Allow me to introduce myself…
My name is Alpa Pattni. I’m a graphic designer, henna artist, photographer, and all-round creative. I love comedy, movies, theatre, travelling, going on adventures and meeting new people. I’m a mum to one human, and three cats! I love learning new ways to express myself creatively, and right now, I’m learning how to make jewellery!
My training in graphic design combined with my love for creative expression and my Indian heritage naturally led me to the art of Henna, also known as Mehndi. Having been a professional henna artist for over 15 years, I find that I’m comfortably in my element when I am creating. At times, applying henna feels like a meditative practice, and therapeutic too, for my clients as well as myself.
One of the favourite aspects of my work is the wonderful people I meet along the way. I love being part of their special occasion, whether it's a wedding, baby shower, fashion show, hen night, birthday party, fundraising event or anything at all, I endeavour to make every henna experience as unique and exceptional as my clients are.
Henna: an art-form as old as time.
Henna (mehndi or mehendi in Hindi & Urdu) is a tradition in India, Pakistan, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, dating back between 5000 and 9000 years. Because of henna’s natural cooling properties, it has been used by those in the hottest parts of the world to regulate their temperature. When applied to the palms and soles of the feet, a paste made from the crushed leaves of the henna plant creates a cooling effect; this effect remains as long as the henna remains on the skin. The stain left by the henna led to the traditional use of the plant for body decoration. In ancient Egypt, henna was used to adorn the coverings and skin of mummies before they were laid to rest - even Cleopatra made use of the ancient decorative tradition.
For the rich and poor, old and young, henna was (and still is) a cultural tradition used to adorn the skin of everyone.
This beautiful, ancient tradition is still popular today - all over the world, people embellish their bodies with the natural artwork from this versatile and aromatic plant.
In the last few decades, henna has become increasingly popular in Western culture. Beyoncé, Vanessa Hudgens, Rihanna, Tan France, Katy Perry, and Meghan Markle are just some of the celebrities who have adopted this tradition in public, music videos, and more. Trends such as painting the hands before a wedding, the bellies of pregnant people, the heads of chemotherapy patients, and so on.
Henna is a worldwide trend as a temporary tattoo; body art without the pain or commitment is a perfect and beautiful ingredient to a party or wedding.
