Luxury Life & Style September – October 2017|Rs100
Wedding Special
Royal Weddings An Ode To History's Royal Nuptials
ANITA DONGRE From Mumbai to Manhattan
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September - October 2017
EDITOR'S
NOTE B
ride or Bridezilla? This is not the name of a new Hollywood movie but rather my thinking process during a wedding. Celebrating
weddings are the most fun lifetime events. Taking the stress out of them can be done not only by deep breathing, but also by providing choices and best of food, vacation spots or lune de miel as the French call it, to make things easy. LIVING brings to you hand picked and carefully curated wedding aspects in this issue. Anita Dongre, the legendary designer was a delight to speak with and I am excited to present her on our cover. The only topic we have not touched on is wedding 'gifts.' So I was thinking - How about if grooms and brides are committed to national causes instead of gift registries? The one close to my heart is the current 'Rally for Rivers'; A crying need to pay heed to making our rivers perennial again. It's a long-term project that needs policy change to bring trees by river beds which bring back the water. After all, we didn't inherit this world from our parents, we are borrowing it from nature for our children and our children's children. So let's plant trees. Let's #rallyforrivers. Let's ring in wedding joy. Let's also be Wedded to the cause of Mother Nature!
Rohini Manian Editor-in-Chief rohini@globaladjustments.com
September - October 2017
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INBOX is online: www.culturamaliving.com www.issuu.com www.magzter.com To subscribe to this magazine, e-mail culturamaliving@globaladjustments.com
I have been reading Culturama for over 5 years and can't tell you how great it is to see another magazine from your team. I love the contents of LIVING and trust that it will achieve a roaring success in the years to come. Akshaya Nath Your July issue was a cut above everything else in the market. From the content to the feel of the magazine, it was classy and elegant. Continue the good work! Rohit Lakhiani I'm writing in to appreciate the Travel story. Latvia has not been covered by many and I'm glad that you did. I recently visited Riga and your story made it easier for me to make my to-do! Would like to have more uncommon travel destinations cover. Thomas Jacob
Rohini Manian
Editor-in-Chief
DEEPA KALUKURI managing Editor Anupama arvinD vice president – business strategy Prem Kumar Creative Head |
Ankita s Graphic designer
V Ramkumar vice president – Finance Liliana silva | ARJUN basu | dr. marshall goldsmith | SAKSHI KRISH | Rukmini vyas | preeti verma lal | | suraksha bhatla acharya | Contributors Chennai (Headquarters) 5, 3rd Main Road, R A Puram, Chennai – 600028 Telefax +91-44-24617902 E-mail culturamaliving@globaladjustments.com Bengaluru No.: A2, SPL Habitat, No.138, Gangadhar Chetty Road, Ulsoor, Bengaluru – 560043. Tel +91-80-41267152, E-mail culturamablr@globaladjustments.com Published and owned by Rohini manian at #5, 3rd Main Road, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai – 600028, and printed by K Srinivasan of Srikals Graphics Pvt Ltd at #5, Balaji Nagar, 1st Street, Ekkattuthangal, Chennai – 600032 Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed by writers do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s or the magazine’s.
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September - October 2017
Delhi-NCR Level 4, Augusta Point, Golf Course Road, Sector 53, Gurgaon 122002, Haryana Mobile +91 124 435 4224 E-mail del@globaladjustments.com Mumbai #1102, 11th floor, Peninsula Business Park, Tower B, SB Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai – 400013 Tel +91-22-66879366 E-mail mum@globaladjustments.com
September - October 2017
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INSIDE
this issue 14
Swoony-Moon Destinations
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From Dreams to Reality
Take your love to the World's most romantic destinations
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'Wed-sites' that all couples need to download ASAP!
A Stitch the Brid in Time for e in Line New-ag es
t re n d s
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32 Royal Aisles & A Million Smilesto Grace Kelly;
tylists talk ab out the of 201 bridal 7
Design The Life You Love Dr. Marshall Goldsmith's simple yet powerful advice for custom-made life
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The Fitness Vow! Get set for the D-day!
lizabeth From Queen E dings' Fat Royal Wed A look at 'Big
Anita Dongre - The Queen of Brides
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The celebrated designer talks about designing dreams
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September - October 2017
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The Wedding Glow 101 Experts tell us how to bring in the bridal glow!
September - October 2017
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Small Talk
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September - October 2017
Anita Dongre
The Queen of
Brides When she started on a journey to design dreams two decades ago, little did she know that she will be bringing smiles to thousands of brides waiting to walk down the aisle! In a conversation with Rohini Manian, Anita Dongre relives her success story and takes us back to how she took on a path which is now all set to take on the world.
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Small Talk
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September - October 2017
A
Small Talk nita Dongre's collection of bridal couture over the years has made her a global icon. Her name is synonymous with fairtytales and gorgeous bridal wear. From a humble start to being every bride's dream designer, she continues to capture our hearts. As she tops our list of most-talented bridal designers, she
takes us through her beautiful journey.
From your 300 sq. ft. store in Mumbai to the latest flagship stores in SoHo. How did you change as a designer? The brands and I have evolved with the Indian woman. When I started with AND, it was to address the need of women seeking affordable and smart western wear. Keeping the modern Indian woman as our constant muse, the bridal couture label and Global Desi were also started to be a part of the various roles that Indian women play today. And finally, Anita Dongre Grassroot commenced with the idea of bringing Indian heritage crafts into mainstream fashion. Our move to New York with Anita Dongre Grassroot was to take these beautiful Indian crafts on a global front with truly unique yet wearable luxury prêt.
When you started out with your own label in 1995, what was that one difference between your designs and the others that set it apart? Back then, there weren’t many designers making affordable yet stylish western wear. I remember that women who were seeking smart western clothing which they could wear in the day and also for dinner meetings that followed–it would be usually something they have shopped while travelling abroad. AND brought that genre of clothing closer to these women.
Do you remember the first time you believed that you wanted to design your dream couture? What inspired you the most? Conventional bridal wear was always heavy and elaborate at that time. The silhouettes were typically traditional and colour palette was predictable. Brides often seemed weighed down and restricted by their wedding wear. I wanted to design bridal wear which was beautiful yet light and traditional yet flattering—ensembles that signified effortless luxury.
Tell us what’s your dream wedding look for a bride of 2017? Among my favourites this season is our emerald green lehenga from Tree Of Love—a collection paying homage to the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan. Their spiritual reverence for nature and all things living inspired the key motif of our winter collection—a flourishing tree, offering shade, shelter and nourishment to its land. My designs September - October 2017
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Small Talk are for the Indian woman of today who believes in effortless luxury. She joins in the celebrations at her wedding day and enjoys every bit of it. For that, I like to keep bridal couture as light and comfortable as it is beautiful and luxurious. All our lehengas have pockets. In this collection, we've tweaked the traditional Japanese obi belt to style the ensemble in a way that the dupatta drape allows easy movement. An heirloom-like statement piece of jewellery, like a classic ‘Jadau’ necklace is perfect for this outfit.
When there are so many wedding labels to choose from, millions of brides have chosen your label for their D-day. How did you manage to capture their hearts even after such stiff competition? We are constantly reinventing our designs to suit modern brides and yet we stay true to our aesthetic. Brides who come to us are looking for something that will make them look beautiful and feel comfortable on their wedding day—something versatile, functional and lightweight with an urban feel which our designs truly represent. And also, it’s not only about buying an outfit but it is the luxury and experience of owning a bespoke piece of couture.
Who is that one fashion icon from history you would have loved to dress? Maharani Gayatri Devi. She wore fashion with dignity and elicited inimitable style. Over these two decades have brides changed when it comes to choosing their bridal wear? What was the most favourite then and what is in trend for brides today? What a bride chooses to wear is very personal. Young brides these days don’t just follow trends, but they follow their hearts. They don’t shy away from unconventional colours like powder blue, orange or even white. And a touch of modernity in their traditional wear appeals to them because it reflects their personality. We read that your main intention behind Anita Dongre Grassroot was to secure India’s rich textile and craft heritage for future generations. How was it to bring such a warm and earthy collection together? Anita Dongre Grassroot is a curation of Indian 12
September - October 2017
Small Talk craft stories that presents easy styles for every day. Handwoven fabrics, adorned with traditional handcraft, are seen in a truly universal light, as new silhouettes and fresh design with a global appeal take centre-stage. They embody the best of many worlds, whilst continuing to empower the artisans who safeguard these priceless traditions. The greatest learning through Anita Dongre Grassroot has been that handcrafts take time, they won’t submit to a schedule. Every piece of fabric weaved, block printed or embroidered is done by a group of artisans who give it the time and attention it deserves. In respecting the care that goes into each piece these villages produce, each season is broken down into months, delivering product as they come in, giving fashion the slow, steadfast care it deserves.
Online sales soared after the Duchess of Cambridge wore your design. Is there a story behind her choosing that particular outfit? Her stylist emailed us and we sent her a look book, then she came in and got some pieces for fittings. But it was a real surprise. I was at home when I saw the pictures and was so delighted. The stylist has taken the stole and converted part of that into the belt and then chopped it off so it can be worn as a dress. She looked beautiful. I’ve always admired her sense of style. My clothes stand for a certain feminine elegance—I think she does the same.
September marks Fall/Winter season and quite a favourite with wedding parties. What should be an ideal bridal wear for a bride getting married this year? The top trend this season is individuality and styling clothes to represent who you are. Try something different; apart from the traditional red and pinks, emerald green is a lovely and an unconventional colour. This season, we have introduced obi belts, fully embroidered jackets and frills to the couture line for brides to bring newness and add an instant spark of energy to their wedding look. Also, I love the traditional ‘Maangtika’ on a bride. It’s like a finishing touch to the whole bridal ensemble. Most importantly, I feel brides must follow their hearts and wear what makes them feel special. September - October 2017
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Tripster
‘Swoony-Moon’
Forever A beach, a red sky painted with sunset and two lovers with
a promise of a lifetime; honeymoon is a start to a lifetime of memories and companionship. Honeymoons are meant to be a true reflection of two hearts coming together and escaping to a universe of their own. Liliana Silva lists out some of the most sought after destinations to swoon over.
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Tripster
The Fairytale Finesse Orlando, Florida
Are you ever too old to believe in fairytales? Orlando is home to more than a dozen theme parks so relive all your childhood dreams as your fantasies come to life in this part of the USA. But fortunately, the masses of theme parks is not all Orlando is known for; if you and your loved one fancy a different kind of unwinding, the city is also home to world class spas, high end stores and cosmopolitan wine bars. Stay: Choose the Four Seasons Resort Orlando- Florida, USA, which combines the luxury element of Four Seasons and the enchanting nature of Disney. Make the resort your base for your fairytale adventure as it is situated within the gates of Walt Disney World Resort, so you’re surely guaranteed a happy ending. Best time of year to visit: Visit between March and May. 16
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Tripster
The Gastronomes Naples, Italy If you are foodies looking for a break of the finest, wine-ing and dining experiences, head out to Naples. This area of Italy is known for its plentiful natural produce and mixed with the Italians’ creativity; you know Neapolitan cuisine will leave all your taste buds tingling. And if you’re still not convinced on a gastronomic delight for a honeymoon, we leave you with three words; pizza, gelato and prosecco! Need we say more? Stay: The Grand Hotel Vesuvio in Naples has a long history of celebrity guests and if it was good enough for Grace Kelly & Ranieri di Monaco, it is definitely good enough for us. This iconic 5-star resort overlooking the Naples seafront, boasts of old charm mixed with modern day comfort and of course, the Caruso, its popular rooftop garden restaurant, is also to die for. Best time of year to visit: All year round.
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Tripster
The Adventure Junkies Bali, Indonesia
For the couples who want to start their marriage adventure, Bali will surely satisfy all your risky cravings. Whether your idea of a thrill is parasailing over the Tanjung Benoa waters or you’d prefer getting acquainted with Bali’s sea life by scuba diving in Menjangan Island, you’ll be sure to satisfy your thirst for fun. Stay: We recommend The St. Regis Bali Resort in Nusa Dua- Bali, Indonesia. This award winning resort will leave you with its breathtaking scenery and array of watersports. Best time of year to visit: Jet off between June and July.
The Nature Chums
Cape town, South Africa If you both want to escape from the buzz of life, head to Cape Town in South Africa. Escape to your very own natural oasis, where you can choose to trek up Table Mountain for glorious views, get friendly with penguins on Boulders Beach or even be transported to a haven of tranquility in Kirstenboch Gardens. But that is not all, it wouldn’t be an African honeymoon without an African Safari, so make sure you make time for the Big Five. Stay: Tucked away at the foot of Table Mountain, the MannaBay Fine Boutique Hotel will welcome you like royalty with its magnificent accommodation. With only 8 exclusive rooms, the resort features incredible views of the Mother City and a literal gate into the the Table Mountain National Park. Best time of year to visit: All year round.
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Tripster
The Touristy Lovers London, England
Steeped in historic sights and architectural
The Beach Beaus Negril, Jamaica
legends, London is ideal for gallivanting lovebirds who never want to run out of things to gaze their eyes upon. Spend your days photographing those typically touristy memories, take romantic afternoon strolls in Hyde Park and don’t forget to salute Big Ben for us. Also, in need of inspiration for postdinner cocktails? Book The Shard, London’s highest viewpoint, featuring dazzling views of this iconic city and guaranteed to get those date-night butterflies going.
Nothing evokes romance like feeling as if you have just escaped to your very own private paradise; with its mystic rivers, pearly white sandy beaches and laid-back culture, you can truly revel in the best of island life in Negril. Labelled ‘Capital of Casual’ by locals, this part of the country is our very own idea of beach bliss; take a dip in one of Negril’s waterfalls, watch the sun go down over the West End part
Stay: Right in between Piccadilly and Green Park, the
of Negril and make sure you take a trek over to
Ritz London has been inspiring hoteliers since 1906.
Negril’s Cliffs for a dive.
Experience true British service at this world renowned hotel where warmth, professionalism and opulence are all part of the package. Best time of year to visit: Visit between April and September if you want to avoid sightseeing in the rain.
Stay: We suggest the Sandals Negril Beach Resort. This couples only 5 star facility boasts of luxe amenities and is perfect for your beach relaxation holiday. Best time of year to visit: All year around, but avoid October as it is hurricane season.
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Tripster
The Art Admirers Paris, France
We know this city needs no introduction as ‘love central’ but with over 150 museums, Paris is a treat for the art loving couple. Visit the Louvre to appreciate Mona Lisa, take a walk in the grounds of Musee Rodin to be enamoured by The Thinker and pop over to Musee d’Orsay to admire the world’s best showcase of impressionist paintings, which include works by legends such as Van Cogh and JeanFrancois Millet. But before you leave this romantic part of France, be sure to also take a tour of Belleville and Canal St Martin, which with emerging artists springing up all over the place, are also evolving to be the energetic hub for “tomorrow’s Claude Monet’s”. Stay: We recommend the Shangri-la Hotel, a true reflection of the French ‘Art de Vivre’ mixed with unmatchable Asian hospitality. Fun fact, this top luxury hotel was previously home to Prince Roland Bonaparte, so the residence is appropriately grand with magnificent views of the Eiffel Tower, detailed ceiling murals and 2 Michelin Star restaurants. Best time of year to visit: All year around.
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September - October 2017
Craft a break AD
September - October 2017
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Techiela
From
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September - October 2017
To
Techiela
Every bride and groom-to-be has their own idea of an ideal wedding, but what about all the work that goes into making it
M
arriages may be decided in heaven but the planning and organising is done in your home. With growing
expectations and higher standards being set at each wedding, it would be a big help if all the
a reality? Rukmini Vyas reviews
relevant information were available in one place
some ‘wedsites’ that make the
big day (and all the other occasions tagged to
planning easier and take you several steps closer to making that dream come true.
The Bridal Box
www.thebridalbox.com
Acting like a virtual bridesmaid, The Bridal Box is a compendium of information of literally everything related to weddings. The handy ‘Vendor’ tab on the home page lists information for every service – from photographers, make-up artists, venues and caterers to choreographers, DJs, pandits and bakers. With relevant filters such as city, budget and type of service required, it makes it easier for the planner-in-charge to pick and choose as needed. The other tabs, such as ‘Planning’, ‘Attire & Grooming’ and ‘Engagement Rings & Jewellery’ include articles on trending styles and tips. Articles that touch on the love stories of Indian actors and sports stars, international wedding trends, and pieces on love and life make for interesting reading if you are taking a break from perusing trends and making lists.
– so that you can curate the right mix for your it). With this in mind, here are some of the top sites that contain a plethora of choices and information – all you have to do is click and pick!
Shopzters
www.shopzters.com
Talk about creating your ‘dream look’ – from the attire to the venue – and Shopzter will take you from inspiration to reality. Check out quirky ideas in the ‘Inspirations’ page, browse the ‘blog’ for a quick look at the trending topics, and click through snapshots from real life weddings – of celebrities and others – and pick your favourite ideas. Wedding planning tools such as ‘Vendor Management’ and ‘Inspirational Boards’ are useful and fun ways of keeping all your ideas and information in one place. And if you are hooked onto something, click over and see the vendor’s details right away.
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Techiela
The Wedding Brigade
www.theweddingbrigade.com
Too busy? Too little time? Too tired to step out? For those who prefer to do all their work through the clicks of a mouse, The Wedding Brigade would come as a blessing. From ordering the bridal trousseau to jewellery, to finalising the venue and photographer, everything can be done online through this site. With the added feature of a wedding concierge that will help you traverse the maze of information, this site is ideal for tech-savvy and/or timestarved brides and grooms. The ‘Blog’ presents a pick of articles on trends that cover almost every query a bride-to-be might have, while the online shop is like a candy store for those who love retail therapy. Take note: The services (such as venues, make-up, photography and invitations) are restricted to major cities in North India.
Ezwed
www.ezwed.in
Ezwed’s homepage is a smorgasbord of images – so it is easy to lose sight of their actual offerings and be drawn into browsing ideas and trends. The website is geared towards South Indian weddings, and the vendor services are limited to South Indian cities. It has a good mix of features; Vendor listings for everything from make-up to photography, the option of creating a website where you can share your story and share the link with near and dear, and a blog that has posts from members on their own weddings as well as articles on tips and trends. The ‘Real Wedding’ segment has digital albums uploaded by people from their own weddings, and would be a good place to peruse for ideas. While the mix of Christian and Hindu wedding ideas was refreshing, the drawback was that the number of choices under the services mentioned seemed limited. 24
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ADVERTISEMENT
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Couture
A Stitch in Time for the Bride in Line! 26
September - October 2017
From lace gowns to embroidered lehengas; a bride’s choice of attire for her big day is often the most difficult task. When you see your older cousins tie the knot as a teenager, you always believe that someday, whether you find your prince charming or not, you have got to find that perfect dress! Deepa Kalukuri talks to stylists and new-age designers on what a millennial bride chooses for her big-day!
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Couture
Photo: Instagram (@mirandakerr) What are brides wearing this year? Whether it’s an outdoor wedding or an indoor wedding, your wedding couture has to be in sync with the groom’s, the décor and the bridesmaids. When Miranda Kerr married Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel in Los Angeles earlier this year, her wedding gown was the talk of the town. In a recent interview, she said that her gown was inspired from Grace Kelly’s wedding dress. She roped in Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri and what followed will go down in history.
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Speaking about her choice of dress, New Yorkbased stylist Vivienne D. Li says, “Many brides are now choosing a traditional gown with long trains and corset cuts. The bridal headpieces were a huge trend back in the 50s and guess what? With Miranda Kerr’s choice of this headpiece, it’s back in trend. If you also see what Anne Hathaway wore, you’ll know that slowly this trend is making a comeback.” Swarovski’s heiress Victoria Swarovski
Miranda spoke of her dress and said that she wanted
literally sent the internet into frenzy. She married
it to be surrounded with mystery and a sense of
Werner Murz, a Munich-based businessman in
purity. Miranda wanted a fairytale dress for her
the gorgeous city of Trieste, Italy. No prizes for
fairytale wedding and this Dior creation is just what
guessing which designer dressed her for her big
she needed. Appliqued with lilies of the valley and
day! Remember when Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
a long satin skirt, the gown was the colour of white
graced the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival
butter and she wore it with a gorgeous headpiece.
this year, the fashion police and the tabloids
September - October 2017
Couture were stunned with her princess-cut gown? It was a Michael Cinco designed dress and that’s who Victoria chose for her dream wedding too. According to some reports, the dress weighed 100 pounds and cost her a whopping 900,000 Euros. Of course the dress was adorned with countless Swarovski crystals. “Victoria Swasrovski’s wedding gown is undoubtedly the best this year. As I mentioned earlier, brides of today are going back to their roots. Victoria Swarovski predictably went for Michael Cinco and who else can do a princess gown better than him?” says Vivienne. Another bride who stunned the world of fashion this year was Lionel Messi’s gorgeous wife Antonella Roccuzzo. She looked like a dream in a plunging white Rosa Clara gown. It was a mermaid dress and the Spanish designer custom made it to suit Antonella’s killer curves. The figure-hugging halter gown had a stunning panel of shimmery lace flowing down her waistline. Applauding her mermaid gown, Vivienne says, “After looking at all these brides of 2017, I can bet, lace is a millennial favourite. Also, many brides in New York City are looking for pockets on their gowns. Why would you not want pockets anyway?”
2017 Indian bridal trends! In India, brides have chosen to fuse their good old Indian fabrics with modern cuts. Many brides this year chose to wear traditional lehengas and sarees for the wedding ceremony; however, for their reception parties they went all out with an Indowestern outfit. Manish Malhotra’s bridal collection this year is all about the modern Indian bride who chooses traditional yet modern number. At the recent Lakme Fashion Show, Gaurang Shah, Manoj Aggarwal and Jayanti Reddy presented a more traditional bridal collection. Mumbai-based fashion stylist and social media influencer Hemal Ved has over 57,000 followers on Instagram and when she tied the knot this year, her choice of wedding couture was of interest to many. Speaking of new age Indian brides she says, “I’m a minimalist and like less jewellery, hence I chose a simple lehenga from Anita Dongre’s Benarasi collection and I believe individual choices influence wedding couture even today. Most of the brides this year took an inspiration from Bollywood and that’s the trend they’ll follow for the upcoming wedding
Photo: Victoria Swarovski
season too, in my opinion.”
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Couture
trends, but also paved way for new age designers. Manish Malhotra’s latest collection at the ICW was breathtaking.
Photo: Instagram (@sabyasachiofficial)
His showstoppers, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh dazzled in shimmery numbers. Shimmer and metallic hues are a huge trend this season; take cue from these looks of Manish Malhotra’s collection. Sabyasachi Mukherjee To be a Sabyasachi bride is one of the best feelings, since he managed to steal our hearts for the past decade. His latest collection, ‘The Hazarbuti Document’ has not only brought back Benarasi Mughal 'butis', but
What ruled the ‘Shaadi’ ramp this year? Manish Malhotra The recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week and Indian Couture Week have not only given us the best and the latest bridal
also traditional designs back on the forefront. Sabyasachi’s 'Devi collection' is also a huge trend amongst brides this season and it sticks to the traditional Indian designs.
Deepa Kalukuri is the Managing Editor of LIVING and an alumna of Asian College of Journalism. She's a Mumbaikar and a Hyderabadi who loves the Nizami charm, Irani chai and a spicy Vada Pav at the Marine Drive. 30
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The Big Picture
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September - October 2017
The Big Picture
Royal Aisles &A Million Smiles! No matter how modern we may become, all things royal hold a special place of interest for us – royal weddings, more so. In that spirit, Yamini Vasudevan looks back at some of the iconic royal weddings from history.
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The Big Picture
A
nd they lived happily ever after…Ah, the words that have formed the perfect ending to
many a childhood fairytale. Given that they usually follow the scene of a wedding – or at least the kiss that seals the promise of marriage – it is little wonder that weddings are seen as the markers of grand new beginnings. Whether the wedding vows will hold as good as they claim is another question; the occasion of holy matrimony is enough to warrant pomp, splendour and ostentation. Throw in the word ‘royal’ and it’s like sprinkling some fairy dust on the whole affair. From the bride-to-be’s attire to the Who’s Who on the invitee list, every bit of information is eagerly seized, scrutinised and commented upon. In fact, everyone who has lived through the time of a royal wedding would feel as if they, too, were part of it. In this spirit, we relive some of the iconic royal weddings of the previous century and this one.
Queen Elizabeth II of England, and Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh One of the oldest surviving royal marriages is that of Queen Elizabeth II of England and Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh. The duo met as teenagers in 1939 – when 18-year-old Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, a cadet at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England, was asked to escort 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret when they accompanied their father, King George VI to college. What followed was friendship between Elizabeth and Philip, which blossomed into love. 34
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The Big Picture Philip gave up his Greek citizenship, Greek and Danish royal titles, and took on the family name of ‘Mountbatten’ (from his maternal grandparents; his uncle, Lord Mountbatten, was the last British Viceroy of India) to marry Elizabeth. The wedding, which was held on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey, was recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio to 200 million people around the world. Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown had a 13-foot long bridal train, and was decorated with crystals and 10,000 seed pearls. Due to post-war austerity measures, the Princess had to use clothing ration coupons to pay for her dress. The government allowed her 200 extra coupons, and bridesto-be from across the country sent her hundreds of coupons as well (she had to return the gifted coupons as it was illegal to use them). In an unusual crisis, the Princess’ tiara snapped just before the wedding, and the crown jeweller was rushed with a police escort to his workroom; he fixed it in time for the ceremony.
Prince Rainier III of Monaco, and Grace Kelly Hollywood star and Academy Award winner Grace Kelly met Monaco’s Prince Rainier III in April 1955, when Grace headed the American delegation at the Cannes Film Festival, and was invited to participate in a photo session at the Palace of Monaco with the Prince. In December that year, Rainier went to America on an official tour, but it was rumoured that he was seeking a wife. At a press conference in the United States, when asked if he were pursuing a wife, he answered, “No”. When asked, “If you were pursuing a wife, what kind would you like?”, he smiled and answered, “I don't know – the best.” While in America, Rainier met Kelly and her family. After three days, he proposed; she accepted. The couple wed in a civil ceremony on April 18, and then in a religious ceremony the following day. On April 19, the world watched as Grace made her way to Monaco’s Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Her wedding gown – one of the most famous wedding gowns of all time – was made from 300
seamstresses. This, and the dress she had worn the previous day (a two-piece pink taffeta dress overlaid with champagne-coloured lace), were made by hand in MGM’s studio ateliers, and were given as a wedding gift by her studio bosses.
Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer When Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana
yards of antique Belgian lace and 150 yards of silk,
Spencer wed at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, an
taffeta and tulle, and was created by 30 studio
estimated 750 million people watched the ceremony September - October 2017
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The Big Picture worldwide (the number rose to a billion when the radio audience was included). Around two million spectators lined the route of Diana’s procession to the Cathedral. A memorable image from the wedding is Diana’s wedding dress. With a 25-foot train, it was made from ivory taffeta and antique lace (which had belonged to Queen Mary), and decorated with hand-embroidery, sequins and 10,000 pearls. The train posed problems as the designers did not realise earlier that it would not fit properly into the glass coach that Diana and her father would ride in. Hence, it was crushed and showed visible wrinkles by the time Diana arrived at the Cathedral.
Prince Naruhito of Japan, and Crown Princess Masako Owada Crown Prince Naruhito first met Masako Owada in 1986, when she was a student at the University of Tokyo. Later, Masako went to Balliol College, Oxford, and undertook a career in
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The Big Picture
She refused two marriage proposals from Prince Naruhito as a royal marriage would restrict her career and freedom. diplomacy. She refused two marriage proposals from Prince Naruhito as a royal marriage would restrict her career and freedom. Undaunted, the Prince continued to woo her – and she accepted his third proposal in December 1992. The couple wed on June 9, 1993, at the Kashikodokoro, the Shinto shrine of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and mythological ancestress of the Imperial Family. Masako was dressed in a twelve-layered, 30-pound silk kimono with a white silk brocade train. It took her three hours to put it on. Naruhito wore a flowing robe of bright orange that represented the rising sun – which only a Crown Prince can wear. Both their costumes dated back to the eighth-century Heia Era.
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania When Prince Abdullah met Rania Al Yassin in August 1992 at a dinner party, “it was love at first sight” for both. They were engaged soon after in January 1993 and wed on June 10, 1993. (At the time of their marriage, Abdullah was not Crown Prince; in February 1999, Abdullah was anointed King of Jordan, and Rania the Queen.) For her wedding, Rania wore a dress that drew inspiration from Syrian designs exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Her voluminous gown included gold detailing, and lapels, short sleeves and a large belt. Her elaborate hairdo was to cause some problems, though As she later recalled, “When my brotherin-law, Prince Faisal, picked me up in a vintage car, its ceiling was so low, and my hair was so high, my head jammed and I couldn’t move my neck.”
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway and Mette-Marit Tjessen Hoiby The marriage between Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Mette-Marit Tjessen Hoiby (held on August 25, 2001 in Oslo) was a departure from tradition in more ways than one. To start
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The Big Picture
with, Mette-Marit did not come from a royal family, and was a single mother as well. The couple also cohabited for a while, which was frowned upon by Norway’s conservative church. On the day of the wedding, the groom waited outside the door of the church and not inside the cathedral with his best man. When the bride arrived, the couple walked up to the altar together. Behind them walked Marius, Mette-Marit’s four-year-old son, who was the bride’s pageboy.
Mette-Marit’s dress, made of heavy silk crepe, was simple but elegant; she also wore an antique tiara that was a present from her parents-in-law. Rather than carrying a traditional bouquet, she carried a long garland of leaves, with purple and white flowers woven among them.
Maharaja Yaduveer Chamraja Krishnadatta Wodeyar of Mysore, and Trishika Kumari of Rajasthan On June 27, 2016, Maharaja Yaduveer Chamraja Krishnadatta Wodeyar (the titular head of the Wodeyar dynasty) married Trishika Kumari from the erstwhile Dungarpur dynasty of Rajasthan. The wedding was held in the royal palace of Mysore in an elaborate traditional ceremony – a special event as a royal wedding was held in the palace after four decades. The invitees included 50 royal families from across the country, Wodeyar’s relatives and other dignitaries.
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The Big Picture
Prince William of England and Catherine Middleton One of the most popular events of the new millennium, the royal wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middletone, took place on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London.
Catherine’s bridal dress was made of
The occasion was a public holiday in the United Kingdom and events were held around the Commonwealth to mark the wedding; over 5,000 street parties were held throughout the United Kingdom,
satin and featured an
and one million people lined the route between Westminster Abbey
overlaid lace bodice
millions more around the world, including 72 million live streams
and appliqued skirt.
and Buckingham Palace. The ceremony was viewed live by tens of on YouTube. Catherine’s bridal dress was made of satin and featured an overlaid lace bodice and appliqued skirt. The veil was held in place by a Cartier Scroll Tiara, made in 1936 and lent to her by the Queen.
Yamini Vasudevan is the former Managing Editor of Living/writer at Culturama, The Hindu Business Line and Harper's Bazaar (Singapore). September - October 2017
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Brand Me
Design the life you love With such fast-paced lifestyles and
social media citizenship, it seldom occurs to us that taking a breath and assessing our lives is as important as the race for winning. When do you decide if you should live the way you are living or design it for a better tomorrow? Dr. Marshall Goldsmith narrates one such story and puts the ball in your court to do what’s right for a 40
September - October 2017
happy future.
A
Brand Me s we wander through life, there are
you “used to be” gets old very fast. And after the
various stages where it’s a natural point
third cruise, most former leaders are ready to kill the
to stop, reflect, and assess where we are
entertainment director.
and where we might be headed next. For
instance, when we’re starting our first job, when the kids are leaving for college, or when we’re about to retire, these are stages of life when we can look at where we’ve been, think about where we’re going, and reflect on what really matters in life. Of course we don’t have to wait until one of these life-changing transitions. We can reflect on our lives and what we want out of them any time. You’re never too old or too young to look at designing (or redesigning) your life. And, it’s never too late or too early to create the life you want! A point at which a lot of people do not reflect on their lives and what really matters is when they are retiring. This is why you’ll see people retire and change their minds and come back to work. Remember when Brett Favre retired (in 2008)? After announcing his retirement, Brett Favre was
Many executives who ‘retire’ immediately proceed to drive their spouses crazy. After a month or so, Brett’s wife was probably thrilled at the idea of his going back to football. One retired military leader reported that – after three months of retirement – he was alphabetizing the cans in the kitchen. When he asked his wife if ‘baked beans’ should be placed under ‘BA’ for ‘baked’ or ‘BE’ for beans, she screamed, “Get out!” A CEO friend of my family’s sold his business for millions of dollars. He was about Mr. Favre’s age. When I expressed grave doubts about his ability to successfully retire, he scoffed and assured me that he was different than the other leaders I had worked with. Within a few months, his wife had gotten a job selling dresses. (Hint, hint.) His kids were away at college. (Uh oh.) He was sitting at home watching sitcoms when the delivery guy came over. They had
asked, “What are some things that you are looking
a very interesting chat. It was so interesting that he
forward to doing?”
smiled and thought, “That was great! In fact, talking
“Nothing,” he replied. “And I am going to stick to that until I do something else.” This was an extremely bad sign of the potential for Mr. Favre having a successful retirement. In my job as an executive coach, I have spent a lot of time with leaders who are dealing with retirement. While some make the transition pretty
with the delivery guy was the highlight of my week!” He started looking for another job the next day.
Creating a Great Rest of Your Life •
rest of your life, there are three questions
well, for many it is a disaster. I am a little surprised that Brett lasted as long as he did. The fact is, after being a huge success in a career that has brought benefits like leadership, relationships, contribution, meaning and happiness, playing mediocre golf with a bunch of old men at the country club isn’t really that great. Eating the same chicken salad sandwich, at the same table, and talking with a bunch of retired folks about the person
When you are preparing to create a great you need to ask yourself:
•
How will I contribute?
•
Does this have meaning to me?
•
Will this make me happy?
•
If you can answer these three questions to your own satisfaction, you are on your way to designing a life you will love!
Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the million-selling author of the New York Times bestsellers MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There – the Harold Longman Award winner for Business Book of the Year. Article courtesy: http://www.marshallgoldsmith.com September - October 2017
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Skin Deep
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The Wedding Glow 101 Skin Deep
As the chime of wedding bells grow louder and nearer, the bride and groom do all in
their power to make sure that everything pans out impeccably for the picture perfect day. And along with all the other preparations in full-swing, a bride’s skin care climbs up to becoming the top priority. Sakshi Krish speaks to two renowned health, nutrition and skincare specialists, Ms. Smitha Shetty and Dr. Deepika Lunawat, on how to achieve that luminescent wedding glow. September - October 2017
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Skin Deep
Eating Right At the end of the day, it all comes down to having the right kind of foods in the right amounts. Maintaining a low calorie and high protein diet, consistently over a period of time, helps increase your metabolism and improves blood circulation, making your skin lustrous and healthy. These diets would involve consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables everyday, in order to help detox your system and get rid of unwanted fats and oils from your body. A healthy amount of physical activity is known to have tremendous effects on your skin and overall state of mind. Ms. Smitha Shetty recommends that exercising or doing a physical activity like dancing or yoga with your partner can improve your mood and maintain your stress levels.
Skin Tight And Bright The earlier one starts their skin-care routine, the better and more longlasting is the final outcome. For people with specific epidermal issues like acne or pigmentation, it’s best suggested that they begin their skincare procedures 6 months prior to the wedding. As recommended by Dr. Deepika, a microdermabrasion peel can be used every fortnight or once in three weeks, to help polish your skin and provide a healthy and even tone. This procedure is particularly helpful with pigmentation problems and stimulates skin cell and collagen production, which gives a smooth and youthful appearance. Not only is using a microdermabrasion peel a preferred alternative by people with sensitive skin, it can also be administered on any body part. The use of a glycolic acid peel is also often recommended to help you gain an even and luscious skin tone.
Daily DOs & DON’Ts Drinking 2.5 litres of water per day clears your entire body of toxins and keeps your skin glowing and succulent. Applying a hydrating face mask regularly also helps reduce the risk of acne and blemishes, making your skin less oily and smooth. A neem water mix acts as an effective and natural antiseptic for your entire body and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and cool. A quick hydrating party peel is also best recommended two days before the official day. But with only a few days leading up to the wedding, it’s critical to ensure that you don’t experiment with or try out any new cosmetics and makeup products as they tend to make your skin react harshly and give rise to allergies.
An ardent book reader, a track runner and writer who adds the much need quirk to her stories; Sakshi Krish enjoys writing over a cup of Madras kaapi all the way in the charming city of Pune. 44
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Health Wise
The Fitness
Vow! A toned and a fit body always hand
go
with
hand-in-
risquĂŠ
bridal couture. Fitting into a
wedding dress is
a top priority for many brides and majority of them take to last minute crash diets which not only affect their physical health, but also drain them emotionally. So how and what do you do if you want to decode the fitness journal? Arjun Basu, a Chennai-based fitness expert, Ace
and Asca Level -
I certified trainer takes us through a D-day journal for a bride-to-be. 46
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Health Wise
Expert Advice
Fitness 101
• Losing weight is a process that many
• An ideal nutrition plan must be followed that can
people struggle to achieve or to remain
be sustained over a long period of time or even
disciplined for a period of time. We have
adopted as a permanent lifestyle change. We can
seen many diets being followed called
start with 3 proper meals a day with all the macro
shortcuts such as ketosis, intermittent
and micro nutrients in each meal with minimally
fasting, metabolic type and many more.
processed, packaged and tinned food, high in
That’s exactly what’s wrong with their
bioavailability, which give satisfaction, fullness
fitness goals! Nothing comes easy and
and fiber in each meal which take care our gut
quick and they really need to know that
health. Our gut health is very important as it is
before they plan their goals. The planning
referred to as the second brain in our body.
should be done at least six months in advance; however, I suggest that your fitness should be your lifestyle. • Weddings can be extremely stressful and it’s important that along with physical fitness, the bride and the groom are mentally ready to take their vow. If their fitness levels aren’t up to their expectations, it could hinder their joy. That’s one of the reasons why brides and grooms take up shortcuts as mentioned above. They are caught up with wedding plans and seldom realise how important it
• A daily health drink which is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids is purifying to the body. Fresh vegetable juices are ideal for a healthy diet. • Our body works with the circadian rhythm in which the healing and repairing hormone secrete during the night and works during the daytime, hence a proper sleep of 6-8 hours is essential to achieve the ideal weight. • Our bodies contain 70% of water so good hydration helps us perform better in our day to day activities as well as support substantial weight loss.
is for their D-day. • Simple lifestyle changes such as our
It really is not rocket science and complicating
sleeping pattern, hydration, what we
your lifestyle with different suggestions and diets
eat? Where we eat? And how we eat!
won’t work in your favour. It’s best to keep it simple
One should not complicate their fitness
and adopt it for life. After all, good health never goes
journals and just follow the simple rule.
out of fashion.
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Table for Two
A Ballet of
Spices Avartana, ITC Grand Chola
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F
Table for Two rom coconut-inspired lamps to banana leaf motifs on the carpet, ITC’s Avartana takes you to a world of wonder and nostalgia. When you dine at this modern South Indian
restaurant, you are bound to remember those good old recipes of your grandma, all in a contemporary ambience presented in a fun, new-age style. From distilled tomato rasam to vathakuzhambu served in test tubes, this is a new way to eat. Even as we recover from the mesmerising surprise of a wonderful experiment gone right, more delicious South Indian dishes designed like modern art arrives our way. Launched on March 17, 2017, Avartana took two years to conceptualise and breaks all the rules of traditional south Indian way of cooking. Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Avarthan’, meaning rhythm, mysticism and magic, the restaurant takes innovative South Indian cuisine to the global stage. Senior Executive Chef and Chennai’s beloved, Chef Ajit Bangera is the mastermind behind the experimental food revolution at the ITC Grand Chola. He designed a menu after trying, experimenting and inventing new ways of cooking techniques. He says with a content smile, “When we started planning the menu for Avartana two years ago, I wanted to make sure that, though it would be a South Indian restaurant, the recipes should be unique and something that no one has heard of before. I’m glad we were able to bring together this menu which celebrates the traditional South Indian food from across all five states.”
in your mouth as you savour this delicacy. If you are a meat lover, this place is a paradise! Lamb brain fritters with semolina crisp sides, coriander shrimp dumplings, spicy pork dumpling and grilled betel leaf chicken are a must have. Chef Harish Rao visits us from beyond one-ofits-kind open kitchen and brings the much-awaited dessert, Fennel Panna Cotta in Angel Hair! As you see the artistically designed dessert arrive, your senses are overwhelmed with the presentation! It melts in your mouth and defines absolute perfection. We conclude the evening with some cocktails and refreshing frozen Paan served in liquid nitrogen! The staff is another huge asset to the evenings spent at Avartana. They will smile, welcome and treat you as royalty! Make way for this new-age South Indian luxury dining for your next family gathering or a just indulge in some fine dining experience. Avartana is open for dinner from 7 pm-11 pm. Price for two – INR 2000 onwards
The first item that comes on my table is the distilled tomato rasam served in a Martini glass. Now that’s what sets Avartana apart. The rasam is tangy yet fine without a trace of tomato pulp. Chef Bangera says, “We do not extract the pulp directly. It’s a process and at the end of which we turn it into fine liquid which is served as a luxury drink. Rasam is loved by all and we’re glad we gave it a distinct taste and a new identity.” South Indians have an eternal love for curd rice and Avarthana celebrates that love affair. Sago replaces rice and melts September - October 2017
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What should a
‘21st Century Education’ look like?
For those of us with school-age children, or working in the education and recruitment sectors, we are unlikely to get through a week without hearing the phrases ‘21st Century Education’ or ‘21st Century skills’. And if you search for these terms online you will get close to a million references. So, what exactly do they mean and how do they differ from the 20th Century education that we had? Tim Kellow, Head of School of Chettinad Sarvalokaa Education, provides the answers.
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applicants lack the skills required for the 21st century workplace. After all, would you want your doctor to recommend treatment based on the same knowledge and techniques used over 100 years ago? Well that’s what we’ve been doing with education. Tim Kellow is Head of School of Chettinad Sarvalokaa Education
I
A 21st Century education focuses on mastering a set of higher-order skills
ncreasing references to 21st Century Education result from
and attitudes identified by academics,
the recognition that our schools have failed to evolve over
educators and business leaders, as
the last century, in line with other industries, to meet the
those required to thrive in our rapidly
requirements of our increasingly-complex societies. This is
changing societies and offices.
backed by overwhelming evidence from behavioural psychologists
There are three key features that must
and employers’ complaints that the majority of entry-level
be present.
Education Objectives – Soft Skills are the new Hard Skills These ‘21st Century Skills’ differ from traditional academic skills in that they are not primarily knowledge-based but instead focus on understanding real-life concepts and processes. While it is obviously still important to learn ‘Reading, Writing and Arithmetic’, the memorizing of facts and formulas is now relatively unimportant as the internet puts such information at our fingertips. Skills such as critical reasoning, problem solving, communication and creative innovation give children the ability to assess and analyse information, before making informed choices. This also ensures that learning is less superficial and that skills are retained for life, as opposed to recalling a set of facts just long enough to pass an exam.
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Teaching Approaches – Guide on the Side, not Sage on the Stage In the 21st Century classroom, teachers act as facilitators or learning coaches to their students who lead their own inquiries into complex concepts and acquire skills at their own pace. This student-centred approach develops the skills children need to thrive in society – gathering information, assessing it through various hands-on activities, connecting it with the knowledge they already have and then applying it to solve specific problems. In short, they ‘learn how to learn’ on their own. But is also vital that students learn how to work together in pairs and groups. Collaboration is crucial to building teamwork but also for students to identify each team member’s strengths so that their skills can be best applied.
School Context – Living and Learning in the real world students’ learning and builds their global citizenship skills by encouraging them to create projects that engage the community around them and, thanks to the internet, impact the world. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the educational approach that most embodies these features emerged on the eve of the 21st Century itself – the International Baccalaureate’s (IB) Primary & Middle Years Programmes. These are the prequels to the Illustrations by Narinder Khatri
Modern life is about managing projects; learning must be the same. Project-based learning allows students to generate their own questions, conduct research, interview experts and discover their own conclusions. Education must have real-world relevance, so students see that the skills they are building can be applied in their lives beyond school. This inspires motivation to learn in school and to continue the learning process afterwards. 21st Century schools have broken out of their ivory
IB Diploma Programme, widely-held to be the best pre-university qualification. They place mastery of 21st Century skills at the centre of learning – rather than grades – by replacing subject-specific lessons with transdisciplinary ‘Units of Inquiry’ that oblige students and teachers to collaborate. Implementing this approach requires much more effort and resources for schools; but those that do can be certain that their students will graduate with the intellectual, personal and social skills needed to live, work and thrive in our rapidly globalizing world.
towers to collaborate with society. This enriches Tim Kellow is Head of School of Chettinad Sarvalokaa Education - a new IB World School in Chennai. He has spent two decades devising and leading projects in the UK, Asia & Africa that engage thousands of schools and inspire children to be 21st Century global citizens. His profile is at www.sarvalokaa.org/leadership
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Inside Out
Vowing Venues!
A floral backdrop, a gorgeous landscape and two people who are all set to take on a life together! Weddings make unforgettable memories and the dÊcor makes it look like it’s made in heaven! Not only will this location become the backdrop for your nuptials, photos, and the place
where you will host your closest friends and family, but it will also be the most expensive item on your pre-wedding to-do list. Suraksha Acharya tells you how to make your own piece of heaven as you tie the knot!
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Inside Out
W
eddings are about a million things but one of the most important aspects is making memories. There is nothing worse than a
Baha'i House of Worship by Fariborz Sahba Delhi The serene, tranquil gardens stir the soul and serve as a great atmosphere for your special day.
venue which is soulless, as no amount of decoration
The gardens can be used, free of charge, to people
and effort on your part will disguise the fact that
of any faith as long as they comply with Baha'i
it is insipid and dreary. You want somewhere with
marriage law.
sufficient grandeur to immediately create a sense of occasion. And yet at the same time, it is important that there’s a certain warmth so that everyone feels comfortable and at ease. Architecture-loving couples can choose from
Resembling the lotus flower, the Baha’i Temple in India displays the richness of imagination of the architect behind the design. True to its name, the temple implies worshippers of all denominations are welcomed. According to the Iranian-Canadian
an increasing number of options for their nuptials.
architect Fariborz Sahba, the Lotus flower represents
In honour of all the lovebirds who want some
the idea that 'out of the murky waters of our
architectural gems that are show- stopping wedding
collective history of ignorance and violence,
venues, we have shortlisted our favourites.
mankind will arise to inhabit a new age of peace and universal brotherhood'.
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Inside Out
Wayfarers Chapel by Lloyd Wright Palos Verdes Always wanted an intimate backyard wedding? If you think garden weddings are only for spring, think again! A garden wedding is perfect for any time of the year. This enchanting property is a romantic chapel on site where you can exchange your vows and then have a sit-down dinner with your guests in the beautiful garden. Boasting panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, “the tree chapel”—which was designed by Lloyd Wright, son of the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright—is nestled in a grove of towering redwood trees and even comes with a rose garden. A believer in using nature as inspiration for his buildings, Wright designed the intimate space for weddings. It’s hard to tell where the glass ends and the sky begins, and the space is so airy it’s akin to getting married outside. Made of crystal clear glass, local stone and a framework of aged redwood timbers, the Chapel allows the full glory of its natural surroundings to shine through. Inside the church, you'll find a natural-stone waterfall for an altar, and outside you'll discover one of the most spectacular 56
September - October 2017
Inside Out ocean views this side of Hawaii. Wayfarers
surrounding mountain ranges, paying tribute to
Chapel is a Swedenborgian Church, but it welcomes
the historic Cape Dutch gables dotting the rural
couples of all religious backgrounds.
landscapes of the Western Cape.
Bosjes Chapel by Styen Studio Cape Town
Glass House by Philip Johnson New Canaan
Ah Wine Country! So peaceful, decadent and
If you thought the idea of a house wedding
relaxing. There’s nothing like dining al-fresco. Am
sounded at all, well, homely, this mid-century modern
I right?! Many wineries feature long tables where
architectural marvel is available to rent as a private
guests can sip and visit under the stars. While you
venue. While we may not all be able to live in a Phillip
don’t need an epic outdoor dining table to get
Johnson creation everyday, for your big day one can
the job done, a place to eat in the fresh air is a
be all yours. It’s the intimacy of a wedding at home,
nice touch.
it’s a dream house for your dream day!
A bright white canopy undulates above the
Philip Johnson’s Glass House is a modernist
glazed walls of this chapel outside Cape Town,
landmark, one of many iconic buildings produced
framing views right through it to scenic mountains,
by this prolific architect. Glass House, is an elegant
vineyards and pomegranate orchards. The surface
example of architectural minimalism. The minimalist
of the cast-concrete roof rises and falls to create a
structure is airy and inviting, surrounded—as one
sinuous outline around all four facades. At points,
might expect, given the name—by glass. With it’s
the roof form dips down to almost touch the
perfect proportions and its simplicity, this intimate
surface of a pool surrounding the building, but lifts
house will make one of the prettiest backdrops you'll
dramatically at the four corners lend it a wing-like
find for your fete—not to mention your wedding
appearance. Where the corners building lift upwards,
photos. And while they're the perfect spot for a
they reveal full-height glazing embellished with tall
casual wedding, be warned that you have to keep the
cross-shaped frames.
gathering intimate. Art enthusiasts will thrill at the
This bulbous chapel set within a vineyard in South Africa, is designed by South-African born Coetzee Steyn of London based Steyn Studio. Its serene sculptural form emulates the silhouette of
chance to tour the Painting and Sculpture Galleries and Studio Library. With the option to spend a romantic overnight, an experience no doubt on most architecture-lovers’ bucket lists.
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Inside Out
Nuptials are completed on the rooftop, where the two staircases widen and connect to unite the bride and groom who travel up separate flights. Once the vows are completed the couple can then pick one route to descend together. Choose a venue that aligns with your vision‌ Finding unforgettable wedding venues is very important because the location sets the mood for the entire event. You don't want to regret selecting the venue as this will be one of the first decisions the newlyengaged couple will take together. Many people choose a location that is sentimental to them. For example, the location where their parents got married or perhaps a place where the couple met, because such ties for the
Ribbon Chapel by Hiroshi Nakamura Onomichi Fancy a picturesque heavenly spot for your big day? Look no further than this arresting, minimalist Japanese wedding chapel designed by architect Hiroshi Nakamura uses love as a metaphor and delivers a building that is anything but corny. The 15.4-metretall structure is both a literal and metaphorical embodiment of
wedding give it a very special meaning. Many people enjoy going to exotic locations for a wedding and that is fine too. No one can deny the romantic elements of getting married in Maldives at sunset! For design and architecture lovers,
marriage set on a grassy hillside in the grounds of the hotel
an iconic site can provide offer a
Bella Vista Sakaigahama overlooking Seto Inland Sea, in the
striking setting and show off their
Hiroshima Prefecture.
personal passions. From monumental
The intertwining staircases, which cross paths at several points to provide support for each other, are designed to be symbolic of the unity that matrimony brings. The stairs are cladding in vertical planks of white-painted wood, and have curving titanium zinc alloy hand rests to withstand erosion from the sea breeze. Just as two lives go through twists and turns before uniting as one, the two spirals seamlessly connect at their summit to form a single ribbon.
civic buildings to intimate chapels, these buildings have interiors that are as impressive as their architectural pedigrees. Whether you’re planning a wedding or just looking for a place to throw party, these buildings should be on your inspiration board.
Suraksha Acharya is the founding principal of Midori Architects, Chennai – an award-winning firm offering architecture, interior, landscape and masterplannning services. She is a cognitive member of the green architecture industry in India, championing the need to build better and more environment-friendly structures. 58
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59
Sparkle
Watermelon Tourmaline surrounded by small Tourmaline
Turquoise
cabachons by
& White gold,
Diamond Butterfly ring by Kamadhenu
Sultan Jewels
Onyx, Emerald & Diamond
Jewellery
Panther ring by Cartier
Green Tourmaline
Spinnel, Diamonds Rose
ring by Tiffany & Co
Gold & Pink Meena ring
Ring-A-Bling by Jaipur Gems
Here comes the season of eternal love and marital bliss. Gemstones,
solitaires and the gold can never go out of fashion when it comes to weddings. Here’s our pick for the best of rings to adorn this wedding season with! Burma Ruby and Diamond Platinum ring by Cartier
Rose Cut EmeraldDiamond ring by Jaipur
Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Peacock ring by Kamadhenu Jewellery 60
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Gems
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61
Encounter
A Master of
Gems 62
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The skill of art is neither taught, nor inherited! One such art lover turned his passion for designing into his career. Gautam Banerjee’s name is synonymous with innovative jewellery designs. In a candid chat with Deepa Kalukuri, he speaks about his love for jewellery designing and how he brought smiles to thousands of happy customers.
Encounter
G
autam Banerjee set up an academy for jewellery design in 1995 and in the past two decades has trained thousands of students. He has shared his learning
and taught his skill to future stalwarts of jewellery designing across the globe! Mr. Banerjee, which was the first piece of jewellery that you designed and what was the inspiration behind it? Wow! I have designed so many pieces of jewellery that I just can’t remember the first one. I have been designing for 32 years. My father was a businessman and I knew then that I wanted to do something different. Jewellery designing is a distinctive art and I have taken inspiration from around the world. Life has taught me how be inspired from the simplest of moments. I have explored my creativity over the years and now I see inspiration everywhere. I can say I have also learnt that one should balance his creativity within a customer’s requirements. If the customer has a certain budget, as a designer you have to respect that and work around it. Time teaches you this skill! Did you always believe that you would choose jewellery design and innovation as your career? What interests you otherwise? Yes, I did not want to ever do anything apart from jewellery designing and the only other interest I have is painting. I used to paint on the walls and it opened my mind. I found it easier to design jewellery when I
years, the number of students has increased and we
started painting. I started painting 15 years ago and
have trained over 4721 students at my academy.
I also displayed my paintings in Nehru Art Gallery which was a solo show. Since the inception of your institute, how has the graph of youngsters choosing jewellery designing fluctuated? When I started learning jewellery designing, the concept in the market was completely different from what it is now. People seldom shared their knowledge with others; hence there was no concept of a jewellery designing school. However, I wanted to change that and teach passionate designers to learn the art. That’s how I started the institute. Over the
What that one unique trait in your designs that sets it apart from the rest? I started Rose-Cut diamond jewellery and the fact I take inspiration from around me, I’m basically designing life. I don’t have a particular concept and that’s what sets it apart. If there was one legend from history that you wish to design jewellery for, who would that be and why? Rajmata Gayathri Devi, definitely! I wish I designed for her. She was gorgeous, graceful and someone September - October 2017
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who can carry off anything or any piece of jewellery
Tell us about your association with Kamadhenu
with élan.
Jewellery and what do you believe is their
Tell us if the choices and tastes have changed as the millennial generation has come into the picture? There’s a vast generation gap between the Millennial generation and the previous one. However, Indian jewellery designs are so eternal that even this generation wants to in some way have a fusion of modern and traditional Indian designs. Tell us about your experience when you designed jewellery for Tirupati Balaji temple? It was an unforgettable experience! I was working with one of the popular jewellers in India and when I was told that I would be designing for Tirupati Balaji temple, I was shocked and of course excited. I worked continuously for 15 days and made two sketches. They designs were liked and my guru also designed for the temple a few years ago. It was special. 64
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unique quality as jewellers. What do you keep in mind when you design for them, since you’ve designed for numerous entities? Kamadhenu Jewellers are specialised and they care about their customers. They have been working to bring the best jewellery in the market for decades and when I wanted to explore the South Indian jewellery market, I tried working with many. However, I wasn’t happy and then I came across Kamadhenu Jewellery. The first time I met Mr. Vinod Sharma, I realised he was prompt and innovative. He makes quick decisions and I loved his attitude. That’s how we started working together and it’s been a great experience. I can’t disclose what I’m designing for them at the moment; it’s a surprise and you’ll have to wait and watch.
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The Last Word
A Fairytale
Dreamer Weddings are fairytales
waiting to happen! These love stories need a little bit of planning and a lot of passion to bring them to life. Wedding planners are dreamers, planners and help you realise that sweet dream of yours. Preeti Verma Lal meets one such dreamer, celebrity wedding planner Colin Cowie who gives an insight into his world of fairytales.
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The Last Word
“India is such a diverse and multi-cultural country. What I love most about India is the vibrant energy, the colourful culture and their appetite to celebrate in such a fun and festive way steeped in tradition and ritual.” – Colin Cowie
N
ever before have white linen and rose in a vase looked so discordant. So drab! That is what happens
when you sit with two wedding planners who can turn a barren brown landscape into a magical land with coral roses dangling from trees, olive-coloured taffeta and floral arbor. I was sitting with Colin Cowie, the US-based event planner who is listed in Vogue’s Master Wedding Planner List, and E Factor’s Jai Thakore who has designed many a weddings. Cowie had flown into New Delhi to tie up with Thakore to drape Indian social events with luxury. “Nobody in the world throws a party like Colin Cowie.” Much before I could ask Cowie a question, Oprah Winfrey’s words resonated. Oprah is not the only one raving about Cowie’s parties/weddings. His client list could be the paparazzi’s envy. Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey, Ryan Seacrest, Kim Kardashian, Hugh Hefner. Eddie Murphy. Name a celebrity and Cowie has made a day unforgettable for them. Cowie is the go-to man for the best parties but weddings are his forte. What are the best winter wedding venues? I asked Cowie who has worked across 5 continents and travelled 13 million miles. The world’s biggest wedding planner digs into his uber-luxe wedding list and picks 5 venues. He relives the 5 fabulous weddings for the future brides/ grooms to take cues from.
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Beach For a beach wedding on the Mexican Riviera at the Rosewood Mayakoba, our theme was to make everything appear to float. The bride was determined to wear high heels, so we built a wooden deck overlooking the ocean. At the top of the aisle we had a pair of Lucite columns and an arbor of roses. Each guest wrote a wish for the bride/groom which was attached to the arbor allowing the bride and groom to walk under the collective wishes. Clear chairs were dressed with long scarves of cream and ivory chiffon, similar to a bridal gown. Dinner was laid under a large palopa with a combination of round and long banquet tables. After the beach ceremony, the cocktails were served with 8 tray-passed appetizers. Always split the appetizers between hot and cold dishes. I try to stay away from food sprinkled with sesame seeds or any dark seeds
Wed-trends • Switch from over-the-top floral design to subtly gorgeous greenery. • Let the real flowers live, let the DIY paper flowers bloom as arbor or centerpieces. • Dress up the table with a light fabric runner - just a sheer piece of fabric to free up the table. • Tick off the Sex on the Beach, Moscow Mule and Screwdriver. Make handcrafted, artisanal cocktails. • Kick away the photo and GIF booths. Get neon video portrait booths for the guests to pout and pose. • This might seem too much, but get a custom
that can get stuck in your teeth and can spoil the
party emoji. Hire a graphic designer to design
photographs. Always conclude a beach wedding with
emojis that represent you and the occasion.
a bonfire. Serve mini pizzas, sliders and French fries.
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The Last Word
Outdoor This outdoor wedding was held way up in the Tuscan Hills at the Ferragamo owned vineyard and estate, Castiglion del Bosco. The venue was surrounded on two sides by tall cypress trees. The tables were masked from the sun by billowing gauzy fabric overhead; each table anchored with a vintage lace runner and peppered with small arrangements of flowers. The menu had a variety of antipasti including dried meats, salami, mortadella, bresaola, marinated vegetables, bowls of olives and salads. Make sure there’s good quality olive oil, and a salt and pepper mill. End with a host of desserts - an Italian candy station, cake and coffee. 70
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Castle We chose the magnificent Ashford Castle for a winter wedding. A Bedouin-style tent with two long tables continued the theme of the ceremony. Tiny micro lights were placed under glass cloches to give the idea of fireflies at the table. Keeping it rustic, each napkin was secured with a suede tie. Dinner was arranged on the edge of the lake. We served shrimp wrapped in vermicelli with soft-poached egg, black truffle and pencil asparagus. This was followed by a fresh garden salad of local greens and the main course was a choice of either grilled West Coast black sole with spinach and potato, or roasted fillet of beef with Irish potatoes.
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Backyard This wedding in Southampton (England) took place in the backyard of the family home overlooking the bay. Blessed with stunning weather, the bride walked across a bridge over the swimming pool and made her way through a series of green and floral adorned arches leading to a densely packed arbor of flowers. We followed a pathway to a series of tents that were fashioned into an outdoor cocktail patio and a formal reception tent for dining and dancing. Post-ceremony we hosted cocktails on an adjacent deck and also featured two food stations offering charcuterie and a variety of amazing cheeses, crostini and crudités. The seated dinner began with grilled leeks, toasted almonds and mustard seed vinaigrette. The main course was a choice of either halibut with long island corn or grilled loin of lamb with faro and hedgehog mushrooms.
Monument/Landmark Saratoga Performing Arts Centre (New York) was the perfect venue for a ‘monument’-al wedding. After a ceremony in the rotunda, and cocktails overlooking the pond, our guests dined and danced in a large marquee decorated with the bride’s signature colours: eggplant, lavender and lilac. The cocktail reception was held before the ceremony. Guests dined from multiple food stations serving chilled seafood and small plates of sashimi, tiradito and ceviche along with a variety of tray-passed hot and cold appetizers. The seated dinner began with spinach and ricotta ravioli with leek butter and the main course was a choice of rib-eye steak with caramelized baby onions and crispy potatoes or halibut with soft polenta and heirloom tomatoes and tomato butter. To finish off, it was sorbet and fresh berries along with the wedding cake.
Colin Cowie’s idea of a big fat Indian wedding • The first thing I would do is spend time with the bride and groom and learn what their likes and dislikes are. • I’d head directly to Rambagh Palace (Jaipur) and buy-out the entire hotel for the wedding. If the couple decided on a Golden Era theme at Rambagh, the pre-wedding events will include polo, elephant polo, and multiple dinners on the magnificent lawns of the palace. • For the baraat, I would have the groom arrive with a procession of camels, horse-driven buggies and fabulously decorated elephants lead by countless musicians playing typical wedding music. • A sumptuously decorated marquee just behind the large fountain on the lawn will serve as the focal point of the cocktail reception before heading into the tent for dinner and dancing.
Preeti Verma Lal is a freelance writer and photographer. If God had asked her what she wanted to be, she'd tell Him to turn her into a farmer who also writes lyrically; her fingers stained with wet clay and deep blue ink. Visit www.deepblueink.com September - October 2017
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Cause
A rally to save our rivers! Rally For Rivers proposes a comprehensive river
rejuvenation plan to reverse and revive our rivers. What is Rally For Rivers? Rally For Rivers is a nation-wide campaign to
for a minimum of one kilometre on either sides of the entire river length and half a kilometre for the
raise awareness about our depleting rivers.
tributaries. The benefits of tree planting have been
Why was this started?
indisputably demonstrated by Project GreenHands.
Today in India, we have 75% less water per person than in 1947. Many of the smaller rivers have already vanished. The Ganga and Indus are two of the world’s most endangered rivers, according to the WWF. If we do not act now to reverse the serious decline of these lifelines, there might be nothing to leave for
Trees help keep rivers perennial, mitigate floods and drought, prevent soil erosion, increase precipitation and mitigate climate change. How can you contribute? You can pledge your support by giving a missed call to this number – 80009 80009 Similar to a signature campaign, submit a policy
our future generations. Rally For Rivers proposes a
recommendation for the central government to
comprehensive river rejuvenation plan to reverse and
consider. Be a part of an important environmental
revive our rivers.
movement in the country.
What is the rejuvenation plan? It involves creating and maintaining tree cover For more information on this visit: http://isha.sadhguru.org/rally-for-rivers/ 74
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