October 2010 - Page 16 of 22

At the Albert quay, cork city in Ireland a huge audience is excitedly waiting to wave at the Clipper fleet of boats. What makes this fleet of boats exciting is the fact that it is the Cork Clipper Round the World Yacht Race ’09 – ’10 – the only global competition where people from all walks of life can participate. Only those who love the sea and its waves know why anybody who leads a cushy life is willing to step out from their comfort zone to race 35,000 miles around the world to face an unpredictable sea weather, to live in cramped space and to eat tinned food for months at end.

Located on Ireland’s south coast, the city of Cork is the Ireland’s second largest. Its history dates back to the 6th century. Spread across the far-western reaches of Ireland, Cork is one of the primary stopovers for many-a-misty-eyed-visitor in Ireland. Follow the country’s three bony-fingered peninsulas that reaches into the Atlantic and you’re up for an epic, wind-washed coastline peppered with vibrant seaside villages, their bustling harbours with fishing boats bringing home the day’s catch. Then for the urban traveller there’s Cork city, nonchalantly outdoing Dublin out its way as it with its plethora of cocktail bars, modern-art galleries, and avant-garde theatre. What stayed most with me on this Irish holiday, in both city and countryside, is that the super-spectacle of The Clipper Race, the forever festive mood of the city, stomping live-music session in a creaky old pub, some finest meals in most conspicuous little places that churns out freshest Irish produce, and the steady humour of a population fiercely proud of its past and confident of its future.

After a trip around the city of Cork which included a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery in Midleton, Blarney Castle and a kiss on the Blarney Stone and the famous English Market, I was all set to see the yachts at close quarters. I wasn’t disappointed. Fiona Bolger, whose boat was participating at the race, graciously asked her skipper to give us the much awaited tour of the boat.

The Clipper Race is the brainchild of legendary yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail non-stop singlehandedly around the world. He wanted to open the sport of long distance sailing to all and allow others to experience the challenges of ocean racing. The people have taken to the race and how! Anybody with the spirit of adventure can participate.

The race which started from Humber on the east coast of UK was heading back to Humber after their route of Rio de Janeiro, South Africa, Western Australia, Singapore, Qingdao, California, the Caribbean, New York, Cape Breton Island, Cork and then back to Humber. Participants in the race contested by ten tripped-down 68 foot racing yachts, included bankers, customer service duty manager, nurses, engineers, bankers and marketing executives among others. As I stood at the quay it was easy to fathom the large number of people gathered there, some balancing an umbrella and a frothy beer mug while others holding a large paper cone of piping hot fish and chips, cheering loudly as each yacht took turns to sail by from the quay.

“I am so sorry, it’s raining. I wish it was sunny” says Antoinette Reilly of Ireland Tourism raising her voice in the middle of loud music, laughter and the festive atmosphere to which I told her that it really didn’t matter. Just after the yachts sailed away we were whisked away in a luxury bus to Kinsale the small and pretty fashionable resorts on the south-west coast of Ireland. It’s a picturesque town with the prominence of a beautiful harbour that has winding by-lanes that lead to beautiful houses in pretty colours that look like it has just come alive from fairy tale books. It is nestled between the hills and the shoreline. There was a palpable festive buzz all around Kinsale Town, known for its ‘Craic and Culture’. Some such likes are the Goldifish Artisan Food and Craft Market that feature over 40 stalls showcasing the best of Irish Food and Craft. A walk around this town is a must for those visiting Kinsale. The place had some stately historic monuments, a small museum that is maintained by local volunteers, plenty of maritime activities and above all it is known as the gourmet capital of Ireland. Plenty to keep my palate ticking!

Posted by : Arati Thapa Group Editor Asia Spa India at 09:50 AM

For this Spring/ Summer 2011 collection Ashima returns to her favorite region Madhubani drawing inspiration from the artwork to create a collection with intense romantic streak. She works with the artisans’ traditional skills to create modern and contemporary designs.

Strength is expressed in the collection’s bold color palette with striking combination of black & white hand drawn checks with the bright hand painted Madhubani appliqués.

Madhubani paintings, which were the feature of ASHII’s previous collection is given this season a conceptual twist and has been interpreted in a completely different fashion. Strong Madhubani figures appliquéd on the monochromatic checks and experimentation with hybrid forms provides seasons one of the most standout looks.

Spring /Summer 2011 Fashion show "Summer of Love" From the Designer Christophe Guillarmé was presented at The Balajo.

This collection is a mix of tones from virginal white "shadow" in fuchsia pink with gold embroider peacocks feathers hydrangea’s designs, and beige to golden shades, directly out from the desert clearly contrasting with the opulent beading. Have to record well organza embroideries of tubes looking like pistils. Few strapless dresses pleated shape like Japanese origami and asymmetric straps Covered With ‘lace’ and rhinestones are ending in this amazing dress with a Zen style oscillating between garden and luxurious details.

Christopher’s ultra feminine style is immediately recognizable, with a "bohemian" touch. The beautiful young actress Célyne Durand looked remarkable in a black one shoulder draped dress mix of mesh and satin, beaded with golden sequins. The famous choreographer Mia Frye was radiant in gypsy style upper waist full length dress, presenting Christopher’s new fragrance “The Red Carpet Christopher Guillarmé”. A show full of hippy chic freshness and natural tinted with 60’s rock ‘n’ roll. The designer’s pieces were sublimated by the floral decoration especially created by flowers auteuil arum lilies with ictus, black magic orchids, gold leaves and white feathers.

With fabric taking centre stage the Autumn/Winter 2010 line of clothing is hand woven with wools, cottons, silks and stainless steel as Akaaro by Gaurav Jai Gupta organized a special retail preview of the collection at Ogaan along with a new home line.

The clothing doesn’t follow any trends enabling a constant evolution within them and are about gradual transition from traditional to contemporary. The collection elaborates simplicity and represents current times we are living in and hence is termed Fragile. A selection of engineered pieces with clean lines free flowing geometrix are in basic silhouettes of trapeze and pyramidal.

Fragility has been visually translated by getting inspired from everyday things around us. Trapezed capes, jackets, robes and dresses in subtle colour schemes of agreement and the ones with jar, clearly states that process and material takes precedence in the collection.

AIM TELEVISION presents “Retrospective of The Documentary Films” of Anu Malhotra on 19th-21st October 2010 Everyday from 6:30-8:30pm at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. 19th October 2010- Screening of Shamans of the Himalayas 20th Oct. 2010: Screening of The Maharaja of Jodhpur 21st October 2010: Screening of The Konyak of Nagaland and the Apatani of Arunachal Pradesh

Gitanjali Lifestyle and Mirari presented the renowned couture designer duo Ashima – Leena at, Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. Ashima-Leena presented a collection inspired by Indian Royals, infused with new enthusiasms and interpretations. The garments were an extraordinary mélange of deep India jewel tones.

In the collection, Mirari has experimented with exciting and unique combinations of coloured stones, purple amethysts with emeralds and diamonds, blue sapphires and sea green emeralds, sunny yellows and pretty pink gemstones.

Speaking on the occasion, Mira Gulati, Designer & Founder of Mirari said, “The two collections adorned by the models were from Essentia & Wedding collection. Essentia – means character, individuality, substance, soul, spirit, – all essential when you think of Mirari or the women who choose to make it their own. And the wedding collection reflects the confluence of many ancient decorative traditions with completely modern settings – creating heirlooms for the new modern era.”

Ashima-Leena showcased a royal touch in their collection as the designer duo’s inspiration comes from the royal families in India. The garments used mustards, emeralds, fuschia, crimson, deep blues and purples on the sheen of silk offset by richly glowing Kimkhaabs, all put together by the kaarigar, his very soul expressed in exquisite, loving stitches of gold and silver resulting in garments to be worn as a bejeweled adornments with motifs drawn from the traditional vignettes of the India ethos.

At the JW Marriot Hotel, Enigma was a celebratory night of glamour and style with the renowned performer Sandip Soparrkar honoring none other than Ms. Tao Porchon Lynch and some icons of ballroom dancing.

Hosted by the beautiful Mandira Bedi the evening witnessed a scintillating performance by ravishing Jesse Randhwa and Sandip Soparrkar which kept the audience awestruck with their sensuous moves. Kitu and Sandip were just the right couple on the floor and their performance was excellent.

Further the evening were power packed performances by Kitu Gidwani , Smiley Suri , group dance by TV stars – Rupa Ganguly, Mouli Ganguly, Sweta Keswani & Jassi Kaur. The finale for the night was a breathtaking performance by Sandip Soparrkar and Tao who had the right moves in place and showcased some of their skills and award winning styles.

Sammeer and Palak Sheth, co-hosted an exclusive pre-launch sit-down dinner with their very good friend Rohit Bal, India’s finest fashion designer, and his partner Mr. Alok Aggarwal, at their soon to open restaurant Veda at Palladium, Phoenix Mills.

The restaurant Veda promises a gastronomic experience of pure subtlety and depth so as to recreate an era of simplicity and goodness that was and is the main stay of all things Indian. Authentic Indian cuisine prepared with only the very traditional recipes and attention to finer nuances of the ingredients beckon the discerning food aficionado to a sit down dinner with like minded people.

The select crowd was an eclectic mix of people that included Shaina NC, Tisca Chopra, Adnan Sami with wife Roya, Eesha & Timmy Narang, Reshma & Suleiman Merchant, Dabboo & Manisha Ratnani, Khusnuma & Arzaan Khambatta, Shaheen Abbas, Suchitra Pillai and husband Larse, Farzana Contractor, Sunali & Shravan Shroff, Sudhanshu and Mona Pandey, Tanuja & Sunil Padwal, Lascelles Symmonds along with Barkha Sharma, Santoor player Rahul Sharma’s wife with her sister Sonzel.