Manish Arora's circus ends Fashion Week

Tisca Chopra walks the ramp

Tisca Chopra Tisca Chopra who is basking the success for her performance in the recently released Nandita Das movie 'Firaaq', will be flaunting her style quotient as the show stopper on Saturday for new designer, Rohit Kamra at the Lakme Fashion Week held at Grand Hyatt.
Talking encouragingly about Rohit’s collection, she says “I really like Rohit’s idea about the 'Dawn of India' theme- India emerging from its dark past to a golden future. I’m so happy to be a part of something that has so much hope."

Well needless to say, there is mutual admiration here with Rohit further adding - "Tisca can really justify my collection 'dawn of India' as the grace n charm that she exudes is very symbolic of India. Her powerful enactment of performances in films has made me believe that she as a showstopper totally compliments my power driven collection.”

Aavaranaa to host exclusive Designer Choli Blouse exhibition

Defining the next trend in the ethnic fashion industry, Aavaranaa, the exclusive designer ethnic saree boutique in Alwarpet is all prepared to launch their new fashion forward collection of “Designer Choli Blouses”.

With intricate embroidery work displaying designs of various floral and fauna patterns these blouses can be combined with a variety of sarees that transform a normal saree into an attractive and chic attire. Starting 29th June ’09 to 9th July ’09, Aavaranaa will hold a free exhibition for all saree enthusiasts’ on this latest trend @ Aavaranaa Boutique, No. 15, Ashoka Street, Alwarpet.

The designer choli blouses at Aavaranaa come in a variety of designs, each as unique yet equally different from the other. A notable blouse that will be showcased in the exhibition comes in a beige color with a complex embroidery pattern of two peacocks facing each other, stitched with a dazzling array of colors. With a deep back, the blouse can be combined with any simple styled light colored saree. Combined together, this mix and match outfit will give you the perfect sensual and elegant look for that evening party.

“The magic of Choli blouses is that they can be combined with a variety of sarees. Unlike the usual method a lady follows of first selecting the saree and then looking for a blouse, we will soon be giving her an option of selecting one blouse that can be combined with a range of sarees to make quite a dashing and trendy style statement,” said Ms. Vijayalakshmi Krishna, Managing Partner - Aavaranaa

With the launch of this new exciting collection around the corner, women in south India can now look forward to more options while shopping for sarees this Aadi. The Designer Choli Blouse collection from Aavaranaa will be showcased in an exhibition that is free and open to all at Aavaranaa boutique. This exhibition is scheduled for 11 days starting 29th June, 2009. So walk into Aavaranaa and check out the latest trends in the world of ethnic fashion.

Rohit Bal creates Lancôme Lotus Collection

Lancôme, the world’s No. 1 in luxury cosmetics is proud to announce its first ever Bridal Make up Collection The Lotus Collection, created by ace designer Rohit Bal exclusively for Lancôme.

Symbolizing beauty, pureness and above all renewal, The Lotus collection symbolizes the synergy between the creative genius of Rohit Bal & and the ceaselessly reinvented beauty expertise of Lancôme that will enhance the splendor of every bride.

Commenting on the association Rohit says, I have been a fan of Lancôme for years, hence I was delighted to create this novel collection for them. A bride always needs pampering and a luxurious beauty ritual to prepare her for the big day! As the bride prepares to reinvent herself, Lancôme fits her needs perfectly, offering the most exquisite beauty package!

Lancôme has been devoted to making women look and feel beautiful for over 70 years now. Known for its understanding of the indefinable charm that makes every woman unique, the brand endeavors to bring to the Indian Bride their own expertise coupled with the brilliant creativity of Rohit Bal.

Celebrating this grand association Mr Dinesh Dayal, Director, Lancôme said, Rohit was the natural choice for Lancôme. The couturiers creative genius combined with Lancômes understanding of beauty, led to the creation of this fine collection. The Lotus collection is a must have for any bridal trousseau, meeting the beauty requirements of a bride to perfection.

Presented with grandeur, in a beautiful Bridal Vanity Case, the Lotus collection is handpicked by Rohit Bal and Stafford Braganza, Head Make up artist, Lancôme. Keeping in mind the smallest of details to make a bride look and feel gorgeous the collection is a perfect blend of earthy tones to accentuate the eyes and lips.

Talking about the collection, Stafford says, I designed the look for a perfect bride with the colors hand picked by Rohit himself. Rohit’s bridal design sensibilities reflects in the collection too, with the color palette addressing the specific needs of every bride. 

source >> http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/fashion-news/india/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=72719

India's fashion flirts with West's silhouette

Mayor passes taxes; dyes hair.

That's the headline that Mayor David Miller joked would be written if he had taken up an offer to dye his hair purple at the L'Oréal Fashion Week tent.

Instead, early on Tuesday evening at the Cadbury Thins No Regrets Beauty Bar, the mayor opted for a temporary butterfly tattoo on his upper left arm. That's just one of the many sponsored activities, along with runway fashion shows, taking place through Friday in the 30,000-square-foot tent just outside Miller's office.

"I watched this tent go up and now, walking in here, it's magic," Miller said. "There's an energy and passion in here. We have extraordinary designers in Toronto, and like so many things, we don't trumpet ourselves enough."

Maybe Toronto can learn a lesson from India, whose fashion design industry has exploded in the last decade.

"When I started nine years ago, it was like My Big Fat Indian Wedding," said designer Ranna Gill, whose mosaic print dresses with gem-studded necklines were presented by Indiva, a Bloor St. W. boutique stocking contemporary Indian design.

But with the coming of fashion week in India, everything changed, she said. Older customers started trying younger silhouettes and younger customers had a fashion awakening.

"A lot of people think of Indian fashion as ethnic and old, but this sensibility has changed completely," agreed designer Narendra Kumar, who showed raffia-look floral dresses and gold linens with yellow beading.

Kumar is credited with helping to pioneer fashion in India, by bringing the country its first fashion magazine as the founding fashion editor of Elle India in 1996. Prior to that he had launched a collection inspired by '80s icons Azzedine Alaia, Claude Montana and Thierry Mugler, "but it was too ahead of the market." He relaunched his label in 2002, and two weeks ago showed in Paris with Montana watching from the front row.

"I have seen the evolution of fashion in India and they have come to the point where they can compete on the world stage," says Liloo Alim, concierge of Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel and a native of India.

"They realized `Why are we looking to the West when we have all the talent and craftsmanship here?' Now Indian designers are huge in London, Dubai, France and Italy. These people are the Guccis of India," she said, referring to Gill, Kumar, and the others featured in the Indiva show.

"We'll never let go of our sari," said Gill, who looked red-carpet ready in raspberry chiffon with gold sequins.

"It's like our comfort blanket. If you can't find anything else, you go back to the sari. But we are 100 per cent flirting with a Western silhouette, and that's the new India."

Ritu Beri

Countries like Italy and France have always been the countries that have produced fashion designers. When we think of fashion these are the two countries that comes to ones mind. India in the past 30years has not been left too far behind and have come a long way in the world fashion, and also other industries such as movies and IT.

Fashion diva Ritu Beri can't conceal a nostalgic smile as her memory jogs down those carefree days at St Anthony's School, Hauz Khas. The words of her standard XI biology teacher, Rita Aggarwal, still ring in her ears: "Ritu, you'll grow up to open a beauty salon."

Ritu finished her graduation from Delhi University in 1987. She was slowly driven into finding something that would keep her Ritu Berioccupied. It was then that she started designing outfits for herself. Slowly she began designing outfits for friends and relatives thus bringing her into the business.

She further went on and enrolled herself at NIFT, affiliated to F.I.T, New York in 1988. Among the millions of applications that came she was among the 25 chosen students for the first batch.

Having spent two years at National Institute of Fashion Technology, and getting enough formal training that she wanted, it was here that she came out with her first graduation collection "Lavanya" in 1990. She was the first student to complete the fashion study course. This proved to be a huge success for Ritu both in her homeland as well as in the international market of fashion with her collecting being sold out very quickly. Success came instantly to her with this collection even in the fashion Meccas of London's Regent Street, where a number of her creations were sold.

Article by Ambika Prem Kumar
source : http://lifestyle.indiainfo.com/beauty-style/fashion/ritu-beri.html

Deepika Padukone dazzles ramp at India Fashion Week 2009

Slumdog Millionaire kids to catwalk at WIFW

New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) The dream run continues for "Slumdog Millionaire" stars Rubina and Azharrudin who are set to sashay down the ramp for designer duo Ashima-Leena at the Wills India Fashion Week beginning here next week. "As we watched these two beautiful children Rubina and Azhar, bringing the rare honour to our country, our hearts melted with emotions with the thought of their getting back to the slums after all the fame and glory they enjoyed," says designer Leena Singh, The capital-based designers, who have been doing solo shows with the WIFW since its inception in 2000 have not had any celebrity endorsements so far.

"We are a very business oriented brand and have always believed that our clothes are the stars. But the thought of these two innocent children touched our hearts returning to the slums.

We really felt very bad and decided to do something for them which will make them keep going in life," says the designer. Both Rubina and Azaruddin who starred as the young Latika and Jamal in the eight Oscar winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" will be wearing outfits specially designed by Ashima Singh.

Wills India Fashion Week opens

New Delhi : Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week opened here amid the gloom of global economic downturn which cast a shadow over the event as the number of global buyers participating this time around is fewer.

Antropologie from the US, Viva from Moscow and UK's Ny-Lon are among the renowned fashion houses which are participating in the event being organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).

"We are going to have 200 domestic and international buyers...," FDCI President Sunil Sethi said, adding, "there will be slightly less number of buyers." Kimaya and Samsara are among the leading domestic buyers taking part in the five-day show.

The event will see Rajdeep Ranawat, Nikhita Tandon and Rsovane, among 21 others, making their debut.

India's designer clothing market is estimated at Rs 600-700 crore, while the market for branded wear is pegged at Rs 8,000 crore.

India Fashion Image

Excitement begins at Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009

The Auditions are over… and so is the Final Call for Entries! From a large number of entries received through these rounds, the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 Expert Panel showcased India’s gorgeous beauties who, after all the hard work and patience made it to the Regional Selection Round.

The Expert Panel consisting of Mr. Marc Robinson (Fashion Director and Contestant Director for Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009), Ms. Sindhura Gadde, (Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2005), Ms. Tanya Chaitanya (Editor, Femina) & Mr. Sameer Soni (National Director, Femina Miss India) were assigned the complex task of rating the best from the stunning line up. The girls displayed great confidence and talent which left the judges impressed.

Mr. Marc Robinson, Fashion Director & Contestant Director and undoubtedly, one of India's foremost and most sought after fashion symbols said, “I am extremely enthusiastic to be associated with Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 and I will do full justice to the cause.

We will focus on girls who showcase an innate talent to create a niche for themselves, not just by their beauty, but also by their intelligence. A Femina Miss India is a modern, confident, talented and independent Indian woman who can make India proud on the global platform.

We have received a fabulous response from across India and selecting a handful of girls from the numerous applications we have received has been quite a task. Given the recent success of Slumdog Millionaire, India is on a global high and the contemporary Indian woman today is a personification of such globalization and she is here to stay for good.”

An elated Sindhura Gadde said, “I am very pleased that Femina Miss India has given me this fabulous opportunity of using our experience and expertise to screen and select the right candidate. This event has given us a fair understanding of their mindsets and personality. I wish each of the girls all the very best.”

These selected contestants will be further shortlisted to compete with each other on the finale stage at the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 Grand Finale on April 5, 2009 in Mumbai. They will undergo a month-long Training Programme at Hotel Sahara Star beginning March 5, 2009, where experts such as Marc Robinson – Fashion Director & Contestant Director, Sabira Merchant – Diction Expert, Dr. Rekha Sheth – Nivea Visage Skin Care Expert, Latif. M, Mahesh Ambekar, Mohammed Ali, Bipin Salvi, Poonam and Dr. Ameya Agrekar – Fitness & Training Experts from Talwalkars, Neesha Bukht and Avantika Shah – Diet & Nutrition Experts from Talwalkars, Dr. Dilip Deshpande - Dental & Smile Expert, Dr. Abhijit Desai - Make over and Wellness Expert, Dr. Apoorva & Sonal Shah – Hair Care Experts, Prasad Bidapa – Contestant Advisor, Zakia Shakir – Fashion Photographer and Najeeb Ur Rehman – Chief Colour and Styling Consultant from Schwarzkopf Professional will thoughtfully guide them in various facets which are important for every aspiring ‘Miss India’ to possess.

source >> http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/company-news/pantaloon-retail-india/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=69652

Anamika Khanna grand finale designer at Lakmé Fashion Week

India’s No.1 and expert beauty brand, announces its association with the internationally acclaimed Anamika Khanna as the Lakme Grand Finale Designer at Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) Fall-Winter’09, India’s premier fashion and trade event, scheduled for 27th to 31st March’09, at the Hotel Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

This season brings together two pioneers in the business of beauty and fashion – Lakmé, the iconic beauty brand for the global Indian woman and Anamika Khanna, renowned for her masterminding creations, which are a balance of tradition and eclectic craft.

Lakme’s Beauty Sutra is an endeavor to convert trends and the latest formats into a line that works for urban, fashion forward Indian women. The fashion statement and makeup for the season will be showcased at the Lakmé Grand Finale show at LFW, through the creative expression of Anamika Khanna on 31st March’09.

On this association, Anil Chopra, Advisor, Lakmé says, “Anamika resonates the Lakmé philosophy as she weaves together a timeless Indian heritage accompanied by a modern eclectic touch, which is eternally appealing. In fact, it is not the first time that Anamika has shared her creative expressions on a fashion platform promoted by Lakmé.

Anamika truly takes Indian fashion global through her label, across international shores like Paris Fashion Week and trade shows in London, Singapore, New York and Los Angeles besides retailing through about 80 stores in the UK, USA, Japan and Europe. Her Lakmé Grand Finale presentation would be a majestic treat, to watch out for!”

Anamika Khanna comments, “It’s the perfect platform for me to be able to extend my aesthetic to. A product line that is timeless, consistent and high on Fashion, which is synonymous to Lakme’s beauty inspiration complimenting every Indian woman’s spirit of individuality and self expression. Lakme Fashion Week has always played an important role in India’s creative fashion success stories and I’m delighted to close the week once again.”

source >> http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/fashion-news/india/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=67840

India Fashion Week Spring 2009: Manish Arora

Threadtrend favorite Manish Arora showed his Spring 2009 collection in New Dehli this past weekend. True, he showed the same collection in Paris last month, but it’s more fun to look at the pictures from the Indian show, yes?