Persian excellence takes centre stage as Ashdeen and Good Earth come together for a one-of-a-kind limited-edition...
Fashion Articles
Ashdeen’s New Garden of Gara
At his Mumbai store launch, designer Ashdeen Lilaowala talks of the Parsi gara’s evolving fanbaseThis year, Ashdeen Z....
Ashdeen Lilaowala doesn’t want to replicate traditional Parsi garas, but offer a modern, contemporary take
Lilaowala started playing with different motifs and embroidery techniques, and began to use them in contemporary ways in fabrics like chiffon and nets too. For example, his leitmotif is the crane...
Ashdeen Lilaowala On His Homecoming, Preserving Zorastrian Culture And The Demand For Gara Beyond The community
Ashdeen Lilaowala is best known for his research and revival work on the Parsi Gara. A craft bequeathed upon us by the Zoroastrian community, discovered during the 19th century period of...
This new Colaba boutique is as exquisite as the Parsi Gara saris on display
Ashdeen is textile designer Ashdeen Lilaowala's first store in Mumbai, its racks filled with hand-embroidered clothing inspired by the traditional Parsi Gara. Article By Nicole Newby |...
Jeannie Naoroji, the woman who shaped the Indian fashion industry passes away at 96
Naoroji, who was considered by many as the first lady of contemporary Indian fashion, passed away in Mumbai on Sunday night. Sujata Assomull speaks to industry stalwarts about her lasting legacy....
Ashdeen Exhibition Opens in Mumbai Today
Textile designer Ashdeen Z Lilaowala is excited. Reason? The Delhi-based designer, author and curator will be returning to his home city Mumbai with a free exhibition ‘The Breakfast Club’ in the...
Keeping the historic Parsi Gara alive
Besides admiring the artistic craftsmanship and creative nuances, what comes to mind when we think of Gara and Zardozi- too expensive and rare, right?. Meet sisters and designer duo- Kainaz and...
Parsi Embroidery: A Heritage Of Humanity
With fewer than 55,000 individuals in India, Parsi Zoroastrians have carved a niche for themselves in the country. From leading industrialists like Ratan Tata and Godrej to an army of talented...
The Parsi Gara Sari – Threads of History | Tales & Trails
Threads too can tell a tale - catch the story of merchants, voyages and far off lands through the traditional Gara saris, of the Parsis in Tales & Trails.
Freddy, set, go!
The good-looking actor Freddy Daruwala tells SANDEEP HATTANGADI that it’s never about overdressing but all about casual flairHow would you define fashion? What does it mean to you?Fashion means...
Journey of the Parsi petal with Ashdeen Lilaowala
Ashdeen’s floral bouquet takes its cue from Japan this season, as seen on Gara saris, blouses and kimonos There is a quality of depth to Ashdeen Lilaowala’s blooms that is only getting better with...
DHANSAK & CO. – FIRST ZOROASTRIAN CLOTHING LINE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES
Today is the official launch of Dhansak & Co. - the first Zoroastrian streetwear brand! The clothing brand includes premium quality, limited-edition t-shirts, hats and phone cases created by...
The Sari Closet of Cornelia Sohrabji, India’s First Female Lawyer
How the self-chosen dress codes of Cornelia Sorabji gave her a distinguished persona like no otherCornelia Sorabji (1866-1954) was India’s first woman lawyer. Beyond that, she doesn’t fit easily...
Made To Order: Gulshan Kolah
Custom-made garments, whether couture or everyday outfits, are a significant part of our dressmaking heritage. Verve scouts around for Mumbai-based tailors and boutiques that specialise in the art...
The incredible history of the traditional Parsi Gara sari
The timeless elegance of a traditional Parsi Gara is undeniable. Embroidered to life with photorealistic precision, the Gara sari is a unique member in the exhaustive variety of crafts found in the...
Ashdeen Lilaowala: The ‘gara’ goes mod
Traditional Parsi embroidery finds contemporary expression with fresh motifs and colours while retaining its multicultural roots in the hands of textile designer Ashdeen Z. LilaowalaAshdeen Z....
From Zarathustra to British Aristocracy: The Paisley of Persia
Resembling a teardrop, fashion’s famed Paisley motif earned its western name from the Scottish town of Paisley, a center for textiles where paisley designs were produced. The distinctive...
Parsi Gara: Using History For a New Story
How Ashdeen Lilaowala keeps traditional oriental embroidery craft distinct without adapting to the millennial culture Seated in the plush, spacious, newly launched store of textile designer and...
Tales of yore retold with parsi embroidery
What: Vintage Tales by AshdeenWhere: 85 Lansdowne, 85B Sarat Bose RoadWhen: September 7 and 8; 11am-7.30pmAshdeen Z. Lilaowala travelled back to the decade-old “studio culture” among the Parsis to...
How the Parsi sari was adapted into Bengali culture
If you try to picture Rabindranath Tagore – especially if you are a fan of the bard and his literary works and remembered his recent birth anniversary – you will visualise his trademark silver beard...
Nishka Lulla launches the newest e-commerce fashion portal GetNatty.com
9th May 2018, Mumbai: If dressing up is something you love, it’s time to check out the recently launched fashion platform, GetNatty.com . This e-commerce portal houses India’s most talented,...
Avestan A new Fragrance Line
Our dear friend Adil Mistry points us to the launch of a new fragrance labelled Avestan Georgia Murray at Refinery 29 writes… The upcoming launch, Avestan, is named for the sacred Eastern Iranian...
Parsi Paghdis and Phetas: Armin Pooniwalla
If there is one piece of our daily attire that has practically disappeared in the last century, it is headgear. And nowhere is it more noticeable, than the Parsis. Every single picture of Parsis...
Ashdeen Brings Creations to New York and Los Angeles
In his debut trunk show in United States, Ashdeen Lilaowala brings his collection to New York and Los Angeles this June. Good friend of Parsi Khabar and a brilliant textile designer and...
Discover The Chinese Roots Of This Traditional Parsi Embroidery
Chinese Roots And Silk Routes “People tend to forget that it is not just a craft, but also a visual identifier of the Zoroastrian community and its achievements,” says Ashdeen Z. Lilaowala of...
Kaizad Hansotia Co-Founder of GetNatty Provides Platform for Indian Fashion Designers
GetNatty, a young Gujarat-based platform for designers with original creations, to hop on the digital wagon An exhibition is nothing less than a congregation of artists, and the pride you associate...
Intricate embroidery: Ashdeen Lilaowala’s new Parsi traditional wear series
Textile designer Ashdeen Lilaowala has adapted the traditional Parsi gara in a contemporary style. Ashdeen Lilaowala’s collection of saris, lehengas and blouses usually have customers admiring the...
Go beyond wearing a sari
After the interest generated by #100SareePact, three women set up The Registry of Sarees to focus on Indian weaves and help set up looms Kausalya Satyakumar, Apoorva Sadanand and Ally Matthan share...
Mexican Drug Lord El Chapo and the Zarathushti Connection
What in the world would be the connection between the dreaded Mexican drug lord El Chapo Guzman and Zoroastrians ?? On the face of it, none. But that’s not really the truth. Now that the world's...
Acclaimed Immigrants: India’s Parsi Through Textiles
Mass migrations are in the news today, but populations have been relocating all through human history. When Muslims invaded Iran over 1200 years ago, most followers of the Zoroastrian religion...
Six Parsi Aunties You’ll Want For Company !
Brownpaperbag knocks on doors from Cusrow to Behram Baug to scout six Parsi ladies with hobbies and businesses that you should know about. 30.04.2015 Ranging from suspicious and wary to chatty and...
Ashdeen Lilaowala: I am Floored by the City’s Love for Saris
Taking the dazzling textile tradition of the culturally-rich Parsis to a wider audience, young designer Ashdeen Z Lilaowala dons several hats. Article By Janani Sampath | The New Indian Express An...
Parsi Weaves and Palate Offerings at Chennai Exhibition
As part of Crafts Council of India’s golden jubilee celebrations, efforts are being made to revive the exquisite Parsi Gara embroidery. Apoorva Sripathi meets the people behind the initiative For a...
The grace and movement of ‘Gara’
It is fashionable amongst engineers and systemic solution experts to talk about India’s last mile problem. It applies to roads, power plants, and pretty much any type of construction, they will say....
The Glory of the Gara
Part of every Parsi bride’s trousseau, the gara sari is an enchanted garden of visual delight Author: Saloni Madan | Source: Deccan Chronicle A thing of beauty is a joy forever/ Its loveliness...
Blame the Parsi for the fashionable sari
Mumbai: Parsi girls become women the day they wear a sari. The sari perawanu or sari-wearing ceremony is a rite of passage. At the centre of the celebration are five married women who help the girl...
Wear it Parsi style: Lady Gara
Parsi girls become women the day they wear a sari. The sari perawanu or sari-wearing ceremony is a rite of passage. At the centre of the celebration are five married women who help the girl wear a...
Ashdeen Lilaowala highlights Parsi Gara work at Lakme Fashion Week
The Indian Textile Show that opened Day Four at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013 began with Ashdeen Lilaowala, a graduate of the National Institute of Design Ahmedabad, who started his label...
Legend of gorgeous garas
Think of family heirlooms, and usually the first thing that comes to mind is a priceless necklace or some antique timepiece. By Shazman Shariff | Deccan Herald But surprisingly, in some cases, rare...
Hormazd Narielwalla: Dead Man’s Patterns
Discarded suit patterns from dead Savile Row customers form the foundation of the Hormazd Narielwalla’s PhD student's work. Article by Lily Bonesco | DAZED Digital Hormazd Narielwalla is about to...
Dilnaz Karbhary: Fashion and the Parsi Connection.
Dilnaz Karbhary was 13 when she decided to pursue fashion as a career. “I had seen a photograph of Milind Soman, Madhu Sapre and Mehr Jesia in a newspaper and they were styled by Shahab Durazi. It...
Tanaz Doshi: A Model’s life
It is not everyday that one admits to being born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Well, Tanaz Doshi is different. A successful ex-model, restauranter and someone who could pass off as the poster...
Paranormal experience with Ragini MMS actress Kainaz Motivala
She has thrown the proverbial beautiful, sexy and sultry out of the window. So when I was told to meet her, I was a bit sceptical. Yes, I picked her for my next interview. Not that I knew that she...
Kersi Dubash attire attracts customers
A weeklong dazzling variety of Indian saris, shalwar kameez, jewellery and bags in an exhibition by Kersi Dubash of Nazakat Collection at Jacaranda Guest House, continued to attract a large number...
The ZYNG 2011 Calendar
The Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation has come out with a calendar for 2011. This calendar has 12 Parsi models posing exclusively for the camera. This calendar has caused an unnecessary...
ZYNG Parsi Calendar Makes A Date With Controversey
By giving more than just the important dates concerning the Zoroastrian religion, a Parsi calendar released by the Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation (ZYNG), youth wing of the Bombay Parsi...
Oh, for the love of beautiful, embroidered Gara
In a bid to bring back the popularity of Gara — the intricately embroidered saree on Chinese silk — the Parsi community has thought of a new method: Help the young learn draping the traditional...
Gara Sari Sorority: Haute Fashion and Parsi Ladies
Sari sorority: Why Parsi ladies are a national fashion treasure As this small but influential Indian community has their new year this week, CNNGo's shop section celebrates the embroidered Parsi...
Think value, think vintage
Luxury is now about a different idea, an out-of-the-world experience, not just products and names… This week I am in Bombay where, between interviewing the Chief Minister and an encounter specialist...
City-born clothier will outfit Obama: Homi Patel
Barack Obama has ordered his first new tuxedo in 15 years for his inaugural celebration on January 20, 2009. And Homi Patel, the Mumbai-born chairman and CEO of the leading American suit maker...
Life, as Mehr Jesia knows it
As India Couture Week walks its way across Mumbai ramps, 80s icon Mehr Jesia talks about life after modelling, why she’s happier at 40 and why ‘in her time’, models were so much more professional...