April 2010 - Page 5 of 14

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He had always dreamt of having his own label and producing it from India. After the end of his first year in December-2003 Arjun Agarwal comes back to Kolkata (India) and starts networking for places to outsource his label. By the end of the second year, December-2004, when he comes back again with the help of his mother, that network was strong enough to start production of an ethnic range.

Graduated from The Canberra Institute of Technology, Canberra, Australia, scoring high distinctions and awarded the best designer of the year, he then underwent specialized training at UCOL (Universal Collage of Learning), Wanganui, New Zealand. His 2nd year collection was based on the feminist art movement and was selected to be displayed at the National Museum of Australia.

Arjun participates in the Canberra Fashion Week 2006, where his creations were judged the best and a famous Australian fashion magazine- LIP praises the ingenuity in measured lengths. Thereafter he starts working for the famous Australian fashion designer Mr. Wayne Cooper in Sydney and gets associated with the well-known label Saba in Melbourne for six months. With these amazing work-experiences under his belt Arjun finally went ahead to pursue his dreams and started off on his own as a freelance designer and established his labels F.O.Bb (Fresh on Board) and Arjun.

With the help of the internet he was able to send specification sheets with detailed instructions on how to construct the garments to his mother who was able to easily outsource it. Soon the label was participating in exhibitions across India, two of the annual exhibitions of Kolkata and one in Indore, Guwahati, Mumbai and Bangalore.

A company was established under the name of Arjun Transworld Trends Pvt. Ltd. for the expansion of the business, organized production and marketing. A studio was opened at 12/A J.K. Lane, Kolkata, India to facilitate better in-house production and a selling place. Special reports about the collection were telecasted by 24 ghanta, Kolkata TV and Amar TV. The collection was almost sold out and it’s being marketed by various stores in Kolkata.

The label has since then been invited to attend the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2007-08 where it had great success and talks are on with a number of boutiques interested in stocking the label. The company is working towards creating global awareness of the fashion label by participating in international and national events such as the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week India, etc. keeping the integrity and respect of the form of business it practices.

Arjun Agarwal, this Kolkata based designer observes principles of deconstruction and asymmetry and explore different aesthetic ideas. He has developed a love for clear cuts and clean lines and has started experimenting by mixing design ideas with his new found love for ethnicity and traditional cultures. Arjun also tries-out different textures of various traditional fabrics put against each other in layers of deconstructed fusion silhouettes which has become a his signature style.

Introducing Pollyana Patel of Barker & Patel

I departed from modelling in catalogues and campaigns to complete my university degree, with honours, in Pure Mathematics. Shortly thereafter, I began a business career with Equitable Life Assurance Society, coordinating all IT support and training for 2,000 staff members. Recruited to the Halifax Bank Of Scotland in March 2001 to manage their Project Support Office, I soon discovered that my abilities and energy were also well- suited for the bank’s event management needs, where I focused my creativity and management skills to design and implement motivational events for 1,000+ staff. My experiences in event management and interpersonal motivation, combined with my background in modelling, inspired me to segue into the field of personal styling. I pursued a diploma from The Style Coaching Institute (U.K.) and am a Personal Stylist for professional individuals and groups seeking my guidance in wardrobe development, colour analysis, figure analysis, and, Psycho-cybernetics before moving to Bangalore with my husband and daughter 2 years ago.

On arriving in Bangalore, I volunteered for the Overseas Women’s Club (OWC) and served in the position of VP Activities & Events, assisting the club’s social objectives and charitable fundraising efforts to support 25 Bangalore-based charities.

I had an instant admiration and respect for Ritu and Rochana and felt truly honoured when asked to be the brand ambassador for Ritu & Rochana, as for me it epitomizes the essence of elegant, glamorous, chic, romantic, classy and comfortable apparel. Their creative vision is truly inspiring, their commitment to their designs is aspiring, their work ethics are admiring and their finish is just impeccable, in fact comparable to many of the International Designers.

Ritu and Rochana is an India based fashion label with a global view. It is the culmination of collaboration between two designers with diverse experiences and similar sensibilities- Ritu Pande and Rochana Dubey Mitra. Within 1 year of its launch in India, Ritu and Rochana is already retailing from Fuel in Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune, Chamomile in Mumbai, Aura in Nagpur, D’designers in Jakarta, Origins in Hyderabad and Ritu and Rochana Design Studio, Bangalore.

A play on textures, colors, patterns and silhouettes to create timeless beauty is the essence of true fashion. Ritu Pande has lived this mantra for over 10 years in changing hues of global trends. Her debut collection in Mumbai (1998 ) was the beginning of a journey which has seen her evolve as designer with a distinctly international sensibility. Honing her craft by working with eminent fashion designers in Malaysia as well as Indonesia, Ritu combined a Pan-Asian take on design with Indian artistry to create subtly glamorous and unabashedly feminine clothes for the modern woman.

In 2005 , she launched her label “Ave Verum by Ritu Pande” in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ms. Insana Habibie, the daughter in law of Indonesia’s President Jusuf Habibie hosted the label’s first fashion show. The clientele of Ave Verum is the crème de la crème of Indonesia- socialites, diplomats and prominent members of the Indian Diaspora.

A move to India in 2009 brought about collaboration between Ritu and Rochana Dubey Mitra. Their synergy created fresh magic and the launch of a new label ‘Ritu and Rochana’. Fluid draping, sophisticated detailing and textured accents mark their range of stunning cocktail dresses and evening wear. Ritu and Rochana make women look as well as feel beautiful by offering them versatile options- for a gala reception as well as a casual dinner party.

A passion for fashion has defined Rochana Dubey Mitra since a very early age. A true artist, she perceives fashion as an Art form, a methodology and a different canvas involving the process of design. She had her first show at the age of 19 covered by The Economic Times in June 93 and was amongst an elite group of talent from across the country, getting into National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi. One of the most promising students from the faculty of Fashion Design, she graduated to work with designers such as Anju Modi & introduced a new line of indo-western fusion wear for the design house.

A move to Mumbai led to her being roped in by one of the premier Design houses in India – Tarun Tahiliani’s Ensemble, where she was responsible for the prêt line. Driven by entrepreneurial ambitions and a need for creative freedom, Rochana set up her own design studio in 2001 where she sold under her eponymous label making western and indo-western semi-formals for the contemporary Indian working woman. Two years later, a move to Bangalore resulted in a merging of creative energies by Rochana Dubey Mitra and Ritu Pande . The label Ritu and Rochana was born. Together they crafted a brand that valued itself for its commitment to the art of dress-making, to the functionality of design and most importantly to making a woman feel truly beautiful. The brand creates an exclusive line of western ensembles and prides itself as one of the few in Bangalore, creating truly elegant evening wear.

It is a combination of this immense respect and admiration for the Ritu & Rochana Brand along with my sheer passion for clothes, shopping and people and enthusiasm for the powerful effect of Style & Coaching on an individual’s external image, internal image and outlook on life has driven me to join the Ritu & Rochana brand as brand ambassador and PR consultant. Together our vision is to reach out to as many people as possible, taking each of them on the Ritu & Rochana Journey………….

Posted by : Pollyana Patel at 05:03 AM

Edith Barker & Pollyana Patel quickly became friends after meeting in Bangalore, India. Edith has a dual career in psychotherapy and fashion public relations; Pollyana is an image consultant, model, and the brand ambassador for Ritu & Rochana. They currently have two projects in development under Barker & Patel, and have agreed to join the FashionFad team to share their travels, experiences and musings.

Visual Arts Gallery, celebrated with panache the grand opening of Tarun Jung Rawat’s Show Nevermind the Bullfish, Here’s a spot of ‘T’, a collection of works that present a singular theme, and is integral to the artist’s creative spirit. It is the power of positive and the strength of goodness, weapons that have the potential to battle and conquer evil and negativity of any kind.

The ‘Bullfish’ is a character that represents everything that is negative and evil, and it mutates into different forms, as it slips and slides from one story to another. The collection of works is a manifestation of that spirit, the belief that one needn’t worry about that ‘Bullfish’, never mind it, let’s get on with what gives us true happiness, and enjoy the pleasure of living. There is extensive use of bold collage style graphic imagery, a style that is an intuitive connection to the works, because of its power and propinquity. ‘Never Mind the BullFish, Here’s a Spot of T’, uses some elements of this visual spirit to present its tales.

The who’s who of the capital showed their support seen at the venue appreciating the art on display were Artist Sheyna Baig, Designer Rajesh Pratap Singh, Renowned Artist Gopi Gajwani, Designers David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, Smita Aggarwal, Gunjita & Abhinav Dhawan, Designer Nida Mahmood with Rahul, Designers Abhishek Gupta with wife and Designer Nandita Basu, Choreographers Asha Kochhar & Vidyun Singh, Ramneek Pantal, Ammu Saidi, Francesca Toscano wife of H.E. Italian Ambassador, Farideh Lashai Painter from Iran, Designer Rahul Reddy and wife Shruti, Tarana Khubchandani Gallerist from Gallery Art & Soul of Mumbai, Reynu Taandon, Bharti Bhalla, Tanisha Mohan, Sandeep Jajodia of Monet ISPAT Group, Witty Bawa, Sanjay Kapoor of Genesis Luxury, Designer Namrata Joshipura, Nishi Singh, Artist Kanchan Chander amongst many others.

From Cameron Diaz to Cindy Crawford to Britney Spears there is hardly any celebrity, singer or super model in the world who has not benefited from Chase Aston’s magical make-up skills. Chase, an International Make up Artist and spokesperson, The Body Shop Make-Up, is a major force in the make up industry and he is continually creating new directions formulations and shade ideas.

Why is blusher so important? Why do we always have to make sure that it is in our make-up bag?
Blusher is a make-up must have! Use it to revive a dull, washed-out complexion and to create a fresh, rosy glow. Use a shimmering, golden hue to add warmth. It can be used to add structure to the face, helping to balance your features. By layering, you can also shape, shade and contour the complexion, adding definition and strength to otherwise weak features.

What is the best way to apply a Cream Blusher, a Mousse Blusher, a Powder Blusher or Liquid/Gel Blusher?
Powder Blusher
A Powder Blusher makes a bolder statement, because coverage tends to be medium to heavy. It is also the best formulation to shape shade and contour the cheeks. The best way to apply a Powder Blusher is to use a dome-shaped blusher brush (not a bronzing brush). Sweep the brush in a circle over the blusher, smile and then using short delicate strokes, sweep the blush onto the apple of the cheeks and up towards the temple, blending to a seamless wash of colour.

Liquid / Gel Blusher and Stains
These blushers/stains are usually duo use, which means that you can use them on both the lips and cheeks, alone or layered with alternative shades and products. Textures can vary from a sheer liquid to a creamy gel, imparting a long-lasting, natural matte stain. They can be used on all skin types, but are perfect for oilier and combination complexions, because the colour stays once applied, with no slipping or sliding. With liquid and gel blushers, they ‘stain’ your cheeks almost immediately. Apply blots of colour to the centre of the cheeks (apples) then using either your finger or a small firm blusher brush, blend in large circular motions all over and just beyond the apple of the cheeks. Once cheeks are stained, you can layer mousse, cream, powder blusher and bronzers all over, to shape, shade, contour and highlight.

What colours tend to suit different skin tones – pale skin tones, medium skin tones, olive skin tones, dark skin? How can we shop for the right shade of blusher?
Pale skin
Choose shades that mirror your natural blush. Pale peaches and pinks will flatter pale skin tones beautifully. Add a sheer wash of honey-toned bronzer to warm up for the evening.

Medium skin
Medium pinks, golden peach, and mauve-toned berry hues will always compliment a medium skin tone. Layer a shimmering soft, golden bronze blush, for a sun-kissed glow.

Olive skin
Olive skin tones suit brighter, pop shades; shades that will stand out from an olive complexion – brick brows, deep roses, plums and light berry tones, sheer bronzes with a hint of shimmer look fresh and pretty, as they make you appear as if you have a golden tan.

Dark skin
For darker skin tones, your blusher needs to stand out on the complexion. Avoid wearing pale pastel hues and textures as these will appear chalky and grey on your complexion. Use deep red tones, rich roses, brick reds, rusts, burgundies, rich mauves and succulent berry hues. Wear alone or layer over a deep golden bronze blusher to add warmth and a sun-kissed glow.

If you’ve applied too much blusher how can you tone it down without having to wipe all your make-up off?
Take a powder puff and wrap a clean tissue around it. Using The face mist or a fine mist water spray, lightly spritz onto the tissue, then press firmly over the cheek colour (do not drag or rub over cheeks). This will gently lift any excess colour, ensuring that you do not mess up your foundation or powder. Then take a clean blusher brush, dip into a little clear/translucent powder and blend over cheek colour.

Why does a nice blusher bridge the gap between spring skin and summer skin?
Trends come and go, but blusher will always be here to stay. Whether you like to wear your blusher as a sheer wash of colour, or to shape, shade and contour, or just as a high-lighter, a nice blusher is always the one constant that you can use 24/7, 365 days of the year. You can wear sheer blusher hues for all seasons, you can layer the same shade with a hint of sheer honey toned bronzer for a hint of a spring tint, you can layer with a shimmering golden hue for the summer, or complement with a shimmering highlighter for the autumn, and then adapt for the grey winter light, creating a fresh glow. Spring skin is fresh and flirty, whilst summer complexions are sun-kissed and glowing. Blend blusher shades in this season’s must-have hues together with just a hint of honey-toned shimmer or compliment with a lightening, brightening highlighter. This will give all complexions that “must-have” radiance and glow, so that you can transition your spring cheeks to summer. Early spring, complexions are bare and recovering from the harsh winter months. Use cream blushers and sheer highlighters to compliment the complexion and add much needed moisture, adapting and layering with cheek stains and powder blushers, bronzers and highlighters to create a fabulous summer glow.

What blusher colours can we expect to be popular for Spring/Summer 2010?
Soft neutral tones, elegant nudes and barely there pinks, complemented with a hint of highlighter to keep the cheeks fresh, polished, and radiant, with just a hint of subtle contouring. Always remember to blend, blend, blend! Pearly pinks (shimmering pale and golden pink hues), nearly nudes (beige and caramel), golden hues (sheer golden highlighters), corals (orangy-pinks) and radiant, honey-toned hues are all this Spring’s must-have cheek hues.

Giselli Monterio, the striking beauty from Brazil is the face of Wills Lifestyle’s new chic Spring-Summer campaign. The much-awaited Spring/Summer collection by Wills Lifestyle is marked with its unique and distinctive style to enthrall the fashion conscious once again this season. The fresh-faced Giselli’s quintessential blend of spirit and style, makes for an ideal connect with Wills Lifestyle’s new classy summer campaign.

Giselli after starting her modeling career successfully at the age of 17 has travelled around the world and has made her presence felt on the international runways. Her stint with Indian film industry was established with the blockbuster movie Love Aaj Kal, portraying the role of an old fashioned Punjabi girl. Her journey in Bollywood will definitely take her to new heights of success as she has bagged her second film titled ‘Puraani Jeans’ under the banner of BR Chopra.

Giselli’s beautiful look styled by the remarkable make-up personality Brendon Degee, embodies the glamour and elegance of the joyful collection and hence is a perfect match for the campaign. The ad is been shot by the reputed photographer R Burman whose creative genius is evident in every shot as he invokes the divine spaces of breathtaking French Vineyards. Styled by one of country’s leading stylists Gautam Kalra, every look in the campaign has been well presented keeping a balance between the theme of romance and the effervescent Wills Lifestyle collection.

Sharing his thoughts on the new campaign, Mr. Atul Chand, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC’s Lifestyle Retail, said “Giselli Monterio has an incredible blend of style and personality and she fits seamlessly into our new summer campaign. The campaign makes a fresh and enthralling statement representing the distinctive characteristics of Wills Lifestyle. It portrays the brand identity by making a bold statement of leadership in fashion amidst finest fashionable setting.”

Starting 30 years ago, she has been a driving force in reviving vintage craftsmanship. Kolkata based designer Anshu Modi has now launched her exclusive store in Delhi at the posh Defence Colony market. Designer Anshu Modi’s brand new up market studio offers wide range of designs and styles for both the bride and groom to be.

In her latest 2010 bridal collection, Anshu has juxtaposed her signature style with innovative cuts, understated embroidery to give the outfits an elegant feel. With a varied colour palette starting from white on to more softer tones to the festive jewel colours like emerald, ruby, citrine and moving on to richer tones of fuchsia and finally black. Giving the collection a royal feel are the blend of different brocades with gotta paati, richly embellished with Zari work, Swarovski crystals, pearls, stones and sequins.

The line is a beautiful amalgamation of tradition with heritage crafts of India. There collection ranges from bridal lehengas to sarees to churidar-kameez to layered Anarkalis in fabrics like silk, georgettes, nets, brocades and net. Inspired by the Mughal era, the motifs are mostly antique showcasing her love for history. The lehengas can be teamed up with corsets for occasion wear and there is a range of cocktail as well as heavier sarees in chikan and zardozi.

South Africa’s premier chain News Cafe is now in India.

The first News Cafe opened its doors in 1995, and from the very beginning, it was much more than just an outlet for food and drink.

News Cafe Italian Kitchen flavors one of classical enmeshed in a newsy environment, where an intellectual air prevails and the common language of information is spoken. Within the informality of a European street-side café it has simple, fresh, and inventive ingredients. Our restaurant’s menu selections include an array of house specialty pastas, burgers, classic Italian entrees and light fare salads. News Café’s cuisine and atmosphere are perfect for casual meals, but are also easily accompanied by candlelight and wine for evening http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/dining/dining/http://varunkaushik.com/userfiles/nightOut/dining/dining, says Martin their Operations Manager.

After a tiring day at work, three of us took our weight off at the Newscafe and indulged in their fabulous cocktails (French martini, que paso, faithful bitch) which was a perfect antidote. The continental feel that it depicts, makes “culture vultures” come back again and again. This “European” style café specializes in global cuisine and is open from early in the morning for breakfast until late into the night.

We tried menu item (chicken wings , pasta, paneer kathi roll) and nothing failed our demand(although they don’t have much variety for veggies like me) for quality food and service at News Cafe. The portions are quite big for which Martin warned us before hand, even said that burgers are our specialty, to which we said next time. Not only is the service personable, but also the new Mediterranean atmosphere is very cozy and inviting.

On popular demand they are getting one DJ imported exclusively from US and Fridays they go pink especially for ladies.

Gucci, one of the world’s leading luxury brands, expanded its presence at the renowned Emporio Mall. Gucci entered directly into the Indian retail market through a joint venture with the holding company of Reena and Ashok Wadhwa in December 2009. This boutique marks the House’s third store in India.

The new store covers 364 square meters and offers a comprehensive range of Gucci products, including men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, watches, sunglasses, jewellery, small leather goods and gift items.

The Florentine house entered the Indian market in 2007 with the opening of two stores, in Mumbai and New Delhi. The former is located at the prestigious Galleria, Nariman Point, with an impressive view of the Arabian sea, and covers 315 square meters whereas the latter opened in December 2007 at The Oberoi, a destination that has become synonymous with high-end luxury.

Patrizio di Marco, President and CEO of Gucci said, “We do believe that India will definitely become an important market for the industry in the long term. Indians have a sophisticated taste for luxury goods and we have been working with Indian customers in key European locations for years. Gucci’s unique combination of luxury heritage and fashion authority certainly has strong appeal for consumers in this market.”

Fashionfad

Fashion Conditioned

Monthly Archives: April 2010

Estee Lauder Hydrationist

Arjun Agarwal

Introducing Pollyana Patel of Barker & Patel

Nevermind the Bullfish, Here’s a spot of ‘T’

Blusher tips by Chase Aston

Wills Spring Summer Face

Anshu Modi in Delhi

News Cafe

Gucci expands its presence