Jack & Jones Store Launch in Banglore

Anushka Sharma might have not made the best of the dream debut opposite SRK in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, the gal meets her first love again and walks the ramp for a dazzles on ramp for Jack and Jones, an International clothing brand, which held a fashion show for launch of its store in Bangalore, she certainly rocked.




She is just one film old in the tinsel town, but before she stepped into the Bollywood zone she was and is still a well-known name in the world of modeling and ramps.

Sharing the show and the ramp was the rising star Neil Nitin Mukesh. Where Anoushka looks like an angel in very short white dress, Neil Nitin Mukesh, who is still elated with the success of ‘New York’, looked perfect with his cool dude look.

Check out Neil and Anoushka Sharma as they set the ramp afire for Jack & Jones in Bangalore.

Jack & Jones Arrives in Banglore

Jack & Jones is a jeans brand catering to the needs of the urban men. It is a brand sold under ‘Bestseller’.Bangalore is a great city and fashion conscious as well. This is a right place to launch a brand like Jack & Jones.





The event was also attended by the who’s who of Bangalore. RJ and DJ Rohit Barker came in late and mingled with the crowd. Prasad Bidappa donned the role of the host greeting his friends and associates from the industry. Kannada heart throb Diganth Manchale walked in very late and was spotted among the guests.

A big hit internationally Jack & Jones comes to Bangalore, and highlighting the launch was some Bollywood glamour ala Neil Nitin Mukesh and Anushka Sharma who walked the ramp to showcase the collection.

Located in Indiranagar 100 ft road, it is spread over 5300 sq ft and this is the brand’s third premium store in the city.

Supermodels like Carol Gracias, Priya Trivedi, Bruna Abdullah, Sahil Shroff sashayed on the ramp showcasing the spring summer collection of tops, printed maxis, body hugging denims, party wear and beach wear. The models showed off designs from brands like Jack & Jones, Only and Pieces Accessories.

Chandigarh - Indian Fashion Hub

Chandigarh has emerged as an important fashion destination from market as well as promising designers' perspective.Fashion has taken center stage in the region following the setting up of several fashion technology institutes like NIIFT, IIFT and IIFD in and around Chandigarh. These institutes provide talented young designers an opportunity to make their mark in the rapidly growing industry.



Apparel industry leaders, renowned fashion designers and marketing gurus were all there to pick best out the best designer. There is great enthusiasm in the industry despite the global meltdown.
Punjabis are becoming more fashion conscious. And, the NRI influence has played a major part in triggering this off.

Budding designers are now keep in mind the desires and aspirations of their well-heeled customers in Punjab and across India. From ethnic to contemporary, there is tremendous scope to explore.
Chandigarh has improved a lot in terms of fashion. The young designers who are coming from Chandigarh are simply amazing, the kind of collection that they have got.

They are becoming better year after year, so talent in Chandigarh is growing and its world class. I feel that its high time that Chandigarh's designers should be a part of India Fashion Week.A Chandigarh Fashion Week showcasing the collection only by Chandigarh and Punjab designers," said Kaushik Ghosh, Fashion Choreographer.

The upcoming Fashion Technology Park in Mohali displays the rapidly expanding global fashion market.The boom necessitates a streamlined and synergized organization of talent and resources in the Fashion and Lifestyle sectors. The Indian fashion industry is in the process of building future brands. And Punjab's contribution in this direction is creditable.

Pashmina Shawls - Royal Indian Fibre

Elegant is the word for Pashmina - The Royal Indian Fibre. It was once upon a time only the prerogative of the royal family. The appreciative value of Pashmina shawls had spread so widely that even the roman
emperor Caesar was said to have this type of a shawl. So was it the precious possesion of Napolean Bonaparte.




It is said that in 1776 Abdullah Khan, the Afghan Governor of Kashmir gifted an exquisite Pashmina shawl to Sayyid Yahya, a visitor from Baghdad. Yahya presented the shawl to the Khedive in Egypt who in turn, presented it to Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon found the shawl fit to adorn the shoulders of the future Empress, Josephine.




Apparently, Pashmina is prized by kings and nobles and is the pride of bride’s trousseau in the past can be often referred to as the 'diamond' of all fibres. Perhaps, nothing epitomizes the glorious history of Himalayan craftsmanship, as warmly and beautifully, as does the Pashmina, the Tibetan name for Cashmere, the softest and most luxurious wool in the world.

Pashmina is harvested from the Himalayan region spread in India andits Northern neighbours. It is known for its warmth and long life.

The uniquely soft fleece is hand combed every spring from the soft wool from the neck and chest of the “Chyangra” (Capra Hircus), the Himalayan mountain goat. The goat lives at altitude of 12,000 to

14,000 feet. At such heights, where temperature goes down to -10 Centigrades, the goat survives as it is bestowed by nature with a unique, very thin, short inner coat of hair, which is the best insulation in the world. This inner coat of hair is Pashmina.

The word "pashm" means "inside". The fibre is less than 15 microns in thickness (whereas a human hair is 75 microns thick). Each goat produces 3-8 ounces of Pashmina per year.

As called the "fibre for kings", Pashimina achieved a zenith when it cast its spell over the European royalty during the legacy of the Great Mughals.

In India, Pashmina Shawls are a real fashion statement and have remained as evergreen fashionable item.

Pashmina Shawl is the most treasured material made from the fibre and is well known as the cashmere shawl after the name of the place it originated – Kashmir. It is made from the cashmere yarns and have silk
threads imbibed in them. That’s how it gets its lustre. As the material comes from animal furs that survive the thickest of cold weathers these shawls keep you warm no matter how sore the cold weather is. So while complementing your dress these shawls also protect you.


In comparison to other materials that keep you warm these shawls are much lighter but do that thick blankets job. No doubt it is a world wonder. Now imagine this gorgeous material emblazoned with stones. Or
with mild embroidery. The ultimate look is luscious and exciting. The colours that they are available, give the shawl an even enchanting look. Mostly pink, white and black are heavily in demand.

With the availability of a large variety of shawls, a blend of pashmina and silk in 70:30 ratio respectively. The silk gives classic Pashmina a more slender silhouette, great drape and an elegant sheen, lightweight and softer feel. This you would wear for the ultimate luxury and warmth.

High quality synthetic dyes from international corporations which gives high wash and light fastness and tested for being non hazardous are used to give different shades to Pashmina items. The shades
produced are warm, subtle and eye soothing. The Pashmina shawls are woven by traditional weavers who have been in this occupation for generations.

Whatever the cost, people not only in India but the world over are known to spend through their nose to own one Pashmina shawl.

Paithani Sarees-Maharashtrian Speciality

The art of fine weaving and the complex processes of bleaching and dyeing and the arts of hand and loom embroidery were perfected by the people of India long before conditions in the textile industry were modernized. These crafts were mostly hereditary and the qualities required of a true artisan were apprenticeship, devotion to duty and co-operation. The knowledge of the arts and crafts was imparted from one generation to the next.

History of Paithanis-
References in ancient history indicate that an amazing variety of costumes made of cotton and silk fabrics were used in India. The Rig Veda mentions a golden woven fabric and the Greek records talk of gorgeous Paithani fabrics from the great ancient trading and industrial centres, Pratishan or Paithan in Maharashtra. In old times, the zari used in making Paithanis was drawn from pure gold. But today silver is substituted for gold thus making the Paithanis more affordable to many people. Every six months Naina creates at least 2-3 new designs and at any given time there are about 10 different designs available (four styles per colour). Fourteen weavers are exclusively working for Naina and she has nearly forty colours for her customers to choose from.

Origin of Paithanis-
Even today Maharashtra is the home of the most celebrated textile—the paithani, gold embroidered zari sari with its wonderful designs and woven borders. Even during the medieval period, the interaction between the Hindu and Muslim rulers gave rise to new styles. The Marathas extended their patronage to textile activities. Some centres became renowned for their textiles and the fabric frequently derived its name from the place of origin. For example, paithani came from Paithan, shahagadi from Shagad etc. The Peshwas in the 18th century had a special love for paithani textiles and it is believed that Madhavrao Peshwa even asked for the supply of asavali dupattas in red, green, saffron, pomegranate and pink colours.Human skills may have been replaced by machines. However, no machine-made fabric can compare with the hand-made beauty of the paithani sari by the master craftsmen of Maharashtra.

Naina Jhaveri of Swayam Siddha, Bombay, is one of the best known designers and an authority on paithani saris in Maharashtra.

USP of Paithanis-
The speciality of the paithani is its border and pallau. Earlier, just 2-3 colours were popular which were integrated in the sari in the dhup chaon pattern which, when translated, means light and shade. In 1990, Naina’s interest in the paithani sari turned into an obsession prompting her to do directly to the weavers in Paithan to create her own exclusive designs. Today Naina has nearly 200 designs, the largest selection of Paithani in Maharashtra.
Expense of Paithani-
The price tag ranges from Rs. 4,000 and can move up to Rs. 1,50,000. The paithani sari is an entirely handwoven item. Depending on the intricacy of the design, it takes anything from one month to a year to weave. The traditional paithani used to be a plain sari with a heavy zari border and ornamental pallav. But today paithanis with motifs are in vogue: stars, circles, peacocks, flowers and paisleys. The paithani borders and pallavs are heavily adorned with these motifs and the sari is given the name after the design on it. Tota-maina (parrot), bangdi-mor (peacock with round design), asavali (flower and vine), narli (coconut), are all descriptive of paithanis. For inspiration, the weavers turn to the myriad birds and flowers around them.
Credibility of Paithanis At least three generations can wear once a Paithani Saree if it is
preserved properly.

Naina’s innovations for a Paithani Sari include enlarging an 18 inch to 25 inch pallu into a 39 inch one and in heavier saris she provides 2-3 matching blouse pieces so that more than one member of the family can wear the sari.

Pattern of Weaving Paithani -
The basic weave of the Paithani Sari is simple. It is a tabby weave but more recently even the modern jacquard has been incorporated by Naina. The speciality lies in the design which is woven without the assistance of a mechanical contriance like a jala. Multiple spindles are used to produce the linear design. The border as well as the pallav carry creeper and floral motifs on a background of gold. Such saris are worn by brides. “A paithani is a must in a bride’s trousseau
today and the red-white version called the panetar is the wedding sari for the Gujarati community.”

The Paithani became very popular during the Maratha period. At that time the favourite motif was the asavali, a kind of flower and hence the saris were also known as asavali paithanis.
Way to weave Paithani Srees
Before weaving the sari the raw silk which is obtained from Bangalore is cleaned with caustic soda. Then it is dyed into the different colours as required. Sik threads are then separated by the women and then they are ready to be woven. The whole family is involved in the weaving of the sari.

Popularity of Paithanis has spread far and wide- Although the paithani sari is costly it has become a popular item in the marriage ceremonies of the rich and the not-so-rich. Besides
Paithan, the saris are woven in Yeola, known for the mango motif pallavs and in Pune, Nashik, and Malegaon in Maharashtra. Thus the paithani sari has played a significant role in weaving together the cultural fabric of Maharashtra.
Taking Care of Paithani Saree-
The paithani demands that utmost care be taken to preserve the fabric and its luster. The sari should not be kept in a cardboard box or plastic bags. Also, if possible, it should not be hung on a hanger. The best way is to keep it is wrapped in a soft muslin cloth. No perfume should be applied directly onto the sari, neither should menthol balls be packed with the paithani sari. The sari should be roll pressed and dry cleaned. There is no need to polish the zari often since it will weaken the sari.http://www.myindiaguide.com/