Dean Alan: Sensuality and Spirituality

Dean Alan has launched a new special collection for luxury hotels and spa resorts; however, the company's entire eclectic line is tempting to anyone who loves gorgeous colors and textures.

The Dean Alan Company is a US-based ready to wear collection produced in India and sold online in stores from Bendel's to small boutiques throughout the US and in Canada, Australia and Italy.

Alan describes himself as a hippie of the 60s, and his ideas were first inspired during a series of visits to India in the 70's. Moving into the 80's, Dean Alan evolved and matured into more classic styles, working with designers including Gianni Versace, Valentino, Armani, and Calvin Klein. In the 90's he moved west and began working with Los Angeles-based designers Joe and Albert Da Hun of Joes Jeans and Da Nang clothing.

The designs themselves are often simply mouthwatering and the retail prices, available on their Web site, very modest for such pieces as a red hand-beaded silk lined chiffon dress for $89. The spa collection, intended for both therapists and clients, includes pants, caftans, yoga outfits, robes and kimonos, all with beautiful, flowing lines.

Designer Patrice Embleton told Spa Review, "The collection has been designed targeting a void that I felt exists. Using the comfortable natural cottons and silks that are available in India, we have tried to capture the growing apr s- spa lifestyle' that has been growing. In addition to our broader ready to wear Woman's, Men's and Children's collections we have tried to bridge the gap to become a functional Lifestyle Spa Collection, that can be enjoyed all the time."
"To beautify the mind is to beautify the body. Beautifying the body is to beautify the soul."
However, I have to admit that it is the Muria collection and the magnificent scarves that draw me first. The Muria garments have extraordinary texture, combining traditional handicrafts and cutting edge technology. There is an antique top that is definitely wearable art. "The Antique pieces are available as we have a collection of tribal dresses and Tunics that I have collected over the years," Embleton said. "These are from Baluchistan Tribal area. I have been inspired by the originals and we are able to reproduce similar designs using older embroidered pieces that I collect, and then using some newer fabrics piece them together using similar designs as the originals. We have to create an original piece that not only fits properly but still has some of the older embroideries, as well as keeping the designs realistic."

Equally fascinating tribal jewelry takes its inspiration from the Orissian tribal area in the southern part of India as well as some Nagaland tribal designs that are from the Northern Territories. Some pieces are 50 years old while others are reproduced using newer glass and brass pieces. Some of the Nagaland belts are the original fine tubular glass and orange beads that are characteristic of Nagaland jewelry. Using silver and white metals, the textures and designs are an updated interpretation of the older tribal jewelry from those areas.

It's no surprise that the very comfortable and sensuous clothing, often quite dramatic, has made fans of celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman and Daryl Hannah. Celebrated Japanese musician Anri, British film producer Julia Verdin, and music icon Lee Ritenour choose the Alan collection for its combination of vibrant color and practicality.

Maybe what brings them is a quality explained in the line's introduction from the Hindu tradition, "The union of the spirit, mind, and body together in loving harmony with the human form celebrates the inner beauty of this human life. To beautify the mind is to beautify the body. Beautifying the body is to beautify the soul. We wish you a blissful experience and a pathway to vitality through a union of body, mind and soul."

Visit www.deanalan.net.