Handbags have become a unique statement for women, with most feeling incomplete without their handbags. And as clothes become even more streamlined and minimalistic, it is your choice of handbag that can make you stand out from the crowd. With increased awareness about fashion, every woman wants to have the latest handbag that will make them feel like a fashionista. ELLE is one such fashion brand that has introduced its trendy Autumn Winter handbag collection.

This new range of handbags will suit all your needs. Whether you’re a working woman or a girl in her teens, these Parisian style handbags are what you need to flaunt this fall. This new FW’18 collection has sophisticated office-worthy tote bags to eyecatching crossbody bags, which are perfect for a night out in town. These handbags are beyond classic, made from the finest quality materials. Plush and sleek looking, these bags are a delight to touch and look at.


Let’s take a look at some of the styles from ELLE’s new FW’18 collection. First one is a beautiful and chic pastel blue tote bag that is wellstructured and so classic that you’d definitely love to carry it to office or make it a part of your travel plan. You can toss aside your black bags and go for something with a little more life — opt for a bright red bucket bag, which is the latest trending style and a must-have. When travelling for a meeting or stepping out for coffee, the brand’s satchel and slings are a perfect companion. Sleek, stylish and roomy enough to carry your on-the-go make-up kit, book or diary, these bags will be your compact carry-all and are available in colours that can go with any look. You can get these bags at special prices at ELLE’s ongoing end of season sale. These handbags are available at leading departmental, online and Luxxuberance stores.

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St Francis Xavier’s silver casket in Goa to be restored in Italy
Relic Has Been In Old Goa For Close To 360 Yrs

TIME TAKES TOLL: The casket was designed by Italian Jesuit Marcelo Mastrili in the 17th century and thus needs urgent restoration

Panaji:

The iconic silver casket that has held the relics of St Francis Xavier in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa for close to 360 years is set to travel to Florence in Italy for a touch of long-and-much-needed restoration. It will be taken after the saint’s feast on December 3 and will likely return before the feast in 2019.


The casket was designed by Italian Jesuit Marcelo Mastrili in the 17th century, while the original coffin was put together through a collaborative effort of Goan and European artisans. “It is the casket that needs urgent attention, as the last restoration came as far back as 1637,” rector, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fr Patricio Fernandes said, adding that restoration cannot be done in situ.

Studios in Florence have the equipment and experts for the work, he said.

The casket with the Spanish saint’s shrunken relics presently lies atop a mausoleum on the right side of the altar in one of Goa’s most popular church. For thousands of local and outstation pilgrims, and tourists from all over the world, the church with its exposed laterite walls, is synonymous with the saint’s relics.

Time and neglect have taken their toll causing the reliquary to change colours. “Oxidization has slightly corroded the silver and the casket has lost its lustre. Patina, or a film of green or brown hue, forms on the surface due to oxidation,” an ASI official said.

The mausoleum with its four artistically carved reliefs also needs conservation, but this can be done in situ. Another Italian, the grand duke of Tuscany is known to have gifted the mausoleum in 1696 and set up in the chapel of St Francis Xavier on November 8, 1698.

The interest in its restoration was triggered a few months ago after some heritage lovers raised concern over its crumbling status.

Soon, an Italian team of three experts from Opificio delle pietre dure in Florence flew into Goa, in May, on a fiveday tour. The team, headed by the institute’s director of restoration sector (bronze), inspected both, the mausoleum and silver casket. Opificio is a Florence-based public institute of the Italian ministry for cultural heritage.

The rector had initially brought on board the archaeological survey of India (ASI) and Goa Church in a bid to work out modalities for the restoration of the art that holds sentimental value for thousands of devotees and others.

ASI protects and restores churches, including the Basilica, other edifices and ruins in and around the world heritage complex of Old Goa. The team submitted a two-page report to Basilica officials within a fortnight. The Basilica authorities discussed the report with architects, historians, church representatives and others concerned with heritage.

The casket with the saint’s relics are taken to Se Cathedral across the complex for an exposition once in 10 years.


TIME TAKES TOLL: The casket was designed by Italian Jesuit Marcelo Mastrili in the 17th century and thus needs urgent restoration

Ayushi Bhave Mumbai's Shravan Queen and Bhavana Dube, Vaishnavi Shenavi

Six crows trained to pick up litter, including cigarette butts will be put to work at a French historical theme park. The birds will be encouraged to collect and deposit small bits of rubbish into a box which will then deliver a nugget of food.

They will be put to task at the Puy du Fou park in the western Vendee region on Monday. Nicolas de Villiers, the resort’s president, said: “The goal is not just to clear up, because the visitors are generally careful to keep things clean, but to show nature itself can teach us to take care of the environment.”


He added that rooks – a member of the crow family, which also includes jackdaws and ravens – are especially suited to such a role because of their intelligence. “They like to communicate with humans and establish a relationship through play,” he said.

It is not the first time crows have displayed such intelligence either. In June, scientists at the University of Cambridge, created a vending machine that showed the bird’s ability to solve problems. The device required a particular size of paper token to release a treat. Observers found the crows could remember the right size of paper. They even trimmed bigger pieces until they could fit into the machine. 

A second Egyptian sphinx may have been discovered by construction workers improving a major road in the city of Luxor, officials say. The statue – said to have a lion’s body and human head – was unearthed between the two famed Nile-side temples of Karnak and Luxor.

It is about six miles from the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of Egypt’s ancient pharaohs. If the find turns out to be genuine, it could date back as far as 2500BC – making it more than 4,000 years old.


Mohamed Abel Aziz, director general of Luxor antiquities, said the structure would remain embedded in the soil for some time “due to the nature of the environment it is in”, according to the magazine Egypt Today.

A huge flock of flamingos is seen over the wetlands in Uran since Saturday. While locals say it is common to find the birds during winter, spotting them during monsoon is unusual

HEAT WAVE PROMPTS FLAMINGOS TO LAY FIRST EGGS IN 15 YEARS

In a feat attributed to the recent heat wave that swept across Europe, rare Andean flamingos at a wetlands reserve in Slimbridge, Britain, have laid eggs for the first time in 15 years. The exotic birds are ‘fickle breeders’ and can go years without nesting successfully. Unfortunately for them, none of the eggs are viable, so no new Andean flamingos will emerge from this batch.. In a bit of human meddling, caretakers decided to get the Andean birds into parenting mode: They took a few eggs from Chilean flamingos, ‘near relatives,’ and planted them among the Andean birds, who became foster parents to new chicks, the reserve said.

This meditative art form enables one to stay relaxed and create beautiful abstract art through structured patterns





Move over mandala. The latest therapy art form making the rounds is zentangle. Essentially a zen practice, this doodling technique comprises strings and circles that allow the practitioner to enter into a meditative state while making beautiful patterns through repetitive strokes. Meanwhile, many people who are struggling to break free from their sedentary lifestyle are also taking interest in zendala — a hybrid art-making process that blends the traits of mandala with that of zentangle.

Zentangle artist and certified teacher Neha Agrawal says, “Zentangle and zendala are meditative art forms that use pen and paper as medium. These are stress-busting practices that help people to relax their mind and, thus, in turn, improve their concentration power as well as help in anger management. Zentangle is more about enjoying the process, rather than bothering about the final product. For me, it is a means to escape time and space and enter a zone where only positive energy remains.” A former IT professional, Neha works with art lovers from different age groups, including schoolchildren and corporate executives.


In her recent exhibition, she collaborated with another artist Reshma Venkatraman, who specialises in storytelling through paintings — dabbling in oil, watercolour, acrylic, pencil and charcoal. In their joint venture, they have merged watercolour and zentangle on one canvas. “Even though these are two completely different mediums, neither of it actually stands out in the paintings nor do they look disconnected. Instead, they depict a sense of reflection and togetherness from within,” Neha explains. Adding to this, Reshma says, “The human portraits done using these two techniques aim at portraying two facets of a personality — one which is meant for people to see and the other for oneself. But eventually both merge from within.”


Artwork that merges zentangle with watercolours

TOOLS AND STEPS TO DRAW A ZENTANGLE DRAWING

q To get started with a zentangle drawing, all you need is a zentangle tile or paper, a pen or pencil and blending stumps for shading.

q Begin with defining the space for the drawing on the tile/paper, and then divide it into sub-sections.

q At this stage, a certified zentangle teacher can help you to learn different patterns, which can be filled in with a pen/pencil.

q Shading comprises the final stage of the drawing.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF ZENTANGLE

Zentangle is usually abstract. But if a definite theme is being followed in the drawing (that is, a left or right direction is maintained), it is called zia — a zentangle-inspired art. When the drawing is done in a circular pattern, it is called a zendala. This form is similar to mandala or chakras.

BENEFITS OF THE ART FORM

Reduces stress, enables one to relax and enjoy being creative Sharpens focus and enhances meticulousness Improves awareness and enables fresh perspectives towards self and life Supports therapy to manage anxiety Reduces the fear of flying, Helps tackle insomnia, anger, attention deficit and even autism

Forget jet black and classic white. The wives of the world’s most powerful women are being seen in another hue — one that was earlier probably just a shade that belonged to flowers and candy canes. From Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle to Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, wife of French prez Brigitte Macron to US First Lady Melania Trump, they’re wearing a light, delicate shade of pink. Called ‘passenger seat pink’, this is what they’re sporting on official engagements and well, it’s more than just for its pretty visual value. As per a report, the shade is said to be their way to appear subtle and demure in front of their famous spouses. A magazine has even called ‘passenger seat pink’, a ‘preference for the feminine hue may act as a subtle assurance that traditional power dynamics are still in place’.

WHEN THEY WORE IT


The colour is about being official and making a statement, yet doing so while taking a step back. In all the public instances concerning royalty and politicos thus far, the light hue was worn in the presence of the male partner during an important event or in circumstance. It was meant to make presence felt, albeit an understated one. Here’s when politicos and royals wore it...

Topping the list is Meghan Markle, who has worn the hue thrice since she took on official duties as the Duchess of Sussex, after her wedding. Meghan chose a pale blush dress for a Buckingham Palace Garden Party, she was seen in a similar hued designer dress for her first Trooping the Colour post her honeymoon and donned a pretty pink dress last week for the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards Ceremony.

Queen Rania of Jordan was dressed in the shade of pink last week, when she and husband King Abdullah II of Jordan paid an official visit to Washington.

US First Lady Melania Trump also chose a similar pink to welcome the Jordanian royals to the White House. The pictures of the two ladies opting to have worn pale pink, went viral instantly.

Earlier in May this year, Brigitte Macron, wife of French president Emmanuel Macron, wore a coat in the shade with her denims as she posed with her famous husband during the country’s Music Day at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

LOVE THE SHADE? HERE ARE 5 WAYS TO POWER DRESS IN THE LOOK

1) Go with a suit: Hillary Clinton is one of the best examples of this. She rocked a pantsuit through her election run-up and it’s regarded as one of the most formal fashion fads of late. Pick up a pale pink pantsuit.

Wear it with a neutral shade shirt and your pumps.

2) Shirt: Wear a blush pink shirt under a waistcoat or just on its own with plain or plaid pants or a pencil skirt. The best part is, it works with every skin tone.

3) Jewellery: Opt for a single string of pink pearls over your white shirt or blouse. You can also have a pink baubled bracelet to go with the look.

4) Shoes and bag: Heels or pumps in light pink work well with greys and whites. Team it with a simple, compact bag to match.

5) Keep the look minimal: Remember, this is a low-key hue so keep the make-up to a minimum. Use just a pale blush and eyeliner with a touch of gloss. Bright lipsticks are a no-no for sure.

Socks have their own personality and style statement. They can be matched with not just different kinds of footwear, but also with various outfits, say experts. So, how does matching socks work? This is how...


MAXI DRESSES AND SOCKS:


Maxi dresses exemplify comfort. A nice long sombre dress matched with a pair of nude shoes and bright socks can be your balancing feature for the day.

SOCKS AND PALAZZO PANTS:

Palazzos can be paired with anything and almost everything. Socks share similar feels. Coupling a dark coloured patterned palazzo with light pastel socks and shoes is a good idea.

SOCK WITH SEMI-FORMALS

Formals no longer mean a three-piece suit. It is important for the attire to give out a professional vibe, and allow you to be comfortable. Because at most places, monotones are still considered formal, add a quirky pair of socks to give it a tinge of vibrancy.

SOCKS AND BRIDAL WEAR

This combination of quirky customised socks with a wedding gown can actually break the monotone.

SOCKS THAT CLASH

It’s fun to take a sock that clashes slightly — wearing pink socks with red shoes for instance, or the bright blues, which are sort of having a moment, are great matched with brown sandals.

GLITTER SOCKS FOR SUMMER

Absolutely perfect for warm summer days when you want to spice up your look. They are best worn with high heels.

When Herman Rodrigues was asked which language he’d consider his mother tongue, he wondered if mother tongue should stand in for “ancestral language,” which in his case would be Marathi, or the language one grew up speaking. Rodrigues settled on the latter definition, and he’s “pretty sure” that was what he told data collectors who visited his home before the 2011census.


Rodrigues, 67, is part of a microscopic but growing minority in India, who listed English as their mother tongue in the last census. Forty-one per cent of these individuals, who number 2,59,678 across India, are concentrated in Maharashtra, which logged 1,06,656 native English speakers. The overall figure has risen by 14.6% since 2001 (see box).

Anahita Subedar, editor of Parsi Times, estimates that about 80% of Mumbai-based Parsis read only the English section of her newspaper and just 5-8% of their correspondence with readers is in the community’s mother tongue, Gujarati. “The number of Parsis who can read and write Gujarati has dwindled,” adds Subedar, pointing out that just four of the paper’s 24 pages are in Gujarati and those are targeted at readers who are 70-plus or based in Gujarat.


‘40% of East Indians now more fluent in English than Marathi’

An East Indian from Bandra, Herman Rodrigues grew up speaking English at home — his parents also considered it their first language though his maternal grandmother was fluent in English, Marathi and Portuguese. His father even published a local rag ‘Varsity’, which borrowed heavily from English classics, and rewarded any child who could crack a clue in The Times of India’s crossword puzzle with the “princely sum” of four annas. All voracious readers, Rodrigues and his four siblings read Enid Blyton and Billy Bunter before graduating to William Faulkner’s novels and T S Eliot’s poetry, and they listened to audio recordings of Shakespeare’s plays from the British Council library. And when he became a parent, Rodrigues introduced his children to Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein and Gerald Durrell.

Rodrigues attended St Stanislaus High School with his brothers. His sisters were enrolled in St Joseph’s Convent School. He learnt Hindi and Marathi in school but has only a basic knowledge of both languages. “I can count the number of Hindi and Marathi movies I’ve watched on one hand,” he says, “because I can’t grasp the nuances.”

Rodrigues’s fluency in English isn’t a rarity in the East Indian community, especially in Bandra. “About 40% of East Indians are now more fluent in English than Marathi,” says Alphi D’souza, managing trustee of Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP) . He insists, though, that the tide is changing as MGP is making efforts to promote Marathi among East Indians. Though the census isn’t complete, D’souza estimates the number of East Indians in the state is three lakh.

Vernon Fernandes (62) and his wife Cynthia have been staying in Pune for 40 years but hail from Goa. “My father and grandfather spoke Konkani, but I hardly know it and speak English at home. We consider it our mother tongue and have passed it on to my daughter and grandson,” says Vernon. Their daughter, Sharon, who went to St Anne’s School, had English listed as mother tongue in her school records, and she plans to do the same for her son. Similarly, Alten Lobo (65), who’s familiar with Konkani, put English as mother tongue when the census survey was conducted at his Pune house, though his relatives in Goa put Konkani.

However, many individuals differentiate between first language and mother tongue. Simin Patel, a Parsi who grew up in Mumbai and studied at Oxford, spoke Gujarati as a child but forgot it once she started going to school. Today, she can understand Gujarati but struggles to express herself. Yet, she’d still put it down as her mother tongue but not her “every day tongue”.

Some scholars insist the figures may be survey errors caused by people mixing up their mother tongue with their preferred language. Anjali Radkar, a faculty member at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, explains that Pune is an IT hub that attracts professionals from other states who prefer English. “People in this group tend to have inter-state marriages and hence the spoken language is English. But despite this, the English mother-tongue data shouldn’t see a spike,” she says. “There is a chance respondents misunderstood the question as most preferred language.”

Fashion for one and all
Lakmé Fashion Week and fashion forward apparel brand, aLL — The Plus Size Store, hosted their plus size model auditions at St Regis, Mumbai, yesterday. Twenty nine chosen winners (19 women and 10 men) will walk for the third edition of India’s plus size fashion show at the upcoming edition of Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018.

Over 300 participants from across the country came in for the auditions. The winners were selected by the esteemed panel of judges — actress Zareen Khan, fashion designer Narendra Kumar, fashion choreographer Lubna Adam, Hetal Kotak, CEO, aLL — The Plus Size Store and Jaspreet Chandok, Vice President and Head of Fashion, IMG Reliance — after three competitive rounds.


aLL — The Plus Store has collaborated with ace designer Narendra Kumar who will be designing ‘aLL Primero’ collection for the brand’s Autumn Winter 18’ collection. The line will be showcased at the upcoming fashion week and will be available in stores at the same time. The collection promises to be chic, classy and stylish and will cater to the needs of its plus size customers. “We are dazzled by such a heart-warming response to the auditions. With such a fabulous turnout this year, we expect our third runway show to be bigger than last year. We are always looking at bringing fresh and trendy collection for our customers,” said Hetal Kotak. Talking about the show, Zareen said, “I am very happy to see that we had a great turnout. The show is an excellent initiative in bridging the gap between fashion and plus size consumers. aLL’s motto of ‘Fashion is for one and all’ is something I believe in. Having fought for body positivity all my life, I was excited to be a part of the jury which promotes body positivity and fashion.”

Adding to this Narendra Kumar said, “It has always been a pleasure to be associated with Lakmé Fashion Week. Judging this event was quite overwhelming because of the contestants’ confidence, perseverance and spirit.”

Jaspreet Chandok summed it up by saying, “Lakmé Fashion Week has always stood for inclusivity in fashion, and the plus size show that we do each season is a testament to our belief that fashion is for everyone and not just for a specific set of people. We want to grow this movement as the years go by.”

Follow #aLLplusLFW for further updates