Tête-à-Tête with Divya Niranjan

A late update but nonetheless, one with a dear friend. 

Digest: Shoppers Link August 2011 Issue.

You can check out Divya's collection at Blueprint Coleccion  -

Introducing Divya Niranjan, the latest young entrant into the world of design and fashion. With prior experience as a production manager with a leading designer, Divya found her true calling.  

With a huge interest in fabrics and their transition via design into clothes, she decided to gain some experience before launching her own label - Blue coleccion in partnership with her sister Navya.

The label title is derived from the ‘sketch’ required for every garment, “Blueprint coleccion” is a fashion house that defines cosmopolitan glamour – a perfect blend of classic sophistication and urban luxury. The label adorns a prêt-a-porter line of women and men’s wear and custom wear. Custom –made traditional wear for women is also undertaken.

1. Fashion to you is... 

A way to express yourself. It's about experimenting and having fun with it. While fashion is constantly fleeting, style is forever.

2. Biggest challenge you face in designing

Giving a client a great quality product which they absolutely love.

3. You would love to design for...

  Mr.Amitabh Bachchan and Kate Middleton

4. Your most prized possession:

  My shoe collection 

 

5. Your style inspiration comes from..

It comes from everything around you - nature, colors, architecture, objects, movies, people. 

6. Your style statement:

Discover your own style. Don't immitate.

7. Favorite Indian shopping spot?

   Bangalore and Bombay

8. What makes your designs stand apart?

With a flair for putting together and pulling off the most sleek and basic styles denote a penchant for simplicity and class thus offering the hottest trends in clothing.

Summer fashion wear - Cliq

Cliq magazine - Chennai's photography magazine - March 2011.

Making waves

Whether you love it or hate it, reality is that the beach season is upon us. It is more likely you will be planning your outdoor escapades where beachwear will be a mandate in your wardrobe. Let’s look at how you can make a statement this summer.

The good news is beachwear is a no-brainer. You just have to make sure you have a great outfit with coordinating sandals, a cool cover-up, a hat to protect your head, sunscreen(!!!) and some shades to protect your eyes.

Include the whole spectrum of colors in your wardrobe, go bright and vibrant!

Boys and Girls, footwear for your attire should be simple and colorful. The latest

collection of Flip-Flops and slides by Reebok, Converse and Adidas are apt as the fabric is easy to clean and you can take them into the water with no fear of ruining them.

Swimwear, ahem..for those daring and super fit souls; pay attention to what suit suits you. Choose suits with a 100% soft polyester composition which dry off faster. The women can play with couture such as off-shoulder dresses, kaftans, shorts, capris and skirts. Men, there are no boundaries in beachwear but keep away from full-sleeved shirts. Accessories such as beaded chains, hats, colorful sunshades add a healthy dose of quirky cool to your attire. With the excess exposure to the sun, concluding on an important tip for skin protection, as Baz Luhrmann puts it, “If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.”

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Water workout/Aqua aerobics

One of 'em awesome workouts I will recommend. Clearly, what makes it most effective is your instructor. A great class with Jeffrey. Best (yet gross) part, you can't tell if your sweating :P.

December 2010 Issue of Frappe, Chennai's cafe lifestyle magazine.

Aqua fit

Come New Year and we’re all engaged in making changes and New resolutions in our day-to-day routines. While resolutions are well-intentioned, unfortunately most of us fail at keeping them. Striving to achieve our fitness goals are probably the most difficult of the lot. January being the perfect season for change, it’s definitely the right time to transform your workout and alleviate boredom to meet those ‘size zero’ fitness goals. After all, muscles have memory and they can get accustomed to the same workout. An Aqua aerobics workout might be just what you need.

A first-of-its-kind in Chennai, the program is conducted by renowned Choreographer and Reebok Certified fitness instructor Jeffrey Vardon at Hotel Savera. Aqua Aerobics, as the name suggests, is a high-calorie burning workout which involves performing aerobics in the shallow part of the pool which uses the resistance of water and provides for an excellent whole body workout making it fun and exhilarating. As opposed to most workouts, aquatic exercises are known for their safety aspect as it is easier on the joints. The water cushions you thus preventing any damage or irritation to the joints because you are in a buoyant environment, where the buoyancy principle of the water does not allow the lower body to bear the body weight; hence the chance of an injury is minimal.

“The weather conditions of our city make this an apt workout opposing any other outdoor activity that makes you sweat.” says Jeffrey.

A huge plus is that one does not need to know swimming in order to take advantage of water aerobic exercising. This form of aerobics allows a person to get the same benefits as regular aerobic workouts, but it has many added advantages. The multiple benefits of an Aqua aerobics routine are therapeutic to the joints and work your muscular and cardiovascular system hugely. Aquatic exercise will not only make your heart stronger, but it also proves to be a powerful strength training workout with water being the resistance. The result: A workout that helps you build strength, balance, flexibility and endurance leaving you with a well-toned body.

“The motivation is high as it done in the pool which attracts a larger crowd and it helps one burn between 500 to 800 calories in one hour.” says Jeffrey.

While no single workout suits everyone needs, water aerobics comes close to conforming to most individual’s abilities and restrictions. Open to people of all age groups, one can adjust the pace of their movements and the exertion levels to suit their fitness ability while exercising every muscle and joint in the body, all at the same time. Based on a simple concept where the harder you push at the water, the harder it pushes back at you makes for a great workout. This multi-directional resistance provides for excellent rehabilitation for those who are suffering from injuries and cannot perform land aerobics.

Water aerobics is also particularly beneficial for those who are over-weight or who have not exercised for a while making this an easy way to get back and stay in an exercise program.

Overall, aqua aerobics is a fantastic opportunity to get in to shape and have fun while doing it. Besides, what can be more fun than splashing around in water with friends, while getting a workout?

With something to offer for everyone, we hope this has whetted your appetite!