Fashion in Goa:

GOA the Model State of INDIA
Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, the 25th State in the Union of States of India, was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. It was part of Union territory of Goa, Daman & Diu till 30 May 1987 when it was carved out to form a separate State.
Goa covers an area of 3702 square kilometers. Boundaries of Goa State are defined in the North Terekhol river which separates it from Maharashtra, in the East and South by Karnataka State and West by Arabian Sea. Goa lies in Western Coast of India and is 594 Kms (by road) away from Mumbai city.

Goa has emerged as one of the most developed States in India and even achieved the ranking of one of the best states in India with regards to investment, environment and infrastructure.
From October to February the weather in Goa maintains a steady, relaxing course, with temperatures staying between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F). From June through to September – during the monsoon – the rains come down hard raising humidity.
Several charter airlines fly into Goa's Dabolim Airport direct from the UK and Germany. There are also regular flights between Dabolim Airport and Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Udaipur, Bangalore, Madras, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The 760km (465mi) Konkan Railway opened in January 1998 linking Mumbai with Goa (10 hours) and south to Mangalore (15 hours), dramatically cutting travel times along the western coast. Private companies still offer the dreaded super deluxe video buses from Panaji and Margao to Mumbai (15 hours), Mysore (16 hours) and Bangalore.

Goa. time out from life as you know it.
More vacationers visit Goa every year then any other destination on the west coast of India. Why? Wonderful climate. A glorious history richly preserved in churches, forts, traditional homes, villages and its cities. Spectacular pageantry. Colourful festivals. Warm and gracious people. Superb cuisine. Goa is one of India's most laid back, yet sophisticated and exciting , destinations. From miles and miles of sunny beaches, to the splendors of its quaint cities, towns and cobbled alleyways, Goa is more than just beaches and sunshine. It's also the charm and magic of toxic resorts, a verdant green countryside, lush green forests and abundant wildlife topped with the legendary warmth and hospitality of the Goan people.

And away from the beaten track, travelers discover a romantic and other-century Goa in its medieval small towns, and beautiful villages, with rich flora and fauna. There is so much to see and yet at the end of it all you feel there's too little time.

Goa is the essence of unity in diversity
From the emerald topped forests of the Western Ghats down to the golden sand of it's beaches, from the ultra modern resorts and modern designs to the ancient masterpiece of baroque architecture, from it flourishing cities to the tiny village communities, from trance, fusion and modern ethnic chic to the pageantry colour and vivacity of its traditional rituals, celebrations and festivals, from the latest international hi-fashion and gourmet cuisine to its eclectic blend of fiery local liquor and spicy delicacies, Goa has a lot to offer to even the well experienced traveler.

A truly exhilarating out of this world experience that only Goa can provide. Whether it's fun, adventure , sunshine, spirituality or just plain relaxation, you don't need to look beyond the magical land of Goa.

FASHION FABRICS
In Goa you can get your clothes tailored to fit your size, choice of design and fabric. There are tailors in every nook and corner, and hence the cost of these custom made garments can be very cheap. A gents evening suit (western style) can cost you Rs.2,000/- to Rs.5,000/- inclusive of fabric, stitched to perfection, and you can choose from a variety of fabrics and designs. The quality of workmanship is also highly refined.
Similarly, you can also get garments tailored in leather for Rs.3,000/- upto Rs.5,000/-. Tailored Denim garments are also a flourishing business.
Fabrics available in Goa
Cotton different types (spun, mulmul, blends with other natural fabrics) Available in a variety of prints i.e., batik, fine and large floral prints, stripes, embossed, caustic stripe) Linen (usually light colors) Jute (light colors, and blends with silk are also available) Leather (sheep, buff, suede) Silk :- pure, raw, satin silk (in a variety of colors) Polyester :-embossed and plain (favorable in suiting and shirting) Chiffon :- crepe and plain (in a variety of colors and shades) Brocade (silver, gold and a many more colors) lace (plain, corded, beaded, embroidered, in different fabrics) Denim (cotton, casual wear jeans, jackets, shorts, skirts) Kadhi (natural fabrics that are hand woven)

Garments
Ladies formal wear Evening gowns (western and Indian styles) Bridal dresses Silk & South Indian cotton sarees
Ladies Casual wear Cotton Denim trousers, skirts, shorts T - shirts and blouses with ethnic prints Light cotton, linen, jute salvar kameez ( India ethnic wear) House coats / night dresses
Leather coats, trousers, & bags for ladies and gents
Gents formal Ethnic - Indian style suits (Jothpuri, Shervani, etc) Western style suits (Tuxedo, Double breast jackets, etc) Formal & Casual styles in Kurta Pajamas (Indian ethnic wear)
Children formal and casual Party frocks (Indian and western style dresses)

FASHION ACCESSORIES
Crafts of Goa
Goa does not lag behind as far as arts and crafts are concerned and has turned out a good competitor in this creative field just like any other art enriched state of India. It can be said that art virtually runs in their blood, which is manifested, in many artistic crafts that have attained commercial proportions. They make excellent souvenirs for tourists. These items are crafted by professional artisans in their ethnic ambience, and also by artisans working at the arts and crafts complex run by the government.
The crafts of the state are intricately beautiful, capturing the fancies of tourists and locals alike. These crafts can be at best described as a mirror of Goa's perennial glory and beauty and they have carved a niche for themselves with the connoisseur's of art the world over.



Types of Handicrafts The major art forms of the state include bamboo craft, woodcarving, brass metals, seashell craft, papier-mâché, and wooden lacquer ware. Other important crafts of the state include jute macrame, fabric collage, plaster of Paris, crochet and embroidery, fiber and batik prints, fiber stone carving, coconut shell carving, metal embossing, silver and imitation jewelry, cotton dolls, soft toys, woolen tapestry, and artistic weaving.

Creativity is also showcased in Goan brassware. Skilled brass workers at Corlim, Mapusa, specialize in the exquisite candelabra-like brass oil lamps called samai. These range from the foot-high, four-branched avatar to many-branched items. Brass lamp-trees and storks are in fact a connoisseur's delight. Similarly, silversmiths and goldsmiths of Goa are known the world over for their craftsmanship, nurtured through the centuries.
Goan lace is here, as are colourful masks, cotton bags, wooden toys and the excellent shopping bags and table mats woven from sisal or banana, coconut or pineapple fibre.

Pottery & Terracota: These are traditional crafts with utility-cum-decorative items produced by the potters with artistic perfection and realistic finish. The items produced with this craft include flower garden pots, bowls with floral designs, figures of Saints, Gods' and Goddesses' and animals, ashtrays and penholders, etc.

Brass Metal Ware: While utensils of utility are made of sheet metal (copper), brass metal casting is a craft passed on from one generation to another practised on hereditary basis. The items produced include oil lamps in various designs, candle stands, temple towers, church bells, ashtrays, etc.
Wooden Laquerware/Wood Turning: Some of the most exquisite items produced in Goan woodcraft include cradles, baby carts, toys, corner stands, etc. which are used mostly by Hindu families on religious occassions.

Crochet & Embroidery: Works such as tablecloths, children and ladies garments, pillow and cushion covers, linen form a breathtaking apparel range.
Bamboo Craft: One of the major crafts industry of Goa. The list of popular Bamboo products include flower baskets, mats, and letter-holders, pen stands, fans and other decorative items.

Fibre Craft: Shopping bags, ladies purses, coasters and wall hangings, and other essential accessory items used in daily purposes are made of banana or sisal fibre and the major fibre craft centre is situated in Corlim.

Jute Macrame Craft: Jute craft is known to be one of the most unique crafts of India and items such as decorative bags, belts, wall hangings, lamp shades, flower pots, hangers, etc are popular Goan souvenirs.

Coconut Mask Carving & Sea Shell Craft: Mask carving has got a whole new look in Goa as it is done on coconut shells. Sea shell craft produces ashtrays, lamp shades, coasters, chandeliers, curtains, pot hangers, table mats, clocks, mirror frame, etc.

HAUTE CUISINE
Goan food is simple but most, though not all of it is chili hot, spicy, and pungent. Items made from rice, fish, and coconut abound in nearly every Goan meal.
Seafood such as prawns, lobsters, crabs, pomfrets, clams, ladyfish, mussels, and oysters are used to make a variety of curries, fries, soups and pickles. Besides fresh seafood, dried and salted fish dishes are also highly prized by Goans. The main varieties of fish and other marine food products available in Goa are Mackerels, Seer Fish, Pomfrets, Prawns, Sharks, Sardines, Kowala Koval (White sardines), Sciaenaeids, Butter fish, Silver belly, Soles Crabs, Cuttle fish/squids
Another item which is on the list of every traveller to Goa is a pack of the famed cashew nuts. There are shops specialising in selling only cashewnuts. The nuts are available in a wide variety of tastes ranging from plain, salted and masala. The prices vary based on the quality and flavour.
Goa exports coco-nuts, coconut oil, areca-nuts, spices, canned fish, etc.

GOAN MUSIC
Music, dance and revelry course through the blood of the Goan community since time immemorial. The Goan people are a musical lot with almost every family laying claim to a musician family-member of some sort!
The music and dance of Goa are a rich cultural blend of the West with the East. The hold of rural music is strong in the less developed ares of the state, though the urban areas have shifted to more modern forms of music, one of which, Goa Trance has made an impact worldwide.

Goa Trance is a vibrant and psychedelic dance music that is best enjoyed on the dance drug LSD and is a powerful and kaleidoscopic tapestry of sound.
Various kinds of music cassettes are available in various stores in the city.

Contact the following for more informatiom:
"SILVA TOTH MANSION" Hse. No. A-18, Aduslim Ward, Benaulim, Salcete,Goa - 403716 INDIA Telephone No. +91 832 3095533 or +91 832 9850450973