Indian fashion makes a style statement with magnificence, elegance and panache

Much to the delight of the Indian fashion industry, and adding color to the current festivities, two back to back fashion weeks in Delhi and Mumbai left the fashionistas and divas in awe and wanting for more.

The recently concluded Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW) Spring/Summer 2009 (Oct 15-19) in Delhi followed by the Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW) in Mumbai (Oct 20-24) saw the best in Indian fashion industry displaying their talent to a wide range of audience. SATimes gets up, close and personal with the fashion weeks and its participants.

The Delhi story…

The WIFW Spring/Summer 2009, a five day fashion gala at New Delhi's Pragati Maidan, reached its crescendo on Oct 19 with a dramatic and flamboyant display of exclusive designs, styles and cuts by renowned fashion designer Manish Arora. FDCI president and host Sunil Sethi was a proud man as he welcomed the crowd.

Color and elegance rule runway, set trend for the festive season

Ace designers Satya Paul, Vikram Phadnis, Rajesh Pratap, Rohit Gandhi, Renu Tandon, Payal Jain, Ranna Gill, Rina Dhaka, Falguni and Shane Peacock presented a vivid combination of colors and attires at the WIFW.

Talking about their line W@rdrobe Rock @rt, Nandita Raipurani of the Nandita-Hemant designer duo said, "For our collection this year we combined Indian colors like Green, Blue and Pink with International colors like White, Black and Gray. We went with fabrics such as crepe and linen and are trying to bring the art technique of Dabka back into vogue."

Celebrities Sameera Reddy, Shabana Azmi, Chitraganda Sen, Sanjay Suri, Riya Sen and Deepika Padukone graced the ramp.

Designer Renu Tandon's Indian outfits in Red, Orange and Pink were a combination of modernity as well as tradition and could not be displayed at any better time than the Diwali season. In fact, her ensemble would also make for a very trendy Diwali attire as well.

Describing her designs to SATimes, Anita Dongre said, "My clothes are for women of all ages. From women as young as Chitraganda to women as elegant as Shabana, there's something for everyone." Rajasthani saris and knee length dhoti pants were a highlight of Dogre's collection. She has also used a lot of bandhini prints.

Designer Joy Mitra's collection included exquisite lehengas and short cholis while Payal Jain had stylish white gowns on display. Kavita Bhartiya's collection made a statement with a range of black ensemble that caught the eye for its wearability.

A flamboyant use of sequins in combination with Swarovski crystals on fabrics like chiffon, georgette and net marked the collection of designer Khushali Kumar. "My collection includes Swarovski studded gowns and tunics in vivid colors," Kumar told the SATimes. Explaining the meaning of her brand's name she said: "Reve is a French word for dream." Indeed her collection took one right into the land of dreams.

Designers Rina Dhaka and Prashant Verma will soon exhibit their collections
in the US as well, as told to SATimes.

New designers, big ventures and social causes give a new meaning

Among the many new designers, Rohit Mittal, Nisha Merchant and Umesh Vashisht's creative collections caught everyone's eye. Freshness of colors and clothes made a new and modern statement for both men and women.

The event was not only an update on the Indian fashion industry but also an event with a cause -- veteran designer Krishna Mehta championed for the physically challenged, while Falguni and Shane spread awareness regarding the growing cases of breast cancer .

Model turned actors Milind Soman and Rahul Dev, promoted their upcoming fitness gym Breathe in Mumbai. When asked about future plans, Soman revealed that he was starting "Label M with Madhu Jain as the designer."

Behind the scenes

Super models Carol Gracias, Sapna Kumar and Bhavna Sharma gracefully walked the ramp flaunting their ravishing outfits and leaving the crowd in awe.

What does it take to set the ramp ablaze? SATimes caught up backstage with Vimi Joshi, Senior Makeup artist of MAC before the Rajesh Pratap Singh show. "Lots of effort and dedication goes into creating the right look. It could take about three hours to get the complete the face, hair and make up done. However, a quick touch up of three minutes is enough to ready the models for different outfits for one show," Joshi explained. She also said: "Makeup hues and colors are decided on the basis of the model's attire." The artist also did the make up at the Paris Fashion Week earlier this year.

We also caught a glimpse of make-up guru and director of MAC, Mickey Contractor, creating magic with his brushes. Watching Contractor prepare the models for the show, revealed the power of his swift brush strokes that not only set the needed look to match the attire but also gave confidence to the models.

The grand finale

Manish Arora's show Circus was the grand finale of WIFW. In typical Manish style, the collection had a vivid array of mini skirts, rotating carousel dresses with Indian elephants embroidered on them, trousers, jackets and jumpsuits with varied techniques of embroidery. The stage was set up in Red and White colors with a 3D projection of a clown in Manish Arora costumes. The background music was inspired by Bollywood movie songs and a live band from the UK.

The story continues...

After Delhi, the fashion focus shifted to Mumbai, where the Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW) kicked off at the NCPA auditorium on Oct 20. The event was a riot of talent as designers such as Deepika Gehani, Vineet Bahl, Ashmita Marwa, Tarun Tahiliani, Krishna Mehta, and Sabyasachi Mukherjee showcased their take on fashion for the coming season.

The week began with designers Shantanu and Nikhil portraying their collection, a combination of drama and beauty with their stunning women's wear in Red, Black and Gray. Their menswear included Sherwanis in black and Jodhpuri jackets.

Huge chandeliers against a glittering black backdrop provided the set for Tarun Tahiliani's Levi's collection. Tahiliani set the ramp on fire by lending new age styling to conventional denim. Incredible beaded jeans, denim hot pants and jackets studded with gold coins and Swarovski crystals were some of his most talked about designs this year. The finale showcased a denim bride in bleached white jeans covered with jeweled chains and crystals worn by Bollywood's Sonam Kapoor.

Falguni and Shane's feminine collection mostly used floral designs. Waistcoats, funky frocks, halters in silk, velvet, chiffon and satin came together to create a warm and fuzzy look for winter.

Ruchi Mehta's exclusive pebble and palm motifs wowed the audience.

Pink, Brown, Gray, Mauve and Beige ruled at LIFW. Celebrities Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse were among the few who walked the ramp.

Day three, Oct 22, was the "Menswear Day." Off-late the average Indian male has become more fashion conscious and the fashion community doesn't want to ignore this up-coming class. As passionate as women are about dressing for occasions, men are also expanding their choices with an increased availability of styles and varieties. Featured designers included Lecoanet Hemant, Arjun Khanna, Troy Costa, and Raghavenda Rathore among others.

The LIFW advisory board members included some of the big names from fashion: Dr Darlie O'Koshy, Director NID; Pradip Hirani of Kimaya; Alka Nishar of Aza; Wendell Rodricks; Arjun Khanna; Narendra Kumar; Anil Chopra, advisor, Lakme; Ravi Krishnan, consultant to IMG; and Vikram Raizada of IMG.

Another baby on the block this year was the Delhi Fashion Week, which has been launched by the Fashion Foundation of India. It was held at the DLF Centre, adjacent to Emporio Mall in New Delhi from October 14-18. The show was relatively new to the industry and with not many big names, yet it managed to leave a mark on the attendees.

It was indeed a colorful October for the country, which saw the amalgamation of beauty, fashion, celebration of Indian culture, talent and brilliance under one roof with two annual events and the maiden Delhi Fashion Week, leading to the gradual ending of a truly memorable month which will end with Diwali festivities. It not only showcased what India has to offer to the world of fashion, but was a also a testament to how India fashion has grown over the many years and how the designers have taken clues from the West and made their creations in every sense – international.

Nikki Rattan/SATimes

Photos courtesy LIFW, WIFW

A step ahead:India and France civilian nuclear pact signed

Civilian Nuclear Pact between France and India was signed earlier this week on 30 September. This agreement was a result of the one day EU – India summit that took place in France's southern port of Marseille where Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met French President Nicolas Sarkozy and President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel. The main issues included space, terrorism, climate and nuclear development. "We both agreed on the need to reform international institutions, including the United Nations, to more effectively deal with these issues. We agreed to enhance cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism" said Indian Prime Minister after the India - France Summit.

Bilateral relations between EU and India are dated back to 2004 when a strategic partnership contract was signed. A Free – trade agreement is expected to be signed by 2009 with constant on going talks. European Commission had asserted that a budget of 500 million euros be assigned for problems pertaining health, education and reduction of poverty in the next five years.

The pact formed a landmark in the history of India and France. "Today we have added a new dimension to our strategic partnership. France is the first country with whom we have entered into such an agreement after lifting of international restrictions on civil nuclear cooperation with India by the Nuclear Suppliers Group. I conveyed to President Sarkozy our gratitude for France's consistent support to our civil nuclear initiative," announced Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. After 34 years of international isolation, this is Delhi's initiative towards nuclear safety, protection and fuel cycle management.

This bilateral collaboration between India and France have enabled French companies like Areva to open doors to more than one billion people. India presently has 22 nuclear reactors and will soon own two third generation European pressurized reactors and a supply of nuclear fuel.

India in 1950s developed nuclear energy under the Atoms for Peace Program. However, it did not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty calling it biased towards some nations. India was banned from nuclear trade in 1974 after the first atomic test. However this ban was removed in September this year by a group of 45 countries that provide nuclear material and technology.

On October 1^, U.S. – India nuclear deal also received an acceptance by the Senate. U.S. companies have opened the corridor to business in Indian Market. President Bush said this "will strengthen our global nuclear non proliferation efforts, protect the environment, create jobs and assist India in meeting its growing energy needs in a responsible manner."

Victorious Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government has yet again achieved a milestone in building partnership with France and U.S. This is a breakthrough in the history of India. Undoubtedly it will have a boomerang effect on nations that have targeted India and the Indians especially this year. However, it will cause weakening of deterrence. Aim would be to use this increasing power for peaceful purposes. Neighbouring nations would also be naturally inclined to form nuclear deals and receive support. This expansion of Nuclear power was carried forward without signing the NPT which may be yet another cause of concern. Nevertheless it will be operational after signing the safety agreements by IAEA.

Gotham Chopra: Breathing life in characters, from Reel to Real

Identified by Newsweek magazine in March 2004 as one of the "most powerful and influential" South Asians worth watching, Gotham Chopra writes on spirituality, culture, news and youth. Co-founder of Chopra Media and a partner in Intent Media (with father Deepak Chopra, New Age guru, and filmmaker Shekhar Kapur), Gotham talks:

1. Tell us about all the books you have written and a little bit about the theme of each.

My first book was titled CHILD OF THE DAWN and was a short narrative about an orphan boy growing up in India and the various mentors he encountered on his quest to recover a great source of power. The book emerged out of some of my own experience as an adolescent, growing up around so many great teachers and mentors but ultimately realizing that they could only help me find that real wisdom lay within, and that it constantly reveals itself as one’s life unfurls.

My second book was called FAMILIAR STRANGERS and we non-fiction. It chronicled my experiences as a journalist on the front lines of various wars and conflicts where often I would see and interact with soldiers, rebels, terrorists, etc. that were younger than me, fighting wars and harbouring grievances that were far older than any of us. The book really was an attempt to try and understand why as a civilization we constantly seem to be at odds with ourselves and is there a way to possibly transcend some of these petty tribal instincts and evolve.

The final book was a graphic novel called BULLETPROOF MONK that, not unlike CHILD OF THE DAWN, was really the story of a young streetwise kid who embarks of a quest to locate the legendary Bulletproof Monk, only to discover that the heralded hero is none other than himself. I think the same basic allegory was at work as Child of the Dawn, just in a different setting. To some extent, I think the story of my life is about wandering through all sorts of existential dilemmas encountering a variety of interesting characters who ultimately simply remind you of stuff you already know.

2. How about your role in Virgin Comics. What challenges did you face?

I am one of the founders of Virgin Characters and also oversee all of the creative development in the company. Challenges – where to start? Any entrepreneur faces a litany of challenges every single day that range from operational hurdles to personell problems, to the tremendous difficulties of having to creatively motivate artists and writers every day to tell stories that readers will care about.

3. What makes a good book?

There really is no secret sauce I am afraid but there are certainly elements that can contribute to stories that have a chance to succeed. First and foremost is finding a characters that readers care about. That doesn’t mean one that they have to love, but one that they can relate to, or empathize with, or fear, or recognize contradicting forces in similar to themselves. Once you have that character, a good writer will take the character through a journey that challenges their sense of self, makes them question their own existence and self-definition and usually come out the other side with a greater sense of self.

4. Which films have you produced and directed? How was that like?

I have produced a number of documentaries while working with Channel One News, a news network in the US. Also, I was a producer on Bulletproof Monk, the feature film adapted from the comic book that I co-wrote some years back. Now as part of Virgin Comics, I am producing a number of our books as they go from comic books to films. Producing and directing films are two different types of responsibilities, both creative endeavors in different ways, but very fulfilling. Seeing a vision and story evolve from conception to the screen where large audiences can view them is always exciting and invigorating.

5. What inspires you?

I think there are every day incidents in normal life that can be inspiring if you look for them. I often read about normal people who do extraordinary things from difficult situations and I def find that inspiring. I find the way my young son interacts with the world and how he consumes the planet as he becomes more aware of it – that’s inspiring.

6. How did the idea of K Lounge in New York arise?

My friend Vikram Chatwal called me up and said that he was starting a new bar/lounge in NYC and did I have any ideas on what we could do to make it different. Vik is a maestro in the hospitality business so he took the lead and I just followed and learned.

7. What is mythology for you? How have you described mythology in most simple words in your books?

Myth makes up the intrinsic and timeless stories that narrate our existence as a species. Great myths are about heralded heroes and villains that represent the great character archetypes that reside is us all – sinner, saint, angel, demon, divine, diabolical, sacred, and profane. The greatest myths do not live in the annals of time but really are re-enacted and re-imagined every day because their resonance and relevance never fades.

8. You have said that “letting go” of stress, fear, bad past or negative emotions is the best way to heal the mind and the body. What is the best way to “let go?”

Meditate, exercise, play.

9. What are the three most important things that help you attain personal happiness and contentment?

Meditate, exercise, play.

10. What are your views on attachment versus detachment? Do you live a detached life?

I strive for a detached life – not being attached about the past or have expectations of the future but it’s not easy. Then again, if I were totally at peace with my own existential dilemmas, there would not be much point to living. I am doing the best that I can (for now).

11. A dynamic individual and an inspiration for the youth. What are your future plans? More books, a TV show and more?

Like I said (above), try not to make too many plans or live life with such focus ad vision that I cannot enjoy the journey. I have aspirations in life: to tell more stories, to reach more people, to contribute to a planet that is more safe and nurturing to people everywhere, to answer some of my own existential dilemmas and questions, and most importantly, to raise children that will be compassion citizens of the planet.

12. Any advice for the readers and fans across the globe?

Meditate, exercise, play.

13. Tell us more about your experiences at Channel One. What did you learn from it and how do you think it impacted media in general?


To this day, working for Channel One remains the most rewarding professional endeavor of my life. Not only was it my first real job out of college, but where else could a recent graduate with little professional experience get a job that day one sent him to exotic places to interview the likes of popes, presidents, terrorists, drug barons, dictators, and astronauts?

Over the 5 years that I was at Channel One, I visited about two dozen countries, including places like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran, Checnya, Russia, Colombia, China and more, journeying into remote regions and meeting people and seeing places that few ever have. At the time, Channel One was the most watched news source for young people in America, reaching almost half the teenagers in America and probably the single place where they may ever be exposed to some of the critical issues occurring across the planet.

To that extent, I always realized the tremendous responsibility I had as a journalist and story-teller, to be objective in covering stories, but also subjective in being honest about my feelings - ranging from revulsion at the crowded conditions of a refugee camp in Gaza to the exhiliration of watching the space shuttle launch in Orlando, Florida. Also, because we always strived to create as authentic a news experience as we could, we often just used simple digital cameras, didn't bother with elaborate lights or sets or any of that stuff.

To that extent, I think we were ahead of the curve and the news media is still catching up today to the fact that when people seek information, they want it in the most honest, uncut, raw form so that they can draw their own conclusions, At Channel One, i think we realized that going out into the world and exploring it created more questions than answers. And while we tried to find those answers, it was always just a noble effort, no promises that we could come up with answers because things aren't often that simple.

14. What is a typical day in the life of Gotham Chopra?

I hate to think there is a "typical day" in the life of Gotham Chopra as that would make me boring and predictable. There are a few things I like to keep consistent though, waking up early and playing with my son, drinking a good coffee, and finding some time to exercise and/or meditate. The rest I try to keep varied but always includes meeting interesting people and hearing their stories, traveling to parts of the planet both big and small, quiet and loud, sacred and profane, in an effort to better understand the myths that define our humanity. That may sound lofty and esoteric but I have been lucky to have my curiosity nurtured from the earliest age. I honestly believe that the day I find myself satisfied with my life is the day that I will be ready take on my samadhi or silence. And I am pretty sure that day is very far off.

By Nikki Rattan

Gandhi Jayanti

Remembering the Father of the Nation, on Oct 2

October 2 is observed in India as Gandhi Jayanti, the date Mahatma Gandhi was born. Like every year, celebrating his teachings of non violence/ahimsa and reminding the masses of the significance of Indian history is the highlight of the day.

Born in 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi married Kasturba Makhanji at the age of 14 and had four children. In 1888, he went on to study law at University College, London. Later he joined Indian National Congress, only to become a part of Indian independence movement to end British rule in India.

Satvikta (purity), inner silence, vegetarianism, truth, respect, swaraj and satyagrah were a way of life for him. He advocated the use of khadi (homespun cloth). India became independent in 1947, but he was assassinated in 1948 by a Hindu radical Nathuram Godse.

Every year prayer services are held all over India on Gandhi Jayanti. Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Raj Ghat in New Delhi is the special venue for prayers, where dignitaries pay floral tributes on the day. It is a national holiday all over India.

In 1995, International Gandhi Peace Prize was launched on his 125th birthday. This award is for outstanding individuals/institutions who excel in reformations on socio-economic and political front with nonvioence and other Gandhian beliefs. Several reforms inspired by Gandhi's teachings have been instituted on a national level. Indian Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss this year announced a curb on tobacco consumption in public and private buildings starting Oct 2. Anti – tobacco drive (with a budget of 6 billion) is effective in NGOs, hotels and schools too, with fines imposed if rules are broken.

Online pledges for peace and nonviolence are accessible to people through a special website (ahimsa.nagpur) that has been created. SMS messages paying an ode to Gandhi will be sent to over one lakh mobile phone subscribers in the city of Nagpur. A plea to attend the peace march is also sent. Several cultural programs like "India Mission," performances by singer Sonu Nigam at Yashwant Stadium, school students taking sanitation oaths, exhibitions of Mahatma Gandhi photographs are some highlights of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in Nagpur.

Gandhiji is remembered worldwide for leading India's freedom struggle. The University of KwaZulu Natal in Durban is launching the Gandhi Luthuli Chair of Peace Studies. Doing the honors would be Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma and African National Congress president Jacob Zuma. The Chair's aim would be to teach Gandhi's principles of Ahimsa – tolerance, compassion and equity to the students, said the Vice Chancellor of the university in an interview.

Everything from his style and imagination are still followed in many fields. Gandhiji used to dress in a simple dhoti and shawl to express the simplicity of his life. Designer Anamika Khanna portrayed a vivid collection of cowl drape dresses inspired by Dhoti, thereby paying a tribute to traditional clothing at HDIL India's first couture week in Mumbai earlier this month.

However, his ideals of peace and freedom are being forgotten. With a series of terror blasts in May, July and September in India, Gandhi Jayanti should be a reminder to enforce the concept of non-violence that the Father of the Nation had preached. Killings, sufferings and blasts have made this year one would like to forget. The freedom that was won is being destroyed.

Will and intent especially of youth should be channeled in a positive and constructive direction, instead of anger and disgust for other nation. Power of the weapon must never be more than the power of words, of dialogue. Religion should be a tool for growth and not a barrier. "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will," said Mahatma Gandhi

By Nikki Rattan