The Saree Issue- Vogue

             In India, 90 per cent of Couture clothes end up in sangeets at weddings and bachelor parties, or the red carpet.And 90% of the Wedding Collection compromises of Sarees or Lehengas . Rekha & Kiran Kher have rocked the Red Carpets in their dazzling collections all this while; but its the Vidya Balan & Sabyasachi Mukherjee team who have taken the Indian fashion scene by storm.Lots of Indian actress have preferred wearing the Indian Ensemble for the Indian as well as International Red Carpets.Even The Ace International Designers are inspired by Saree.Be it "Louis Vuitton Diwali-Themed Sari Dresses " OR "Hermes' Sarees".

Priyanka Chopra on the cover of Vogue for the month of November 2010.

Priyanka chopra on the cover of Vogue for the month of November 2010.

Priyanka chopra for Vogue for the month of November 2010.

"A New Wave" - featuring a fresh take on saris,
Stylist - Kailey
Photographer - Paul Maffi

Katrina Kaif in Vintage Photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif photoshoot

Katrina Kaif Harpers bazaar photoshoot 2012

Katrina Kaif Harpers bazaar photoshoot 2012

Katrina Kaif For Vogue

Dia Mirza's Ode to Meena Kumari

"Pakeezah" has one of the best dialogues and songs in Hindi Cinema.This classic was a Cult.Meena Kumari became synonymous with Pakeezah.Bollywood beauty Dia Mirza became the face for Harper’s Bazaar magazine to create a photo remake of Meena Kumari’s film, Pakeezah.Top-notch Indian Designers' joint effort created this magic.

Meena Kumari in Pakeezah

Photographs by Tarun Vishwa / Harper’s Bazaar

 Ethereal elegance – Bringing back the Mogul beauty
Anarkali and churidar, Kotwara by Meera & Muzaffar Ali. Dupatta, Anand Kabra. Haath phool, Jewels Emporium. Earrings, necklace, and maang tikka, Umrao Jewels.

Ethereal elegance

White magic – Reminds of Chanel
Lehenga, Tarun Tahiliani. Blouse, Rakhee Grover. Dupatta, Saffron by Nidhi Tholia. Jhoomar, Amrapali. Necklace (used as maang tikka), choker, and earrings, Jewels Emporium.

White magic

 Moments of leisure – Love the fabulous peacock colors
Kurta, Tarun Tahiliani. Dupatta, Payal Pratap Singh.

Moments of leisure

Dreaming of love
Kurta, dupattas, and cape (used as throw), Varun Bahl. Maang tikka and earrings, Umrao Jewels. Jhoomar, Amrapali. Necklace and bangle, Jewels Emporium.

Dreaming of love

Amazing grace – I am normally not one to go for over the top when it comes to jewelry, but this set is stunning.
Dupatta, Pratima Gaurav. Necklaces (used on head), and earrings, Jewels Emporium. Necklace, Umrao Jewels.

Amazing grace

Graceful girl – I love the small, hidden note between her toes.
Anarkali, churidar, and chunni, Payal Pratap Singh. Maang tikka and payals, Amrapali.

Graceful girl

 Veiled beauty – Beautiful inspiration for a bridal pose.
Kurta, Rohit Bal. Chunni and churidar, Dabiri. Maang tikka and necklace, Jewels Emporium. Bangles, Umrao Jewels.

 Veiled beauty

 Veiled beauty
There’s too much going on in the photo but the large, flamenco-styled skirt is to die for.
Anarkali, Saffron by Nidhi Tholia. Dupatta (inside) Kotwara by Meera and Muzaffar Ali, dupatta (outside) RAJ by Rakhee Grover Jain. Maang tikka and haath phool, Amrapali. Necklace and earrings, Umrao Jewels.

 Veiled beauty

Days of light
Anarkali, Pankaj & Nidhi. Dupatta, RAJ by Rakhee Grover Jain. Churidar, Payal Pratap Singh. Maang tikka, and earrings, Umrao Jewels.

 Days of light

 Free spirit
Anarkali, Sabyasachi. Earrings, Jewels Emporium. Leather notebook, Portside Cafe.

 Free spirit

The fine details and efforts of the Designers,Stylists,Photographers,Set-Designers and Dia Mirza succeeds in channeling Meena Kumari's allure in the epic Pakeezah.Dia Mirza has depicted the pain of Sahibjaan,a courtesan.
        

Jazz up that Saree Blouse

             
Who can ever forget Priyanka Chopra doing jigs to the tunes of "Desi Girl" in "Dostana". Manish Malhotra's Ultra Glam Saree with a Bikini Blouse set the temperature soaring high. The Look perfectly suited New York born & brought Indian girl.Indian fashion scenario is changing fast and Bollywood fashion has a great influence on it.Sarees have come a long way in  terms of fabric and style;not leaving behind the Saree Blouse which is very essential part of the attire.
                   
Wikipedia describes it as "A choli is a midriff-baring blouse shell garment in the Indian sari costume worn in India, southern Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other countries where the sari is worn.It is also part of the ghagra choli costume of India. The choli is cut to fit tightly to the body and has short sleeves and a low neck. The choli is usually cropped, allowing exposure of the midriff and the navel; the cropped design is particularly well-suited for wear in the sultry South Asian summers."
               
But there is more to it.Today the Choli or the Saree blouse can be find in different fabrics like Cotton,Crepe,Chiffon,Net,Brocade,Tissue & Satin.Lots of attention is drawn to it with different cuts & style with embellishments.They are en crafted with ruffles,Zari-Zardosi,cutdana work,applique,stones and even Swarovski crystals.But the biggest change are the different cuts.To name some are

• Halter Neck
• Backless Blouse
• Bikini Blouse
• Corset or bustier Blouse
• Spaghetti Blouse
• Off Shoulder OR One shoulder Blouse

 Halter Neck is very versatile style has many variations too.The halter neck features straps which join at the back of the neck without sleeves.It can also be sporting a neck-band or simply a tie-up at the back of the Neck."Racer-back" can be definitely a interesting emphasis on your sexy toned back.This design usually has a very low cut back, so it is best worn without a bra.

Halter Neck with Neck band

Backless or Peek-a-boo blouses leaves the back bare and are tied-up with strings and leaves little to your imagination too.

Bikini Blouse- Inspired from the bikini here comes a Bikini Blouse which most Bollywood actress dons.You can also give it a shot.

Corset Or Bustier Blouse  is normally with out shoulders and sleeves covers till torso super defining the waistline .It can end just below the bustline too enhancing the shoulders .

 Spaghetti Blouse is also known as Noodle Strap blouse .Mandira Bedi made them quite famous indeed.They are very thin straps supporting the bodice with no sleeves. Most famous of all the variations of the blouses.

 Off Shoulder OR One shoulder Blouse ;well the name itself describes it perfectly well.The shoulders are highlighted pushing the boundary further around the sleeves.Sleeves are attached to its little edge.It can also be modified with just one shoulder present and leaving one shoulder bare.Best suited for females with small frame as it highlights the shoulders.

 There are more variations of even the combinations of the variations. One very interesting options that can be seen on the runways are Sarees with jackets .Here are few to be checked out for sure.

And what about adding a Bolero Jacket to your Saree blouse too.....

So this time when you are planning to wear a Designer Saree give your humble blouse a second thought and Jazz it up to create a sensational look.