Monthly Archives: February 2010

Mamagoto

The yellow coloured exteriors and the unusual entrance to the stairs are inviting and the bright coloured walls with Chinese graphics come as a surprise. Awestruck by the uplifting Chinese colours like imperial yellows, celadon green, ivory and distressed wood on the paintings, me and my friend find ourselves a seat right across a red coloured painting that has a Chinese girl with chopsticks in hands.

Impressed by the interior, we browsed through the menu and noticed that it has been done in colourful pages with the references of a dish being veg, spicy and classics is done in creative signs mentioned in front of each item.

As we learn the meaning of Mamagoto, is ‘to play with food’ we hear a voice, “Hi I am Kabir Suri business partner and friend of Rahul Khanna. Introducing us to the concept he says, “It’s basically a Japanese social experiment of sort, involving infants to use their senses and understand the textures and shapes of the food. Borne out of this idea came our concept — to make Asian eating fun. To create an affordable and casual eating atmosphere with authentic food and drinks combined with quirky décor is what makes it different from the bunch of restaurants in Khan market. “It’s not only the décor that’s unusual but the food is also quite experimental. We have played with food and created interesting items,” boasts Suri and shows us the signature dishes.

Agreeing, we ordered coal fried eggplant, vegetable tempura and rock shrimps tempura with signature chilli mayo,which were simply delightlful as it comes to lite bites. Having kind of pigged with starters we tried to be judicious with mains – steering clear of all the temptations and ordered tofu with sticky rice and Prawns with Teriyaki noodles.

While we have our portions, we realise that we had too much of it but unable to curb our sweet cravings we dig into the Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Finishing it off I thought Mamagoto is the find of the season!

Ankita Gupta

Diamonds are forever, spelling the magic as the starlets descend twinkling with the creations of jewellery designer Ankita Gupta. She recently showcased a glazing collection of her exquisite jewellery at the Taj Palace, Delhi amongst a buzzing thoroughfare of media and connoisseurs of fine jewellery.

Ankita Gupta is a graduate jeweler Gemologist from the G.I.A, Calfornia, and had launched her label of fine, luxurious and handcrafted jewelry way back in 1998. Her stay in US granted her the required exposure to the European market, further she spread her wings worldwide providing the retail jewelers and her clients the glimpse of rare handcrafted jewellery. She has been designing jewellery for crème de la crème in India and abroad. Ankita’s design line is inspired from the world class fine jewellery like Harry Winston and Graff. She is known for her fine selection of carat and carat up diamonds very finely crafted into jewellery making it fabulous with an everlasting impression.

Now as she forays into the Indian market she would be very soon launching her retail brand for Indian women and fairing them an experience of her creations in handpicked stones with DES emphasis, ultra finished, perfectly set piece of adornment that would remain forever.

Razwada Jewels

One of the most authentic and renowned manufacturers of Polki Jadau and Diamond jewellery from Rajasthan inaugurated their first designer showroom at Turner road in Bandra.

The latest fashion destination added to the city speaks of centuries’ old charm of excellence in traditional Rajasthani Royal craftsmanship, encrypted in pure gold jewellery and Polki Jadau, the very trendy must have for every bride since generations. A team of dedicated and professional designers worked closely under the keen supervision of Mr. Jitendra Sirohiya (owner of Razwada Jewels) to deliver each unique piece enhancing every feminine body part and giving the most beautiful of looks.

Polki Jadau category of jewelry are famously termed as- Gajra, Bangdi, Rani haar, Kamarbandh, Maang Tikka, Bajubandh and Sarpech for grooms. Razwada Diamond jewels are a mix of traditional and contemporary designs that are extraordinary in look and feel. It is precisely customized diamond jewelry suited for every bride and every occasion. Each piece is embedded with semi precious and precious stones with a focus on Rubies and emeralds.

The launch flowed in the crème de la crème from the city with the stunning Esha Deol being the guest of honour. The brand that had started off nine decades ago with two well known show rooms in Bikaner and Jaipur, have been suppliers to the reputed and branded Jeweler show rooms in the country

Batasha Varma

A very fresh face in the industry, Batasha Varma had been on the fashion scene for barely six months when she signed up with Elite Model Management as she was thoroughly bored and was doing nothing else!

She doesn’t like to do ramp since it doesn’t interest her much. Some of her works include shoots for FNL including a cover for FNL central, a shoot for cosmopolitan, Tata GSM phones and her favorites, a shoot for the designer store WHITE and the one for Talwar Jewelers.

She is very passionate about everything she does. A lover of books, food, fashion and travelling, she likes to spend a considerable amount of time with her friends. She comes from a very close knit family. She has 5 dogs and keeps adopting more! She loves to cook and can be constantly in the kitchen. In the near future she plans to continue with modeling and also start her very own food retail business.

She believes that there are always exceptions but more often than not, the industry will treat you as you allow yourself to be treated. Meet the very interesting Batasha Varma.

Family and Academics…
My father is a diplomat, an author and an intellectual. So, I had what most people would call an unconventional childhood. I grew up all over the world. I was born in Romania and lived in New York, Moscow, Cyprus and finally in London, where I went to the university and then worked with The Sunday Times as a reporter for a year and a half. Our parents encouraged us to read and speak our minds and since they were always entertaining, from a very young age I learnt to make conversation with just about anyone!!

Parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as a career…
My parents support me in whatever I decide to do. I depend on their support and they trust me to make my own decisions.

First modeling assignment…
My first modeling assignment with Elite was a print advertisement for the new Tata GSM phone. But my first ever modeling assignment was when I was 17 years old, for a television commercial for the United Colors of Benetton. They approached me to do the ad, but I still had my braces in my mouth. I had them removed for the ad but I’d worn them for so long that they literally had to teach me to smile, showing my teeth, without being self conscious!!

Greatest achievement till date…
There are some things I am proud of – being published by the Hindustan Times group when I was just 17 years old, working for The Sunday Times in London… but as cheesy as it sounds, I think my greatest achievement till date would be the fact that I’ve surrounded myself with so many people who I love and who love me and have a great support system of family and friends.

Idea of an ideal date
My idea of an ideal date is one that is both comfortable and romantic, with lots of chemistry, laughter and a good meal!!

When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing…
Sitting in bed in my pajamas reading a book, preferably in Bhutan where my father is currently the Indian Ambassador. It’s like a paradise on earth and my constant and favorite retreat. And I get to spend lots of time with my family and 5 dogs.

Five essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…

  • Good looks
  • A great body
  • Work ethics
  • Good networking skills
  • Being at the right place at the right time.

Views on Indian vs. Western models…
I think western models are hungrier, younger, and fresher, but I think Indian models are prettier, more striking and have a much longer shelf life.

Quick snippets  

FAVORITE FOOD: Sashimi, Dimsums, All soups, Butter chicken, dal makhani and home food.

FAVORITE PERFUME: Keeps changing… for now it’s Bvlgari Rose Essentielle

FAVORITE LINGERIE BRAND: La Senza

FAVORITE DESIGNER:  Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, Prada, Marchesa, YSL, Christian Louboutin, Le Silla, and for Indian – Suneet Varma and my mother… who designs half my Indian clothes.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Bhutan, Maldives, London

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Alternative

YOUR GREATEST FEAR: Losing a loved one.

YOUR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR UPCOMING MODELS: Be professional, be confident and stand up for yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for you.

Phoolon ki Holi

At indian accent, the manor, 77, friends colony west, new delhi, sunday, february 28, 12:00noon onwards

Jattinn Kochhar

A designer with an intrinsic lining of art, literature and photography in his…

Jattinn Kochhar

A designer with an intrinsic lining of art, literature and photography in his fashion luxurious cape, Jattinn launched his label in 1991 and completes a journey of nineteen years of fashion, passion, style, lifestyle, etiquette and a lot more. Born in 1972 Jattinn is a Delhi based ‘Garuda’ between art and Fashion. His ability to amalgamate his soulful Indian heritage with true urban influences has been the foundation of his design ideology. Minimalist simplicity with absolutely clean and fuss free lines have been the hallmark of his creations. Jattinn creates ready to wear and formal wear both for men and women.

  • J.D Institute of fashion technology appreciation award 1993-1994 for being first Indian designer to be selected by the Australian Fashion Frame work to showcase his creation across the world & to be the first Indian designer to have showcased in Brazil (Rio-De-Janeiro & Sao Paulo).

  • I.E.C Technical Excellence Award 1994.

  • J.D Institute of fashion technology appreciation award 1995.

  • Mescos Designer of the year award 1995.

  • Indian institute of technology appreciation award 1997.

  • Indo-American Society young achievers award 1997.

  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences appreciation award 1996-1997.

  • Yuva Ratna Award by the Youth Congress for his contribution towards the unity & diversity of India through his designs.

  • Cine Excellency designer appreciation award 1998.

  • Award of honour by Dorian Yates charitable award 1999.

Jattinn also has to his credit several popular television shows such as Khoobsurat, Fashion Square, The India show etc. as an anchor, guest anchor and several other television shows in which his expertise in terms of conceptualizing and styling was used. Jattinn was heading the National Institute of Fashion Design as the Director General for the academic session 2000-2001. He has been conducting workshops on various aspects of fashion with some of the best Fashion Institutes across the country.  He has also been actively writing on Fashion and other lifestyle related topics for some of the leading dailies as well as for Fashion and Lifestyles Publication like The Hindustan Times, The Times of India, Indian Express, Femina and a lot more.

In India he shows regularly in metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad along with Mussorie, Bhopal, Surat, Baroda, Cochin etc. And Internationally Jattinn has been regularly showcasing in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Malaysia, Tashkent, Russia, Austria and the list just goes on.

You can get Jattinn Kochhar at:

Jatin Kochhar Store, S-69, Greater Kailash -I