but now mainly worn by women as part of a salwar kameez (paijama and tunic) ensemble
Farshi A wide legged trailing paijama
Ganga Jamuna The juxtaposition of silver and gold in a woven pattern, named after the confluence of dark and light waters of the two sacred rivers
Ghaghra A gathered skirt usually very flared
Ghera Circumference, fullness of a garment
Gheru Saffron, ochre
Ghundi A button made of silk or cotton, sometimes covered with gold or silver wire, held together with a loop
Gota A metallic ribbon in which badla forms the weft and silk or cotton the wrap
Gota Moti A beaded cord covered with gota, often used for finishing ghaghra and jama hems
Gota Patti Small leaf shapes made of gota
Gote The bottom part of a farshi paijama which is made up of three sections, often richly embellished
Holi A lively and colourful festival celebrated on the last day of the month of Phalgun to welcome the onset of spring
Ikkat The name of the pattern created by the tie-dyeing the weft and wrap threads before weaving which is a specially of Gujarat Orissa and Andhra Pradesh
Izarband The decorative drawstring at the waist of a lower garment, usually a ghaghra or a paijama with ornamented tasselled ends
Jaal An all over pattern in a printed or embroidered fabric
Jala A small wooden frame used by master craftsmen, on which threads are tied to form a grid of the wrap and weft outling the design of the weave
Jamakhana The storehouse for garments in the Mughal and other royal courts
Jamavar The trade name for the woven or embroidered Kashmir shawls
Jamdaani A weaving technique traditional to the town of Tanda, Jais and Dacca used to produce figured muslins
Jhoomar A jewelled hair ornament worn on the side of the head
Jhumka A bell-shaped piece of jewellery
Jutis Slip on shoes, usually elaborated embroidery and with unturned toes
Kalamkari Painted cloth (as a trade term it referred to both painted and printed cloths)
Kali A gored panel
Kalioyndar Paijama A wide bottomed paijama made up of several panels
Kameez A tunic
Kanchala - Kundal A type of earing
Kanchli A sleeveless bodice worn in Western India
Kanni A complex weaving technique originating in Kashmir (known in the West as the double twill-tapestry technique)
Khadi Fabric made of handspun yarns, symbol of India's fight for Independent
Kurta A loose, stitched garment worn by men and women, most commonly described as a tunic (also known as a kameez)
Kurti A short kurta usually worn by women a type of grass fiber)
Lahariya A pattern in which diagonal wavy stripes are formed by the fold-resist dyeing technique of the same name
Lehnga A skirt
Libaas An ensemble or dress
Mashru A medium weight wrap faced satin or twill fabric with silk wrap and cotton weft
Minakari Coloured enamel jewellery, borders or butis woven with different coloured silk to give the appearance of enamel
Mothra A criss-cross pattern obtained through fold-resist dyeing in woven fabrics the term
Moti A bead or pearl
Mulmul Cotton, usually in reference to Indian muslin, particularly the muslin woven in Bengal
Odhini A veil, usually 3m x 1m, worn by women with a ghaghra, kurti and kanchli, it covers the head and the right shoulder, is drawn across the body and either tucked into the waistband or left hanging in front
Pagri The common term for a turban
Paijama Drawstring trousers worn by men and women with many different styles
Paithani Cotton and silk sari produced in Paithan
Pallav The decorative border at one or both ends of a length of fabric usually of a sari, odhani or patka
Pashmina The wool made from the fleece of the underbelly of the rare Tibetan wild mountain goat
Patti A border or edging
Peshwaz A long high-waisted gown
Phulkari Folk embroidery typical of the Punjab
Poncha The ankle opening of a paijama, usually the salwar, which is often quilted or ornamented with decorative stitching
Purdah The practice of sequestering women, the flap of fabric in the angarkha that covers the chest, the pieces of fabric used to make up the cups of a choli
Sari An unstitched length of fabric up to 9 yds in length and 18 to 60 in width with a decorated end panel draped in a wide variety of styles
Shatoosh The fleece of the tibetan chiru antelope that is spun and woven into fine shawls
Shal A shawl
Salwar Paijama A baggy style of paijama tapered at the ankle worn mainly in the Punjab, Afghanistan and African garment
Shervani A formal knee-length coat fitted to the waist
Sinjaf The facing inside the hem of a garment
Sitara Tiny metal discs, often of gold or silver with a tiny hole at the centre
Tanchoi Figured silk with multiple supplementary weft threads, that create a heavy densly patterned fabric
Teej A festival celebrating conjugal love, held in Northern and western India in The month of Shravan
Tikka A forehead ornament also used to refer to a bindi
Tikki Metal discs used in zardozi embroidery
Topi A cap
Tussar A type of wild silk made in Eastern and Central India from hand spun yarns
Tikki / Tikki Embroidery Metal discs used in zardozi embroidery
Vastra Clothes
Zardozi Gold thread embroidery using metallic elements and threads, sometimes mirrors, precious or semi precious stones
Zari metal wrapped yarn used for zardozi embroidery
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