Brand India
Designers Raghavendra Rathore, Shantanu & Nikhil, Asmita Marwah, Rahul & Gunjan showcased their collection on the first day of the 6th Edition of Seagram’s Blenders Pride Fashion Tour on Saturday
Even if a certain section of Indians take pride in sporting a Roberto Cavalli or a Versace, even if the retailers stock their space with creations of these names or a small segment of young crop of designers draw inspiration from the fashion Gods of the West, Raghavendra Rathore will hold on to his reputation of being an Indian by birth (of course) and, more importantly, by actions.

Raghavendra Rathore(L) with a model

Fashion circle
There is no such term as new fashion or trend, for fashion has a cycle and there are no end points. We had bell-bottoms in the 70’s and then again in the late nineties. “But there was a difference in terms of fabric, silhouettes and cuts.


L-R Rahul, model Asif & Gunjan

Garment called life!
There is more than one way to look at a person and a situation. So, when designer duo Shantanu & Nikhil are put under scanner, they conjure up silhouettes that acquire a definite shape and colour by the end of the interview. It began with selecting the garment called life, and how they add colour to it! “The garment called life is pretty vibrant,” Nikhil takes the lead, removing the earphones of his iphone. 


L-R Shantanu, model Lakshmi Rana & Nikhil

Spicing up fashion
Presentation enhances the grace of any collection and frills have always been admired
Couture for the fashionistas and couture for the elite - when fashion has to cater to the combination of both, it has to offer more than the Swarovski bejewelled creations by best of the designers, a display by A-list models and choreographers. Even more than the Bollywood biggies on the ramp! Precisely, like it did at the recently concluded Delhi Couture Week or Tarun Tahliani’s show, which was grand, extravagant and ostentatious.

Rohit Bal

Musical beat
DJ Andrea Bertolini from Italy travels across the globe to play music
Andrea Bertolini started early in his career. He was playing drums at 8, warming up the crowds at discs at 14, and was out with his first record at 21. A decade later, he is a known DJ in international circuits, based in his home country Italy, and travels every week to play music all over the world.


Andrea Bertolini

Picks & piques
Emma reloaded
Anil Kapoor's first home production, produced by his younger daughter Rhea and starring his elder daughter Sonam, is lavishly mounted but has a brittle heart. The story is unbelievable and the chick-lit fare is un-engaging. Despite being a solo release this week; this one is more likely to fall right off the screens in the first few weeks itself!

Free spirit
Part of her is the observant kinds, looking around unassumingly for things, patterns on the wall, colours of flowers vases, dress of a passerby that could fit into her inspiration pattern. Designer Asmita Marwah from Hyderabad admits that the designer in her never switches off. “This is how I have trained my sensibilities,” she smiles. Showcasing her collection Mediterranean Knots, the designer brings in her free spirit into the collection. “Maya, the free-spirited world traveller, bohemian at heart, dreams of the world without boundaries.

Buyers’ delight!
Bridal Affair-2010 opened to a jam-packed crowd on Saturday morning at The Taj-17. The exhibition offers mehandi wala, sehra, juttis, bride and groom apparel, jewellery and almost everything to set up a home.

Right cut
Actions speak louder than words — is what celebrated designer Abdul Halder and his stunning creations testify. Having almost all celebrated fashion weeks in India as well as abroad to his credit and distinction of creating an ensemble for Pop King Michael Jackson for the album Ghost, it was but natural that his trousseau collection at Bridal Affair-2010 was a huge hit.

Abdul Halder

Touch up
Here’s doing away with the misconception. The ‘no make-up look’ doesn’t mean a face minus concealers, blush ons and other cosmetics that you count as make up. The ‘no make-up look’ uses the maximum make up to render a nude look to the face. “It’s only when the celebs say that they haven’t used any make-up, that it’s true they haven’t. But when they talk about the ‘no make-up look’ that means they have layers of cosmetics on their face to give them a natural look,” says Ambika Pillai, a famous make-up artist.

Sunday fun
A lazy Sunday afternoon, friends and family, your favourite tea or soup and kids taken care of — all this is possible now. With Page 3 Celeb Sunday Brunch you can have a relaxed day in an Oriental ambience at Zazen, which offers a buffet that brings out the best of European, Persian, Hyderabadi, Malaysian and Chinese cuisine.


Siddharth Kumar with sumptuous spread

Tarot TALK
ARIES: Your card The Hermit says procrastination should be avoided at all costs. Home & family affairs flourish. Travel opens up a new activity vista. Young girls: a good week for your personal shopping. Routine goes smoothly. Financial position is stable. Tip of the week: You need to act for yourself and for no one else. Lucky colour: Jade.