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BRIDAL CULTURE

5/10/2018

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Rejuvenation

A recipe for Bridal Health and wellness

​Photographer: Meraya Studios
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Directed & Styled: Breath of Henna & The Sai Lens

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“As she sits in her room alone, she wishes she could sleep another night in the ocean of fabrics flooding her room from floor to armour. Her mehndi would get ruined so she puts on her robe to get ready. As she pauses for a moment, she reads a letter; unopened and marked with her name. The sun begins to set and she pulls out her grandmother's haar (necklace); an heirloom. A relic binding three generations and souls…”
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BRIDAL DIARY: I was brought in to adorn Mashiat for her third Bridal Henna experience (well first diary) but third mehndi application. Her husband Tadmir had booked their honeymoon trip to Greece and she wanted to feel like a Bride again. This touched my heart and I was overjoyed that she had asked for a platinum diary for her vacation. We had consulted over face time and her details were highlighted by her enthusiasm on screen.

A henna diary versed her years of true love, Bengali quotes, a dulhan, enchanted florals, MT monogram, his name and a lace composition on her exterior hands and feet. Seen below is her digital diary which was first hand rendered to include all her details. No bride should ever be forced to have mehndi on her hands especially of those lines that are not her own. A henna diary is the journey of the bride, which includes her reflection through family, desires and love story.
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I believe that a Bride’s henna moments should not only reflect the cultural associations of henna but who she is as a woman.
These stills were captured to express the importance of time and transitional periods. After adorning many brides and hearing their stories, the application of Mehndi is a much needed period of cleanse;  so often forgotten or packed away with wardrobe of ones youth and history during wedding season.

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Adorned the beautiful Mashiat who recently got married in Bengladesh. This diary was a PLATINUM B Diary which was rendered beautifully with her love story and personal details. She is wearing a printed tulip saree from Chandan Fashion, denim of her own and a vintage blouse from Chosen Vintage.

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REAL BRIDES



One Bride had mentioned that she was financing her wedding as her father had long passed and her mother was her sole supporter. She did not want to burden her mother as she had no savings and had worked a half day before we had met. As my fingers wrapped around arm, the warmth of my fingers transferred into my other non-dominant hand and she felt a sense of comfort. I have been told to possess powers of healing or comfort but this was something we both shared. This was a moment she needed and I was glad to be there. You need to be healthy and happy but not everyone has a support system or can ask for one. Every bride walks a different journey and for that reason, her diary should be her own.
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​ADVICE




​I believe that this moment of clarity is needed and having a bridal stylist for your special day provides our communities with a deeper understanding of marriage. Our families need to understand that a bride is a whole of her own kind; her view on the world is one of multiple lenses and so sees culture through colour first and not with meaning.  As the time of marriage is within hours, the process in planning a blissful marriage can be slow and steady. This style shoot is for the working woman, the woman providing for her family, the woman who begins her day with free spirit, the woman who may be a mother, the woman who has a second chance in marriage, a woman who is accepting of change and diversity within marriage.

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My advice to the bride of today, take some time to meditate with the ones you love, a few fingers in counting.  As you near your special day, turmeric blended with oils and yoghurt will be used to exfoliate your skin, enjoy it. As you bathe in milk or a luminous mixture of oils and water, allow it rejuvenate your skin for a new path; a journey involving another whole world. As you have prepared your look through pins and screenshots for your sangeet or mehndi, allow others to adorn you whom you trusted or hired. Family and friends will rejoice alongside the bellies of drums and dancing glasses filled with lassi and refreshing cocktails, take part.

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Team Credits:

Meraya Studios
Mashiat
Breath of Henna
The Sai Lens
Chandan Fashion
Chosen Vintage



For Bridal Styling and personal stories, please email: sailensbooking@gmail.com


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The Affair with friendship

12/15/2017

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​THE FINAL EMBRACE

BRIDE: Mithu
​GROOM: Sandeep
Photography: Arden Way
Bridal Henna: Breath of Henna
Jewelry: Banglez
Decor: Soiree

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Having a life filled with the opportunity to create while being surrounded with the encouragement of marriage is blessing. While envisioning these bridal diaries, I escape to another world. A world of committed chapters and elevated vows which haze my present and share a flight into the future. I think of the laughter and days spent wandering through the rivers of melodic chaos; his voice and mine. 
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​'these moments are of friendship's truest colour; the final embrace..'


As I float across this river, my body is no longer attached to the earth nor is it rising to the heavens. My soul is rejuvenated by his very words of sentiment and encouraging delight. 
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'As you are in the midst of the most sublime delay; the time it takes for him to appear upon the horizon of your love's very purpose.'
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I take a step into the infinite bath of blossoms,
Gravity has no hierarchy.
Their composure enchant my thoughts.
The warmth of the stars bask my skin
To caste an illuminating array of gratitude.

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When a flower blossoms here, the smallest chambers of the heart mould together. A melodious union of written textures embed its texture with ambient rays of light. This is the warmest embrace. A feeling of obtained and most rewarded fruition. Love blossoms from the heart. Devote yourself to find love in your best of friend.
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Congratulations to Mith & Sandeep 
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WHITE HENNA - Editorial feature

11/20/2017

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“Allow the light in that moment to kiss your skin.

   Allow the abundance of colour to soak into the mix of your pigment.
   Allow movement to penetrate deep within your soul.
   As you celebrate the shapes of the shadows that dance around you
   Remember they are all of your own.
   Allow the scent to take you back.
   Allow tradition to merge with faith.”

Welcoming new age 
Welcoming modern day
An editorial feature on white henna x Banglez

Now seen on 
http://zardozimagazine.com/white-magic/

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As women, traditionally, we have a lot on our minds. Generations before us passed down their teachings onto our mothers who we are inspired by. Having a wedding in North America today involves mindless circulation of digital research and remnants of history (photographs of jewelry and collections of sarees). We dress up discretely in our mother’s closets for these moments, which instigate a rush of colour through our mind’s nomadic ventures. Yes! We are forever travellers in our time and the generations that come after us; are constantly reassuring their values with their feelings.

Weddings are the perfect time to revisit our ancestors and we dance passionately to celebrate their traditions; a time that can be overwhelming with friends and family. These are the stories involving many south asian families. Planning your wedding is where we acknowledge disorientation on merging trends with customs.

One thing that considerably intrigued my imagination was the pattern work that was done on my mother’s hands during her wedding. What was this tradition and why was I not familiar with this art form? I was looking through her wedding photographs and I could never find a perfect image of just the pattern work on her hands. Her hands were dyed of a ravishing paste of scarlet and ruby; a bright highlight in the sky’s sunset on a painting I created. I remember my heart yearning for that colour, but times are changing.

Today, I am here planning my wedding with a Pakistani-Bohemian theme (something tribal yet trendy). Classical embroidery and silkened, sensational fabrics with thread counts I cannot begin to pick a part while weighing a feather as my veil. My waist will be my pillar of support and I will be adorned in jewels from my wrists till my chakra. 
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My hands.., the only bare accessory belonging to my wrists a part of my body.
The time has come for me to paint them red. As a Bridal Henna Artist myself, I always wanted an intricate and lavish diary adorning my arms till my elbows and my feet till my calves. The sensation of rosewater along the soles of my feet, pressed many at a time as a I danced in my Henna..this was my dream.

I cannot even begin to tell you the stories that are versed along the palms of Brides all over the world. Henna is a beautiful rendition of a story passed down through our cultures (bedouin, Spain, Middle East, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Morocco, India). There are so many areas of the world that practice Henna and Brides of all faiths wish to have it done (not just Muslims, Hindu and Sikh). At Breath of Henna, Brides are provided a complimentary consultation where they can have their Diaries rendered to those of their dreams. Henna is a significant part of a Bride’s transitioning period from being independent to being independent and married. Not just women, but men are also included in the festivities; all genders and races. As long as natural Henna (lawsonia, essential oils, sugar and water) is used, no one can ever have a bad experience. The joyful celebrations of a Mehndi party, Sangeet (musical celebration) or even a Bridal Shower can bring your dearest together while experiencing Henna.
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Fashion is always chasing Fine Art and a generous adaptation to the world of Henna has accepted a new calling. Those who do not enjoy the scent of the lush colour of natural Henna, can use what is now called, ‘White Henna’. White Henna is a cosmetic application, which stays above the skin for up to four days after it dries. It can be accessorized with swarovski crystals and jewels if you wish for it to match even closer to your bridal gown. For those who are worried that they won’t have enough time for their traditional Henna application, they can have this done the day of the wedding or the day before.

Thankfully, this medium is mixed of an FDA approved adhesive mixed with body paint.

As an Artist, it is so important to meet with your vendor either in person or setup an online consultation. You have the option of selecting your design or even creating a custom diary just like your natural Henna would be rendered. Enjoy this process as it’s important for you to feel your best. After all, you have been awaiting this day for so long and you may have too much to do later on as your date approaches. Have a look at your Artist’s portfolio (instagram, website, testimonials). Every part of your wedding is a memoir for eternity so cherish these intimate details as your most valued. The art of Henna has changed immensely since the Bedouins first adorned their wives with the henna paste using only their fingers. Now you can have it done so delicately and to your taste.
If you’re wearing a white gown with lace overlay, the white Henna adds a sensual and breath taking detailed accent of lace gloves or lace sleeves. Garters can also be created for your intimate moments customized for you. Adorn yourselves in Henna and welcome to the generations’ abyss of cultural fusion.

Art Director/Stylist/White Henna: Sarah Hussain. www.breathofhenna.com @breathofhenna
Photography: Tara Noelle. www.taranoelle.com @taranoellephoto
Creative Assistant: Chaileen Kim. www.chaileenkim.com @chaileenkim
Jewelry: Banglez. www.banglez.com @banglez_jewelry
Accessory Designer: Shirley Liang. www.xueliang.ca @xliangdesigns
Muse: Charmaine San Pedro. www.charsanpedro.com @sanpedrocharmaine
MUA/Hair Stylist: Danielle Schleese. @danielleschleese
Wardrobe: Breeyn McCarney. www.breeyn.com @breeynmccarney
Intimates: Irina Shad. https://lessisamor.com @lessimor

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Eminent love

10/9/2017

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EMINENT LOVE
The value of friendship
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Surrounded by the scents of jasmine as she graced the sacred steps towards her love, her lace intricacies casted shadows alongside her own. A calling of friendship interrupted her heart beat for a moment to establish a new chapter of her liking; true love. Her heartfelt desire to be with him was her dream come true. Alisha was ready to start her life but before I tell her story, allow me to elaborate upon her bridal henna diary. Grandmother, her mother and best friend were conversing in the early morning of Alisha Lalji's mehndi moments. Her aftercare was being prepared as she went for an adventure starting with a hairdryer. I arrived to Whitby, Ontario on June 27th while being greeted by her very intrusive cat. What a bumble and bee. This kitty was nonchalant about her wedding as well as very much interrogative while she lay there wherever we would be. When it came to adorning her feet the desire to have some space was persuasively interrupted by an adorable meow-sigh of 1, 2, 3..there was much more.

Alisha - definition (Sanskrit) protected by God.

How beautiful. So, she was a blessing bestowed on her family. How perfectly woven she was within her family and friends. She had approached me online while I was in London, England last year and we scheduled in an online consultation at 1 am - Toronto time. As an entrepreneur one is always excited to establish good relations with their clients. In addition to that, I was going through a hard time sleeping when I knew my family in Toronto was celebrating the sun's rays and of course my significant other who I couldn't bare to be a part from. The vows of friendship started to call on old memories. 

It took me some time to render her design as she is also an Artist; a creative individual, a visionary, a possible critic and most importantly a valued artisan. I knew that I had to envision a pattern that would evoke not only her own stories but an exceptional rendering of fine lines and filled filigree that would adorn her hands with lush greens and florals. The vines which encircled her ambient friendship and eternal love churned a wine of reds and deep mahogany on the insides of her palms and crawled curiously throughout her arms and feet. When I received these beautiful photographs from photographer Gillian Williamson I was moved by the modesty in the ornamental details seen in her diary once again. 

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As I hold my breath and let it relax throughout my ribcage, I feel the need to talk to love. As love is my truest friend and comes in all colours. To love, this is what I wrote today:

"Love with all its thoughts on you.
Devouring its subtle glances as you moved.
​I was there, inquisitive for every detail that made you, you. Tranquilized by labour and the day's work, I let go of my every sorrow and turned to you with kindness and forgiveness. Never to forgive myself for the pain that I brought to you. You were always delighted and I shared my pain with you. You never uttered a word of sympathy and congratulated my motive. Each notion paid tribute to my undying note of orchestrating chaos. You still loved me love. You quote my beauty with verses of great voyage and deliver a beautiful smile. I am loud and independent, yet, I cannot fathom any commitment without your consent. I wish to become you as you desire me. 
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Her Bridal Henna Diary was a tribute to an old love story, the oldest in the books. An entry that was written in the stars of when friendship married; true love.

When we find ourselves, we find our other. A reflection of ourselves but in another. It is a beautiful union of universal matter and an orchestra of emotions. Alisha found her true love and followed the trace of opportunity that was written for her. Being in a world, predominantly accessed by digital media we tend to miss out on opportunities surrounding us. Read my next blog post REAL . GOOD on self discovery.
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Love & Tea

8/6/2017

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Love 
    & 
Tea

Photography: Monika Mistry

 
COME into the garden, Maud,
  For the black bat, night, has flown,
Come into the garden, Maud,
  I am here at the gate alone;
And the woodbine spices are wafted abroad,        5
  And the musk of the rose is blown.
 
For a breeze of morning moves,
  And the planet of Love is on high,
Beginning to faint in the light that she loves
  On a bed of daffodil sky,        10
To faint in the light of the sun she loves,
  To faint in his light, and to die.
 
All night have the roses heard
  The flute, violin, bassoon;
All night has the casement jessamine stirr’d        15
  To the dancers dancing in tune;
Till silence fell with the waking bird,
  And a hush with the setting moon.
 
I said to the lily, “There is but one
  With whom she has heart to be gay.        20
When will the dancers leave her alone?
  She is weary of dance and play.”
Now half to the setting moon are gone,
  And half to the rising day;
Low on the sand and loud on the stone        25
  The last wheel echoes away.
 
I said to the rose, “The brief night goes
  In babble and revel and wine.
O young lord-lover, what sighs are those,
  For one that will never be thine?        30
But mine, but mine,” I sware to the rose,
  “For ever and ever, mine.”
 
And the soul of the rose went into my blood,
  As the music clash’d in the hall:
And long by the garden lake I stood,        35
  For I heard your rivulet fall
From the lake to the meadow and on to the wood,
  Our wood, that is dearer than all;
 
From the meadow your walks have left so sweet
  That whenever a March-wind sighs        40
He sets the jewel-print of your feet
  In violets blue as your eyes,
To the woody hollows in which we meet
  And the valleys of Paradise.
 
The slender acacia would not shake        45
  One long milk-bloom on the tree;
The white lake-blossom fell into the lake
  As the pimpernel doz’d on the lea;
But the rose was awake all night for your sake,
  Knowing your promise to me;        50
The lilies and roses were all awake,
  They sigh’d for the dawn and thee.
 
Queen rose of the rosebud garden of girls,
  Come hither, the dances are done,
In gloss of satin and glimmer of pearls,        55
  Queen lily and rose in one;
Shine out, little head, sunning over with curls,
  To the flowers, and be their sun.
 
There has fallen a splendid tear
  From the passion-flower at the gate.        60
She is coming, my dove, my dear;
  She is coming, my life, my fate;
The red rose cries, “She is near, she is near;”
  And the white rose weeps, “She is late;”
The larkspur listens, “I hear, I hear;”        65
  And the lily whispers, “I wait.”
 
She is coming, my own, my sweet;
  Were it ever so airy a tread,
My heart would hear her and beat,
  Were it earth in an earthy bed;        70
My dust would hear her and beat,
  Had I lain for a century dead;
Would start and tremble under her feet,
  And blossom in purple and red.

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​One would give his heart out when he would meet Summer's day, reading line after line in the ambiance of caffeine and haze. An overwhelming gaze appeared when She rose in her teacup skirt to not only swiftly move him, but to create a fix. One that would last an infinite set of years to hold and cherish. As She rose from her seating, the wind moved swiftly across her teacup skirt outlining a verse in florals. He saw his name..a name that she would call her own, true to her heart.
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Unwilling to share her diary's moments with anyone else, Tigger, Monika and I spent the morning with Mithu.
Define - Mithu: a woman of overwhelming intelligence and a heart filled with infinite delight. A character that devours the light and emits all of it within the darkest of nights to keep her loved ones away from hesitating surprises.
Sitting with her on the morning of July 18th, the drapes on the windows casted romantic shadows on the tapestry and mahogany table which I lay down my cones on. I usually pack light but there was something weighing over my shoulders. A process that I had been prone to since I was a mere 11 years old, was all buried. I could not bare witness to this feeling so I let myself work with the idea of Bridal outside it's regular conventional design compositions. Strange though, I had the design right infront of me but I could not figure out where to begin. I was the Artist, 'I AM THE ARTIST.' How could I have possibly let my mind go idle in the start of the appointment? This beautiful bride became a treasure as she filled her morning henna appointment with laughter and an unbearable twitch. As she spoke, I drew and as I drew she blossomed as a new Bride. We worked around a couple sets of arm rubs and intimate finger abrasion. A set of arms (front and back) till her elbow's very curves and feet (5" above her ankles) I versed her favourite poet's verses; 
Tennyson.

Her diary from start to finish was created with her favourite verses from the famous poet Alfred Tennyson. The beautiful photos by Monika Mistry instil each and every memory from that blessed day. Her greatest companion, Tigger joined in on the action as he enjoyed the scent of lavender. We watched the lines dance on her arms as she floated above the earth with her heart locked in a chest adorned in emeralds and delight. Her grandmother came to us to see her transform into a Bride. Trinkets from the family adorned her neck and fingers. An arrangement of gifts from her mother and the voices of beloved family and friends joined us later in the evening. A woman is unaware of the changes that once were custom or known.

What happens to a Bride who is not familiar with a custom? 
Who does a Bride turn to when she is alone?
What colour does she wear during her wedding?
Does she love the conventional wedding? 
Who makes the rules?


Speaking to Mithu throughout her henna diary days as well as during her diary event, we had several discussions on customization and where Brides feel their true selves are reinstated. A Bride becomes a woman in her own element while having support. An avocado is at its ripest when it is the happiest of green, a soft firm hold around an avocado provides this delicious vegetable interest to uncover it's juicy and highly nutritious valuable personality; it's interior beauty. Mithu wished for an intimate and private affair because she was used to this element, she is my perfect avocado. Her choice of Mani Jassal was a suitable one for her transitional period. Being adorned as a Bride, you wish to be at ease and fall into a nurturing state of sheer beauty. She gracefully presented herself while being enhanced by Rav B Beauty Concepts. Her flowers in her hair and romantic updo defined her soft hues and natural tan. 

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The fairies dressed themselves in pearls so that they could mock her presence. Her beauty was that of the sun and her heart forever set to her prince. She was eternally casted in happiness. My teacup beauty. Any morning with her is spent just right. When you have a Bride who is so cheerful and affectionate, your world spins itself undone just to have her smile again. Mithu loves her indian heritage but she wanted something that would redefine it in another light. She consulted with me near the end of the holiday season when I had just arrived back from London, England. We spoke for an hour on how she loved english literature and is a teacher. Her personality was elating art's finest creations and I wanted to give her a twist on the Secret Garden while rendering her favourite poem.

For many of us who choose to contrast heavily in our wedding's desires, we would rather invest in feeling than show and tell. Mithu is that Bride. She wanted to feel the warmth of her friends and so she invited her radiant mother to her consultation. A friend, a best friend, a companion for life is your mother. Mithu's mother was a pleasure to meet and talk to about her daughter's favourite moments. They are a compelling duo. When the consultation had completed, I had the pleasure of creating a beautiful rendering for her while the elements danced and spread throughout her palms. 
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At the end of this beautiful chapter, a Bride rejoices with her adored collective of blessings. Voices who she will always be compelled by and an orchestra who she will forever be a part of. Congratulations Mithu, a beautiful Breath of Henna Bride. July 2017.
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