SWISH SET’S NEW SKIN SINS
Popeye, Angelina Jolie, Winston Churchill and Rakhi Sawant might never end up in the same subset; but fact remains that they are all linked with ink. Tattoos play a vital part in the projection of their personalities.
Related more to punk funk, till recent years, permenant tattoos have suddenly emerged as the new style statement on the fashion circuit universally and Gujarat’s swish set is going all out to ink their attitude.
Neck napes, wrists, shoulders, lower backs, biceps are expressing personal preferences. Like Bob Dylan’s song,’ times they are a changing’, tattoo trends too are no more just a cult custom but, a widely accepted attitude, even in the middle aged groups. It’s not just the twenty somethings’ who are going in for the skin sin.” Most of my clients are professionals, in their mid thirties or more,’ smiles tattoo artist Jagruti Parmar .In the field for more than 10 years now, this boho chic promoter is known as Gujarat’s Kat Von D when it comes to tattoos.
Parmar’s studio ‘La Nina tattoos’ at Vastrapur Ahmedabad, is like a mini museum of tattoo history, the walls depict pictures from ancient Japanese body art to Jolie’s arm candy (tattoos, not Brad Pitt, silly).” 3-d and glow in the dark tattoos are very popular with the elder age group. A lot of people are getting various gods depicted on skin and since Indian gods wear a lot of ornaments, the effect in radium coloured tattoos comes out amazing. Tattoos are the only jewels that go with you to your grave. I just did a Cleopatra type replica on a client’s eye, it was a tricky task”
The Raamnamis of Chattisgarh no more monopolize the mantra sutra. Elderly Gujaratis are getting Gayatri Mantras, Hanuman Chalisas and Maha Mrityunjay jaaps permanently penned on their backs and shoulders for instant nirvana. Kavita Dave, who runs D N Tattoos at Jodhpur Satellite remarks,’ we have clients who are upto 65 years of age as well. Many come in from Saurashtra, Kutch, Baroda and some go for fancier versions of their Kul Devta.” Ahmedabad being central for Gujarat,” Even foreigners and NRI’s prefer getting their religious tattoos done here because as Indians, we are able to give genuine divine expressions for the ever popular Ganeshas and Shivji idols and innumerable options for the ‘om’symbol,” points out Parmar.
Tattoos are not new to Gujarat. The Rabari tribes of Kutch have a trend of body art called ‘chhundanas’.Many centuries old, it consists of geometrical designs and dots that is often visible in their embroidery and home décor rangoli motifs as well. Meant to adorn the skin, this definitely makes their women look sexier.
La Nina‘s tattoo artist has a client who got her boy friend’s name permanently tattooed in 7 secret places. “She adds one more every month and is married now.” Young girls commonly go in for dainty butterflies and fairies, but, the women are going in for more elaborate, serene Buddha images surrounded with exotic floral creepers and sensual snakes intertwined with dragon like creatures.” I have a phoenix on my back which signifies my character, am planning another for my ankle soon” says Sonali Desai, a young mother. ” Tattoos are the new fashion mantra for Surat’s suburbans”confirms Lavesh More, who has trained under famous tattoo artist Sameer Patange and shuttles into Tapi town every fortnight to upgrade Surat’s swish set with styles that are ‘in style ‘in Mumbai because,”Surtis always want something unique and different and are willing to pay for the fact that I never repeat the design again. I plan to permanently work out of Surat now due to the growing demand.”
Not bearing social stigma anymore, tattoos are openly flaunted with pride. It’s not just the fashionistas who are falling for the trend.” Many of my clients are doctors, they usually want one on their biceps or neck nape, they don’t mind if their patients notice it, others are patients of luecoderma or have surgery scars and tattoos help them cover the same” says Kavita.
Celebrity charisma has direct bearing on fans who risk the pain for visual pleasure. Just as Saif followed David Beckham, penning the name of the love of his life, “Alphabet tattoos are very common but also lose their charm as soon as girlfriends change. I have to play music in accordance to the mood and theme of my clients’ make ups and break ups.Ours being a dry state, there is no alcohol in take before the act unlike other towns.” giggles Jagruti.
Premal Zaveri, 44, has adopted Hrithik Roshan’s new star tattoo on his right wrist while his wife sports the same on her left wrist. ‘It gathers immediate attention at work, “smiles the textile trader,” but no one has dared ask yet. My wife is very fair skinned and also has a beautiful floral one on her back. The colours have come out wonderfully well.”
”I am planning to go shopping for more halter necks, “winks Sonal Patel., 37, from Rajkot, who has got a 3 d shadow effect tattoo done on her left shoulder that extends to the nape, “it feels sexy to get noticed for it. I am trying to get my husband go in for a Shivji one like Sanjay Dutt’s.”
While its style quotient for ladies, its all about symbols of power for the gentlemen.Al’s Tattoo studio in Bandra, Mumbai is run by four brothers .Al has done his masters in fine arts from M S University in Baroda. They cater to Bollywood stars and celebrities, back in Gujarat, Jagruti Parmar who has a TBTI certificate from New Jersey, dreams of having just one celebrity client,’I would like to make a Kohinoor for chief minister Narendra Modi, on any secret body part that he wishes to have one on.”
Box section-Tattoo trivia-
1. Tattoo comes from the Tahiti word ‘tautau’-meaning ‘to mark’
2. Numbing creams like ‘Xylocain’or ‘Prilox’ may cause temporary itchiness.
3.8 out of 10 patients bleed while getting a tattoo done.
4. Cases of improper precaution can lead to skin cancer, hepatitis or AIDS
5. Tattoos normally take upto 3 weeks to heal totally.
Friday, May 28, 2010
SHREKS AND THE CITY
America and the rest of the world is going gaga over the friendly monster Shrek, falling in love with the ugly ogre, who has a kind heart of gold.Shrek is derived from the German word Shreck which means fear and terror.
Reel life fairy tales hardly come true in real life. There are Shreks all around town and here is a girlie guide to recognize and handle the same-
Party Shreks-These are the ones with the shiny shirts and slinky hair who give dirty, hairy a different meaning (no, not Clint Eastwood, dear) and go,”Hey baby, want to go for a drive?” when the DJ is playing a sensitive, soulful number. They will keep smiling no matter what your facial expression portrays. You can get away with any rude reply, since this lot is certainly deaf and definitely not looking at your eyes while speaking, if you know what I mean. Be as mean as you can be.La belle dame sans merci.
Phone Shreks-Easily entertained, these are the ones who imagine there is a princess on the other end, especially so if they have accidentally dialed the wrong number, no matter if you actually are twice their age and thrice their size. All you need is a sweet voice and, you will have them at the first ‘Hello.’ They will be stupid enough to ask ‘who is this?’In spite of the fact that you just said, ‘wrong number.’ They will redial .Most likely lot to have a degree in nose wax moulding.Silence is the best answer for quick relief and save the number, for ‘no reply’ the next time.
Train/Plane Shreks-The over enthusiastic complete strangers, who smell like they just came out of Shrek swamp, who try to strike conversations out of the blue. It could be anything, the book you are reading, to where you are going; to what your i pod is playing. They will make sure they help you with heavy luggage whether or not you need their help, will be rude to the coolies /steward and, sugary sweet to the ticket checker air hostess, going,’ji saheb,yes ma’m’for no particular reason. They will also have a strong opinion on the Indian Railways, Airways, not that they do anything to make it any better. Ignore and avoid please.
Online/Office Shreks-The Gen next of the Ogre lot. Their vocabulary will consist of constant ‘lol’, ‘brb’ and they will type to you ‘wassup dudette?”.Their face book profile will be the display unit of how ‘cool’ they looked in the gym, at their reunion, at last New Years Eve etc.They will be passionate about football, basket ball and of course cricket. Since intellectual conversation will be too big a task to handle, for these ‘instant karmayogis’, you will be asked to take some kind of stupid online quiz so that they can know you better. Give no personal details, ever.
Pre marital Shreks-The handsome yet possessive insecure lot. They will want to know what you did from the time you woke up till you slept. They will want to decide what you wear, eat and whom you talk too. It’s not your fault; it’s just that they don’t believe in themselves. This kind normally turn into Post marital Shreks with lousy eating habits, a foul mouth , along with unending complaints .Run as fast and as far as you can.Because,only fairytales have happily ever after endings.
America and the rest of the world is going gaga over the friendly monster Shrek, falling in love with the ugly ogre, who has a kind heart of gold.Shrek is derived from the German word Shreck which means fear and terror.
Reel life fairy tales hardly come true in real life. There are Shreks all around town and here is a girlie guide to recognize and handle the same-
Party Shreks-These are the ones with the shiny shirts and slinky hair who give dirty, hairy a different meaning (no, not Clint Eastwood, dear) and go,”Hey baby, want to go for a drive?” when the DJ is playing a sensitive, soulful number. They will keep smiling no matter what your facial expression portrays. You can get away with any rude reply, since this lot is certainly deaf and definitely not looking at your eyes while speaking, if you know what I mean. Be as mean as you can be.La belle dame sans merci.
Phone Shreks-Easily entertained, these are the ones who imagine there is a princess on the other end, especially so if they have accidentally dialed the wrong number, no matter if you actually are twice their age and thrice their size. All you need is a sweet voice and, you will have them at the first ‘Hello.’ They will be stupid enough to ask ‘who is this?’In spite of the fact that you just said, ‘wrong number.’ They will redial .Most likely lot to have a degree in nose wax moulding.Silence is the best answer for quick relief and save the number, for ‘no reply’ the next time.
Train/Plane Shreks-The over enthusiastic complete strangers, who smell like they just came out of Shrek swamp, who try to strike conversations out of the blue. It could be anything, the book you are reading, to where you are going; to what your i pod is playing. They will make sure they help you with heavy luggage whether or not you need their help, will be rude to the coolies /steward and, sugary sweet to the ticket checker air hostess, going,’ji saheb,yes ma’m’for no particular reason. They will also have a strong opinion on the Indian Railways, Airways, not that they do anything to make it any better. Ignore and avoid please.
Online/Office Shreks-The Gen next of the Ogre lot. Their vocabulary will consist of constant ‘lol’, ‘brb’ and they will type to you ‘wassup dudette?”.Their face book profile will be the display unit of how ‘cool’ they looked in the gym, at their reunion, at last New Years Eve etc.They will be passionate about football, basket ball and of course cricket. Since intellectual conversation will be too big a task to handle, for these ‘instant karmayogis’, you will be asked to take some kind of stupid online quiz so that they can know you better. Give no personal details, ever.
Pre marital Shreks-The handsome yet possessive insecure lot. They will want to know what you did from the time you woke up till you slept. They will want to decide what you wear, eat and whom you talk too. It’s not your fault; it’s just that they don’t believe in themselves. This kind normally turn into Post marital Shreks with lousy eating habits, a foul mouth , along with unending complaints .Run as fast and as far as you can.Because,only fairytales have happily ever after endings.
FASHIONISTA SUMMER FARE
I spent Saturday morning with my head in the freezer, dreaming about being nestled in the Himalayas, this time of the year, wishing that we had winters all around the year (not that they are particularly cold ,either).Finally after 5 minutes, temporary facial numbness made me see reason to face the heat (literally )and be sane.
Summer is here, bringing with it the dire need for all things ‘fresh’; hence, both stale food and fashion are big no no’s.
The gurus of the garment industry have stated that the colours for Spring Summer 2010 are –Tuscany, Oyester, Rose dust, Champagne, Aurora, Woodbine and Aquatic. There is no need to panic, in simple language; this just means grey, silvery grey, lilac, pink, lemon yellow, lime green and turquoise blue .You know how designers love to make it sound exotic! And, how on earth could they forget White with its quintessential charm?
Now that we have our colours in order, let’s get on with the must haves.
Flip flops-Cobblers’ best gift to heeled tired twosomes, these thongs for feet have taken an outdoorsy avatar making it the most preferred teen foot wear .Spruce up your pair of toesis with a little bling.Buy a basic pair in your favourite fluorescent colour and add a line of sheer ,tiny sequins or multicolored beads or teenie weenie snail shells.
Tank tops-Nothing makes a good pair of well fitted jeans look cooler than a tank top-the good old ganji like jersey.Salman bhai’s ganji look takes a beating when gals wear one with denims. Add glam to your spaghetti top, musclebag or tank with a colourful butterfly or dragonfly brooch near the collarbone.
Tattoos-Ever since Bollywood stars have started going for what Angelina Jolie wears on her arms (tattoos, not Brad Pitt, silly), Surtis have found the fashion trend painworthy.Suburbans are at it ,getting permanent signs,emblems,gods,serpents,dragons,flora and fauna painfully penned on their wrists,calves,ankles,shoulders and elsewhere. If you are above 18 and want to go in for one, get a temporary one and look at it for a month before going on for something that will stay on your skin for the rest of your life.
Skin -Scorched skin needs tender loving care. Avoid heavy creams which are loaded with chemicals no matter how soft they make your skin feel. Always buy a face cream with aqua as the main component. Better still; depend on good old rose water, cucumber juice, milk/buttermilk for instant relief. You could store it in a spritzer and refrigerate it, for gentle spraying on face whenever required.
Nails- Now available in Tapi town are nail colours that could put a rainbow to shame and what better weather than this to show off pretty nails. For youngsters, dabble in some do it yourself nail art by simply adding multicolored stud and locking them on with a clear nail varnish top coat. Also available now are art pens that you may use to make tiny hearts and smileys over nail paint. If you must use a new colour in a cheap product, make sure you protect your nail with a base coat of a known brand first.Ladies, kindly leave funky colours to the girlie age group please, lest you want to look like a member of the Adam’s family.
Hair-Braid, gel, and spike, do what you must to keep it out of harms way. Put it up in a pony tail with a pretty scrunchie or, plug it into a roll with a chopstick like accessory. If you must wear it loose, hold it up with a pair of oversized sunglasses.
Since you are all set now, step out and commit skin sin because nothing looks sexier than a natural tan.
I spent Saturday morning with my head in the freezer, dreaming about being nestled in the Himalayas, this time of the year, wishing that we had winters all around the year (not that they are particularly cold ,either).Finally after 5 minutes, temporary facial numbness made me see reason to face the heat (literally )and be sane.
Summer is here, bringing with it the dire need for all things ‘fresh’; hence, both stale food and fashion are big no no’s.
The gurus of the garment industry have stated that the colours for Spring Summer 2010 are –Tuscany, Oyester, Rose dust, Champagne, Aurora, Woodbine and Aquatic. There is no need to panic, in simple language; this just means grey, silvery grey, lilac, pink, lemon yellow, lime green and turquoise blue .You know how designers love to make it sound exotic! And, how on earth could they forget White with its quintessential charm?
Now that we have our colours in order, let’s get on with the must haves.
Flip flops-Cobblers’ best gift to heeled tired twosomes, these thongs for feet have taken an outdoorsy avatar making it the most preferred teen foot wear .Spruce up your pair of toesis with a little bling.Buy a basic pair in your favourite fluorescent colour and add a line of sheer ,tiny sequins or multicolored beads or teenie weenie snail shells.
Tank tops-Nothing makes a good pair of well fitted jeans look cooler than a tank top-the good old ganji like jersey.Salman bhai’s ganji look takes a beating when gals wear one with denims. Add glam to your spaghetti top, musclebag or tank with a colourful butterfly or dragonfly brooch near the collarbone.
Tattoos-Ever since Bollywood stars have started going for what Angelina Jolie wears on her arms (tattoos, not Brad Pitt, silly), Surtis have found the fashion trend painworthy.Suburbans are at it ,getting permanent signs,emblems,gods,serpents,dragons,flora and fauna painfully penned on their wrists,calves,ankles,shoulders and elsewhere. If you are above 18 and want to go in for one, get a temporary one and look at it for a month before going on for something that will stay on your skin for the rest of your life.
Skin -Scorched skin needs tender loving care. Avoid heavy creams which are loaded with chemicals no matter how soft they make your skin feel. Always buy a face cream with aqua as the main component. Better still; depend on good old rose water, cucumber juice, milk/buttermilk for instant relief. You could store it in a spritzer and refrigerate it, for gentle spraying on face whenever required.
Nails- Now available in Tapi town are nail colours that could put a rainbow to shame and what better weather than this to show off pretty nails. For youngsters, dabble in some do it yourself nail art by simply adding multicolored stud and locking them on with a clear nail varnish top coat. Also available now are art pens that you may use to make tiny hearts and smileys over nail paint. If you must use a new colour in a cheap product, make sure you protect your nail with a base coat of a known brand first.Ladies, kindly leave funky colours to the girlie age group please, lest you want to look like a member of the Adam’s family.
Hair-Braid, gel, and spike, do what you must to keep it out of harms way. Put it up in a pony tail with a pretty scrunchie or, plug it into a roll with a chopstick like accessory. If you must wear it loose, hold it up with a pair of oversized sunglasses.
Since you are all set now, step out and commit skin sin because nothing looks sexier than a natural tan.
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