November 2010 - Page 15 of 17

Ace couturiers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla added another feather to their cap by becoming proud recipients of the inaugural Asian Awards 2010 in partnership with Lebara, at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane London.

They were honoured for their outstanding Achievement in Arts and Design and the award was presented to them by none other than the man behind the most sought after heels, Christian Louboutin. Presented by Lord Sebastian Coe, The Asian Awards 2010 saw a powerhouse of leaders in business, sports; politics attend to celebrate achievement and excellence among South Asians, including Deputy PM Nick Clegg, Jermaine Jackson, Nasser Hussain OBE, William Gallas, Gurinder Chadha, Christian Louboutin and Sonu Niigaam.

The designer duo said, “We are honoured with this award. It is indeed heartening to see our efforts getting global recognition. India in its entire myriad and glory has always been our muse, a dominant factor in all our work and we are glad that this is being appreciated.” Other noted Indians who joined the ranks of the prestigious winners were Sachin Tendulkar, AR Rahman, Vijay Mallya, Yash Chopra and George Alagiah.

The Bridal collection by Sounia Gohil is a celebration for the pride and joy of a bride. An eclectic mix of Rajwada style in flowing velvet and lycra drapes give a dreamy theatrical effect, perfect for the occasion.

Imagine the lycra held in between jaali work of thin metal and brass plates with intrinsic work inspired from the old Mughal architecture. Fashion is all about attitude and Sounia reads between the lines to gift her client’s pieces with royal Indian attitudes that still pace with the trends and styles of today’s times. Creative drapes that conform as a saree can sometimes become an accessory to carry with another garment that itself can be taken as self flowing goddess like. Intelligent drapes sometimes stitched, sometimes not, that create an Indo Greek

look inspired from the 18th century royalty and modified into 21st century couture scenario. Rich fabrics in deep Victorian hues of deep greens, burgundy and maroons beautifully play with regal metal and jaali motifs serenaded with stones and tassels. Sounia’s penchant for designing exquisite metal ornaments in gold and bronze hues adds the element of aristocracy and class, reminiscent of the bygone era known for its grandeur.

Designing for over 4 years, Sounia’s prêt collections have been appreciated by true lovers of style and have managed to create a distinct personality of their own. Retailing from Mumbai’s premier fashion stores like Aza, Kimaya, Ogaan, Mogra in Mumbai, Origin in Hyderabad and Prana in Kolkata.

Mocha outlets in Bombay and New Delhi are giving you a chance to paint your home in the hues of the festival. Every guest with a bill amount exceeding Rs. 1000 will get a chance to enter a luck draw…

Sometimes you just turn head, and an idea gestates to only evolve over…

Celebrating the upcoming festivals Harmeet Bajaj hosted a cocktail evening at Bian, Lodhi Colony Market, New Delhi showcasing collections for the Fall Winter and Festive brand Bian by designer Gurpreet Pia Fleming.

It talks about the new mantra for this Fall Winter and festive as a reflection of the Global mood. Pia creates clothing that is ageless, timeless and beautiful. “Fashion that transcends across borders and travels through simplicity, ethnicity and modernism with ease, thus making it a collection ideal for the truly savvy contemporary woman” says Harmeet Bajaj.

Pia’s fall winter collection in blacks and charcoal’s (her eternal favorites) is accented with teals, burgundy, navy and ending in some very celebratory metallic. The darks extend into a group of jewel hued dresses with black surface details, toning down the vibrant colors to suit the mood. The collection comprises primarily of dresses and dress coats for the winter. The silhouette is lean and easy. Also included in the line are stunning red carpet dresses that look like molten metal with jewels set in them. Fabrics used are custom developed brocade, silk taffeta, foil printed silk, faux fur and charmeuse. Large pieces of Jewellery specially created for the collection add that élan to the look. Bian has also introduced their festive collection of kurta pyjamas and churidaars based on the Indian silhouettes. The fabrics used in the same are chanderi and silk with intricate embroideries and plays around in vibrant colors.

.Glitterati’s like designer Rahul Jain, Latika Khaneja, designer Namrata Joshipura, Francis Wacziarg, Aman Nath, Neera Nath, Varun Shardana to name a few were also present in the cocktail.

Sometimes you just turn head, and an idea gestates to only evolve over the time. Well, the journey of designer Sounia Gohil had many such pit stops, or epiphanies rendering various shades to her character, as well as the designs.

The self-motivated designer Sounia Gohil embarked upon her fashion journey in 2007 and since then never looked back. With an impeccable eye to detail and longing to create something distinct, she over the time excelled in the niceties of tailoring and designing to boast of a loyal fan base.

Keeping in mind the feminine curves and sensuality she creates silhouettes which talk to one’s body like each has been tailored for each body type. The most inherent factor that stops an eye on her work is the eclectic and intelligent mix of old Royal Indian architecture and western silhouettes.

Innovation in concepts like lycra held between jaali work of thin metal and thin brass plates with intrinsic work inspired from the old Mughal architecture mark every collection of Sounia which are imperial and rich in heritage.

Currently, the designer retails from multi-designer fashion boutiques like Aza, Kimaya, Ogaan and Sasya besides her flagship store in Khar area of Mumbai.

Thick rimmed glasses, oiled ponytails, crouched body language, compulsive touch-o-phobia and subdued voice nowhere define the very studious Mala Salariya. Instead, the pretty and mellifluous this self assured lass from Delhi had always a bond with everything bizarre and stylish. The journalism graduate who used to write for Hindustan Times jumped into modeling as it always fascinated her fancies. So now having walked for many big names, Mala is aspiring high these days.

So we got into a candid conversation with the fitness addict Mala Salariya who shared her life journey with fashionfad exclusively.

Tell us briefly about your early life, family and academics?

I did my schooling from St. Xavier’s, Delhi. I completed my B.A (Honors) in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University last year. All through school and college, I was very studious, always trying to score that one extra mark that’d help me defend my throne of the class topper. I love to write and with my journalism background, I used to write for Hindustan times while I was still in college. Though I love to write, I sadly don’t get the time anymore. My biggest passion however has always been modeling and that’s why I joined my college fashion team and that’s where my journey actually started.

How you bumped into your first assignment?

As a part of my college fashion team, I got to participate in lots of DU competitions. It was at one such competitionthat I won the best model title and was approached by a model coordinator. I worked with them for sometime and soon Elite Model Management signed me up.

What did you aspire to become as kid?

As a kid I wanted to pursue a different career in life each day. Sometimes I wanted to be a doctor, sometimes a teacher, sometimes a pilot and other times an astronaut. Clarity came a few years later.

Which projects have you graced with your presence?

I’ve had the opportunity to work with designers like Satya Paul, Ritu Kumar, Rohit

Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Meera and Muzaffar Ali, Pam Mehta, Shantanu and Nikhil and Prashant Verma. I also shot for last month’s issue of Savvy magazine.

Your greatest achievement?

I’m quite new in this industry. My greatest achievement is yet to come and I’ve a feeling it’s going to be soon.

What do you think of bollywood as a career option?

I’m more keen in modeling than bollywood but never say never!

When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing?

I’m most likely to be out and about shopping. If not shopping, I love to work out, read,

spend quality time with my family and friends and watch movies.

What is fashion for you?

Fashion to me is experimentation, innovation, mixing and matching to create your own personal style. For me it’s important to be comfortable and to be myself.

Your icon in life?

My mom.

Your beauty and fitness regime?

I absolutely love to eat so I eat everything, I just take care of the portions I have. I start my day with a huge filling breakfast and keep my dinners light. Other than that I swear by 8 hours of beauty sleep, it’s must. Working out is a religion for me. I’m addicted to happy and fresh feeling you get after a long, hard workout. I work out 6 days a week, 2 hours everyday. I balance between kickboxing, aerobics, weight training and yoga. Its only mandatory after the amount of food I eat.

What is your idea of an ideal date?

Honestly, I don’t have any particular ideas about an ideal date. To me the only thing that matters is the connection with the person I’m with.

What has been most touching moment of your life?

There have been quite a few but it’s difficult to pick one.

QUICK SNIPPET

FAVORITE FOOD: Anything my mom cooks, she cooks amazingly yummy food.

FAVORITE PERFUME: Hugo Boss femme, Davidoff cool water, CK in2u

FAVORITE DESIGNER: I love lots of designers and I have too many favorites.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Koh Samui, Thailand

THING YOU ARE ADDICTED TO: Fitness

YOU ARE SACRED OF: Losing a loved one

MUSIC YOU LOVE TO LISTEN: Anything and everything, depends on my mood

The label “Divyam Mehta” subtly echoes the crafts and traditions of India, which Divyam impeccably fuses with contemporary silhouettes and fine detailing, making each garment unique and modern. Here is a preview to his Spring Summer 2011 collection

Classic black and white with vibrant red, textural and patterned, elegant and wild, defined and happenstance, finished and raw, emphasis on the workmanship which goes into making of the garments, rough edges, contrast facings and stark stitch lines balanced with hints of embroiders and hand craft.

Basic box silhouettes and traditional kalidars, adopted in fine linens and mul [cotton], Kalamkari takes the form of botanical drawings with hints of hand craft fused with construction details defying overly aesthetic aspect of the traditional Indian wear.

The fine balance, which is reflected in his creations, is the perfect harmony between exquisite fabrics, accurate construction, surface ornamentation and refined detailing.

The label “Pragya & Megha Samor” has unveiled a complete range of Bridal collection which covers all aspects of an Indian Wedding wardrobe for the bride from mehendi, sangeet, various pujas & of course the wedding & the reception.

The collection features an exquisite range of Indian sarees & lehengas featuring a great deal of Bandhani work on a vibrant hues- magentas, emerald green, turquoise blue, ochre yellow, orange, maroon, deep plum, black, red etc. along with a few metallic shades with golden & silver tint. The most unique part of the collection is the intricate and rare bandhani work which the designers have gotten done using the methods introduced in the ancient times by our royal ancestors of using a tiny speck of “rye” to tie the bandhani instead of the thick “chana dal” thereby converting the usual Indian craftsmanship into an exquisite piece of art. Also each garment is a complicated baroque of fragile hand embroidery, which is an ornate of traditional Indian embroideries along with modern contemporary designs.

The garments are emblazoned with interesting interplay of sparkling mirror-work, Sequins work, handwork and beadwork, resham, gota patti, zari, gold & silver threads giving it a very gracious, royal & romantic look.

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Monthly Archives: November 2010

Asian Awards 2010

Sounia Gohil

Mocha Colours Your Diwali

Sounia Gohil

Bian Festive Collection

Sounia Gohil

Mala Salariya

Divyam Mehta SS

Pragya & Megha Samor