Monthly Archives: January 2010

Ayamik re-launch Party

The capital’s very first luxury prêt destination, Ayamik is back. Neha and Pradeep Hirani posed warm host to the evening welcoming guest at their abode with wine and cheese. The fashion destination on the 29th of January glitzed at One Style Mile, Mehrauli and called for the hustle bustle of celebration that overflowed to the entire Qutab’s surrounding, enchanting the atmosphere.

The highlight of the evening was an old wishing well situated at Ayamik’s quaint courtyard. Rumour has it, that when Qutubuddin Aibak (the famed emperor who built the Qutab Minar) felt the weight of the world on his shoulders, he used to visit that very well for solace and it never failed to wish away his troubles.

The store named Ayamik meaning ‘luxurious days’ lives up to its name promising days of enchanting fashion, in times to come. The re-launch saw the crème de la crème of the city floating at this quaint seat of fashion mesmerized by the revision of a quintessential amalgam of luxury and history. The fashion caravan that halted here in the evening included names like Sunil Sethi, Ritu Kumar, Samant Chauhan, Tanisha Mohan, Dhruv and Pallavi, Hemant and Nandita, Shivani Wazir, Kapil and Monika, Poonam Sethi, Tulip Joshi, Reema and Vidushi Mehra and many more.

Dates Announced

Asia’s largest fashion trade event, the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (Autumn/Winter 2010 edition) is scheduled from March 24 – 28, 2010 at the NSIC Exhibition Complex, Okhla, New Delhi. Hosted by the India’s apex fashion body, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), this season of WIFW will witness the largest-ever event space, spanning over 14,000 sq. meters, located right in the heart of the Capital.
 
FDCI will be making special arrangements to ensure that the venue is ‘tailor-made’ for an event of such magnitude. An interesting rendezvous of exquisite lounges, plush salons, special on-site restaurants and exhibition café counters will ensure all guests and participants enjoy their time at the WIFW. In addition to the ample parking space available, a dedicated valet service will also be made available for the invitees.
 
In the past, NSIC Exhibition Complex has played host to the Akon Live-In Concert, Indian Idol Finale, Saif Ali Khan Musical Concert – Parikrama, Farhan Akhtar Musical Concert and some of the imminent attraction include the ‘Sonu Nigam Concert’ and Back Street Boys – Live-n-Concert’.   
 
With the dates for national model auditions also announced as  2nd Feb’2010, Mr. Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI said, “WIFW has always been a much awaited fashion trade show of the country. It has created a niche for itself by bringing a unison of fashion, style and business at the same time. We hope this edition of WIFW too will usher in multiple trade opportunities through larger participation by designers, buyers, sponsors and fashion fraternity. FDCI’s commitment to fashion industry has also made us take a closer look at providing best logistical facilities with an eye for innovation.”

Ayamik Re-launched

The first luxury prêt destination of the capital, Ayamik is back with a bang. Relaunched by Neha & Pradeep Hirani after a span of three years, it chooses a location that relives the enriched rich and legendry history of Delhi as settled in One Style Mile, Mehrauli. The word Ayamik which means luxurious days in Arabic also spells Kimaya when read backwards, and Kimaya is yet another name synonymous to luxury and couture in India by Pradeep & Neha Hirani.

 
 
The store an abode of twenty two designers from across India explores the niche luxury prêt that lies between the two recognizable extremes, couture and prêt in the fashion industry. The designer conglomerate includes names like Rocky S, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Anita Dongre, Geisha Designs, Hemant & Nandita, Sailex, Miss Sixty and many more. Ayamik exudes subdued sumptuousness with the colours of the sandstone and cream drapes and the grand chandeliers overthrows lights on the high ceiling. The piece de resistance is the front bay window which gives a direct, up close and personal view of the Qutab Minar, branding the location further with rich historic value. And worth mentioning is an old wishing well at the backyard of Ayamik that dates back to the time of Qutubuddin Aibak. 
 
Speaking on the re-launch Pradeep Hirani said, “The time is ripe to take off on the Indian fashionscape. Ayamik presents a harmonious assortment of several stylistic sensibilities.” The launch Soiree celebrates with a part of the sale on the day to be donated by Ayamik to Mijwan Welfare Society, a charitable organization for the girl child. The organization was founded by late Kaifi Azmi and is nurtured by Shabana Azmi and Namrata Goyal.

 

Triumph

Triumph the hottest lingerie brand unveiled its Spring Summer ’10 collection at the ongoing India Fashion Forum meet in Mumbai. The stunning lingerie show also featured brand history and lingerie styles in different periods of time line. 
 
The latest collection revealed the modern Triumph hallmarks of flattering designs of superior fit and quality at the sleek well choreographed show. The triumph product ranges from high fashion leisurewear, Miss Triumph for younger women, new limited edition embellished with Crystallized Swarovski elements, body shapers, trousseau collection to Swimwear. Triumph has a worldwide presence in 150 countries and its products appeal to a wide swath of women audiences globally with its international designs. 
 
Speaking on the occasion Thorsten Allenstein, Managing Director, Triumph International, said, “Triumph International is the leading brand in the innerwear segment and it is our constant enterprise to cater to the discerning Indian women with innovative international designs. Through research, we have well understood the aspirations, purchase triggers and buying patterns across India thereby meeting and even exceeding consumer’s needs and desires. 
 
In its endeavor to expand its base in India, triumph marketing strategy is on expanding its retail footprint. Apart from standalone stores already set up in four metros, triumph is looking at reaching to its customers through more stores in tier I and tier II cities. And it already has presence through 700 points of purchase in multi brand stores across 65 cities in the country.

Busaba

After celebrating Busaba’s 8th birthday with a grand bash, owner and Head Chef, Nikhil Chib has started 2010 by turning his sights on launching “Busaba Grooves”.
Planning to make it a monthly affair which promises patrons the fantastic electronic music that Busaba is known for. The first night of “Busaba Grooves” featured DJ extraordinaire M. Matt who spun out some irresistible, foot thumping tunes from the console. Accompanying him was the ever-talented trombonist, Armeet. The two artistes wowed the audience in a true jugalbandi style performance.
 Going forward “Busaba Grooves” nights will feature a signature cocktail in addition to the many drink options available from the fully stocked bar. The signature cocktail for the inaugural night was a specially created chilled “Good Morning Vietnam” Martini that got guests at the ‘do’ in high spirits! 
 The party people danced, drank and tucked into Busaba’s mouth-watering and now familiar menu, featuring favorites like the Burmese Kaukswe, the Steamed Fish with Lime, Chilli and Garlic, the De-Shelled Crab in a Red Thai Curry Paste with Coconut and Kaffir Leaves and the Tibetan Momos, among other dishes.
Nikhil and Natasha welcomed in their guests to the hip and happening affair. The night’s hippest addition to the city’s nightlife were Homi & Anaita Adajania, Aki Narula, Bhavana Sharma, Carol Gracias and Bandana Tiwari, who definitely upped the fashion quotient, Kersi Khambatta, Sumeet Chopra, Brian & Kaysoon Brown and Anabelle Hayden, to name a few.

The O Experience

The city adds another venue to a unique intimacy of eating out as it launches The O Experience at Basant Lok, New Delhi. This specialty restaurant by the Modi Group presented a sizzling evening in its Crystal space against the hefty background of techno music.
 
The restaurant complex spreads over five floors and conglomerates the coming together of five elements of nature. Hosting five distinct brands or space experience, The Loft, Nature’s Bar, Crystal, Fresh Fruit Factory and the studio under one roof, the restaurant takes its patrons to a gourmet journey through the pure, unexplored routes of pristine nature, adding an unexpected dimension to Organic Eatery. An extremely involving experience is set alive at the Fresh Fruit Factory, space where you can not only set back and enjoy the food served but can also hand pick from a selection of organically grown vegetables. 
 
Speaking at the launch Himani Modi avers, “The cuisine, whilst being moderate, is presented with flair and creativity in captivating surroundings to offer a complete experience. With the opening of this restaurant, we bring the city diners an extended range of food and beverage experiences that are undoubtedly some of the most imaginative.”

Oriflame for Deepalaya

Deepalaya- a non-government organization that works towards the welfare of children, along with Oriflame, launched a major initiative for the overall development and welfare of the girl child in India.

As a part of the brand’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Oriflame’s, MD- Mr. Fredrik Widell unveiled the ‘Power of Kiss’ campaign along with the fashion maestro Mr. Rohit Bal- goodwill ambassador for the cause and Mr. T.K. Mathew, Chairperson and Founder, Deepalaya.

To help support the cause, Oriflame-India will donate Rs.2 from the sale of each lipstick and this contribution will be doubled by the ‘af Jochnick Foundation’, a charity concern formed by the founders of Oriflame- Jonas af Jochnick and Robert af Jochnick. “We at Oriflame believe that any investment made in the education of a girl, translates directly and quickly into better health care, poverty reduction and better overall economic performance of the family. Thus, through the ‘Power of Kiss’ campaign, we are hoping that our consultants and consumers whole heartedly contribute for this great social cause”, says Mr. Fredrik Widell.

In addition to this, a grant of around 4 crores has been given to Deepalaya for the ‘Oriflame Girl Child’ project. The contribution has facilitated education of selected girls in the age bracket of 4 to 17 years. Addressing the media Rohit Bal said, – “I believe in the brand and the noble cause they support here in India. I whole heartedly support this initiative and urge everyone to contribute”. Through this project we aim to lead these girls towards the path of education and bring out their latent talents, he further added.

Shivan & Narresh

The potential energy stored in the duo designers Shrivan Bhatia and Narresh…