April 2011 - Page 9 of 17

The five action packed days at WIFW A/W 2011 ended on relaxing notes when everybody present at the venue made it to Aqua, The Park to unwind after the Sabyasachi’s grand closing.

The pool side venue catered the fashionistas and let the fashion fatigued ones party till the wee hours of the night. The fashion parsing with big epithets continued over clinking glasses with the models, designers, fashion journos and other crew members celebrating the holiday time.

The who’s who of the city present at the party includes Sunil Sethi, Atul Chand, Rohit Bal, Anupama Dayal, Poonam Bhagat, Nachiket Barve, Rahul Singh, Nitin Bal Chauhan, Gautam & Rashi Bhimani, Tinu Verghis, Simran Kaur Mundi, Lekha Ananthraman and many more.

After a great show it was time for some fun for designers as they headed for party to the Wills, kingfisher and Smoke house Deli lounge to enjoy and unwind post their show, some of the prominent faces present were Sunil Sethi, kalyani Chawla, Laila Tyabji, Neeru Kumar, Lekha Poddar, Noyonika Chatterji, Anupamaa Dayal, Gaurav, Ashita , Sunaina malhotra, JJ Valaya, Rohit Bal, Manoviraj Khosla, Varun Bahl, Sanchita Ajjampur, Prabhu Chawla, Ravi Shankar, RC Dalal, Julie Deb Pareek, Anju Modi, Sanjay sharma, Sunil Sethi, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Carol Gracias, Indrani Dasgupta, Nethra Raghuraman, Manav Gangwani, Sonu & Atul Wasan to name a few .

Varija Bajaj is an artist living out her own experience through her label VARIJA – which means Lotus in Sanskrit. Known for her kitsch art and heirloom craft… Her statement of fashion is colorful, textured, finely detailed and comfortable clothing. The ‘Indian essence’ is her prime predominance. With a great eye for perfection, she creates ensembles, which are perfect fusions giving her brand an international flavor.

VARIJA likes to play around with a variety of weaves. She strongly believes that all her creations have to be fabric strong. Use of surface textures and unconventional fabric treatments she adds a new dimension to the overall look of the collection. Surface treatments like crinkling, quilting, multicolored and tone on tone layering, embellished borders, handmade lace, floral embellishments and extensive use of zari, all blended in perfect harmony.Since her forte is Weddings and Occasion wear she concentrates on Indian detailing with an unusual play of colours.

Being a successful entrepreneur, she is now a case study in ISB Hyderabad, the most reputed B-schools of the country. She also has lectures given at FMS Delhi and XIC Mumbai to her credit. She has been was awarded the Women’s Achiever’s Award in the field of Fashion by Young Environmentalists Programme Trust in Mumbai.

“My collection is all about vibrant colours, young silhouettes and unconventional concepts dressing people in style with an element of fun. They are a collection for real customers and not just the ramp,” says Varija. Besides doing her own shows with different themes to her credit,she runs her label from her studio in Noida and via 25 multi-designer outlets across India viz; Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Nagpur, Ludhiana and Ahmedabad. Internationally, she has done assignments for Australia, Europe, Middle East and South Africa.

You can get Varija at:

www.lotusse.biz

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Wills Lifestyle
Date	Subject line	Senders name	No. of subscribers	Open Rate (%)	CTR (%)	Bounce
5-Apr-2011	WIFW Flashback – Enjoy highlights from previous editions of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week	Wills Lifestyle	1,27,000	25.5%	4.2%	2.77%


Wills Lifestyle
Date	Subject line	Senders name	No. of subscribers	Open Rate (%)	CTR (%)	Bounce
6-Apr-2011	Catch Miss Mailini Live from Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week	Wills Lifestyle	1,27,000	34.0%	6.0%	2.4%


Wills Lifestyle
Date	Subject line	Senders name	No. of subscribers	Open Rate (%)	CTR (%)	Bounce
7-Apr-2011	Glimpses from Fashion’s Grandest Celebration – Day 1	Wills Lifestyle	1,27,000	24.6%	5.2%	2.4%


Wills Lifestyle
Date	Subject line	Senders name	No. of subscribers	Open Rate (%)	CTR (%)	Bounce
8-Apr-2011	Glimpses from Fashion’s Grandest Celebration – Day 2	Wills Lifestyle	1,27,000	32.8%	7%	2.0%


Wills Lifestyle
Date	Subject line	Senders name	No. of subscribers	Open Rate (%)	CTR (%)	Bounce
9-Apr-2011	Glimpses from Fashion’s Grandest Celebration – Day 3	Wills Lifestyle	1,27,000	37.4%	3%	2.77%

Born in the summer heat of June, svelte & gorgeous, Rikee Chatterjee is a free flowing girl with a humorous take on life. Filled with oomph this bong beauty with long legs has been sizzling the fashion scene since the last one year. A Chocoholic with cool & chilled out attitude, Rikee grew up fantasizing the ramp & beautiful garments. She is most happy with spending time with her loved ones.

Here she reveals more about her inner world…

Tell us about your early years & Schooling?
I hail from a Bengali family. Born & brought up in Jamshedpur.I have done my schooling from Vishakapatnam & later I pursued my graduation in Mass comm. & Journalism from Hyderabad.

How you bumped into Modeling?
Well I always wanted to be a model but was also aware that I have to complete my studies first. Hence after completing my graduation i bumped into professional modeling with a debut at WLIFW S/S 2010

What’s your Parent’s reaction on choosing Modeling as a career?
My parents are always supportive from the beginning .My brother * sister always inspired me to achieve my dreams.

What’s your take on Bollywood …Any plans?
I worked in a Telegu movie as Trisha’s friend. & I find it little rude. It wasn’t so good experience for me. But yes, if I get an offer from Bollywood.

Your greatest achievement till date?
It’s just one & a half year in this modeling world & I have made a place.

In which projects you have graced your presence?
I ramp walk in WIFW, LFW,Colombo fashion week & now heading towards Dubai Fashion Week. I have done print shoots for Elle magazine, & designers like Sanchita Ajjampur & Atsu sekhose.

If not modeling, what do you prefer in your leisure time?
When not modeling I go into house arrest…You can find me playing with my dog & spending time with my family. My family & friends are always close to my heart.

Your most cherished moment in life?
Definitely, when I debuted at WIFW It’s full of happiness.

Where do you see yourself in this cut throat competitive industry? What’s your success mantra?
I firmly believe in talent & hardwork.Everyone has some talent & it will never go unnoticed. Believe in yourself & be confident in what you are doing.

What’s your Beauty & Fitness regime?
I am blessed with a thin waistline…so I hardly do any work out. I know it sounds strange (Giggles)…

Quick Snippet

FAVROUITE FOOD – Home made food

FAVROUITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION –Venice

FAVROUITE DESIGNER – J.J Valaya & Rajesh Pratap Singh

FAVROUITE MUSIC – Rock, Pop & Jazz

FAVROUITE MODEL – Alecia Raut

YOU ARE SCARED OF – Nothing as Such.

5 MUST HAVES IN YOUR HANDBAG –
Lenses/Glasses
Perfume or Body Mist
Moisturizer
Rose Water
Wallet

ARE YOU A BRAND CONCIOUS? NO, I am not that much brand conscious. But yaa sometimes I shop for designer brands like Gucci, Kazo…

Fashion for you……
It’s the way of life. It’s how you present yourself in front of others

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The dim yellow light welcomes as soon as one enters into the main show area along with considerate ushers, shining ramp, hissing smoke, front row broil, jousting shoulders and struggling legs. The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week wears this glamorous robe (slightly misfit for non-first row appreciators) every time a show starts. 41 shows conditioned the glamour with high end fashion by the end of the five days of fashion gala.

The all in all business and fashion friendly Autumn Winter 2011 edition of India fashion week just concluded with plausibility and hopes. The sprawling venue to exhibit and accommodate 141 designers led to high number of footfalls in form of buyers and fashionistas, boosting the solo cause of absolute fashion with undiluted business. The strict control on gatecrashers, Bollywood absenteeism and Navratra austerity by the attendees let the fashion precede lounges, pre show party and after show party.

The much awaited and venerated designer Neeru Kumar made her ramp debut by flagging off the week set the high standards which undoubtedly ensued for the rest of the fashion packed five days. Designers Tarun Tahiliani, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Manish Malhotra and Abraham & Thakore held the reins of ending the fashionable days, started off by Hi five designers daily. The Grand finale by Sabyasachi, infused with high drama and art finally concluded the week.

Amidst all this fashion brouhaha, the venue proudly exhibited the various installations in different forms, comprising of Indian entries to the World of Wearable Art (WOW), New Zealand and futuristic designs by designers like Preeti Chandra, Sonia Jetleey, Abraham & Thakore and Niket & Jainee. Besides, the events like ‘What’s haute?’, a fashion quiz anchored by Gautam Bhimani tested the fashion IQ of different teams consisting of a designer and a fashion journalist. Appreciating photographers’ endeavour, FDCI held WIFW – Eye on Fashion awards for best photographers covering the week. And, Ford Supermodel Contest 2011, a hunt for new faces for next edition of fashion exposition opened doors for many young talents.

Back on the ramp, Designer Gaurav Gupta and Hemant & Nandita infused bizarre element with out of the box makeup and hair dos. Tarun Tahiliani’s wide oriental hats transported the viewers to the Eastern lands. James Ferriera, the High priest of fashion, after exhibiting a beautiful draped range, enthralled with his moves on the ramp. Apart from drama, the ramps proclaimed that black is new black next season with umpteen designers relying on black magic. The printed leggings, palazzo pants, drapes and high waisted pants stood for usurping the wardrobes this winters.

Posted by : Chaitanya Garg at 12:50 AM

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An internationally recognized fashion event, together with Bloomingdale’s SOHO, the premier designer department store, present The GreenShows Spring Ecolux Designer Pop-Up Shop,showcasing ten contemporary fashion and accessories designers, in celebration of Earth Day2011.

The Spring Ecolux Designer Pop-Up Shop will present a unique runway to retail experience located on the fifth floor of Bloomingdale’s SOHO, with a site specific art installation by artist and surface designer Susan Benarcik. The Broadway display windows will be transformed into a visual celebration of the Ecolux collections. The Pop-Up Shop opens Wednesday, April 20 continuing through Saturday, April 23.

The featured designers presenting their Spring/Summer 2011 collections include Samantha Pleet, Suzanne Rae, Ajna Collection, Robin Brouillette, H. Fredriksson, Artists and Revolutionaries, The Battalion, and 2011 Ecco Domani Fashion Fund winner for sustainable design, STUDY NY by Tara St James. Featured accessories collections include The Sway and Sprout.

“One of the strongest trends in fashion today is the expression of ecological and social awareness in luxury apparel. Our collaboration with Bloomingdale’s represents a milestone event to showcase designers who are responding to these trends with beautiful and appealing collections, merchandised to engage, inform, and excite the shopper,” says Harvey Russack, CEO, The GreenShows.

For the second year, Bloomingdale’s SOHO and The GreenShows will unveil new visual displays in all three Broadway street level windows, on view from April 18 through April 26. Highlights include a one-of-a-kind couture gown by Luis Valenzuela and selections from each of the Ecolux designers.

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Pia Pauro presented her latest Spring-Summer 2011 line that displays a multitude of moods. The inspiration for this eclectic collection is the boundless aesthetics that this universe has to offer in the realm of art & culture, architecture, music and spirituality.

Drawing inspirations from all these elements, Pia has constructed a line with rustic, earthy hues and black & white prints that are borrowed from the Tribal arts. Colour is added to the collection with tropical influences – bursts of neon merged with white that adds a fresh feel to the line while foil print jerseys with gold speckles lend a tinge of glamour. Fabrics like cotton, viscose jersey, cotton silk, chiffon and silk georgette have been used making it fun and flirty.