Australia

     Australia is a vacation fantasy for people all over the world. It is incredibly far away from the United States and it seems so exciting to visit. The truth is, Australia is amazing and everybody that dreams about it should visit whenever possible. Australia is like California in the sense that each section of the country depicts a different environment based on the location and trends that are found in each city. Melbourne and Sydney are very different as far as the area but one thing never changes, the people in Australia are kind and always willing to help out those that are new to the area. Fashion in Australia changes depending on location, but for the most part it is very relaxed. Fashion can be exciting at night when Australians know how to fancy it up with heels, suits, and tight fitting dresses. In Melbourne tourists have the chance to feel the rush of the city. The tram is the easiest way to get around and an interesting way to travel throughout the city. In Sydney it is time to kick back and go to the beach, but the ferry is always an option for some shopping and excitement. Australia can be the biggest culture shock in a country that speaks the same language as the United States, but their accents can charm any new comer.

            Quiksilver is the most famous boarding company known around the world. The company is based in Huntington, California, but the owner was originally from Australia. Quiksilver was founded in Australia in 1969. The owner is Alan Green and he designed the Logo along with John Law in Torquay, Victoria, Australia. The company is known for their surf gear around Australia and their snowboarding gear in colder climates. In the summer their swim wear as well as casual wear are popular among men, women and children. The company itself employs about 8,000 people in their successful and forever growing industry. The company continues to be popular without the help of typical fashion shows for their line releases. The company does range releases a couple times a year, and they have several celebrity sponsors. The marketing team has people that specialize in both global and local athletic management. Kelly Slater is a renowned surfer and his line for Quiksilver is based on his lifestyle. He moves around a lot, which is why it only makes sense that the style for his line be nomadic. Quiksilver is becoming more successful around the world than ever before. Europe is close to the number one account and Asia has several markets that are emerging. Consumers that enjoy the comfort of Quiksilver board shorts are also comforted by the fact that Quiksilver gives them a lifetime warranty on their shorts. Surfing can be rough and it is good to know that the shorts can be repaired for no charge. The term mass customization may be an oxymoron, but Quiksilver allows all their clients to custom design their own apparel online. The freedom and ability to have an opinion about the clothing makes consumers more excited about purchases. The company started by making shorts in a garage and they are now one of the most successful surf wear companies in the world. Sydney has adopted Quiksilver as more than just beach wear; it is a lifestyle. Board shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops are part of everyday apparel.

            Surfing is a major leisure activity across the country of Australia and with the help of Quiksilver the surfers are unstoppable. Bells beach in Victoria is one of the most famous beaches to surf at in Australia; surf competitions are held there ever year. It is located on the Great Ocean Road and named after John Cavert Bell. The longest running surf competition is held at Bells beach every year, The Rip Curl Pro Surf and Music Festival. The view from above the beach is absolutely breath taking. The water is freezing to the touch, but the beach is still relaxing to sit and watch the waves. Manly beach in Sydney is another great beach to catch some waves on a nice day. There are three main sections of the beach; Queenscliff, North Steyne, and South Steyne. Surrounding the beach are hotels and apartments that offer a clear ocean side view. The corso is a plaza similar to a boardwalk environment that connects to the ferry and the beach. Along the strip are souvenir shops, clothing, restaurants and ice cream parlors. The strip is enjoyable for some quick shopping or a bite to eat before jumping on the ferry and heading into town. On the way into the heart of Sydney the ferry passes the Sydney Harbour Bridge also known as the “coat hanger” because of the arch and the stunning opera house. Since Australia is known for surfing it is only natural that some of the most beautiful beaches would be available to visit.

            Shopping in Australia is unlike any country. Clothing, among several other essentials found in Australia can be very expensive. The fashions in Melbourne can be directly compared to the fashion in Paris; they both wear a lot of black clothing. The seasons are opposite from the United States, which means in December local Australians are looking for summer items. Bright colors and loud patterns are set out all over the shops. Shopping centers are found on every block throughout Melbourne. The PTO is an interesting shopping center in Melbourne because it was a post office at one time, but it was made into a small shopping center lined with high priced boutiques. The department stores in Melbourne were the same as any other department store, but David Jones provided a better shopping experience. David Jones was very organized, clean, and high end; it is similar to Saks Fifth Avenue or Galeries Lafayette. Myer’s is Australia’s largest department store chain and are similar to a Macy’s. During the holidays customers line up outside the store not only to see Santa Claus but also to see their festive window displays. Within the store an entire floor is dedicated to holiday activities for children. This is a great idea for entertainment and popularity, but it can easily create chaos throughout the store. One the major trends for fashion among Australia was a vintage look. Brunswick Street is a famous street in Melbourne that enables young designers to showcase their work and consumers to get bargains on vintage items. The area is completely artistic and appealing to the eye. Street benches and buildings were decorated, and there were bright colors. Interior design stores were available along with fashion stores. Styles are always recycled eventually and vintage shops give people the chance to be creative. Young designers deserve the opportunity to succeed in a harsh industry and economy.

     In Melbourne, as in any other city there is always more to do than shopping. The Melbourne Aquarium is the perfect place to spend the afternoon. The aquarium allows for student discounts and it only takes about one hour to walk all the way through. Every type of marine life can be seen. Sharks, penguins, sting rays, and sea horses are among the exotic marine life seen. The Jelly fish are always interesting to watch because they float around with such each. Jelly fish are fascinating because they look gentle, as if they might pop with one single touch. The irony of this is that the Jelly fish are dangerous and can be deadly. The Jelly fish is a perfect portrayal of the fashion industry because it is an extremely rough industry that requires some attitude but it is important to be calm and understanding with clients. The aquarium is relaxing and the perfect way to find an inner kid. To pass the time grabbing a slushee from the nearest seven eleven is always an option. Every corner houses one the convenience stores and their slushees are delicious. When the weather is warm a cold slushee is the perfect treat while walking through federation square and looking at the intricately designed buildings. During the holidays several Christmas trees are placed around the square for family portraits and games of Hide and go seek for the children. Every once in a while a festival occurs with live music and exotic food. Restaurants and bars surround the area for a good time during the day or at night. Federation square is interesting for tourists because it is an area that holds a lot of history, but the buildings are modernized.

            Overall, Australia has a higher level of technology in their work force and in their schools. . The design schools located in Melbourne have created a design school with top of the line machines to help their students make the most accurate pieces. Their whiteboards are smartboards that can easily be described as an enormous iPad. With the touch of a finger the screen can do anything. Even in shopping malls, booths had smart screens set up for their clients. In Sydney their design school also has top of the line merchandise to accommodate the skills of their students. The United States is not too far behind them in merchandise or technology for their students, but they are definitely following their example.

            Australia is the most exotic English speaking country that one could possibly choose to visit. Melbourne and Australia are two great cities that offer separate experiences because of different environments. Both cities have so much to offer and it is the perfect opportunity for tourists to learn two different lifestyles.

           

            

Los Angeles

    

    Los Angeles, California is known as one of the major fashion capitals of the world. The city is prepared with fashion marts, a fashion district, and an abundance of designer shops. However, at times the city is overrated because it is filled with gimmicks and cheap tourist traps. The fashion in Los Angeles lives up to all standards and stereotypes that have been given to the city. Locals need to be able to wear proper attire for the gym, work, and red carpet events and they must look glamorous for the simplest of occasions. Los Angeles fashion focuses on glamour above all. California has a culture all its own, but each part of the state possesses a different vibe.  Tourists have the opportunity to experience the hype of the city while soaking in the magnificence that explodes through the city. 

            Hollywood has a spotlight on it at all times. The media rants about Hollywood celebrities and scandals on a daily basis. When outsiders hear about all the hype the first things that comes to mind is how amazing it would be to have a star on the Hollywood walkway. The idea of Hollywood sounds fabulous but up close and personal it is highly overrated. The streets are filled with tourists and on every street corner someone attempts to coax the tourists into a cheap souvenir shop. Lining the sidewalk are people dressed up as movie characters as if it were Disney World. The wax museum is the best way to see celebrities at their best and Madama Tussauds employees stand around chanting towards visitors about discounted tickets. There is always the option to do some shopping along the strip and grab a bite to eat at the neaby hooters or chick-fil-a. In the distance is the infamous Hollywood sign, which is always great to snap a picture of.  Hollywood is great to experience because there are few places like it, but it does not carry the same glamour without the red carpet.

            Every fashion capital must have a fashion mart in order to be complete. The fashion mart in Los Angeles is right by the fashion district and stands several stories tall. Each floor is filled with showrooms for buyers to go visit and make purchases for the upcoming season. During the off seasons showrooms will be kind enough to offer sample sales to those visiting the mart. Those making purchases are able to buy samples straight from the collection rack for less than one third of the final retail price of the garment; it is possible to find tops for as low as five dollars. During the off season many of the designers do not rent out rooms, so it can be more difficult to view collections and find deals. It is always interesting to view the clothing after the season to compare the collections to what was seen during that year. On the bottom floor of the fashion mart there is a bookstore with every fashion book or magazine available. There are instructional books for drawing, designing, and sewing as well as magazines detailing fashion week for that year. The fashion mart is the best way to understand the clothing for a given city, and the fashion trends of the year

            The fashion district of any fashion capital is probably imagined to be full of high priced designers, factories, and expensive stores; this is not the case in Los Angeles. The fashion district is located in a very urban area of the city where name brands and infamous designers are non -existent. Along the streets of the district there are some vintage shops with avant garde fashions available for the taking. All the stores featuring men’s work suits have signs in the window offering extreme discounts. Specialty shops and custom made shops are sporadically placed within the district. For example, a fashion supply store where the owner worked with “Project Runway” and helped produce the show “Fashion Star”. The store started as company that sharpened scissors in the 1930’s. Today the store manufacture’s their scissors and their own dress forms for designers. The company not only focuses on making money from their clients, they are also interested in bringing young people into the fashion industry because it will continue to expand the industry. Young designers are the new up and coming trend into the fashion industry and it is important that they succeed. In California most would expect the fashion industry to display any type of glamour because of the fashion trends throughout the state, but it is actually centered in a demographic area with higher levels of deviance.  The district is unique, which is also a good way to describe Los Angeles because it is full of people in different social brackets of society; it is important that the fashion district caters to all brackets of society.

            The coast is usually associated with being laid back, but in California laid back does not mean that anyone can forget about their appearances. If anything appearance is more important by the coast than anywhere else in the state. Santa Monica is the perfect combination of the beach and the city. The streets are lined with palm trees, there are luxury shopping centers and the pier is easy going fun. Residents of California drive around Santa Monica in Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Cadillac’s, showing off their beautiful clothes and luxuries to those who walk by. The pier is relaxing and at night the rides and food stands light up and from the distance the view is breathtaking. Along the pier entertainers set up their acts at night that include dancing, singing, and magic acts. Tourists gather around and cheer on the entertainers along the pier while they snack on hot dogs and fried dough. Despite the fact that visitors are at the beach while visiting the pier they still manage to be fashion forward in heels, skinny jeans, and flowing tops. Men are sporting khaki pants, loafers and polo shirts for a classic style. Along shopping center sidewalks cover bands line up to entertain passerbies with classic tunes. Beautiful couples and families nonchalantly walk around through the luxury shops. Local beachgoers of Santa Monica show off their glamour in a relaxed environment.

            El Rodeo drive is the most popular street to visit while in Beverly Hills, California. When people think of the city they immediately think of El Rodeo because the luxury shops which line the street and the expensive cars that cruise down it. It is surprisingly a relaxing environment to walk through. During the holidays lights are strung throughout the city and fake snow falls every hour leaving a magical feeling over the people in the area. Barney’s New York is among several of the stores on this street. They have recently started working with Lady GaGa and some of her merchandise is featured in the front of the store. All of the most expensive designer boutiques and haute couture shops are featured along the street for only the most lucrative customers. Chanel, David Yurman, Dior, and Dolce and Gabbana are among the many noted designers visited for their fine fashions. There are about three blocks of luxury shopping on El Rodeo Drive, but the street stretches much further in both directions. This street only adds to the glamorous environment that spreads throughout California. This is the street locals come to when they need an outfit for a red carpet event. When tourists walk the street they too can feel the sense of privilege that is exposed.

           

            

Singapore

Modernized, Industrial and clean are three words that describe Singapore entirely.  Unique contemporary skyscrapers cover the grounds of the city. Each building contradicts itself by having harsh lines but also lines that smoothly curve.  The city officials are extremely strict about cleanliness and expect citizens to share the same appreciation for the city. Singapore has found a good balance between having an industrial city and a city that is enjoyable for the tourists. Shopping and sightseeing are among activities that visitors can partake in while experiencing a melting pot of Asian Cultures.  One of the number one languages in Singapore is English, but in addition to that there are several different Asian cultures. It is difficult to describe the sense of fashion that can be seen throughout the city because of how industrial the city is and the cultural differences. There are definite associations between the fashion and the industrializations of the city. The sharp lines seen in the buildings are obvious among tailored jackets, trousers, and skirts visible on the streets. The street wear is casual with a creative Asian twist, but most people lean towards office wear due to the environment of the city. Overall, fashion has a professional.

China town is one of the most authentic Asian experiences a tourist could hope for. The best place to have the experience would be in Asia itself. China town in Singapore is not comparable to China town found in other urban areas; it is obviously, clean, quiet and not overbearing. China town could easily be compared to the Dilli Haat Market in India. There were aisles of small booths set up, offering a wide variety of souvenirs to passing tourists. Some of the most popular items found were fans, decorative chopsticks, decorative bulb lamps, and jewelry. Singapore is known for having the most divine pearls. In Italy sales men in the leather market were obsessed with getting people to purchase their fine Italian goods, and in Singapore people in the market were just as eager to sell their shiny pearls. The pearls come in all varieties and can be purchased for an affordable amount. Overall, the sales clerks were very friendly and didn’t seem to be as persistent as Italians in the leather market. The entire area was authentically decorated with lights strung throughout the trees, paper globes, and Chinese writings covering the buildings. Singapore feels like any other city, but China town reminds tourists that they are in Asia.

The Singapore flyer is the tallest ferris wheel in the world. It stands 42 stories tall, which makes it 30 meters taller than the London Eye.  There are 28 cars on the wheel and each car can hold a maximum of 28 people. The number 28 stands for “double prosperity” or “easy to prosper”. It is the only place to see the entire cityscape of Singapore such as Marina Bay Sands, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and Padang. The ride takes about forty minutes to complete and each car has 360 degree windows and seating accommodations. The flyer is a unique experience compared to most ferris wheel rides. There are options to visit restaurants surrounding the Flyer that serve high quality seafood and beverages. After the ride guests have the opportunity to visit the Flyer lounge, which is the only bar that serves award winning cocktails to their customers.  The Flyer ride is an easy and affordable way to a view all modern buildings and impressive sites of the city. For example, in view there is a floating soccer field and the skyscraper with an enormous boat sitting on top of it. The Flyer is an insight into a modern Asian world.

The Marina Bay Sands area of Singapore was the most serene part to walk around. During the holidays the streets are lit up with various strings of light, and ornaments hung from light posts. The river runs along the area, which makes the city environment more relaxing; at night the lights reflect off the water. There are shopping centers around the marina and hotels to accommodate excited guests. The Marina Bay Sands mall was equipped with a casino, expensive designer store, and a food court ready to serve authentic Asian food. Down the center of the mall was a man made river with Gondolas floating throughout it. The river boats in the mall are an amazing site for tourists because it is not something typically seen. Each floor had an array of opulent designer stores, which fit the atmosphere of the mall perfectly. The size of the mall is overwhelming and easy to get lost in, but during the holidays it is great to walk around and experience the serenity of the mall.

India

     India described in two words is a culture shock, but it is an experience worth having in order to obtain new views on the world. India has the wealthiest and poorest people throughout one country and split throughout different cities. The culture is now modernized, but they still stay true to their traditional roots. It is shocking to see streets of poverty stricken people begging for money, and asking tourists to buy souvenirs. Agra is a very poor city and while it houses two of the most fabulous sites to visit, there is a level of stress in visiting because the Indian people are fascinated by the American population. It is intriguing to see how many people want to take pictures of Americans and talk to Americans at any point in time. New Delhi is a more advanced city and easier to travel around because tourists visit the city regularly; there is a higher level of comfort for tourists. The fashions in each city stayed true to tradition. Many people in Agra wore the traditional Sari, and in New Delhi the Sari could also be seen. There were modernized twists on some traditional styles such as, tunics with leggings. The bright colors and sequins were eye catching on the streets throughout India and gave a cheerful appearance to the most poverty stricken areas.

            The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra. The Taj Mahal is the one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and is the reason why most people go out of their way to visit the city. The Taj Mahal was built between the years of 1632 and 1653 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. He decided to design this elegant structure in honor of his loving wife because she died during child birth. Shah Jahan intended to make himself a building across from the Taj Mahal, but his plans didn’t follow through. The king and queen need to be across from each other, which is the explanation for needing two buildings. The building was constructed of pure white marble with accents of gold. The intricate floral designs seen on the front and sides of the structure are made from precious and semi-precious stones; all of which have a unique color that light up with the shine of a light. The Taj Mahal is fascinating because it is able to change colors due to the purity of the white marble. The marble can take on the color of the light that is shining on it, which is why the Taj Mahal always closes at sun down; Indians want visitors to appreciate the magnificent structure at the best time. Shoes are not to be worn when stepping on the marble of the Taj Mahal. Local Indians pile up their shoes outside and walk around barefoot, but it is amazing that they all know how to find their shoes later. Tourists can put shoe covers on their feet if they don’t feel comfortable going bare. Inside the Taj Mahal are the tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife, but only the replicas can be viewed because the actual tombs are in the bottom of the building; the husband and wife must always lie together. The long pathways leading to the Taj Mahal are lined with peaceful ponds and areas of clean cut grass, but on the weekend the park is packed with tourists and local Indians. Despite how many times they may have seen the Taj, Indians continue coming back to appreciate it. The greatness of the structure can be slightly downgraded by the affect of poverty and crowds of people when it becomes heavily crowded but it is elegant, nevertheless.

            The factory and Mixed Noveau showed how India is emerging into one of the biggest markets in the world to practice business. The buying office at Mixed Noveau works with major department stores in the United States such as, Nordstrom, Macy, Neimans, and Victoria Secret; they cater to the trends that people need for instant gratification. Currently, consumers want bright colors and glitter to make hard economic times easier to deal with. The company is able to deliver clothing in as fast as six weeks if it’s necessary because they want a high turnover and need to cater to demanding consumers. Despite how quickly clothing is beginning to be manufactured the business is still staying true to their traditional and ethnic roots by creating handmade quality pieces. For example, the macramé pieces in the collection are made completely by hand in the homes of women. The new trend is for major businesses to allow women to work from home, which creates a family friendly environment. Women are able to support their family financially as well as with care. The target market of Mixed Noveau is for an updated “missy” that wants high fashion at a low rate. During difficult economic times consumers still want to look fashionable, but for less money. The items seen at Mixed Noveau were very trendy and fit their target market and the stores they cater to. The clothing was trendy but affordable for a woman on a budget. The clothing is highly fashionable with hints of Indian culture. The bright colors, sequins, and embroideries reflect the Indian culture; the company is able to be trendy, but also stick to traditional values in Indian society.

            The poverty that is seen throughout India would lead any one to believe that the factories there are dirty, disorganized, and display poor treatment of employees. However, this is not the situation seen in Indian factories. The factories seen in India are the cleanest and most organized factories one could possibly imagine. Thousands of workers mesh together doing their individual duties without any distraction. Popular brands such as, Old Navy, Target, H &M, and Zara can be seen on the assembly lines. Each piece of clothing has its own assembly line and each person in the assembly line sews a separate part onto the garment. At the end of the line the garment is compared to the specifications board to ensure that it meets all standards of quality of the company. There are 37 factories and each one is interested in producing in bulk; a minimum of 5,000 pieces needs to be ordered from a company in order to ship it overseas. The stores that are being shipped to have a high turnover for trendy clothing, which makes it easy to order several thousand pieces. The factory has a motto of quality and completing work the right way the first time. Many companies choose to outsource the intricate work such as embroidery, but this factory purchased expensive machines to do embroidery, and for special pieces the embroidery is finished by hand. Embroidery machines are expensive and people that do embroidery by hand need to be dedicated to their job. They are also following the up and coming trend of allowing women to work in a family friendly environment; children have a daycare at the factory so mothers can support the family too. The factory can be compared to the Mango warehouse in Barcelona because in both situations large groups of people need to work together harmoniously to provide consumers with a quality product. India is interested in producing for thousands of consumers, but don’t stop short of quality.

            The Agra Fort is best described as a walled city. Today about 60% of the fort is used for military purposes, which means that the public can only view a few of the buildings throughout the fort. Akbar, the grandfather of Shah Jahan, made the walled city his capital in 1558. At the time the buildings were in a destroyed state and he wanted to renovate them to their best quality. The buildings were finally completed with red sandstone and bricks in 1573. Shah Jahan, also known as the designer of the Taj Mahal took reign over the Agra Fort and demolished some of the buildings to give it his signature style. Based on the design of the Taj Mahal it is clear that Shah Jahan liked the sleek look of marble and intricate gem stone designs. When Shah Jahan’s son took reign over the fort he kept his father as a hostage prisoner and left him to die within the fort. Shah Jahan died in a marble tower that overlooked the Taj Mahal. Today the Agra Fort can be viewed in the state that Shah Jahan left it. The fort is 94 acres of serenity; it is a quiet and relaxed environment. The fort has four sides each of which has its own gate; The Dehli gate, and the Lahore gate are the two most notable gates. The Dehli gate is the grandest, but it cannot be used by the public to visit. The Dehli gate was used by the King and was built in order to enhance protection with its grand marble entrance.  Some of the rooms in the fort have unique uses such as, the room that has hollow walls. The walls were hallow so that they could fill up with water and avoid flooding.  If one is to speak to the wall on one side of the room the echo travels around the walls. The magnificence of the room can be felt throughout the palace, but like always there is an undeniable sense of culture that never seems to be lost in India.

            Precious and semi-precious gems are found throughout India for ridiculously low prices for the American dollar. The emporium can be compared to a strip mall. It is a long row of shops offering scarves made of fine fabrics, jewels, rugs and cultural souvenirs. During the time of the festival there is live music, stands full of piping hot local food and entertainers trying to make a few rupees. The restaurants offer every type of food; including some American and the tables are full. The stores clothes around seven, which is why it is important to arrive early to receive all the best deals. The shop employees are eager to help their customers as soon as they enter the door, and they always try to offer their best prices to make a sale. At times the sales clerks can be haughty, but their haughtiness is endearing and the customers get excited about making a purchase. There is an endless selection of precious and semi-precious gemstones for the taking. Sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and topaz are among the selection and can be found in earrings, bracelets, necklaces, or pure solid stones. Each shop has its own glass case crammed with jewelry and shelves six feet tall stacked with Pashminas; two of India’s signature merchandises for the tourists. The music and festival transform the emporium and it is no longer an ordinary shopping center, but it is a magical time to enjoy with friends and appreciate a new culture so different from the United States.

            Dilli Haat is a well known open festival market that offers authentic Indian gifts and food for the tourists to have an ideal cultural experience. With the help of an inexpensive and wild tuk tuk ride the market is easy to find and the ride will be entertaining. In order to get into the festival it costs about 10 or 20 rupees, which is only a few cents in American dollars. Inside the gate the trees are hung with lights and music is playing to add theatrical enjoyment. The colors are vibrant just as one would expect in India. Each station has a plethora of color flowing out of the booth with brightly colored scarves, shoes, and jewelry. There are not any brick and mortar stores in Dilli Haat; there are rows and rows of tents and booths set up for locals and tourists to get a feel for what they are trying to sell. The huts at the festival make it an informal environment and give comfort to those shopping. The sales clerks still display their haughtiness, but they are also much more willing to give a reasonable price than the stores at the emporium. Haggling is always welcome at Dilli Haat and they are eager to make a sale. Several booths offer the same type of merchandise, which makes it easier to compare products and prices between the huts. The sales clerks are friendly and encourage the tourists to try on their merchandise at no cost. Some of the souvenirs and crafts available are handmade such as the shoes. The shoes are very inexpensive and made in all sizes. The employees will help prospective purchasers find their size and offer several different designs or colors. Some of the designs are very distinct to the Indian culture and probably not as socially accepted to wear in other countries, but they offer styles that appear to be the same as any flat shoes sold in the United States; it depends on what the customer desires are. Dillia Haat is perfect to visit at night or during the day and is a fantasy for those looking to shop for a bargain.

            India is by far a unique country with its own traditions and values. India should be admired for their ability to add a modern twist onto their traditions that they never lose sight of. Despite the economy, the people of India have found ways through fashion and festivals to make times lighter and happier.