Tribal Jewelry Inspiration

We adore the tribal look and how it has influenced bohemian fashion and style. Eclectic, unique, detailed, funky and intricate are just a few words used to describe tribal style. Its interesting to see how the tribal look has become popular in modern and mainstream fashion even though its very traditional and has been worn by women for centuries in many parts of the world- a good example of how fashion recycles itself over and over again over many years.

Tribal style transcends borders and is worn and influenced by all women from well-known celebrities to traditional women who wear it every day as part of their wardrobe. Indian tribal jewelry, in particular, has influenced our designs at Indiverve. We’re in love with the intricate, complicated patterns of tribal jewelry, which we feel are true pieces of art.

Tribal inspiration from various sources.

Below, we put together our own toned down version of a tribal jewelry look using all of our jewelry from store.indiverve.com. We paired silver and copper tribal cuff bracelets with leather ones and added bright pops of turquoise and fuchsia chunky cocktail rings to complete the look. Choose several pieces together for a bold tribal look, or just one or two for a simplistic look.

For more tribal fashion in the form of necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings visit store.indiverve.com. Use code tribalstyle at check-out for a 10% off discount on your order. We ship internationally!

All of these pieces are available at our online store.

xoxo,

Indiverve Retail Company

 

A Series of Beauty | Photographic Inspiration

As people working in a creative industry, we are constantly bombarded with inspiration. Whether we search for it or it finds us, creativity is everywhere. This week we came across a few examples of photography that stunned us. Russian photographer, Elena Shumilova has recently showcased a series of photographs that she took of her young sons. Ethereally optimistic, each photo has a softness, a whimsy that is often rare in today’s pin-sharp digital world. We love the simple beauty and innocence of these photos.

Ernest Goh has turned his fascination with animals into a beautiful and often hilarious series of photos titled “Animalia”. His collection of photos featuring seemingly commonplace animals such as roosters and fish, this series is meant to draw attention and appreciation towards animals and the way they function, live their lives and interact with each other.

 

 

 

Colston Julian has created an intoxicatingly raw editorial for Harper’s Bazaar India, in collaboration with Krishna Mukhi. With Pallavi Singh donning couture that is at once contemporary and traditionally India, we couldn’t help but think of our own collection and our design inspiration. With all of our clothes and jewelry being created in India, we are constantly being inspired by this beautiful country and the creative artists who work there. The unadulterated richness of the fabrics and vividness of the colours perfectly complements the somewhat rough and rustic urbanity of the setting.

 

 

 

 

Are there any examples of inspiring photography that you have come across? Feel free to share and we will include it in our next photography post – with credit to you and your blog of course!

xoxo

Indiverve

Like what you see? Have a love for fashion and affinity for social media? Then join the Indiverve family and earn a commission of 20% off of all sales that are directed for your blog or social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.). Simply join and like, tweet, share, and post your way into earning a juicy commission!

Nicole Bridger Kicks off Eco Fashion Week with “You Are Not Alone” Collection

We at Indiverve truly and deeply believe that the fashion industry can be a platform for positive change, in an environmental and humanitarian sense. Though fashion has earned itself a reputation for being a wasteful and cold industry, Eco Fashion Week is an event that illustrates that there are designers who create clothes, not just based on the seasons trends but on the state of the world at large and the needs that people, on a global scale, have. Sustainable fibers and production methods that leave little waste directly benefit our planet and lives. Did you know that a to make a plain white t-shirt typically can consume up to 500 gallons of water (and that is only a plain white t-shirt!)? Waste is inevitable whenever one is taking raw materials and converting them into another product. What should be the goal of fashion designers, architects, artists, chefs etc. is to minimize that waste as much as possible.

Nicole Bridger opened Eco Fashion Week last night with her emotionally impacting collection titled “You Are Not Alone”. A collection mean to inspire society to embrace not only their inner selves but others, each piece of women’s clothing was worn by male models, challenging the audience’s perception of beauty and celebrating equality.

Shows such as Eco Fashion Week are crucial for showing everyone – designers, business owners, customers, the importance of sustainable, ethically made products. At Indiverve we ensure that all of our products are made ethically by manufacturers that we work and communicate directly with. We have no intermediary channels (no wholesalers or buyers) which helps minimize waste in terms of fuel. It is important to us that our products are beneficial to our customers, not only in regards to their high quality, but in that they are made in a way that supports artisans in India and that the talented people who produce are products work under good conditions for wages that allow them to live and support themselves comfortably.

We directly impact our world with our purchasing decisions and events and we need to consider what we want our world to look like when we are spending our money. Customers as well as designers need to make it known that we will no longer accept products that are not sustainable or ethically made. It will not just happen, we need to make it happen.

Eco-Fashion Week will be continuing until October 10th and will be featuring designers such as Evan Ducharme, Dahlia Drive (gorgeous hand-painted silks), Hey Jude, Couture Therapy, and Young Oak + Park. For more details see here.

A Snapshot of 2012

At Indiverve Retail Company, we’re looking forward to 2013 and all the challenges it will bring. There’s so many goals we hope to accomplish within our small team. We’re getting ready to launch our new, updated website which will have a fresh and interesting look and feel to it. We also hope to get to know more bloggers who are involved not only in fashion but also food, charities, music, and travel in Vancouver as well as everywhere around the world!

We hope everyone has a happy and prosperous year filled with exciting new experiences and never ending growth. We hope to achieve all of our resolutions- both personal and professional- no matter how big or small. Here’s to 2013, a new and exciting year for all. We think it’ll be filled with nothing but awesomeness!

Now, a snapshot of our past year of blogging featuring some of our very favourite and most popular posts.

We’re glad you enjoyed our Indian style recipes and hope you learned something new!

 

Celebs like Nicole Richie and Rachel Bilson inspired our love of boho chic style all year long.

 

Scarves, one of staple items, received a lot of views. We featured a post on the different ways you can wear them, which was popular for 2012.

Two scarves worn as a tube top and a skirt

                                     Fusion music from musicians like Avial and Prem Joshua kept us inspired all year long.

                       

                    Of course, launching our e-store was a big deal for us as we had worked hard on it for months!

                                                                                   

                                                        Our post on cocktail rings was one of our most loved.

 

We enjoyed posting about our unique styles of little black dresses and will definitely keep ’em coming in the future.

 

We adore inspirational quotes on anything from fashion to inner beauty and helping others. We’ll keep posting them for you to stay inspired all year long.

This blog has helped us share our ideas, inspirations, our love of fusion fashion, and our ultimate goal of helping you discover some of the wonderful things that India has to offer. 

Cheers from all of us at Indiverve Retail Company Inc!

 

 

Beautiful Boho Chic Earrings

We have a nice selection of sweet boho chic earrings just in time for Christmas! If you’re looking for last minute gifts or stocking stuffers, all of our earrings pictured are under $15-  a great deal for the quality and unique designs that Indiverve Retail Company Inc. offers.

You won’t find these styles in a chain, department, or big box store of any kind. They’re all handmade, never machine made, in India. From round wooden earrings with copper accents ,golden threaded flower earrings and colourful peacock feather print designs to funky feather earrings, beaded chandeliers, or carved wooden leaf earrings- we’ve got you covered! Please note: these earrings are meant for the fashionista who craves to make a statement!

You can shop all these styles, plus more here: http://store.indiverve.com/collections/jewelry_earrings

We hope you’re having a great time getting ready for the holidays!

You can read more about us and why we started this company here.

Mango Champagne

Well Halloween is officially over so that means its time to start thinking about the Christmas holiday season! We know, we know, perhaps its a little early to be mentioning the word “Christmas” and “holiday season” but lets face it people, time flies and before you know it the festivities and all the fun, stress, and everything in between will creep up quickly!

On the bright side, there’s usually a lot of fun get togethers that will take place among family, friends and work colleagues. One can never be too prepared so for all the cocktail drinkers out there, we present an Indian inspired and ultra delicious Mango Champagne recipe we came across recently. Another idea is to use this mango lassi recipe and spike it with your favourite alcohol. We recommend a spicy rum. We hope to blog about many more drinks in the next couple of months leading up to Christmas and the New Year.

Enjoy in moderation!

Ingredients

• 1 can mango nectar (12 oz.)
• 2 star anise (optional)
• 1 cinnamon stick
  
• 2 whole cloves
• 10- 12 black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  
• 1 bottle Champagne
  

Preparation

1. Bring the nectar to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Turn off the heat and add all of the spices. Let the mixture cool, then strain and refrigerate.
3. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the spicy mango mixture into a Champagne flute and top with chilled Champagne.

*Champagne can be replaced with sparkling wine

 

 

 

Stunning Kohl Inspired Eye Looks

Kohl is an ancient eye cosmetic widely used in South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and West Africa to darken the eyelids and eyelashes. It is used mostly by women, but also some men and children in certain cultures. Kohl was originally used as protection against common eye ailments. Darkening around the eyes was believed to protect them from the harsh rays of the sun.

Kohl has been used in India as a cosmetic for a long time. Mothers would sometimes apply kohl to their infants’ eyes soon after birth. Some did this to help strengthen the child’s eyes and others believed it could prevent the child from being cursed by the evil eye. In India today, it is used by women as a type of eyeliner that is applied around the edge of the eyes. It is often worn for special social and religious occasions.

Kohl and kohl inspired “smokey eye” looks are very popular around the world. Many women prefer to use waterproof formulas which will last longer and not smudge as easily. Often used for a big night out, the black smokey look can really make the eyes pop and there are endless tips, which can be found on beauty blogs, on how to get the look using different make up techniques.

 

 

Kohl eyeliner is available in drug stores everywhere as well as stores like Sephora, and MAC around the globe. Try it for your next party or night out on the town!

 

 

Boho Style: Looks We Adore

Boho Style

What comes to mind when you think of bohemian style? For us, its all about ethnic, floral, geometric, psychedelic, and paisley prints. Natural materials, embroidery, beading, fringe,  ruffles, vintage, 60′ s and 70’s style, lace, and leather are several more words that come to mind when thinking about what elements are associated to bohemian style.

Celebrity Influence

Nicole Richie and Sienna Miller do the hippie chic look very well. These two fashionable ladies helped popularize and revive this trend during the mid 2000’s and beyond. They both favour wearing anything loose and flowy and creating one of a kind styles by adding accessories that are full of expression.

Eclectic & Alluring Fashion

One of the reasons we love the boho look so much is because its such a great way to express one’s own individuality and taste. Eclectic and alluring, boho style is such a refreshing contradiction to the plain and simple fashion we’re used to seeing every day. Adding touches of bohemian inspired items to a simple look can pep it up instantly and reveal an interesting and enviable look.

gorgeous white embroidery really makes this boho style tunic top pop

floral print flowy tunic dress with unique 70’s style black and pink ombre print

paisley is the epitome of bohemian style

wooden jewelry is a popular material favoured by boho fashionistas

All of these clothing and jewelry items are available at our bohemian friendly e-store. Just click on the links below to shop them. By the way, we came up with the name Indiverve because Indi- stands for “indie” or “independent” and it also makes reference to India, a dynamic and influential country close to our hearts. Verve signifies “energy” and “enthusiasm” which is what we strive for in our day to day activities. To read more about us and why we started this Vancouver, Canada based company, click here.

1) Embroidered Top in Chocolate: http://store.indiverve.com/collections/clothing_tops/products/embroidered-kurta-top-in-chocolate

2) Tunic Dress in Floral Print: http://store.indiverve.com/collections/clothing_dresses/products/floral-print-tunic-dress-pink

3) Paisley Leaf Pendant Necklace: http://store.indiverve.com/collections/jewelry_necklaces/products/paisley-leaf-pendant-necklace

4) Wooden Leaf Earrings: http://store.indiverve.com/collections/jewelry_earrings/products/wooden-leaf-earrings

Avial- a Keralan Fusion Band

Avial is an Indian alternative rock band which formed in the southern state of Kerala, India in 2003. The band is named after a popular dish often eaten in the south which is made from a mixture of different vegetables. The band’s music is a fusion of Keralan folk music and alternative rock.  Their songs are purely sung in the Malayalam language.

Avial

Avial has invented its own flavour of music, which the band members refer to as “Alternative Malayali Rock.” It reflects the unique heritage of Kerala life. The band’s musical style has been complimented for outstanding instrumental play and brilliant singing and lyrics. Avial has performed in major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and  Thiruvananthapuram, to name a few.

We really enjoy listening to Avial! Their eclectic sound is truly one of a kind. Listen to this exceptional song entitled “Nada Nada” and check out the video, which portrays a glimpse into a hardworking Keralan lifestyle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPsz2raYePI

Poha- A Healthy Breakfast or Nutritious Snack

Poha, which is made from flattened rice, is a recipe originating from western India. Its easy to cook and its a very nutritious dish. Its normally eaten for breakfast but can also be eaten as a snack at anytime. Poha can be found in any Indian grocery store in your city. We like to eat it with a splash of lemon or lime and with coconut chutney or plain, thick yogurt. Poha goes very nicely with a hot cup of chai!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups poha (flattened rice)
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 5 curry leaves
• 2 green or red chilies, chopped into tiny pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large potato, quartered and sliced very thin
• A handful of peanuts
• A pinch of turmeric powder
• Juice of 1/2 a lime or lemon
• Salt, to taste
• Chopped coriander (cilantro)

Preparation:

• Wash poha under running water and keep aside.
• Heat the oil in a pan on medium flame and add the mustard seeds, curry leaves and chilies. Fry till the spluttering stops and then add the onion. Fry until the onion is soft and translucent.
• Add the peanuts and potatoes and stir frequently. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Drain the poha completely to remove all water and add it to the mixture. Add the turmeric powder and stir well, blending all ingredients.
• Cook for one minute. Turn off the heat.
• Pour lemon or lime juice over the poha and mix well.
• Garnish with chopped coriander (we decided to throw the coriander in with the mixture) and serve hot.

                                                                                Chopped onions and coriander (cilantro).

                                                                                            Frying the first few ingredients.

                                                              Adding the peanuts, tumeric, salt and the other ingredients

                                                                             The end result: quick to cook and delicious poha!