How Far

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“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
(T.S. Eliot – American born English Editor, Playwright, Poet and Critic, 1888-1965)

Anand is wearing a kantha silk scarf made with a hand embroidery.
This artcraft is done by ladies involved in several workshops that we have settled with GURIA, a Human Rights organisation fighting against the sexual exploitation of women and children, particularly those forced into prostitution and trafficking.
Each scarf is unique and made in sarees provided by women in Benaras who take this opportunity to get rid of pieces that they brought in order to celebrate happy moments, festivals or parties.
Those accessories carry traces of happiness in their yarns…
Our model shows his body for the purpose of this brotherhood and happiness chain as this is a way to catch the attention on this fight for Human Rights and human dignity.
(Scarf style “Kingdom” – 100% silk – Collection RED HALO)

RED HALO is a collection of household linen based in Benaras (Varanasi – India) providing work to people who were living with difficulties and education to children.
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From the Soul of Souls

 

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“What can I do, Muslims? I do not know myself.
I am neither Christian nor Jew, neither Magian nor Muslim,
I am not from east or west, not from land or sea,
not from the shafts of nature nor from the spheres of the firmament,
not of the earth, not of water, not of air, not of fire.
I am not from the highest heaven, not from this world,
not from existence, not from being.
I am not from India, not from China, not from Bulgar, not from Saqsin,
not from the realm of the two Iraqs, not from the land of Khurasan.
I am not from the world, not from beyond,
not from heaven and not from hell.
I am not from Adam, not from Eve, not from paradise and not from Ridwan.
My place is placeless, my trace is traceless,
no body, no soul, I am from the soul of souls.
I have chased out duality, lived the two worlds as one.
One I seek, one I know, one I see, one I call.
He is the first, he is the last, he is the outer, he is the inner.
Beyond He and He is I know no other.
I am drunk from the cup of love, the two worlds have escaped me.
I have no concern but carouse and rapture.
If one day in my life I spend a moment without you
from that hour and that time I would repent my life.
If one day I am given a moment in solitude with you
I will trample the two worlds underfoot and dance forever.
O Sun of Tabriz, I am so tipsy here in this world,
I have no tale to tell but tipsiness and rapture.”
(Jalal ad-Dīn Muhammad Rumi – Persian poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi mystic, 1207–1273)

This was shot before sunset at the tomb of Mohammad Ghaus in Gwalior in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
The light and shadows were playing through the jalis (latticed screen) in the galleries surrounding the Sufi saint mazaar (tomb).
The building, built in the late 16th century in the typical Mughal style, is enclosed on all sides by delicately carved lattices over which rises a large dome.
This place is a pilgrimage centre for both the Hindus and the Muslims and make this place of devotion is a symbol of brotherhood as this is where anyone can express his faith.

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© All photographs are copyrighted and all rights reserved. 
Please do not use any photographs without permission (even for private use).
The use of any work without consent of the artist is PROHIBITED and will lead automatically to consequences.

“O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!” So We gave him the good news of a boy, possessing forbearance. And when (his son) was old enough to walk and work with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I see in vision that I offer you in sacrifice: Now see what is your view!”
(The son) said: “O my father! Do what you are commanded; if Allah wills, you will find me one practising patience and steadfastness!”
So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehead, We called out to him saying: O Ibrahim! You have indeed fulfilled the vision; surely thus do We reward those who do good. Most surely this was a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice. And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. “Peace and salutation to Abraham!” Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. Surely he was one of Our believing servants. And We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a prophet from among the righteous.”
(Quran 37:100–111)

Eid al-Adha is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to honour the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his young first-born son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of submission to God’s command and his son’s acceptance to being sacrificed, before God intervened to provide Abraham with a ram to sacrifice instead.
In North India this festival is also called “Bakrid”, from the Urdu-Hindi word bakri (goat) because of the tradition of sacrificing a goat.
(This picture of a tazia was shot in Varanasi (Benaras) during Muharram).

May Allah’s love brighten up the home and heart of all you know on this auspicious day.
I wish everyone a blessed Eid and a Happy Eid Mubarak.

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In A Groove

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“A consistent thinker is a thoughtless person, because he conforms to a pattern; he repeats phrases and thinks in a groove.”
(Jiddu Krishnamurti – Indian Theosophist Philosopher, 1895-1986)

Anand is wearing a scarf in silk and linen with a Aari embroidery, it was shot with a natural light at the upper terrace of our office in Varanasi (Benaras).
(Scarf style “Lucknow” Col. Turquoise/Slate – 100% linen – Collection RED HALO)
RED HALO is a collection of household linen based in Benaras (Varanasi – India) providing work to people who were living with difficulties and education to children.

“Like” the new RED HALO page on Facebook and join this amazing human adventure in Varanasi,www.facebook.com/redhalo.in

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The Balancing Color

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“The color of the object illuminated partakes of the color of that which illuminates it.”
(Leonardo da Vinci – Italian Renaissance polymath, 1452–1519)

This blueish tone of light green is called turquoise, the name comes from the French for Turkish.
This friendly and happy color is worn by many people in India.
In color psychology, this shade controls and heals the emotions creating emotional balance and stability.
It is a combination of blue and a small amount of yellow and it fits in on the color scale between green and blue.
It radiates the peace, calm and tranquility of blue and the balance and growth of green with the uplifting energy of yellow.
Turquoise recharges our spirits during times of mental stress and tiredness, alleviating feelings of loneliness.
Focussing on the color whether on a wall or clothing allows to feel instant calm and gentle invigoration, ready to face the world again…
Being the mid color between the extremes of red and violet, it is the color of balance, for the emotions, thoughts and speech.
Turquoise is calming yet invigorating, restoring depleted energies, it enhances the ability to focus and concentrate, assisting with clear thinking and decision-making, and the development of good organizational skills.
This shade also represents open communication from and between the heart and the spoken word.
It relates to the electronic age and the world of computers, and communication on a large scale.

This picture was shot in a little workshop in Varanasi (Benaras) held by a Muslim family who manufactures several fabrics for Red Halo.
Those turquoise threads are used in order to weave a traditional silk brocade on a handloom machine.
This traditional artcraft transmitted from generation to generation contributed to the fame of the oldest living city in the world.RED HALO is a collection of household linen based in Benaras (Varanasi – India) providing work to people who were living with difficulties and education to children.

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A New Sun

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“Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it”.
(Ninon de Lenclos – French courtesan, 1620-1705)

This picture was shot on the upper terrace which is on the top of our office in Varanasi (Benaras).
Those fashion photographies are not as simple as they pretend to be, each is dwelling with a real social work.

Among the many people involved there, Anand who is modeling for our catalogue since the begining of the company is escaping for a while his tough condition of boatman on the ganges and, using his dark colour skin complexion breaks a social taboo in India.
The fabric of this item involves handloom weavers, fabric dyers and embroiderers of Varanasi struggling with their workshops or with their lives.
Other items of the collection supply shelter and independance to a few ladies who are manufacturing them.
It is a happy chain reaction gathering people from several cultures, religions and social backgrounds and showing that we all share the same values of brotherhood.

(Throw style “Surya” – 100% wool – Collection RED HALO)
“Surya” means “sun” in Hindi.
RED HALO is a collection of household linen based in Benaras (Varanasi – India) providing work to people who were living with difficulties and education to children.
“Like” the RED HALO page on Facebook and join this amazing human adventure in Varanasi,www.facebook.com/redhalo.in

This season during the shows our teams will have the pleasure to present our new collections by appointment only.

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Sharing the Same Values

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“We may have different religions, different languages,different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.
We all share the same basic values.”
(Kofi Annan – Ghanaian diplomat, seventh Secretary-General of the UN, 1938)

This picture was shot on the upper terrace which is on the top of our office in Varanasi (Benaras).
Those fashion photographies are not as simple as they pretend to be, each is dwelling with a real social work.
Among the many people involved there, Anand who is modeling for our catalogue since the begining of the company is escaping for a while his tough condition of boatman on the ganges and, using his dark colour skin complexion breaks a social taboo in India.
The fabric of this item involves handloom weavers, fabric dyers and embroiderers of Varanasi struggling with their workshops or with their lives.
Other items of the collection supply shelter and independance to a few ladies who are manufacturing them.
It is a happy chain reaction gathering people from several cultures, religions and social backgrounds and showing that we all share the same values of brotherhood.

Anand shows his body knowing that each picture is decent and that this is a way to catch the attention on this fight for Human Rights and human dignity.
Since the biggining most of the viewers of those pictures leave great comments which are a real support to this campaign.
However I get a few messages and comments from some people who are intentionally backward, lacking of any insight, correct action and respect to human rights.
I want to answer them with those words by American writer and activist James Baldwin,
“Remember, to hate, to be violent, is demeaning.It means you’re afraid of the other side of the coin-to love and be loved.”

(Scarf style “Dil Se” – 100% wool – Collection RED HALO)
RED HALO is a collection of household linen based in Benaras (Varanasi – India) providing work to people who were living with difficulties and education to children.
“Like” the RED HALO page on Facebook and join this amazing human adventure in Varanasi,www.facebook.com/redhalo.in

Join the photographer at www.facebook.com/laurent.goldstein.photography

Towards Peace

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“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other.”
(Mother Teresa, 1910–1997)

This is a woolen scarf with a aari embroidery from the Red Halo collection.
The process in order to manufacture this item involves many people who were struggling with their lives into a social program.
It gathers artcrafters with different cultures and religions or social backgrounds and allows them to work in unity and dignity.
Anand who is modeling for our catalogue since the begining of the company is escaping for a while his tough condition of boatman on the Ganges; besides, using his dark colour skin complexion breaks a social taboo in India.
RED HALO is a collection of household linen based in Benaras (Varanasi – India) providing work to people who were living with difficulties and education to children.
(Copying those products is against this social work)

(Collection RED HALO – Scarf style “Swirls” – Col. Whisper)
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Swirl and Swing

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“I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”
(James A. Michener – U.S. novelist and short-story writer, 1907-1997)

Anand is posing with a throw and a cushion in linen with aari embroidery fom the Red Halo collection.
This was shot with natural light at the upper terrace of our office.
RED HALO is a collection of household linen based in Benaras (Varanasi – India) providing work to people who were living with difficulties and education to children.
(Cushion and throw style “Swirls” – 100% silk – Collection RED HALO)

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Merit and Wisdom

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“In order for us to progress smoothly and swiftly on our spiritual path, we need the help of two things – merit and wisdom – they are like the 2 wings of a bird, lacking one will cripple our progress.
We need to accumulate merit and wisdom with joyful effort and enthusiasm.
Merit without wisdom or wisdom without merit will not help.”
(His Holiness Jigme Pema Wangchen, the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa)

This is the main door of the ancient palace in Leh, the capital of Ladakh in the Himalayan hills.
It was shot at sunset.
This palace was modelled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet) and is the highest building in the world of his own times.
Leh has for centuries been an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west and also between India and China.
The main goods carried were salt, grain, pashm or cashmere wool, charas (cannabis resin) from the Tarim Basin, indigo, silk yarn and Banaras brocades.