Absinthe

Absinthe or absinth, not too popular at the moment because of the bans due to the mythic belief of it being a mind altering substance, is highly underrated I believe.

Toulouse Lautrec and Vincent van Gogh were some famous artists that popularized this notion.

This fantastic alcohol is created using herbs, including Artemisia Absinthium (its main component), also commonly referred to as Grande Wormwood, blended together with green anise and sweet fennel.

It is an anise-flavoured spirit, and tastes something like a stronger version of Ouzo (a popular Greek Spirit). It contains a higher than average alcohol content which is generally 45-75% and is more than enough to give an edge to any occasion.

My personal favourite is La Fee Absinthe, a bohemian absinthe which is commonly available at the Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok International) airport. Not only is it moderately priced, it is available in 70% and 40 % (alcoholic potency) the last time I checked. Generally mixed with sugar and iced water, it also tastes good on the rocks if you can stomach it.

My advice hot tub/steam room/swimming pool + absinthe = short intense party. (Tested and tried)

PS: Write to me about your most memorable Absinthe experience at majesticpvt@gmail.com

you might just win a free bottle 

Signed- Ishaan

This winter its all about being cosy.. Cashmere wraps structured jackets... Basically the works.. Here are some of my favorites that you need to get your hands on:

Marc By Marc Jacobs Metallic Cardigan (DLF Emoprio)

Rajesh Pratap Singh Black Cashmere Scarf (DLF Emporio)

Burberry Prorsum Leather & Sherling Jacket (DLF EMporio)

Lanvin Peplum Knit Cardigan (Kitsch at DLF Emporio)

Burberry Prorsum Leather & Brass studded Cuff (DLF Emporio)

Tod’s Big Leather Shopper (DLF Emporio)

Diane Von Furstenberg Camel Knit (Kitsch at DLF Emporio)

Fendi Love Story Suede Boots (DLF Emporio)

Best of Browns

Best of Browns by asekhri featuring a knit cardigan

Marc By Marc Jacobs Metallic Cardigan (DLF Emporio)

Rajesh Pratap Singh Black Cashmere Scarf (DLF Emporio)

Burberry Prorsum Leather & Sherling Jacket (DLF Emporio)

Lanvin Peplum Knit Cardigan (Kitsch at DLF Emporio)

Burberry Prorsum Leather & Brass studded Cuff (DLF Emporio)

Tod’s Big Leather Shopper (DLF Emporio)

Diane Von Furstenberg Camel Knit (Kitsch at DLF Emporio)

Fendi Love Story Suede Boots (DLF Emporio)

Review of God of War 3

Photo courtesy www.dailypostal.com

 The final part of the epic journey of ex-Spartan warrior and fallen god of war, Kratos is set in a ravishingly beautiful version of Greek mythological town of Eribus. He travels all the way from the realm of Hades to the glorious heights of Mount Olympus. The third part of this magnificent single player game boasts of high picture quality. Some scenes are even created using the latest High Dynamic Range Lighting (HDRL) technology that gives a surprisingly real life look to the characters involved. Although the game is quite short and took me only 16 hours to finish it is definitely worth purchasing. The new weapons, the new characters and the improved graphics all make the third addition to the God of War series the best one.

 P.S- You get to kill almost all the main characters encountered in the game if you haven’t already had sex with them ;)

Its the shit!
Rating: 4.5/5.

Up Close & Personal with Manisha Prakash, Brand Manager of Shrivan-Narresh

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to interview the Brand Manager for contemporary clothing brand Shrivan-Narresh. Off the bat I can tell that Manish embodies the brands aesthetic, for she is charming, sharp and fiercely intelligent. Before I even started our interview it seemed like I had known her for ages, her warmth and approachability made me extremely comfortable and I’d like to thank her for that. 

Q1. So tell me a little about you and your relationship with fashion?

A1. About me, I grew up in Delhi and went to a high school called Mirambika, where I was a footballer and a swimmer. I didn’t really have the urge to study but my parents wanted to me to go to college so I chose Milan. It seemed really far which was really appealing to me at the time. I spoke French but not a word of Italian so I thought it would be a great way to learn the language. When it came to fashion, I’m not saying I was unfashionable but I had a keen interest for style. I love over-dressing. Even when I was the littlest girl I would love dressing up for the smallest occasions and bearing the brunt of my family having a good laugh over it. Even now if I go jogging I have perfectly matching tops and shorts. Before I moved to Italy I had never seen fashion as up close as I had ever before. 

Q2. How did Shrivan-Narresh happen for you?

A2. So I met the boys when I was in Milan and it was like instant love. They needed a place to crash for a few nights and one of our common friends referred them to me. At this point they were just starting out fresh and I loved their work and ideas. We just clicked you know. Anyway, they went back to India to work and I was left alone in Milan with this hollow feeling. I just missed them too much. I went back and we became good friends. One day, I was sitting in Shrivan and Narresh’s studio feeling completely dejected and unemployed whining to Narresh when he turned around and promptly replied, “Why are you so tensed, just join us?” I was shocked and told him “As what?” and he said, “Just come to work and we’ll find work for you.” And that was it. It’s been chaotic harmony even since.

Q3. Who are your favourite fashion icons/designers?

A3. Grace Coddington of Vogue USA. I feel she can really differentiate between Beauty and Fashion. 

Helmut Newton is one of my favourite photographers. He did a lot of work for Harper’s Bazaar.  I feel he was way ahead of his time. 

Richard Avedon is another one of my favourite photographers. He has worked for both Bazaar and Vogue extensively. There was also a movie based on his life starring Audrey Hepburn called Funny Face which is a must watch. 

Julie Andrews: She is effortlessly stylish and so age appropriate. I love her poise. 

Patrizio Bertelli. He is such a visionary; he truly is the business force that drives Prada. He has a brilliant mind. Even though Miuccia Prada’s reign began in the late 1970’s he has managed to maintain a standard as an old luxury brand.

 

Q4. If you weren’t here, where would you be?

A4. Someplace quiet! Somewhere where I have a big kitchen. And I would contribute to intelligence somehow. 

Q5. Okay lastly, what are this season’s top 5 must-haves. From Manisha for our readers:

A5. Okay : 1) A super-duper body-con dress. They look amazing with jackets, knits amazing with tights

  2) Big bags! Natural leather bags are fab for this season.

3) Something Pure: Cashmere or Pashmina. It could be a scarf or gloves even.

4) Mood Lighting. I think this season is going to be about indoor cosyness instead of rooftop bonfires. 

5)  Lastly, A recipe for your favourite soup. Mine is a polish delicacy called Barsz. 

Roy Lichtenstein

I have admired and observed the works of Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), a contemporary pop artist for a while now and with each print the man is able to make me smile more. Although he is lesser known than his more famous pop-culture counterpart, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein uses satire wisely to produce his more humorous matter. His works are similar to a comic book style of pop art and often mock the old American 50’s culture as shown below: 

 Picture courtesy wikipedia.org

It is no shocker that Lichtenstein was born in the hub of artistic excellence- New York. His art-work first started as just a hobby but after he graduated he turned to the Arts Student League of New York where he learnt and worked under Reginald Marsh, an artist famous for his depictions of New York.

 Picture courtesy guad.deviantart.com

Though his rise to fame remained his artwork that infused comic book art with life, he also has done installations using materials like metal and plastic. His signature styles use a heavy dosage of a lot of writing or lettering as they call it, speech balloons with entertaining and situationally appropriate thoughts and sprinkles of Ben-Day dots (as below):

 Picture courtesy grumpygecko.com

Unfortunately the works of Roy Lichtenstein are not available on view in New Delhi as yet. His print reproductions can be bought at art.com as well as amazon.com both of which deliver to India !

Cool Fact: His painting named “Torpedo...Los!” sold at renowned auction house Christie's for $5.5 million in 1989, a record sum at the time, making him one of only three living artists to have attracted such huge sums.

To View his current and upcoming exhibits, click on the link below:

http://www.lichtensteinfoundation.org/frames.htm