Beyond Taj Mahal & Chicken Curry-Changing INDIA's Image through Gifting

The story starts around 5-6 years back when I first visited Europe, made local friends in Austria & Germany and some friends from other parts of world who worked or studied there. And like me as most of them are foodies, it was inevitable for me -hosting long lunches and early evening dinners at our humble home back then in Austria. Europeans love Indian Chicken Curry , the aroma and the spices. And soon for us it became the tradition for us  to gift Chicken Masala powders and recipes to our dear friends. The ones who did not fall into the foodie category or couldn't take the heat of Indian Curry, preferred the typical miniature of Taj Mahal as gift. Be it our Diwali or Christmas celebrations in their land, these two items were in demand. 

However, I always wondered if and how I can introduce other cultural facades of our India to these friends. And this year, the splendid artifacts from Heart for Art https://www.heartforartonline.com/ opened doors of zillion gifting options for me :) Heart for Art works towards bringing you products from the best artisans of India, who passionately create them! The founders and now my friends, Padmaja and Sunil Jalihal help craftsmen get back their pride and improve their living conditions through this endeavour. They provide these products in the best traditions of artisanal masterpieces, yet adapted to contemporary lifestyles and sensibilities. Heart for Art promotes the traditional Arts & Crafts of India. The products represent some of the best traditions of Kashmiri, Bidriware, Dhokra, Kottan, Channapatna, Navalgund, Longpi, Jaipur and many other Indian arts and crafts and Black Pottery of Manipur, Kottan Basketary, Southern Stone Scluptures, Bidriware, Chola Bronze Sculptures, Navalgund Jamkhanas. 

This Christmas, houses of my friends in Germany will be adorned by dozens of such beautiful bells. They are handcrafted using traditional lacware technique and are coloured with natural dyes. This is Channapatna Woodcraft originated in Karnataka. 

My friends in Corporate will be happy wearing artfully crafted cuff-links. Bidriware is a metal handicraft that originated in Bidar area of Karnataka, in the 14th century C.E., and it is manufactured from an alloy of copper and zinc with fine wire of pure silver carefully hammered into the grooves. Bidriware products were traditionally recognised as a symbol of wealth and the craft is practiced in various parts of India to make a range of artistic showpieces and ornaments.

All the Heart for Art gifts are accompanied with an information card with details about the art-craft form and the artisan's name who crafted it.

In the words of my friend Marcel, these gifts have changed India's Image in his mind. India has much more colours to offer beyond the Taj and Chicken Curry!!

Denims- Un-fit for Formal meetings?!

While creative industries and IT industry upto some extent take pride in casual dressing policy, certain thumb rules about business attire are followed worldwide. Wearing denim /jeans or Corduroy (most of us call it qua-dra-aai) in formal business meetings is inappropriate or unprofessional - and this statement is always debated upon . The reason why most of the formal dressing policies and boardroom meeting protocols exclude the denims from their list is in the history of these fabrics.

The name "denim" derives from French serge de Nîmes, meaning 'serge from Nîmes'. Denim was traditionally colored blue with indigo dye to make blue jeans, although "jean" formerly denoted a different, lighter, cotton fabric. The contemporary use of the word "jeans" comes from the French word for Genoa, Italy (Gênes), where the first denim trousers were made.

Denim has been used in the USA since the mid 19th century. Denim initially gained popularity in 1873 when Jacob W. Davis, a tailor from Nevada, manufactured the first pair of “rivet-reinforced” denim pants. When they were invented, jeans were associated with blue-collar work. They were meant to get muddy and gross and take lots of abuse without falling apart, even if you wore the same pair every day. The people who bought them were the ones whose lives required durable clothing. Soon, the popularity of denim jeans began to spread rapidly as heavy work clothing.





Corduroy is a vintage textile of cotton or cotton-mix fabric with a raised, ribbed, sheared surface nap and underlying weave. It is made from woven, twisted fibres which lie in parallel rows or ‘cords’ to form the cloth’s texture. Corduroy has a velvety feel making it durable yet soft to touch. It has been used mainly for men’s working and sporting clothing throughout the centuries. Corduroy evolves from the ancient cotton weave known as ‘fustian’. This manufactured textile existed for thousands of years before it came to acquire the name of corduroy as we know it. By the 19th Century corduroy is being mass-produced in factories all over Europe and America. It was mainly used by workers, artists and students it has the image of ‘poor man’s velvet’.Both denim and corduroy were hence used by workers and not the elite businesspersons during their business hours and hence traditionally not considered as business/formal attire. In other words, it's not the jeans themselves that are the problem; it's the people who've traditionally worn them.

4 Interesting Facts About Image Consulting

Whether you like it or not, the way you look plays a role in your success. Your image is "you" in the minds of the people; what do they think about you; what is their perception of you. And remember, perception is reality. 

 Your Image is your visual resume. Much before people know about your strengths they decide about you based on your visual resume. An Image Consultant helps you project an Image that you desire; image that reflects your values and principles. 

What is Image Consulting? 
Image consulting is managing one’s Appearance, Behaviour and Communication in order to project an appropriate, authentic and attractive image. It is about controlling your first impressions.

Who needs Image Consulting?



Image Consulting is for everyone who wants to upgrade his/her style to match with roles and professional and social goals. Be it a student, working professional, a socialite or a celebrity. An employee’s or a CEO’s image will have an impact on the company’s image; a socialite’s or celebrity’s image plays a great role in their careers.

I believe in simple living. How will Image Consulting help me? 
Image consulting does not necessarily mean high fashion brands or glamorous clothes. Image Consulting is adapting style which is appropriate –suitable to our attitude and the audience we interact with.

A classic example can be Mahatma Gandhi’s image in South Africa and when he consciously adopted dhoti clad image later. This epoch-making decision was taken by Gandhiji in Madurai after he decided that he has to work for and with the with the poor people of India and how can he identify with them if he wears different clothes from them.

Is Appearance part of Image consulting only about western clothes?
No, Image Consulting is about appropriate (as per occasion) and authentic (that suits you)dressing. It includes Indian as well as Western styles, blend of fashion trends and use of right accessories. 


Few Image Consulting Tips:
1. Wear clothes that flatter your figure and personal colours.
2. Audience: Think carefully about who it is you’re trying to influence and why. What do they care about and why is it important?
3. Message: The way you’d dress at a business conference full of middle-aged folks is different from how you would dress at high school sports game. Whatever message you’re trying to send to the world, never forget the clothes you put that message in will determine the way it’s received. So, dress it carefully.

Contact us on neha@splendidconsultant.in to know your Image Quotient !