Spring is officially here! The arrival of spring means many things - new life in the animal and plant kingdoms, and a chance to "spring clean" and start fresh. However what I look forward to the most are the style changes- especially the unique patterns and vibrant colors. Fashion has always intrigued me as a form of art. I see it as the "second skin" that allows us to communicate the most intangible element of our humanity - personality. I love wearing bright, funky colors and patterns regardless of the season or what my "color analysis" might dictate. If I'm feeling down, dressing up literally brightens my mood. Since I was a kid, I've filled sketch books with fashion illustrations inspired by various cultures and styles.- likely due to my cross-cultural upbringing. Growing up, visits to India always included the tradition of custom-stitching churidhars. We'd go to a textile store, pick from a diverse array of fabrics, and finally entrust them to a neighborhood tailor with design specifications. It's a cheap process- the cloth usually totals around Rs. 400 (~$6), and the tailoring cost starts around Rs.300 (~$4.50). You could get an entire custom sewn outfit for under $11! As a born-and-raised American with strong Indian roots, mixing Indian prints with western designs and vice versa felt like the ultimate expression of my split identity. On a trip to India in 2014, I designed an A-line dress with a retro boat neck and Anarkali-inspired pleating. I found a gorgeous pink fabric with a multicolored batik pattern on the border. I gave the tailor my design and instructions, and she stitched it beautifully! My favorite part is the evidence of human touch- little stitching imperfections that give the garment personality- one strap is wider than the other, and the belt loops are misaligned. I think it's funky and unique- perfectly suitable for me!
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I took the Myers-Briggs personality test at two very different points in my life, and all the components were identical except for the introvert/extrovert part. Everyone has a little bit of both in them, I think. As someone who is genuinely fascinated by people and their unique stories, I believe sharing thoughts and experiences is the best way to understand others and gain a broad perspective. I decided to created this space to 1) help myself embrace both sides of my personality, and 2) share my passions with the world. I'm intrigued by cultural structures, delicious vegetarian cooking, yoga & spirituality, and style & creativity in any form. I've wanted to start a blog for years, but hey- better late than never!
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