INNOVATIVE SAREE BLOUSE DESIGNS ’19

by Vijaya Durga Ram

Regardless of shape, size or style…a saree looks great on every woman.

We have seen a huge lifestyle shift and culture change, where we accepted the western wardrobe graciously and have made tremendous advancement towards experimenting pretty much all the styles we see on the international magazine and yet, a SAREE somehow always fits in, stays perfectly in trend and will always do.

Through different generations, it has been worn in so many different styles.

And, I would say, that’s the best part! Let’s get creative and add in a streak of our own style to the blouses! 

A saree is the trendiest wear for girls! It looks more comfortable and stylish for women. However, the blouse is what makes or the breaks the perfect saree look. It’s is the vital element of the saree look. Every year we are blessed with new saree blouse designs. Here, we have a shirt blouse that is draped with an indigo-dyed saree. The abstract elements on the blouse makes it trendier as by combining both traditional and fusion elements. 

Here are some of the looks that I found really interesting!

Pradaini Surva, fashion model.

A Sheath turtleneck top, with an illusion neckline that just grabs the look of this simple and elegant cotton saree to the next level. The waist belt and the shoes add an extra fusion vibe to the look!

You Need To Check Out Sabyasachi’s New Collection Which Is Perfect For Summer Brides!

Sabyasachi’s  Fiza – Spring Summer 2019 collection has made us go wowww! Everything from the silhouettes to the cuts, created over a series of adorable colour palettes, left us in awe! The exquisite jewellery, flowy embroidered fabrics and the strikingly shot collection have us glued to his Instagram profile, as he updated one post after another. We also noticed a freshness in styling and also, instead of going heavy on jewellery he switched to dainty but timeless pieces, super apt for summers. Is that an inception of a new trend?!  Whatever it may be, but it literally melted our weak hearts.

Yami Gautham,Actor.

Indigo dyed Indo-western saree with a mustard embroidered shrug!

Taapse Pannu,Actor.

Taapse Pannu at one her recent movie promotions, wore a thin striped shirt blouse and saree. It came off too strong on her and I just found it overwhelming!

The tie and the bindi just make it look effortlessly stylish yet traditional!

 

 

 

 

Trendsetter of the Week : Shivani Pahadia Sharma

Name : Shivani Pahadia Sharma

Spanning 20 years when she started modelling at 30 (married and with 2 kids!) to being a Master of ceremonies to practicing law in 2010 for about 4 years, Shivani Sharma is now finally giving that up and handling a subsidiary of a multinational company as executive director.

My fashion motto?

Be yourself

3 words to describe my sense of style?

Sporty, edgy, minimal

My 5 essential wardrobe elements?

A pair of jeans, denim jacket, black Tshirts, loose linen pants and dresses which have a fitted bodice and full skirts

My favourite style influencers?

Sandra Bullock, Sushmita Sen, Deepika Padukone

One thing that most people don’t know about me?

That I bake the best chocolate cookies in town!

You wouldn’t catch me wearing?

Peplum tops with jeans

My favourite party attire?

Skater dresses preferably in black.

The worst trend to ever become popular is?

Low waisted jeans

The first thing I notice about people?

Cleanliness

My style secret?

Knowing what suits me and staying away from what doesn’t!

If I could go back to any fashion era in history, the one I would choose is?

The 60s in Europe & USA-the sheath dresses of breakfast in Tiffany! 

At the end of the day, what would you want your wardrobe to say about you?

That I am a strong independent woman 

Divas of Dressire : Mahima Yadav

From a computer engineer to a certified Global Business Manager from IIM, from a self established entrepreneur to Mrs. India International, from a multi national company employee to Mrs. India Earth, Mahima Yadav has earned laurels in almost every field she has been into. A fashionista and a keen enthusiast, she is Mrs. Style Icon, currently a Fashion consultant and groomer in the Fashion and Beauty Industry.

A versatile personality, acing multiple roles of a badminton player, a passionate swimmer, a dancing diva and a motivational speaker. She believes in painting the beautiful canvas of her life in various colours. Be it the subtlety of deep blue sea, or the vibrance of red hot sun, she has the quality to win hearts in no time.

Having learned the social issues from her civil service aspiration, she has a heart of gold to uplift the needy, especially the woman.

A beliver, an achiever, she has won many laurels for herself in sports also. She is a hard worker who always keeps in mind, “ Success comes before work only in the dictionary.”

A girl from small town in UP to an International beauty star, She is Mrs. Photogenic and loves to get clicked.

The dreamer in her says,”I aim at stars, in case I don’t reach them, I can safely land on moon. Her message to the youth is, “ Plan before you act, Act before you regret.”

Trendsetter of the Week : Jacqualine Ledlie

Jacqualine Ledlie (born 23rd Nov 1988) is a plus size model and a TV reality show artist. She has appeared on the cover of various fashion magazines and has been a part of various reality shows of MTV like Splitsvilla 7 and Loveschool Season 2. She has even done a fitness show on NDTV, “Mark for sports”. In addition, she is a role model and influencer for many curvy woman across the globe.

“All I want to convey is “I don’t like to use the words ‘ Real women’ honestly”. I just like to use the word woman.”

Putting a label on the type of woman, it gets misconstrued and starts to offend people.

I am a big animal lover and have 6 fury babies at home who are a major part of my happiness. I have worked really hard and overcome so much negativity in life so that I can proudly say I give all credits to my parents and my younger sister who have always motivated me to move up and never look back.

My fashion motto? 

Fashion for me is all about being comfortable and carrying it off well

My 5 essential wardrobe elements? 

White tee, Ripped jeans, Black best Sports attire and White towels

My favourite style influencers?

I admire Kim Kardarshian and Jacqueline Fernandes

You wouldn’t catch me wearing?

You wouldn’t catch me wearing draped sarees or harem pants

My favorite party attire?

A lil black dress with perfect earrings is a perfect party attire

My favorite work attire?

Work is a place where you need to be comfortable, I would say perfect fitted black pants and a nice Kurti.

Brands I love?

Sabyasachi & Ralph Lauren

My go to- must have accessory?

Accessories is something that I feel is something you need to really match out with what you’re wearing. If everything is heavy it’s best to keep it light on accessories. I love wearing ethnic jewellery and I love funky stuff.

If you would like to be featured next, please send us an email at contact@dressire.com.

Dressire x Designers : Sagari Rawal

How would you describe your brand?

Established in 2011, SAGARI RAWAL COUTURE is a Delhi based boutique that excels in designing and customizing traditional, western and indo-western outfits for women of all ages. We help you materialize your statement of fashion where the best of fabric is tailored and embellished to suit you and meet your requirements.

What sparked your interest in fashion?

I have been interested in fashion since my childhood, I was always influenced by colors, fabrics and I started gaining interest in fashion magazines and online creative content – browsing fashion blogs and pages influenced me a lot.

What is the inspiration behind your designs?

I love to be attached to my roots, my collection is inspired by the Mughal ancient era and I am always trying to create a modern maharani look in my ensemble. My collection celebrates culture, royalty and elegance ranging between stunning hand crafted bridals to luxury Prêt gowns.

What are the key elements for you when designing a collection for each season?

Designing is an art and I always focus on color, silhouette, line and texture while designing my collection.

What are your views on how Indian women understand fashion?

Modern Indian women never compromise when it comes to fashion. Indian Women have managed to adopt trends in fashionable clothing, whether it is western design or an ethnic Indian wear, she can carry it very well with style and confidence. Indian women are smart, confident and it reflects in what ever she wears.

What challenges did you face when launching your brand?

Like any other startup, my key challenges were hiring suitable workforce, getting footfalls at my studio, being unique, maintaining velocity with the change in fashion trends and managing cashflow, since everybody else has to be paid before you are.

What do you think are the keys to professional and business success for women in India?

The secret to being a successful business woman in today’s market is to have a positive attitude, listen to your intuition and always remember that there are no shortcuts to success and most importantly, she should know how to multitask between work and home.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?

The biggest thing I have learned is that one must invest a lot of power, passion and time in a business. The biggest challenge is learning how to get out of your own way.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to establish my brand name in the fashion industry, I want my brand to start getting accepted beyond the city I operate.  I always want to stay original and I believe the best marketing technique is through word of mouth – it’s the hardest to achieve but it tends to work the best.

What advice would you give to young women readers who want to follow a similar career path as you?

 

Always look at the big picture and believe in your dreams. Nothing is impossible if you stay focused and believe in yourself.

 

 

 

 

If you would like us to feature your label, please send us an email at contact@dressire.com

Dressire x Designers : Suman Bajaj

Being born and brought up in the UK, Suman Bajaj was blessed to have the best of the East and West as powerful influences & yet she found that there was something missing in both. When she set up her label, she married Europe to India and created effortless grace in the form of her most favourite attire, the saree.

Suman’s work comprises of two lines – SumSum her pret line and Suman Bajaj, her couture line.

“With color and cuts that have an international appeal, her work comprises of global designs with ethnic aesthetics. Her prêt line is clever but quirky and not for the shy wallflower! It is the blend of ethnic and western in her collection that has appealed to the fashion conscious allover the world and bought her clients from Spain, UK, USA, Singapore, The Middle East etc as well as India. Suman Bajaj is an up and coming Designer from Delhi whose garments are a wardrobe must have for every woman regardless of her shape and size.”

“My brand is a wardrobe staple for not just Indian women but women around the world. My sarees are effortless style statements that are all about less being more. “

Can you tell us a little bit about your story?

In a few short months, I will celebrating a ten-year affair with Delhi, India. Today, there is not a lot one can’t find in Delhi but it was not always that way. It is amazing how much we take for granted in the UK. Ten years ago, finding basics like shower gel and margarine was a challenge. And try waking up at 4 am to fill your water tank only to find  that there is no power.

So why did I move here?

 

In all honesty, I can’t pinpoint what it was that had me packing up my life and moving to a city I had seldom visited. I recall being incredibly lonely and feeling as if I had nothing to lose. I was sick of pretending I had my life all “sussed”, when I clearly didn’t. One cold and frustrating Monday, I impulsively told a friend “I’m selling my apartment and moving to India.” True to my word, I did. I had no job and nowhere to stay, yet my gut told me it was the right thing do.So here I was in a city I knew nothing about, convincing myself I had to make this work. Help had come to me from the most unlikely friendships, but it was mostly my own adamant arrogance not to fail that pushed me to grow. When I think back I surprise myself, it is amazing how resourceful humans are when they need to be. Funny thing is I don’t recall ever feeling sad or sorry for myself. In fact moving to India made me see how much I had taken for granted. The mass population of Indians live below poverty line and moving here, opened my eyes and for the fist time in my life I realized how blessed I truly am.

 

What made you fall in love with designing?

Back in the UK, I fell into fashion at a very young age. Coming from a big family, I longed to recycle the hand-me-down clothes my sisters would give me so that they felt new.

What made you move into designing sarees?

Soon after arriving to Delhi just over ten years ago, I discovered Hindustani city slicers had abandoned the sari. Instead of choosing to opt for unflattering gowns, I felt compelled to use my experience to bring “sari back.” Six months later, The Suman Bajaj easy drape sari label was born. I created a one-size fits all, easy drape saree that made the saree comfortable and alluring to wear.

I started from my rental with one tailor, spending a large chunk of my savings on materials. Going with my gut I decided to design a niche line of sarees that had the simplicity of a gown and the grace of a sari. My philosophy for fashion being one size fits all and looking good should come from within and not from your wallet.

I now retail from most luxury multi brand boutiques all over the world.

What are the main features of your collection?

My collection includes pockets – as featured in Vogue, the slim sari that can be worn in three ways and the best part is they all drape in less then 20 seconds.

What inspires you? 

 

Dressing a celebrity is every designers dream. I have dressed quite a few, Madhuri Dixit was one but to be honest I get more of a thrill draping everyday women who, like myself, had forgotten that they are beautiful, brave and exceptional. These women are my inspiration. I watch how a woman’s face lights up, unable to believe how good she looks in my drapes. I love fashion only because it has the power to empower.
I understand fashion to be more than a trend, it is an expression.

Having more women wear sarees over an evening gown is my biggest inspiration but what inspires my designs is the joy of making a women feel beautiful and so I set out to create beauty.

What is the inspiration behind your latest collection?

This season is all about going back to basics and celebrating man over machine. It is about working with handlooms and turning to age-old fabric making techniques, that may take longer to create but tell the stories of the amazingly talented artisans creating art in their very own homes.

What tips do you have for woman who want to wear sarees?

Asian women are curvy and tend to carry their weight from hips up, making them the perfect candidate for a sari. And yet, we are all different, So when choosing a fabric think about how the fabric and colour will work on you.

If you have short legs, wear your sari high wasted, sticking to a single colour that elongates you.
If you are worried about a soft tummy opt for opaque fabrics to or printed fabrics to hide the issue. Go for a corseted blouse that not only covers the belly but also pulls it in.

Our saris typically flare from below the knees balancing the body into the perfect hourglass. Correcting your sari mistakes is simple and can make your draping experience a real comfy hit.

Make sure your petticoat is tied super tight so that it holds your saree perfectly.
Avoid safety pins – they rip the fabric. Instead, try a cool belt or reusable velcro tabs.
Pad your blouse and ditch the unsightly bra straps
Wearing a plain but elegant wedged heel will help you to walk more gracefully.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?

The pitfalls of fashion are realising tthat this is my business and not a hobby, so one must buy smart designs backwards with the point of sale price in mind.

What do you think are the keys to professional and business success for women in India?

For a woman to do well in business, she needs to be very organised and be able to find balance. Set realistic goals and stay on top of your growth plan.

I believe one must always follow their dreams but be aware of the fact that knowing your craft better than your team is important. Study your craft work, hard to develop yourself so that you can manage your team by leading by example.

 

So if you love the allure of a saree but the draping scares you, then here are a few helpful tips from the ace fashion designer and easy drape sari queen Suman Bajaj that promises to have you reaching into your mother’s closet for the six yards of sensual.

Learn :  Anything worth having is worth working for. Learn the simple art of wearing a sari. Draping a sari is not that difficult and the pleating is actually a really good way of keeping arthritis away as it’s a mini hand workout! That being said, if you are fed up with your pleats sitting on the floor instead of your body, have a seamstress stitch your pleat in place for you. That way all you have to do is drape and tuck!

Rethink :  If the fear of looking like your grandma is keeping you away from the sexy sari then rethink your drape. Simple styling can change a normal sari from what to wow! For instance, who says you have to wear your sari with a blouse, when you can wear it with a bikini, t-shirt, polo neck and leather jacket! Make your sari wearing experience all your own. Rock it with a boot, statement jewellery and send the traditional sari into the 21st century.

Get your petticoat right : Scrap the tent like line and get your shape on. A simple nude Lycra tube with a modest split is the perfect partner for a sari. It hugs the body and allows the sari to sit without sticking or slipping. Make sure you tie it nice and tight above where you want your sari to sit and then pull it down into place. If your sari is transparent, think about using a contrasting colour or opt for a fabric with a bit of sparkle to give it another unexpected dimension. I also love going for petticoats that have layers of tulle fabric that flares out from under the knee, pushing the pleats into a dramatic lehenga. A skin fit legging is also the perfect partner for a more modern look.

Right length : Make your legs look like they go on forever. Wear your heels before you drape so that your sari is the perfect length. A wedged heel is the ideal style for a sari. It will allow you to add a few extra inches and keep you firm on your feet. Try to keep your stilettos free from anything that will catch a hold of your fabric.

Know your body and pick your fabric well : If you are a little bit on the larger side, go for a print or fabric that is a little bit more opaque but flows well. Pick the darkest shade in the colour to shave off a few pounds. Carry your sari a little higher on your waist and think about adding a little fabric at the start of it to create more pleats.

If on the other hand, you are slim, wear chiffons and lightweight fabrics that flatter your svelte self. Pick fabrics that are not covered in thread work and don’t drag you down.

Avoid pins if you can : They are not fabric friendly! If you must use them, opt for nappy pins with a safety lock so you’re not getting the ring caught in your fabric. To get the sari sitting correctly you can use a belt around your waist or loop the fabric through your strappy blouse strap. If you must use a handful of pins make sure you get some help to hide the pins or you will spoil not only the fabric but your entire look.

Keep accessories sleek : If you want your sari to be the hero, play down the jewellery. You are wearing a sari and not a Christmas tree, so no decorations required. Take a tip from Coco Channel and always take one accessory off before you leave the door. Less is more!

Keep the mystery : Don’t wear your sari too low or show too much skin. What makes a sari so sensual is the mystery of a single piece of fabric draped in a way that it give away only a little of what makes you a woman. Keep it that way.

“I feel Indian women are a lot more informed about luxury brands from all over the world but sometime take their styling tips from editorial glossy magazine shoots. They forget to make that look their own and play it down.”

Log onto www.sumanbajaj.com to find out more.

If you would like us to feature your label, please send us an email at contact@dressire.com

 

Trendsetter of the Week

Name : Tuhina Manendra

Profession : Software Engineer

Tuhina’s hobbies include singing and travelling. Since her childhood, she was an all rounder, achieving many awards in the field of studies & extra curricular activities. Recently, she has seen success in the field of fashion as the Mrs India Finalist representing her home state, Bihar as well Cuccio Mrs Most Beautiful Feet. She is also passionate about acting and anchoring.

Never believe  that your age and marital status are hindrances in achieving your goals and fulfilling your dreams.

3 words to describe my sense of style?
PET- Pretty, Elegant, Tailored.

My 5 essential wardrobe elements?
A body-con dress
A black sleeveless/Off shoulder top
Trench coat
Pencil skirt
Blue denim skinny jeans.

The first thing I notice about people?
Eyes and smile.
I believe the depth in the eyes and the charm of the smile are the two most important and beautiful things to connect with the people.

My style secret?
Eye makeup, open hair, a nice tailored attire and a happy smile on the face.

At the end of the day, what would you want your wardrobe to say about you?

That I am a wonderful blend of Western as well as Traditional culture. From shorts to saris, from vibrant and bright colors to simple and light colors, you can find a beautiful variety of attires in my wardrobe and I love to try different and new things.

If you want to be featured as our Trendsetter of the Week, email us at contact@dressire.com

Trendsetter of the Week

Name : Chand Bakshi

A New Delhi based designer who has been in the fashion industry for the last 20 years -manufacturing, exporting and retailing fusion wear. Her Royal Indian Heritage designs have been covered by various media platforms for their glamorous beauty and elegance.

3 words to describe my sense of style

Classy, elegant and fashionable

My 5 essential wardrobe elements?

Pair of black jeggings, colorful top, black comfortable foot wear, hand bag & sunglasses.

My favourite style influencers?

I am a blogger and influencer myself (chand-highonlife.blogspot.com)
My other favourites, apart from myself are Shalini Chopra from Bangalore &
Magali Vaz from Amachi,Mumbai.

My favorite party attire?

Sarees and gowns.

My favorite work attire?

Pants and formal shirt.

My “go to” piece of clothing that makes me feel good?

My comfortable summer dresses.

If you want to be featured as our Trendsetter of the Week, email us at contact@dressire.com

Lookbooks for Simran Batra

The beautiful looks have been created by stylist Godawari Vishwakarma, for our Trendsetter of the Week, Simran Batra.

Lookbook 1 

• Own this ultra stylish look for your most classiest of meetings!
• Let the details on the garment do the talking and stick to a subtle colour palette when pairing accessories and shoes.

Lookbook 2

• Sarees are one of the most versatile garments – it can be worn for a meeting, a dinner date, an event and so much more.
• This gorgeous saree will hug and accentuate your curves and emphasis your beauty with it’s gorgeous gold embroidered blouse.
• Pair it with some killer heels and rock the look!

Lookbook 3

• There’s always something about French fashion, it has an air of elegance, comfort and is tres chic.
• A classic example of a French inspired look is the one that was made famous by #cocochanel, the stripes & the red lipstick.
• This look is perfect for Sunday brunch out with the ladies!

Thank you Simran for inspiring all of us with your style and passion and for being our ‘Trendsetter of the Week’.

If you or your friends would like to be featured next or have us create lookbooks that has been personally made just for you, email us at contact@dressire.com

Lookbooks for Shalini Kocchar

For the beautiful Shalini Arora Kocchar, our talented stylist Sakshi Singh has created these gorgeous, fun and ultra sexy looks that can be worn for all kinds of events.

Lookbook 1

• What’s more classier and sexier than a saree? There are many ways to style a saree. For this look, pair the saree with some sexy metallic heels to make the look unique.

Lookbook 2 

• A flowy, girly dress that’s sure to make you feel comfortable and at your best on a hot summer’s day.
• Pair it up with summer’s favourite colour, turquoise and some comfy heels.

Lookbook 3

• Pair your favourite boyfriend denims with this super ruffled top and add some bright accents to create that extra oomph. 

Thank you Shalini for inspiring all of us with your style and passion and for being our ‘Trendsetter of the Week’.

If you or your friends would like to be featured next or have us create lookbooks that has been personally made just for you, email us at contact@dressire.com

Fashion Inspiration

Stunning Kangana in a gorgeous Sabyasachi lehenga. 

Lookbooks for Preeti Ghai

Preeti Ghai has been in the fashion business for over 18 years and has dressed many famous personalities. Our stylist Godawari has created these gorgeous looks for Preeti that’s perfect for all the events that she has to attend.

Lookbook 1

• Have an anarkalli with minimal work? Pair it with a gorgeous choker to highlight your neckline along with killer heels to elongate your look.

 

Lookbook 2

• An elegant floor length gown in a soft shade of pink to give the look an extra touch of elegance.

 

Lookbook 3

• Capes have taken the Indian market by storm. They give an outift an extra oomph and they are definitely here to to stay.
• Pair the look with dark lips to emphasize the beautiful work on your outfit.

 

Thank you Preeti for inspiring all of us with your style and passion and for being our ‘Trendsetter of the Week’.

If you or your friends would like to be featured next or have us create lookbooks that has been personally made just for you, email us at contact@dressire.com