If you thought a ubiquitous travelling case was a mere utility just suited for carrying your clothes and essentials, it’s time think again. The same iron trunk makes an artistic transformation in the deft hands of designer-artist Rashmi Dogra. It becomes a high-end luxury item perfect for gifting. 

After nearly three years of professional painting, the creative artist has moved from working on canvas to lifestyle with her brand Fluke Design to make a ravishing range of bags and fabulous travel accessories, including clutches, big iron trunks, handbags, and much more. She wanted to reach out to more eclectic and art-savvy people with her art hence she conceived the label utilizing an eye for fashion.

The first product took almost a year to finalize as it was very important to ensure the durability and quality of the ingredients and color over seasonal changes, encompassing utility as well. After getting a choice clientele list of Bollywood actors, showbiz celebrities and eclectic international buyers, Rashmi Dogra turned her attention to iron trunks with her creative touch.

Her quirky albeit subtle sense of fashion reflects in the final product, which is conceived out of an iron trunk. It makes an original and highly individualized style statement, which will guarantee curious looks around. The creator states while she would not wish to typecast her buyers, those who tend to travel long distances with heavier equipment and still are keen on maintaining a style statement of their own swear by her flamboyant trunks.

So, if you want to charm of your friends or colleague with a surprising gift, there can be no better choice than Rashmi Dogra’s mesmerizing bags. Her usual trunks are about 20 inches in length, also depending on the specifications. Many people buy small sizes. They want to employ it as a household accessory rather than as a travel accessory.

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If hip hop stars are indeed the ultimate in cool, Adidas has got its formula perfectly right with its line of appealing apparel and accessories conceived in association with noted musician Missy Elliot. Termed, Respect M.E. it has all the ‘Elliot’ trademark style, with ravishing rap star bling.

The line is available for sale in Adidas Originals stores globally and in leading Indian cities such as Chandigarh, Bangalore and New Delhi. Tushar Goculdas, director (marketing and sales) Adidas India, has been quoted as saying, “We first launched the Originals lifestyle brand at the 1972 Munich Olympics. It was inspired by the famous sports stars of the time.

“The line happened to catch on so well that shoes and apparel seen on the field in the 1970s are now often seen in movies, music videos, and on celebrities at clubs and many rock shows.” 

Tracking the trend, there seem to be quite a many takers for a curious collaboration between sports and fashion. A peep into the actor Amrita Arora’s wardrobe and one instantly realizes that it is dominated by top brands such as Adidas, Lululemon Athletica, Juicy Couture and Reebok.

Interestingly, she isn’t really a sports enthusiast. In fact, these clothes do not make her appear like one either. It’s rather the ‘sporty chic’ look she prefers. Amrita likes to wear workout tops that go nicely with jeans and heels for those outings with special friends. 

Amrita Arora has been quoted saying in an interview: “They are made for workouts; they hold the body together and also give you a good shape. The actor loves the sporty, colorful apparel from Lululemon Athletica, which is a Canadian brand. At filmi parties and events, she has often been spotted in Juicy Couture tracksuits, even pairing black track pants sometimes with a shirt and boots. According to her, it’s quite comfortable and cool.

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The best gifts can be termed as those that are personal in nature! I will elaborate on this particular point. Say, for instance, you know someone who’s always on the move, literally plane-hopping!

What would give that person as a gift? It has to be something that sure can come handy on their journey. Any such accessory or gadget will make a perfect present this travel season.

In the following paragraphs, we suggest some truly tourist-friendly gift options useful for the frequent flyer:

Audiobooks: One of the preferred pastimes while flying is casual reading. However, bulky books will only add to the baggage so are usually a no-no! On the other hand, compact audiobooks can be loaded into one’s mp3 player easily. And all one needs to do is to listen and to enjoy!

Noise-canceling headphones: This is sure among the most ubiquitous albeit most coveted accessories to one who loves music as well as traveling.

Compressor bag: Compressing and then air-tighting clothes will help save space and also guard clothes against undue moisture.

Inflatable travel pillow: You never know how, when, where one might get stranded during a journey. An inflatable travel pillow is a great gift.

E-book reader: If you have an office friend or a colleague who really relishes reading, think of getting an e-book reader; one that has electronic paper screens. The user can load as many e-books he or she wants to put into a device, smaller than a paperback.

Leather ticket case: This will help organize travel tickets, boarding passes and passport documents and keep them safely. With all the hassle and hurry involved, one may well misplace these crucial documents. Retaining them together with this case is a great idea.

Sleeping aids (foam ear plugs and blackout sleep mask) and something like a handheld tripod will also be welcomed.

Tags: , Best business gifts, gifting etiquette, Corporate gifting, promotional gifts, Business Gifting
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In the last blog, we discussed how women find it difficult to pick gifts for men. But then there are women who tend to take an easy way out — either by gifting cards, cash or a gift voucher. The men can utilize the gift voucher or cash to buy whatever they want.

A media professional mentions in the DNA article by doing this she ensures that none of her gifts is turned down. According to her, she either gives vouchers or takes her friend to shopping along with her. So there is no problem when it comes to understanding the persons’ likes or dislikes in terms of style, size, colors, etc. Many women opt for branded gadgets or electronics. But here again personal likes and dislikes cone into play.

Thankfully, many gifting stores and experts help you select the perfect gift. The owner of Nuggets, Anju Poddar, is willing to offer advice for buying gifts for men. Nuggets is an elaborate gifting store. The professional understands that shopping for gifts for men is often a problem since there are fewer options available. One of the safest options is a bottle of whisky or wine.

Ironically, the gifting expert herself faces a problem while selecting a gift for her husband. So what then is the perfect gift for your man, going beyond usual belts, bags, wallets, clothes and cufflinks? One way out is buying something useful. Accessories can be a safe option if you are not sure about his choice.

A partner at Gifted Lifestyles, Kanchan Khubchandani, suggests grooming products. They are a big hit, in the backdrop of the metrosexual mania. Some women simply follow their instinct, and buy what their heart tells them is right for their man, and that does the trick for them!

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‘What do get as a gift for your man?’ This the question women often ponder over with no definite clue. Though there is no unique or even generalized solution, you can certainly learn from experience or get tips from your more experienced friends. 

In fact, there was an interesting article on this topic by writer Joanna Lobo titled ‘The ordeal of buying gifts for men’ that appeared in the DNA News recently. The writer had a rather curious statement to make.” Ask a woman to climb a mountain, she will willingly do it. Ask her to climb it backwards; she may not do it, but will definitely give it a try!  However, ask the same female to get a gift for her husband/brother/boyfriend, and she may perhaps balk at the idea. For most females, getting gifts for their men is rather an arduous job.”

The main reason is non-availability of ideal gifts and also the fact that most men tend to shy away from memorabilia. Women will gush over how the clothes, jewelry, or a small knick-knack gifted to them. They will exclaim that it fits perfectly in so & so place or how the gifted item will match one of their particular outfits.

However, gift a showpiece to a man and his first question would be “where to put this?” The article quotes computer engineer Sandeep Bamane who faced this dilemma. Two of his enterprising friends presented him with a penholder.

It was a skeleton that held a basketball. “They thought it would be useful for me. But I hated it,” was his reaction. Many may believe that gifting a guy something weird and wacky is preferable. But that again does not always hold true. So what is the way out? We shall check out tomorrow…

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Nearly eight in 10 Indians (77%) prefer Clothes, Sweets (including chocolates- 69 %) and Books (49%) as their preferred gifting items. Importantly, more than half of the people surveyed indicated they would shop online.

Following are the broad findings of a survey conducted by Nielsen India on gifting patterns research panel.

• Differences are there across different age groups in terms of gifting items, budgets and shopping channels.

• Sweets, Clothes and Books are universally popular, but more so with the mature group aged 45 and above

• The younger crowd (15-24 years) prefers to gift technology gadgets such as mobile phones and MP3 players.

• Holidays (travel and accommodation), travel tickets and tickets to amusement parks are popular new-age gift ideas.

• About 20 percent would like to give wine as a gift.

• More than half of the people surveyed indicated they would shop online.

According to N. S. Muthukumaran, Director, Online Panel, the Nielsen Company, India, the technology that has entered our lives in the last 10 years is deeply affecting young people in their twenties who have grown up with it. He says, “To many, it is cool to be seen with the latest model of phone or music system and giving one as a present is in the same league, albeit a costly option for these young folks.”

Look for more findings of the survey indicating the habits and beliefs of Indians regarding gifting in the next blog posts…

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