“Jaanu , ask for a glass of carrot juice,” she says as she readies for a shot in one of her favourite Donna Karan lime green gown. She is standing in the middle of a fibre sculpture shaped like a flower as the photographer’s assistant frantically wipes the glass window behind with a crumpled newspaper, another assistant stands ready with a high voltage lit bulb behind to give the ‘glow’ you  generally see in the actresses pictures.

“Okay ready”, says Suresh Natarajan, the photographer and she strikes a pose… so very familiar to many of her fans. This is the real Chaal Baaz Sridevi, naughty gleaming eyes with an innocence that swept cinema goers in the 80s, the Sridevi that danced seductively in a red chiffon saree to the invisible Mr. India! As she gives her poses for the shot, it is evident why she was at one time even branded as the male Mr Amitabh Bachchan. She flirts with the camera with such grace and calm that only comes with years of experience.

There is simplicity in her manner, and a no-attitude persona behind the aura which is instantly endearing. She looks startling beautiful!

For asiaSpa’s 7th anniversary special issue I was shooting with Sridevi at the Quan Spa, JW Marriott Pune. And I have to admit that it has been a pleasure doing this shoot with her, which is not what I can say about many shoots that I have done with other Indian film actresses.  (Beat this – There was this one particular actress who demanded white flowers for a shot, then decided that she wanted a yellow one with a scowl, then changed her decision to not using the flower at all because the hotel staff was just a little bit slow in sourcing the flowers.)

 Sridevi is totally a spa person – she knows her wraps and she knows her scrubs. The spa menu is as familiar to her as the back of her hand. She is familiar with all the new treatments and the innovations that the spa industry is coming up with.

She has sort of wrapped wellness around her and her family. Her two daughters Jhanavi – Jaanu as she fondly called her – and Khushi, the younger one, are both already introduced to the spa therapies.

A doting mother, patience comes to her naturally. At the height of her career she gave it all up to concentrate on her family, and says, “It came naturally to me and my children and family became my priority.” However, now she is all set and excited about making a comeback in a movie written and directed by Gauri Shinde and produced by her husband R. Balki of ‘Paa’ fame. She says, “I am very excited about the subject. In this movie, I play a housewife, who sets out to find her own identity.”

In this candid interview with asiaSpa Sridevi revealed all about living a life marked by wellness, and even opened up about her discovery of a passion for painting, which is a facet of her personality that is not known to many. She also shared many secrets behind her beautiful skin and perfect body. Her effortless beauty and enigmatic aura was truly enchanting, and her electrifying presence and energy, infectious! This spirited interaction and the gorgeous shoot was a truly beautiful experience!

Posted by : Arati Thapa Group Editor Asia Spa India at 08:55 AM

Jyoti Sharma has come up with the theme ,  Rasika – An Ode to Modern Rasika, the story revolving around the paramours of Lord Krishna  and vice versa.

Through her collection Jyoti has traced the history of Rasikas starting from Meera Bai to modern ones romancing with Krishna with closed eyes, singing hearts and swinging arms to absorb the ‘rasa’ of his love. She accentuates the fact that Rasikas indulge in a free divine affair away from sexism and ageism. The yogis, munis, saadhus and saadhvis, all Rasikas feel, touch, dance and  love Krishna who requites free flowingly with no barriers to let the souls commune. It’s the unregulated chaste relationship between the Krishna and his devotees with the undertones of sacrifice, spiritualism and unconditional love which rules the spirit of the collection.

Rendering frivolity and vitality fabrics like georgette, variation of silks, mesh and satins with silhouettes in the form of draped sarees, flowing one piece dresses, top with trousers and fitted one piece dresses in hues of brown, metallic greyish black and ombre concoct the collection. Artworks like pattern of foot prints and keys, fabric manipulation, lots of texturing and quilting in footprints have been used extensively throughout the collection.

The Designer duo Hemant & Nandita has a range of fun, stylish, comfortable yet dressy garments for this A/W 2011 edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.

The collection named, ‘Lo-Lee-TAflies2NYC’ has travelled a long way from Ibiza to NYC. It comprises of Kaftans to Kimonos, tunics to hooded/long shirts and shorts to cropped pants and jumpsuits. The colors like burnt orange n tropical green add a zing factor to not-usual grey blue rose print and animal print in fabrics like crepe de chine, slippery satins, silk velvets, soft chiffons and cashmeres.

He is a rare designer who begins his design process by draping…

With access to international fashion for the nation’s fashion connoisseurs, OZEL is now dressing the beautiful women of India, sparing them a trip to London, Paris or Milan for the best that latest fashion has to offer. 

OZEL provides a handpicked assortment of accessories that work perfectly with the international and cosmopolitan lifestyle of ladies. Butterfly Twists are Clever Little Soles! They’re lightweight, ballet pumps that twist down small and slip into a neat little pouch. So they go in your bag when you go out, to save your soles at the end of the night. They drop into desk drawers, to stop work being a pain. They fit into glove compartments, so you don’t have to drive in heels. You can take them traveling, or keep them at home for lounging about. 

So treat your feet to a pair of Butterfly Twists. Kick off your heels, untwist your Twists and slip into something more comfortable.
 

A master draper and cutter, James is a rare designer who begins his design process by draping on a mannequin to perfect form and flow, even before the first pattern is made. His designs capture the movement of the drape, and epitomize simplicity, femininity, and sensuality.

Nurturing his childhood dreams, James Ferriera embarked on a career that was strictly all women. Life for Ferreira as a designer has been full of rich experiences and even his childhood tales are full of designer dreams. He was never allowed a pen in class as he always ended up drawing clothes and stylized figures. But the thought of turning this skill into that of a high fashion designer only occurred when Ferreira saw an article on Pierre Cardin in 1964 with the one-eyed sketch of a fashion model. From then onwards he pursued his dream professionally. The first step was a course in textile designing at the JJ School of Art in Bombay.

Ferreira started his journey with Orkay Mills where he was one of the team of international designers who created garments for export to Europe and London. A chance introduction with top British designer, Zandra Rhodes was real climax of his life. She is the one who offered   him to work with her & there he learnt a very important thing called “Embroidery”. Now this is the base of all his creations.

James epitomizes wearable couture, catering to a discerning clientele who have access to the best in design. With nearly 18 years of experience in the designing business, Ferreira is not hung up on exhibiting only his own label.As he had a firm believe that only his clothes speak. Unlike other designers he wants his customers to look at my clothes and not at my label.

As a designer Ferreira has not been inspired by any foreign designer nor does he emulates anyone. He says I like to take chances. I don’t mind if my clothes don’t sell. I am happy creating clothes that satisfy me.

Creator of classic in fashion garments is how James Ferreira would like to be remembered and not as commercially successful designer. For there are many who design the regular and mundane clothes but just a handful who can create masterpieces.

You can get James at-

www.jamesferreira.com

March 25, 2011
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Every time the winters leave with its Seasonal Affective Disorder, the summers splash with colors, pizzazz and flaunting bods, though sweaty mornings and scorching noons also come handy in city like Delhi. But summers in a way or other are a big relief after gloomily frozen winters, or maybe we love a change. Now when ice creams have usurped the mid night hot pan cake sessions and cozy knits flinched for sheers, it’s time to embrace summers in its all style and hues.

The runways around the world this season are counting on vintage fashion in a veil of modernity. One such trend is the resurgence of cropped pants with a modern take. Designers like Isabel Marant, Diane Von Furstenberg, Balmain and Fendi have displayed a wide range of leather, denim and printed cropped pants vying for attention. From high waisted ankle skimming pants to relaxed draw-up mid-calf sitting pants, it’s all about raising you hem in a style. Or, capri pants (not a la 90s but tailored, slim, ankle grazing) and wide legged cropped pants can bring a metamorphosis if paired duly.

Pulling off a specific style is not necessarily based on one particular piece but how and what you wear with it. Slim cut skinny denims or cigarette pants have been in vogue for last many seasons but this time just roll them up slightly for a trendy change. For a sleek look go for khaki pants with a bit longer length halfway between mid-calf and ankle and pair them up with a fitted top, a blazer and platform heels. Wear your Capri pants in lady like style with kitten heels and ballet shoes. And team it up with nautical stripes top for a chic look. For high waisted pants, a tucked in tank top or button down shirt are perfect to opt for.

The trend for petite frames comes with few cautions as crop pants can make them look shorter. So avoid having the hem stop at the fullest part of your calf but it should hit your leg at a shapely point. Besides avoid flats and opt for a bit of heel and monochromatic look. Similarly, high waisted pants accentuate the buttock area so let them be for slender builds.   

In her WIFW Autumn Winter 2011 collection – The Line, Mrinalini Gupta is showcasing a graphically sculpted collection drawing its patterns from comic strips, graphic novels and sheaf’s of papers.Color blocked, linear and graded, It is a structured evening collection, animated in form and exaggerated in shape. Referencing a wide variety of influences such as cubist sculptures, architectural drawings and sketches in progress, the collection is intended for the simple and stark.

Quilted 3D jackets, Angular Skirts, cross hatched dresses, looped jackets, Spiderman trenches and web dresses animate THE LINE.

The veteran designer Kavita Bhartia is going to present ‘Relance’, a collection that draws inspiration from its translation – Sustenance & Revival at WIFW A/W 2011.

By her collection the designer pays a tribute to the master artisans who have sustained the rich heritage & culture of India through delicate fabrics, ancient weaves – embroideries, textures and unique prints. The collection reflects very strong moods of black romanticism in gothic & Victorian version.

Browns are beautifully married to black with elements of embroidery, layering & texturing. Sparkling yellow & orange, gleaming emerald green with pink sensually bring out the vibrant appeal to the collection. Bright colors transit into muted beiges and the mood turns into elegant vintage.

Dhoti pants teamed up with cotton tunics, floral & mini geometric prints are seen on silk jerseys. Nets & chiffons used charismatically with nude colors bring out the seductive charm of veiled transparency. Flirtatious & festive – the jumpsuits, harem pants & cocktail dresses glamorize the look in a soft & serene way.