Pretty In Paisley
The paisley pattern, known as mankolam in India, or mango pattern, stands out as one of the most easily recognisable motifs in the world. It was created in the 1500s in Persia (now known as Iran) and used to decorate royal regalia. The intricate tear shaped pattern made its way to Europe thanks to the East India Trading Company as they imported products from India. The design gained its English name from the town of Paisley, Scotland, where, in the 1800s, weavers became the primary producers of paisley patterned shawls.
In the 1960s and 70s paisley made a comeback as it represented the Bohemian culture of the time. John Lennon even had his Rolls Royce custom painted in a paisley pattern!
Once again, paisley has come roaring back into fashion, with many of the major fashion designers showcasing an array of paisley themed pieces in their autumn/winter collections, such as in the Etro ready to wear collection. Paisley is set to continue through spring and summer, with many designers gaining their inspiration from the 70s, creating whimsical, bohemian inspired pieces. Anna Sui’s spring collection included multicoloured paisley patterned dresses and leggings, while Emilio Pucci has mixed paisley prints with beautiful psychedelic colours and chiffon materials to create light, floaty dresses perfect for the summer.
From L-R: invitation by ananya, correspondence cards by ananya, Carlos Santana Pump, John Lennon's Rolls Royce, invitation by ananya, dress by ASOS, diamond cuff, Dr Martens boot, Etro S/S 2011 bag, Anna Sui 2011 Spring collection, block print, shawl and invitation by ananya
Paisley really is a very versatile design, so it is no surprise that it has lent brilliantly to many of the bespoke wedding stationery we create at ananya. We have found that the paisley motif is not only an elegant and vintage design but that it is also rich in spiritual significance. In Indian culture, the paisley signifies the time of harvest and prosperity. In Oriental traditions, the two paisleys represent the yin-yang symbol, a sign of equilibrium and balance. The flow of the two polar energies, Yin (Female) and Yang (Male), seek balance in the natural flow of the universe, constantly replacing each other and eventually, becoming each other. The paisley thus makes a wonderful motif to symbolise the union of two individuals in a marriage!
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
Let’s Hear It For New York!
ananya is heading to the Big Apple! We’re very excited to announce that we will be exhibiting our wedding stationery in New York City at the Wedding Channel Couture Show, which is the premier bridal industry trade show in the city. It is a biennial event, where designers, press and retailers of the bridal world meet and announce the latest wedding trends and fashions. It is a chance for us, and several other British companies, to introduce ourselves to the New York wedding market. The show is taking place in the InterContinental Hotel New York Barclay, in Midtown, Manhattan from the 9th of April, during International Bridal week, and we are absolutely thrilled to be taking part.
There will be a special ‘Royal Britannia’ showcase arranged by our fabulous PR company, Propose PR, which will involve an exhibition of wedding necessities inspired by the Royal Wedding, including favours, evening wear and shoes, as well as ananya’s stationery!
We are planning on showcasing several of our wedding stationery collections at the show, including Royal Romance (our Royal wedding inspired collection), Viva Vintage, Peacock Panache and Picture Perfect, as well as some designs we have created especially for the event.
ananya add a splash of Royal Britannia to NYC
We are especially excited about the prospect of introducing ourselves to the wedding market in the United States, having worked with some American clients in the past. It is certainly an area where we would like to expand and we look forward to creating more exclusive wedding stationery for US clients.
ananya goes across the pond this week, and we cannot wait! Although we cannot be there in person to experience the city that never sleeps, our designs will be showcased and hopefully will speak for themselves…
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
The Lucky Lotus
The lotus is the national flower of India, and is regarded as being the most beautiful and sacred flower in Indian culture. It symbolises divinity, fertility, purity, wealth, knowledge and enlightenment as well as honour and good fortune.
It therefore comes as no surprise that lotus flowers can be found everywhere, from clothing to bed linen. The flower is a simple, but beautiful and powerful motif, which can be used on any type of material for any purpose. Many designers have been using the motif in their work, including Ed Hardy, who has a range of clothing with bold tattoo styled lotus prints. Nike has also designed a pair of their “Nike Dunk” trainers with pretty pink lotus flowers.
Bags incorporating the lotus flower are easy to find, such as Amy Butler’s lotus flower clutch, which uses an elegant yellow lotus pattern.
From L-R: lotus wedding invitation by ananya; Indian Bahai/Lotus Temple; lotus wedding invitations by ananya, photographed by Tino&Pip Photography; Hermes lotus keychain; Devil Wears Prada lotus necklace; lotus flower clutch bag by Amy Butler; lotus ring; lotus Nike trainer; lotus wedding invitation by ananya, photographed by Tino& Pip Photography; lamp from islandwoods.com; lotus photograph by John Harvey; ananya logo
Lotus flowers can appear in your home, and light up any room, with Graham and Green’s striking lotus flower ball chandelier, and there are many places where you can find quilts and cushion covers with lotus patterns.
However, it is in jewellery where lotus flowers are at their most prolific. Accessorize has created a pretty turquoise ring while Swarowski recently made a collection of lotus inspired brooches, earrings and pendants. Luxury diamond jewellery company DeBeers have also made their own range of lotus designs, calling it “Enchanted Lotus”. It includes hoop earrings and a bracelet as well as a diamond wedding band, all of which integrate the lotus with a heart shape in a unique design.
Finding the lotus is easy, so why not embrace India’s most famous and auspicious symbol, whether as part of your home, or your look. At ananya we use the lotus flower as our logo because of its symbolic nature and due to its importance in Asian culture. We have also created beautiful stationery using the lotus design, which can be used for any sort of wedding – whether you are having an English or Indian wedding, or it’s taking place in summer or winter. Our lotus designs are stylish, elegant and versatile, and are suitable for any occasion, big or small.
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
Awash With Red
Roses are red, violets are blue… Valentine’s Day is coming soon, so what better time to celebrate the colour of the season – red. At this time of year, red is everywhere – card and gift shops stock up on their scarlet love heart covered cards and crimson coloured gifts, waiting for customers to come to prepare for the big event – Valentine’s Day. But what does the colour red mean? Is it just the colour for romance and St Valentine, or does it have a deeper meaning?
In the West, red traditionally signifies love and seduction, which of course goes hand in hand with Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year. In India, conversely, red is a very traditional colour, and is best known for its role in Indian marriage. Brides usually have red henna tattoos on their hands and feet, wear red saris and bangles and dip their feet in red water upon entering their new home with their husband. It symbolises togetherness and the promise of matrimonial bliss, as well as being a colour which represents a woman’s transition from adolescence into adulthood. In India it is the most powerful colour, a holy colour and a colour which gives protection and strength.
Another country which celebrates reddish hues is China. For the Chinese, red is a colour which symbolises their nation. Weddings are full of the colour, with brides often wearing red, and the couple walking down a red carpet strewn in red flowers. They use red invitations and other red stationery and a couple’s new bed is covered in red bed sheets. It is believed to bring happiness to the couple.
From L-R: Year of the Rabbit image from shutterstock.com, red hearts from Dream Works Homedecor, red & gold scene from Hong Kong Digital Vision, Chinese New Year card by ananya, henna hands photo by Sanjay D Gohil, red ankle-wrap stilettos by Guess by Marietta, 'Viva Vintage' wedding invitation by ananya, Chinese New Year Lanterns, wedding gown from goforjewel.com, photo from an Indian wedding by Sanjay D Gohil & orchid wedding invitation by ananya
The colour is, however, most extensively used during Chinese New Year celebrations, the biggest and most important festival in China. Families create red couplets, which are two poetic sentences written on red paper stating the person’s hopes and dreams for the coming year and are hung on doors and gates. Many people wear red clothes, including red underwear, give money in red envelopes and set off red firecrackers. According to the Chinese, red means fire, which drives away bad luck and evil spirits, so by exchanging red gifts (red lingerie is a popular gift between partners) they are guaranteed a prosperous and lucky new year.
At ananya we are celebrating Chinese New Year by creating exquisite Chinese new year cards exclusive to Harrods to welcome in the year of the rabbit – a much tamer year than the year of the tiger! We also have a gorgeous range of red wedding invitations, which are perfect for those wanting to celebrate their happy day using the luckiest, happiest and most powerful colour in the spectrum – Red.
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
The Peacock Revolution
The majestic peacock is the national bird of India. They are regarded as some of the most beautiful birds in the world, with their fabulous iridescent green-blue plumage and distinctive tail feathers. In India they are emblems of beauty, grace, pride and mysticism and throughout history they have appeared in Hindu myths and folklore in various illustrations with gods and goddesses. It is probably their tails which peacocks are best known for, which are made up of a mixture of large and small feathers with beautiful eye-like designs. The male peacocks lift their tails into a fan and preen their feathers to attract females in an ostentatious display of pride and beauty.
It is therefore no wonder that the peacock has become a major design motif, as its plumage and colours create a perfect muse for designers. The peacock seems to be everywhere at the moment, with both high end designers and high street shops using it as inspiration for fashion, as well as for household goods, such as bed linen and china, and even iPod covers and other accessories. Peacocks have been spotted on the red carpet; with Eva Longoria wearing a short peacock feather covered dress at Cannes, and actress and Marchesa founder Georgina Chapman wore her own black dress with a gold peacock gilded design at the Oscars last year.
From L-R: Peacock make up, henna design (courtesy of hennaweb.com), ananya wedding invitation, peacock dress (courtesy of Yangtze-CNImaging), embellished bag by Butler and Wilson, peacock cake by Delights by Cynthia, peacock feathers, picture by Jenny Reynish, MISS KK peacock feather necklace, porcelain teapot from Kathy Ireland Home by Franz The 'Luminescence' Collection, peacock bird and ananya wedding invitation.
Last year, designer Matthew Williamson created a collection for H&M which was entirely inspired by peacocks. His own Escape spring 2010 line also featured some bohemian peacock undertones. In China, a wedding dress made of 2009 peacock feathers costing $1.5m was unveiled at a wedding expo. Meanwhile, on the high street, many shops such as Top Shop and New Look have dresses, skirts and t-shirts featuring peacock feathers and the birds themselves.
Peacocks can be seen on bags, such as a fabulous crystal clutch by Swarovski, and other accessories, such as hair pieces. However, it is in jewellery where the designers have gone peacock crazy. In Accessorize there is a whole range of necklaces and earrings (as well as bags) inspired by peacocks, such as earrings with peacock bodies and cascading teardrop charms. Many high street stores are selling earrings and brooches using real peacock feathers, while Spanish jewellery designers Carrera y Carrera have a whole collection of beautiful peacock inspired jewellery using diamonds and coloured stones. MAC Cosmetics is launching the ‘Peacocky’ Collection for Spring 2011, a makeup collection that draws colours and inspiration from the exotic bird.
At ananya, we have joined the peacock revolution by creating a range of stationery with modern looking peacock designs. Peacocks are set to become the hottest wedding trend of 2011 due to the intricacy and richness of their plumage and we believe our new line of wedding stationery reflects this. If, however, peacocks aren’t your thing, ananya has a diverse range of different types of stationery.
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
Tartan and Henna – a marriage of two cultures
Today, there is an increase in the number of multicultural weddings as many people who come from diverse cultures and backgrounds decide to get married to each other. Unsurprisingly, during their wedding ceremony they want to incorporate aspects of both their cultures, and show that their marriage is a fusion of their different traditions and customs. Sheila and Nigel, a recently wed couple, did just that.
Sheila and Nigel met at a friend’s wedding, as they both worked at the same law firm but had never met. They hit it off immediately, and Sheila says that, “Needless to say we didn’t speak to many other people that night!” Nigel was living in Dubai at that time, so it wasn’t clear what would happen next, but he later invited Sheila to dinner and they had a great time, which simply confirmed how well they got on. According to Sheila, he was “a perfect gentleman!”
Last November, the couple got engaged while trekking in Nepal. Nigel lugged a bottle of champagne with two glasses in a rucksack during their trek, prepared for a very romantic proposal. After 6 days of hiking, they stopped at Sing Gompa, a place with unrivalled views of the Himalayas. It was sunset and they’d just had their first hot shower of the week and were relaxing and listening to Edith Piaf’s ‘La Vie en Rose’ on the iPod. Nigel later said that at that moment Sheila was looking “radiant” in the evening light – the big moment had arrived! Nigel asked Sheila to marry him and without a moment’s hesitation, Sheila said “I’d love to” and then asked him to repeat the question so she could say “yes”! Nigel has said that that “yes” is the single most significant and happy word that anyone has ever spoken to him.
Nigel is Scottish and Sheila is half Indian half Scottish, so they decided to have a Scottish-Indian wedding. They got married at the magnificent Stirling castle in Scotland.
Sheila and Nigel's Wedding at Stirling Castle
About the themes and colours of the wedding, Sheila says that, “My grandparents are Goan, and my mother is fairly westernised, so I don’t have enormous amounts of Indian culture in my day-to-day life. However, I knew I wanted to do something a little different and incorporate some aspects of Indian culture into the wedding. It’s the blessing and curse of mixed race children perhaps; you don’t feel comfortable entirely committing to one culture or the other! So I initially opted for an Indian wedding dress, well firstly I’d wanted Indian colours in the dress fabric, then upon going to a couple of Indian bridal shows, I decided on a modern lengha. I was able to have some light gold/cream in a nod to a western dress, together with a more traditional maroon, all with co-ordinating embroidery, and a blue/turquoise scarf which had elements of Nigel’s kilt colours in it.” Sheila had henna designs on her hands and feet and beaded bracelets on her wrists. Their flowers were all brightly coloured and Sheila carried red and orange calla lilies, all of which toned in beautifully both with the Indian and Scottish aspects of the ceremony.
For the wedding invitations, Sheila was keen to continue the bright Indian colours. She says, “I couldn’t imagine having a gilt edged cream invite, it’s just not me. ananya created a fantastic turquoise invite with a paisley design which clearly embodied the mix of Scottish and Indian cultures, and in a contemporary way. Shocking pink combined perfectly with the base colour. We loved our invitations, as did our guests, as we received numerous compliments on the richness of the colours and the embossed texture. It felt bespoke without the price tag!”
Sheila believes that in order to have a stress free wedding, it’s best to incorporate what you want as it’s your day. She also says that it’s best not to get stressed if things do happen to go wrong on the day, as everyone is usually too busy enjoying themselves to notice. She avoided some traditions which she felt were unnecessary, such as cake, since it was an evening wedding, and they extended the canapés and drinks on the day, as that has always been their favourite part of weddings.
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
A picture is worth a thousand words…
So many emotions can be captured in just one ‘click’ that there is little left to explain. There in itself is the beauty of photo cards. A well-chosen photograph on the front of a beautiful photo card created to depict the very occasion it is set to represent is worth a thousand words. From wedding announcements to baby birth announcements, photo cards are a great way to announce, inform and reveal.
With recent trends of smaller, more intimate yet exquisite weddings, at home or a marvellous destination, creating unique and bespoke photo cards as part of a couples wedding stationery is a great way to share and announce the special occasion with many. Make that extended ‘guest list’ a part of your ‘post’ wedding with the perfect wedding photo adorned with a few simple words straight from the heart. Thought about a photo card as a ‘thank you note’ to thank all those who made it to a remote location to celebrate your special day?
It’s a boy! It’s a girl! It’s twins!!! One of the most precious moments in a parent’s life can be shared with family and friends near and far with a bespoke photo card.
A selection of ananya's photo cards
The options and occasions are countless. With bespoke creation and design being the heart of ananya, let ananya help you express yourself with the perfect photo cards. ananya’s photo cards are printed on transparent film, making each one without equal.
Photos, after all, are worth a thousand words!
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
Diwali @ Louis Vuitton?
Diwali – from the Sanskrit word “deepavali” meaning a garland of lamps – is a celebration of victory over evil and light over darkness. This year (like the years past), Hindus across the world will celebrate this joyous occasion on November 5th with family, friends and colleagues of all races, nationality and social diversity.
Diwali is a period that marks new beginnings and represents joy, love, reflection, resolution, forgiveness, light and knowledge. It is much more than the ‘festival of lights’ that it is commonly known as. Diwali is about sharing joy; a revered tradition; a cultural identity that connects people to people.
The growing popularity of Diwali is a reflection of global diversity and India’s increased prominence across the world, both culturally and economically. Last year, President Obama made headlines when he lit a diya (traditional oil candle light) an delivered a heart warming speech wishing Hindus a “Happy Diwali”; this year it was Louis Vuitton who hit the news waves by announcing its collaboration with noted Indian artist Rajeev Sethi in creating window displays featuring hand painted LV trunks that will glow from within simulating the presence of a diya. LV will also create limited edition Diwali inspired dresses. From traditional culture to modern day fashion inspiration– one thing seems clear – Diwali is no longer a celebration confined to India, Hindus or its culture.
From L-R: Louis Vuitton store, ananya Diwali cards, President Obama lighting a diya, ananya Diwali cards and candles lit for Diwali celebrations
With the increase in mixed marriages, there is a desire to pass on each tradition and culture to their multicultural children. Diwali is no different. Last year ananya created bespoke Diwali cards to represent one such multicultural union, between a Hindu bride and a Catholic groom, celebrating Diwali.
Part of the beauty of Diwali is colourful greeting cards adorning the home in the days leading up to the celebration. There is much joy in both sending and receiving a ‘paper’ card, beautifully designed to represent the culture and joy of the celebration it depicts – a joyous sentiment that can sometimes be lost in translation in viral or email messages.
Why not bring joy to your family and friends and send them one of ananya’s unique Diwali cards. Think of the smile when your loved ones open the post – priceless. There are Diwali cards for all budgets – from plain to cards embellished with sparkling crystals, as stocked in Harrods.
Place an order by 15th October to get a 10% discount. Simply quote ‘ananya life 10′ when you call +44 (0)20 7242 1877 or email info@ananyacards.com
We at ananya wish you all a very Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year.
Nellie the Elephant
“Nellie the Elephant packed her trunk and said goodbye to the circus off she went with a trumpety-trump. Trump, trump, trump”.
Remember the song made famous by the Toy Dolls in 1984? If you do, it probably brings back an array of memories.
There is more to the elephant than Nellie’s song. Hot off the “trunk” – the Elephant Parade – a conservation campaign that highlights the catastrophe faced by the endangered Asian elephant. The Elephant Parade (which ended on July 3rd with an outstanding auction) displayed over 250 “designer” elephants all over central London. Nellie sure would be trumpety-trump with the efforts to save her peers, not only in Asia but across the globe! The elephant is after all the largest of all living land animals – some respect please!
Elephants symbolise grandeur. Buddhists admire them for their patience and wisdom. In China, elephants are respected for their power, strength and energy. They have particular significance in India and not just as a form of transport! Ganesha, the elephant headed God is worshiped by millions and one of the most well-known deities associated with power, strength, success and wisdom. The elephant is also a popular motif used on Indian wedding invitations and personal stationery as it is thought to induce good fortune. Ever watched Bride and Prejudice with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan? Recall the classic scene of the American groom sweeping his Indian bride off her feet on an elephant? (If you have, you will be smiling about now!) Russell Brand – you were not the first, although you did make the tabloids with your proposal to Katy Perry! So, congratulations!
From L-R: Elephant Parade, Ganesha statue at a wedding photographed by Sanjay D Gohil, ananya wedding stationery and a contemporary Ganesha motif created by ananya, photograph by Elisabeth Toll, Keira Knightley feeding an elephant for a Vogue photoshoot, Hermes campaign using vibrantly decorated elephants
Even Hermes has got in on a piece of Nellie’s action with its 2008 Orange Hermes et Rose Indien ad campaign. Several leading designers, from Prada and Gucci to Ferragamo and Cartier, have used the elephant as inspiration for their work.
We at ananya love Elephants (and Nellie too) and we are currently working on a line of elephant personal stationery as our own special celebration of this glorious animal, which we look forward to sharing with our readers! In fact, we have already used elephants in previous work. For a recent multicultural wedding we used the elephant as a motif which was continued throughout the stationery, from the invitations through to the stationery used on the day. Alongside this, we often use Ganesha on many of our wedding invitations and, of course, for Diwali greeting cards, as a sign of luck and good fortune.
A good cause, a fashion cause and a personal cause – all in a day of Nellie!
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
My Royal Monogram
The monogram commonly affiliated with Louis Vuitton, weddings, stationery and luxury cars, has its roots in royalty. Historically, a monogram was used as a royal signature. The Romans and Greeks used monograms as currency (transitioning from the barter system). High society Victorians adopted and personalised the monogram to signify their place in society. Fast-forward a generation or two.…then came the evolution of the distinguishable monogram – LV (and others in the world of luxurious fashion).
From L-R: antique coin locket, Louis Vuitton luggage, ananya correspondence card, ananya wedding cake topper, diapers and ananya monograms created for bridal couples
ananya loves the uniqueness of personalised monograms – from the most simple font to intricately designed logos incorporating the key initials. One’s royal monogram should be just that – Regally yours! Create a monogram that is timeless and multi-functional; your own personal brand. Even babies have monograms these days. The quest for establishing your regal brand is limitless.
ananya recently created a monogram commissioned by a couple for their multicultural wedding to signify the beginning of their life together as one. The monogram was not only used for the couple’s wedding stationery but incorporated as a cake topper (in Swarovski crystals), postage stamps, personal stationery, address labels, and custom made luggage, to name a few. The bespoke lives on in this one creation to represent them as Mr & Mrs!
Tell us about your royal monogram…. we’d love to hear from you!
Until next time…Namaste and enjoy ananya life!
