Fashion | BollyInstyle

Roberta Freymann Antique Textiles

September 22, 2011

Hi everyone! It’s Richa from Mala Handmade. I’m usually a downtown shopper here in New York City – I like the feel of small boutiques as opposed to big department stores and I always feel (despite my actual age!) that I’m too young for the grownup fashions of uptown. I always make a pitstop, however, at Roberta Freymann’s adorable boutiques at 70th and Lexington before hopping on the subway downtown.

Roberta’s been the go-to source of funky, ethnic inspired (and affordable!) design on the Upper East Side for years. She started her business by collecting beautiful tunics and jewelry on her inspirational trips abroad (including India). Her business took off quickly and she now has not just one, but two boutiques – including a new accessories focused bazaar cutely called Ro’s market – on the same corner (and others in Hamptons as well as online).

The line isn’t shy about bold prints, bright colors, or chunky jewelry – which just happen to be a few of my favorite things! She’s got a lovely range of printed cotton tunics, including cute shirt dresses made of handblock print fabric that are great for the office. She’s also got plenty of pretty sarongs and beach bags with woven embroidery. But you can’t go to Roberta’s stores without trying on one of her chunky jeweled necklaces: bright, bold, and beaded in lush colors, you can throw it on to a simple shift and turn it into the most glamorous neckline. Love it! Let me know what you think.

source: Roberta Freymann

by ST in Accessories, Children, Fashion, India, Textiles

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2 Comments

Sundeep @ Designwali says:
September 22, 2011 at 4:07 pm

Wow these are beautiful pieces! I wish I was in new york!

Divya@SHP says:
September 27, 2011 at 4:55 pm

Richa- Would love to know more about the downtown boutiques you shop at! I’m absolutely loving living downtown, but yes the shops around 70 to 80s on Columbus as lovely!

ShawLux

May 18, 2011

Hi everyone, it’s Richa from Mala Handmade! I’ve finally stepped out of hibernation here in New York City where for the last week it’s been sunny and seventy degrees. The city has an energy that’s always noticeable this time of year: rather than rushing from one destination to the other to escape the bitter cold, people are lingering outside, people watching, and peacocking in new spring outfits. But there’s still a chill at night. Rather than carry a coat (I can’t stand the thought of wearing one now!) I love to wear shawls. I got a beautiful pashmina in India, but I’ve got my eye on the gorgeous creations of ShawLux. Designer Annyu Gyani works with artisans in India and Kashmir on her line that takes the traditional silk, cashmere, pashmina base of Indian shawls and reimagines them in contemporary colors and patterns. (Her handy reference page points out that pashmina comes from goats in the Himalayas, which means the $5 versions on the street aren’t of course real!)

I am in love with the “Bead It” shawl in hot pink with turquoise beads. I love how the gorgeous warm base color is complemented by the cool turquoise and simple motif: it’s funky and elegant at the same time. “Once Burnt” has a quilted look with autumn colors that would look cozy for fall (it would be cute as a throw, too)! The cotton and cashmere squares are darling, too. “Bohemama”, a cotton and metallic scarf, is gorgeous! A rich madras plaid with delicate fringe and subtle shine are lovely and perfect for a pretty vibe. Are you all like me and into the drapey shawl look, or do you swear by your trench coat or fail safe cardigan? Right now I’m smitten with these pretty designs!

P.S – Last month, ShawLux became available at select Nordstrom stores nationwide!

source: ShawLux

by ST in Accessories, Fashion, New York

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Divya@soundhornplease says:
June 2, 2011 at 9:22 pm

I know! I can’t wait for the evening chill to go away too!

Danielle says:
July 7, 2011 at 7:37 am

I miss your posts!

Anthropologie Film from India

May 12, 2011

Holy Moly! My favorite shop, Anthropologie once again travels to India and as always creates a lovely catalogue but this time, they came back with some gorgeous footage too. No other shop can capture the detail and subtle designs of India as does Anthro. The film is short, sweet, and captivating!

source: Anthropologie

by ST in Fashion, Global, India, Inspiration, Travel

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MUNY and our Spring Trunkshow

May 10, 2011

Hi everyone! Richa from Mala Handmade here happy to report that BollyInstyle’s first designer get-together was a rousing success! When a regular reader and Moonsoup boutique owner contacted us about hosting some artisans we had recently featured on the blog for an event, we loved the idea. Building an online community is fantastic, but having the chance to meet people we write about and help introduce them to the public is really special. It’s so nice to share stories and trade tips with other designers that share a similar aesthetic and appreciation for how hard it is to start a business! But I’m thrilled that we also got the chance to meet other designers that came out to the event.

Samara Mahendru dropped by the event and introduced me to her adorable new children’s line, MUNY (which stands for Mumbai & New York). Samara is currently based in New York but grew up in India with a passion for textiles that I can completely understand. After spending 12 years in New York City working in fashion and design, she launched MUNY with the mission to combine the traditional Indian textiles with contemporary colors and motifs, giving the clothes an eclectic, bohemian and multicultural aesthetic. She aims for a simple, clean silhouette and airy color palettes that feel perfect for children. What I really love, though, is that Samara took the traditional practice of handblocking and amped it up with a twist in her debut collection. In order to give expression to a graphic and illustrative style she loves, Samara designed cute airplanes, skateboarding owls, bold spirals and zigs zags that are handblocked in the traditional Rajasthani style. The result is a playful & whimsical debut collection I adore! I’m grateful that Samara came out to the BollyInstyle event at Moonsoup and shared her designs with us. Here’s the first of many great collaborations aimed at discovering emerging Asian talent!

source: Gurmeet Kaur and MUNY

by ST in Accessories, Celebrate, Children, ECO, Events, Fashion, Handmade, Jewelry, Lifestyle, New York

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Sundeep @ Designwali says:
May 12, 2011 at 4:08 am

Looks like you guys had a fantastic gathering!

An Indian Kaleidoscope Spring Trunk Show

April 18, 2011

Happy Monday! Recently, the lovely Gurmeet Kaur contacted me in regards to hosting a Trunkshow in New York! I of course jumped at the chance to provide a platform for our joint interests in South Asian associated designers, ventures etc. And I’m so trilled that our very own writer from BollyInstyle, Richa from Mala Handmade will be showcasing her jewelry. There will be a little of everything….

Jewelry ~ Mala Handmade
Womenswear ~ Leaves of Grass and Rehna Pendse
Kidswear ~ ODE kids
Educational Toys ~ Gnaana

Those designs inspired by India are sometime subtle and at other times very overpowering influence over the Indian Diaspora. Gurmeet defines an Indian Kaleidoscope as a “world of multiple design reflections, rich in imagination, interactive, artisanal, colorful, sustainable, contemporary, playful and always new!” Well put, Gurmeet.

The Spring Trunk Show will be a fun way for shoppers to interact with some of our favorite Indian-inspired designers. Drop by May 5th at MoonSoup to enjoy food, music, and of course SHOP! You know you need to update your closet for spring! …

source: BollyInstyle and Moonsoup