By Suchita S. There’s nothing like the Delhi winter. A fog-filled morning, an afternoon that sees the crisp winter sun shining down from above, a mellow breeze that carries you through the evenings, and chilly nights that’ll find you seated cozily infront of a bon-fire {or a heater, if you’re cool like that}. Poetry aside, winters is the season to layer-up, and an accessory that takes me from work to play, meetings to drinks is a good ol’ scarf or shawl. For starters, it keeps you warm. But the obvious aside, it’s one accessory that can brighten up an otherwise dead-boring outfit. My winter uniform consists of jeans, a shirt, a front button-down sweater {have it in every possible neutral color}, flats or boots and a massive overcoat because I simply can’t stand the cold. Call it mundane, but when all you have is 2 minutes to take your outfit from boring to BOOM, pull out a beautiful shawl or scarf and you’re all set to hit the road or a winter lunch. I’ve found three places that are doing an incredible job of upping the ante with their colorful take on scarves and shawls. Who said you have to do the done & dusted monotone shawl with a typical Indian border? You have ombre, tie and dye, block-printed and hand-painted options to choose from! SRI TANABANA I was introduced to Sri Tanabana’s mesmerizing pashmina stoles by one of our Book Club members {who’s now a good friend}. I made an appointment with Gitanjali, one of the two sisters behind Sri Tanabana, and spent an evening browsing through the array of shawls & stoles they have to offer. The material used is pure cashmere {pashmina} and they’re one of a kind pieces. Employing techniques such as tie & dye, shibori, dip dye & block printing with different motifs, the sisters use a medley of colors {bright and dull}, adding plenty character to the shawls. Friends reading this- next birthday present, por favor? Notes in our Little Black Book | - These are then individually tied & dyed or hand block-printed, and no machines are used for dying. All shawls are pure pashmina - Where | These are available at Ensemble. Clients can also go to their home with a prior appointment. Email: sritanabana@gmail.com - Price | INR 5500/- onwards EZMA Located on the Mehrauli- Gurgaon Road, this particular store specializes in fine cashmere stoles, scarves and shawls for both ladies and gentlemen. I was gifted a beautiful orange ombre-dyed EZMA piece by one of my best friends. And considering I’ve been flouting it around Delhi, I can safely say that the color is perfect for the dull winter season. My favourite part- an edge of the shawl has my name embossed in Swarovski, and this intricate and personal touch just adds so much more to the shawl. EZMA’s shawls are on the expensive side, but the quality is superb! Notes in our Little Black Book | - They have a range of pure pashmina shawls, and collections available in beautiful colors and patterns. - Where | 11 DC, Mehrauli Road,?Gurgaon Tel:- +91-124-4083518, +91-124-4205555 - Price | INR 5400 onwards - For more information | http://www.ezma.co.in/ CREATIVE BEE If you’re on a budget, Creative Bee is the place for you. While their shawls and stoles may not keep you particularly warm {they’re made using cotton, linen and different types of silks such as Tussar, Gitcha, Muga, Matka }, they come in a plethora of prints and colors that add plenty character to an outfit. My favourite from their collection- naturally dyed stoles in classic ikat prints. I know what you’re thinking- is it too desi? Not at all! Depending on what you pick, you’ll find stoles in very interesting raw textures- like their signature ‘filiature’ silk {a lightweight, nearly transparent silk}. What’s also interesting is that all stoles are naturally dyed. They produce their dyes from the roots, leaves and bark of natural ingredients like indigo, marigold, pomegranate, and also jaggery and iron {used to make the colour black}. Notes in our Little Black Book | - If Eco-Fashion is your calling, or you’re just looking for intricate and exquisite textures and earthy tones, Creative Bee is for you - Price | Stoles: Cotton and silk stoles start at INR 800 to INR 1500. The hand-painted stoles are priced at INR 2100 and above - Store contact details: T-72, Hauz Khas Village {left from Bagels Cafe, Near Tattva organic Cafe} | Open Mon-Sat: 11 am to 7 pm | 26532391, 9871319404 For more info: www.creativebee.in | email-cbdelhi@creativebee.in