CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Would-be Bryan Adams to plead, ‘Don’t Give Up’
Smriti Kak

Come February and the king of romantic ballads Bryan Adams will be screaming ‘Here I Am’, to the shrieking and frenzied Delhi ki janta pleading, ‘Don’t Give Up’ as he brings in the ‘Summer Of ’69’.

This is no premature April Fool’s gag, we are serious…Bryan Adams is coming to the city’s Mittal Garden on the 7th of February to ‘Run To You’ as he croons ‘18 Till I Die’.

Happening for the first time in the city, the concert is part of the McDowell’s No 1 Bryan Adams’ ‘India Live 2004’ Straight From The Heart, in association with Pepsi, Britannia, Hero Honda and Channel V.

Bryan Adams, one of the world’s most popular singers will perform in Delhi and then in Bangalore.

The organisers banking on the star’s credibility and efficiency to get the crowds hysterical are already listening to the jingle it’ll produce in the cash box. Winner of 10 Grammy Awards and 12 Platinum hits worldwide, Adams, has sold more than 50 millions copies, has been number one on the charts in more than 30 countries, has written and sung with musical icons, from Pavarotti to Barbara Streisand.

And with his boyish good looks and soft croon, he is expected to work his magic on Delhiites who would be expected to pay a small sum to shake a leg as the singer croons is ‘Everything I Do, I Do It For You’. Not to mess this one, the organisers are counting on an “audio-visual extravaganza” to spice up the evening and make it a ‘night to remember’.

C.T.C Plaza’s new mall, which was inaugurated by Kareena Kapoor, will house Kanjeevarams, Benarasis, Bandhanis and Leheriyas to Jamdanis, Pithanis and embroidered sarees offer the owners. The store will also offer ready to wear as well as unstitched apparel.

Cottage emporium in Gurgaon

For the die-hard lovers of the Indian culture and of the exotic crafts from the remotest parts of the country, Cottage Industry has a good news. The Central Cottage Industries Corporation (CCIC) of India Ltd has opened a branch in Gurgaon as well. Located at the HUDA Commercial Complex in Sector-15 of Gurgaon, this double storey showroom houses a wide range of handloom and handicrafts product and presents the treasured Indian heritage.

The Gurgaon outlet is expected to have the same touch of Indianness and showcases the best from each part of the country. Connoisseurs can pick from a variety of aesthetic handcrafted products, including crafted bronze idols, wooden and bone statues, metal ware with Bidri work, stoneware, pottery, carpets, linen and jewellery.

An exclusive bridal wear

Here is another one of the exclusive bridal wear variety! The Frontier Bazaar brought out their “exclusive collection of bridal wear specially designed” for the Femina Bridal show.

The focus of this line was “wearability and affordability” we were told. Models displayed the designs of Anil and Sunil Batra and R C Jewellers.

The designers unveiled their clothes in crimson, burgundy, magenta and in light shades of dull white, dull fuchsia and rose pink.

The jewellery range included Kundans to contemporary designs. It was also pointed out that the fashion show aimed at educating the consumers about how clothes and jewellery “can be used to complement each other”.

Glittering expo on jewellery

Munish Makhija with wife Pooja Bhatt at the opening of the Selfridges collection.

A line of precious jewellery designed by Amrapali for Selfridges made more news owing to the presence of Pooja Bhatt who was accompanied by her husband. Ms Bhatt wearing a piece from the collection claimed to feel like a “million bucks”.

The specially designed line was displayed at a three-day exhibition held at the Amrapali studio in Delhi’s Khan Market.

The Selfridges collection by Amrapali comprises “classics brought to life in designs influenced by the traditions of the Rajputs of Rajasthan, the Todas of Tamil Nadu and the Bonda tribe of Orissa”, claim the makers.

The collection includes rare ornaments made from hand-beaten gold, fine filigree, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, glistening or uncut.

It also includes precious stones in unusual shapes, gold jewellery in kundan, minakari and jadau.

Apart from the Selfridges line, pieces from Amrapali have adorned celebs including Naomi Campbell, Ali McGraw, Rekha and Dimple Kapadia.

Safi model hunt

Participants at the Hamdard Safi Model Hunt contest.

Safi, a popular blood purifier, which promises a glowing blemish-free skin, among other things, organised the first-ever Hamdard Safi Model Hunt at the Le Meridian.

Fifteen finalists were chosen from the hundreds of entries that poured in from across the country. The winner will be chosen from these 15 girls and two models will be given a cash award of Rs 25,000. The event is aimed at helping budding models.

Meanwhile, Globus a fashion store was also out to woo the youngsters with its Model Hunt. The lucky ones could be the faces for advertising their Spring Summer 2004 collection. Those selected in the prelims will be invited to Mumbai to participate in the finals scheduled next month.

Sitaron ki Raat

Modicare organised ‘Sitaron ki Raat’ at Talkatora Indoor Stadium. The evening was organised to felicitate 100 top Modicare consultants. Singer KK had the audience swaying to his foot tapping numbers.

Comedienne Archana Puran Singh was also part of the Raat and tried to make the crowds laugh to her stand up act.

The awardees were presented with awards in various categories including President Diamond, Diamond, Pres Emerald, Star, Gold and Silver for their achievements.

Electrifying nail enamels

Elle 18 has launched Trend # 3:’Electrix’ range of electrifying nail enamels. Available in 12 shades, the nail colours have trendy names as well…from Pinkish Brown to Crimson Pink and Pinkish Maroon to Purple Pink.

The colours targeted at the young ladies are aimed at electrifying the festive season and shaking off boredom.

Zipped jacket unveiled

Diwan Saheb has unveiled the zipped jacket, which they put forth is “ideal for the people from the top echelons of business and politics to the middle managers and anyone who likes to be considered well dressed and different”.

The zipped jacket is made from 100 per cent Japanese Cupro, pure wool and terry wool and corporate-friendly colours of navy blue, grey and black. The attire, which claims to resolve the-what-to-wear crisis, however, doesn’t come cheap.