The Heritage Saga, 2020.
Portrait of Samuel Bourne, taken in 1864.
Samuel Bourne
The photographer I have taken inspiration from is Samuel Bourne. Samuel Bourne was a British photographer known for his prolific seven years’ work in India, from 1863 to 1870.
The speacility about Bourne’s photographs was that he captured people in a way that indicated their social strata in the society. A lot of his Indian portraits revolve around “Nawabs” and “Zamindars”, whom he has photographed in their homes, wearing a lot of jewelery and placing a lot of antiques and wearing brocades. In the 1800’s only rich people could afford to get their photographs clicked, and usually the photographs used to portray their wealth and accomplishments in the society.
I have tried to encorporate this approach in the follwing assignment.
Trending: Banarasi Brocade
Banarasi Brocade Silks are among the finest saris in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk and opulent embroidery. The saris are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, and, because of these engravings, are relatively heavy.
They are practically classics, and most married women have one in their wardrobe. Why? That is because they are perfect for weddings and social gatherings. They make you stand out from the crowd while looking elegant and classy.
Bollywood celebrities are often spotted dressed in Banarasi on cultural events, award functions and marriage ceremonies.
A banarasi is basically as timeless as the streets of Banaras.
Kangana Ranaut wearing a Banarasi Brocade
Media Scan
Sareeka
Sabhyasachi Masaba
Ayush Kejriwal
Anita Dongre
Ritu Kumar
“These old rusted antiques are what we have, that makes us remember our glorious past”
Concept
The brief was to style our family members stylishly and make them look chic while hunting our family heirloom. For the following shoot my inspiration has been the heritage of indian portraits itself. Like portraits of kings and queens, I have tried shooting three members of my family with antiques like jewellery box, “Saraunte”, “peek-daan”, “paan daan”, “Itr daan”, ancient locks, etc. Also, like the portraits of old kings, they are made to pose confidently.
The shoot is in two parts - indoor and outdoor. In the indoor shoot, you would be able to see the bonding in indian families, the essence of antiques and the similarity of a family even after generations of gap. In outdoor shoot, you would find a touch of modernity, in the poses, the ligting and the expressions.
Also, as I am from Uttar Pradesh, the female members have been shown wearing exaggerate banarasi’s, while the male member have been shown in a vintage checked coat, and maroon bow tie.
Styling Elements
Creme striped dress shirt
Maroon pre-tied bowtie
Tweed notch collar coat
Creme striped pocket square
Handlebar Moustache Dress Pant Derby Shoes
Look 1
Model Akshay Bhardwaj Location Arya Nagar, Lucknow.
“It is the elegance of the brocade that makes the Banarasi, a Banarasi.”
Makeup & Hairstyle
Centre parted sleek bun
Coke brown lipstick
Base Makeup
Rustic Golden Nail paint
Styling Elements
Oversized white oxford button down shirt as a blouse
Silver Banarasi Brocade Saree
Oxidized earings, oxidized earings as a broach
Multiple rings, nosepin, artificial “Gajra”, “Bindi”
Look 2
Seema Verma
Arya Nagar, Lucknow.
Model
Location
Details, excerpt, the Heritage Saga, 2020
There is a different exquisiteness in being together.
Ms. Prem Verma, homemaker, b.1942.
Styling Elements
Oversized white oxford button down shirt as a blouse Silver Banarasi Brocade Saree
Oxidized earings, oxidized earings as a broach Rings, nosepin, artificial
“Gajra”, “Bindi” Spectacles Centre parted sleek bun Nude brown lipstick
Makeup & Hairstyle
Look 3
List of Props (right to left)
-Copper “Phool Daan”, ca. Early 20th Century -Copper “Paan Daan”, ca. Late 19th Century -Brass and wood “hukka”, ca. 1930 -Copper “Gulaab Paash”, ca. Late 19th Century
-Bronze “Pitaari”, ca.1930’s -Copper “Khaas Daan”, ca. Late 19th Century -Brass “Surma Daani”, ca. 1950’s
-Teak Wood Mirror with Belgian Glass, ca. 1930’s
-Silver “Izwaari”, ca. 21st Century. -Bronze “Peek Daan”, ca. 1950’s -Copper “Pitaari”, ca. Mid 19th Century
-Brass Locks , ca. Early 20th Century -Copper “Phool Daan”, ca. Late 19th Century -Copper “Aaftaba”, ca.Mid 19th Century.
“Vintage trends keep coming back, its a loop, but nothing can be trendier than your heritage”
“Grihasti”
“Always more confident in a saree”
“Zamaana toh hamaara hi acha tha, log mil baat kar rehte khaate the”
Look 1
Costing Sheet
Item Cost Brand
Creme striped dress shirt
Maroon pre-tied bowtie
Tweed notch collar coat
Creme striped pocket square Dress Pant Derby Shoes
Rs. 1,400 Rs. 400 Rs. 4,200 Rs. 50 Rs. 2,400 Rs. 4,000 Rs. 12,450Total
Zodiac
Myntra
Blackberry Street Market
Blackberry Mochi
Look 2 Item Cost Brand
Oversized white oxford button down shirt as a blouse
Silver Banarasi Brocade Saree
Oxidized earings, oxidized earings as a broach Multiple rings Nosepin
artificial “Gajra”, “Bindi”
Rs. 1,200
Rs. 21,000 Rs. 100 Rs. 150 Rs. 32,250 Rs. 1,800 Rs. 205 Rs. 56,705Total
Peter England
Banaras Market Street Market Street Market Goldsmith, Street Market Goldsmith Street Market
Look 3 Item Cost Brand
Oversized white oxford button down shirt as a blouse
Silver Banarasi Brocade Saree
Oxidized earings, oxidized earings as a broach Rings “Bindi” Spectacles
Rs. 1400 Rs. 28,950 Rs. 150 Rs. 150 Rs. 5,500 Rs. 5 Rs. 1,200 Rs. 37,355Total
Zodiac
Gifted by Diwaan of Tilohi Street Market Street Market Goldsmith Street Market ABC Chasmewaale
Special Thanks to Models
Akshay Bhardwaj
Prem Verma
Seema Verma Assistance Bhupendra Verma
Ireen Ashta
Shalini Soni Gyan Prakash Verma
Created by
Jasleen Ashta