The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Sharan is the top metropolitan model
Smriti Kak

Sharan Mishra with other contestants.

This one sure is a relief. We finally have someone accepting that they won a crown… a title on the basis of looks. The metropolitan top model India contest 2003 had the lass from Kolkata Sharan Mishra walk talk as a winner, because she has the face, the body and the attitude.

Mishra who spared us the Mother Teresa is my idol… answer will now represent India at the coveted International Metropolitan Top Models Contest that is slated to be held at South Africa this December. The contest held in India saw sixteen final contestants who had been hand-picked during the four regional rounds held earlier this month in Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi and Calcutta sweat it out for the top slot.

The Metropolitan Top Model International Contest offers the highest prize money as compared to any other such contest with winners sharing USD 450,000 amongst themselves. Looking at the moolah it could well have been a tooth and nail fight, literally.

For now, the 21-year-old Sharan who boats of being a middle-class girl, with middle-class values and roots, but not-so-middle class dreams is all set to join her counterparts from world over at South Africa. Metropolitan Models, founded in 1986 by Michel Levaton in Paris, now has offices in New York, Milan, Hamburg and associates in all the other major fashion centres of the world. They are renowned for presenting some of the leading names on the international ramp and their Hall of Fame includes Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzegovina, Diana Gartner, and Tanga Moreau amongst many others.

Stole aficionados

They may just about be able to keep the cold out, but stoles in colourful hues, embroidered or plain or even studded with crystals are accessories to enhance the winter apparel.

In varied colours, but soft textures these must-have-for-the winter accessories find shelf almost everywhere. And with the added advantage of complementing and enhancing the looks of the Indian as well as Western outfits, stoles are certainly in.

Joining the numerous other “stole aficionados” is Ahujasons with their extensive collection, which comprises stoles with sequins and tone on tone embroidery amongst others.

Mr. Kulbhushan Ahuja, MD, Ahujasons Shawlwale, offers, “to keep pace with the changing international fashion scenario, we have launched this unique range of stoles, which will appeal to a wide spectrum of women and especially to young generation as it will give them a very modern, trendy and international look. Our range is suitable for every kind of occasion, ranging from casual to formal or even a wedding function.”

Classic craftsmanship, utility, durability, exclusivity and delicate intricate embroidery are some of the ingredients that Ahujasons take pride in. And if you’d rather not pay a fortune, polish your bargaining skills and go take a dekko at Janpath.

Solitaires with Rajmata’s initials

She may well have stepped out from the pages of a fairy tale. A queen who is by some divine benediction, eternally beautiful. Synonymous with beauty and poise Maharani Gayatri Devi is also an icon of romantic yore.

In the Capital recently to release ‘Arisia’, a limited edition diamond jewellery from Diamond Trading Company, the Maharani of Jaipur shone and dazzled like the solitaires she released. Needless to say, who won… and hands down. Voted as one of the most beautiful women in the world, the Maharani also had a beautiful story to tell, she recalled how she had been gifted a beautiful diamond ring by the Maharaja of Jaipur. The clandestine ring was, however, to be worn when no one was around. The Solitaries from Rajamata’s collection will have her initials embossed in the girdle of the solitaries. The range comprises diamonds set in yellow gold with antique finish with designs inspired by Edwardian, Victorian and Mughal times.

Wedding to remember

Exquisite designs from Dwarka.

It is not just winter, that is the season… with the number of weddings scheduled for the months ahead… we might as call it the wedding season. And with the wedding season on designers, jewellers, marriage planners and even cosmetologists have all turned up with their prescriptions to make it a ‘wedding to remember’.

Kaya Skin clinic has announced skin care solutions and free online consultation. For the brides and the grooms to look “radiant” and with “oh so nice skin” there are a special packages. From ‘wedding glow package’ to ‘exquisite glow package’ and even a ‘special package for the Bride’s family and friends’!

Designers have maintained their love for “contemporary and traditional” and we have zardosi versus Swarovski. Diwan Saheb’s wedding collection has “contemporary styles”, they have also, “played with traditional art of zardosi and Swarovski crystals to give grooms that special look for that special day”.

The fusion bug is extended to Western wear, which means the good old three piece suits with embroidery! If this is a shock, Diwan Saheb offers, “the embroidery is not very traditional and follows a geometric pattern. Swarovski crystals are used heavily to give them a classy look”.

And while we are at it… jewellers Dwarka’s wedding collection is also on offer. The collection has what else…exquisite designs, contemporary as well as traditional. Precious stones, peals and jewellery to cover you from head to toe are part of the wedding collection.

People for Animals unveils pashminas

A model in Masterpiece Collection.

To exhibit the masterstrokes of painters, the next best place after the walls is fast becoming the torsos. After hand painted saris and clothes imprinted with the paintings of the likes Raja Ravi Verma, People for Animals too has unveiled a limited edition pashminas inspired by works of contemporary master artists and top Indian designers. The event organised in collaboration with Le Pashmina is titled ‘The Masterpiece Collection’. The exhibition-cum-sale will showcase hand-woven Pashminas, shawls, stoles and scarves with delicate embroideries by leading designers and prints inspired by paintings from the grandmasters. The collection is limited in edition featuring 1000 pieces.

Part of the proceeds from the sale will go to PFA and will help raise funds for an Animal Shelter for PFA. The design team has interpreted elements from the original works of contemporary artists like Rabindranath Tagore, Gulam Rasool Santosh, Jamini Roy, Nandalal Bose, Devyani Krishnan, Gopal Ghosh , Benode Behare Mukherjee.

Besides, fine arts, the collection also features embroidered and embellished shawls that are infused with the creativity of six top Indian designers, including Rohit Bal, Monapali ,Hemant Trivedi, Neeta Lulla and Reetika Mehra Dalal. The exhibition will begin on November 22, and will continue till the 24.

Top models for Denis Parkar’s creation

A fashion show, to celebrate the opening of a showroom, was attracted the crowds at City Centre Mall. Denis Parkar brought in models Himanshu Malik, Rajat Raina, Sachin Khurana, Anjala Singh and a few others to showcase their wear.

While the models matched steps choreographed by Ajay Bisht to the music by DJ Marvin, the audience was also treated to a fusion dance performance by the dance troupe ‘Angels’.