Eggplant is a low-calorie vegetable choice. Kick start and celebrate your first summer holiday long weekend on Victoria Day with this recipe for an Italian style stuffed Eggplant recipe.  Welcome  the first summer long weekend with this easy to cook meal of stuffed eggplants. The stuffed eggplants are light and easy on the digestive system. Best of all, this recipe is so easy to cook leaving you plenty of time to get a head start on all your gardening and outdoors entertaining. As a vegetarian entrée these stuffed eggplants will easily serve 4 people.

Stuffed Eggplant Recipe and Cultural Fusion Cooking

This recipe for stuffed eggplants

chinese eggplant

is a cultural fusion using Italian spices, Chinese eggplants and Greek feta cheese. If you want to give the stuffed eggplants a hot flair add some chilli flakes and top each stuffed eggplant with red hot chillies while you roast them in the oven. For a hint of Indian fusion mix half a teaspoon each of some cumin powder and turmeric powder with the olive oil before pouring it onto the stuffed eggplants.

Liven up your taste buds with fusion cooking. This fusion recipe for stuffed eggplants goes well with pasta and a spread of olives, sliced red onions and shredded cucumbers in yoghurt, watermelon slices  alongside with blue cheese on pita triangles, sliced beet root with round balls of yellow cantaloupes. 

Italian Style Stuffed Eggplant Recipe

Ingredients
2 Chinese eggplants
virgin olive oil
1 large Roma or vine tomato
6 garlic cloves chopped
Butter
Small bunch of
Cilantro leaves chopped
Small bunch of parsley chopped
Dried thyme leaves
President’s Choice Sweet Basil Sauce
Shredded Old Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese
Sprinkles of Parmesan Grated Powdered Cheese
President’s Choice Garlic and Herb Crumbled Goat’s Milk Feta Cheese 

President's Choice Sweet Basil Sauce

President's Choice Garlic and Herb Crumbled Goats Milk Feta Cheese

Preparation:
1. Preheat Oven to 375
2.On a cookie sheet line aluminum foil. Take another long piece of aluminum foil longer than the length of the eggplants
and place it horizontally. Repeat with another layer of foil and place it over the horizontal piece to place it vertically to look like a cross.

3. Take eggplants and slice each lengthwise on cutting board making slashes with a knife on each eggplant’s interior pulp to look like a checker board. Do not make very deep slashes. 

4. Place eggplants on the foiled cookie sheet in a vertical fashion.

5. Dribble olive oil with a tablespoon on eggplant halves so it generously covers each eggplant half making them look yellow. It is alright if a  little olive oil spills over the sides of the eggplant.
Evenly distribute chopped garlic on to each eggplant half, followed by sprinkled dried thyme leaves, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, parsley,  clumps of President Choice Sweet Basil Sauce, shredded cheese, and small dabs of butter on each stuffed eggplant.

6. Cover the eggplants with the aluminum foil edges so it covers the eggplants and wraps like a boat making sure the stuffed eggplants are all still lying flat with their stuffing.

7. Place in 375 degree preheated oven for 45 minutes.

Pre oven baked stuffed eggplant

8. After 45 minutes take out of oven and with a spoon mix the stuffing gently so it all mixes. Evenly spread President’s Choice Garlic and Herb Crumbled Goat’s Milk Feta Cheese on each eggplant half.

9. Stick back in oven without the foil covering the eggplant allowing the President’s Choice Garlic and Herb Crumbled Goat’s Milk Feta Cheese to melt for an additional 5 minutes. If juices are there surrounding the eggplant collect it by securing the foil around like a bowl, yet keeping the eggplants uncovered. The juices keep it moist and can be dribbled back onto the stuffed eggplant before serving.

Baked Stuffed Eggplant

10. Finally before serving each half stuffed eggplant on a plate and sprinkle with grated powdered parmesan cheese. Serve immediately

11. Serve stuffed eggplants with plain Linguine. The stuffed eggplants can stay warm in the oven covered with foil until linguine is cooked.

AMRAPALI

Ghanshyamdas jewellery model Malaika Arora Khan see birdhichand.wordpress.com/tag/uncut-diamond-jewellery/

Birdhichand Ghanshayamdas from Jaipur

Johara from Nagpur

Johara

Gitanjali group from Mumbai,

Gitanjali Group

CVM  Exports Designers from Junagadh,

CVM Designers

Laxmi Jewellery Exports Pvt. Ltd from Ahmedabad

Laxmi Jewellery

and Kashi Jewellers from Kanpur.

Kashi Jewellers

IIJW2011show

IIJW uncut diamond jewellery

kangana ranaut uncutdiamonds iijw 2011

uncut diamond jewellery by Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas IIJW

Kundan keshri settings is the type of  jewellery craftmanship that we see displayed in many of the uncut diamond jewellery pieces in India. Kundan keshri is an ancient gemstone setting, actually one of the oldest forms of hand made jewellery from India which is said to originate from the jewellery worn by royalty in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Kundan keshri means that under and between the uncut diamonds or gemstones and their mounts, gold foils of highly refined 24 Karat molten gold are inserted to look almost like a bezel setting in a very natural, borderless form . The Lac, a certain tree sap, holds the setting in place. The uncut diamond kundan setting originated in the ancient times of pre-bezel, pre-claw, pre-pave’ and pre-Van Cleef and Arpel’s invisible settings.

uncut diamond jewellery

The diamonds can be set on their own or along other gemstones like pearls rubies, emeralds, semi- precious stones or pure gold kundan fillings.Today this form of kundan setting is still popular and not only set in gold but also in silver and further made affordable to all in the form of imitations of costume jewellery that mimic uncut diamonds and gemstones making it versatile for both bridal jewellery as well as daily wear.

Uncut diamonds in  keshri kundan pieces are not rough diamond settings that we see in today’s many modern jewellery settings. The uncut diamonds in Indian kundan jewellery are shaped and cut flat and polished on the flat surface with elaborate ancient processes to form intricate designs and patterns, some with meenakari which involves painted design details of enameling on the gold. The uncut diamonds in the kundan keshri setting have a star gazed look that does not have a whiteflash gaudy appearance but a mezmerising glassy pure diamond look reflective of starry skies gone by. If you want to capture the aura of uncut diamonds follow Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas on Facebook,the award winner jeweller of National Jewellers

uncut diamond jewellery designer Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas

for most unique designs of 2012.

India International Jewellery Week 2012 Grand Hyatt Mumbai Aug 19-23 2012 Promotional Video

The learned craftmanship of  kundan keshri and meenakari take several years for the artisan to learn. If visiting Rajasthan, there are many local artisans in Jaipur where the manufacturing process of kundan jewellery with uncut diamonds can be seen. One such craftsman can be visited online at Kundanart.com.

Video 1 India International Jewellery Week 2011

Uncut diamonds keshri kundan jewellery are best seen where they originated in Jaipur.There local craftsmen skillfully produce this art for custom pieces replicating the Nizam era collection of an antiquated old charm look. Today’s look of uncut diamonds in keshri kundan have the antiquated look of the Nizam’s collection once worn mainly by Indian royalty but is now modified to be much lighter in weight adapted for modern comfort with a chic glamour appealing worldwide  to both men and women. The appeal for uncut diamond jewellery among celebrities extends from Bollywood to Hollywood.

Video 2 India International Jewellery Week 2011

We often forget that the impact of indian jewellery worn by india’s royals was once the rage during the colonial era as it was significant in setting the stage for fashion among the royals in Britain,France, Russia and Iran. Today the same glamour of uncut diamond jewellery is widely appealing not only to Hollywood celebrities but also to trendsetters worldwide.

 

Jeweller Birdichand Ghanshyamdas birdhichand.wordpress.com/tag/uncut-diamond-jewellery/

Birdichand Ghanshyamdas Noor collection

There are many Bollywood fashion shopping outlets in Canada but to find one catered to all your unique fashion design needs may require alot of searching around.
Design Hut, located in Brampton, Ontario is Canada’s one stop shopping spot for all your fashion design needs. Design Hut is conveniently located in a plaza amidst many other bollywood themed retail outlets.

Design Hut Contact Poonam 905 487 1145 at 2575 Steeles Ave E, Unit 11 Brampton, Canada

Fashion Design is a major vantage selling point at Design Hut. Your fashion design needs are specifically tailored to meet your taste, the nature of the event you plan to attend along with the custom fitted design requirements for your particular body type. Practical design solutions are offered by the skilled experienced sales staff who provide a shopping environment leaving only satisfaction for you as the consumer. If you are looking for bridal wear with a very Bollywood fashion design or you want to improvise  a Bollywood fashion design to your own fashion sense, Design Hut is your shopping spot.
Imagine your visit to Design Hut as a bollywood fashion shopping experience with the store as your wardrobe closet.

printed sarees

If there is a picture of a bollywood outfit you saw on a fashion runway, on the internet or in a magazine, show the  photo to the staff at Design Hut. This might be a way to guide them to get to know the look you want. While you pick and choose your dream bollywood attire along side the sales staff who have a knowlegeable sales expertise in design, your Bollywood fashion dream design becomes a quick reality. Sift through the catalogues of latest bollywood fashion design trends for Sarees , Salwar Kameez suits, Lehenga and bridalwear from India. There is also something for the entire family including childrens’ clothing, silver and costume bollywood jewellery, sherwanis, kurta pajamas and pathani suits. Perhaps you are an upcoming fashion designer or you just love to sew and make your own creations. The sari length 47 inches wide and 6 yards long provides a generous latitude of inspiration to design an evening gown or an off-the-shoulder wrap like Emilio Pucci’s runway display during Milan Fashion Week. At Design Hut sarees come in a variety of textile prints and fabrics from traditional to modern funky prints. Design Hut has a welcoming 2012 Spring and Summer collection with a wide array of colours and fabric and textures in an assortment of designs with tailored blouses and many accessories to choose from. When you buy a sari at Design Hut for a small extra cost it can  pre- pleated and stitched so it drapes easily each time you wear the sari. Contact Poonam Design Hut
905 487 1145
2575 Steeles Ave E, Unit 11 Brampton, Canada
905 487 1145
Brampton, Canada

Digitalism Online Magazine’s Picks

Indian Designers on the Fashion Runway

Designer Vikram Phadnis lakme fashion 2012

Deepika Govind in www.vogue.in

For those who want to create a sari inspired look, designers Varun Bahl, Vikram Phadnis, Deepika Govind, Anamika Khanna , Anita Dongre
Bhairavi Jaikishan and Gaurav Gupta enlighten our imagination.

Lakme 2012 Vikram PhadnisVikram Phadnis Fashion Designer 2012

Varun Bahl's INDOFrench collection

anita dongre lakme2012

D-Govind lakme 2012

B.Jaikishan Lakme 2012

Bhairavi jaikishan lakme2012

Varun Bahl in www.vogue.in

The sari is here to stay and the sari concept seems to travel beyond India . The sari is assimilating internationally and adapting to celebrity trends not only in Western countries but  also to fashion tastes in African countries such as Ghana and Nigeria.

varun bahl indofrench collection

Gaurav Gupta

Anamika Khanna

Vikram Phadnis Fashion Designer 2012

Budget Menu Planning
One simple principle to follow which may seem like an obvious solution is to plan a weekly or special event menus based onlyon  buying sale items from your local groccery store flyers. The main rule being “buy only whats on sale” and especially those items where savings on each item is more than a dollar.Comparison of the various local food flyers’ sale items will give you the best available prices in your geoghrapical area. For instance if you were celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8 by having a few girls over or those  important women in your life who are close to you, here is a sample menu. My favourite food shopping experience in Guelph is at the Loblaws grocery chain store, Zehrs. One reason for enjoying shopping at Zehrs is the availability of President’s Choice products and President’s Choice Blue Menu. Looking through this week’s  Zehrs sales flyer  here is a suggested budget menu planned based on sale items only. These items are on sale with prices effective only until March 8.  So if I plan an International Women’s Day celebration March 8 for 3 or 4 friends, here is what jumps out at me from the local Zehrs flyer.

A Budget Menu Event Plan under 50 dollars at Zehrs (prices effective until March 8. 2012)

President’s Choice(PC)Lean Italian Meatballs President’s Choice(PC) Blue Menu $5.99

President’s Choice(PC)  air chilled boneless,skinless chicken thighs $4.99/pound
Campbell’s Tomatoe Soup .59 cents
Campbell’s Mushroom soup .59 cents
Jake’s Bake House Bread, 2 for $3.00
Lactantia Butter  $2.99
Greenhouse Tomatoes $1.99 /pound
Eggplant and Zucchini $1.49/pound
Onion Leaves 3 for $1.98
President’s Choice(PC)Organic Celery Hearts  $2.99
President’s Choice(PC) 900ml.Mango Peach Smoothie $3.49

A Budget Menu Plan Utilizing a Zehrs Flyer:

President’s Choice(PC)Lean Italian meatballs in a tomatoe soup base with stewed, fresh greenhouse tomatoes and oven roasted, eggplant, celery, zucchini and chopped onion leaves

President’s Choice(PC)  air chilled boneless chicken thighs oven baked lightly seasoned with garlic, pepper in a butter and milk  Mushroom Soup base .

Jake’s Bake House Bread oven warmed or buttered and toasted

PC  Mango Peach Smoothie served on ice (pour tbsp of Peach Schnapps Liqueur as an optional alcohol beverage)

This menu is based on budget menu planning which means planning and cooking a menu with only items that are on sale at your local supermarket for that particular week. By adhering to this shopping principle you not only develop a creative and practical outlook to cooking but one that enables your wallet  to also stay “fuller” for longer. Trying to find other nutritional recipe ideas becomes simpler for the consumer with President’s Choice Blue Menu Products at Zehrs

nike fuel band

With a built  in USB port and mobile app, the Nike Fuel Band not only measures time, calories and your steps but you can track your progress.
The whole concept of marketing life as a sport is encouraging in the sense that while it serves as a health tracking device, it also encourages you to staying active.
Worn on the wrist, the Nike Fuel Band makes every activity count whether your dancing, running, jumping ,or just waving goodbye.

Nike Fuel Band

Quantifying Nike Fuel into various “fuel” motivated activities is a sport in itself trying to bring the fun into any activity. For instance if you wanted to measure how much fuel you used brushing your teeth compared to brushing your hair, the Nike Fuel Band would be able to tell you.

The Nike Fuel Band can be used as motivational health tracking device to work independently or in groups. Whether it brings the sport out of life or makes life into a neverending sport, with even more information to track and store will depend on the user. If anything it could atleast get a conversation going for those who want something to show and tell and then see how much fuel they used up doing that activity..
Apparently the Nike Fuel Band is limited in quantity and NikeStore.com will replenish theNike Fuel Band inventory on a regular basis.

Nike Fuel Bands

It is February 14th 2012.Valentine’s Day has arrived.   With or without choice, as humans our minds and vision are being wired by the commercials aired on TV, magazines and internet advertisements all meant to get us into the mood to buy gifts as an expression and celebration of love. Yet for many it triggers stress. The task of choosing gifts from a never ending list of valentine gift choices, choosing a valentine’s day date plan , choosing what to wear, choosing who to be with or choosing to be alone, choosing choices from a narrowed list of choices and the task ultimately becomes a choice made resulting in the agony of stress. With a day in tribute to love we all expect that the choices we make will deliver the hope we set our choices to make. That being said we hope anything we do or choose to do should be because we love which can be simply translated as “I love therefore I am”.
I just finished reading” The Art of Choosing”

The Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar

a very interesting book written by Sheena Iyengar.
It really is a fascinating book and I recommend it as a “choice ” for your “must read” list of books or as a Valentine’s gift to yourself. In the long run you will get your money’s worth well beyond Valentine’s Day because it will make you think that in life you are an active player in the world of choices and what you do does matter. The author’s approach to schematically draw from  research studies in psychology is colorfully relayed with interesting findings in an appealing and engaging fashion . Although the book has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day it does present an explorative anatomy into the art of choosing and I thought to myself how might one apply some of the interesting findings to help one in choosing choices for Valentine Day.

If you Google “Valentine’s day gift choices” you will get an array of product choices from jewellery, flowers, clothes , makeup, dining, travel and many more choice options. Love becomes a commodity. On Valentine’s Day there seems to be a manipulated demand in the market for love with two assumptions, one that you choose to be a consumer in the market for love and that your supply for this commodity is low. So to increase your supply of love you are programmed to monetarily choose to  buy some product which will in turn display your love .
We seem to be transformed into a collective robotic group leaning away from individualism but conforming to get the day over with, doing it out of custom and learned duty or convention rather than a firm choice of conviction or desire from the heart.
Are we making these choices with our own hearts or are these choices an illusion of choices which are already made for us and we follow by picking from choices already pre made for us.? Are we loosing our individual creative spontaneous acts of kindness and love and instead conforming to gift giving as a display because that is what is expected from us to do as the chosen behaviour? How can we feel content with the choices we make?

In the book, The Art of Choosing , Sheena Iyengar suggests that with the multitude of consumer products thrust upon us, there is only an “illusion of variety”. We think we have choices but these choices are already made for us and guised as different products under numerous umbrellas of parent companies. We have identities and like to feel unique and  “rather than being alone in a crowd of sheep we’re all individuals in sheep’s clothing”. In order to get into a state of equilibrium we need to connect with our identity and the choices we make. To mindfully choose we need to understand our own identities and know who we are. Iyengar goes on to stipulate that once you know who you are, your choices flow as creations of you. The more control you “perceive” you have in making your choices the happier and healthier you will feel  with this “learned optimism”. As we age and get more mature and find our own identity, this trained choosing will become more fluid, consistent and flexible and we will not merely “be “in” the results of our choice” but  choice  can be a “liberating act of creation”.

What can we draw from  Iyengar’s implications as we apply it to those who may be alone on Valentine’s Day seeking to find love.? First of all, before you choose to give love you must first know more about your own identity. If you only perceive the negative experiences in your life and feel victimized by life’s uncontrollable forces, the risk for depression and unhealthy states are higher. Iyengar states that ” learned optimism ” adjusts to “our vision to see that we have control rather than passively suffering the shocks of life” We have to have the perception of control in the choices we make and then we are happier living with these choices. I would think then that when a single person decides if he or she wants to settle or find someone to settle with, or settle at all,  they would be more successful by the  “perceived ” control over their decision making process. Also once they mature to take the time to reflect upon their own personal identity and know what they are about, this in turn will give them the power and control to create a choice in their lives.
The book also draws through research findings the existing similarities between emotions like “love” and “fear”. Our systems have an automatic as well as a reflective system. Iyengar explains that the automatic system registers physiological responses without always being able to figure out what’s causing them. Although we would think that the emotions of fear and love to be completely different emotions, Iyengar illustrates that when we fall in love at first sight, the bodily responses like the heart beating faster, the sweating palms and butterflies fluttering in the stomach are all in common with emotions like the fear of falling.
With age and time, we refine our reflective system so that there is a balance between the automatic and reflective in us, thus making fewer adjustments as to  how we see ourselves  and how others around view us, and the choices we make.

When choosing Valentine Day gifts or making important choices like getting engaged or remaining to be single on this day, one needs to have a vision beyond what we see with our eyes. We need to filter the availability of information and data being processed in our brain, to filter it through our automatic and reflective responses and then come up with a choice which displays the essence of us. When we give love we are choosing to give love, when we give a gift we are choosing to give a gift, all being a reflection of our identity.  The best results from these choices come when we know who we are and perceive to be in control of these trained choices. In terms of Valentine’s day, we forget to realize that the choices we have to express ourselves on this day are free. These assets are love and time. In the grand mechanism of things which directs our choices we have the choice to give love to others and to ourselves by making the time.

Love is timeless. Time makes each of us mortal. Today on Valentine’s Day I enjoy and remember Whitney Houston, the prolific singer who tragically passed away just three days ago. Her song ” I will always love you” haunts me today on Valentine’s Day more so now after her sudden death.

I believe she was on a journey trying to know herself but fell short in time due to a lack of “perceived” control she had on her choices in life. I am thankful to Sheena Iyengar, the author of the book “The Art of Choosing” in sharing her vision. Although Sheena Iyengar is blind, her vision sheds light in the way you will see your choices.

Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks Step One
Ingredients to chop in blender to make a yogurt based marianade.
1 inch ginger root
7 or 8 garlic cloves
1 hot red chilli
1 1/2 tablespoon plain yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp red wine vinegar
a bunch of cilantro leaves
 a bunch of parsley leaves
some mint leaves (optional)
quarter red onion
fresh lemon juice(one small lemon)

Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks Step Two
Ingredients for spice
in a heated frying pan with some vegetable oil take off stove and add
 1 1/2 tablespoons of hungarian or spanish paprika
1 tablespoon garam masala powder
1 /2 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder(more if you want it hotter)
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon tamarind paste
sprinkle cinnamon and clove powder

Put pan back on stove on medium heat . Do not fry spices. Just mix into a thick paste by adding a tiny bit of water and olive oil .Take pan off the heat and set aside  as soon as you smell the aroma of the mixed spices . Make sure you do not burn the spices. Taste the mixture to see if it suits your taste or adjust for  salt, chilli powder and/or vinegar proportions. In the same pan
then add the blended marianade yogurt mixture to the spices and mix well..

Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks Step Three

Digitalism's Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks

In a bowl  add 6 skinless chicken drumsticks ( all the same size medium to large sized )
Pierce the drumsticks with a fork and sprinkle with salt and scour the drum sticks with a knife and squeeze some lemon juice on each one. Set aside.
Pour the mixed yogurt and spice mixture over drumsticks and make sure it is coated thoroughly. Cover with saranwrap and mariante in refrigerator overnight or for 48 hours for optimal taste.

Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks Step Four
take marianated drumsticks out of fridge and keep at room temperature an hour prior to baking.
Pre heat Oven to 375 degrees

In frying pan add some vegetable oil and butter to saute the drumsticks. Stir and turn being careful not to burn the drumsticks for about 15 minutes varying from  medium  to medium low.

Digitalism's Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks

Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks Step Five :Transfer drumsticks carefully to a foiled pizza tray.(Lining with foil makes cleaning the pan after baking easy)

Digitalism's Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks Step Five

Make sure each piece has adequate marainate on it. Top each drumstick with a small dab of butter.Stick in Oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes turn the drumsticks making sure they are not sticking to foil or getting burned , brush on a little  melted butter on each piece and place back in oven for 25 minutes reducing oven to 350 degrees.Check halfway through to make sure they are not burning. Turn if necessary. Each oven might vary in heat so you may need to cook it for an additional 5 or 10 minutes if blood runs . Take out of oven and check with knife to see if cooked. Just before serving the drumsticks put a little more butter on each drumstick and broil for 5 minutes or until the marianate on drumsticks appear dry and grilled.

Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks Step 6

Digitalism's Superbowl Bollywood Chicken Drumsticks

Garnish with onions and lemons amd fresh cilantro leaves

London Manori Bracelet

London Manori dragon jewellery is a perfect timely addition to a jewellery collection to celebrate the Chinese New Year. London Manori dragon jewellery collection is a powerful and timely jeweled addition in celebration of the 2012 Year of the Water Dragon Chinese New Year. January 23 commences the start of the New Year symbolized by the water Dragon which in Chinese mythology is associated with a calming water element , bringer of rain to the fearless fire of the imperial power of the dragon. The fearless confidence symbolized by the Chinese dragon is part of the Chinese Zodiac conveying the concept of yang with  power, good luck, strength and patience offering blessings and at the sametime guarding off evil spirits.

London Manori is a Los Angeles based custom jewelry designer and manufacturer.

London Manori Dragon Ring

The London Manori dragon jewellery is a unique ornate design as can be viewed in the  custom ring and bracelet set with pave diamonds.

The San Francisco Chronicle

lists the retailers carrying London Manori jewellery.

.

New Blue Nile Blue Sapphire

This latest New Blue Nile Blue Sapphire ring   has the centre stone a beautiful blue sapphire, surrounded by Pavé setting of diamonds creating a brilliant surface for the blue sapphire to sit upon..
The number of round diamonds are 108 with a minimum carat total weight of 1.08 of H colour VS2 clarity diamonds .

The profile of the New Blue Nile Sapphire Ring

Profile Image of Blue Nile Blue Sapphire

Giorgio Armani

Gypsy fashion has influenced designers such as Pria Kataria, Neeta Lulla, Vicky Martin Berrocal, Malini Ramani. Robert Cavelli, Anna Sui and especially Giorgio Armani’s 2008 fall collection. 

Giorgio Armani

 What makes the gypsy style endure in fashion?

Vicky Martin Berrocal

Whether it is layered skirts worn over  leggings gathered on the bottom,

Neeta Lulla

 sequined shawls draped over ruffles and lace,

Anna Sui

velvet and silk tunics under denim mirror embroidered boleros and cholis, head topped with feathered turbans,

Pria Kataria

 with  the jingle jangle of gold mixed with silver bangles, multi colored beads

Malini Ramani

 and bells stringed with rope anklets

 with tassels worn over boots…elements of Gypsy fashion is like the Gypsy migration, globally far reaching .

Malini Ramani

The appeal of this free spirited style in fashion signifies the romantic nomad,

Robert Cavelli

the bohemian movement and the spill over from being displaced from one’s birthplace  yet travelling wearing the past heritage mixed with current geographical trends.

Robert Cavelli

Gypsies are the Roma, who originated from India and migrated to eastern  Europe roughly a 1000 years ago.

Pria Kataria

 Linguistic and genetic evidence marks the Romanies to have originated possibly from the Indian state of Rajasthan

Pria Kataria

 then going northwest from the Punjab region then migrating to Europe possibly via Iran.

Pria Kataria

Perhaps through the glamour in the fashion designer’s aesthetic eye popularizing the Gypsy flair,

Malini Ramani

bopa

will some day lessen the discrimination that has been targeted to the Roma ethnic minority communities. Here are some pictures of actual Gypsies.The Kalbeliya and Bopa Women are the Gypsy Queens of  India’s Rajasthan Desert. The Bopa are talented musicians and singers while the Kalbeliya are known as dancers and snake charmers.

Pictures of Roma Gypsies by Patrick Cariou

Kalbeliya

The Gypsies  have influenced the works of fashion designers bringing their style from the countryside to the catwalks and fashion runways.