Ethnicity Tag

Happy Weekend !!

Today's post is a very special one for me. I am emotionally and ethnically rooted to the things that am going to talk about today and had been wanting to do this since a very long time. As I have mentioned about my ethnicity earlier, this post is going to be focused on two very important aspects of Assamese Culture. One being the Traditional Assamese Jewellery and the other Muga Silk of Assam.

The making of Assamese Jewellery with pure gold dates hundreds of centuries. This Jewellery is typically handmade with designs depicting the natural flora and fauna of the region. These Jewelleries are mostly encrusted with vibrant coloured gemstones or Mina work which looks great with the traditional attire of Assam, the Mekhela Chador.

Today for this post I am wearing Four different types of jewellery. Two in the first look and two in the second look. In this look, the first one is known as Luka Paro (the pigeon shape). As the name suggests it is inspired by pigeons. Here, we can see it is a pendant having the design of two pigeons sitting back to back, as if they are hiding from each other. Hence the name Luka(hiding) Paro(pigeon). This pendant is then attached to a string of gold beads. According to prefference it can also be attached with colourful beads.

Similarly the second pendant, Joonbiri, is also attached to a string of gold beads. "Joonbiri" meaning the design of the Moon (Joon). I am also wearing the matching ring and ear rings from the respective sets of the jewellery.

Now let us talk about Muga Silk. This Golden Silk is not only a unique silk endemic to Assam, but also a symbol of Assamese Culture and a part of Traditional attire of the region. Muga silk is one of three variant of silks produced in the state. Paat Silk, which looks like regular silk, is used to make Mekhela Chador and Saares in various colours, and also Kurtas for both men and women. Endi Silk, which is a Warm Silk, is used in making shawls and quilts and last but not the least Muga Silk, used exactly like Paat Silk. The speciality of Muga Silk is its bright golden colour. It is superior to any other silk available worldwide in every respect and is much more durable. It can be washed and surprisingly, the golden colour and brightness of this silk enhances after every wash. Even after washing, it remains so durable that it generally outlives the wearer. Supposedly, it is one of the costliest Silks in the world.

Muga Silk is one of my favourite silks and being an Assamese, I do have the Traditional Muga silk Mekhela Chador as per norms. As we know, when it comes to Traditional Attires we can't really wear them everyday. Hence I wanted Muga Silk in a form in my wardrobe which I can incorporate in my everyday wears. To find a way out, I decided to design a blazer myself from a piece of plain Muga Cloth that I had. Finally, when my Muga Blazer was ready, I was convinced enough that I can pair this with nearly anything I wear, and almost all the colours that I like. I must admit it is one of the most gorgeous and classy piece of cloth that I own. I would love to know how did you like this Muga Blazer through your valuable comments.

 I like mixing and matching, experimenting, and fusioning with traditional and contemporary accents in my outfits. So for the first look today I tried to keep the ethnic essence present, but in a contemporary way. I would also like to mention that I DIY'd this Tulle Skirt.

                                                   The Luka Paro Ear Ring.

For the Second look, I replaced my Muga Blazer with this Pleather jacket to go with the Dug Dugi Pendant that am wearing attached with the black beads along with the matching ear ring. Dug Dugi is a design inspired from a leaf. This Dug Dugi is the most precious jewellery that I own. The reason being, I inherited this from my Mother. She gave this to me in my wedding and am very sure I will keep it safe to pass it on to my future daughter or daughter-in-law as a future heirloom.Now that I have mentioned #fututreheirloom, I would also like to contribute this story to Lovegold to be shared with their stories.

The other one is known as Pepa, a design inspired from a musical instrument. The Musical Instrument Pepa is nothing but a Buffalo's horn, mostly played with folk music Bihu. 

                                                               The Pepa Ear Rings.

I hope you liked this post and enjoyed reading about Assamese Jwellery and Muga Silk.
Thank you for stopping by and until next time......keep it stylish....keep it functional
Lots of Love
Anie

Shoes - Forever21
Skirt - DIY
Muga Blazer - Self Designed
Pleather Jacket - Sheinside
Jwellery - Custom made
On My Lips - Lakme Pink Passion
On My Nails - O.P.I Midnight in Moscow

Pleather Weather (Part I)

Happy Saturday!! Happy Weekend!!

So how is December treating you guys? Here in Kolkata the weather is amazing at this time. Nice sweet winters. Of late i have been really liking Faux Leathers or Pleather. I have always liked how Leather clothes or accessories look upon wearing, personally I would not buy one. There are many reasons to that. The first being pure leather is very expensive, Secondly "the Cruelty" factor bothers me somewhere in my heart.
On the other hand, if we look at Pleather, there are quite a few fact that makes it more alluring. Pleather is incredibly luxurious the way it wears over time. It is lighter than real leather. Does not crease and travels really well. Moreover it is waterproof and hence it has a longer life than leather and is a much more low maintenance item than its counterpart.If we think about the versatility of the fabric, it can be used to sew bodycon dresses as well which requires precision in cut. For aesthetic purposes or functionality Faux Fur or Real Fur can also be added depending upon one's choice. I would say, unlike real leather, the technology in making pleather can be suited according to one's design and preference, making it a more versatile and design friendly fabric in a much more affordable budget.

These days I have been wearing Pleather almost every other day and hence thought of styling a Pleather Leggings in five different ways for this post. I have divided this post into two parts. In the first part there will be two Looks and in the second part the other three Looks.

Look# 1

Animal prints with Leather goes really well. Hence for the first look I thought of going the Biker Chic way with animal print and pleather.

Boots - Charles & Keith

Jacket & Leggings - Sheinside

Top - Faballey

On My Lips - M.A.C Relentlessly Red

On My Nails - Models Own Srwaberry Tart

Look# 2

This season The Batwing Cardigans are really making a hype and I am totally crushing over them. I had been on a lookout for the perfect one until I found this one in Closet Diaries, an online store here in India. I love this one coz its batwing(ofcourse) and is neutral in colour(making it more wearable with many other clothes), and it has  Faux Fur detail which makes it look super gorgeous. So, for the second look I paired my Pleather leggings with this Cardigan. Threw in the most Staple Chambray shirt worn here with some silver jewelleries and neutral accessories. 

Shoes - Koovs.com
Leggings - Sheinside
Chambray Shirt - Singapore Street Shop
Cardigan - Closet Diaries
Clutch - Shop Nineteen
Necklaces - Zara & Brisbane Street Shop
On My Lips - M.A.C Rebel
On My Nails - O.P.I Midnight In Moscow

Until next time as I always believe keep it Stylish..... keep it Functional

Lots Of Love
Anie :)