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Arts & Entertainment

Fashion and Lifestyle Expo Sunday

The showcase features the latest trends in South Asian apparel, jewelry and accessories.

Whether just browsing or looking to build a new spring wardrobe, catch the latest trends in jewelry, accessories and clothing at the 2011 Galleria Printemps on Sunday at the India Community Center. 

The fashion and lifestyle expo, free and open to the public, features South Asian apparel, including tunics, slacks and traditional clothing, according to event coordinators, Natasha Ghai and Sonali Obaid. 

"The purpose of the expo is to give women entrepreneurs who are based from their homes an opportunity to exhibit their products and promote their products to a vast audience," Obaid said. 

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Five clothing vendors from all over the Bay Area will showcase their designs, from Zahra Saeed by Maria Shah to Ethnos by Ananta Goyal, Silk Affair by Shabnam Zahid, Sonika Lord Sarees and Vaama Collections.

If you're interested in things that sparkle or looking for a special gift, stop by jewelry and craft vendors, such as Enigmatic jewelry by Rashmi Nayak, Customized gifts by Varuni, Simer's Jewelry and Celebrations Jewelry For Life by Shilpa Samai. 

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Obaid and Ghai will also showcase designs from their own label. 

Ghai, who completed her fashion degree in 2005, has her S/S Pret and bridal couture line from her label "Natasha" at the expo. Expect to see feminine fabrics—crepe silk, silk chiffon, silk georgette and velvet. 

"The most important element, which makes my ensembles unique, is 'Rich Zardozi,' which is a technique in which gold or silver metal threads are sewn on the fabric to give an ornamental look," she said. 

Her inspiration this spring is nature —peacocks, flowers, trees, leaves and paisley.

Obaid, who specializes in creating ensembles—clothing with complementing jewelry and accessories—will present contemporary and trendy tunics and outfits at the expo from her line, Sonali's Closet. 

Obaid will also show her jewelry and accessories, which are all handcrafted using stones, fabrics and embellishments. 

"My jewelry is very popular amongst the Bollywood crowd in India and is often seen in films," Obaid said. 

Beautician Babita Amar will also be providing free makeovers to patrons and offer tips and tricks of the trade. 

Ghai and Obaid are the owners of Galleria Shows, which puts on expos every season to introduce people to what's new and trendy in clothing, jewelry and arts and crafts. 

"Sometime it's hard for people who live in India and wear Indian clothing to shop for clothes, and this is a way for them to see what's in and buy it right away," Obaid said. "This is a great advantage that this expo presents to our community." 

Obaid said fashion is a creative way for women to express their personality, and she hopes that every woman who wears the designs found at the expo will stand out in a crowd, exude confidence and feel like a goddess. 

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