India welcomes Vogue's first edition

The world has its eyes on India where number of millionaires are rapidly growing. Truly speaking, when I go there it seems that they are multiplying. For the same reason multinational companies see India as one of the countries with high growth potential, with the most intelligent manpower available and good living conditions.

'Conde Nast', the company that owns 'Vogue' brand has launched its 17th Vogue with India edition. 'Vogue' is best described as a fashion bible and its launch is a clear indication of the global brands having keen interest in Indian consumers. The magazine is more colorful than all the other 16 editions and is going to display Indowestern fusion of style. The market entry is done with 50,000 copies and is availbale in about 40 towns in more than 5000 outlets. The launch party was done at Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The cover page has Bollywood stars Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra and Australian supermodel Gemma Ward. Vogue cover girls are styled by British Vogue's fashion director Lucinda Chambers and shot by Patrick Demarchelier world's leading fashion photographer.

Affluent Indian women of today want the best of both Indian and Western fashion. Bravo! Indian designers to create fashion scene in India and the consumers with loads of money in their wallet.

The Nehru Jacket

India's first primeminister 'JawaharLal Nehru'(1947to 1964) is credited to popularize the famous single breasted,hip length jacket with band collar. It is fitted like a regular suit jacket and called as 'Nehru Jacket'. This style came to West in late 60's which stayed there till early 70's. 1960's was the time when foreign cultures had a strong influence on society and that revealed in fashion too.

Hollywood has always seen it as a villain's attire....oops Nehru didn't know this character of his favourite jacket....or probably he discovered a powerful style element hidden in it and that is what he liked in it. Indian politians, rich and famous-all have their wardrobes loaded with Nehru jackets.It is a kind of uniform among all the James Bond Villains. In the popular Harry Potter movies, Severus Snape (played by Alan Rickman) is always shown wearing a black robe with a black Nehru jacket-like underpiece. Hugo Drax in Moonraker, Dr.Evil in Austin Powers, Dr No in Dr No and many more villains have worn it. All round entertainer Sammy Davis claimed to have owned 200 of these.

In 60's intellectuals, musicians and religious leaders had special interest in Indian culture. The Beatles even travelled to India to study 'Meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The same Maharishi who has a dedicated TV channel'. Some musicians actually went ahead to learn Indian music. This jacket was available in variety of fabrics and sometimes worn with beads giving it a little hippie character. It could be a fashion fad in west but a classic men's outfit in India. Every Indian men has at least 1-2 of these jackets. It is considered a perfect choice for a groom's attire to be worn on his special occassions be it engagement, wedding day or reception. If any of my male readers do not own one, think of the powerful, diplomatic, dominating character associated with it ........ go ahead to get one stitched.