Borrowed Fashion for men who can wear it; Poetry for Men in 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s; Significance of Leap Day and much more!

While Androgyny is fashion world’s latest fixation for menswear, I believe it’s not the fashion that’s a problem – the problem is to find men who can embrace it!

Critics say that menswear is boring, drab and inconsequential and designers who try anything different (meaning quirkier) than the usual hoo-hah are labeled overzealous and their innovation costumey - a confusing orgy of weirdness.

Today we have designers who are talented and open minded beyond comparison. They have all the freshest ideas that they can easily incorporate and translate into any fashionable man’s everyday wardrobe but they need daring and confident men with the right attitude towards fashion- Men who can push the envelope further– Men who are as open minded about embracing style that is different from their age-old and classic sartorial perceptions.

Anyways, Menswear is the focus in the fashion world today and this focus is not going anywhere anytime soon. And so is - Unisexual-ism in fashion which is relevant for today's men as they embrace androgyny - not just celebrating their individualism but also retaining their masculine prowess. :) I like this phrase -> beautifully masculine.

I wanted to highlight and show some amazing pieces of fashion that women are wearing and men should wear (or rather more men should wear)

Right now, it's these I think are 6 must-have items of a stylish guy's wardrobe in the summer of 2012, courtesy of women->

1. Two-Tone Footwear (Shoes/ Sneakers/ Boots included)

Men's 1901 technicolor saddle shoes Picture -> stylebinge.ocregister.com

2. Silk (blended) Blazers, Soft Jackets/ Summer Waistcoats / Single-Breasted Jackets

Summer waistcoats are popular add-on with women in summer that they usually put on over a top. Most jackets are short-length but for men, the summertime jackets and waistcoats can be softly structured in appearance,lightweight and comfortable to carry off without sweating it out! Cotton/ feather/ Silk (blended with cotton etc.) waistcoats are already popular in tropical countries. You will see me more in these this summer ->

Me in my Diesel Jacket

3. Layered and buckled Wristbands

The Wristband is multi-layerd from Fossil

4. Color Palette

This summer it's all about these colors for men. Tangerine, Deep Red, Rust, Emerald Green. More later on colors of the season in my next spring/summer 2012 blog-post.

5.All things Gold

Influenced by the surrealists and runway trends, willingly accepted by women - it's time for men to update the gold index in their wardrobe!

Belt buckles, cufflinks, pocket square, tinted shades, ties, watch, wristband - all that glitters is gold (well the color gold and not gold literally :) will rock this season!

6.Floral & Quirky Geometric, Paisleys and Polka Dots Prints + Seersucker (commonly striped or checkered)

We have all seen floral print tops on women. Not only the floral prints are selling this season for men but are also looking hot on us! Geometric prints are equally invigorating! Designers,Christian Lacroix and Dries van Noten and the likes showcased how these bold prints are so in!

Forget fall, this spring/ summer try a Geometric print tie or a pocket square to add that extra zing of vintage-ness to your persona!

Vintage 1970s Geometric Print Tie. From Schmoo1515

Picture -> etsy.com

Me in my fav polka dot print shirt ->

Striped or Checkered prints are perennial fashion must-haves this summer or any summer so if you already have them - keep them!

7. Khakis, Chinos and Jorts (men's shorts that are much shorter than expected and quite acceptable this summer :) 

Checkout this blog-post for more info ->

Men’s Lib and the Male Diva

Khakis, Chinos and Jorts will be hot favorites coming summer. Invest in Jorts. Yup Denim, Cargo pants and knickers remains status quo. In fact, in Jeans - try ankle lengths if you can carry showing bit of your skin minus the hair. If hairy legs are a problem, by all means trim and shave or wax. It's "Normal" and Clean!

Poetry for Men in 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s

Men in 20's tend to be trendy

In 30's they mostly wear Fendi (indicating men becoming more brand conscious owing to achieving financial independence  in their 30s)

While men in 40's become dandy

Men in 50's forget fashion, and have loads of wine, whiskey and brandy

:)

There is an increasing amount of categorization in fashion today where men are concerned. Men are being categorized into age-groups, geographical and sexual orientation and even marital compartments!

So it's like fashion has different connotation for men in China from men in USA. Fashion for white, black and brown men. Fashion is different for men in their 20s from men in their 50's. Fashion for married and divorced men. Fashion for gay men and straight men; Fashion for tall men and short men.. and so on and so forth.

Seems like their is a sort of creativity crunch and an apartheid of thought in people today since they seem to write more about such absurdities and a lot less about fashion and style!

Fashion categorization and differentiation is acceptable and important to an extent (yes, geographical, size and height and sexual orientation could be the basis of such differentiation) but when we are talking about blurring lines of sexual/gender ambiguity - men and women embracing androgynous fashion, globalization of fashion etc. then why have stupid sub-categories (like fashion for divorced men?? Ha!) just for the sake of writing some piece of shit in the name of fashion wisdom????? Next, we could be reading about "fashion for broke men"!

Well, I can only say this - Men are men everywhere with the same physical aspects - genitals and all!

Haha!

Feb 29 2012 - Leap Day

Today's the leap day! ’Leap Day’ is February 29, which is an extra (intercalary) day added during a Leap Year, making the year 366 days long.

There are lot of superstitions that are associated with  February 29 and I am dumbfounded as to why a day that comes once every 4 years can bring bad luck??

In fact the day is quite exclusive! It doesn't come every year and so it should be a day to celebrate!

This picture I gotta share with all. Isn't it cute? Happy Leap Day and Year!

Picture by a FB friend who shared this on her timeline

Updated on 10th May 2012 ->

Luxury E-Tailer MilanStyle.co.uk Sees Boom in Luxury Brand Menswear Sales

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Men are getting more attractive, so says research ->

Ode to Darwin: Men getting more attractive

Updated on 17th May 2012 ->

‘Mansome’ looks at pressure on men to be perfect, too

-Amit Anand

Victoria Beckham becomes ambassador for the Great Britain Campaign

Great Britain has played a starring role in some of the most celebrated and awarded films in history. In fact hundreds of Oscars have been awarded to British talent and films over the years. Tonight, over 30 British Academy Award nominees including Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh and Stephen Daldry* as well as a host of other British talent including Victoria Beckham, Simon Fuller, Fiona Shaw and Sophie Winkleman gathered in Hollywood, to toast the best of British film – both behind and in front of the camera – as part of the GREAT campaign. GREAT is a global initiative that promotes everything Great Britain has to offer, from culture and sport to innovation and creativity, with events in US cities (New York and LA) and in other global capitals and cultural centres (Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Shanghai and Delhi and more).

A never-before exhibited piece by David Hockney, one of the most influential British artists of the 20th Century and a Brit who called Los Angeles home for more than three decades, will be unveiled at the event in a celebration of British artistic creativity.

The VIP reception in LA was hosted by the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt, British Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and British Consul-General, Dame Barbara Hay.

At this year’s Academy Awards, Britain was represented by nominees in such films as “Hugo,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,” “War Horse,” “Jane Eyre,” “The Iron Lady” and “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” in such varied and esteemed categories as Best Picture, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound Editing, Visual Effects, Adapted Screenplay and Documentary Short Subject.

Victoria Beckham arrives at GREAT campaign reception

Dame Barbara, Victoria Beckham, Simon Fuller at the Great Reception

Group shot at GREAT campaign reception

Press Release - 28th Feb 2012, Pictures, courtesy of /Contribution -
Corporate Voice Weber Shandwick

A note on David Beckham -

From footballer to fashion icon, look back at David Beckham's style history

Style File - David Beckham

-Amit Anand

      

The Best-Dressed Men at the Oscars Are... Week In Style: GQ.com

I'll have see the re-run, can't get my ass up at 6 AM IST (live telecast on Star Movies). Brad Pitt  looks great. Not much choice for guys in tux and bow ties... this piece of information is worth looking at, read more @

The Best-Dressed Men at the Oscars Are... Week In Style: GQ.com

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Best Dressed Men At the 2012 Oscars (PHOTOS)


Updated on 28th Feb morning ->

The Evening that was

For me the highlight of the evening was definitely the amazing Cirque du Soleil’s act during the Academy Awards. Desigual has a collection dedicated to this global circus brand of gravity defying performances, you can read more about it and check me out in CIRQUE DU SOLEIL inspired T-shirt by Desigual at ->

Fashion Columbus - Singapore, How fashion happened to me, Adele's middle finger and other stories

-Amit Anand

Fashion Columbus - Singapore, How fashion happened to me, Adele's middle finger and other stories

This year started with my resolve to visit the best shopping destinations around the world and so I started out on my eternal quest. First it was Bangkok, and now Singapore!

And, many many more yet to come! Touch wood! Keep reading my blog for more stuff!

Traveling has become a passion off late, more than ever, the travel bug has finally bitten me for good! I'm glad!

Singapore is not a paradox but a paradise! The moment you touchdown at Changi Airport, you can only see a divine state of order, the state of peace, beautiful manicured landscape! Everything is so smooth.

Why a paradise? Singapore is a food and shopping paradise! No two ways about it. A small city-country and it has so much to offer!

Whosoever said this, said it right - big things come in small packages!

I worked in Singapore for an year and it'll be unfair on my part not to mention that the entire country influenced my sartorial choices so much so that I began to actually dress up right and be more fashionable!

My fashion consciousness kick-started in Singapore! You can see the world's top fashion brands spanning across  the length and breadth and the close proximity of malls and shopping haunts makes it easier to pick and choose - shopping truly packs a major punch in Singapore! - My fashion vocabulary increased by leaps and bounds as a result! 

The learning is probably in the compact-ness that Singapore so conveniently offers to shoppers!

It's not just one person, a group of people, but the entire nation that truly epitomizes style and fashion in Singapore! You can see abject simplicity to high-fashion complicity in every nook and corner of this cute city-state.No wonder, global fashion resides in Singapore. From street-smart to haute couture!

Singapore is an amalgamation  of myriad cultures primarily, Chinese, Indian and Malay + a whole lot of expats from all over the world making the country a melting pot of globalization! Forbes recently bestowed "the 3rd richest country in the world" title to Singapore!

This is where I truly connect with fashion because Singapore is primarily a user economy - you see, you buy, you shop! Everything in the World is available here - speaking from a fashion perspective of course :)

Yes, I'd love to write about the awesome food you get there! But I run a fashion blog and I need to stick to my subject :)

But, I'd like to mention that in case you love sea food and you want to try something divine - you must try out Cereal Prawns at Newton Circus Food Centre :-

Yummy Yum Yum - Cereal Prawns, Pic -> ykn.com.sg

Also, if you are planning to stay in a nice hotel, try Park Avenue Rochester. The hotel is amazing! Next to an MRT station (Buona Vista), stone's throw distance from Holland Village and Botanic Gardens! Savor the ever so yummy and lick-ious Ben & Jerry's Super Premium Ice Cream - the parlor is right at the corner of the Park Avenue Rochester Hotel! 

Singapore with a view -> random shots ->

Now, coming to my favorite subject! Shopping!

As I said shopping is everywhere in Singapore. However, the mecca of shopping lies at Orchard Road!

You can literally lose count of the shopping malls/ arcades in this area!

My other hot favorite is VivoCity Mall @ HarbourFront, near Sentosa. I love this mall because it has all my favorite brands which aren't as high end and yet classy to the core of it namely-

TM Lewin, Ben Sherman, Fred Perry @ Tangs, Desigual, Domanchi and Pull @ Bear and Topshop/Topman

If your taste buds are more luxury oriented, then head to Ion Orchard to find the usual suspects of luxury high fashion couture!

You might want to check out Takashimaya and Orchard Central for shopping shopping and more shopping! 

Yes, this time around I was quite zealous about Orchard road  primarily because I saw H.E. by MANGO (HE - Homini Emerito- The men's collection is aimed at the young man who is in tune with fashion trends as their tagline says) huddled into an amazing showroom. I wanted to lay my hands on all the merchandise ever since I eyed Gerard Piquè modeling for the brand!

Yup, If you love Louis Vuitton like most Singaporeans do, head straight to Singapore's Louis Vuitton's Island Maison attached to the Marina Bay Sands (@MBS there is apparently also a mall (actually a shopping arcade i.e The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands)). More than the merchandise you will love the architecture and grandeur of the place! The towering building of glass and opulence!

Pic - http://www.luxury-insider.com

While still lost in the shopping haze @ Orchard, hop into CLUB 21 SINGAPORE MAN store at Four Seasons Hotel (Orchard Boulevard) a one stop shop for luxury retail - other stores can be located using the store locator - http://www.club21global.com/storelocatorcontrol/storelocator/brand_store_value/ALL/country_value/SGP/city_value/ALL/sg/en

For street-style, bargains, local fashion, Try Bugis street for a real flea-market experience. Bugis Junction has malls and shopping areas including the famed Feng Shui mall! For a real hippy back-alley flea-market experience head to the bustling and vibrant Chinatown area. The mecca of souvenirs, trendy homegrown stores and shops. Must visit while you are gallivanting there to Haji Lane and Arab Street.. where you can find some amazing bargains and stuff.

What did I buy. Not much frankly. As I said my energies are more centered to traveling right now.

Although the shopper in me couldn't resist the temptation of lust that brands force upon you.

Yes! I salivated throughout my trip to Singapore not just for brands but also for the food!

Here I am with a friend wearing an amazing Desigual t-shirt Inspired by CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - the dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment (that's also the name of the collection @ Desigual) I picked just for me. The print is out of this world! Floating acrobats and a colorful shimmering red over black! I'm in love! I also picked a Fred Perry bag-Classic messenger style shoulder bag- the classic tan, it's a stunner!

My Desigual T-shirt - Inspired by CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Fred Perry Bag - Classic Tan

Other Stories

I am beginning another quest of looking, reviewing and understanding about fashion in the most unexpected places on planet earth. Like, I wonder how men fare with fashion in countries that allow no freedom of expression, countries that are war torn and countries that are not looking after their citizens! 

I am not planning to travel to these countries but they exist on the face of this earth and we hear a lot about them. My heart goes out to people in troubled and strife-ridden countries. 

Attagirl Adele!

I salute your grace, dignity and self-respecting attitude! The middle finger is the answer to people who try and pull you down by way of either interrupting you or calling you a little too fat (courtesy Karl Lagerfeld - although he later apologized - that's mighty gentleman of him!).

You are perfect, rocking and I love your voice! 

More later!

This is me signing off in my own special signature style :) 

Oh yes, please also take time to read my fashion columbus Bangkok post.

Fashion Columbus - Bangkok + Fashion Crystal Ball predictions for 2012! + Hairstyles of 2012

take care!

Amit Anand 

Color me Red..Fashion code for guys on Valentine's Day

Its the season of love and color Red is everywhere! People around the world would be serenading their loved ones with all things red - roses, hearts, teddys, cards, chocolates - gifts galore!

Guys would be out on dates while a few would be enjoying with family and friends or a few might enjoy some time of their own.... any which ways, it's time to rejoice and bring in some red cheer!

Men in general don't like wearing bright colors and Red attracts more than a raging bull - it attracts loads of attention!

Unless red is the color of their favorite Manchester United t-shirt, they would prefer sticking to more subtle colors.

This is where they go wrong. Red is actually a very masculine color. Red is the color of Mars the ruling planet of Aries, and we know Aries can be quite masculine - God of War and above all action!

Astrology aside,Red is also the color of yang - high energy. In Feng Shui, Red is considered a very potent color attracting wealth and abundance if paired with Gold and Buddhist/Taoist symbols!

Red is the color of Self-expression. So wear it without inhibitions and carry it with aplomb!

Red works well when coordinated with darker shades. Obviously, a monotone look in all-red will look disastrous especially for guys. So always color coordinate red with Dark Blue, Black, Grey, Brown with  an exception of White, Camel and Beige in the light colors category.

Guys in particular look hot in Deep Red! 

Also, Red will stand out if used in minimality! So, a dash of red in any outfit will stand out in good stead and will enhance your personality and style!

My all time favorite color combination is Deep Red and Ink Blue and Red and Grey.

Other color combinations I have tried are a Red Tee paired with Black jeans and a White waist-coat.

Here are a few of my favorite red pieces that I like pairing with other colors :-

More than the tees I love wearing turtle necks à la Steve Jobs look->

Calvin Klein Sweater, Macy's Holiday Exclusive Turtleneck, Picture -> ShopStyle

                            

A Red Pocket Square ->

Picture & Link -> Men's Wear House

Red Cufflinks ->

Picture and Link -> DQT

Red Watch ->

Picture and Link -> Amazon.com  

In the picture above, Invicta Men's 0634 Reserve Collection Akula Chronograph Red Dial Red Polyurethane Watch available on Amazon.com

Red Belt ->

Picture and Link -> Ferrari.com Men’s Ferrari belt

Red Shoes ->

Picture and Link -> Gimme Shoes Florshiem by Duckie Brown

Ah yes, I am in love with these and I know these scream - P-U-N-K with spikes and all but I'm in love with these still :) Checkout -

Christian Louboutin Louis Studded Spike Sneakers White Red
Also available at: www.louboutinnet.com

So that's it for now! More later. Enjoy Feb 14th! Yup, for the ones who support the anti-valentine's day rhetoric, no worries! Taking into account the season of love discounts in stores, it's not a bad idea to I guess to bring some red cheer in your wardrobe :)

For the gentlemen who'd be out dating, look your best and polished!

It's fun time, so be quirky, understated + most importantly be yourself! Be a fashion valentino!

PS Remember the ABCDs :) -

ABCDs of fashion revisited

I leave you with this wonderful thought  ->

Judy Garland said it best: "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."

Happy Valentine's Day people! 

-Amit Anand

New Store Launch - Twist @ Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi

Twist is a lavishly spread boutique  store of 1200 square feet of space at the famed HKV i.e. Hauz Khas Village(home to amazing art galleries, upscale boutiques and restaurants and a star tourist attraction) showcasing a meticulously handpicked and sourced range of haute couture, home accessories, jewellery, bags, shoes, art and crafts plus a lot more - affordable luxury with a twist!

In fact the name of the store couldn't be more apt. In his own words, Naresh Chauhan, the man behind this awesome concept says - "Twist is an absolute sartorial pleasure spot, this boutique store is miles away from the stacks of same styles kept in a ritzy show windows and houses a neat edit of classic and edgy, you will find wacky stacked alongside wonderful here , embellished nudging the simple and still offering you the thrill of slinking away a great style at a greater price. Our look-book boasts of 'twist' at every turn"

The store layout is welcoming, warm and artistic with sombre white to gargantuan greens to cheerful blue, yellow and pink decorations and adorning the racks, walls and furniture with a clutter free ambiance clubbed with quirky and cutting edge decor weaving an ultimate shopping experience!

Twist has something for everyone - across a broad spectrum of sexes, age groups and taste in fashion. Variety is sexy, subtle and twisting-ly awesome! Men can look forward to a neat edit of menswear classics to some true blue unusual cuts and designs for the high-fashion conscious guys out there! In ready-to-wear, there are designer shirts, trousers jackets, attires, jump suits in assortment of fabrics, cuts and price.

The store stocks the fresh talent along with a few established names on its shelves  for both men and women.

I picked up a Nikhil Thampi men's suede jacket and I can't help gushing over it + at the other designer stuff. Twist sure is a place to shop at!!Check me out ->

Jacket by Designer Nikhil Thampi, INR 8600/-

Lets Twist some more!

Fine Art and more!

Cookies, Coffee and Chai!

  

Twist is @ Building No. 2, 2nd Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi

On the Web : www.twistthestore.com

Phone : 011 - 64788922

Contact Person : Naresh Chauhan

-Amit Anand

ABCDs of fashion revisited + The hot masculine Suspenders and Dungarees!

People like us, fashion bloggers, writers and fashion people in general always keep saying that one must dress up right to make the right impression, a lasting impact etc. etc.

Our blogs are dedicated to styling tips, fashion trends to follow, fashion forecasts and the magazines, online journals we read are all selling gloss.

However, Dressing up is just a small but an important part, nonetheless, of the bigger picture of a complicated jigsaw puzzle that we call fashion. Fashionable people put lot of emphasis on clothes and in a way follow the dictum -Clothes maketh the man, to the T.

But, it's not just clothes alone that make the man, I'm afraid. Few months ago I reminded myself and my readers on the importance of ABCDs of fashion i.e.

A – Attitude

B - Behavior

C – Communication and

D – Dressing sense

If you go by the alphabetical order, D - Dressing sense comes "after" A- Attitude, B-Behavior, C- Communication.

A lot of people I know and interact with lack basic etiquette - but they would all be decked up in Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton. This is what I call Fashion without sense i.e. Nonsense.

Stylists and Magazines invariably don't talk about the bigger picture unfortunately. They may make you may look good but to feel good from within and for people to feel good about you - you need to have your ABCs in place first!

Fashion is all about attraction. We dress up and we want to look good because we want to attract. The basic purpose of fashion is attraction. To look good so that attraction can manifest.

But for attraction to manifest, just dressing up right may not serve the overall purpose.

You notice that people who do make a lasting impact on us, be it the celebrities and people we like - have one thing in common.

And, irrespective of whether they are obese, dark or even anorexic, they carry themselves in a certain manner that sets them apart from the rest of the pack.

Why? Because, they have their ABCDs in place. 

Think over next time, carry a positive attitude, a general sense on bonhomie and gratitude, talk nicely and intelligently and yes, dress up right! Be the total package!

This sums up the ABCDs -

Coming to my hot favorites this week - two hot masculine add-ons to our existing wardrobe.

Suspenders or braces  are elasticated straps that are usually worn to keep your pants in place i.e. when you are not wearing a belt for the same purpose - to hold your pants! They are generally stand alone pieces that can be out on or attached to your trousers. However, these amazing fashion lifters as I call them can make your most boring outfit look high-class dapper-ed! They can be worn on a shirt, t-shirt over your shoulders forming a Y or an X pattern - See below -

Picture->sodahead.com

Picture -> thisheartsonfire.com

While choosing suspenders, the color and the width, remember to think wearing a fashion accessory like a Tie. You can color contrast, color coordinate and even color block!

Updated on 1st June 2012 ->

Street Style: Suspenders

Think Top Gun, you think of hunks Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in their denim Bib and brace coveralls! 

Dungarees are worn as uniforms or as military outfits like Army Fatigues and we have seen mechanics and farmers donning this look in so many Hollywood flicks. But, they are an amazing fashion add-on for guys wanting to look masculine and yet, a cutesie! I'm sure getting a pair for myself!

 i.e. checkout -

Picture -> famewatcher.com

Picture->

Dickies Stonewash Dungarees

workwearoriginals.com

Keep enjoying!

Updated on 23rd April 2012 ->

An interesting read on Poise and Fashion ->

(stop slouching!)

Read more @

Hello poise: why standing up straight is back in fashion

-Amit Anand

An ode to Craftsmen + A note on Surajkund Crafts Mela

There is so much talent in our world- the imagery, vision that takes a defined form of luxury and art - that is so realistic and yet so magical! Hand-made goods made by skilled artisans have always been in demand and leading luxury brands have had started out making hand-crafted products that are today's leading luxury labels. Guccio Gucci had a vision that transformed his dream of creating luxury into one of the awesomest brands of the modern world!

Gandhiji propagated the use of hand-made with Khadi. In fact he was the first crusader of green and clean fashion in modern India.

Jim Thompson revitalized a cottage industry of hand-woven silk and transformed Thai Silk into a world renowned luxury brand.

Hermès is yet another example of hand-crafted luxury that continues to bedazzle our world today.

However, factory-made mass production, industrialization of luxury goods and counterfeit-ism around the world has dealt a severe blow to once thriving industry of artisanal excellence!

I have woken up to this fact that we are spending so much on luxury that lacks creativity, elaborate style and soul - at the end of the day we are just paying for the label! What we call - brand value is actually a  mass-produced product that has probably been replicated several times with thousand copies circulating around!

last year I embraced Green fashion.

Now, I have realized the importance of craftsmanship!

A designer is also a craftsman. Designers around the world are a living example of craftsmanship since they still appreciate the value of hand-made! Be it bridal, couture or their pret-a-porter lines - a bit of it has the touch of the hand!

Why do you think art(fine art) is so well appreciated that it's sold in millions!

Hand-made has strong historical reference. Royals and elite in the old world loved hand-crafted fashion and the era gone by is a testimonial to the fact that fashion is true reflection of history - history of craftsmanship that was at its peak!

My local neighborhood tailor whom I fondly call "masterjee" is an artisan par excellence. He not only is an apt designer and a tailor but also a skilled embroider who learnt needlework from his father - his entire clan has been in the tailoring profession.

In fact he stitches the most lasting garments with beautiful embroidery-work that I have worn on several occasions and got appreciation!Total value for money and at fraction of the cost of an upmarket brand!

Perhaps the only reason I don't get much made from him is the fact that he takes his own sweet time. And I often run out of patience. Impatience is just not my problem, but a universal one! We are all fixated with immediacy of self-gratification! What I call the "I want it all RIGHT NOW" trend! :)

Craftsmanship is a near dying art form that must be brought back to its old glory. If only we can continue to support the talent of the artisan and make buying hand-made products a regular feature in our shopping itinerary. A small step albeit an important one!

I visited Surajkund Crafts Mela for the first time in my life. I heard a lot about it and heard that chaos prevails so much so that people walk on people - well, literally!

That dissuaded me to visit this place all these years even though I live in Delhi at times!

This time around I had thought of writing about my masterjee and his fashion acumen and it was worth my while because a friend offered to drive me down to that place since another friend was visiting from London and she was quite keen on visiting Surajkund.

Barring the crowd, the craftsmanship and creativity of the artisans amazed me to no uncertain extent!

It's good to see that the Indian government has successfully given an avenue to thousands of artisans to sell their wares directly to the public.

Actually, people don't associate India with fashion at all! But they do consider India to be the mecca of craftsmanship and this holds true till today!

So the idea behind this blog-post is for guys to appreciate hand-made i.e. from a fashion perspective - tailor-made. Appreciate and applaud the talent of the tailor, the fashion designer, the artist and the artisan!

-Amit Anand

Shot @ Surajkund ->

 

-Amit Anand

The Weight Loss drama-kings!

Something interesting to read and good observation - Men like women are as obsessed about weight loss! Infact, there is a scientific research and study done to prove this!

Read these interesting articles ->

Male Weight Loss: The rush to look like Dan the man

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So, men are obsessed with their bodies. Is that so bad?