My friendship with Sayantani goes back to my early blogging days, when we were among a handful of bloggers in Calcutta. On the auspicious occasion of the Bengali New Year, way back in 2012, four of the Calcutta bloggers decided to meet up, and thus started my friendship with this cute girl, which only strengthened and deepened over time. We met at a time when both of our blogs had different names (than what they are now), both of us were thinner, and both of us were nascent in the blogging world. And five years down the line, our relationship has gone on from being fellow bloggers to being soul sisters!
This girl is sugary-sweet, as gullible as they come, a worrier like no other, and an amazingly good writer with an unique & eclectic sense of fashion & style. Those of you who follow my Insta-stories more than my Instagram feed (a lot of you do, otherwise how do I have more views on stories than I have likes on my posts?), must have seen her face pouting away to glory in our selfies more times than you can count! Our love for cupcakes, books and shoes make our strong bond of friendship even stronger! She's my sounding board for weird ideas, sudden inspirations and doubtful concepts. She's my lover, my bae, and my forever kind of friend.
Since we had forged the bond of our friendship on that fateful Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year) five years back, what better time for us to collaborate together for a blog post than on yet another Nobo Borsho!!!
This Bengali New Year, we embrace our love for fusion fashion, mix it with our love for Calcutta, and present to you a style concoction of two different ethnic fusion outfits for the festive season! Our unique styles & individual sensibilities complement the chemistry we share and create a fashion story that's as charming as the old Calcutta lanes in which we shot. Read on and get inspired!
Check Please!
Bengali New Year, back in the day, meant new clothes (when we were growing up, shopping for new things was not an all-the-year-round indulgence like now), invites to small businesses/shops who treated their clients to sweets, soft drinks and a gift of the new Bengali calendar or diary, a traditional Bengali feast at home and a day of no studying!
Traditionally, Bengali women like to flaunt the quintessential saree on this special occasion - not the red & white drape that Bollywood has type-casted as the Bengali woman's uniform; but easy-breezy cottons, soft handlooms, light silks or classy tassars.
But this year, I thought of changing course and going for a fusion look that gives a contemporary spin to an ethnic garment; while my partner-in-crime, Sayantani, put her own eclectic twist to a handloom cotton saree!
This flared kurta in bold checks was love at first sight! Not only did it flaunt my favorite-est combination of pink & orange, but the not-so-traditional checkered pattern gave this ethnic piece a fun, contemporary vibe. I wore this as an easy-breezy summery dress and I must say it suited its new role fashionably well! A chunky statement necklace added the right amount of drama to the look, while pompom Kolhapuri sandals & a multi-color embroidered tote gave it a fun, boho-chic feel!
This look is a great way to stand out in the ethnic crowd while keeping it stylish as well as comfortable. You can flaunt it anywhere - from family occasions to flea market shopping with friends to lunch date with the guy!
[Checkered kurta (worn as a dress): Westside | Tribal Afghani necklace: Regalia Ornaments | Watch: Kenneth Cole | Embroidered tote, pompom Kolhapuris: borrowed from Sayantani | Silver knuckle ring: Amrapali]
A Knotty Affair
Sayantani speaks about her quirky take on the saree: "I decided to go beyond the laal paar saree this Nobo Borsho (New Year). This New Year style your favourite tradional wear in a not so traditional way. Knot up the pallu of the saree and wear it with your favourite shirt knotted up! A scandalous knotty affair with your favourite saree!"
Read her blog post on this fun fusion collaboration.
Photography by: Shubhadeep Saha
Also, let us know in the comments if you would like to see us work together more often!!
I'll be back with a whole lot of exciting posts and reviews!!! Stay tuned!
Love,
Anupriya