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APRIL 2021 India ₹ 200.00 UK/Europe € 6.00 USA/Canada $ 5.00
A MAGNA PUBLICATION
Bridal Bonanza Bollywood Brides Dr Hetal Gor Fab Honeymoon Destinations
Fashion Forward
Starring
Tarun Tahiliani Prashant Goyal Tamannaah Bhatia Nina Jewellers Sunanda Kumar
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Publisher Editor Head of Business Development Graphics Designer
: Nari M. Hira : Sumita Chakraborty : Prashant Rane : Sayad Zaid Inamdar
CANADA For Advertising contact : Ms.Anki Khanna
Tel : 647-964-1802 Email : :stardustmaganki@gmail.com
Please write to stardustindiamagazine@gmail.com and give us your comments, suggestions, opinions, criticism and feedback. We have several new exciting things – from great articles, interviews, candid pictures and interactive competitions with great prizes in the offing, so watch this space for more…
STYLE Deepika Padukone
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She’s been voted as one of India’s biggest fashion trendsetters time ‘n’ again but the international fashion world too now insist that she is a global style changer and icon.
Priyanka Chopra
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She is indeed a fashion inspirer and a global trendsetter. Sumita Chakraborty showcases the international style icon – Priyanka Chopra’s many winning looks on the red carpet and otherwise.
Sara Ali Khan
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Sara Ali Khan looks very confident, chic and smart.
Katrina Kaif
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The eyes are a window to the soul. Katrina Kaif showcases an eclectic eyeshadow palette that illuminates the look. STARDUST is published monthly by the proprietors MAGNA PUBLISHING CO. LTD., Magna House, 100/E Old Prabhadevi Road. Mumbai 400025, India. Tel No: 91-22-67091234. Editorial texts and illustrations are the copyright of the publishers of this magazine. No one may reproduce any material before permission is obtained in writing. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Mumbai (India) only 2020 Copyright Magna Publishing Co Ltd. Volume No 1 (No. 1) Please address all your advertising, subscriptions and trade enquiries for to: Magna Publishing Inc, 125 Central Park North, PH4, New York NY 10026. T: 212-725-7833 F: 212-889-3250 E: stardustmagazine@aol.com
STARDUST IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CLAIM MADE BY THE ADVERTISER
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FASHION Tarun Tahiliani
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He’s the fashion Czar of the design industry and this designer extraordinaire is none other than the awesome Tarun Tahiliani
Prashant Goyal
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Design maestro Prashant Goyal and his gorgeous wife Ruchi from Heritage India Fashions have showcased Indian designs, colours and fabrics perfectly.
Tamannaah Bhatia for Ohaila Khan
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The gorgeous Tamannaah Bhatia looks resplendent in exquisite designs created by illustrious designer Ohaila Khan.
Sunanda Kumar
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“Customer say when they wear clothes from my boutique, it makes them feel beautiful. I don’t only sell fashion, I allow them to display their South Asian heritage in an empowering manner.”
Swatee Singh
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Fashion is a passion. …And who better than top-notch designer Swatee Singh to give you the trending styles for 2021?
BRIDAL Bridal Looks
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Dr Hetal Gor
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What did our beautiful Bollywood stunner brides wear for their wedding… designer brands or heritage saris, opulent jewellery or simple flowers… Sumita Chakraborty showcases Tinsel Town’s beautiful actors and their wedding ensembles.
Dr Hetal Gor gives you the perfect plan to get into shape before your wedding to make you look super gorgeous on your D-day.
Honeymoon destinations
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Sumita Chakraborty picks five magical countries she’s visited personally as the perfect honeymoon destinations.
Wine ‘n’ Shine
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Nina Jewellers
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If you are talking wedding, can everybody’s favourite - wine be far away? Gregoire Verdin, Brand Ambassador, Head of Tastings and International Business, Sula Vineyards gives you the 10 rules of picking wines at weddings Kiran and her husband Dr Praful Vaid’s Jewellery store Nina Jewellers has indeed a wonderful tale to tell. Read on to know more about this successful business that became the jewel in their crown.
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Style icon
Czarina! She’s been voted as one of India’s biggest fashion trendsetters time ‘n’ again but the international fashion world too now insist that she is a global style changer and icon. Meet the super stylish and incredible actor Deepika Padukone as Sumita Chakraborty unplugs her fashion, style, makeup and fitness secrets to delve into what makes Deepika Padukone, one of the topmost style icons of the world. She’s always trended as one of the top-most global style icons. Meet the Czarina of Bollywood – Deepika Padukone. Her 1000 watts smile, flawless complexion and fit ‘n’ fab figure, makes her truly the toast of Tinsel Town. Her fashion sense has been comfortable, stylish and has always got the thumbs up from the style police. A poster gal and pinup idol, she’s indeed a fashion icon.
Deepika Padukone
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Headturner Natural beauty, Deepika believes, “You should love yourself. If you’re looking at the mirror, don’t just look at the flaws, look at the good things too. Flaws can be ironed out, features can be enhanced, but the best way to always dazzle is to think good thoughts, be happy and positive and don’t pull yourself down.”
‘Skin’tillating So how does she get that amazing glow? “I am blessed with good genes. But besides that, I drink a lot of water. Water ensures that your skin remains hydrated and that makes it look good. Besides this, the essentials in skin care – cleansing, toning and moisturizing – works for her best. “I don’t step outside without my moisturizer with SPF. I do use a hydrating cream during the day and a good night cream. At night, however late it is, I don’t go to sleep until I remove every trace of makeup.”
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Mane Show Deepika’s flowing mane is indeed gorgeous and she gets that by getting a hair massage with coconut oil every Sunday. “This I’ve been doing from my childhood, and it works for me,” Deepika says.
Fit Always Her hourglass figure has been drooled over time and again. “I was pretty plump as a kid, but I lost all the baby fat by engaging in sports. I used to play badminton and was even the school champ. And that kept me in shape.” Now, she makes sure she does pilates to stay in shape. Deepika states, “There is no compromise on my fitness ritual. No matter what, I make sure I do my regular fitness regimen. Yasmin Karachiwala is my trainer, and she makes sure I do my daily work-outs and stretching exercise. Balance is the key to a good work-out. However, Work out according to how much your body can take. Also, make sure your body takes time out to cool down.” Deepika also does yoga and walks a lot too. 9
Healthy Eating Deepika insists, “You can eat as much as you want but you should eat healthily. I love food, and I don’t believe in skipping meals.” Deepika follows a diet regimen which is healthy, balanced and has a healthy mix of proteins and carbs. She eats three meals a day and never skips breakfast if she can help it. Dinner is always light, though.
Makeup Magic According to Deepika, putting on tones of makeup is a big ‘No’. “Less is more. Makeup should enhance your looks not cover and hide your features,” says Deepika. Find out which colors suit you. The right foundation works immensely to enhance your looks, she says. Though she sticks to hues according to the occasion, Deepika confesses she is a “lip person”. She loves enhancing her lips. Deepika says, “I love nudes and red in lip hues.”
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Uber Cool Look Teaming white with denim or wearing only something that she is comfortable in, is her mantra.
Fashion Fervour Deepika loves her shoes. “I love buying shoes, and that is my eternal fashion craving. I am obsessed with shoes and I would like to own a lot of shoes. In fact, if I had my way I’d have all the shoes of the world – ha ha! But of course, I am exaggerating. But I do love shoes, other than that I’m fine with everything else.”
Style Changer “It depends on the occasion and mood. It keeps changing.”
Accessory & More “I think it would be my watch and sunglass.”
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Style icon
The Priyanka Chopra Look She is indeed a fashion inspirer and a global trendsetter. Sumita Chakraborty showcases the international style icon – Priyanka Chopra’s many winning looks on the red carpet and otherwise. According to a top fashion global guru at the BAFTAS, “Nobody can do the red carpet as well as Priyanka Chopra Jonas.” True, our PeeCee was born to be on the red carpet. She’s super glam, has an amazing sense of style and owns whichever look she wears. Meet one of the topmost global fashion influencers – Priyanka Chopra Jonas, former Miss World, actor, philanthropist, fashion icon and the darling of the Red Carpet. Whatever she wears, Priyanka whether a simple tee or a haute couture ensemble – she manages to make it look amazingly stylish. Her style is chic, stylish and eclectic at times.
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Looks Magical Red Carpet
Magical Red Carpet Looks Priyanka’s known to be bold ‘n’ beautiful not only on the red carpet but also off it. She dares to experiment and is an haute couture designer’s delight. She’s a headturner in whatever she wears. Call it the Midas touch or the Priyanka touch, her looks on the Red Carpet has always been on point.
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BAFTAS 2021 At the BAFTAS 2021, Priyanka wore an upscaled couture ensemble – a bit of Spring with florals and butterflies on a solid hue with a deep neckline and she looked just WOW.
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Golden Globe Award 2020 At the Golden Globe Award 2020, it was a long pink gown and did she look super beautiful in it?
Grammy’s 2020 At the Grammy’s 2020, it was bold glam. Priyanka looked breathtakingly stunning in a lace white gown with a plunging neckline and guess what, she was voted amongst the best dressed actors across th globe.
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What She wears, Priyanka owns it! Not too many women can carry off a stark monochrome look, but Priyanka did so with ease. Not only did she own the look, but she also enhanced it still further with some more ensembles in hues of bright pink, turquoise and mint. Florals is her favourite and all those floral prints from Gucci, Anna Sui, Alberta Ferretti, Marni to Loewe flowered in her closet
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ECleCtic! Think of the unimaginable and the ‘don’t you dare in fashion’ and Priyanka Chopra has done it! From combining a velvet bomber jacket and wool tweed palazzo pants or walking out in fringe dress and thigh high splits.
Indian Style Priyanka wears her Indianness with pride. Whether it’s wearing her favourite designers from Masaba, Sabyasachi to Anita Dongre or flaunting a sexy sari or Indian fabrics, she is India’s best fashion ambassador.
Priyanka is indeed the global fashion trendsetter. Whatever she wears, she inspires millions, and her ensemble gets copied by so many fashionistas. So, no wonder, she is our favourite global fashion icon. 17
The Look
Want to look like Sara Ali Khan? Super glam and confident, it’s actually quite easy to look like a film star if you just mix ‘n’ match the right accessories with some uber cool outfits. Sara Ali Khan looks very confident, chic and smart. Here, she’s posing with a bag from Ceriz. In fact, amongst the younger lot, Sara is one actress who has a great sense of dressing. She never goes OTT but instead always has an elegant, understated look. So how do you get her look? Easy… just mix ‘n’ match! 18
Dress Right: Get a nice pale pink dress. The hue is not too loud so looks very classy and attractive. The length is short, so it gives a very modern look, and the umbrella skirt gives a very feminine and dainty finish. The very sexy yet not overly so neckline adds a dash of oomph to the look.
Chain It: A smart pale pink bracelet looped around the wrist completes the look. Its understated and yet adds a dash of elegance.
Bag It: The burgundy bag from Ceriz is elegant yet extremely stylish. Even a youngster like Sara can carry it off to perfection.
Floral Heels: Nothing like a pair of sky-high heels to give you the added height which also streamlines the figure to look super svelte. The heels give the look a grace as well as adds a dash of flower power to the look.
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Regal Rendezvous
Wedding Vows
The gorgeous Tamannaah Bhatia looks resplendent in exquisite designs created by illustrious designer Ohaila Khan. Tamannaah Bhatia: “Proudly wearing Ohaila Khan. Ohaila and I have been friends since childhood and I vividly remember this one day in our school canteen, when we shared our dreams and passions - for me it was acting and her’s was clothes, design and fashion. It feels so good to have grown up doing exactly what we had envisioned for ourselves. It’s extremely emotional for me to see her craft every single outfit with such excellence.” 20
Beige lehenga with multicoloured sequin and zardozi embroidered for a pastel themed nikkah look 21
Red flower petal draped blouse and sequin crystal embroidered lehenga set for a modern theme Indian Sangeet 22
Royal Blue Moroccan Bedouin inspired zardozi kaftan sari. A signature silhouette by Ohaila Khan conceptualised with a fusion take for an afternoon boho mehendi brunch 23
Credits: Outfit: Ohaila Khan @ohailakhanofficial 24 Collection: Bespoke/ Bridal Couture
Jewellery: @amrapalijewels Makeup: @mua_aanchalkhanna
Event: @hannaskhan wedding Photography: @recall_pictures
Make up
Eye Right! The eyes are a window to the soul. Katrina Kaif showcases an eclectic eyeshadow palette that illuminates the look. Katrina Kaif says, “Eyes are indeed a window to our soul, and every individual has a unique way to express his or her personality through them.”She has launched The Kay Beauty 9-in-1 Eyeshadow Palette which has color tones that reflect both - theme and emotion. Katrina says, “Each theme will strike a chord as it is so much a part of all of us. These palettes have become my go-to essentials for creating different eye looks. I just love the fact that there are 9 shades per palette, and it gives us the freedom to explore the artist within us to create some eye magic.”
Indeed, it’s time to power up your beauty game with eyeshadows. Not too many know how to get that arresting eyeshadow palette. Katrina Kaif through her Kay Beauty launches - the Kay Beauty Eyeshadow Palette with four game-changing eye shadow palettes that reflect the most beautiful forms of self-expression. The 9-in-1 palettes offer a gorgeous mix of matte and shimmer shades, each carrying a unique name, making it easy to identify, while you plan that eye game. The high-pigment formula offering a one-stroke application, is blendable and buildable. The multiple shades give you the freedom to move from daywear to evening glam with ease, all while being smudge-proof and transfer-proof. The sleek packaging also features a mirror inside, making it an ideal travel companion. 25
Fashion Passion
“I work with
craftsmen and I appreciate the beautiful tradition of our country. – Tarun Tahiliani
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He’s the fashion Czar of the design industry and this designer extraordinaire is none other than the awesome Tarun Tahiliani who in a digital collaboration with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour celebrated 25 years in the industry.
The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour has evolved over the years from conventional runway shows to festivals of fashion and now the digital leg, in collaboration with Tarun Tahiliani, celebrates My Identity, My Pride. We caught up with Tarun Tahiliani to know more about this…
to fashion, I’ve sat with weavers in small villages, did block painting in the freezing cold, worked on chikankari with craftsman in Kutch. I went to every little town and I’ve seen India the way I’ve never seen before. I worked with craftsmen and I appreciate the beautiful tradition of our country. I’m happy that people still wear so much of the national crafts through fashion which has helped keep it alive. If you have pride in your identity, it shows in your fashion.
Could you tell us something about your association with Blender’s Pride especially now since it’s being done digitally because of corona? I did the first Blender’s Pride Fashion show perhaps 18 years back and I did a lot of amazing shows for them after that too. So I was very pleased to do the first digital fashion show with them as well. The idea was floated around with Aparna Behl, the choreographer and I thought about it and found it very exciting. Everybody is starved for great content and this time, my collection showcased elements of Pride in my craft and heritage, being modern and yet having a ‘Stream of Consciousness’ as an entity. The striking experience uncovered the idea of ‘INFINITE’ possibilities in one’s lives by setting an example for the world to follow.
We’ve always seen you coming out with awesome designs. What can we expect from your collection this time? Since the tag is My Identity My Pride, my collection better be more awesome than ever before.
How different will it be from a live show? It is different because a live show is in front of people but in a video, three minutes is a long time to draw people so you use technology to draw people. You have to make it exciting and feel a vibrancy, and the stream of consciousness has to come out. What I am happy is that we’ve shot what we wanted to shoot. What is your theme for your show? My Identity My Pride showcases my 25 years in the fashion industry. The greatest gift that fashion gave me was that from I am a boy from South Mumbai but thanks
If you had to choose your showstopper from the current lot of actors, who would it be and why? That’s really hard to make me choose as there are so many beautiful girls. Well, there are so many to choose from. I would choose someone older like Rekha as there’s so many textures and fabrics that have a story to tell. Who knows? I haven’t thought of it. Which heroine would you love to dress up? I’ve dressed most of them so it’s not on my bucket list at the moment. Who do you think is the most fashionable actors in the film industry? To be honest, all of them but since I’ve worked with Katrina Kaif as a model and Deepika Padukone too, I would choose them. Which actor, according to you, can carry off any style with elan? Elegance is a state of mind and if you dress true to yourselves, everything looks stylish. For us, the clothes are the real heroes so we are not fussed about the showstoppers.
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Designing Dreams in Color Design maestro Prashant Goyal and his gorgeous wife Ruchi from Heritage India Fashions have showcased Indian designs, colours and fabrics perfectly. No wonder, their exquisite one-of-a-kind designs have been the talk of the town in NYC. …He’s been called a designer par excellence by his clientele. Indeed, designer Prashant Goyal is a master of his art. Fascinated by design, colors and fabrics from an early age, over the years he has made a niche for himself in the world of design. Read on… as his love affair with vibrant colours, gorgeous fabrics and unique designs take centre stage.
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A Kaleidoscopic Journey His parents founded their designer Indian clothing store Dress Shoppe II in the East Village over 40 years ago and that’s where his love affair with gorgeous fabrics and designs started. While he was in school itself, Prashant started work at the family business during the weekends. Although he studied business management, fashion design was always in his blood. So it wasn’t a surprise that in 2017, along with his family, he opened Heritage India Fashions. Today, Prashant has an extensive team of tailors, fabric suppliers and embroidery artisans in India to inject his designs to life. His USP is that he creates one-of–a-kind pieces from rare and new fabrics. He also works with natural fabrics that are eco-friendly for his clientele. One of his feats include that he designed an organic cotton line. But that’s not all, over the past 25 years, he collected unique fabrics such as 18th century rich silk fabrics with gold and silver work. These unique fabrics allow him to design pieces that are exclusive to Heritage India Fashions. Talented Partner Prashant’s wife Ruchi is his partner and the Creative Stylist of Heritage India Fashions. She combines different colors and clothing to create a one-of-a-kind look for their clients. From Delhi University India, she is also the lead designer of their crochet fabrics. Starry Attire Prashant and Ruchi have worked with a variety of Hollywood and Bollywood stars. Prashant not only designed pieces for the film Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts, he has also worked with Glenn Close, Martha Stewart, Priyanka Chopra and many more celebrities. Tabla maestro Zakir Hussian also shopped for pieces of their organic cotton as well as formal line. Prashant also designed an anarkali gown for Congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney. Ruchi too styled Rachel Weisz, when she and Daniel Craig came to the store to purchase formal Indian wear for a party they were attending. She has also styled Selenis Leyva from Orange is the New Black and her daughter, who needed outfits for an Indian party. Ruchi’s USP is simple – she creates one-of-a-kind looks based on the client’s style and personality. Their Work Heritage India Fashions has an extensive collection of one-of-a-kind hand-made pieces from India ranging from - formal, ornate lehengas, anarkalis, sarees and more for women that are perfect for weddings and Indian parties. They also have formal sherwanis, kurtas and more for men for weddings and Indian parties besides, stocking casual Indian wear too. According to the talented designer duo: “Heritage India Fashions is the global market leader in Indian Ethnic Fashion. The company consistently strives to interpret and re-invent this category, to cater to lovers of Indian fashion from around the world. A platform offering the widest variety of popular and trendy ethnic fashion, our store offers
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it all - from wedding sarees and lehengas to contemporary Indo-western outfits, as well as an exquisite collection of jewelry, traditional wedding accessories, handbags, footwear, and more.” Acing the Design Prashant and Ruchi have showcased Heritage India Fashions even on the runway for the prestigious FAO Schwarz charity event. Not only that Prashant Goyal was honored at the United Nations. Nelly Nastase orgainsed the trademark Fashion Gala at the United Nations and Prashant surprised Dr. Hong, President, all the VIPs and the diplomats in the gala room by displaying his top dresses worn by the most beautiful top models. He also received the Highest Honor Award, a Resolution from Her Excellency, the Mayor of Union, New Jersey, Michele Delisfort at the United Nations for his outstanding promotion of multiculturalism, arts and cultural diversity. No wonder, whenever you talk about design, Prashant and Ruchi and of course Heritage India Fashions come to mind. More power to them. Credits: Heritage India Fashions (Stardust Magazine April 2021) Prashant Goyal Models: Natalie A, Lorena O, Helen S, Dagmara H, Arum S @model.Neda @tamaracooperr @official.hailey. Catalano MUA & Hair @johnedington98 Designer @prashantcgoyal Fashion brand @heritageindiafashions Stylist @ruchigoyalstylist Photographers: (Natalie) Rodolfo Arias @ rudyparias (For Helen, Arum, Lorena & Dagmara) Marcos Vasconcelos @bobschultzphotography Jewellery: Donna d’isola @heritageindiafashions Shoes: @kilame @Heritageindiafashions Celebrity Designer: @prashantgoyalcouture Celebrity Stylist @ruchigoyalstylist @johnedington98 Fashion Brand @heritageindiafashions Locations: Sanibel Island, Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center, New York City Showroom Location: Heritage India Fashions 131 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10016 Shop (212)481-0325 Shop (917)991-4856 Ruchi(917)385-8796 Website: www.heritageindiafashions.com Email: info@heritageindiafashions.com
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For one-of-a-kind stunning styles and designs from rare and new fabrics, eco-friendly natural fabrics and organic cotton line…. Heritage India Fashions is the best one-stop design hub. Look and feel stunning in Heritage India Fashions!
…Presenting NYC’s finest Indian Design Studio.
Heritage India Fashions
Heritage India Fashions …Presenting NYC’s finest Indian Design Studio.
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Fashion Power
Trend Scale Fashion is a passion. …And who better than top-notch designer Swatee Singh to give you the trending styles for 2021?
The pandemic has changed the fashion trends of the world. Today, the fashion trend-o-meter veers to ease and comfort. Gone are the days of meeting people outside, thanks to the raging virus, fashion is more about what to wear at zoom meetings at home. Swatee Singh, one of the top-notch designers gives her style watch for the year. 34
According to her, ease and comfort includes lounge wear, co-ords and athleisure. “The comfortably chic coords/athleisure are breathable and easy while you lounge at home in style yet are trendy and chic for virtual meetings. This is becoming very popular due to the need of switch work to a home culture. And many designers are working on collections around this trend.
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Volume and Big sleeves From boyfriend oversized jackets to fuller dramatic sleeves, from shoulder pads to unisexual styles. Oversized shirts are ruling especially with trending videos on social media talking about their versatility and the many ways to wear them. Apart from that, I have seen extraordinary volume on runway this year, a lot of fringe, leather coats and pop colors to lift your mood – all in the comfort of your home.
Matching masks The mask is the most used accessory of 202021. Being safe and responsible is a priority but why not do it in style?
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Fringe After months of being inside, fashion veers to fancy styling with a lot of ruffles & fringes bringing back the uber feminine look. 38
Color block Fashion this time encourages the concept of reusability and sustainability. Mix ‘n’ match makes it easier to reuse and adds shelf life to any piece of garment.
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Fashion Movement
“Customer say when they wear clothes from my boutique, it makes them feel beautiful. I don’t only sell fashion, I allow them to display their South Asian heritage in an empowering manner.” – Sunanda Kumar She’s an entrepreneurial and marketing genius. No wonder, her clientele absolutely adore her. Meet the extremely talented Sunanda Kumar who talks about her journey in the clothing business, the challenges she faced and more…
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She lost her father when she was just 9 years old. Her mother had to figure out a means of sustenance and that is when her mother started a small unit which did job work for big garment export houses. They did embroidery and knitting work on garments which were exported to various countries. Sunanda Kumar used to accompany her mother and sister at that tender age and spend time with the karigars. She used to observe them do beautiful embroidery work on the garments. This is when she became passionate about entering the garment business. During her growing up years, she did several small stints working at a Jewellery store in Karol Bagh, Delhi. Later on, she also helped her husband in his soda making business. Her fate later got her to Bangalore. Business was in Sunanda’s blood. She recalls, “My father worked for Modern Bead as a Sales Manager and I guess marketing was in my blood. It is destiny that eventually drove me to clothing business. When I was in Bangalore, my mother used to send me small packets of readymade clothing which I use to show my friends and acquaintances and that’s how the home-based clothing business started.” Adding, “I started a home-based boutique. I am a person who cannot sit still. I always was doing something. My goal was to open a store in Bangalore, but my kids were very small, and it was very difficult for me to manage home and business.” She lived in in Bangalore for several years and then migrated to USA in 2002. Sunanda says, “After few months, my sister who lived in USA opened up a gold store in Jersey City. I was handling the entire store for her. We ran the store for five years and then closed it down later on. After that I worked for a short period at a doctor’s office and Dunkin Donuts.” Adding, “The entrepreneur in me could not make me work for others. I started a cart selling silver and gold at Livingston Mall in New Jersey. I ran this business for 6 to 7 years. Once again, my fate played a big part in getting me into the clothing business. A clothing store in Jersey City was closing down and the owner asked me to take over the store. I told him; I had no idea of running a clothing
store in USA. The guy had confidence in me and told me I could do it. At times people see you are hard working and feel that you can make a success of it. I did not have an infrastructure but then you have to take risks.” Sunanda muses, “One cannot be too calculating a person and at times, should take chances. I ran the store for 10 years and then in 2017, I moved to the current location which is in the same locality but is a much bigger place. I decided to cater to all kinds of customers. I have earned a tremendous amount of good will with my customers. More than money, reputation matters.” Furthermore, she adds, “Today, I have manufactures working for me in India. We create custom designs for my clients which are specially created keeping in mind the taste of the client. We also create custom dresses for our plus size clients and I take utmost care that the fit of the dress makes them feel comfortable and they look beautiful. I give a lot of individual attention to my customers and make them feel at home. My customers always tell me that when we wear outfits from your boutique, we get so many compliments and lot of attention. So, I cater to all kinds of customers, as I have items to suit everyone’s budget. So, what about the men? Sunanda says, “I have also noticed that Indian men do now want to wear traditional Indian garments for special occasions. I talk to them and convince them that we also do have a range of Indian casual wear and you will be comfortable wearing them. I am a very traditional Indian woman and want to keep our traditions alive.” Lastly, so who has inspired you the most we ask Sunanda? She concludes, “ I owe everything to my mother for instilling and nurturing me into the clothing business.” 41
Bridal look
Hail The Bollywood Brides! What did our beautiful Bollywood stunner brides wear for their wedding… designer brands or heritage saris, opulent jewellery or simple flowers… Sumita Chakraborty showcases Tinsel Town’s beautiful actors and their wedding ensembles.
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas At the Christian wedding, Priyanka wore a stunning beaded and embroidered gown which had floral and scroll motifs, lace-effect tulle appliqués, scalloped sleeves and a high-neck collar. The full sleeved gown was worn over a strapless column dress made up of 2,380,000 mother of pearl sequins and was paired with a dramatic 75-foot tulle long veil and a pair of custom Jimmy Choo shoes. Nick’s full name, their wedding date and the names of her parents and a bit of her mother-in-law’s lace wedding dress was sewn into the gown. The
Indian wedding saw Priyanka in a red lehenga designed by Sabyasachi. The outfit had hand-cut organza flowers, French knots in silk floss and layers of thread work. The skirt’s waistband had the names of her parents and Nick sewn into it. To go with the attire, she wore Mughal jewellery that featured uncut diamonds, emeralds, and Japanese cultured pearls in 22 karat gold all by Chopard. Her necklace was encrusted with 84.50-carats of pear-shaped diamonds set in 18k white gold, her earrings had pear-shaped diamonds totalling 6.07-carats and her maang tikka included a 16-carat oval-shaped diamond drop. Priyanka picked her shoes from the Christian Louboutin x Sabyasachi collection. 43
Deepika Padukone For her Konkani wedding, Deepika looked stunning in a gorgeous dainty satlada haar, Konkan Kanjeevaram saree with intricate jewellery with layered neckpieces and oversized earrings. For the Sindhi Punjabi wedding, Deepika wore an exquisite Sabyasachi lehenga, personalised with ‘Sada Saubhagyavati Bhava’.
Dia Mirza Dia Mirza married businessman Vaibhav Reiki in a red bridal sari. She looked resplendent in the sari teamed with understated jewellery.
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Aishwarya Rai BaChChan The Bachchan bahu, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore a golden yellow Kanjeevaram saree designed by Neeta Lulla with Swarovski crystals and gold thread work. Her hair was braided and covered with flowers. She wore 22 karat gold jewellery, which included a gold and emerald armband.
Kareena Kapoor Khan At her wedding registration, Kareena donned a green churidar kurta and a contrasting red dupatta. In the evening, she wore mom-in-law, Sharmila Tagore’s wedding gharara redesigned and restored by Ritu Kumar. For the reception, Kareena had a burgundy lehenga with a maroon dupatta designed by Manish Malhotra teamed with heavy gold and Kundan jewellery.
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Anushka Sharma Anushka Sharma wore a delicate pink-hued Sabyasachi lehenga that had renaissance embroidery on it. She completed her look with uncut diamond and spinel choker, earrings and matha patti by Sabyasachi only.
Gul Panag Gul Panag had a traditional Sikh wedding ceremony in a Gurudwara, in Chandigarh. She wore a pink lehenga designed by JJ Valaya teamed with a heavy gold neckpiece, earrings and maang teeka, studded with contrasting green stones. To top it, a pair of cool glares made her the coolest bride.
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Genelia Deshmukh Genelia wore a sari by Neeta Lulla which had a gold Kundan border. Heritage Maharashtrian jewellery completed the beautiful look.
Esha Deol Daughter of Hema Malini and Dharmendra, Esha wore a bright red and gold lehenga designed by Neeta Lulla - made by combining three beautiful Kanjeevaram sarees – teamed with heavy traditional temple jewellery in gold.
Preity Zinta Preity Zinta married Gene Goodenough in a bright red lehenga with traditional embroidery in gold designed by Manish Malhotra teamed with jadau jewellery. 47
Wedding Look
Wedding Super Shaper Dr Hetal Gor gives you the perfect plan to get into shape before your wedding to make you look super gorgeous on your D-day. A wedding is a time when two families connect through the bride and groom to become one family. It’s a time for celebrations, festivities and joy, however, it also can be a little stressful to prepare and plan. This is how one should start before a wedding.
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Fat Less Aesthetically to get in better shape, the bride, groom and family can not only look into their diet but look into new technology to help them get into shape. To get rid of unwanted layers of fat under their armpits, love handles, stomach, arms, tights, under bra straps and surrounding areas, double chin, and in case of the groom - to get rid of male breasts. At Better U Medical Spa, Dr. Gor uses CoolSculpting that freezes fat, Sculpsure uses laser, and V-Shape uses radiofrequency to give you the best results. All these treatments require 3 to 6 months of planning to see results. They all destroy fat cells and are absorbed by the body and excreted through sweat, urine, and stools. Results are seen after 10 to 12 weeks. Some areas at times, may need more than one treatment. If results are needed in a month or so then laser assisted in office awake liposuction is recommended. The advantage of office liposuction is that there is no general anaesthetics, less blood loss, minimum down-time and guaranteed loss of fat and inches.
Body Scan Medically and aesthetically, the bride and groom need to prepare themselves. They should both have medical check-up to make sure they are in good medical condition. This should also include being tested for STDs and genetic evaluation, and being contraceptive advised.
Toned Muscles Apart from getting rid of fat, to get the muscle to look toned and lean, there are technologies available to help achieve these results faster than going to the gym. For the bridegroom to have perfect 6 pack, there are muscle toning devices at Better U Medical Spa. The muscle toning treatment takes 2 to 3 months. Initially the treatment is daily and then it’s weekly treatment for a few weeks.
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Get Rid Off Unwanted hair Unwanted hair is a problem both for the bride and groom. However, there is a painless permanent hair loss treatment to get rid of it. It is achieved using the latest laser treatment for all skin types especially bikini, chin, upper lip, under arm, legs and hands. For grooms, chest and back are the areas to get rid of hair painless and permanently. If they have any stretch marks or scars, there is laser treatment available to get rid of them. Typically lasers are every 4 to 6 weeks apart and minimum 6 treatment are needed. Mane Attraction This PRP along with laser can also be used for thinning of hair and bald spots. It needs 4 to 6 treatments and they are done every 4 weeks apart. For hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tones laser treatments are available for even tone, tighter and youthful skin. These treatments are between 2 to 3 treatments which are done 2 to 4 weeks apart. Intimate Tale Intimate and private areas also need to be prepared either with hair laser removal or scarless labiaplasty for better shape and texture of vaginal lips. Also laser treatments are available for lightening of vaginal and anal area. Typically 3 treatments are done 3 weeks apart.
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Glow More To get that glowing skin, we recommend laserradiofrequency facials and chemical peels for the skin looking at its best. Also, for any wrinkles around eyes, mouth or forehead neurotoxins and botox is available for deep lines. Dark circle fillers are a good choice so is PRP.
Gorgeous Face The face needs special attention for both the bride, groom and immediate family as they will be photographed during various events. Getting rid of acne, loose skin, wrinkles, etc. can be achieved thru micro-needling and PRP. Micro-needling is an office based procedure where multiple small holes and radiofrequency is pass followed by injection of platelet enriched plasma. PRP is produced by 10cc of your blood after special preparation is injected into the skin. PRP is enriched eight times more in growth factors and 14 times more in platelets which stimulate the skin to heal better.
Time In
Below is the rough timeline when you should start preparing: •
6 to 9 months: hair removal, PRP for hair loss.
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3 to 6 months: Muscle toning, Body sculpting.
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1 to 3 months: Micro-needling, cellulite treatment, liposuction, and private area lightening and tightening.
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4 weeks: Skin lightening treatments and chemical peels.
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2 weeks: PRP/Fillers, Botox
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1 week: RF facial, RF skin tightening.
The pictures are used only for representational purposes.
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Wedding fest
Wining ‘n’ Dining At Weddings!
If you are talking wedding, can everybody’s favourite - wine be far away? Gregoire Verdin, Brand Ambassador, Head of Tastings and International Business, Sula Vineyards gives you the 10 rules of picking wines at weddings, mixing ‘n’ matching wine with food and some best wine options for weddings.
10 Winesome Wines for weddings Rule #1: A beautiful and fruit-forward sparkling or a nice dry rosé is always a success to start the festivities. Rule #2: You will want to have a refreshing yet low in alcohol wine for the daytime. Rule #3: It is a good idea to decide the menu before choosing the wines that will be served during the meal. Rule #4: It can be tricky to dance with a wine glass… You totally should consider having enough stock of wine in a can - it’s festive and practical. Rule #5: Red, white or rosé, dry, off-dry or sweet, sparkling or still… there are many options, make sure to have different ones; your guests will be thankful! Rule #6: Choose wines which will be versatile enough to go with all the food which will be served. Rule #7: Make sure to keep some extra bubbles for the late evening, that’s always a great idea. Rule #8: It is always worth it to put a few extra bucks for the wine, and to have something that you enjoy since weddings are once in a lifetime! Rule #9: Consider the environment you will be in! The wines you will choose need to fit the vibe of the place you chose Rule #10: Make sure to have enough! You do not want to run short in wine: that’s a terrible scenario. 52
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We have some fantastic options for weddings; a celebratory Sula Sparkling Tropicale, our happie which will please all the guests. Our Sula Shiraz-Cabernet is a food-friendly wine, in reds, and in ernet Sauvignon for your most exigent guests, India’s best red wine! And finally, make sure to kee 54
est wine! The Source Grenache Rosé is also a wine which fits perfectly such romantic events, and white wines, the Sula Riesling is super versatile too. You should also totally keep some Rasa Cabep Dia, India’s first wine in a can, which is an appropriate format for such festive events! 55
How one can pull off the non-alcoholic bar menu at the wedding • Mix up zero-proof cocktails. At the end of the day, it’s all about natural ingredients. • Have a custom, soda station where people can make their own drink using fruitinfused syrups and cordials. • Did we mention to have the Svami nonalcoholic zero proof drinks? • Glassware: We believe that the right glassware can do wonders for any drink served at a bar. Even if it’s non-alcoholic. • Coffees and teas (coffee tonics or a thirstquenching green tea cocktail). • Include fermented beverages (kombucha).
Recipes 1. Ode To Olives Green olives- 3 Olive brine - 5 ml Thyme - 1 sprig Lime Juice - 15 ml Svami Original Tonic Water - Top-up Garnish - Thyme sprig
2. Sunny Farms Sugar Cane Juice - 45 ml Lemongrass - 1 stalk Lime - 15 ml Svami Ginger Ale - Top-up Garnish - Lemongrass stalk
Directions In a shaker muddle olives and thyme, add lime juice Shake & strain it in a highball glass filled with ice. Top with Svami Original Tonic Water Garnish with a sprig of thyme.
Directions In a shaker muddle lemongrass, add the sugarcane juice & lime juice, Shake. Shake & strain it in a highball glass filled with ice. Top with Svami Ginger Ale. Garnish with a lemongrass stick.
Which dishes work like magic with wines? Any dish can find its perfect wine sidekick…but some of them are easier to pair than others! A pasta dish with a rich and beautiful tomato sauce as a base offers comfort, generosity, and an appealing acidity; it is delicious with a lot of different wines, from a lively and expressive white wine to a low-tannins / medium-acidity red wine. Indian cuisine is also perfect when paired with wine! Intense flavors, extremely aromatic… many dishes can benefit from the different characteristics of a wine. It will be all about generosity! A paneer tikka masala can be eaten while enjoying a fresh, dry and aromatic rosé, sparkling or still! 56
The acidity of the tomato-based sauce will be nicely supported by the beautiful acidity of the wine. A nice medium-bodied red with low to medium tannins will also be a great combination! If the dish is particularly hot, an off-dry Riesling with a lower alcohol level will just balance it perfectly. A classic butter chicken, creamy and rich, is also a dish that works well with wines, especially Indian red wines which have charming, intense spicy notes and red/black fruits notes. Another option would be a rich, buttery, lemony, and mediumbodied Chardonnay. And finally, as often, less is more: a beautiful simple grilled fish is outstanding paired with a rich, aromatic, dry white wine showing great acidity, such as a Sauvignon Blanc.
In addition to the stunning views of the vineyards, the rolling hills, and the Gangapur lake at a distance, Sula Vineyards offers a perfect magical setting to tie the knot at their Greek Style Amphitheatre. The theatrestyle seating transforms seamlessly from a mandap to a banquet space for the reception and cocktail dinners. The services which one can avail of while booking their wedding at Sula are: - 51 rooms inventory of different categories - Ample parking capacity - Perfect for a dreamy destination wedding with both modern and traditional architecture - Decoration, fireworks, food, music, videographers, etc. can also be arranged upon request. Mr. Gregoire Verdin, Brand Ambassador and Head of Tastings - Sula Vineyards 57
Honeymoon Destinations
Love In Paradise
o
Sumita Chakraborty picks five magical countries she’s visited personally as the perfect honeymoon destinations.
There really is nothing as romantic as jet-setting off to a picturesque destination with your lover, is there? I’ve picked a few scenically beautiful places I’ve been to simply because I felt they were indeed a slice of paradise and where better to go with your hubby for your honeymoon than to a heavenly picturesque land filled with adventure, beauty, historically rich or completely chilled out… Take your pick! Mauritius Indeed, imagine snorkelling alongside your better half within the cool multi-hued blue waters of Mauritius with colourful fishes nosing around you curiously or enjoying cosy candle-light dinners on the beach with the sea lapping at your feet and the tall coconut trees dancing to the rhythm of the breeze. Or if you do dig that adrenalin rush, you can go ziplining or walking through the bridge of Nepal, the longest one they say, or walking the lions or enjoying the heavenly Botanical gardens and more. Mauritius has a lot to offer and indeed it can be the perfect place to spend a romantic holiday. Seychelles I’ve never been to the Seychelles but I’ve heard a lot about it from fellow travellers so I recommend this wonderful country too as the perfect honeymoon destination only as hearsay. The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. It’s home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises. Mahé, a hub for visiting the other islands, is home to capital Victoria. It also has the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and beaches, including Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka. It’s chilled out, the vibe is peaceful yet romantic and that makes it a definite yes on the bucket list. 58
Ireland I’ve been thrice to Ireland – both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - and each visit was sheer amazing. If you enjoy the old-world charm of the bygone eras, imagine enjoying a glass of Jameson Irish whisky in the middle of a quaint Irish cobbled pathway overlooking picturesque castles and gardens, pub hopping through a rich Irish Literary trail, trying out the Irish dance and yummy food, delectable wines and whiskeys and so much more. The Irish people are warm and friendly and honestly, there’s nowhere better I’d like to visit on a honeymoon than the magical emerald isle. Serbia Do you want to enjoy a rakija (Serbian local drink) inside a Serbian wooden town? Yes? Well, in that case, come along. Serbia has indeed a lot to offer. Serbia by the way is in East Europe and Indians do not need to get a visa if they are staying for 30 days. A typical European country except that the Serbian dinar is rated less than the Indian currency, Serbia has some amazing monuments, cobbled paths with little cafes and some beautiful gardens. It also has some stunning Orthodox churches, picturesque settings and fab food which they serve in generous portions. Check this place out definitely. Israel But if you are both History buffs, what better way to celebrate your love than to walk around the busy bazaars of Jerusalem through the Via Dolorosa tracing Jesus Christ’s holy crucifixion path leading to the surreal Church of Sepulchre. The Golden Dome too is close to this Historically rich place and so is the famous Western Wall better called as the Weeping Wall. And if you crave for some city life, Tel Aviv too has a lot to offer and so does so many of its cities. Israel is rich in history and it is indeed a treasure trove for any History buff. 59
Nina Jewellers
Romancing
The Stone
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Kiran and her husband Dr Praful Vaid’s Jewellery store Nina Jewellers has indeed a wonderful tale to tell. Read on to know more about this successful business that became the jewel in their crown.
It was indeed written in the stones oops in the stars, we mean. Ms. Kiran Vaid and her husband Dr. Praful Vaid opened the first Indian Jewellery store in New Jersey in 1987. 60
In 1987, the ambience was pretty stark - Edison had only one grocery store and two restaurants in the area. The Vaids’ launched the first Indian Jewellery store in the entire state of New Jersey. They opened the store on Oak tree Road in Edison, New Jersey as the area was mushrooming with Indians buying homes in this area. It was also the advent of the Tech boom that brought in several Indians on H1B visas to reside in New Jersey. Indians love space which was amply available in New Jersey unlike in New York which was as congested as Mumbai. But it eas also pretty close to traverse to - a hop skip and jump across the Hudson river from New York and you landed in New Jersey.
So how did it all start? Kiran did not come from a business family, but she had experience working in a jewellery store before she got married. She did not want to work for anybody else - and that is how Kiran and Praful decided to open up their own jewellery store. Dr Praful, however, came from a business family. His brother used to own a jewellery store in London. Later when the business
flourished, Kiran and Praful ventured into the clothing business too. They opened a clothing store in Edison as well as a jewellery store in Washington DC and a jewellery store in Florida. At the moment, the clothing store in Edison is managed by Kiran’s sister, the jewellery store in Washington DC is managed by Kiran’s brother and the jewellery store in Florida in managed by Dr. Praful’s brother who migrated from London. 61
A bit Of A Struggle and Then Success! The initial years were very rough for Kiran who was managing the store singlehandedly. At that time, they lived in Manhattan and she had to travel to Edison everyday till they decided to buy a house in Edison, New Jersey. Every day before coming to the store, she used to visit the wholesaler in Manhattan to purchase jewellery and then go to her store. Unfortunately, her husband could not help her much in the business as he was busy in his own field and could not devote much time to help Kiran. He had to manage his practice - so the entire business was managed single-handled by Kiran. Kiran has three daughters, and it was a challenge for her to manage the business and look after her children as well. She recalls how the kids came from school in the evening and literally sat in the car doing their homework till she closed the store. Positive Vibe But the business did well more so because Kiran has a pleasing and giving personality. She is also calm and composed - and these attributes have helped her overcome the rough times when she had to manage the business and home all by herself. All the buying for the jewellery store was done by Kiran. The best years of business as Kiran recalls were the onset of the 62
Tech Boom. Kiran recalls the time when there used to be a line outside the store to buy jewellery - as you know Indians are passionate about buying gold. It is one of the safe investments one could make. Gold is always needed when there is marriage in the household. The price of Gold during that time was very cheap. Kiran remembers the price was at $ 500 to an ounce - and people just bought as much as they could. She also recalls the time when gold prices fell to $ 250. However, the lustre of gold has never depreciated again and it stands at $ 2000 today. Business Struck Gold Over the period of years, the business as grew on Oaktree road. There are 60 boutiques, 10 jewellery stores, several restaurants and fast-food places and the area has become one of the biggest Indian marketplaces in New Jersey. Over the period of years, there have been new markets that have opened up in Jersey City and North Brunswick to name a few, however people still travel to Oak Tree Road in Edison, New Jersey to buy their gold and other jewellery. Kudos to the entrepreneur skills of Kiran and her husband Dr Praful Vaid who managed to make their jewellery business grow from scratch to this wonderful successful endeavour.
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