Girl with the blue scarf

Designer in my pocket Gone are the days when we cringed at the thought of sporting a designer wear for our special occasions, only because it would cost too much. And more so, those famous designers were always busy designing for the biggies including actors and wives of industrialists; touring around the world and taking a bow at various fashion shows. In these scheme of things, where did the common man exist? And guess that's why, we, the janta just made the most of the ware at local boutiques and felt happy whenever a nice looking outfit that fitted well, fell into our lap. But you know what. Tell me when did celebrities ever pay for their clothes, anyway?. After creating a buzz in the newspapers and television channels about which actor wore who's design that night, the designer only got compliments — alas! at his own cost — because the 'biggies' never bothered to pay up. And then came along a realisation, the designer started to look for 'real' customers b...

Touched-up beauty Your fave actor’s flawless, sexy picture on the hoarding may now carry a body image disclaimer. Is it about time to bust the ‘ beauty myth' ? A thing of beauty is joy forever. Is it? May not be for long though, especially if it isn’t in its purest natural form. With more and more people, especially the youth trying to ape their fave actors and models right to the extent of attaining a sculpted bod like their idols, fashion heads and sociologists feel strongly about taking stock of this situation. Incidentally, late last year, a law was proposed in France that would see digitally enhanced images carry a warning to viewers that the image has been retouched to change the physical appearance of a person. The proposed statement which is on the brink of getting passed as a legislation may eventually apply to billboards, advertisements in magazines and newspapers, photos on packaging, art photos, and press photographs. If that happens then scores of celebrity advertiseme...

Meet Malini — the gypsy queen Delhi-based designer Malini Ramani — Art of Living enthusiast and a dark chocolate fanatic — is super-excited to become the Grand Finale designer for Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2010, this September The fashion week fever is hotting up in the city. Model auditions for fresh ramp faces are done with and now comes the big news — designer Malini Ramani will present the grand finale at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2010 (from September 17-21). Sure, this is a hat-trick for Delhi designers to have presented the grand finale in Mumbai for three seasons in a row but LFW never maintained a Delhi-Mumbai barrier, anyway. I spoke to Malini about her plans on the Mumbai ramp. “The rains in Mumbai are beautiful, of course, only while I am indoors working on the ‘Gypsy collection’ for the winter palette,” revealed this svelte designer who’d pass off as a ramp model herself. “Now, who doesn’t want to look cool and glamorous while they are touring, she asks....

Thank God, I am TSF' ...that's Tall, Slim and Fair, say the young ramp aspirants who made a beeline to audition for the Lakme Fashion Week (September season) in Mumbai What makes for a good professional model? Well, not just tall height, good skin tone with a slim body, for sure, if that's your first guess. Instead, a whole lot of individuality that makes for a winner. And that's precisely what Lakme Fashion Week model auditioners looked out for, recently. Young ramp aspirants who fit the bill as TSF (Tall, Slim and Fair) lasses who came for the model auditions recently, went home with a realisation that it takes much more than physical attributes to take to the ramp. Incidentally, the minimum height criterion for female models has been increased from 5ft 7.5 inches to 5ft 7.7 inches for female models. Sorry guys! no male model auditions are planned to be held for the Mumbai Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2010 season. I happened to peek into the female audition rounds wher...

...And it costs only Rs 3,500 It so happens that I am currently basking in the glory of becoming designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's first customer at his new boutique in Kalaghoda, Mumbai. Yeah! the feeling is 'ecstatic'. And before there is any assumption of the price tag of this saree that I recently bought, let me tell you it's only for Rs 3,500 (I wouldn't have invested in a saree for anything more than that though, for I don't wear sarees often). Sabya (as this Kolkata-based design genius is lovingly called) is supporting a non-profit initiative called 'Save the Sari' . With this, the handloom weavers of Murshidabad, a place near Kolkata, will get a new lease of life by way of funds for their livelihood. Sabya says that he has been sitting with the weavers for many months now and weaving cotton sarees with so much love.Today, these sarees are beautifully displayed at his store and come at a cost which wouldn't pinch even if you aren't truly a ...

Are you an 'Emotional Eater'? If obesity is an alarming health disorder then Emotional Eating (EE) is a close relative. Surprisingly, it is a common occurrence with both men and women but often goes unchecked as a diet concern. Over time, EE often results in diet-related disorders and can cause disturbance in blood pressure, sugar levels and weight fluctuations. Health experts speak about how rampant emotional eating disorder is with most of us urbanites and if this concern can be curbed with help. EXPERT SPEAK: Naini Setalwad , nutritionist says that the ideal way to recognise this disorder is when you start to eat in response to your feelings. “At times when you are not particularly hungry, and are overeating due to your emotions, you can be assured that you are an emotional eater. And yes, you need help.” Pooja Makhija , nutritionist and dietician maintains that emotional eating is a phase. “In some people, the EE phase can get prolonged or get checked before it escalates an...

Bold and beautiful Fashion victims no more, Mumbai’s stylistas are tuning in to their personalities and designers are loving this refreshing change A lady in her 40s sporting a striking deep backless LBD, her gal pals go for sexy off-shoulder numbers and the male brigade opt for well-tailored double-breasted coat with more than just a glimpse of toned chest. Yes, this is the style sense of Mumbaiites in the social circles currently. And no, these aren’t filmy people. Quite a depiction of the changing times in this city, no longer are people settling in for frivolous imported trends that don’t suit their individual tastes. Going right ahead with a new look which pleases their sensibility, the aam Mumbaiite today is designers’ refreshing delight. Says Manish Malhotra , “Of course, Mumbaiites are getting bolder with their dress sense. And thank God for this.” Unlike cities like Delhi where weather demands a change in wardrobes, Mumbai does not experience a stark change in the temperatures...