Style Scholar

A Deluge of Color

Leila Hadley’s travel memoir, A Journey with Elsa Cloud, draws the reader into 1970s India as the writer rebuilds a relationship with her estranged daughter. She writes about the country in deliciously detailed and descriptive prose, especially in the chapter on the Hindu festival Holi, which is far and away my favorite in the book. Also known as the Festival of Colors, this March celebration of spring and rebirth is practiced in myriad ways throughout India and has a fascinating history. Hadley’s rich account of festivalgoers tossing handfuls of riotously colored pigments at other festivalgoers (some willing, some not) compelled me to scour the city for bright, color-saturated items from India and beyond to encourage readers to revive their looks with a pop of color. Here are some ideas to get you Holi-inspired. — MARIE-CAROLINE MOIR

 

 

Hadley’s six-hundred-page memoir: originally published by Books & Co./Turtle Point, prices vary (abebooks.com)

 

 

Eye brights: Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Tropical Fusion, about $6, select Bartell drugstores

 

 

Pillow, $9, Bombay Jewelry (4307 NE University Way)

 

 

 

 

Silk dress, $26, Sugartown Vintage (2421 NW Market St.)

 

Striking digits: Pa nail polish, $5–$8, orangelighthouse.com

 

 

 

For the boys: Wrkroom “Racer” tank, $45, Ian (1919 Second Ave.)

 

 

Holi timepiece: Nixon Time Teller P, $65, Kuhlman (2419 First Ave.)