FASHION IN PRESERVATION IS WHAT LITTLE LHASA, OR MCLEODGANJ, NESTLED IN THE HILLY ARMS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, EMBODIES. IT BOASTS A UNIQUE RETAIL MARKET WHERE THE POPULAR BRANDS MAY NOT SCORE HIGH, BUT SLOT THERE DEFINITELY IS FOR SOME NICHE ONES. WHAT THEREFORE PREVAILS IS A BUBBLING MIX OF ETHNICITY FLOWING FREELY INTO CHANGE. BY KUNAL MAJUMDER

Boundaries are fast melting and one often finds varied cultural flavours and inspirations doing the rounds on our runways. Kunal Majumder takes a close took at designers who have merged cultural identities and have drawn inspiration from Islamic patterns.

Earlier this year, members of Tibetan Youth Congress organised a series of protest coinciding with the preparations of Beijing Olympics. Kunal Majumder spoke with Tsewang Rigzin, the president of Tibetan Youth Congress on the political role of Tibetan youth.

A critic once described designer Mukul Goyal’s work as “a purist’s expression of design with a little bit of fun added along the way”. As a home accessory designer, he has been known for blending traditional materials like dokra with contemporary expression. His signature brand ‘Mukul Goyal’ consists of gift items like photo frames, mirrors, lamps and small furniture.

In 1998, he launched his curtain hardware line ‘Tattva’. Now he is set to launch three new lines under the ‘Tattva’ brand. Goyal speaks to Kunal Majumder about the important of hardware designing and his plans for his collections.

Republican vice-presidential ticket Sarah Palin’s dressing sense and style is making more buzz than some of the important issues in the US Presidential Elections. Her recent purchase of $150,000 worth […]