If styling is all about being comfortable in your skin, why do we need someone to tell us what to wear and what not? How about giving it a thought? Till you rake your brain, wonder what good is the pile of fashion magazines lying in the corner of your room, a Bollywood beauty steps in to share what's in for the fall-winter season.

And why do we listen to her, if fashion is all about personalised style? Because we love to! Especially, when you see Miss Goldilocks Kangana Ranaut in straight hair, supporting a short navy blue short dress by Esprit, which by the way looks chic, we can't helping but ask all — what style, which colour, how do you accessorise! Fashion is addictive as well as contagious. Cut the guilt and catch up the new fashion diva Kangana, who is in the city to announce Esprit New Fall Holiday Range 2010.

But first celebrity guest and her date with Esprit, how much she loves it, and how affordable it is! "This is the only brand that has 12 collections, every month they come up with something new. It is casual, chic and simple. It can be accessorised. For students, if they want to go to party after school, this brand gives various options (Students you just can't miss this option)," she says, showing us the three picks that she zeroed-in for herself. She picks up each dress and tells us how and what can be done with it.

Hey! Kangana our new style guru. How about launching your own fashion line? Grapevine says so…but the idea is dismissed outrightly. "I haven't slept for three days (reason enough to not start a fashion line. To come up with one, one needs to go for hibernation then!). I have loads of work in acting. I haven't considered about it. Maybe when I stop getting offers I might start my fashion line," Kangana tries to smile. Fashion line, the probability is ruled out.

We toss up another option - direction? "I would love to do it someday when I don't have offers. This can be a good alternative career," she adds. With all options ruled out, it is back to acting. "I have lots in the kitty, Knock Out and No Problem. In Knock Out I play a journalist sporting a glamourous look, something that I worked on myself too, along with the designers." This is the practice she follows with all flicks. Says Kangana, "All actors do the same because it is the actor who knows his or her character well. It is the actor who knows what he or she is comfortable in. For Once Upon a Time In Mumbai I sat with the designers to create that look. I would take 10 per cent credit for it," she laughs.

Fashion is the buzz, so what's her take on international designers. "All are different and unique." Okay! "Brands are like investment, Esprit is a good brand to invest. It offers youthful lifestyle clothing," says Kangana. Fashion is comfort, if you feel the same…you know whom to follow now!

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To an actor, genre is immaterial and so is the 'Wood' - Bollywood, Hollywood or Tollywood! What matters at the end of the day is a good role that can fetch a few critical awards and keep the fire burning.

For Punjabi actor (she added the glam quotient in Prince though) Neeru Bajwa too, acting is more important than the medium. But it is her first love that makes her come back to Punjabi cinema. "Goes without saying, this is where I began my career, naturally I am close to it," says the actor in city to host Big Punjabi Music Awards on Friday. She is quick to add, "I don't mind working anywhere as long as I am doing a satisfactory job."

Satisfactory job! This seems to be too much to ask in a male-dominated film industry. She acknowledges it with a puckish grin. "Yes it is. But time we introduced something new in the industry. I would want to do a role that brings the best out of me." Neeru talks about her first hosting experience. "I just hope I don't forget my lines and fall on stage. Rest I guess Punjabis are high-spirited; they don't need anyone to boost their morale. Besides, it is a 92.7 Big FM event, which is why I am doing it," adds Neeru all set to work in three Bollywood projects.

Those in politics may have a different take on Indo-Pak relations, but artistes like Jawad Ahmad, from across the border, see India as a good market. And if you thought only cricket was bridging the gap, Ahmad loves to differ. In the city for a performance at Big Punjabi Music Awards, the singer feels music and films are like magic potions for both the countries.

His name doesn't immediately conjure up any images of songs he has sung, but he doesn't mind it. "I haven't gone commercial. There are some singers in Pakistan who haven't explored the Indian market and I am one of them," he admits.

With Ali Zafar, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam going on to become a household name, isn't this a late step to take? The singer, who modestly pushes the information that he is senior to some of them, shares, "Better late than never." "My cassettes have gone on to sell millions of copies, which is more than any singer from Pakistan who has made it to Bollywood. Maybe approaching someone would have been an ego issue."

Cut to the present situation. "When Mahesh Bhatt approached me with the song Bin Tere Kya Hai Jina (Woh Lahme), I agreed because he was a friend. I wouldn't mind singing more in Bollywood," he says.

Following suit finally. "Pakistani singers have a different sound quality, which is why directors want them in their movies. Nevertheless…" Jawad Ahmad has a point to make and doesn't take long to come to it. "Pakistani singers who have carved a niche for themselves in India have made it big only through movies. They don't have many singles to their credit. They are better known as pop artistes. This, in a way, is commercialisation of music, which is not a great thing to happen," adds Ahmad.

Aren't we talking about music going global, music breaking all barriers? "We are, but overkill of everything is bad. Like the case with Sufi singing, I think it has become a business model for singers and they are cashing-in on it. Going overboard with Sufi has taken the charm away from it," says the singer who is planning to come out with a solo album.

Sitting in Chandigarh, talking about exploring Indian market, Ahmad does nothing to hide his love for Indian food and Indian music. "Indeed, India is a big market for singers and it is the right time to make it count," adds Ahmad who was one of the producers for Punjabi movie Virsa. "It wasn't a movie, but a step towards bringing artistes from the two countries together. I would want to do more such work if given a chance."

Music is definitely going global and India is the place where every singer wants to make his or her presence felt. "If only we could leave the commercial overkill of art," he smiles.

What's in a brand? Ask the brand aficionados and they'll have a tale to tell. Even for the one's who know nothing of it, it's time to make merry as you can get the best of brands at affordable prices. Courtesy the export surplus showrooms, now you can bag a Tommy, Nautica or even Esprit for mere Rs 1,000 or even less!

Wondering how do they manage to keep the price tag so low? "We stock export surplus items," says Ashish from Stylecheck-17. "It's the old production stock of a branded company, which is why the prices are so less. The tags are genuine and the product very much original, but the reason for less MRP is that some of the stock is overproduced and since fashion is subject to season, it goes out of trend."

And for a city like Chandigarh that does not have designer outlets, Ashish adds, "We don't have designer brands like Chanel or Ralph Lauren here, so people like to pick some stuff from us and who knows what's in or out of fashion in hi-end brands."

With a variety of brands available under one-roof, we ask are these clothes different from the originals in flagship stores? "These are very much original, the only difference being the merchandise is not displayed like in flagship stores," says Preeti Tewari, manager, Brand Bargain-9.

While it is obviously the low cost of brands like Tommy, Benetton, Nautica etc that attracts the buyers, ask Preeti is the collection of the previous season and she says, "Not at all. All our apparels are in league with present day trends. Who'll buy clothes that are not in fashion?" she says.

Well, branded clothes are not the only stuff that you get at a low price - cosmetic; chocolates, olive oil etc too can be picked at a lower price, courtesy, The Dollar shops. Says Praveen from the US Dollar shop in Sector 35, "Whatever we sell are originals, it's just that we receive our goods from the company directly and I guess that's the reason for lesser price." He adds, "Our headquarter is in the US and the corporate office in New Delhi, we receive our good directly from there."

Though a good news for the brand bargain buyer, Preeti Kaur, a sharebroker from Phase VII, says, "I am a regular with these shops and I have never found the products out of fashion or worn out." And is the price the only crowd-puller? "Low price of hi-end brands is definitely the USP, but the collection available at these stores is certainly good. This is also the reason why people love going to these shops."

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When American writer and poet Dorothy Parker quipped, Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses, she could, obviously, not have known the high-drama of fashionable eyewear! No more a thing of mere utility, 'chic with service' is the buzzword for spectacles these days.

Photo: Parvesh Chauhan

In myriad styles, colours and patterns they can suffuse you with mystery, glitz and style. Says Abhinav Sharma, Area Manager, Titan Eye Plus, "Spectacles are no more a thing of utility alone; they have become a fashion statement in themselves. With more and more people investing on eyewear, we have launched designs for various occasions." The market has a range of spectacles for parties and casual wear, but now we even have especially designed ones for the corporate sector. "Manhattan is our latest range of glasses. These spectacles are designed keeping in mind people in the corporate sector," says Abhinav. Ask him how are they different and he says, "The colours of the frames are subtle and other than that they have progressive lenses that are suitable for people over 35 years of age." With over 55 stylish frames to compliment the formal and sophisticated look, Manhattan sure makes for a subtle, yet arresting style statement!

Well, if you are looking for more, try Switcher's collection, which affords three looks with just one frame, while 'Enigma' celebrates the fun and sensual self in a woman; 'Cabana' promises the 'Friday dressing' equivalent in corporate eyewear, while 'Vybes' is for the youth.

Albeit the invention of spectacles has profoundly influenced humankind, we do not exactly know whom to thank! Marco Polo journeying to China in 1270 is said to have observed elderly Chinese people using spectacles. But the Chinese themselves claim that spectacles originated in Arabia in the 11th century. Roman tragedian Seneca (4 BC -AD 65) is said to have read "all the books in Rome" by peering through a glass globe of water! But nobody still knows the inventor. Well, that's history!

Talking present day, glasses have been invented and re-invented, says Ranpreet from Weldon Opticians in Sector 17, "Some of the latest eyewear trends include oval-shaped to rectangular ones in colours such as rose, white, quartz, lilac, black, gold and peach." Ask him about the frames and he says, "Some of the popular styles that are in are lightweight frames, ultra-thin frames, scandium frames, semi-rimless frames, stained glass frames and titanium frames." Besides, there are also some specialty eyeglasses that are available in the market such as reading glasses, computer and driving eyewear. And let's not forget the children, there's a range for them as well in amazing colours, designs, and styles. One can choose from plastic to metal frames, or spring hinges, which are more flexible and scratch-resistant.

Talk about the difference in various lenses and Dr Rajan Chugh, MS, eye surgeon and laser specialist, from Sector 21 says, "For sports eyewear one needs optical quality lense, for safety eyewear polycarbonate lenses are used, as these protect your eyes from any tiny particles that may be present in the air. For parties, we have lenses that come with a tint. This helps in better vision during night.” Well, with so much available, all we can say is - keep your eyes open! 

Bright hues, flowing fabric, fitted silhouettes and things for your home, the two-day exhibition put up by Kamal Attariwala at Hotel Aroma, sector 22 has something for everyone. On display are chappals, kurtis, clutch bags, suits, platters and few more goods for your home. While you can pick georgette suits or kurtis in velvet, patch and lace work the kurtis available come worked in pearl, zardosi and gotta pati. And if you are looking for home accessories here you can pick gift items like trays and platters.

Says Kamal, "The clothes are designed by me and Priyanka and for the home accessories we have got th stuff from Mumbai." — TNS

(Concludes today)

Everyone hates puncture. And it usually happens at the worst time possible-when you are on the way for an important meeting, when the clouds open up like there is no tomorrow, or maybe your girlfriend has given you an ultimatum. Scan Solutions India has introduced Slime tyre sealant, which comes as a boon for tubeless tyre owners.

Once you install Slime tyre sealant it in your tyres, there would not be a puncture for at least two years, which is usually the life span of these tyres. You can either treat your tyre with this fluid at the onset or use it when you encounter a puncture. Once installed, Slime remains in liquid form; it will not harden or dry out. As the treated tyre rotates, a centrifugal force pushes the sealant to the tread area, creating a layer of protection, which repairs punctures as they occur.

"Slime tyre sealant is an eco-friendly solution which formulated with Fibro seal technology, a combination of environmentally friendly fibers, binders, polymers and proprietary congealing agents which intertwine and clot within the puncture. This Fibro-seal lattice, together with the viscous transportation system (the 'green' goo) seeks out and tightly packs itself into the puncture, preventing and repairing flats with a flexible long lasting plug" says Ajit Lamba, MD, Scan Solutions India.

When a puncture occurs the fiber, blinder and clotting agents are forced into the opening; instantly a seal is formed locking in the air and preventing a flat tyre.

Flat tyre repair system Slime flat tyre repair system allows anyone to repair a flat tyre in less than 10 minutes. Slime sealant instantly seals punctures, while the compressor fully inflates the tyre. This slime flat tyre repair system is a complete roadside flat tyre repair solution.

Price: Slime sealant in your bike will cost Rs 1,260, in small cars Rs 2200 and for medium segment cars will cost Rs 2800. —TNS

History bears testimony to the fact that in the best of times or the worst, humanity has always been turning to the 'arts' to find answers to intuitive queries and understand what is beyond comprehension," observes Ishwar Dayal, an artist, academician and an avid artist.

"As a child I was too naïve to understand my calling. But what really inspired me was when I saw my father, a language teacher, spending much more time in making portraits and drawings than his official duties at school! I attempted to emulate him, as fun at first, till it became a passion with me. In sheer innocence I believed that I had discovered the blissful mystery of painting as an art," he shares.

But, the passion kept him so engrossed that he failed in Class 10th at his village school in Karanwal near Meerut. "Failure of the son of a reputed teacher was really embarrassing, but my love for art never died. I worked hard in my field of choice and completed five years degree from Government College of Art, Chandigarh, where I am currently serving as an assistant professor, head of graphics and print-making department," he shares.

Like many in the trade, this artist has also learnt from the varied experiences of life…equally relishing its joys, sorrows and challenges. "The selection of my artwork for group display at a national exhibition at New Delhi in 1983 boosted my morale. I put up my first solo show in 1987 and many more followed," he adds.

A versatile artist, Ishwar Dayal maintains that art has its own language, but one requires a sharp mind to read or imbibe it. But he rues one fact: "Art is no more a sacred mission, but a commercial commodity influenced by the market. It's like — jo dikhta hai so bikta hai."

Country singer Taylor Swift is reportedly dating model Bryan Lillis, who starred in her latest music video.

Lillis featured in a TV commercial for Swift's forthcoming album Speak Now and sources claim the two clicked instantly.

"When Taylor was introduced to Bryan, she acted like a little girl, all shy and nervous, but by the end of the location shoot at an LA (Los Angeles) high school, the two were talking up a storm and flirting like school kids," said a source.

"They exchanged numbers, started texting and calling each other non stop, then scheduled an intimate dinner at a quiet spot," the source added.

The Grammy winner has previously dated Joe Jonas and Twilight star Taylor Lautner. — IANS

The idea behind designing each piece of jewellery is to render it a look that would complement any outfit. From a semi-formal dress, evening gown to an embellished sari, the jewellery creations are the right pick for any occasion.

Says Shweta Gupta, a designer from Bengaluru who has her creations on display at the Willow Café Sector 10, "Women prefer to buy practical jewellery that can go with any dress. Jewellery that's meant only for a particular occasion is dumped with other such pieces in safes."

The uncut diamond jewellery is the major attraction at the exhibition. The diamonds are put together with other semi-precious colourful stones in necklaces, rendering it a royal look. "But we made sure that every piece looks as graceful with a sari as with a black dress for a party." The brand is named after her - Shweta Gupta for Arya. She has held a number of shows across the country and claims that celebs such as Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Shobha De have picked up stuff for themselves!

Most of the pieces on display at the exhibition are reversible. "We aim to give people complete value for money. Considering the soaring prices of metals, the option of using the same jewellery in two different ways is a worthwhile option."

Neckpieces, when reversed, have a different combination of stones. She has used stones in colours like orange, purple, green and yellow. "Different coloured stones make a neckpiece go with a number of dresses." The metals used are gold, rhodium and silver.

"Yellow gold is out of fashion. People prefer stones in white gold or rhodium." On display are neckpieces, earrings, anklets and bangles. The only missing jewellery pieces are rings. "I usually avoid designing rings since there are problems with size." The range begins from Rs 55,000 onwards. - Ashima Sehajpal

(On till October 9)

Craving for a royal treat? Well, KC Crossroads-10, Panchkula is the place for you. Starting with their skewer promotion, the hotel has launched its Kebab menu, Arabic and Indian delicacies served with a fusion of Mediterranean sauces. And a lot more in terms of experimentation with Indian concepts and European preparations.

"The aim is to provide best flavours to the customers, but with a difference. We have many restaurants serving Kebabs in city, so we have twisted the presentation and preparation to make it taste different," says Abdul Rehman Qureshi, executive chef. Having an experience in Saudi Arabia before coming to city, Qureshi has picked choicest delights to cater all groups of foodies. "We have seven recipes in the non-vegetarian menu and six in the vegetarian. We have tastes of India, Arabia, Mediterranean and Europe, all served to suit your choice," says Qureshi.

So, gorge on Kofta kebab marinated in Indian spices and cooked in herbs served with Hammus. Or choose between Murg Ke Parche with a dash of oregano flavour, Boti Kebab, Chicken Potli Kebab or Fish Amritsari. Green brigade need not feel disappointed as they have handful of options as well. Angar ke chole stuffed with boiled vegetables and served with mint chutney, Rajma ke shami kebab, Hare Bhare Kebab and the chef special Dahi ke Kebab. "Usually, we don't prepare Dahi ke Kebab on a seekh but we are doing it now," informs Qureshi. Apart from the kebabs, one can also gorge on the salads and complementary alomonds are served along with them.

"These kebabs are prepared through various traditional methods like cooking in a handi, grills and over the charcoal to retain their authentic flavour. Unlike the popular belief here, that the food has to be spicy to be liked, we have not used much spices and the original recipes are maintained," says Qureshi. Never mind, we do have an appetite for good things in life, even if it is less on spice.

The festival is on till October 13.