Ahmedabad Girls Rocks with fusion wear chaniya choli

U must watch these chaniya choli mismatch combination......

Ahmedabad Based Designer Dr Falguni Patel Grooming Expert share her ideas on the up coming festival season NAVRATRI..
Navratri is approaching in about a week's time now . The streets are already flocked with the colorful chaniya cholis for girls, kediyas and dhotis for guys and chunk metallic jewellery . Each year sees a new fashion trend emerging while taking along the old ones in a new stride. Before we go to the new trends of fashion in chaniya choli's, we can undertsand the basics of this attire which is internationally acclaimed as well for its sheer colors, vibrancy, fabrics, hand-work and elegance.

Chaniya choli is divided into three parts: Chaniya, Choli and Odhni.

Navratri Chaniyas are heavy with embroidered mirror works whereas the flare of chaniya needs to be very long at least 9 meters in width such that it produces some admirable twirls when the dancer turns around. These Chaniyas can either be made of cotton, silk, chiffon, organza or satin cloth. They are either in plain colors or in tie n dye fabrics or with tradional fabrics with kalamkari/batik/ jaipuri block prints.

Choli worn by women is blouse which can be as traditional as long blouse extending below the waist as loose blouse or it can be as fashionable as short blouse that may just lie above the waist or it can be short with backless tie-ups called Bandni Choli or backless choli. Ethnic appearance of the Choli is enhanced by Embroidery, sequins, crystals, kundan stones, zardosi, and aari, thread work, mirror work etc..Modern designers have created amalgamation of ethnic and traditional by creating bustiers, noodle straps, short necks, sleeveless and halter neck.

Odhni or dupatta generally covers the head of the dancer. It need not be matching in color it can be plain or embroidered as per ones wishes. It is believed that tradition of wearing these Chaniya Cholis originated in Rajasthan and Kutch region of Gujarat. Around 25 types of raw materials are needed to make swirling chaniya Cholis that are worn during the festival.

Kamkha : This is a traditional Gujrati 'Rabaran' blouse with embroidery on the front and back open.

Chudla : These are Rabaran bangles to be worn over entire arms. If worn along with a Kamkha will give you the best traditional look.

Kedia : Men wear these high waist tops which have a very different feel and looks great when men are dancing in circles.

Typically 9 colors rule the 9 days of navratri each having a significance. These colors are red, indigo blue, orange, yellow, parrot green, peacock green, pink, sky blue, grey.

Usually designers play around these colors to give a vibrant and fresh feeling to this so eagerly awaited festival. There are majorly 2 kinds of looks which the girls can create for thsi navratri. One look is the traditional " Gaamthi " look with chaniya cholis which are heavily embedded with mirror work & kutchi work, oxidised metal jewllery , hair tied up neatly in a bun with flowers adding as an added jewellery. Also chudlas and heavy anklet which are very traditional identity of Rabari women of desert regions is also added. This whole image of a very rural yet exotic beauty is quite enticing sight for the 9 days .

The second look which has been gaining popularity since last 3-4 year is the fusion look . In this, the chaniyas are available as free flowing skirts made from traditional jaipuri cotton fabrics or cottons with batik/ kalamkari/ block prints done & adorned with bright silver / gold laces /colorful stones/ pearls. Plain bright colored chaniy also look very chic when worn with traditional " kaamkha ". Lot of color combinations are available in markets wherin you can mix and match as per your taste or pre- matched sets are also available which are designer ones.

As far as cholis are concerend lot of creativity is seen here as well. Bright colors with hand work of tikkis, silk threads, stones, mirrors and incorporating noodle straps, halter necks in its creation gives a very fusiony feeling.

Chunnis are generally leheriyas or bandhni or plain colored again with laces or mirror work.

Besides this , still if you want to have an edge over others try something different. Be innovative, mix and match. Knee length tradional skirts with sphagettis and a stole , chunky jaipuri gems jewellery . For that extra twist u could wear a waist coat with tradional work over the long skirts and throw a stole .

The best part about the fusion look is that it can be subtle and yet vibrant for the festival and reused again for your friends' mehendi or sangeet or for college cultural festival or for any evening traditional get together. So it is a good investment also unlike the traditional only which can be worn only during those 9 days.

Make up is best to kept water proof as while dancing you might sweat and you dont want that mascara running down your cheeks. Put on the bright shades for the season keeping only 1 focal point . Either dress up your eyes vivaciously or lips, if u do both , u end up being a canvas board . For hair, a chic bun or any updo would be elegant and suit the traditional get up. Fusion look calls for neat curls or straight hair left open with just a tie up here and there.

Besides the dress and make up, its how you carry yourself , so wear that big smile and you are all ready to go n be a head turner.