A cup of Assam Tea

  Attending one of the Big 4 fashion weeks (New York, London, Milan, Paris) is on every fashion blogger's or fashion aficionado's bucket list. Checking in to the prestigious NYFW in Global Fashion Collective's Fall/Winter 2022 was an experience of a lifetime. This year, the Global Fashion Collective in NYFW F/W 2022 featured three designers: Luis Corrales, Sanjukta Dutta, and Young-Eun Lee.  Here, I am excited to cover my birth state and India's renowned designer, Sanjukta Dutta. Seen in celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Mary Kom, and Britain's Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, to the masses in Assam, who have brought Mekhela Chadar from the sublime land of Assam to the Global Frontiers.  Witnessing her immaculate and artful collection, Alphool, at NYFW F/W 2022 was my moment of pride and pleasure.  Engineer-turned-fashion designer  Sanjukta's  designs always speak volumes about creativity and indigenousness. Using a splash of vi...

 Lazy winter months in New England always transport me to Assam, to my home, sitting with my Dad , who always wore Eri sadar (Eri Shawl). Gone are the days; nevertheless, memories remain. That's how human life is interesting as you learn to live with the memories, celebrate, and sail into the future. While reminiscing about the good old days and my Dad and his Eri shawl, I decided to wear an Eri silk saree for a friend's small get-together. I In the time of COVID-19, small happiness like meeting a friend after a long time always gives so much joy. Here, for her get-together, I wore this black Eri silk saree with a red border and small motifs all over and teamed up with a traditional Assamese necklace called Biri. A drum-shaped pendant (Biri) with black and red stones makes it very interesting and traditional, yet quirky. And my hair is down naturally, and kohl-filled dark eyes and red lips. And last but not least, a red potli and a statement antique bangle rounded the look. ...

Happy 70th republic day India. India's independence has a lot to do with Ahimsha silk or peace silk Khadi. Unlike khadi, my home state Assam is a proud curator of Eri silk. This subtle understated light beige or cream color silk has huge importance in Assamese culture.      After the festive season bids adieu in Assam, the mild winter arrives. My grandfather used to wear the Eri shawl to protect him from cold. Not just my grandfather, in those times a quintessential Assamese winter essential was an Eri shawl and still is.     Cultivated domestically the word Eri came from Assamese word ‘era’, which means castor as the silkworm feeds on castor plants. Eri is also called ahimsa or peace because while producing eri threads it does not require to kill the worm as moths leave the cocoon naturally and then the cocoons are harvested to be spun. Isn't it enthralling?      Eri silk was once considered as an essential part of the bridal trou...

Indian festivity brings never-ending options and ways of dress up. The routes you want to take can be contemporary, classic, traditional or basics. This time I took the basic or classic route. When it comes to classic, gold, and red is the most quintessential color in Indian culture. Whether it is a wedding or festivity you will at least find one or two wearing red or gold or a combination, yet you can't deny it's timeless appeal. Here is my Indian festival look #3, a gold muga silk mekhela chadar and a red Assam silk blouse and rest of the look is simple basic gold neck piece, bangle and chain clutch. The look would be incomplete without red nails and red lips. Do let me know your take. Indian festival look #1 Indian festival look #2

Designer:  Kunal Kaushik,  an acclaimed designer and a born artist, Kunal designs resplendent and redefining Assamese traditions, an elusive weave that lures one into his signature rhythm and rendition, which merges relevant global sensibilities.  A dreamy cream mekhela chadar warp and weft, featuring Assamese motifs, Dhulia and Nasani (the drummer and damsel dancer), with Kunal's quintessential use of color, including shocking fuchsia pink and periwinkle purple in Mina. After wearing Kunal , I felt like a modern princess. Kunal's designs are not just to wear but to cherish and celebrate. No wonder Kunal is seen as an avant-garde designer. Event: Assam Convention -The Assam Convention is a celebration of the Assamese diaspora in North America, where the Assamese community comes together to showcase Assamese culture, food, traditional talent, and invited artists. Every year, it is celebrated on the July 4th weekend in various cities around North America. This time...

      Every celebration in the world is associated with some kind of color. When somebody talks about Christmas, the red, green and gold always come to mind. Bihu  is a celebration related to colors like red and beige (in Assamese we call it muga color). This year we visited Boston for Bihu celebration. While deciding on an outfit, I chose a muga color mekhela chadar and a red bell sleeve top. I skip the blouse because I wanted to give a modern twist.       My love affair with mekhela chadar had started long back. But only thing stopping me from wearing it was that my plates were never perfect. When I was in my 20s, whenever I had to wear mekhela chadar , I always had an excuse for not getting proper plates.  In my 30s and now I am more comfortable, and I found my way to wear it, giving it a modern twist by either wearing modern accessories or chic blouse instead of the typical ones. Even now I am not getting perfect in wear...

      The last couple of days had been really warm here, almost felt like mid-July. Not that I don't like warm days in New England when we always complain about the long winter. Yesterday the temperature dropped to a little chili. Feeling of the Fall is always wonderful. I felt like as if I am in India, Assam my home state. Felt like waking up in the morning walking on the lawn barefoot, foggy and hued and with all the festive buzz around. Now I am in New England, missing Indian festivities, so thought of posting a custom made Mekhela Chadar grey and orange, which I got from Assam when I visited last time from Xipini By Kanishka Gogoi Mahanta. A very contemporary appeal with a traditional touch. I accessorized it with antique finish gold jewelry. The outfit is ideal for both day and night. Also, the melange of the two colors, the brightness of orange and mildness of grey portraits the balance of fall  between summer and winter.       As you al...

My mekhela chadar memoir is vivid and vibrant. I was probably five when my paternal grandmother died. But, I still remember her pristine everyday mekhela chadar look. A cotton silk crisp mekhela and a handwoven cotton chadar with a cream or ivory blouse. Her inner simplicity is reflected in her attire. On the other hand, my maternal grandmother, who carries a tea garden heritage, always wears a silk mekhela and a cotton silk chadar with a small border, typically in brown, green, or gray colors. Throughout the day, her pleats remain in the same place and position; her mekhela chadar reflects a strong woman who has stayed strong throughout her life. As I grew up, I discovered every woman's inner world with her mekhela chadar. My art teacher, who used to wear beautiful mekhela chadars with intricate embroidery, revealed her sensitive inner world to me. Back home in Assam, our domestic help, Hiramoni, wears her mekhela chadar or saree effortlessly and quickly throughout the day.  ...