NorBlack NorWhite and Bhavya Ramesh’s STARE jewellery reimagines the evil eye
Fashion label NorBlack NorWhite and jewellery designer Bhavya Ramesh have collaborated on a new collection named STARE, which reimagines the traditional "evil eye" (nazar battus) as protective adornment. The collection aims to shield wearers from unwanted gazes, both online and offline, reflecting on the pervasive scrutiny in contemporary culture. It draws inspiration from Indian textiles, crafts, and symbolic practices, aligning with both brands' philosophies of protection and symbolism.
Why it matters
This collaboration highlights how traditional cultural symbols and beliefs are reinterpreted for modern contexts, addressing contemporary social anxieties about privacy and public scrutiny through fashion and design. It also showcases the intersection of art, fashion, and cultural heritage in India's creative industry.
There is a reason the most unsettling objects are often the ones meant to protect us. In parts of India, homes and shops display nazar battus : faces with bulging eyes, protruding tongues, and intimidating expressions meant to deflect the evil eye. They are rarely conventionally pretty, their exaggerated features often veering into the uncanny. Yet their purpose is deeply caring. They stand guard.
The article is a descriptive feature piece about a fashion and jewellery collaboration, focusing on the artistic concept, cultural inspiration, and designers' perspectives without any political or ideological slant.
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