GLITZ&GLAMOUR
This boutique architect swears by ‘less is more’ 
Smriti Kak

For architect-cum-interior designer Shailendra Dewan the blueprint to success is the concept of “less is more and simplicity is the basis of all good living”. Having spent close to 24 years in Spain, Dewan’s homecoming was followed by the opening of Good Living India.

“Good Living India is a studio, workshop and home, all under one roof”, says Shailendra, who started Good Living India in 1994 after returning to India from Spain where he spent some 24 years studying, practicing and perfecting his passion, architecture and interior design.

Spain was a learning experience and Shailendra absorbed the creative influences with a view to introducing modern interior design to India. “My first assignment in India was for a friend. I was on a sabbatical and what followed was a chain of assignments”.

When Dewan began first designing in India he encountered the usual problems of masons and plumbers not meeting deadlines. “I stopped work for a year and began my company where I don’t have to outsource anything, whether it is materials or men. We have our own plumbers and electricians, we get the stones and the marbles all within our own house”.

Dewan is sorry that the Capital, which on one hand has the Lutyens marvels, is also subverted by buildings that are examples of bad architecture. “Driving down the city you realise that there is not a continuity to good architecture”, says the man who identifies himself as a “boutique architect who cannot build wholesale houses, but will prefer to do selective work”.

Talking about his work, Dewan says, “In India most people make the mistake of not talking to the architect or the designer when the details are being chalked out. They come to you when the work is finished”.

He adds, “ Climatic conditions play a key role in designing interiors in India. We have to take the dust and the extreme weather conditions in mind. It is necessary that clients work out the minute details with the architect and the designer. Most people come to interior designers once their structure is ready, not knowing that these are interconnected. The roof and the floor are as much a part of your design”.

Fond of painting, Dewan wants to put on display his works in a couple of years from now. “I paint and sometimes when I feel that the décor can use a painting which I can do I offer it to the client”.

A tele serial that germinated into a movie

Richa Pallod and Jimmy Shergill in “Agni Pankh”, a tribute to the Indian Air Force.

This could well be the victory of the soaps. While movies telecast as tele serials is not unheard of, there are not many teleserials that germinate into movies. What was planned as a teleserial will now await a box office outcome. We are talking about “Agni Pankh”, a movie based on the Air Force and written and directed by Sunjiv Puri with Jimmy Shergill as part of the star cast.

The movie, which Puri claims is a tribute to the Indian Air Force, was meant to be a tele serial, but when promos were shown to various channels it was noted that the small screen would not do justice to the theme, which is “larger than life”

So Puri and his team began shooting schedules across the country from Kashmir to Mahabaleshwar. Says Puri, “The film is based on the life of an Air Force man in Srinagar and revolves around his personal as well as professional life”.

The film also stars Shameeta Shetty, this time however in a pilot’s overalls. Stalwarts like Benjamin Gilani and Kulbhushan Kharbanda have also been roped in. The filmmakers managed to get permission to shoot in Srinagar and shoot with original IAF fighter aircraft for the war scenes.

She aims at creating poetry through attire

A model wearing a richly designed ensemble by Anshu Modi

Design for me is the song of the soul. Art an experience, a thought, and an inner wisdom. Unless you don’t live art, you cannot create design...” is what designer Anshu Modi has to say.

The designer, who aims at creating poetry through her clothes, is now offering her designs in the Capital. Anshu, it is pointed out, treats her clothes like a medium of art. Her designs sing an ode to inner effervescence depicted through vibrant hues, primary colours and a canvas of design that is enriching and eclectic.

The collection ranges from very elaborate wedding ensembles to festive and elaborate saris. Indian ensembles also find a place in the range. Starting at the root of design, Anshu works with the finest in textiles.

Anshu is better known as a textile exponent, her love for the weave being her first love. A revivalist in her art form, she has dipped into the rich treasure chest of Indian textiles to merge a few texts and create an all new lingo through the warp and weft of master weavers.

Having begun her career almost 20 years ago Anshu has a strong base in the various embroidery schools of India. An ensemble that emerges from her design studio internalises many embroidery techniques to create a very intricate statement.

Hoping to make a favourable impact on the city and the brides, Anshu uses the finest textural techniques as tone-on-tone embroideries, hold leafs and rich Zardozi and other Mughal designs. She adds, “Brides tend to keep the wedding lehenga in a trunk and then forget about them. My dupatta saris keep the ensemble alive”. 

A store for kids and moms-to-be

Mom Malaika Arora, accompanied by ‘chhota Khan’ was here in the Capital recently for the launch of a concept store.

United Colours of Benetton has launched a store for infants, kids and mothers-to-be. Malaika Arora Khan with her son came for the launch of the concept store that offers a line for infants, maternity wear and mom-to-be lingerie.

‘Baby on the Board’ is a range of clothes for children offering fun and pleasure and comes with its own mascot, Benny the lamb. Baby products like bath products and other equipment are also on offer.

Comfy & chic clothes for girls from Yankee land

American fashion has long made inroads into the Indian teen’s wardrobe. The latest to offer their attire is Union Bay, a teenage brand, which is aiming to target girls between 14-20.

The brand offers comfortable and chic clothes to the girls. The collection launched here includes tops, shorts, denim skirts and fitted tops.

Flower power in wispy fabrics rules at Westside

Floral Power is Westside’s submission for the summer. Clothes with floral motifs, from colourful to subdued, from complex to the less intricate are on offer.

The designer’s at Westside claim to have worked hard to bring in the latest look in international fashion. This they have tried to achieve through rising hemlines, receding waistlines and bare shoulders.

Wispy fabrics like georgette, crepes, voiles and light cottons have been used to give the loom of feminine charm and daintiness.