CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Valaya designs for the modern royalty
Smriti Kak

WHILE most designers chose to display their Spring Summer 2003 designs in the country itself, J. J. Valaya unveiled his collection under the label, ‘Duffusion’, at a fashion show ‘Glamore 2003’ in Dubai.

The collection Valaya offers is a study in contrast, both in terms of silhouettes as well as colours. Valaya chose not to follow any set patterns, but to set new standards at the event.

Global inspirations and rich colours were the hallmark of the Studio Valaya Spring/Summer 2003 collection during Glamore 2003. Select ensembles from Studio Valaya, which we were told was an essentially watered down and more accessible version of the couture label, were showcased for the first time in the UAE, keeping in mind a much younger generation of fashion aficionados.

The collection was based on Valaya’s principle, ‘the future of the past’ with an underlying theme of ‘modern royalty’. The collections intertwined the past with the present and bore a contemporary look for today’s woman, inspired from global influences.

The silhouettes ranged from ethnic flowing lehnga cholis to more sophisticated Indo-western creations. The embroidery was subtle and intricate and the colours ranged from earthy shades to more flamboyant reds, yellows, blues and magenta.

For the designer who believes in vibrancy, Valaya adds, “fashion is a marriage of commerce and creativity; focusing too much on any one can be lethal. There has to be a balance. You can either be an avant-garde designer or work on creating a signature look.”

The designer also has a word of advice: “Just be yourself and create your own look, otherwise you will look bad. You have to feel good in what you wear. People look at your clothes in the manner you convey them... you make your clothes.”

Floral jewellery to floor a few

Taking jewellery beyond chunks of gold and silver, and platinum encrusted with diamonds, Amrish Pershad has launched a collection of floral jewellery.

Having made his mark as an aesthetic designer in Mira Nair’s ‘Monsoon Wedding’, Pershad’s latest role as a floral jewellery designer has him doling out chokers, brooches, waistbands and sehras for the brides. What started off as an experiment during his sister’s wedding has bought in clients wanting to make a style statement.

Says Pershad, “it is the desire of every women to become the cynosure of all eyes, but despite changing trends women end up looking alike. I believe flowers are nature’s best gift to mankind and can do magic when used to adorn women.”

He adds, “I have played with flowers to create a fresh look without exaggerating the effect.” Making floral jewellery, however, is not easy. “Four to five men sit in a room with temperature not exceeding 10 to 15 degrees Celsius and make these pieces,” offers Pershad.

Flowers are kept in cold storage and care is taken to ensure that they remain fresh. “Till the last minute, the flowers are kept in cold storage. These ornaments last for a day,” says Pershad. Pershad takes care to design the jewellery in keeping with the client’s requirements and taste. Exotic flowers like chrysanthemums, carnations and anthuriums find a place in the designs. The fresh and fragrant pieces are priced between Rs 2,500 and Rs 25,000, depending on the kind of flowers being used.

“Orchids are expensive, but there are jasmines and tube roses for those wishing to spend less.”

Spices like cardamoms and dried fruits too have been used ingeniously. “These are inexpensive and easily available and can be matched with outfits to make a style statement,” explains Pershad. So take your pick. Waistband made from Swarovsky crystals and green orchids or armlets made from silver beads and flowers.

Babita’s noodle straps and motifs

Babita Sharma under her label ‘Babita’s’ showcased her designs for the Spring/Summer 2003. The collection has bridal as well as casual wear using various motifs, colours and combinations.

From georgette to crepe, the textures have been used ingeniously to create a fresh look. There are crepes and georgette in printed, bandhej, tie-n-die and plain designs. Embroidery and use of dabka is also resorted to in the bridal section.

The bridal collection also has lehngas and cholis with an indo-western look, there are noodle-strap cholis and ones with halter necks to complete the effect. Cottons and georgette have been used for the casual wear section. Short kurtis in summer colours and stylish fits have been designed.

Blossom with glowing skin

Beauty expert Blossom Kochhar has unveiled a range of beauty products that will help women take care of their skin and hair. These products include face packs, bath oils, beauty serums and products for improving general skin and body treatments.

While Sunscreen made from extracts of Chinese tea, horseradish, aloe vera and calamine protects the skin from UV radiation, Carrot Sunscreen Gel helps protect against tanning, skin irritation and skin burns.

Cucumber Sunscreen Gel made from Jojoba cucumber extracts, green tea and sandalwood also helps against tanning. Based on the principles of aromatherapy the products have been packed in easy-to-use tubes and bottles.

Model Koena Mitra inaugurating the beauty clinic at Lajpat Nagar.

Koena Mitra opens beauty clinic

Super model Koena Mitra inaugurated a unique beauty clinic, SMS, at Lajpat Nagar. This upmarket beauty clinic is open for both men and women. It provides quality healthcare services with a wide range of lifestyle products and professional care, which have so far been the distant dream of most of the metropolitan clientele of our Indian market. Celebrities of this field like Blossom Kochar and Habib Ali have given special training to the newly inducted professionals for better services for the exclusive barber shop. According to Subhankar Choudhary and Sanjay Thapa, the joint chairmen of the clinic, “we have highly qualified beauty consultants. They care you well, select the suitable treatment in accordance with the needs of the clients.”

The clinic offers solutions to various types of problems related to beauty — pimples, complexion, acne, aging. dead skin, sagging skin, dying skin, deformation and sun burns. For men, it offers sensuous, soothing and unbelievable treatments for hair, skin and body..

Formal T-shirts

To help men cool off in the shimmering summer, Van Heusen has on offer formal T-shirts. The T-shirts have been deigned for those who combine business with travel. Available in 21 colours, these T-shirts are perfect for weekend meeting and business cocktails.

Input Nalini Ranjan