May 2010 - Page 5 of 17

Introduction of The Urban Tree, installation by designer duo, Gaurav & Ritika at “Las Ramblas” is the garden’s ode to the summer months in the capital. The LAP Garden also brings forth the unveiling of “Wed La Moda” Wednesday nights.

Gaurav & Ritika’s concept tonight takes cues from the Spanish spirit to party of culture and good living. Their installation is an amalgamation of various elements from the contemporary environs of Las Ramblas, represented through the abstract compilation of a tree highlighting primarily the cultural diversity of the celebrated boulevard, through its various branches. The organic silhouette of the tree and its dramatic branches tap into the latent sense of nostalgia that persists in all city dwellers.

“The Urban Tree” portrays the balanced blend of the upbeat urban lifestyle at busy city streets such as Las Ramblas, depicting Fashion, Art and People highlighted amidst urban Architectural forms, Post- Modern Interiors and Furniture to connote a human element.

Seen appreciating the installation by the talented duo and enjoying the Spanish Festival were Sunil Sethi, Varun Sardana, Nitin Bal Chauhan, Zubair Kirmani, Rimzim Dadu, Aastha Bahl, Gunjita Dhawan, Bharti Bhalla, Rashmi Virmani with her daughter Gopalika, Himanshu Verma, Shrivan & Narresh, Pushkar Thakur, MTV Producer from LA – Josh Shore and Joelle, Spanish film maker Pedro Medina with his wife, Thenny Mejia, amongst many other.

At The “O” Experience are the self confessed street-o-holics of India’s colorful alleyways, Designer Nida Mahmood and artist Raul Chandra, who have drawn inspiration from the quirks and vibrancy of Indian streets. The result is a techno colour circus with a rambunctious rebellion of fashion, art, music, video art projections & performance arts.

Experi-Mental-Asylum would take the masala packed juicy world of Bollywood to clothes, bags, diaries and home décor elements. So be it Gabbar Chair or Mogambo shoes, Don Bag’s or Zeenat books. It will also feature artistes, photographers, musicians, performers every fortnight, who are part of this almost underground, sub-cultural art movement redefining 21st century Art.

The “O” Experience would also be showcasing a Fashion-Art Installation called Heady-Steady-Go an ode to headgear art, where on display is a funky, over-the-top headgear installation, along with Video Art Projection featuring an assemble of a grungy yet colorful visual storyline. The video-art will be synced to live music on the consoles. With absolutely out-of-the box electronic dance music with live electric guitars by Dualist Enquiry (LA).

With less than two weeks away from the nationwide release of “Sex and the City 2,” the anticipation to see Bradshaw & Co on the big screen is causing fan pandemonium.

Writer-director-producer Michael Patrick King spoke at a press conference this past weekend at Bergdorf Goodman’s show salon, saying he knew this was going to be larger than life.

“I knew [‘Sex and the City 2’] had to be a different vibe. I sat down to write in what was the beginning of an economic downturn, and we’re still in it. Like in the Great Depression, I thought Hollywood should take people on a big vacation that maybe they couldn’t afford themselves. I wanted to make it a big, extravagant vacation.”

With the glitzy backdrop of Abu Dhabi and 41 costume changes for Carrie Bradshaw, including pieces by designers like Halston, Pucci, and the late Alexander McQueen, it’s no surprise that the Sex and the City 2 wardrobe budget is rumored to be a whopping $10 million!

Fans will not be disappointed with the pricey accessories and stunning designs worn by the girls. SATC stylist Patricia Field worked her wardrobe magic again, flawlessly mixing high- and low-end pieces for stylishly innovative looks bound to set global trends. “When you’re in a recession, you want to have a good time!” says Field.

“Every meal, every nap, every cocktail is an excuse for a wardrobe change.” One desert lunch scene involves three new outfits per character.

As if we weren’t envious enough of the clothes, Kristin Davis reveals that the actresses get to keep their wardrobes! “We’re really careful though, because they’re often one-of-a-kind samples from the runways,” she says. “So we don’t eat in them!”

In the karaoke scene pictured, Carrie wears $4,000 embellished jeans by the Blonds under a $47,190 silver-and-gold Chanel lamé dress. The spiky shoulders Samantha wears in Abu Dhabi are also by the Blonds and cost $5,000. Charlotte makes cupcakes in a vintage Valentino blouse under an Anthropologie apron. Miranda wears a $1,400 Roland Mouret dress and in another scene a five-figure 24 karat gold cuff.

A few non-designer pieces made its way in the film including Carrie’s $48 House of Field plaid crop top. But for a movie like SATC we don’t want to see Carrie and the girls on a budget, like wearing T-shirts to stroll in Central Park over wearing Oscar de la Renta enjoying lunch at Pastis. Sex and the City was never about sparing or scrimping, it’s all about the glamour!

Posted by : Tia Nicole Newton at 04:11 AM (IST)

Concluding a four part series with all three Panatloon Femina Miss Indias’, we finally had the opportunity to find out a little more about the stunning Nicole Faria.

What can you tell us about your family and schooling?
I’ve have always lived in Bangalore with my parents and my brother. I recently acquired a Bachelors degree in the Arts from Mount Carmel College also in Bangalore. I am really very fortunate to have the family that I have, my father is counselor and trains a whole host of corporate clients on how to shed their fears and develop their confidence and personalities. My mother runs a grooming and etiquette school for women, also in Bangalore.

What caused you to want to cross the threshold that divides regular from glamour?
I didn’t know I wanted to peruse a career in the limelight; I was spotted by Prasad Biddapa a renowned socialite in Bangalore and a model co-ordinator. He called up my dad to ask if I could do a particular show for a designer called Tammana. I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it because I was afraid of being center stage and have people staring at me but my dad presented the situation as a hurdle, I needed to overcome. He said that the fact that I was afraid was exactly the reason I should give it a try and do just the one show.

Naturally, I did the show and I never looked back; I absolutely loved it! And do to this day.

What lead to entering the Miss India Pageant?
Well, like I said I’ve always been very fortunate, my parents are and have been very supportive of me; they have always urged me to make the right decisions in the healthiest manner. As far as Miss India is concerned I think my parents knew I was going to enter the Miss India pageant before I did because it was my dad who called me up from his vacation in Colombo to inform me of the Miss South Auditions.

Which of your competitors at Miss India, did you consider your strongest competition?
Everyone was very different, and good but more over, how I look at it is that the second I shift focus to someone else, I lose focus on myself. I’m always striving to outdo myself, to do better than I did yesterday, so I guess who I was yesterday is my competition today.

Did you ever reach a point during the contest and think this is never going to happen for me, have you ever come to a point where you felt like you might have to give up, pack your bags and go home?
Our phones were taken away within five days of getting to the Novotel Mumbai which we were only given our phones for two hours a day. So there we were, a group of eighteen strangers, all of whom were home sick, some of whom ended up having emotional break downs but only because we all were drastically shaken out of our comfort zones, much like a survivor’s boot camp but with material luxuries. We didn’t have constant access to our families’ constant support and guidance; I guess they wanted to see what we were really made of.

My roommate Nicole Alvares was most unfortunate because her house was right next to where we were but she couldn’t go there, she could see it from our room. Every time we drove by she would get someone with a phone to call her mum and ask her to come to the window so they could wave at each other, then a tear would roll down her face and of everyone else in the car, because we all felt the same way. It was experiences like these that bonded us and forced us to become each other’s strength.

What has been the one experience that you always want to remember and one that you will have a special place in your heart for?
At the Miss South India contest, I was on the stage and I could see my dad in the front row cheering me on and giving me a ‘Thumbs-Up’ every time I did something, letting me know I was doing well. To have that kind of genuine encouragement from whom I trust explicitly and someone who knows me is worth all the salt in the seas.

What has been the most life altering experience you have ever had?
I would have to say the entire Miss India process right from Miss South India. The opportunity to bond with all these wonderful women, and all the coaches and trainers we had. This whole process has been life altering and one that I wish my fourteen-year-old cousin will have some day. I recommend this for anyone. I have learned so much from every one there even the other girls and more than anything I have learned more about myself.

What do you think of the Hindi Film Industry as a career option?
As I’ve mentioned in all my interviews at this point I am completely focused on Miss Earth. I will take things one step at a time, I don’t know what the universe has in store for me; weather it is Bollywood or Hollywood remains to be seen.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
I don’t really know if I’m going to be walking the runway at New York Fashion Week or acting in a Hollywood film. I don’t know what the universe has planned for me I’m just taking it one step at a time,
I will review what lies behind each door only when it opens for me.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I see myself as a successful international super star I want to reach out to people and touch their life in some way. The thought of making a difference makes me feel like a better person even if only inspire them for a moment in my capacity as an entertainer.

Is there a particular social cause that you feel strongly for and want to be (or you are) associated with?
As a matter of fact my grandmother has started an NGO called the PREMA JOYTI TRUST, which has been active for 3 years. The trust focuses in it’s resources on aiding the poor with special attention to education.

My grandmother and six other individuals educate less fortunate children but other than that we also provide essentials, like blankets and supplies to the needy.

What sort of hobbies do you keep yourself occupied with?
Modeling started off as a hobby and is something I still enjoy very much, any money that comes from it is a bonus but essentially I am doing something that I enjoy and something that I don’t view as work.

What areas do you think you would need to further develop and strengthen to compete at an International level?
I always feel I can do much better at everything but the one thing I really need to control with an iron fist is my appetite. I am always ready to eat and eat six large meals a day.

Were you aware that the Miss Universe Title was no longer a part of the Miss India Pageant before you entered Miss India?
I was aware, the auditions happened at the same time for both ‘I Am She’ and Miss India, but at that point I had already won Miss South India and Miss India is what I had come here for to begin with. Winning Miss South India gave me an assured spot in the top ten so there was no reason to even consider other wise.

What kind of music do you listen to and enjoy?
I love all music, I can dance to anything, I like Trance and R’n’b and Hip Hop, anything with a beat because I belly dance as well.

What is your / What would:

Make for an ideal date?
Something new and exciting preferably a surprise.

Your favorite food?
I love food I’ll eat anything you give me but spicy food I love more than anything else. I usually eat six large meals a day and am saved only by my hyperactive metabolism. When I’m trying to watch my weight eat sub’s at Subway with no veggies, a double helping of whatever filling, lettuce and then extra Jalapeños and BBQ sauce.

Your favorite perfume?
Coco Channel Mademoiselle -it’s very sensual it gets me into a really good mood.

Favorite Intimate wear brand?
It’s a secret.

Favorite Designer?
Masaba Gupta

Favorite Holiday Destination?
Colombo- we went there for Colombo Fashion Week and when we finally got two days off all we did was shop eat and party, it was a special trip because I was with some really close friends.

Favorite operating system?
Windows

What are you afraid of?
Waking up one day as a very obese person because my metabolism has finally given up on me.

For the soaring temperatures Creo at Warden Road, Mumbai invades the fashion scene with pastel silhouettes, Ikat Romper jumpsuits, reversible mul tunics, chiffon lace and cut work trimmings designed on breezy chiffons.

The collection features a lot of airy and very light, floating fabrics with puffed bubble sleeves ruffled and frilly necklines with bohemian and Indian prints that are the key styles that can update your summer season look. Vibrant sunny colored tunics with embroidered knotted weaves and floral cut lace corsages flowing over drapes add to the splendor of dressing up.

Sparkling trinkets from across the globe in jeweled cuffs and diamond encrusted belts bring a scintillating touch of elegance. Step into the leather fringed anklet slip-ons in pinks and metallic’s with gold jute totes and fringed clutches with rainbow and ruffled trims. Mix n Match with some edgy fashion forward elements is sure to create a ripple of delight on a warm summer day.

Olive at Qutub presents Go gaga, A night of colour, rhythm and passion 21st May – 9:00pm onwards at Olive bar and Kitchen,One style Mile, Kalka Das Marg, Behind Qutub Minar, Mehrauli.

The fetishistic and ferociously wild, an eclectic collection titled “TROPICAL MUSE”, range of handbags takes inspiration from the fauna and natural color ambiance of a tropical rainforest and the wildlife of a jungle with the kaleidoscopic view of vivid colors.

Design takes on the animal instinct to tell tales in animate objects and imagine prints. Experience a multitude of fantastic fauna with exotic insects like the multi-dimensional ladybug sensational butterflies or intriguing spiders, rare toucans, daunting iguanas and brilliant hued tropical frogs amidst a riot of myriad colors – typical of a lush enchanted rainforest.

Get into the skin of the calm and untamed animals of the wild jungle – a composed giraffe, a serene peacock or the monochrome ingredient of a lustrous zebra.

Alongside the same, the colors of the wild are embellished as sequin sheaths on simplistic designs of handbags, suited for daywear as well as evening wear.

Princesse K has crafted a gorgeous array of unique and sophisticated designs. The collection comprises of totes, top handles, sling bags and evening bags in classic styles and in a vibrant tropical color palette – various shades of blue, dark turquoise, green, yellow, orange, and red.

The core essence of this collection has been the use of Indian embroidery motifs translated into these rare birds, exotic insects and a wide variety of fauna.

"TROPICAL MUSE" is a reflection of the richness of nature shaded with a range of neutrals’ bringing out elements that spell out with aplomb; an elegant yet modern look.

Fashionova 2010 proved to be a blazing event showcasing the design collection of 35 graduating students of NIFT, New Delhi. The Show was an amalgam of talent, training and skills developed by the Fashion Design students over 4 years.

Fazal Mahmood swept away almost all jury awards with his futuristic Avant Garde menswear collection H+. He won the award for the best design collection, most innovative and creative collection, best Avant Garde collection and excellence in garment construction. The award for design excellence in womenswear went to Shreyasi Srivastava while the award for best menswear collection was taken by Dharmendra Rathaur. Akansha Singh took the award for the best use of traditional skills in contemporary styling as well as the award for the most innovative use of cotton with her collection Adiwasi. Damneet Kaur claimed the award for the most creative use of Viscose. The academic excellence award also went to Shreyasi Shrivastav.

The show also presented the intermingling of east and west through a collaborative initiative between NIFT and Accademia di Costume E di Moda, Rome. The project titled ‘Art of the Loom’ showcased 10 ensembles which were also showcased at Alta Roma in Italy.

Yet another highlight of the evening was the unveiling of eco-friendly and wacky Cycle Rickshaws as a curtain-raiser of a NIFT-FDCI initiative.

The mega event was attended by eminent personalities like the Honourable Secretary Textiles, Govt. of India – Ms Rita Menon, FDCI President – Mr. Sunil Sethi, Mr. Shriram and Mr. Sanchit Bhatia. A-list designers like Ritu Kumar, Samant Chauhan, and Nitin Bal Chauhan were also in attendance.

The students seemed to be yet another batch of bright design professionals groomed to perfection by NIFT, New Delhi. All seemed to be brimming with innovative ideas ready to take over the world of design and fashion with their out of the box thinking.