Black Friday Sale on Black

At the last minute, we thought 'why aren't we celebrating Thanksgiving and the following Black Friday Sale when so many of our customers reside in the US?' It's time to buy your favorite sarees at a special price on one awesome day! Ofcourse, the Black Friday Sale is not limited to overseas customers alone. Our ladies from India can also avail the discount. For us in India, it's actually a Saturday Sale :)

Because, we started the sale a little late, we'll run it through the weekend, till the end of Sunday. 

So, start shopping. If you have any question, check out the FAQ below and email us at team@urbanpari.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What sarees are on sale now?
   Only our Black sarees are on sale. Click here to see the sarees on sale.
2. For how long is this sale on?
   The sale is on all day 30-Nov-2013 and 1-Dec-2013.
3. Who can avail the discounted offer?
   The offer is valid for all customers within and outside India.
4. Do you deliver overseas? 
   Yes. We do ship overseas through Worldnet Express (DHL). The delivery time is usually 4-5 days from India to anywhere in the world.
5. What are the shipping costs?The shipping charge is as per Worldnet Express rates. Refer here for the rate card.
6. What is the return policy?The sarees go through QC (quality check) before they are shipped out. Our packaging is strong and we assure you that your saree will be safely handled by our shipping partners. We will not accept any returns on non-defective products. 

The Face of Urban Pari

For the past few months, we've been saying, "It's coming. It's coming. It's coming!".

What's coming? Well, we were referring to Urban Pari's official and new, logo and typography. The reason why this was such a prolonged affair was because something such as this needs time. We had to be sure that we can bear to look at it everyday and continue to love it as much as we love Urban Pari. Also, we were a little bit lazy! But, it's here now. It's a done deal!

Nervously, we share these images and our thoughts with you. We want you to like it and not be disappointed or worse, repelled by it. So, here goes.

THE TYPOGRAPHY

It took many meetings and emails back-and-forth to understand what we, individually and collectively, thought about Urban Pari and then express the same to the brand designer, Deepa Shah (Design Souk). As you can guess from the name, "Urban Pari", there's an inherent duality about this brand, the women behind it and the women who wear it. The women of this generation, you and us, are challenged to do many things. We are conflicted between the things that await us and the things that hold us back. We dream and do much more. Yet, there are memories from our past, from our upbringing and of great women we know well. While it holds us back, it makes us a better person. Despite everything, we're moving forward. We're stronger. This typography (font), with its mix of upper-case and lower-case letters, explains these notions of us, the Urban Pari.

THE FACE OF URBAN PARI

This logo was a little difficult to arrive at. It's not that we wanted to have a face on the logo. We chose this because the brand is about you and us, and not about a product or type of product. It may look very simple to you and even, common-place. But, we believe that the logo is identifiable rather than simple and common-place. We all had our own ideas of what she would look like. Dreamy. Strong. Powerful. Mysterious. Urban. Arriving at this version of her took a few iterations. Every piece of this logo was added carefully. We'll leave you to imagine (and share with us) what each piece of this logo means to you. Feel free to write to us at team@urbanpari.com and tell us what you think.

THE SYMBOL OF URBAN PARI

This symbol was an easier decision to make (perhaps, not so much for the designer). While the 'face' may touch your heart, this logo is intended to attract your eyes. We love visuals and our eyes love illusions. It was very interesting to see how one can make a letter or a few into many unique and striking symbols. It's an art that only someone like Deepa can excel at.

After all this work, can you guess what the best part of the branding exercise is? Well, it's the crisp, brand-new stationery on our desk! Do you remember practising your signature when you were a kid? Pretending to be someone important and signing important papers? :) Well, our team can do that now on the nice, new stationery that's waiting to be written (scribbled) on. Ofcourse, we're going to do our bit to save paper, cut costs and do things digitally wherever possible. So, do insist on a digital invoice, if you don't mind.

If you have any comments about the logo, symbol and typography, please do share with us at team@urbanpari.com. This is your logo and we want to hear what you have to say.

Black Beauty

THE DUO

Whoever said, 'Black is beautiful' was so right. The color, Black, means different things in different contexts. But, in fashion, it's a color that's always fashionable. 'The Little Black Dress' is a life-saver when you're wardrobe fails on you and you have a last-minute party to attend. At Urban Pari, we don't get tired of Black. Here are some of our cool Black sarees that we'd like to reflect upon, from the past one year.

THE TRIO

For work, these cotton sarees are comfortable, cool and mean both business and play. The Duo (Rs.2495) is Chanderi Cotton with Black and Red Cotton borders.

The Cool Black (Rs.2495) is Chanderi cotton with Printed Cotton Borders.

COOL BLACK

The Trio (Rs.2995) is also Chanderi Cotton with Red, Black and Printed White Cotton borders.

BLACK KAREENA 1.0

The Black Kareena 1.0 (Rs.2495) is also Chanderi Cotton with Chanderi brocade palla. It's a simple saree but a head-turner, for sure.

BLACK KAREENA 2.0

For festive occasions, the Black will do great with some matching ethnic jewelry.

The Black Kareena 2.0 (Rs.2995) is Chanderi Cotton with Organza palla.

BLACK CHILLIE

The Black Chilli (Rs.3450) is Banaras silk net.

BLACK ROSE

And for the party, your 'Little Black Dress' could be substituted by the Black Rose. Black Rose is pure Georgette and Satin with Grey lace.

Last but not the least, the Black Cleopatra is Crepe and Banaras Georgette and exquisitely beautiful. Sadly, we made just one and one lucky lady owns this saree somewhere in Tamil Nadu.

if you'd like to order any of these sarees or get one custom-made for you, write to us at team@urbanpari.com. See ya!

The Khun Clutches

What makes working with fabrics so interesting is that they have so many uses and they could be completely transformed when you find a new application for it. Take, for example, the Khun. This is a traditional brocade originating from Maharashtra and worn by its older generation. You may look at it and move on to something else. It may not be your fabric of choice, say, for a blouse. But, when this is used on a cool, modern object such as a clutch or a tote bag, it is completely transformed. Tuck in a smart phone and some cash and you're ready to look casual and hip.

Picture this. White T-shirt, jeans and the Khun clutch. Or picture this. Plain kurti, printed salwar, stole and a matching Khun clutch. What else can you picture? Write to us at team@urbanpari.com and tell us.

To order one of these Khun Clutches, write to us at the same address.

Read more about the Khun here.

Every girl loves bling - The rings are here

Without further ado, the Swarovski is here! Check out our collection of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS rings designed for the Urban Pari, you. Browse through the album, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS RINGS, on our Facebook page to understand the pieces. If anything interests you and you have more questions, write to us at team@urbanpari.com.

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

THE SUNFLOWER - WHITE

PINK ROSE

THE SUNFLOWER - PINK 

BLACK ROSE 

WHITE BOUQUET 

PINK BOUQUET 

THE THREE-LAYER BAND 

BUYING AND SHIPPING

Purchasing information will be available in the product description along with the product image. Prices will be listed on the e-commerce page. You can buy from our Facebook store by clicking on the SHOP NOW tab or by visiting http://www.exprestore.in/urbanpari. Other purchasing options, if any, will be listed along with the product description. Shipping within India is FREE. For jewelry, we offer 2-day, tamper-proof delivery via DTDC. International shipping is also available with 3-day delivery service via DHL at approximately Rs.1000 (will vary slightly from country to country).

SIZES

Your ring size is easy to determine. Just take your ring that fits you and bring a scale out. Measure the inner diameter of the ring in millimeters and compare it with the size information provided by us. If you have other size requirements, write to team@urbanpari.com. We will get you your size subject to availability.

All the rings are designed and hand-made with the finest quality materials. Look for the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS tag in your box. It serves as the certificate of authenticity.

Every girl loves bling!

It's true when we say, 'every girl loves bling'. Ofcourse, there are some who prefer less glitter. But, secretly, she'll admire it (on someone else) and think, 'Can I wear that?'. At Urban Pari, we love bling and jewelry is a natural addition to our product line. Enter Swarovski. Would you agree that there's no other brand best known for its pure and fashionable crystal? We've partnered with a designer who creates stunning jewelry pieces using Swarovski Elements. And with that, we make our entry into designer jewelry.

A little bit about Swarovski...
Swarovski is an Austrian brand created by a man, Daniel Swartz, who learned all about glass cutting from his father. Since then, the company has patented many techniques in the art of cutting crystals and refracting light perfectly to create the radiance similar to that of a diamond and other gem stones. They are now a billion dollar company. Swarovski Elements is the brand for high quality crystal elements by Swarovski. Designers from all over the world embellish their products with Swarovski Elements. The 'Made With Swarovski Elements' label on the product serves as a sign of authenticity and the highest standards of crystal design. The distinctive trapezoid-shaped tag assures consumers that the designer pieces are made from genuine Swarovski Elements.

Who wore Swarovski
Even men love Swarovski. Michael Jackson wore Swarovski-studded socks, shoes, jackets and belts. He performed on them and the crystals only illuminated him even more as it reflected the light from the stage and the camera flash of a thousand people. His music, his persona and his style still shine bright.

Anne Hathway is a brilliant actress and she wore gowns and shoes blazing with Swarovski for the Golden Globes, Oscars, etc. Look at those pumps!

Angelina Jolie has a face you don't forget and her Swarovski dresses are unforgettable too.

Even the royals such as Catherine, Duchess of Cornwall, are fitted in gowns engineered with Swarovski and they glitter just as well as the Diamonds.

The list is endless. Our very own, Frieda Pinto, always manages to be internationally glamorous and knows just what to wear. She's studded in Swarovski too.

So, you get the point?

Coming soon...

Our first collection of Swarovski Elements jewelry will include a limited set of rings for the woman who loves to show off her delicate fingers. Fingers are a beautiful part of a woman's body. We run our fingers through our hair when we are shy and expectant. We use them to cup the beautiful faces of our children. We bite them when we are deep in thought. We twirl strands of hair with them as we absent-mindedly gaze into nothing. And, there are many more poetic ways to describe what we do with our fingers. For the woman who thinks less is more, a finger is the best place to add jewelry.

So, watch our Facebook page for more updates on fashionable, pure jewelry. How are we going to stand out among all the jewelry retailers? We're partnering with a unique designer and bringing fresh designs to our customers at prices that beat even the international market. We have pieces that are unique and only offer elements that are pure, finely cut and set.

It is worthy of being called jewelry. 
It is not an imitation of anything.

Tattoo Transformation

"The tattoo makes me 
Something that I am or
Something that I am not or
Something at all"

These are words quoted by no famous person but the bearer of a tattoo who recently got one :)

The Scorpion on Harsha

D for Divya

The makers of Urban Pari got INKED! Yes, Harsha and I (Divya) got tattooed because its been our dream for a long time. A transformation of a kind that is beautiful, personal and oddly, powerful. Harsha bears a deadly, black Scorpion on his forearm and I couldn't resist getting two for my first time. A "D" on my forearm and a Celtic Dolphin at the base of my neck, behind. Why Scorpion? Harsha loves reptiles and the scorpion. It holds a special meaning. His wife (Gayathri), a Scorpio, stings like one. :) They'll probably be more such impressions on him since tattooing can be quite addictive. And why not, it looks sexy, right? Why "D" and the Dolphin? I loved the "D" tattoo that Shah Rukh Khan got in "Don 2" and decided that I would get one, right then and there. I personalized it with the simple art work around the D. As for the Dolphin, I am a Piscean who is very much one.

The Falcon on Manasa

Tattoo bearers are considered rebellious but we just wanted to fulfill a long-time dream. It is cool and it sets us apart. We are not afraid to experiment or bear a little pain for something beautiful. Why didn't we get it earlier? It is only when you come of a certain age, that you cross certain barriers that you have put for yourself. So, we finally crossed one.

D, Dolphin, Divya

This is how we really ended up getting a tattoo. And this is how you should get one too. Quickly!


A few Fridays ago, one of Urban Pari's models, Manasa, called me up and said,
"I'm back from Mumbai and I got inked!"
I said, "Oh my god, what? I want to get one too". I admired the falcon that she had got and my energy levels kept rising while I talked to her. After that, I posted on Facebook (you have to, right?) and declared, "I want to get a tattoo. Who wants to get one with me?" I knew who'd be the first caller and Harsha did call. We made plans.
I said, "This weekend, I am busy on Saturday. The tattoo parlor is closed on Sunday."
Harsha said, "I am busy the whole of next week. So, it'll have to be next Saturday"
I said, "O.K. Saturday sounds fine. Let's not tell anyone. We'll keep it a secret". Harsha said, "O.K."


But, if we had left it at that, next Saturday would have been no different from any other Saturday. My wall post on Facebook (made our intentions no secret) started rolling quickly with comments from a few hard-working friends. They gave us ideas on what the tattoos should be. And we egged them to join us and get marked too. One of our friends flunked an online test she was taking at her workplace because the conversation was more fun. Obviously! One of them was not paying any attention to work but his fingers furiously worked the keyboards. The comments came faster than we could respond to one another. Harsha's co-workers stared at him while he joyfully typed into the computer. And in the middle of this conversation, the girl who flunked the test said, "Don't wait. Let's go today". That was all the push that I needed. I called up Russell, the tattoo artist and booked an appointment two-hours away. Harsha setup meetings for Monday, informed his VP and flew out of the office. One got stuck in a meeting and couldn't make it to the parlor with us. Wuss, we called him :) The girl who flunked the test, slipped out of her house, leaving her unsuspecting husband behind. Another friend, said he'll join us and be a part of our transformation. I cancelled a doctor's appointment, abandoned my computer and left my husband without telling him what I was upto. He would find out about this from my Facebook wall, right? Two hours later, we were at the parlor. Russell, a skillful artist, created these beautiful symbols and creatures on our bodies and we had burned a small hole in our wallets.

This day was great! We love the tattoos! You should get one if you want it. No pain. No gain.