[ I SAW IN MYSORE ] Day 2: Tales of Indian Folklore

Set in Mysore University’s sprawling semi-rural campus, the Jayalakshmi Vila's Complex Museum houses a huge collection of traditional Indian folklore items. From leather shadow puppets, rural ceremonial costumes, giant effigies and ritualistic instruments, the museum is a must see if, like me, the sight of a 10 headed wooden puppet depicting the demon Ravana floats your culturally weighted boat. Beware of the autocratic staff who insist on the deposit of your most prized (and most-likely-to-to-be-nicked) Canon possessions. Just tell them you’re a foreigner and that suspicious looking device is nothing more than an innocuous iPod and sneak some photos when no one’s looking (once again) – English blogger in India stylie.

[ I SAW IN MYSORE ] Prints & Patterns at Mysore Palace

 

This weekend I'm taking a break from big, busy, bustling Bangalore and my current work with VIA Design to venture a little southward to the city of Mysore. Famous for it's silk sari's, sandalwood oil and the supremely sweet local confectionery, Mysore Pak. On top of all this, Mysore has a spectacular palace, said to rival those of Rajasthan (the Land of the Kings). Bursting with brightly coloured floor tiles, almighty hand-carved doors, period paintings, crystal chandeliers and domed, stained glass ceilings it's one awe inspiring sight for artists, designers, architects and heritage lovers everywhere. You'll have to excuse the quality of some of the images...in true India style, photography was not permitted inside the palace, yet it seemed iPhone's were...

[ EAST MEETS WEST ] Tina Sareen LBD

A couple of weeks ago, through some sheer 'first-week-in-Bangalore' chance, I was lucky enough to meet up-and-coming Bangalore designer Tina Sareen. Busy with a a photo shoot to showcase her now fully up and running showroom off St Marks Road, I discovered that Tina's label LBD was masterminded at the end of her fashion degree, not here in sunny Bangalore, but none other than LCF. Being a fellow University of the Arts grad, Tina invited me back a week later for a proper chat and the chance to take some snaps. Click here to read the interview.

[ LIFE ON FILM ] Mike Matas's Morroco

Morocco & Spain from Mike Matas on Vimeo.

I came across this film whilst waiting on delivery for my new Canon 7D only weeks before embarking on my year long adventure around Asia. Shot on a 5D Mark II (yes I know its better but beggars can't be choosers), not only has this video filled me with excitement for the kind of films I can (hopefully) begin to make on my wanderings, but its full of the fantastic textures, colours and traditional patterns and prints found on Mata's two week trip to Morroco and Spain. Forget Asia,  I want to go to Morroco!

mikematas.com 

BLOGLOVIN' - FACEBOOK - TWITTER - TUMBLR - PINTEREST- POLYVORE

[ ANTIK BATIK ] Ethnic Threads SS 2011

Vintage embroidered cotton clutch £89

Zanon embellished knitted cotton cardigan £444 and Simoni paillette and bead necklace £127

Costa appliquéd python belt £182

Antik Batik has been whirling round my head since my days at Saint Martins but I've only recently come to remember why....and now its glaring me in the face. Inspired by her travels around the globe, Italian designer Gabriella Cortese set up Antik Batik in her now adopted home of Paris back in 1992. Fueled with decorative extravagance from every corner of the globe, with an eclectic mix of geometric and floral prints, neon colour combo's from Peru, Indian bandhani and mirror appliqué, and Indonesian batik, her aesthetic is unquestionably ethnic. My kind of label. And since I'm covering almost a quarter of the globe over the course of the coming year, its' a perfect excuse to follow in the footsteps of Ms. Cortese and seek out such indigenous artistry!

www.antikbatik.fr

BLOGLOVIN' - FACEBOOK - TWITTER - TUMBLR - PINTEREST- POLYVORE