September 2010 - Page 2 of 18

Born and bred in Hyderabad, Sanjeev Kumar started his career as a model after winning Kingfisher Model Hunt in 2007. Since that day he has done various shows and fascinated big ‘wows’ with his well sculpted body and captivating attitude. So we chatted with brawny Sanjeev Kumar pouring his heart out.

Tell us something about your formative years…
I was born and brought up in Hyderabad and I am still residing in city of Nizams but moving to Mumbai very soon.

The way you embarked upon this journey…..
It was in 2007 that I participated in Kingfisher Model Hunt on being insisted by a friend. I won it luckily and offers started pouring in. Soon, I was chosen for WIFW, 2007 and walked for Manoviraj Khosla for the very first time and my life changed. Since then I have had done umpteen shows in Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad.

Your greatest achievement……
I think winning Kingfisher Model Hunt was my biggest achievement.

Bollywood as a career option…..
Its amazing….who doesn’t want to taste the ultimate glamour of bollywood. Moreover, I love acting and undoubtedly, modeling is a good platform.

The way you employ your leisure time…..
I love photography and even I have done couple of shoots in Hyderabad….:)

Your take on modeling industry in India and abroad……
Its great…..Its emerging like any other industry. Indian designers are being recognized internationally courtesy Manish Arora and Sabyasachi.. So it progressing and I am proud to be a part of it.

Fashion for you….
Fashion is my beloved….:)….Its all about myself, my inner being, my moods, my perception which reflect in what I wear. It’s a sort of irony in itself….:)

Your icon/ role model in life……
John Abraham….I praise him for what he has attained.

QUICK SNIPPET

FAVORITE FOOD: Indian

FAVORITE PERFUME : 212 Perfume

FAVORITE DESIGNER: Rohit Bal and Narendra Kumar

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Goa, Assam, Mizoram.

YOU ARE SACRED OF : Other side of fashion world.

MUSIC YOU LOVE TO LISTEN TO: Jazz and Hip Hop

The royal designer with extreme patience and an enduring fashion brand Raghavendra Rathore has for the first time unleashed his creative flux through the medium of paint brush and canvas. He contributes an artwork to the exhibition Creating Commonwealth, initiative by Gallery Ragini. This exhibition will bring together a total of 31 artists, not only from India but also from participating Commonwealth countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Pakistan, UAE and Bangladesh on the same platform. Fashionfad.in indulges in an exclusive tete-a-tete with Rathore on his new love.

Being a designer art from you does not come as a surprise but why have we not seen any of your art exhibitions before?
I have studied art extensively during my studies in New York but never had the time to actually put it on canvas or organize an exhibition of my artworks. My first love fashion and garments absorb most of my time and energy and the not so organized pieces of art that I have done over the years are scattered and sometimes kept safely by my close friends. But I am really very shy to put up an exhibition of my works. Here at the present art exhibition my contribution is one painting and maybe an installation of heirloom garments which I am still working on. But the installation is a completely different work and does not translate from my painting.

How does the depiction of commonwealth games or contemporary modern art come across through your painting?
The painting is oil on canvas weaves together the old world charm juxtaposed over new age beliefs. The idea was not to convert literally the commonwealth games but to draw a reflection of our culture. The painting has as story of a subject and an object and is infused with the vibrancy of colours.

Who have been your inspirations as a painter (artist)?
As a painter I love the works of venation artists.

Both fashion and art are creative expressions, how different are they from each other?
For me fashion and art are like writing a book and acting. Though both of them are creative forms of expression and most of the times compliment each for me they are two different jounres of my passion and I treat art and fashion at two different stages.

A second gem-encrusted gold finial from the octagonal golden throne of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, will be sold at Bonhams New Bond Street on October 7th in the Indian & Islamic Art sale. This is the second such finial to pass through Bonhams Bond Street saleroom in 18 months.

The first finial sold for £389,600 on 2nd April 2009. Both were at Bonhams recently, reuniting two parts of this fabled throne after 200 years, and offering Tipu scholars an extraordinary opportunity to appreciate the workmanship of these objects.

The tiger finial now on sale at Bonhams is one of three surviving tiger head finials that adorned Tipu’s elaborate throne. Although some of the most important items from Tipu Sultan’s palace were reserved for the British Royal Family, the famous golden throne was broken up so that the elements could be shared, much to the disapproval of the Governor-General, Lord Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington).

This second finial, now for sale, is one of the most important Tipu items ever to appear at auction. Its estimated to sell at: £200,000 – 300,000, € 240,000 – 360,000 . It was in the possession of the same Scottish family for the past 200years coming down to the present owner by direct descent. The first finial sold at Bonhams had lain in an English castle, for at least 100 years and then in a bank vault, unknown to Tipu enthusiasts and scholars. It was discovered by Bonhams Islamic Department on a routine valuation.

Monisha Jaising presents "From Goddesses to Vampires" at the HDIL Mumbai Couture week on 6th October 2010.

NYX was the goddess of the night, one of the first-born elemental gods. In the ancient cosmogonies Night [NYX] is one of the very first created beings, for she is described as the daughter of Air, and the sister of Darkness Zeus himself stood in awe of her by whom she became the mother of Light & Day–first components of the primeval universe.

NYX is sometimes described as a Winged Goddess and sometimes as riding in a chariot, covered with a dark garment and accompanied by the stars in her course. The collection begins with an Ode to Goddesses that turn to vampires by NYX. The Goddesses are represented by the colour white, dove-grey and rose drapery is used to enhance the goddess silhouette while the gold embellishments reflect the ‘halo’. The Vampires are represented by the colour of night that is black, deep-purple & blood-red. The Drapery changes to Corsetry as the Goddess of Night [NYX] takes over.

The budding designer Aditya Dugar from Kolkata is synonymous with plausible hopes and high craftsmanship. Proving his mettle, Aditya recently launched his latest collection, ‘An Urban Evolution’.

The greyscale base of this collection is the discreet canvas upon which the story of this collection unfolds. The urban Indian male is taken into a world of contrasts. Black, White and Grey offer mischief, mystery, flamboyance and elegance in a revolutionarily androgynous way, all while adhering to the philosophy of minimalism.

Geometric patterns take a fashion forward route in the collection, with even floral designs resounding with futuristic tones. Preciously woven Natural fibre fabrics such as a variety of lustrous Indian silks, silk-muslin blends, rich brocades, chamois, and finest quality of cottons, linens, and blends have been chosen to create clothing that is uniquely luxurious. Traditional tailoring and contemporary finesse have been crafted into each outfit with a keen desire to create suave clothing for men.

So fuelled by such desire to create sophisticated clothing that is understated but at the same time witty and whimsical, the label Aditya Dugar is an example of how the intricacies of contemporary global, highly urbane living, can be interwoven into the fine strands of what are essentially Indian textiles. Complimenting his desires and pursuits the labels philosophy lies in the appreciation of a highly evolved, minimal perspective of space, form and colour.

Jewellery Designer Neety Singh unveils an exquisite range of the Bridal’ season creating a mood of fashion jargon, the collection is crafted for the luxury, grace and elegance. The collection brings in the artistic effects of precious stones, the Emerald, Pearls, Ruby and Diamonds, crafted beautifully by the hands of artisans.

Every piece enchants one with its eminent spirit of purity, the shimmering effect, the glistening stones and colorful gems in the collection. The wedding special collection is a stand out in itself. The mystic aura of the jewellery pieces makes the Bride the show stopper for all occasions. Brides today are very experimental and do not want to hide behind a veil. An arm band, a kamarbandh, or an exclusive tikka or jhoomar act as the perfect accent piece for the bride. More and more brides are opting for diamond J on their wedding day. Traditional jadau and gold j works are best with the Indian lehenga.

Neety says, "All my creations are statements. Ideally one piece is enough to make a statement. The misconception is that Designer jewellery is an indulgence of a privileged few. I have seldom made or worn a piece of jewellery since I was young that has not fetched me compliments and in turn worked for my self esteem and that’s exactly what I try and do for my clients often that’s not the smartest business move but I do believe that I don’t just have to sell but make sure that its the right piece for the right person. It’s all about feeling good".

Stella McCartney introduces a new product line with the launch of her first Stella McCartney Kids wear collection. Stella McCartney Kids will launch early November in time for the holiday season with a capsule collection that adheres to the designer’s signature modern aesthetic and ethical values.

The range comprises of styles for both boys and girls in ages ranging from 0 to 12 years. The fun, modern and playful designs named after kids’ first names include: the Ingrid floral print dress for girls, the Aldo quilted field jacket for boys, unisex for both: the Sam wool and cashmere blend pea coat and the Tammy natural rubber rain boots. The collection is made from the best possible fabrics chosen for both style and function; this includes organic cotton onesies, Stella McCartney’s signature knickers of the week.

Stella McCartney says, “As a brand with many working parents in the team, I wanted to create a desirable, fun, wearable kid’s collection that was affordable. I feel like all the timeless children’s wear is reserved for the expensive brands and that did not sit well with me, kids and parents, aunts, uncles, friends, should all be able to have access to Stella McCartney Kids clothes. We have tried to make that possible in this first collection, and hope it is enjoyed! ”

Stella McCartney Kids will be available 4 seasons a year; Holiday in November, Spring-Summer in February, High Summer in May and Autumn/Winter in August. For the second season, the collection will be developed into a full range and will also expand in wholesale retail distribution in 2011.

Latin Quarters, leading women’s apparel and accessories brand launches yet another revolutionary line with the introduction of its Autumn Winter 2010 collection. Latin Quarters trademark style exudes feminity with a slight urban edge.

Autumn Kick starts with masculine inspired tailoring and separates to give the city banker look. Cropped boleros or waiter length jackets teamed up with high waist pants, city shorts, mid length pencil skirts, two piece effect treatments and classic stripe shirts are key elements of this collection. The British 70’s pays homage to the great sense of British style which was invented back in the day but inspire us till date. Traditional heritage tweeds and country checks used in modern shapes forms the basis of this line.

As the season progresses the focus turns to glamorous winter pieces with a definite couture feel. The shift dress, corset detailing with lace trims, sexy pencil skirt with deep slits, starlet style dresses, rouched tops and the all important one shoulder dress complete the ultra glam season. Black, metallic gold, bronze and flesh colors direct the sense of this line.

The collection is available at their exclusive stores in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata and also at select Shoppers Stop outlets.

The first of its kind in the country Delhi Eye promises to be landmark of sorts commanding breathtaking views of the capital from 200 feet in the air. To launch in Delhi was present none other than the uncrowned Badshah of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan.

Complimenting the occasion was a stunning ace by ace fashion brand Satya Paul presenting the best of its ingenious designs over the years in signature prints enhanced with intricate embroideries and heavy embellishments presenting a rich visual treat. The collection was an eclectic mix of saris, lehangas, dresses and evening gowns in a variety of fabrics ranging from georgette, chiffon, crepe and silk. The interesting play between embroidery, texture and stone embellishments on digital and screen prints in distinct Satya Paul color palette makes the collection a tribute to the many faceted women of today.

Stopping the show for Satya Paul was the gorgeous and sizzling Malaika Arora Khan. And the emcee for the evening was the stunning Mandira Bedi who was seen sauntering on the stage in an exquisite design from the collection.

Puneet Nanda, Designer Satya Paul on the brands association with this mega launch said, “Celebrating 25 years of Satya Paul’s existence we are happy to kick off the Delhi Eye Celebration. Looking forward to the new grand view of Delhi.”