The saree has been enchanting the world ever since the first woman wrapped herself up in its six yards of magic thousands of years ago. Whether it’s conveying a playful vibe at a traditional Indian celebration or commanding the spotlight on the Red Carpet, the saree is still a vision of sensual sophistication. Magic guaranteed.

According to one folk story, a love-stricken weaver created the first saree after he dreamt of a beautiful, sensuous woman. He spun long drapes of fabric to mimic the woman’s flowing hair, and infused vibrant colors in the saree to match her personality and warmth. Overwhelmed with how beautiful the garment was, he didn’t stop draping until the fabric stretched to 9 yards. The weaver left the midriff bare, reflecting the Hindu belief that the navel is the ultimate source of creativity and life.

History says the saree dates back to 2800 to 1800 B.C. By then, ancient Indus Valley civilizations were already captivated by its sensuality and magic. Sexy without showing too much skin, the saree has been called “the apparel that covers all yet reveals all.” Styles have changed through the centuries, but there’s one thing we know for sure: the saree’s sensual draping and alluring midriff still have the same magical aura today.

Want proof that the saree’s six yards of magic transcends any era? Check out these gorgeous 1950s snapshots of women in sarees (via Life Magazine).

Luxemi can help you channel the sophistication and beauty of these women in vintage sarees. Luxemi’s Red Screen Print with Gold Sequins by Satya Paul features the same movement and artistic pattern pairing as the vintage saree in the first photo. For a strong, simple statement like the woman in the white saree, our pick is this Embellished Saree with Contrast Blouse. And to emulate the third woman’s charisma, try this plaid-inspired Giraffe Print Sequined Saree by Satya Paul. It’s got the iconic six yards of magic, plus plenty of sequins hand-threaded throughout.

And here’s the best part: Women of every body type can capture the saree’s six yards of magic. Luxemi’s collection includes sarees for every occasion and personal style — plenty of magic included.

We wish we could have had all our Luxe fans with us last week when we took over New York City for Luxemi’s spring photoshoot — that’s why we made sure to document the two-day trip just for you. Here’s a behind the scenes look at our Soho adventure and the fabulous fashion photos you’ll be seeing around Luxemi soon!

After touching down in NYC, the Luxemi team set up shop in Soho and the amazing Pod Hotel. We had photographer Mike Fortner, hair/makeup artist Jenni Higgins, saree stylist Kavita Shah and PA Sunishi Tolia on board to make sure our gorgeous model and our sarees shone. The team killed it!

Even a dark sky and the threat of rain couldn’t keep us from capturing some amazing photos of the beautiful Vasanthi Sara (who has shined in some exquisite  Vogue photoshoots!) in Luxemi. Our unofficial themes were “gypsy bride” and “modern Indian,” and Vasanthi totally rocked both vibes during the two-day photoshoot.

And did we mention the gorgeous Luxemi accessories? We call this the bauble bar.

We can’t wait to share the rest of our photos and the stunning new sarees we have coming your way for Spring 2013. Be sure to check the Luxe Report each week for more Luxemi news, fashion advice and trend reports to keep you looking chic this fall and winter!  

Calling all Chicago Luxe fans: There’s an awesome event on Friday, December 7 that we want you all to know about. If you’re into Indian fashion, are planning a wedding soon, or just want to chat with Luxemi or Indian Weddings over cocktails, you’ll definitely want to join us for the Indian Weddings Winter Edition Launch!

Here are all the details: Indian Weddings (a mag we absolutely love!) is hosting a release party for its new Winter Edition at the Ivy Hotel in Chicago (233 E. Ontario Street) from 7 to 10 p.m. on December 7, and it’s invited Luxemi as one of its special guests. Stop by to see the new Indian Weddings issue (which Luxemi is featured in!)  and talk with us about ways to infuse a little Luxemi into your wedding style! We’ll also have fabulous Luxemi apparel and accessories for you to check out. You can R.S.V.P. here.

Also on tap for the event are crafted cocktails, hors d’eouvres, VIP swag bags, and a sneak peak at the Indian Weddings Winter Issue. Oh, and did we mention Chef Suzy Singh, who you may remember from Master Chef Season 2, will be on-hand providing some culinary inspiration?

We hope all our Chicagoan Luxe fans will join Luxemi, California South Asian Bride Indian Weddings, and Chef Suzy Singh at this fabulous event! We can’t wait to see you there. 

With a new year of fashion just around the corner, Luxemi has been doing a lot of reminiscing about our favorite fashion trends of the last 12 months. Here are the 2012 trends we couldn’t live without.

Florals

From the moment this trend started blooming, Luxemi was totally enthralled with all things floral. Whether it was Valentino’s flowery romance or Proenza Schouler’s modern, graphic take on floral, we loved seeing how our fave designers put their touch on this staple print.

Memorable moments: Oscar de la Renta’s iconic poppie and daffodil gown and Sonam Kapoor’s Dolce & Gabbana flower and onion dress.

Luxemi’s take: Our Floral Cotton Gota Salwar features gorgeous embroidered flowers that add a soft touch to this Indian shift dress’ stunning magenta hue.

Burgundy

In case you haven’t noticed, burgundy (also called oxblood or wine) is definitely the “it” color for Fall and Winter 2012. With designers like Jason Wu, Zac Posen and Tibi bringing this hue front and center in high-impact runway collections, burgundy has been on every girl’s fashion radar — including ours!

Memorable moments: Jason Wu’s killer burgundy coats, which totally stole the show at New York Fashion Week.

Luxemi’s take: With fine metallic embroidery and a rich red hue, Luxemi’s Scarlett Saree with Rich Gold Border will make you the belle of this season’s burgundy ball.

Neon Everything

Pantone’s Color of the Year was Tangerine Tango, but given the amount of highlighter yellow we spotted on runways, Red Carpets and the streets in our favorite fashion cities, it was definitely the summer of neon.

Memorable moments: Frieda Pinto’s Atelier Versace dress at Cannes Film Festival and Oscar de la Renta’s neon yellow runway creations.

Luxemi’s take: Our Neon Green Cotton and Silk Saree by Neeru Kumar uses its gorgeous highlighter hue, not embellishments, to make a bold statement.

Brocade

We fell in love when we saw designers like Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana work metallic brocade into their runway looks for Fall 2012. It’s an opulent, Indian-inspired touch that made a major splash in both the East and West this year.

Memorable moments: Dolce & Gabbana’s black, crème and gold brocade collection (especially those knee-high brocade boots!).

Luxemi’s take: Our Red and Gold Brocade Salwar showcases brocade at its most beautiful from its elegant scoop neck down to its metallic gold border.

And this Green Brocade Halter Suit with Zari Work and Sequins is an eclectic addition to any girl’s closet.

1920s Jewelry

Even though we’re still holding our breath for the new Great Gatsby flick, we’ve gotten a gorgeous dose of 1920s-inspired bows, headbands and heavy pearl necklaces this year from celebs like Nicole Richie, Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams. This is one trend we don’t see going anywhere anytime soon!

Memorable moments: Michelle Williams’ vintage bow brooch at the 2012 Oscars and Nicole Richie’s deco headband love affair.

Luxemi’s take: Channel fabulous flapper fashion in our fun and flirty Circular Gold Bridal Headpiece.

Did we forget any of your favorite 2012 trends? Drop Luxemi a line — we always love hearing from our Luxe Fans! And be sure to check the Luxe Report, your favorite Indian fashion blog, in the coming weeks for our take on the 2013 fashion that’s capturing our hearts.

At this year’s Academy Awards, the Red Carpet took on a definite metallic tone, which was only fitting for the biggest night in Tinsel Town! Here are our fav celeb looks — and a few Indian influenced fashion notes! — from the 2013 Oscars.

The 85^th Annual Academy Awards was all about smoke and gunmetal. The first look we fell for during the pre-show carpet walk was Lead Actress nominee Naomi Watts’ body molding Armani Privé gown. We love the one-shoulder cutout detailing and the liquid metal look of this floor-length dress.

Our fav Indian designer, Naeem Khan, helped some of the night’s leading beauties follow the metallic silver trend. We were psyched to see Michelle Obama announce Ben Affleck’s Argo as Best Picture, but we were even more thrilled to see the First Lady wearing a gorgeous Naeem Khan look. With flattering light and dark silver paneling and an elegant square neckline, this all-over sequin gown will go down in Oscars fashion history.

Another Hollywood beauty to wear Naeem’s designs was Stacy Keibler. George Clooney’s girlfriend looked statuesque and stunning in a metallic Naeem Khan gown with a black empire waistband, a chic halter and fine embellishments arcing throughout. We saw this look firsthand at New York Fashion Week and can tell you its intricate detailing made this dress a standout in Naeem Khan’s Fall Winter 2013 collection. (Check out our post if you haven’t seen it yet!)

Bond girl Halle Berry wore a silver custom Versace gown while introducing the show’s James Bond tribute. Her plunging gown had intricate Indian-inspired vertical sequin work, strong shoulders and changing silver hues that remind us a lot of ombré. For an Indian spin on the gunmetal Red Carpet trend, Luxemi recommends our chic Racer Back Salwar with Sharara Pants by Kisneel.

Another look we couldn’t stop awing over was Charlize Theron’s strapless winter white Dior gown. With a peplum waist and a deep V neckline, this sleek stunner was the latest all-white look to hit the Red Carpet. Best Actress winner Jennifer Lawrence also rocked white, a trend that Best Supporting Actress winner Anne Hathaway started at the 2013 Golden Globes.

Our top jewelry look of the night was definitely from music icon Barbra Streisand. We were pleasantly surprised to see the legendary singer rocking a gold hand chain during her tribute to Marvin Hamlisch. Want to emulate her look? Check out Luxemi’s Gold Flower Charm Hand Jewelry.

If you love awards season as much as we do, make sure to check out the LuxeReport’s reviews on the best fashion from the 2013 Golden Globes. And for a blast from the past, also see our recap on the best Oscars fashion from the 84^th Annual Academy Awards.

With wedding season just around the corner, here are some 2013 wedding trends that you’ll want to keep an eye out for.

1.     East Meets West

We’re loving the bold juxtaposition of Indian tradition and Western flair when brides pair a modern heel with their traditional Indian salwars and sarees. This trend isn’t limited to women: men are turning to TOMS to complete their traditional Indian wedding day looks. This trend also goes the other way: wearing a traditional white wedding gown but want to infuse it with some Indian flair? Use Indian-inspired jewelry to give your wedding day look an ethnic boost.

2.     Creative Floral Centerpieces

Sure, vases filled with roses make a classic statement, but this wedding season, flowers are going to get remixed. Lately, Indian weddings are taking a cue from the famed Rose Parade and using flowers to create elaborate, decorative centerpieces. From orchid peacocks to a daisy Ganesh, this trend is all about using your imagination to create exotic luxury.

3.     A Little Bit of Luxemi

There are many ways that Luxemi can help you have your dream wedding. Luxemi’s Wedding Concierge Service makes it easy for you and your guests to coordinate your fashion choices – all at a special discount. Luxemi’s Bridesmaids Collection is the perfect way to cut the fuss out of dressing your bridesmaids. With multiple colors and styles available, we know we can create a custom look you and your bridesmaids will love. Who said finding a bridesmaid saree needs to be difficult or make fashion compromises?

Shital Vora (pictured above) turned to Luxemi to dress her bridesmaids and here’s what she had to say about her experience:

“I had the fortunate opportunity to outfit my leading ladies with Luxemi’s Bridesmaids Collection. I could not have asked for such an easy, stress free, and quality experience.  All of the saris in the collection were beautiful, it was hard to narrow it down to one! The one that I chose for the wedding party was beautiful and made of extremely wonderful material. All of the bridesmaids felt that the process was very simple and they were happy with the prices and results. As the bride, this was the easiest aspect of wedding planning with the best results. I highly recommend for any bride to work with Luxemi to contribute to the success of your wedding planning!”

If you are getting married this summer, or know someone who is, contact us at to see how we can help you get ready for your big day. For more information, email weddings@luxemi.com, or call 1.773.770.LUXE (5893).

Every girl should own a classic saree that can be dressed up for an evening out. But on that special night when you’re attending a Black Tie event, getting married, or walking the Red Carpet, it’s fun — and only fitting! — to wear something really spectacular. Luxe fans, meet the Banarasi work saree.

Meticulously hand-crafted by artisans in Varanasi (a city also called Benares), the Banarasi saree is the ultimate sign of luxury. The historic city became known for its fine silk sarees and opulent weaving in the Mughal period, when emperors with a penchant for rich textiles poured their money into the local weaving industry. Because of this, Varanasi artisans often incorporate intricate Persian and Mughal-inspired brocade designs into their garments.

Benares became known for its gorgeous silk work in the 1600s, when a famine in neighboring Gujarat caused many silk weavers to migrate to the city. Centuries later, Varanasi artists are still hand-crafting opulent sarees with floral motifs and stunning silk textiles.

How will you know a Banarasi saree when you see one? The first thing to look for is its signature floral patterns called kalga and bel, which are intricately hand-crafted using metallic zari thread. Banarasi artisans also typically line the border of their garments with gold or silver upright leaf shapes known as jhallar. This all-over threadwork makes Banarasi silk sarees heavy, another sign of luxury and high-quality work.

Although these zari motifs and borders may look like brocade, what sets Banarasi sarees apart is the extreme care that goes into each stitch. Artisans spend anywhere from 15 days to 6 months on a single saree, hand-crafting each motif with fine details that sets this technique apart from typical brocade.

Whether you’re getting married or attending a special ceremony, your Banarasi saree or salwar will let your grace and sophistication shine, while keeping the Banarasi artisan tradition alive. Luxemi loves the traditional Mughal floral motifs and rich silk work on this Black and Gold Benares Print Lehenga by Mallika Mathur.

And we’re so excited to have this gorgeous gold Banarasi saree in our new collection. It features disk-shaped floral motifs and a chic double border that makes this saree perfect for any formal occasion.

Be sure to check back with the Luxe Report weekly for more Indian fashion 101, trend reports and East-meets-West fashion inspiration. And stay tuned for our new collection of sarees, salwars, Amrapali jewelry and accessories, all coming soon!

We already know that Luxemi is your go-to when it comes to finding the latest outfits and accessories for any special occasion. We also know that if you need a dose of the latest indian inspired fashion & trends, your first stop is always  The Luxe Report, right? But what if you’re confused about what you want to wear? We’ve all been there—a wedding or festival is on its way and the only thing you know about your outfit is that you want it to look F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S.  Now, imagine if you’re a bride-to-be. Talk about pressure, right? Well it doesn’t have to be! Introducing Shaadibelles, the premier platform for all your South Asian wedding inspiration.  It’s like Pinterest but specifically for South Asian Weddings. Pretty genius- at least we think so.

Here’s how it works: Register on ShaadiBelles.com and then cancel your plans for the rest of the day. We’re kidding…kind of. Their image galleries are chock-full of photos from real weddings, runway shows, the latest wedding trends, and so much more. You can search by color with their color palette, category, or just enter what you’re looking for in the search box. Whether you’re looking for ideas for your own wedding or you simply want inspiration on how to look your most stylish at the next wedding, their comprehensive image gallery has it all.

The inspiration boards are key if you need a place to keep all your favorite images organized by event or category. Create your own favorite fashion boards and use it the next time you plan on buying or borrowing a new outfit from Luxemi!

What else can you find in the gallery? Everything! From real life brides on their wedding day…

To the latest styles wedding styles on the runway..

To show-stopping bridal jewelry and accessories..

They have it all! Are you hooked yet? Don’t forget to check out the BelleBlog; you may just come away with beauty tips for your wedding day or a color scheme for your mendhi party! So the next time you plan on renting or buying from Luxemi, remember to first “search, save, and share” all of your South Asian inspiration with Shaadi Belles. Just make sure to cancel your dinner plans.

Happy Holi from your friends at Luxemi! We hope your spring is full of love, color, and of course some mischief. Check out our Holi-Inspired Playlist on our YouTube channel and get in on all on the fun!

Hello Luxemi lovers! We’ve got a festive treat for you — one you are bound to love. For all of you who are scouting for the season’s trendiest Indian wear to hit the wedding season, we’ve got you covered. Along with the fabulous ladies at Shaadi Belles, we bring to you a stylish bridal show, Shaadi Chic, to put all your bridal shopping dilemmas to a rest! Head over to the Marriott Hotel in Teaneck, New Jersey on Sunday, November 10 between 12-5 PM for an elegant selection of Luxemi’s latest wedding collection including bridal wear, accessories, jewelry and the works!

Trust us when we say that there are several reasons to be excited. The first being that celebrity designer Payal Singhal, a name we absolutely swear by when it comes to desi wear, we will be showcasing the latest collection at the event. Luxemi will also be debuting its lovely new bridesmaid collection of salwars and gowns by Chicago-based designer Sahar Dada. And your better halves needn’t feel left out either… there are plenty of menswear options to shop from too. That’s not all. We also have a fabulous lounge set up just for you. So come network and mingle with like-minded individuals. We promise it will be exciting.

So it’s time to loosen the purse strings and gear up for an indulgent day of some serious retail therapy and pure fun. We’ll be there too, to chat weddings, Indian fashion and the latest trends.

We’d love to see you. So do drop in to say hello!