The Art of Mehndi

A stunning guide to the ultimate fashion statement by the henna body painter to the stars.

Mehndi, the ancient Indian art of henna design, is the hottest accessory sported by today's fashion world. Madonna made it famous in her Ray of Light videos; Liv Tyler showed it off on the cover of Vanity Fair; and Naomi Campbell flashed it on the catwalk. Now, Sumita Batra, mehndi artist to the stars, brings the definitive guide to this 3,000-year-old art form of body painting.

Among her many clients is Madonna, who asked Sumita Batra to decorate her hands and face for the 1998 MTV Video Awards ceremony. The Art of Mehndi delves into the history and symbolism of the art as well as mehndi in the fashion world of the 90s, and offers practical instruction on how to make and apply henna paste. More than 30 original designs, 125 color photographs, and 150 line drawings make this the must-have guide for both the fashion conscious and the spiritually conscious.