TABLOID

HISTORY OF MEN’S FASHION

7/9/2008 3:23:04 AM

Life and fashion have always been evolving. Through the annals of mankind, fashion has had only one constant- ‘change’. Educating oneself with the origin and cycles of styles and trends is the single most indispensable factor to have a great fashion quotient. Lets then trace down the history that’s dressed the present and will continue to style the future.

One of the first ever Men's costume trends is that of English civilians, swordsmen and militia from 1580-1600. Period militia did not wear uniforms, but did carry somewhat standardized weapons like muskets and pikes. Material were all natural - cotton, linen or wool, in browns, greys, tans, burgundys and greens this came to be termed as the Pirate/Peasant look. Sleeved waistcoat, a pair of breeches, and a jacket show us what was worn by ordinary people during the 1700s. This was characterized by the Colonial era. 18th century fashion traces the era of tails and the frock coat, the emergence of the pantaloon and the influence of Anglomania on European trends.

From the late 1700’s to the early mid 19th century, hunter style dressing remained in vogue. This era was marked by hats, waistcoats, breeches and ankle length shoes. Coarse fabrics and muted shades were the way to go.

OLIVE 2

7/8/2008 3:03:18 AM

The Olive Bar & Kitchen, at the Amateur Riders Club opened its doors to South Mumbai with a knockout two day celebration over Sunday and Monday.

THE AMERICAN WAY!

7/7/2008 2:10:56 AM

The urge to abandon all concerns and enjoy a grand celebration that is irresistible! Tabula Rasa did just that with the American Independence Day celebrations. Upholding the good old American tradition with a live Barbeque on the terrace, serving scrumptious burgers and steaks in addition to the marvelous pizzas coming fresh from the oven! Great food without good alcohol seemed inconceivable? To keep up with the good times the deejays played popular commercial music on the terrace.

AMISHA’S THODA MAGIC

7/5/2008 5:57:58 AM

After burning the screen with her new hot avatar in the recent film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Amisha Patel was spotted partying in the capital with her new sweetheart, a Delhi-based businessman Kanav Puri. They first made public appearance during the Fashion Week in Delhi and were later seen together on many occasions. We just heard that Amisha and Kanav also went on a foreign tour - they holidayed together in London a couple of weeks ago. Here it seems that Amisha Patel is a kind of a person who does not look at the past and think about the future. It is said that the couple was spotted partying every night in Queen's land. Kanav is ready to do anything for his queen. That was the intensity of their love.

FITNESS FUNDAMENTALS

7/4/2008 1:57:13 AM

Gift yourself a Healthy Body ….. START AFRESH…………………….

“ By the time I’ll be thin, fat will be in”, read Graffiti on a girl’s T-shirt. Well, it’s sad but true; many of us need to watch out our weight. Some of us try diets, some combine it with exercise at the Gym (like me), just to live that healthy lifestyle and reach that feel good feeling, but doesn’t it always feel beyond reach? The best option is to find a good balance that will keep you feeling and looking great and make life bliss.

FITNESS SAVOIR FAIRE

7/4/2008 1:21:08 AM

She has been the guiding force behind Madhuri Dixit’s perfect 10 figure. But that was when she started. From then to now, she has, mentored the health and fitness levels of celebs like Bipasha, Katrina, John, Shamita and a whole lot of names that occur on her endless list. Shuffling between the dual responsibilities of a being a personal advisor to many a known faces and being the Managing Director of her fitness academy, she is Leena Mogre. In an exclusive interview with stylekandy.com, she tells Karmik Varma about life, Bollywood and her infinite fitness savoir-faire.

STORY SO FAR

7/2/2008 2:09:32 AM

Little had the FDCI fiasco settled in the minds of the readers, Delhi seems to have churned out yet another controversy that has rocked the fashion fraternity. Only this time, it’s gone international! With fraud, deception, forgery and con forming the edifice, it sure is a telling tale with lessons to be learnt.

CARLSBERG EURO

7/1/2008 1:41:32 AM

All Malt Super Premium Beer" organized a screening of the EURO Cup Finals at the TAJ President, Mumbai. The event was hosted by, leading interior architect, Nisha Jamwal & Pradeep Gidwani, Managing Director, Carlsberg, on Sunday, 29th June.

RADO COLORS

6/28/2008 2:10:13 AM

The Swiss watch Company, Rado of Swatch group threw revelry at F Bar & Kitchen to unveil its new Colors Collection. To do the do, after a long time Bollywood actress and Rado brand ambassador Lisa Ray made a public appearance who looked petite in her short black dress with sweetheart décolletage.

MOD’ART, INDIA

6/26/2008 3:06:53 AM

There rose a demand for a specialised teaching programme with an International background both for the Designer and for the Management side was necessary to allow future generations to prepare professionally for the many exciting careers in Fashion World. And so was born the concept Mod'Art, originally from Paris; now in India and already a fifth ranker in the country.

NID

6/26/2008 2:37:12 AM

It doesn’t get bigger than this. It is the best in the country and the most recognised internationally. The National Institute of Design was set up by the Government of India in 1961 with the help of renowned designers Charles and Ray Eames. Located in Ahmedabad under the ministry of industry and commerce, it is internationally acclaimed today as the foremost interdisciplinary institute for education, research, service and training in industrial design, textile and apparel design and communication design in India.

CONTROVERSY NAILED

6/23/2008 3:48:21 AM

It has been a fiasco no less than a soap opera. With allegations made, mail accounts hacked, big booty involved- the FDCI rip off seemed more like an Abbas-Mustan thriller than a genuine upheaval. That much for the media exaggeration. As for the factual truth, at the recent Press Conference held in Delhi, Sumeet Nair made quite a many claims.

WORLD MUSIC DAY

6/21/2008 3:25:00 AM

With the monotony and pandemonium of lifestyles that we are accustomed to in the contemporary society, it is quite convenient to become amnesic and forget the quintessential facets of life. To avert this crisis, man has very intellectually coined days and terminologies and dedicated them to a day in the year. The intention- to provide lip sympathy to the various factors that form the edifice of ones life.

TAMARAI

6/21/2008 3:01:35 AM

Emerging as London's winner and then going on to beat the winners from all parts of the UK is a high accolade for a bar operated by an Indian Company.

VERA WANG

6/20/2008 3:27:22 AM

From Posh Spice's wedding dress to threads for Hollywood's A-list, Vera Wang's elegant gowns murmur sophistication.

RALPH LAUREN

6/20/2008 3:16:45 AM

As Woody Hochswender, editor of Esquire magazine, said, "Ralph is a great interpreter of American traditions and he shapes these traditions in an ongoing way.

ESTÉE LAUDER

6/20/2008 3:12:27 AM

“IF YOU DON’T SELL, IT’S NOT THE PRODUCT THAT’S WRONG, IT’S YOU”.

That’s ESTEE LAUDER for you who transformed beauty into big business by cultivating classy sales methods and giving away samples.

ZINO DAVIDOFF

6/20/2008 3:05:27 AM

Zino Davidoff - the founder of the now world-renowned brand that stands for cigar pleasure of the highest order. Once a refugee from the Ukraine, Zino Davidoff has grown to become a byword for pleasure and lifestyle. He raised his conviction to a philosophy: "The Good Life" - that is the art of living and of experiencing the best moments in life with feeling and spirit. That is true lifestyle, that was - and still is - Davidoff.

MONSOON BAZAR

6/19/2008 2:28:02 AM

An interesting mix of talented ladies, some well meaning NGOs have come together to create a unique shopping experience called the Monsoon Bazaar at the Blue Sea in Mumbai. Put together by Rising Sun NGO' S like Akansha, Esmailya Helping Society, Mesco, OM creations, Sadhana and Seema participated in the event.

R.S.V.P NIKHIL MEHRA

6/19/2008 1:57:10 AM

Designer Nikhil Mehra threw a birthday bash for friends at his residence. Like the perfect hosts, Nikhil with wife Vidushi Mehra welcomed guest over drinks and munchies. Although, our birthday boy never revealed his exact age but never mind you’re always young at heart. Present at the do were Harmeet Bajaj, Shantanu Mehra with Wife, Peter Punj, Gudda aka Rohit Bal, Sumeet Nair, Shiv Karan, Inder Sudan(his first public appearance after he got settled in U.S), Sampada, Mukul Dev among others to wish Mr. Mehra.

RAINY EVENINGS

6/18/2008 1:26:58 AM

What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you see rain falling on your window pain. Doesn’t that give you a lazy monsoon gloom? And what better way to relax than fiery monsoon cocktails to chase away the drizzling dimness. Stylekandy brings a bewitching array of five cool concoctions that can give you a high to beat the wet wet weather. Chill out with your friends and serve these cocktails with élan.

From classics like Martini’s and Margaritas to Bay Breeze and cool Rain Waters, whatever your preference rum, tequila, gin, flavoured vodka or no alcohol et all there’s something in these Monsoon Drinks to make a splash!

THE DUBAI WAY

6/18/2008 12:57:25 AM

Ayesha and Dipesh Depala recently held a glittering cocktail party at their residence in Dubai to celebrate the second anniversary of Ayesha’s Dubai boutique, as well as Dipesh’s soon to be launched menswear collection.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN IN INDIA

6/17/2008 1:08:30 AM

The English Haute Couture atelier Alexander McQueen has marked its foray into India by signing a retail and distribution partnership with TSG International Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Initially, they will be opening six stores over the next five years with first store launch in New Delhi for Autumn 2008, followed by a further two openings in Mumbai and Bangalore.

ELEVATING CARTEL

6/16/2008 2:48:29 AM

When you think of a ‘band’, the first thought that comes in your mind is some bizarrely dressed guys on rusty guitars and a drum set, singing love ballads. But when you hear these four fervent artists of Jalebee Cartel jamming in the studio with their arsenal of synths / laptops and percussions, it actually leaves you spellbound. The low-end rumble, screaming arpeggios and piercing percussions are what define the true sound of this electronic posse.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAKHI

6/14/2008 1:56:26 AM

The writer turned director Abbas Tyrewalla with upcoming movie ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’ threw a party for his wife, Pakhi’s birthday at delItalia, Juhu. Spotted in the party was the newcomer Imran Khan, who swooned everybody present with his chocolate boy look. Also present on the occasion was his uncle Aamir and Kiran Khan, Ayaz Khan, Anuradha Patel and more. Our Kandy spotted Aamir sharing some serious talk with Kiran nooked in one corner.

DAD’S DAY OUT

6/13/2008 2:46:00 AM

Dads are always sacrificing their hard earned time for their families and barely have the time to think about what it is that they would like to do most with their spare time. He also wants to rather be out enjoying life than in front of the big screen, so treat him with something edgy and exciting this father’s day. Stylekandy brings you a sure shot guide of things which will set your dad’s adrenaline level high and take out that dormant kid from him.

R.S.V.P ROHIT BAL

6/12/2008 3:08:42 AM

It was only few days back, we all were reading about the passé and fracas in the fashion industry giving whole fraternity an uglier face. Analyzing this tense moment, Gudda aka Rohit Bal threw a revelry for friends from fashion fraternity to relax and catch some fun at F Bar & Kitchen. For the party, the venue was bathed in royal golden colour and candles were lit to engender a soothing aura.

'PADHEGA INDIA, BADEGHA INDIA'

6/12/2008 12:56:37 AM

P&G India, created history by developing India's First Ever 100-Year 'Shiksha' Time Capsule for a Social Cause buried at the P&G Plaza, Mumbai to preserve educational history for future generations and to increase awareness for Project Shiksha - a National Consumer Movement that empowers consumers across the country to participate and support education of marginalized children in India via a simple purchase of P&G brands.

THE PINK FACTOR

6/11/2008 2:09:51 AM

DJ Rummy hosted a pinky bash at his happening den Kuki for his friends. The idea was to have total ‘masti’ with grooving foot tapping tunes and make this hot weather ‘cool’. For the nightfall some of our dashing men turned metro sexual as they spot glittery pink shirts like the host itself, Peter Punj and Shaleen Jain and for that matter we really love those pink socks and stole of Suniel Sethi. Koel Purie looked stylish in black tee and denim mini but her ‘Kohlapuri’ wedges made a different style quotient. On the social patrol we caught Mandira Wirk, Vandana Vadhera, Suneet Varma Varun Bahl, Divya Gurwara, Vijay Arora, Kirti and Poonam Azad, Vasuki among others.

TIGER TIMES!

6/10/2008 12:56:04 AM

It was time once again to set Delhi clocks to ‘Tiger’ Time where DJ Arno Cost and Norman Doray of France together with our very own ‘disc-freaker’ Nikhil Chinappa set the house on fire with their funky thumps and exciting tunes at Agni, the Park. With a revelry that got a host of the capital’s swish set together, the fun-loving Diliwallas got the fresh and ultra smooth taste of this ‘ideal’ brew.

EARTH MATTERS

6/10/2008 12:55:10 AM

In a unique endeavor, the Eco-warrior awards were given to honor the silent crusaders for their astounding work done towards the cause of environment. On the occasion, Bollywood actor John Abraham and other 15 campaigners were given away the Eco-Warrior award for their contribution in conservation effort in Delhi. He received the award especially for his tireless efforts to create India’s first elephant village in Maharashtra. John has been working with grass root communities for creating habitat for animal welfare. His commitment towards elephants has helped several of these wild animals return to their natural home.

R.S.V.P TRICHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

6/9/2008 1:11:33 AM

To celebrate the election of Dr Akshay Batra, as Vice President of The Trichology Society of London (world’s premier hair society), special revelry graced by Barry Steven (Founder) was organized at swank new restaurant MANRE. Noticeably, Dr Batra is the first non-Britisher to hold this top management position as Hitherto all board members have been drawn from the ranks of top British professionals.

INDIA’S FASHION REVOLUTION

6/6/2008 3:01:40 AM

India is becoming a popular address for some of the most respected icons in global fashion. The international fashion brigade is moving in and that spells good news for the fashion conscious consumer. So what's drawing these brands to India? Like China and Russia, India is home to a growing number of high net-worth individuals thanks to an economy that grew eight per cent in 2007, rising salaries, gains in the stock market and real estate sector. Policy changes have also seen a more conducive environment for foreign direct investment in areas such as the retail sector. Stylekandy gives you an overview how fast global fashion giants are foraying into Indian retail market to catch the nerve of erudite buyers.

A FASHIONABLE SOIREE

6/5/2008 6:10:54 AM

A soiree was hosted by a fashion magazine recently at Smokehouse Grill, Delhi and Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mumbai celebrating its 2nd anniversary .On the social patrol we caught Designer Shantanu, Gaurav Gupta, Rahul and Gunjan, Hemant Sagar, Harmeet Bajaj, Ravi Bajaj, Varun Bahl, Tarun Tahiliani, Leena Singh, Neha Kapur, Manish Arora, Mandira Bedi, Suniel Sethi, Narendra Kumar & AD Singh, Leena Mogre, James Feriera, Kelly Dorjee, Hard Kaur, Anoushka Manchanda, Fahad Samar, Simone Singh, Gary Richardson, Suresh Selvaraj, Fahad Samar & Simone Singh among others.

FASHION, ART & AZA

6/5/2008 2:40:53 AM

On June 3 AZA brought two very creative passions – Fashion & Art close together as it launched Wendell Rodrick's LFW AW 08 finale collection, "Tropical Island".

THE MODUS OPERANDI

6/4/2008 1:42:20 AM

During his almost 50-year career, the Algerian-born Saint Laurent liberated women with his pantsuits and simple, yet chic, silhouettes. Known for designs inspired by artists including Picasso and Mondrian as well as his creations for French actress Catherine Deneuve in the film "Belle de Jour,'' Saint Laurent always saw himself as an advocate for women.

ART MEETS FASHION

6/3/2008 1:39:17 AM

Creativity has always been at the heart of CHANEL since its very beginning. It is this thread that unites Mademoiselle Chanel to Karl Lagerfeld, a visionary spirit known for his skill in anticipating the future of his times.

A GANGSTER'S DUG OUT

5/31/2008 1:53:40 AM

Perhaps the only bar in town that is strongly reminiscent of the Good, Bad and Ugly days of the mid-west, Bootleggers was launched recently in Mumbai. Owners, Mr. Sushant Kamath and Mr. Kumar Patel have ensured that Bootleggers has all the makings of a 1920 gangster’s dugout. With its unique theme, Bootleggers exudes spontaneity, ruggedness and a laid-back attitude that grows on you.

HIP-HOP @ CHINA HOUSE

5/31/2008 1:18:33 AM

Ata recent evening event, China House at Grand Hyatt Mumbai kick-started the Hip Hop and R&B nights with world renowned DJs Kray Twinz. The special music will be played every Wednesday night at China House Lounge.

SUMMER ESCAPES

5/30/2008 1:17:02 AM

PONDICHERRY
Pondi is popularly known as ‘Quintessence of French Culture’, ‘India’s Little France’ and ‘The French Riviera of the East’ as this territory was under the French rule for nearly 281 years. It still has the French flavor in it as one can see by the grand colonial mansions, beautiful boulevards, and placid promenades, spellings on sign boards and buildings, names of roads and public places. “Auroville” is the place to visit which is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. At the centre of the township lies the Peace Area, comprising the Matrimandir and its gardens, the amphitheatre with the Urn of Human Unity that contains the soil of 121 nations and 23 Indian states, and a lake to help create an atmosphere of calm and serenity and to serve as a groundwater recharge area. For dining one must visit one of the cozy restaurants that serve authentic French food-it’s a sheer delight.

FDCI FIGHTS BACK!

5/28/2008 2:02:39 AM

While Anju Modi and Karuna Khaitan have come all guns blazing in front of the media, FDCI has chosen to maintain a quiet but firm stand in the whole fiasco. As none of the premiere authorities of the governing authority have not yet made a public statement, the instructions seem simple and clear- Live and let Live. But yesterday FDCI decided to take a definitive step and released a statement that was a testimonial factor in reiterating the groupism that has been existing in the fashion fraternity, ever since the infamous split between Lakme and FDCI.

KARTHIK'S VICTORY BASH

5/27/2008 6:51:26 AM

It was a tense moment as Delhites were witnessing a close fight between Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians playing to secure their positions in semi-finals in ongoing IPL league. Delhi team almost lost it to Mumbai but one man who single-handedly took Daredevils to victory was Dinesh Karthik.To celebrate his achievement a party was thrown at BLANCO which was rushed by close friends and team mates.

A TRUE JÄGER-BRATION

5/24/2008 2:03:50 AM

These days Delhi is high on spirit and spirits with every passing day seeking new nuances of fun, fashion and cricket. The Germany's premier international spirit brand Jagermeister hosted a sparkling soiree for the finest, famous and fabulous. Hosted by Krishna Somani, the revelry kicked off with heady Jager shots and feet-tapping music of lady DJ Jolie(U.K).

A MID-WEEK SPLASH

5/22/2008 2:32:02 AM

Sudden startling showers in the capital have set the mood of all those party hoppers, right. Catching on the right nerve of Delhi’s champagne set, the Asia’s premium lager ‘Tiger Beer’ brewed some good times with its launch at F Bar and Lounge. Reaching these parties on time is always a faux pas but with this one, the party luck was bad even with late-comers.

TIGER WALL OF HOPE

5/20/2008 2:17:59 AM

The evening of May 18 saw Nokia announce its partnership with WWF-India, to be involved in India’s Tiger conservation programme. At an event held at the grandiose JW Mariott in Mumbai, the announcement was jointly made by Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India, and Mr. D Shivakumar, VP and Managing Director, Nokia India.

GET FRISKY @ ELEVATE

5/19/2008 1:13:17 AM

Frisky Radio is streaming the best and most up-front Electronic Dance Music on the planet since 2000 with billions and billions of beats served. This undisputed leader of underground dance music with genres varying from progressive House, Electronics, tribal, house, break beat, trance, techno, deep house, chill out, ambient and lounge it is all set to make a thunder applause in India.

COFFEE STYLES

5/16/2008 2:47:37 AM

With over 125 mn people depending on a mug of coffee to start their day, today coffee has become the most sought after commodity after oil. It has found an indelible place in our life and knowing this powerhouse of caffeine is quite a must. And just in case you are stuck to the good old espresso or cappuccino, Stylekandy makes you well verse with the various styles of coffee you can choose from. Read on to make that impressive style statement while ordering for your girlfriend, colleague, business associate or even yourself!

FLAVOURS OF ITALY

5/15/2008 3:44:38 AM

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, the city’s much loved Olive bar & kitchen hosted the European Excellence 2008 in association with Opera Consortium.

MOD'ART FOR FASHIONISTAS

5/15/2008 2:34:36 AM

Mod'Art International, India celebrated the visit of Mr. Patrice DE PLACE, President-Artistic & Education Committee Mod'Art International, Paris by hosting an exclusive sit-down dinner with the city's internationally acclaimed fashionistas on Wednesday May 14th Mumbai.

R.S.V.P &. MAGAZINE

5/13/2008 3:00:46 AM

Churning out best from fashion and philanthropy, Andpersand magazine hosted a party at Kuki which was highlighted by an auction of an haute couture creation by designers Gauri and Nainika Karan to raise funds for Udayan Care.

ESSENTIAL BARWARE

5/9/2008 2:46:37 AM

A well-stocked assortment of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages ensures that you can quench every guest’s thirst. But how much do you really need to keep glasses filled? But, if you are a pro, or want to make a hobby of cocktail mixing and take it a bit more seriously, the items below will give you a lot more credibility and make your job behind the bar easy and enjoyable.

KNOW YOUR SPIRIT

5/9/2008 2:18:11 AM

WARNING: You have to be of legal drinking age in your city to read this article.

Before kicking off any party trail, we need to know our spirit and spirits, right. As we are here to craft a perfect nightfall for you and no revelry is complete without falling in those heady concoctions to jazz up your mood, as we scrutinize the liquor world to brew out the premium flavors’.

WHERE IS THE PARTY TONITE?

5/9/2008 1:37:51 AM

It’s not for nothing that Mumbai has been bestowed upon the sobriquet of the ‘city that never sleeps’. Step out at 3 a.m. and chances are that you wont be spotting an empty stretch of road for even 500 mts! No wonder then, finding a place to party in Mumbai, must be a piece of cake walk, right? WRONG! With as many as 370 pubs, lounges, discotheques and Bars, choosing the right spot can be quite an ordeal. And if music is the sole USP for you to choose, then Stylekandy gets you a free entry into the top 5 hot spots to party in aamchi Mumbai;

INDIA’S TOP WATERING HOLES

5/9/2008 1:14:37 AM

The world begins here when the stars twinkle with the fast beats of the latest nightlife trend. Indian pubs have started offering their customers the taste of the western culture. Gone are the days, when hot topics were discussed by young and old at street corners over a cup of rich filter coffee. Today the topic may be the same, but the beverage certainly isn't. Get the pitcher, its time to rock with the life, over a mug of frothy draught beer! It is not just enjoyed by the young at hearts but even the old. Here, Stylekandy brings a list of India’s top watering-holes in metropolitan cities. Read on, to be a part of it

THE DESIGN FLOOR

5/7/2008 2:14:50 AM

It was unexceptional evening of fashion creating impressions of style and panache at the plush locale of MGF Metropolitan, Saket. Reason was justifiable enough. It was the occasion of the launch of Stylewalk-The Design Floor that concubines the concept stores of nine eminent designers namely, Ashima-Leena, Ashish N Soni, Swapan & Seema, Mandira Wirk, Vikram Phadnis, Gauri & Nainika, Varun Bahl, Area, Entra, Moonriver and Madame A Paris. The superb alliance of these courtiers at one place gives a discerning buyer one stop solution for their fashion, home furnishings and accessories needs. Top-notch models like Laxmi Rana, Krishna Somani, Amanpreet Wahi and Sonalika Sahay gave a peek-a-boo to the designers’ collections.

NAUTICA …AN ÜBER EXCLUSIVE BASH!

5/6/2008 6:53:58 AM

May 2006: You know it's been a successful bash when the showing is packed with the glitterati, the drinks do not run out, and the after-party rocks till 3 a.m. I'm talking about the Nautica launch party at Grand Hyatt, Delhi. There was no chaos at the velvet rope and entry was by guest list. "What an amazing crowd," enthused a partygoer, as she surveyed the glamour-infused scene. She was spot on: it was an über exclusive bash!

Pssst: You'd think it was Fashion Week revisited, what with all the primping going on in the washroom. "Yeow! My hair," screeched a Versace-clad lady with windblown hair and smudged makeup. [Did I mention that there was a storm raging outdoors?]

Guest List: It was fashion fraternity-meets-socialites as the ballroom filled with people post-10-30 p.m. Denise Seegal [CEO, VF Sportswear] and Darshan Mehta [President, Arvind Mills] melted into the crowd to meet and greet the guests. From Tarun Tahiliani to Vineet Jain to Ramona Garware, there was someone from every starry tier. JJ Valaya and Ritu Kumar regally occupied the front-n-centre tables while Vijay Arora cruised the ballroom. Nikhil Mehra, Nandita Basu, Bobby Grover, Sid Tytler, Manav Gangwani, Varun Behl, Rohit Gandhi, Nikasha, and Gauri-n-Nainika Karan formed the designer coterie. Miss India Universe Neha Kapur flitted through the room with some pals on her heel, Hans Sachdev hesitantly posed for the shutterbugs, Ameeta Seth and Ramona Garware traded gossip, and Samarth got rowdy at the bar. I spotted Shekhar clutching boyfriend Mihir Gandhi [oops!] and Chanel-clad Michelle wolfing pastries [''I prefer pastries to the celery stalks and pita'', she said]. Meanwhile, there was plenty of eye-candy: models Niketan Madhok, Kushal Punjabi, Nolana D'mello, Rahul Dev, Muzzamil, Ethiel, Joey Mathews, Nina Manuel, Sonalika Sahay, Rajat Chander Lal, and Carol Gracias rocked the party.

Runway Review: At the showing—so elite that every guest was afforded a prime position—editors and designers mingled with celebs, while the city's party pack perched on their heels to get a glimpse of the sportswear. Speaking of seating, there was no formal arrangement … just a handful of cushions strewn in a lounge; and of course, a few reserved tables … the perfect backdrop for a night of leggy models and the requisite ogling dudes.

And what a showing … bare-chested male models in shorts elicited wolf whistles while bikini babes sent the men into overdrive! The preview of the collection showcased capris, striped T-shirts, shirts, suede jackets, linen trousers, and light knits. Nautica, acquired by VF Sportswear Inc in 2003, would be retailed in India by Arvind Brands Ltd. The global lifestyle brand would merchandise its range of men's and women's apparel and accessories in Delhi and Bangalore. On the anvil are plans to set up outlets in Chennai and Mumbai by year-end.

FAUX PAS: "Omigod! Rahul Dev is so-o amazing! I've been his fan for years! I can't believe he's right here," I squealed in delight … until I spun around and came face-to-face with Dev. Oops!

MUSIC: The sound system pumped out underground mixes from DJ Iggy's bag of tunes! Yeah, this dude sure rocked the makeshift ramp-cum-dance floor … and hey, I spotted 'Kingfisher – Face of the Year 2002' Rajat Chander Lal boogying on the highest podium!

SUKETU@CAPITOL

5/6/2008 6:49:25 AM

Friday Night: I've got some serious work to do. As your unofficial party guide, it's my sworn duty to check out each entry to Delhi's nightlife scene. So, last weekend, I was ready to dive into action at Capitol's ‘One Night, One Party’ featuring DJ Suketu, hosted by Spotlight. This club is smack in the heart of Delhi's club corridor and it was geared to rock.

Guest List: Ayaan Ali Baig arrived to the sounds of 'Subhaan Allah,' while former Miss India Mehar Bhasin mingled in the VIP lounge. Sunaina Mafatlal and Rohit Bajoria melted into a sofa and delighted each other by taking pics with their mobile handsets! Oops! On social patrol were Krishna, Rohan Khosla with Payal Sharma, Sivangi Tomar and Surbhi Chopra, Umar, Dipin Bhatia, Shibani Kashyap, Sneha Mishra, Sahil Rastogi, and Ashima Tendon.

Music: Pure remixed Bollywood, Suketu-style! Okay, enough gossip now; I'm going to hit the dance floor! ‘Bollywood Badshah’ DJ Suketu had everyone feeling the groove with his signature tracks, ‘Kya Khoob Lagti Ho,’ ‘Bin Tere Sanam’, ‘Jalta Hai Jiya’, and ‘Pyar Zindagi Hai.’ Everyone, including me, was rockin'. What makes him a spinmaster par excellence? Suketu has undertaken a month-long workshop at DJ Kingdom, London under the Guinness record holder DJ Trickster who is known for turn tabling on six turntables simultaneously. Rock on!

WONDER BRA FOR THE DERRIERE

5/6/2008 6:45:20 AM

Madonna has it. Armani says it “preserved me from the craziness ... the weirdos … the people taking drugs all night.” Back home, Peter Punj prefers it over other products whenever he travels. Touted as ‘the Wonder Bra for the derriere’ across Europe, Cardio Wave [Technogym’s most advanced equipment to strengthen and shape the glutes] was the star of a recent celeb-studded bash by the poolside of the Amatrra Spa at Ashok Hotel.

AN ÜBER CHIC BASH

5/6/2008 6:41:57 AM

WEDNESDAY: A heady treat of international music is in store for the party pack this month. Courtesy Castle Lager, five international DJs from South Africa, UK and the US are spinning vinyl at a number of clubs in Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Jaipur. An underground music junkie, I have to check out one of the Castle Loud gigs: there’s DJ Anna Kiss at Calypso, DJ Bubblefunk at Thai Café, Kelly Trance at Superstar, and DJ Shy at Café Morrison.

Calypso, it is. Those who aren’t here tonight are missing out on one rockin’ bash. Oblivious to the paparazzi capturing her moves, Portuguese DJ Anna Kiss has the roster of Delhi's sleek socialites, tanned models, and airline crew on their feet with her brand of Funky House, Electro, Speed Garage, Old Skool Garage, Club Classix, Breakbeat, and Drum ‘n’ Bass. This gal rocks, dudes!

To get a feel of the vibe, I make a loop around the club. The A-list and their posses are ensconced in the VIP Lounge, while the others mix 'n' mingle on the mezzanine. I spot Arun Ahuja with a few buddies, model Mandira and Sahil, and Rohit Bhasin [sans rumored squeeze Tanya], who preferred to watch the action from the comfort of the VIP Lounge. “Hi! I’m a model,” says a guy at the bar, by way of introduction. Gee! What was that?!

“In the UK, the clubbing scene is huge; there is something for everyone. In India, there seems to be a preference for pop and commercial music. And the people here are very persistent in their requests,” observes the London-based deejay. Anna has worked three summers in Ayia Napa and did a residency at the legendary Gas Club. She is just back from a month’s stint at the Jimmy Dix club in Dubai and is looking forward to her new radio show on Kiss FM, Algarve. Impressive, but isn’t it tougher for a female deejay, I wonder? “It’s a two-way street. You do get a lot of gigs but at the same time, people don’t take a female deejay seriously. There have been no ugly incidents at the console, though,” she reveals. Amen.

Dahlins, I’m going to retire my stilettos early tonight; something tells me it’s going to be one long party binge this week. There’s not one, not two, but a dozen chic bashes going down. The lineup kicks off at designer duo Nikhil-Shantanu’s store opening at Crescent and Umesh Vashisht’s showing at Ashok Hotel on Thursday. Then it’s the Castle Loud buffet of bashes [DJ Shy-Pacific Blue; Bubblefunk-Spirit; Anna Kiss-Turquoise Cottage; Kelly Trance-Buzz; Tony Da Fish-Last Chance], ‘Shake that XXX’ at Royale Mirage, and MTV Club Night with Midival Punditz at Elevate on Friday. And, finally, ‘Don’ Aqeel at Elevate on Saturday! Does life get any better?

A Glam Post-awards Celebration

5/6/2008 6:31:43 AM

And the award goes to … seventeen Indians including filmmakers Gautam Ghose and Ramesh Sharma, couturier Tarun Tahiliani, restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, and entrepreneur VN Dalmia were among those conferred Italian knighthoods at the ‘Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity’ award ceremony in Delhi. The knighthood honors Italian and foreigners overseas who have made a significant contribution to developing friendly ties with Italy, in the language, cultural, social, and economic spheres.

Rockin' Retro Night@CLIMAX

5/6/2008 6:27:11 AM

July 27: You’d think the dismal weather would maroon everyone in their homes. But, hey, this is Delhi, and there’s always a sultry affair going down, so tonight we're headed to Climax; the chic club is playing host to a rockin’ retro night. But that's just the beginning. I have a slew of must-do soirees lined up this week, beginning with the cocktails to announce the ICC World Cup and the MOTORAZR V3i Dolce & Gabbana bash, and more premieres and club nights than I can hit, though you can bet I'll try!

Climax has the quintessential young A-listers, tonight. It’s a fun, dance-filled night, and the vibe is gradually changing from retro to club. The deejay has caught the pulse of the crowd, and has started mixing smash hits "Drop the Pressure" and "Aashiq Banaya Apne" into the tunes. Oh my gawd! Out of the blue, a city model in strapless T-and-jeans is standing on the sofa and is crooning "Aashiq Banaya Apne" to her boyfriend! Whew! He’s hauled her down [in seconds]! Those who were cocooned in the VIP Lounge didn’t stay there for long, though! The computerized music, lighting system and retro chartbusters spun by the resident from his vantage point of the suspended deejay box overlooking the dance floor created an explosion of fun for the party pack. Rock on..!

For a complete lowdown on the hottest bashes this week, check out My Li’l Black Book.

V3i Black-n-Gold Bash

5/6/2008 6:23:19 AM

Tonight, Motorola and Dolce ‘n’ Gabbana are joining forces for party celebrating the MOTORAZR V3i at the chic hot spot, Olive Bar and Kitchen. Seriously, who doesn't love a luxurious mobile phone? And this device in luxe gold and silver, with an engraved DG logo, and a pendent featuring the DG initials, is a shopaholic's dream. Needless to say, I'm ready to do some shoppin'!

There's a chichi vibe to the do, as fab femmes sip champagne in the courtyard. Motorola ‘servers’ are positioned throughout the bar and courtyard dressed in black and gold clothing ... with the mobile phone on a tray, for those who want a closer look at the handset. “The MOTORAZR V3i Dolce ‘n’ Gabbana seamlessly marries style with rich functionality, with features such as a 1.23 megapixel digital camera, video capture and playback, and optional expandable memory,” says Sudhir Agarwal, Director Sales – Motorola Mobile Devices.

Soha Ali Khan Pataudi, who unveiled the V3i, is a walking fashion plate in a white blouse with jeans. Never mind that the dress code is black and gold! Restaurateur AD Singh hangs tight in the bar. Shefali Talwar busily checks messages on her new handset by the wine bar, Raghav Sahni and his new squeeze sneak off to the terrace for a ‘chat’, Mahesh Vazirani checks out the V3i, while couturiers Manav Gangwani, Vijay Arora and Suneet Verma are in full-on party mode. A scruffy Ratan Mehra [um, please shave!] lifts the plate of Tandoori snacks from a server’s tray; “I’m famishing,” he grins sheepishly.

DIVE BARS

5/6/2008 6:17:18 AM

On a seemingly dull Monday night, we moseyed over to South Delhi to check out a few clubs but most were empty or closed. So we went to a dive bar in Vasant Vihar. It was packed; in fact, stepping into the small pub was like clearing airport security! There was a manned checkpoint to admit guests and 'keep trouble out'. Across town, another couple pursues the dive bar scene in Connaught Place, but soon ends up standing four deep at the bar. Conversation is out of the question, the band is on full force, and the beer is warm.

You’re going to get frisked before you get frisky on the dance floor, but don’t be put off by the bouncers or the Rs. 300 cover charge. Inside, the staff is friendly, and the Bollywood, retro, and hip-hop music is a blast. Don't go there expecting to rub shoulders with the chic set. What you get here is students, club staff, clubbers cruising for 'afters', and men who hope to 'get lucky'. These parties are peopled with 'friendly females' and any gal is considered fair game … yet, the façade isn't sleazy; everyone has a blast!

''I've been going to dive bars for three years! And its one place where friendly women will come over and introduce themselves. Last week, a journalist from Jakarta [or so she said!] offered to join my table since she was new in town; I had a good time but was a bit wary of her ; sure enough, the conversation led towards fantasies and she hinted that she could teach me a few tricks — at a price,'' said Anand*.

The music is anything but mellow. "This is a tune every girl here will recognize," yelled the DJ. "It's their anthem." And then he broke it down with "Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh," and swung into Beyoncé's 'Crazy in Love'. Beer is the preferred poison. I tried to order a Diet Coke at the bar, but two suits were propped shoulder-to-shoulder against the counter. I tried to squeeze around them, but they didn't budge. Finally I tapped one on the shoulder and asked him to scoot over. Wrong move! One of them sized me up, wondering if he should try his luck—until I was rescued by my friends!

The purpose of this prose is not to insult dive bars. In fact, dive bars are probably the sanest places. They never pretend to be anything they are not, and, while they have the right to refuse service to anyone, they never do. The patrons are unabashedly honest; strangers pour out their life stories and even the pick-up lines are sincere [“your face is beautiful but I love your ass"]. So get out those jeans, t-shirt and sneakers. Grab a few buddies and prepare to rock.

Where's the party? Ask any regular or frequent the smaller pubs littering South Delhi; within no time, you’ll be clued in. Soon, they'll add you to their mobile invitation list and … beep-beep … you're in! Clearly, a dive bar is a state of mind as well as a place. Some are skanky, some are just little neighborhood holes-in-the-wall, but, like art, you’ll know one when you see one.

Its 'Time' for Nautica

5/6/2008 6:13:48 AM

If arriving late is fashionable, I'm out of step tonight. I'm one of the first to arrive at the launch of Nautica watches by Timex India. The A-listers are yet to make their entrance at the boutique, because they would never be so gauche to arrive early. In my defense, I'm frothing at the mouth to check out the collection.

My shopping list is miles long and I've only scoured a few iconic styles such as the NMX-62 inspired by vintage navigational instrumentation. I'm totally lustin' over the NMX series; it combines chronograph timepiece, date, 24 GMT, and a analog compass … perfect for yachting in the French Riviera.

A GLAM-INFUSED WEEK

5/6/2008 6:09:38 AM

Despite the heatwave, Delhi was rockin' last week, what with spinmasters like Aqeel and Nikhil Chinappa running around town. My social calendar was packed tight, with stops at luxe clubs like Climax, Calypso, and Nasha, and more all-night bashes than I could possibly hit--though you can bet I tried! Lucky for you, I kept a diary of my action-packed week. I promise … it'll be just like you were there.

THURSDAY: The music was underground, all the way, at the weekly gig in Urban Pind. So what if there was no dance floor? People were swinging in the aisle, lounge, and by the bar on the next level … anyplace! Model-DJ Iggy enthralled guests with Deep House from his new set and had everyone feeling the groove! Who was there? Arjun Saluja, Vaishali Ramaswamy, DJ Ayesha from Goa … and a healthy turnout of French and Italians!

FRIDAY: Nasha was rocking to the tunes of DJ 'Don' Aqeel [accompanied by wife Farah] on Friday night; his take on 'Main Hoon Don', 'Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein', and 'Dhoom' are surefire hits! "I'm a heterosexual man," stated Satya Singhvi for the record, "and even I'm attracted to Aqeel!" Seems the sexy vibe of the refurbished club is getting everyone hot and bothered. Or maybe it's just the power of the droolworthy deejay! My friends were a bit flummoxed because everywhere they turned there was a good-looking model: Ramneek Pantal, Sachin Khurana, Shahid Alam and Natasha Suri, to name a few. Interesting … if this didn't give you a high, toast 'Ek Glassy, Do Glassy, Teen Glassy, Chaar' with The Sona Family in the main lounge in addition to A-Dub [USA] and DJ Iggy on the terrace, this week.

SIGNATURE 'ROCK' BASH

5/6/2008 6:04:57 AM

All roads lead to Fluid tonight, and here's why. Tonight, The Signature Party on the Rocks by McDowells Signature is playing Pied Piper and luring the party pack to Noida for a pleasant rock-infused evening. Rest assured, this bash is gonna get down tonight!

WIFW Nikhil Shantanu Bash

5/6/2008 5:45:53 AM

Even though I am tired as hell, I've snagged an invite to the Shantanu-Nikhil after-party, hosted by Bacardi at Lodi Gardens. Everything is purr-fect as I arrive at the jungle-inspired bash. The vibe is quasi-vacationland, with low seating, cozy corners, and cozier booths. But the central hangout quickly becomes the terrace bar. The music is pure, unadulterated electronic.

WIFW Rohit Gandhi Bash

5/6/2008 5:43:33 AM

The Fashion Week action isn't over till the A-Listers have shined, shimmied, and schmoozed till they drop. Tonight, I'm feeling extra hair-tossing sassy. You would be, too, if you were one of the über exclusive guests invited to Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna's Fashion Week bash. It's a private soiree at their Golf Links residence; hence, the guaranteed graces of the fashion fraternity and gilded guests alike.

Pssst: Those who didn't receive the much-coveted invite were in quite an haute huff. Yet, despite the unfathomable social snub, a few thick-skinned party crawlers decide to try their luck anyway–invite be damned! But gatecrashing into this party is impossible, dahlins; guards keep the couture crowd at a safe viewing distance from the teeming milieu of wanabes. I'm quite surprised to see a rather chic couple checking out the entry point at 2-30 a.m. to see if the toughs have retired; a new way to gatecrash parties, dahlins?

The party is at their terrace and the decor is understated elegance; the duo did a wise thing by covering the terrace in lieu of the generous rain gods; the music is full-on House and the vibe is quasi-psychedelia. And that's just the inanimate fixtures. There are also the not-to-be-outdone guests, like Arjun Rampal and wife Meher, Sheetal Malhar, Diandra Soares, Binal Trivedi, Rajneesh Duggal, Muzzamil, and Mumbai's hottest model Shawar Ali snaking through the crowd in a hip summer jacket. Now...where are the hosts with the most?

Overheard: "He's my best accessory! Without him, I wouldn't look good!" The man in question slides an arm around her, and the couple exchanges a light peck. [Yep, forget all those pesky rumors about the break-up of this A-list couple – they're doing fine.] Then it's back to her favorite subject, as the Versace-clad gal held out her ring finger, weighed down by a massive ring: "And look, I'm wearing Cartier."

GUEST LIST: Instead of stuffy suits, it's the fun hipsters getting their party on. It's a roster of the duo's fave friends … a heady mix of sassy socialites and picture-perfect models; the A-List quotient is served up by Sanjeev and Alka Bali, Shweta and Natasha Nanda, Hanut Singh, Karan Paul, Vijay Balhara, Sunny Gill, Anaita Shroff Adajania, Karam, Miss India Neha Kapur, Arun Ahuja, Ruheen Jaiswal, Robert Vadra, Tanisha Mohan, Vikas Malhotra … and the entire fashion fraternity. Caught up in each other are Laila and Sanjeev Saran, and Rohit Sarin arrives hand in hand with Natasha Singhania [did everyone else know they were dating?].

No pics for this bash; my photographer couldn't steamroll his way in :-( Watch this space for a streaming video of the Grand Finale bash at Climax!

WIFW Grand Finale Bash

5/6/2008 5:34:55 AM

When it comes to fashion weeks, one soiree is passé. The final day of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week is studded with three A-list bashes. So, I rush from the runway showings to Shaleen Jain's ultraprivate pool party at The Grand, followed by the much-awaited finale party at Climax, and yet another bash at Nasha. Does life get any better? It may be a scheduling nightmare for some, but for me it is as glam-packed as the fashion jamboree; a quick change and a dash of Davidoff, and I'm ready to tackle the swell of socialites!

GREY GOOSE BASH

5/6/2008 5:30:45 AM

I'm suffering from a serious case of post-fashion week depression. Returning to regular life after the soiree swirl of WIFW is a bit of a buzzkill. Surely there's got to be some action somewhere in this town! Sure enough, there is, over at The Imperial, where Grey Goose is throwing a celeb-studded bash. The crowd is oozing with executive airs. This is quite fitting, as it turns out, considering the top suits from Grey Goose are behind the bash. I decide to head straight into the thick of the action: the bar.

As I weave my way through the thirsty throng, I spot Mumbai model Inder Mohan Sudan planted on a cushion, and snake right past model Vijay Balhara and Sascha Sippy [of the 'Sholay' family] who are deep in conversation. Is a film offer on the cards? Interesting … It's an eclectic group of people tonight, ranging from couturiers Raghuvendra Rathore and Rohit Bal to Nafisa Ali and Monu-Alka Bali. Somewhere in the middle of the gamut is heavily bearded filmmaker Shaan Zorabian [whom I almost do not recognize owing to the fuzz!]. DJ-Model Ignatius Camillo shows up with girlfriend Vaishali Ramaswamy on his arm; no, dahlins, he was NOT jealous when he spotted her with Cyril, so quit those Chinese whispers!

PANTENE SHINE AWARDS

5/6/2008 5:27:28 AM

Tonight I'm feeling extra hair-tossing sassy. You would be, too, if you were one of the select guests invited to the Pantene Shine Awards at ITC Grand Central Sheraton, Mumbai. And this isn't just any awards function; on the occasion of its global re-launch, Pantene is feting the country's six leading beauty experts in the presence of their Brand Ambassador Sushmita Sen. Hence, the guaranteed graces of winners and gilded guests alike.

Those who feel it's incorrect to attend a formal affair in jeans … are seriously outdated. It's the hottest look in dressed-down chic. Style diva Sushmita Sen looks stunning in a deconstructed printed dress cinched with a skinny belt, and worn over jeans! 12 years after being crowned Miss Universe, the potency of Sushmita's sex-goddess image continues, unabated.

''Pantene encourages the spirit of 'Shine. I Believe I Can.' That's exactly what I've lived every moment of my life with,'' she announces, while awarding the night's big winners Dilshad Pastakia [hair stylist], Deepika Mehta [yoga and fitness expert], Queenie Dhody [grooming expert], Dr. Kalpana Sarangi [dermato-cosmetologist], Dr. Anjali Mukherjee [nutritionist], and Anita Dongre [fashion designer].

The company has sme more women-centric plans up its sleeves! In association with Whisper, Pantene will soon launch an all-women job hunt reality show. The three-month show kicks off in October on Zee News and will invite entries from young women across the country to compete for their dream job. Cheers!

BENETTON'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

5/6/2008 5:24:10 AM

If arriving late is fashionable, I'm woefully out of step tonight. I'm one of the first to arrive at the Benetton bash going down at the spiffy Mayfair Gardens. Dahlins, I'm going on a model hunt tonight; the place is overflowing with dapper dudes like Shawar Ali and Muzamil Ibrahim. And if that isn't delicious enough, Benetton has added a splash of girl power with leggy models Carol Gracias, Amanpreet Wahi, and Monikangana Dutta. It's all just too fabulous.

Pssst: It's barely 10 o'clock, and the gossip mill is buzzing faster than the wine corks are popping. The talk of the hour? The sight of a leggy lass nestled comfortably on the lap of a certain supermodel from Mumbai!

Forget the A-listers and party cruisers. The chic venue is awash with Benetton dealers, customers, and the ilk. I can't spot a single known face until a Bangalore buddy walks in. Surprising, considering the event is a double whammy, celebrating Benetton's 40^th anniversary and showcasing their fall winter 2006-07 collection. The theme is a ''walk through Benetton's world'', brought alive by pictorial panels depicting the brand's journey till date, and interspersed with bytes from anchor and veejay Pia Trivedi who reads aloud from a notepad!

ANDPERSAND Launch Party

5/6/2008 5:18:47 AM

DELHI: September 30, 2006

EAU: I'm expecting the party at Eau to be the quintessential A-list event. Tonight's do is all about the launch of an international lifestyle magazine ANDPERSAND in India and sure enough, the club is packed with fashion icons and the managers, stylists and other behind-the-scenes types who support them.

Walking in, I spot model-deejay Ignatius Camillo who has rock-till-dawn plans at his gig in Sapphire, which is slated to end with breakfast at dawn. Iggy's got a huge fan base; check what a loyalist said to him: ''You've got oriental rhythm in your veins … the melody is always up and down and I'm sure you follow the river of the lights. You know how to make music. You are a creator … with rhythm, pieces of sounds, and instrumental harmony.'' Whoa!

BUDDHA GOES TO LA

5/6/2008 5:13:47 AM

LOS ANGELES: What's the next Hollywood epic? If the producers at M Films [financed by Bhupendra Kumar Modi,] have their way, it will be a biopic reportedly on the life of the Buddha as told in Thich Nhat Hanh's 'Old Path White Clouds'.

The luncheon at the Peninsula Hotel on Beverly Hills is all about acquainting Hollywood's iconic talent and the paparazzi with M Films' $120 million project, 'Buddha'. Thus the tables are packed with honest-to-Hollywood A-listers Sharon Stone, Michael Shane, Robert Downey Jr., Laurence Fishburne, and Goldie Hawn. What drew the 75-odd guests in attendance was the opportunity to meet the event's keynote speaker, the Dalai Lama, who endorsed the project.

While speaking with the help of a translator at times, the Dalai Lama made his point clear: Hollywood has the power to affect the world through cinema, and a film about the life of Buddha has the potential to inspire compassion, something sorely lacking but needed in our society. "From Buddha's life story, maybe you'll get inspiration," he said. "Our intention is not the propagation of Buddhism, but helping the world."

'Buddha' is a large-scale commercial bio-pic for mainstream audiences worldwide and will be shot in the U.S., Japan, China, Thailand and India. Casting for the film, which will be in English, will begin immediately, with producers currently considering a short list of A-List stars for the lead roles. Principal photography is slated to begin in 2007 for the film to be ready for worldwide release in 2008. M Films has roped in Hollywood producer Michael Shane, whose executive producing credits include 'I', 'Robot', and 'Catch Me If You Can'. Also present was Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh, whose book 'Old Path White Clouds' is being adapted for the biopic. "It is a manual for the practice of peace," Hanh said of his book, which MCorpGlobal, the parent company of M Films, has bought exclusive film rights to.

LFW CLOSING BASH AT PRIVE

5/6/2008 4:24:35 AM

After hours of pondering what to wear to the Lakme Fashion Week closing party in Privé, and an unsuccessful shopping excursion, I finally settle on a leopard halter and black pants. After all, it is THE party of the season!

Talk about timing the perfect arrival. My stilettos hit the red carpet post-midnight, seconds before Arbaaz Khan, Malaika Arora and Amrita Arora arrive! The minute the paparazzi catch sight of them, the cameras start going off like strobe lights at a nightclub. The Bollywood trio primps and poses, while I stumble down the carpet partially blinded from the flashbulbs.

The A-list positively outnumbers the hoi polloi. I guess it's the allure of a fashion week that has everyone pulling strings to get into this über chic bash. "I called everyone I knew in the fashion industry and begged," gushes a die-hard party animal in a little red dress. "I mean, how could I not?" Hmm ... that's far better than snatching an invitation from a hapless guests at the entrance the way Parveen did! Stepping out of a Mercedes and behaving like this! "That's Mumbai," grins her date.

BLENDERS PRIDE FASHION TOUR BASH

5/6/2008 4:16:03 AM

It's the Delhi leg of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2006, and I've been at the prêt-à-porter parade, drooling over Malini Ramani's ensembles and observing the celeb-radar get thrown off kilter at the Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna showing. As in Mumbai last week, in Delhi too, all the real strutting goes down at the post-show parties. So, I get dolled up for the bash at the über chic nightclub, Climax. This is going to be good!

The vibe is cool and chic at the strictly-by-guest-list affair where the couture crowd mingles with Climax regulars, namely the city's A-list. "I've been friends with Malini since we were kids," confides Goa-based Nicole, whose tiny frame is clad in Versace. "I'm here to support her," she gushes. While Malini Ramani mixes 'n' mingles, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna draw compliments for their collection.

LAUNCH OF MEN'S HEALTH

5/6/2008 4:01:51 AM

We've seen supermodels on the catwalk. We've had a fair share of Bollywood actors strutting down the ramp. Now it's the turn of deejays and television actors! No, I am not kidding!

A TOAST TO JOHN DIGWEED

5/6/2008 3:22:06 AM

Bring on the Vodka shots, because I'm in the mood to celebrate! Tonight, I'm at a fabulous bash hosted by Smirnoff to toast Electronic Dance Music spun by UK-based DJ John Digweed accompanied by Shiva Sound System and DJ Ivan.

SABMILLER LAUNCHES ITALIAN PREMIUM LAGER IN INDIA

5/6/2008 3:16:13 AM

If you ask Italians to name a premium lager, chances are Peroni Nastro Azzurro will be declared. Now, it is available in select nightclubs, lounges and Italian restaurants in Mumbai. SABMiller India has launched the Italian premium lager in India and it is positioned as 'Italian style in a bottle'.

EDGE

5/6/2008 3:09:58 AM

Occasion: Launch of energy drink, EDGE

Venue: Taj Lands End, Mumbai

Date: Nov. 16

Formulated and produced with their Austrian counterpart INDRINKS Vertriebsges.m.b.H., Status Enterprises launched an energy drink, under the brand name of EDGE. The launch bash is rockin' with the city's swish set … from sexy Shamita Singha to the charming Upen Patel [they sure do look good together!]. Aftab Shivdasani is scorchin' hot in a fire-engine red shirt. Across the room, a more sedate Ekta Kapoor prefers to spend time with her jet-setting crew while Rakshanda Khan meets and greets, pausing to spend a chunk of time with Krutin Chaturvedi, head of Status Enterprises.

THE SOCIAL WHIRL

5/6/2008 2:54:40 AM

Visibly pleased with the success of the film, the star cast of 'Apna Sapna Money Money' [Riteish Deshmukh, Koena Mitra, Shreyas Talpade, Riya Sen, and Celina Jaitly] rocked the Provogue showroom in Mumbai

THE 'EFFECT' OF A WILD NIGHT AT CLIMAX

5/6/2008 2:46:40 AM

MBG [Miller Brands Germany] International, in association with SMD International, has brought energy drink Effect to the Indian market. At the do hosted by Effect in Climax, the A-list definitely outnumbered the hoi polloi. I guess it's the allure of RJ-DJ Rohit Barker's scorching hot unreleased tracks from Miami and Europe that had everyone making tracks to this bash.

SUMMER POOL

5/6/2008 1:47:06 AM

With summers getting warmer each year and global warming suspected to steadily make matters worse, you may find a pool party as an increasingly more attractive idea. Shaleen Jain cashing up on this idea hosted a cool pool party for his friends at Aqua, The Park. Seen at the party were ‘firangi’ beauties that made their best splash out!

OLIVE ANNIVERSARY BRUNCH

5/6/2008 1:46:38 AM

I peel myself out of my desk at office a hair before noon and begin a debate over how to spend this mellow Saturday afternoon. Do I hit the malls for some soul-salving shopping? Or drop by the Olive Bar and Kitchen third anniversary brunch for some la dolce vita and soulful jazz by Jeanne Olsen? After a strong cup of coffee to clear the cobwebs, I decide to head to the brunch, where an über chic set has gathered to sip Sangria and Italian cuisine.

AMAAN-AYAAN ALI BANGASH'S CD LAUNCH

5/6/2008 1:39:33 AM

Not all parties need to be a inferno of celebrity heat. And sometimes that's a good thing. Case in point: the über chic bash at Elevate to launch Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash's CD. It was a chic affair that simmered all night.

LAUNCH OF KINGFISHER SWIMSUIT CALENDAR

5/6/2008 1:34:28 AM

EVENT: LAUNCH OF KINGFISHER SWIMSUIT CALENDAR

DATE: Dec 3, 2006

RSVP: DR. VIJAY MALLYA

Dr Vijay Mallya and Preity Zinta along with ace photographer Atul Kasbekar unveiled the latest Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar aboard Mallya’s latest acquisition, a ship called Indian Empress.

TAG HEUER POLO EXTRAVAGANZA

5/6/2008 1:29:23 AM

TAG Heuer recently announced that it has signed on with the Indian Polo Association as their official timekeeper. It was a coming together of one of the biggest watchmakers in the world and some of the biggest names of Indian polo as Tag Heuer announced its association with the royal Indian sport.

PARVIN DABAS GOES UNDERWATER

5/6/2008 1:24:05 AM

If you want to go underwater fishing what better bait than tinsel town actor Parvin Dabas [of Monsoon Wedding and Khosla Ka Ghosla fame]; just put him on a hook and reel 'em in!

SALAAM!

5/6/2008 1:18:42 AM

I felt a tad underdressed as I walked into the glittering Bollywood bash. Bollywood biggies Jaya Bachchan, Upen Patel, Bikram Saluja, Bipasha Basu and Gul Panag cheered on their colleagues on the ramp [!], at a Vikram Phadnis showing to commemorate the music launch of Nikhil Advani's 'Salaam-e-Ishq' at Mumbai's Grand Hyatt.

'BABUL' PREMIERE

5/6/2008 1:10:56 AM

JOHN ABRAHAM'S CALENDAR LAUNCH

5/6/2008 12:49:07 AM

Speaking of calendars, Zee Music and Subi Samuel designed an exclusive John Abraham Calendar 2007, which was unveiled by the droolworthy dude himself at a media conference in Mumbai, followed by an exclusive party at Seijo n Soul in Bandra.

BOMBAY DYEING GLADRAGS MRS. INDIA

5/6/2008 12:46:07 AM

The pageant participants were smart, beautiful and independent women. And, they were married. The incongruity is, as someone says, "the ingredient that makes the pageant special."

"Bombay Dyeing Gladrags Mrs. India 2007 is the only contest that enforces 'Life begins after marriage'. This pageant is a felicitation of the sprit of the Indian married women today," says Maureen Wadia, president of the Gladrags beauty pageant. And speaking of the pageant, the panel of judges comprised of Maureen Wadia, Sanjay Dutt, Anupam Kher, Sanjay Gadhvi, Surily Goel, Naresh Rawal, and Ness Wadia.

THE BOLLYWOOD WHIRL

5/6/2008 12:41:58 AM

Yashraj films joined the media bandwagon by staging a preview of Kabir Khan's directorial debut, 'Kabul Express'. The media preview was attended by John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Linda and Kabeer Khan. John, who is in the news due to his limited edition calendar, caused a stir when he walked into the studio. No, he was not with Bipasha!

ITC INDIAN MASTERS POLO CUP 2006

5/6/2008 12:32:36 AM

For the season, Jaipur Polo Grounds is the place to be for the highest level of play and the most glamorous social scene. On Friday afternoon, it played host to the ITC Indian Masters Polo Trophy 2006. By 3 p.m., the tents filled with onlookers keen to watch players compete in high-goal polo, as Sona Polo faced off with Kingfisher First. The game could have gone either way.

BOLLYWOOD WHIRL

5/6/2008 12:18:37 AM

SAMEERA REDDY'S BIRTHDAY BASH

EVENT: SAMEERA REDDY'S BIRTHDAY BASH

RSVP: SAMEERA REDDY, LEENA MOGRE

VENUE: LEENA MOGRE'S FITNESS ACADEMY+GYM

Fitness expert, celebrity trainer and gym proprietor Leena Mogre threw a bash to celebrate the opening of Leena Mogre's Fitness Academy and Gym at Shivaji Park. The sprawling 6000 sq. ft. gym seems to be attracting a somewhat more mature crowd, from political heavyweights to Bollywood babes.

OMAXE WELHAM GIRLS' POLO CHALLENGE 2006

5/6/2008 12:13:23 AM

In the final match of the polo season, Sixt Doon School beat Omaxe Welham Girls' 6-3, to win the Omaxe Welham Girls' Polo Challenge 2006.

ANGELIQUE ROCKS DELHI!

5/5/2008 7:21:15 AM

EVENT: DELHI LEG OF ANGELIQUE'S INDIAN TOUR

VENUE: AGNI, THE PARK

RSVP: ANTIQUITY BLUE

Dim lighting, electronic music, and a young crowd is Angelique's abode. And she feels right at home at Agni.

DJ Angelique Bianca is on a multi-city tour in India courtesy Antiquity Blue. "I started young … almost twenty years back in a galaxy far away. I started out writing poetry and attempting Rap. In fact, I was the first girl rapper in LA. I was very naïve then and thought you could write Rap but my boyfriend advised me to attempt deejaying instead, and it held my interest. When I am playing for a crowd, I can see all happy faces! Today I can't see myself doing anything else. I am also a singer, composer and producer," she says.

LE SOUK

5/5/2008 7:16:07 AM

Veni, Vidi, Visa!

After dancers and deejays, fashion and F&B, retail is the bait being used to reel in the party people, as Kolkata nights become increasingly crowded

ROVING REPORTER

5/5/2008 6:17:42 AM

The Arshad Warsi-hosted 'Sabse Favourite Kaun?' debuted on television, with the first episode providing an overview of the opinion poll for selecting the 'Sabse Favourite Naya Hero'. Dressed as Circuit, the role he played in Munnabhai MBBS, Arshad wore clothes 'stolen from the same dhobi who washes Govinda's clothes' and was assisted by trade analyst Tarun Adarsh.

JINGLE BELLS!

5/5/2008 6:10:19 AM

Since Nikhil Advani's Christmas bash is the talk of Mumbai's nightlife scene, I'm thrilled he's invited me—along with the cast and crew of 'Salaam-E-Ishq', of course. The chic bash going down at Orix Lounge in Juhu kickstarts with Nikhil's pal Karan Johar arriving early to congratulate Nikhil on the completion of his film. Droolworthy duo John Abraham [he's wearing a rather interesting T-shirt featuring a dog; woof!] and Bipasha Basu enter the hopping bar minutes after the suave filmmaker. Bipasha Basu. Bipasha honors the festive spirit by showing up in a smokin' hot LRD—that's little red dress.

Peace: The Universal Prayer

5/5/2008 6:05:28 AM

It is reasonably certain that devotional art went out with the Renaissance. Delhi-based painter, filmmaker and sculptor Raghu Vyas, however, is no slave to fashion. He has embraced religion with missionary zeal; not only is this new collection a figurative study in paint, it's as devout as anything by the Old Masters.

JOHNNIE WALKER RACE DAY

5/5/2008 6:01:14 AM

It's that time of the year again — 'Johnnie Walker Race Day' at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. And it's not one of those ordinary races; this one's special. Four races and a speed boat up for grabs are just one of the attractions. For F1 fans, it is all the more special with the Mercedes McLaren MP4-21 car being showcased for the first time in Mumbai.

CHIC WINTER COCKTAILS

5/5/2008 5:57:22 AM

As the weather gets progressively colder, put away that strawberry daiquiri and try some winter cocktails. Chocolate-flavored cocktails are good and can be a superb accompaniment to coffee. Try my favorite poison 'Death by Choctail' by blending Baileys Irish Cream, Chocolate Liqueur and cream with a quarter banana and some ice, and garnish with chocolate shavings. Intrigued to amp up our knowledge, StyleKandy spoke to master mixologists across India for the hottest cocktails this season and here's what they recommend …

NARENDRA KUMAR'S WHITE CHRISTMAS

5/5/2008 5:50:40 AM

Occasion: White Christmas

Venue: Olive Bar and Kitchen, Mumbai

RSVP: Narendra Kumar Ahmed

Date: December 27, 200

SOCIAL PATROLLING IN KOLKATA

5/5/2008 5:47:15 AM

Despite the heatwave, Kolkata is rockin'. My social calendar is packed tight, with stops at luxe clubs like Aqua, Tantra, Sheesha and Undergound, and more all-night bashes than I could possibly hit, though you can bet I will try!

BLACK DOG BASH II

5/5/2008 5:44:16 AM

I've got some serious work to do this evening. As your unofficial clubbing guide, I must check out each bash on Delhi's nightlife scene. So, I'm pumped and ready to dive into action at a bash in Elevate hosted by Black Dog to celebrate 123 glorious years. Armed with my power stilettos, I'm fit to battle a line at the door, sip some bubbly, and arrive at a verdict on its buzz potential.

RING IN 2007 ...

5/5/2008 5:39:11 AM

2006 isn't over till the A-Listers have shined, shimmied, and schmoozed till they drop. Tonight, I'm feeling extra hair-tossing sassy. You would be, too, if you were one of the guests invited to Nokia's multi-city New Year's Eve bash. It's a celeb-studded soiree at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.

DABOO RATNANI'S CALENDAR LAUNCH

5/5/2008 5:34:05 AM

Daboo Ratnani's calendar launch is at Vie Lounge, Juhu and the decor is understated elegance; the music is electronic and the vibe quasi-psychedelia. And that's just the inanimate fixtures. There are the not-to-be-outdone guests, like Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan [along with Aishwarya Rai of course]. Abhishek possessively escorts Ash throughout the event and is seen controlling the paparazzi on more than one occasion as they surround them for interviews and photographs. We also overheard him say he loves his dad's pic which shows Big B feeding his dog. Hrithik Roshan walks in with wife Suzanne and is visibly thrilled to see his mid-air shot.

ELITE CALENDAR LAUNCH

5/5/2008 5:27:10 AM

Mumbai's party pack was at Olive Bar and Kitchen on Friday and here's why. It was playing host to the über chic Elite Calendar launch. Going by the toughs guarding the entry, one would have thought that the Prime Minister was coming! Well, the first to turn up were couturier Narendra Kumar Ahmed, Kadambari, and actor Naseer Abdullah who stayed till the fag end. Actresses Urvashi Sharma and Vipasha Agarwal made their first public appearance post-joining films and gushed about how Sushma Puri, CEO, Elite had nurtured their fledgling career.

ESSENTIALLY SPAIN

5/5/2008 2:47:26 AM

It was an unflawed setup with protracted red tables, hovering candles, barrels full of Sangria, Paella Counter and earthen pitchers to give Delhites a feel of essential Spain with its impeccable culinary delights at Olive Beach, Delhi. Churning out the best of Spanish delicacies and wines, Olive brings the ‘Casa de Tapas’ Thursdays nights with that opus of Mediterranean delights.

CRICKET FOR A CAUSE

5/5/2008 2:16:46 AM

For the seventh year CRY is holding the CRY Cadence Corporate Cricket Challenge in partnership with Cadence Design Systems. Starting on September 30 in Delhi, the 7th CRY Cadence Corporate Cricket Challenge brings together 48 corporate biggies who will compete in two leagues – 32 teams for the Cup League and 16 teams for the Premier League. Participants include teams from Hindustan Petroleum, Havells, GenPact, HCL, HDFC, ITC, OPTO Group, ICICI, Birlasoft, Flextronics, Business Standard, IBM, HLL, Gillette, Canon, and Oberoi. The tournament will also be conducted in Bangalore and Chandigarh.

NEETA LULLA'S ANNIVERSARY BRUNCH

5/5/2008 2:09:36 AM

EVENT: SUNDAY BRUNCH AT SEIJO 'N' SOUL

RSVP: NEETA LULLA

DATE: January 7, 2007

RED CARPET

5/5/2008 1:58:34 AM

HERO HONDA STAR SCREEN AWARDS

CHENNAI OPEN FASHION SHOOT, PLAYERS' PARTY

5/5/2008 1:27:47 AM

As a licensed partyologist, my radar sniffs out a celeb-studded bash in the most unlikely milieu. So when our Bollywood babes and supermodels ran off to jet-set in Chennai [!], of course we homed in on the action! Hey, this bash promises to draw a fresh crowd—at a fresh venue, too!

Taking time off from the high-voltage action on court, Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut [seeded players at Chennai Open 2007] indulged in a fashion shoot with Miss Earth Afghanistan 2003, Vida Samadzai and a bevy of Indian and International models i.e. Himani Thapa, Sonal Sharma, Tanya Vakil, Nicole Ferreira, Mariah Gantois, Donna Masih, and Romil Srivastava. No, I am not kidding! Dressed in white kurtas and sherwanis designed by Chaitanya Rao, Julien and Nicolas struck the cords of classical Indian instruments, rocking the poolside of The Park, Chennai with amateur musical compositions. Our candid camera was not too far off!

REHAN SHAH'S 'MINIMAL CLOTHING' BASH

5/5/2008 1:03:47 AM

After a late evening swilling champagne and observing the latest trends at the runways of India Brand Show, I'm off to couturier Rehan Shah's birthday bash at Rock Bottom. It promises to be a wild affair; the theme is 'minimal clothing!'

ROCKY BALBOA

5/5/2008 12:38:35 AM

It ain't over, 'till it's over! The 30-year-old saga is back to create a rage and ring in the nostalgic moments of 'Rocky'. The city's chic set turned up to cheer the 'Italian Stallion' for one final round at the premiere of 'Rocky Balboa' hosted by Fame Adlabs and Warner Bros, on Wednesday night.

ROCK IT, THE FRENCH WAY

5/3/2008 5:17:54 AM

If arriving late is fashionable, I'm out of step tonight. I'm one of the first to arrive at the bash going down at Alliance Française. The party peeps have yet to make their entrance because they would never be so gauche to arrive early. Oops! In my defense, I just can't contain my anticipation. It's a double whammy tonight! It's a Antiquity Blue bash; a deejay is down from France to rock the party alongside DJ Iggy, with deep, dark house.

BLACK DOG BASH

5/3/2008 12:38:38 AM

You’d think the dismal weather would maroon everyone in their homes. But, hey, this is Delhi, and there’s always a sultry affair going down, so tonight we're headed to Delhi Golf Club; the club is playing host to a retro night with a bit of trumpet thrown in for good measure.

ROMANOV WAR OF THE DJS

5/3/2008 12:26:16 AM

Romanov War of the DJs 2007 took centrestage with sizzling performances by seven of the country's hottest deejays. The evening kickstarted with a stellar performance by one of the judges, DJ Suketu, followed by a war to spin new mixes and win the coveted prize—a record deal from Times Music.

RANNA GILL'S PRE-FASHION WEEK COCKTAIL

5/3/2008 12:13:52 AM

RSVP: Ranna Gill; Bernd Muetzelburg, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany

Date: March 6, 2007

Venue: Sevilla, Claridges

The tone is set by the mashaals lighting up Sevilla. Ranna Gill's cocktail there on Tuesday celebrated both the new looks the designer has created for Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2007 and her partnership with premium leather accessories brand, Aigner. Ranna Gill has been appointed Aigner's Brand Ambassador in India.

WAR OF THE [DELHI] DJs

5/2/2008 7:49:09 AM

Lightning pierced the sky and the clouds roared; it seemed the culmination of the regional finals of War of the DJs is moving the earth with pulsating and high decibel music. The Delhi regional finals at Odyssey saw six deejays competing for the coveted spot, as they mixed tracks for that perfect sound. One of the deejays even blindfolded himself and used a stick as a prop to scratch the disc but could not hold on to his act!

FASHION WEEK FETES

5/2/2008 7:39:26 AM

After a slow week, things are finally picking up with Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week [WIFW] around the corner. When people hear 'fashion week', they think cool couture and hot chicks. But in Delhi, it's all about the parties. In the days leading up to WIFW, the chic set piles on bling for a new bash [or several bashes] night after night. Tonight, International brandCheQ is raising a toast to its Indian launch at Ministry of Sound, Gauri-Nainika Karan and Kavita Bhartia are hosting a preview of their fashion week collections at The Terrace, as is Gaurav Gupta at Ivy—but before I get in party hopping mode, I feel the need to de-stress!

LFW BASH

5/2/2008 7:31:11 AM

Even though I'm tired as hell, I've snagged an invite to the post show-party, hosted by Gitanjali at Prive. Everything is purr-fect as I arrive at the bash. The vibe is quasi-vacationland, with leather seating, cozy corners, and cozier booths. But the central hangout quickly becomes the floor, bar and the ramp that doubles as a dance floor for those who want to be captured on celluloid! Sadly though, I expected the music to be pure, unadulterated electronic but the vibe was commercial.

PHADNIS AND KUNAL RAWAT'S BASH

5/2/2008 7:04:59 AM

It may be a buffet of fashion shows but the real strutting goes down at the after-show parties. Of course, being seen at the parties is as key as gleaning nuggets of next season's look! Walking in to Prive, the stimulating blend of beautiful people and a fashion week bash shot my adrenaline in high gear. Hop on for the ride!

LFW GRAND FINALE BASH

5/2/2008 6:57:33 AM

All roads lead to the Lakme Fashion Week Grand Finale bash at Taj President. "It's like a rockin' fashion convention," I overhear one guest say. She has a point. Narendra Kumar, who is at the receiving end of myriad compliments for his grand finale showing, is glowing with pride. "I'm proud of this collection," he says, as he chills out with showstoppers Raima Sen and Vipasha Agarwal. At the bar, Sonal Bombaywalla blings out with an Orchid brooch set with rubies and Dior sunglasses that would be stylish if it weren't 11-30 p.m.

SUMPTUOUS STREETS

5/2/2008 6:52:31 AM

DELHI: It's not every day aspiring models get training from Rohit Bal. But that's exactly what happened at the showing held by young fashion students at Pegs and Pints, as the couturier styled their look for the paparazzi and gave them invaluable advice.

OLIVE SOUK

5/2/2008 6:45:27 AM

MUMBAI, April 17: It's not every night you shop for branded and designer merchandise at a trendy restro-pub in Mumbai. But that's exactly what happens at the souk held at Olive Bar and Kitchen on Tuesday evening, as their pebbled courtyard was transformed into a quaint street lined with stalls hawking jewellery, designer garments, bags, shoes, curios, and artifacts.

LAUNCH OF PLUS-IT

5/2/2008 6:36:30 AM

Mumbai, April 18: I've been in an haute huff ever since I received the much coveted invite to the stylish soiree celebrating the opening of Plus IT at Grand Hyatt Plaza [a young, edgy store offering Italian accessoires by GF Ferré, Extè, Just Cavalli and CNC Costume National] but could not make it there. So, I did the next best thing: I sent my posse there, though their bash-crashing bravado took a hit when they spied the line snaking a block past the boutique and the hordes of wardrobe worshippers crowding the velvet rope!

THE VIBE@TABULA RASA

5/2/2008 6:29:36 AM

DELHI, APRIL 19: All roads lead to Tabula Rasa, which features British DJ and tabla artist Talvin Singh, known for creating an innovative fusion of classical Indian music and drum n bass, alongside DJ Iggy. By 12:30 a.m., the terrace of the restro-lounge is jam-packed, so I head towards the bar for a breather. Ronak Singh makes it boys-and-beers with Shashank, while Ratul Mohan hits on some girls. Other than that, the bar is pretty dead, so I brave the crowd back by the deejay booth to look for my buddies.

ELITE ANNIVERSARY BASH

5/2/2008 6:22:36 AM

DELHI, APRIL 30: Delhi's party pack was at Tabula Rasa on a Monday night and here's why. It was playing host to the Elite anniversary bash. And, they have reason to celebrate: Elite Model Management bagged plum campaigns such as Tanishq, Seagrams, Nokia, Airtel, Cadbury's, Fair & Lovely, Maruti, Monte Carlo, Gillette, Sony Erickson, Bata, L’Oreal, and Tata Indica among others. The firm also made a foray into films and talent management. Model Urvashi Sharma is starring in 'Naqaab', Diana Penty was invited to Paris for three seasons and has been asked to return for the next season, and Vipasha Aggarwal is the new face of Lakme.

Nisha JamVal's TAXI bash

5/2/2008 6:14:04 AM

RSVP: Nisha JamVal

DATE: May 4

VENUE: Taxi, Colaba

MUMBAI: A couturier celebrating her birthday at a hip nightspot downtown usually draws out a hot guest list. When I pull up to Taxi, cameras are flashing, and there's already a tough telling several young gatecrashers that they'll have to keep shivering in their minis because the venue's at capacity and the entry is by guest list.

NARAYANI SHASTRI'S BASH

5/2/2008 6:08:43 AM

MUMBAI, MAY 6: Television actress Narayani Shastri celebrated her birthday with a lively bash at H2O lounge bar. Though she was glued to boyfriend Gaurav Kapoor throughout the evening, her close pals, mostly from the television industry, dropped in to wish her.

MAXIM ANNIVERSARY BASH

5/2/2008 5:55:48 AM

DELHI, MAY 4: We did expect the anniversary bash of Maxim to draw a hot guest list. But when there is a lingerie showing and a celebrity-studded party for the promotion of Good Boy-Bad Boy, the scene is pure mayhem.

SMOKEHOUSE GRILL BAR NIGHT

5/2/2008 5:50:30 AM

DELHI, MAY 9: We all know Shivkaran Singh hosts rocking bashes, so I wasn't surprised when I heard the party pack was looking forward to his cocktails at Smoke House Grill to roll out Smoke House Bar Night. More so, as it is slated to wrap up at dawn!

"DIFFERENT FACES"

5/2/2008 5:44:16 AM

New Delhi, May 15: Most events hone in on a marriage between entertainment and art on some level—but not usually as literally as "Different Faces". To celebrate art and style, French Vodka Cîroc and Galleria came together to host "Different Faces", S. Ayesha's art exhibition at the Visual Arts Gallery, IHC.

AQUEEL'S B'DAY BASH

5/2/2008 5:40:05 AM

RSVP: Farah Khan Ali

VENUE: Aurus

DATE: 21 May

MUMBAI: I should've stayed Mumbai a little longer. One of my party pals told me DJ Aqueel was dancing up a storm Monday night at Aurus with his wife Farah.

LAUNCH OF 'GOLD LEAF'

5/2/2008 5:30:53 AM

Venue: Gold Leaf

Date: May 24, 2007

MUMBAI: Like every gathering in this party-mad city, there's got to be a reason behind a luxe bash, and today's do is to celebrate the launch of multicuisine restaurant 'The Gold Leaf' in Oshiwara, Andheri.

A TOAST TO SUBA

5/2/2008 5:19:14 AM

DELHI: Fancy a jade martini with smoked melons? Or crimson Caipriosca: watermelons drenched in vodka with demerara sugar, lemon juice, and sprigs of mint? These summer cocktails, whipped up by bartender Vinod Suba of Smoked House Grill won him entry to the Asia leg of the Belvedere International Bartending Competition in Hong Kong.

GET GORGEOUS!

5/2/2008 5:11:46 AM

DELHI May 29, 2007: Channel [v], along with VJ Pia and designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil, hosted a rooftop party at Tabula Rasa to unveil the [v] Get Gorgeous finalists from Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai.

SOCIAL WHIRL

5/2/2008 5:03:50 AM

DELHI: I am at a club night hosted by Ministry of Sound, and the A-list definitely outnumbers the hoi polloi. I guess it's the allure of DJ Aqueel's unadulterated Bollywood remixes that has everyone making tracks to this bash.

Sania Trehan is a walking fashion plate in a red dress that offset auburn tresses. Shefali Narang checks emails on her Blackberry by the entrance, Raghav Sahni and his new squeeze sneak off to the VVIP Lounge on the third level for a quiet tête-à-tête, while Manish Chopra, Arun Ahuja, Monty [from Kolkata], Akshaya Chauhan, Abhishek Mehta, Himani Tokas, Roopak Sharma, Mandira Khanna, Sahil Bhatia, Vikram Baidyanath, and Jeet Nanda are in full-on party mode.

AQUEEL CELEBRATES!

5/2/2008 4:53:35 AM

MUMBAI, JUNE 19: Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali threw an impromptu bash at Poison to celebrate the return of her hubby from Dubai recently, where he was detained for possession of drugs, but came out clean. Aqueel, India's leading disc jockey, was held after 0.4 mg of Ecstasy was found on him. He was taken away by the Anti-Narcotics department for a blood test, the report of which was negative.

LINDA'S B'DAY BASH

5/2/2008 4:45:46 AM

MUMBAI, JUNE 20: 'Kabul Express' heroine Linda celebrated her birthday with the cast and crew of her forthcoming film 'Mumbai Salsa'.

LAUNCH OF WHITE CAFE

5/2/2008 4:33:47 AM

MUMBAI, JUNE 22: Just about every other day, the chic set get an invitation for a new club, store or product launch party. Many are lame, with celebrities only attending to get yet media mileage. Others, like the launch of White-The Modern Italian Café, reel them in with the promise of a fun evening

CARLSON SPIRITED BARTENDER CHALLENGE

5/2/2008 4:26:53 AM

DELHI, JUNE 23: Bartenders have been entertaining customers with bottle tricks and pizzazz for years, but a more extreme version of bartending has moved into the mainstream. It’s not unusual to see bartenders showing off their skills at trade shows and liquor promotions, and a growing number of flair competitions around the world give the best extreme bartenders a forum to strut their skills

SMIRNOFF BASH!

5/2/2008 4:22:16 AM

MUMBAI, JUNE 23: Rain has never put in a crimper in a party perennial's plans! Smirnoff hosted a bash at Red Light-Kala Ghoda in honor of John Peollars, MD, Asia-Pacific, Diageo. Raising a toast with lip-smacking cocktails like Smirnoff Moscow Mule and Smirnoff Twist Caipirojka were Shamita Shetty, Aditi Govitrikar, VJ Anusha Dandekar and Isha Koppikar.

DADA NIGHT AT VEDA

5/2/2008 4:13:16 AM

DELHI, JUNE 28: I've got some serious work to do. As your unofficial party guide, it's my sworn duty to check out each entry to Delhi's nightlife scene. So, I'm ready to dive into action at Veda featuring Dada Nights. This restro-lounge is smack in the heart of Delhi's club corridor and it is geared to rock.

MALINI RAMANI RAISES A TOAST!

5/2/2008 4:08:01 AM

DELHI, JUNE 2007: The party season doesn't begin till the A-Listers have shined, shimmied, and schmoozed till they drop. Tonight, I'm feeling extra hair-tossing sassy. You would be, too, if you were one of the über exclusive guests invited to Malini Ramani's bash. It's a private soiree at Laidback Waters to raise a toast to the launch of Nine Hills wine; hence, the guaranteed graces of the fashion fraternity and gilded guests alike. Needless to say, I'm ready to indulge in some wine tastin'!

SIMON SPINS A 'WEBBE'

5/2/2008 4:00:13 AM

DELHI, JUNE 30: U.K. pop vocalist Simon Webbe, formerly of multi-platinum boy band Blue, is the latest western name to do a live show in India. Webbe is undertaking a three-date swing through the subcontinent, promoted by VH1 India. His shows mark the unfurling of a VH1 touring initiative under the banner "Handpicked."

SPEED NIGHT

5/2/2008 3:55:06 AM

MUMBAI, JULY 1, 2007: Why is Shiro packed with the chic set on a Sunday evening? No, it's not Shilpa Shetty's welcome-home party—Formula One aficionados, complemented by the cast and crew of 'Alibaug', have gathered to cheer on their favorite drivers at the exclusive screening of the Formula 1 Grand Prix at 'Speed Night' organised by Kingfisher Airlines, Formula 1 Grand Prix and White Feather Films.

LEMON GRASS CAFE

5/2/2008 1:52:18 AM

LEMON GRASS CAFE

MIDIVAL PUNDITZ@ LAIDBACK WATERS

5/2/2008 1:45:50 AM

DELHI, JULY 7: This weekend temperatures weren't the only reason New Delhi was hot. A slew of hard-partygoers brought extra heat into the terrain. They were heading to the Laidback Waters gig starring Midival Punditz. After all, it is THE party of the season!

TAJ REVELRY

5/2/2008 1:41:44 AM

MUMBAI, JULY 9: Taj Mahal is invariably included on every tourist's itinerary. Home to three generations of one of the most dynamic dynasties in the medieval world, their talent and wealth immortalized in stone and marble, Agra is home to the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India, of which Taj Mahal is the most illustrious. Its magnificence bowls you over, and knowing something of the history that played itself out on these stages makes the entire experience come alive

DEEP THRUST@ LAIDBACK WATERS

5/2/2008 1:36:16 AM

DELHI, JULY 13: In just a week, Laidback Waters is the place of choice. And tonight, it's ready to party with Deep Thrust i.e. DJ Batuta and Nitin Sukh. In honor of the Best of Laidback Waters, the seafood lounge has teamed up with imminent artists to throw a monsoon soiree each Friday until August 31—its last big carousal before shifting base.

SUKETU ROCKS MOS!

5/2/2008 1:32:13 AM

DELHI, JULY 14: I've got some serious work to do. As your unofficial party guide, it's my sworn duty to check out each entry to Delhi's nightlife scene. So, last weekend, I dived into action at Ministry of Sound featuring Bollywood Badshah DJ Suketu, whizzed down to Delhi by Spotlight. This club is smack in the heart of Delhi's club corridor and it was geared to rock.

CELEB-INFUSED BASH@ AURUS

5/2/2008 1:25:29 AM

MUMBAI, JULY 13: Mumbai is the place to be, this week. In light of the anniversary bash of a club: Aurus, the A-list set is out in full force. There are no catfights yet, but it's still early.

DELHI ROCKED!

5/2/2008 1:16:24 AM

A slew of rock bands and VJ Luke Kenny staged a night of pub rock at Turquoise Cottage on Thursday, with old hits, new hits and dedicated fans in the audience. They had an alternative, quirky rock feel that can make anyone get up and want to dance as if there were no tomorrow!

ZENZI’S STOLICHNAYA ST. PETERSBURG NIGHT

5/2/2008 1:11:56 AM

20 JULY 2007: The philosophy of Zenzi seems to be "One life; savour the moment". In a city that is hard to impress when thoughts turn to a tipple, we are so jaded by Mumbai's myriad opportunities to drink in a chic ambience that we demand an innovative bar night with fresh atmospheric lures before we'll try it.

[V] WILL ROCK YOU!

5/2/2008 1:05:36 AM

Delhi, July 21, 2007: So this is what it sounds like when live wire rock bands come together at The Channel [v] Launch Pad Concert. After judging a close competition, Luke Kenny, Amit Saigal and Gino Banks declared The Superfuzz as champions! Hot on its heels, Bhayanak Maut walked away with a surprise prize of Rs. 2 lacs.

A BLONDE’S AMBITION

5/1/2008 7:41:47 AM

The ‘2Hearts’ singer Kylie Minogue has asked the renowned French designer Jean Paul Gaultier to design the outfits for her European tour 'KylieX2008' in Paris on May 6 - to show her his "sophisticated" vision for her stage wardrobe.

MADONNA ON A VOYAGE

5/1/2008 7:35:17 AM

After having spent her New Year in the picturesque region of Jaisalmer and Udaipur, ‘the material girl’ Madonna has arrived in Mumbai. The Pop diva, who is holidaying in India with her family, seems to have taken to the local culture, to an unusual extent. On a well deserved break from her grueling schedule, the star and her director husband Guy Ritchie and their children Lourdes 11, seven-year-old Rocco and two-year-old David, finally landed in Mumbai in a chartered flight from Udaipur.

VIVEK OBEROI’S ANTI-ALCOHOL ANTHEM

5/1/2008 7:31:31 AM

The generally silent helipad at Pawan Hans, Juhu was abuzz with activity. A giant light almost making a day out of the night that it was, Vivek Oberoi in bright red and silver body–tight shirt, sporting long hair and an infectious smile, gyrated to the fresh and fizzy music besides huge trucks that screamed ‘Fresh Fizzy’. The man wielding the megaphone for the music album that later deftly scissored into a 10-seconder was Anand Oberoi.

PEOPLE FOR ETHICAL CAUSE

5/1/2008 7:25:08 AM

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have celebrated there eighth anniversary with a cake-cutting ceremony. John Abraham, Raveena Tandon and Yana Gupta played the perfect hosts to a grand evening. Baggit - the leading brand in bags and accessories shares this cause with PETA. Baggit has never believed in killing animals for fashion.

R.S.V.P RENU TANDON

5/1/2008 2:32:12 AM

To celebrate the launch of her new store, designer Renu Tandon hosted a soiree for her friends from fashion fraternity, family and well-wishers. Dressed in white lowers and ‘criss-cross’ back black top, the hostess looked pretty and gave all her guest a warm welcome. Everybody was seen enjoying the surreal evening over sizzling starters and heady drinks as they took a quick peek-a-boo of the designer’s collection.

CHEF ANANCHAI

5/1/2008 1:56:07 AM

Chef Ananchai hails from Cooks village of Thailand. At the age of 17 he started his career with Akamon Restaurant in Bangkok Golf Club as a helper. In this journey he worked with different clubs and authentic restaurants like Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood Kitchen where he learnt the art of Japanese cuisine.

TIGER THRIVES

4/29/2008 2:45:01 AM

Having quenched the thirst of millions of parched throats in Singapore, New York, and London, world’s acclaimed 'Tiger Beer' unleashed itself in the city of Mumbai; over a beautiful sunset session at Vie Lounge on Sunday, 27th of April'08.

FASHION BEYOND THE RUNWAYS

4/29/2008 2:41:59 AM

Fashion is always changing, slightly elusive, and extremely seductive.
It has the power to transform an image and make a social statement.

AD SINGH

4/28/2008 2:42:00 AM

Meet AD Singh one of India’s best known figures in the fields of leisure and restaurants, over the last fifteen years he has been at the forefront of the lifestyle revolution sweeping the country. His restaurants and other ventures have been the trendsetters for these industries, resulting in a sound reputation, credibility and goodwill. AD has worked with various NGO’s through his brands in all cities over the past 15 years .Filling a huge void his first restaurant “Just Desserts” was an immediate hit and was even described by India Today as the “phenomenon of the nineties”. In 1995 he helped conceptualize and create the very successful Jazz by the Bay for the Narang group. In 1996 he opened Copa Cabaana the hugely popular Latin American bar in Bombay. This was the first time Tapas was introduced to Bombay. Later in 1998 he opened Soul Kadi and Soul Fry which serve home-style coastal cuisine food in an international setting. The second Soul Fry was opened to rave reviews in South Bombay recently.

CHEF NUT KUNLERT

4/26/2008 12:34:49 AM

Don’t go by the name they say, Chef Nut is definitely not a hard nut to crack, he’s quite a nice guy! Chef Nut Kunlert, a Thai national, has arrived at The Park Kolkata after his culinary sojourn in many star kitchens around the world. With experiences in the kitchens of International star hotels like Montien Riverside Hotel, Bangkok, The Dynasty, Bangkok and many more, he has interesting stories to relate apart form his culinary skills only at the age of 25.His responsibilities included the likes of menu planning, achieving consistency in food and beverage and actively setting the systems and procedures. Since childhood Chef Nut has the passion for food. According to him, “As a child I always watched my mother and father being innovative with food. Since then I wanted to try out things something different like them. I kept on thinking of the time when I would be creative like them. When I joined the Food & Beverage industry, I realized it was the time for me to realize my passion for innovative food………… I started out my career in this industry as a trainee in continental food. But later on I found that my interest was inclined more towards Thai cuisine. So I interchanged my discipline to something I was more comfortable with.”

MAGIC

4/25/2008 1:47:46 AM

On April 23rd, MAGIC opened in the downtown district of Worli, Mumbai. Filling the long-standing void between South Mumbai and Bandra, the bar promises to attract a fresh and diverse crowd. Ketan Kadam & Vishal Shetty, who revolutionized the city's party scene with the arguably the hottest nightclub Fire 'n' Ice. Along with their new partners Rohan Parikh & Pranav Desai, they played the perfect host to the launch.

SPANDAN III @ ARTICULLATE

4/24/2008 1:41:56 AM

The celebrated duo Yash and Avanti Birla hosted a memorable evening on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of their art gallery, Articullate. The exhibition titled ‘Spandan III – The Vibration’ featured works by iconic Indian artists from across the country like Arunanshu Chowdhary, Chintan Upadhyay, Debraj Goswami, Dilip Dhore, Heral Trivedi, Jagannath Panda, Minal Dimani, Murali Cheeroth, Prajakta Potnis, Riyas Komu, Querozito De Souza, Benoy Verghese, Pratul Dash amongst others.

THE SUMMER EFFECT

4/24/2008 12:36:19 AM

Its summer and whether you are at the beach or in your backyard, that means breaking out the cocktail pitcher, the clear liquors and the fruit juice, and stirring refreshing libations to beat-or even turn up-the heat.

THE JUGGLING ART

4/23/2008 12:18:47 AM

A good writer is not necessarily a good book critic. No more so than a good drunk is automatically a good bartender. Well, for all those 'Coyote Uglies' out there, bartending is not just about shuffling and tossing drinks.

IN CONVERSATION WITH CHEF BAKSHISH DEAN

4/22/2008 6:58:31 AM

Chef Bakshish Dean, executive Chef, The Park Hotel, has recently received the chef of the year 2007 award. The award was given away by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) and Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) .Chef Dean is a great combination of creativity, artistry, style, science and administration. He has treated Cooking as a pure science and to master it he has studied hard and experimented harder. He is well known for his food presentation which is artistry and stylish. Being a good chef he has been recognized like any good artist with his work on the plate.

FASHION LINES UP

4/22/2008 6:45:05 AM

In a fashion line up held recently held at Six Month Story saw people from various walks of life. Young designers and eminent fashion photographers displayed their craetive line ups in front of an exciting and jazzed up auidence. Seen enjoying the party were Rohit Bal, Varun Bahl, Manav Gangwani, Gaurav Gupta, Nitin Bal Chauhan, Manoj Kumar's Son Kunal with his wife Ridhi Goswami amongst others.

CHEF BILL MARCHETTI

4/22/2008 2:01:50 AM

Born in Germany & having started his career at the age of 13 in a small family hotel in San Benedetto del Tronto on Italy’s Adriatic coast, he arrived in Australia in 1968. The man behind Melbourne’s legendary Latin restaurant, Bill Marchetti, has been at the forefront of Australia’s culinary revolution. A pioneer of Australia’s Nouvelle Cuisine in the 70’s, the following years established Bill as the pacesetter of true Italian culinary style.

THE HOOKAH CODE

4/21/2008 12:59:23 AM

The concept of Hookah/sheesha has become infamous in lounges now, originated from India before it gained popularity in the Arab World. Before striking its global stardom, it was form a of coconut water pipe in the north western provinces of India. Wood was replaced with various materials like brass & glass and it found its way into the rooms of upper class & intellectual people.

R.S.V.P LATIKA KHANEJA

4/17/2008 7:44:40 AM

With IPL fever becoming rage these days, there is no dearth of occasions to call for roister. But the one we saw at Smoke House Grill recently, was specially thrown for the ‘Nawab’ of Indian Cricket team. Yes, you guessed it right. We are talking about the attacking batsmen but a calm poser, Virendra Sehwag. Latika Khaneja called for revelry to celebrate his unattainable achievement with much pomp & show.

SPARKLING EVENING SOIREE

4/15/2008 12:36:11 PM

It was a perfect nightfall to introduce Delhi to its first luxurious vagabond travel guide ‘Love Delhi’ authored by eminent traveler and explorer Fiona Caulfield, in the backdrop of quiet and rustic ambience of Olive Beach. The tome is third in sequence after author’s ‘Love Bangalore’ and ‘Love Mumbai’ travel guides. The book was launched by honorable chief minister of Delhi, Sheila Dixit in her nippy and disappearing act.

6 DEGREES

4/12/2008 1:03:43 PM

A refreshing entrée to the nightlife scene in North Mumbai, 6 degrees is an exciting new bar for discerning guests who wish to enjoy quality cocktails, food and music in a vibrant and most decidedly cosmopolitan setting.

CHEF GIULIANO TASSINARI

4/11/2008 1:38:21 PM

Chef Giuliano's past is as mesmerizing as his passion for creating delectable masterpieces. Now the owner of the chic Hotel Palazzo Viviani, Italy his in-exhaustible curriculum vitae flaunts merits that include hospitality moguls like the Shangri La chain of hotels and Alma – the internationally renowned Italian culinary training academy. As an executive chef, Giuliano has been affiliated to world famous entities dedicated to fine dining like Le Vieux Chêne restaurant (Fribourg, Switzerland), The Plaza Resturant (Dakar, Senegal), The Lighthouse, Le Versant golf club (Canada), The Hôtelier Grand Château Group (Quebec) for hotels including the Hilton, Sheraton, Château Vaudreuil and Golf Saint-Raphael, The Savarona – the largest private cruiser in the world, rented by none other than Ralph Lauren himself, where the likes of Prince Andrew, Sarah Fergusson, Naiomi Campbell and Mrs. Motorola, all had a chance to enjoy his superb culinary delights!

LFW ROCKS WITH CHIVAS

4/10/2008 4:31:23 PM

Premier vineyard brand Chivas once again rocked fashionistas at the recent Lakme Fashion Week A-W 08 with its trademark Chivas Lounge at the ground level of NCPA.With cosy sofas, authentic starters and free flowing booze, the lounge was a haven for models, designers, celebs and fashion enthusiasts at the 5-day extravaganza. Two flair bartenders kept the spirits high by juggling exotic cocktails down the guts of liquor fanatics. The heart thumping music- sometimes house, sometimes retro, sometimes rock- tempted everyone to sway tirelessly at the lounge.

IS THE TAX ON FASHION SHOWS JUSTIFIED?

4/10/2008 12:09:38 PM

November 2007- the Supreme Court rules that all sponsored fashion shows will have to pay entertainment tax of up to 30 %. “They have no educative value” was the Court’s point of contention.

March 2008- Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram declares that the entertainment tax for the 2008-09 fiscal year will range from 30% to 100%. “It’s a healthily growing industry and it’s only appropriate that they share their profits with the public”, he quoted.

Given a deliberate thought, it is not very hard to shortlist the various reasons why the above entities categorize the fashion industry into the entertainment genre. High-end luxury products, unprecedented media mileage, glamorous faces, sexy bodies, and a strong Bollywood connection- they all contribute to the strong entertainment quotient that fashion shows inadvertently bring with them. So, is the govt. justified in levying such a heavy tax? Stylekandy spoke to the whose who of the fraternity to find the answers.

IMG HOSTS A PARTY FOR TED FORSTMANN @LFW

4/9/2008 4:20:18 PM

After the stupendous opening response on the first day of LFW, Fern Mallis (Sr. VP, IMG Fashion), Tim Wright (Managing Director, IMG India) & Vikram Raizada (VP, IMG Fashion India) hosted a special reception in honour of Ted Forstmann (Chairman & CEO of IMG) at The Ballroom of the uber-elegant Taj Mahal Palace & Towers.

RENDEZVOUS WITH Dr. PUBLIS

4/9/2008 12:52:45 PM

Dr. Publis Silva, the charismatic master chef, a consultant in the field of SriLankan cuisine has built himself a niche at Mount Lavinia Hotel 12 Kms from Colombo in SriLanka, which is recognized by his expertise in the culinary arts. Always a humble character who never forgets his past, willing to share life’s journey, bring forth a story of success, a pillar of strength, a great personality integrated into the very grain of Mount Lavinia Hotel where he evolved into what he is today-a giant in the field of aesthetic preparation of SriLankan food and a director of the hotel that was home to him from time immemorial. Dr Publis was awarded the doctorate by the Open University in 2006 and received an award of excellence recently in 2008 from President Mahinda Rajapakse for his endeavor in the upkeep of SriLankan cuisine. Dr Publis, the chef has gone through 5 decades of service with much more in the future; an integral part of the hotel Publis is Mount Lavinia Hotel as Mount Lavinia is Publis, a man honored with respect by all and sundry.

AZA FASHION WEEK PARTY

4/8/2008 5:39:45 PM

Alka & Atul Nishar of AZA played perfect hosts as they raised a toast to distinguished couturiers Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Narendra Kumar at the Aza Fashion Week Party at Henry Tham in Mumbai.

GETTING CANDID WITH DAVE

4/8/2008 12:34:55 PM

There are many DJs who have enjoyed many column inches for shaping the phenomenon that is modern club culture. For many of these individuals, it was a question of right time, right place. Talented yes; opportunistic, definitely - and just a little bit lucky.

But there is another story to be told, of the second generation' DJs, those who were inspired by acid house, embraced its pivotal ethics, and helped develop it. Enter Dave Seaman - pioneering second generation DJ, but also oh, so much more.

Yes, he effectively won his job with DJ organization DMC in a competition, and bagged the editorship of the fledging members' magazine Mixmag simply by being their youngest, hippest employee. Single handedly he paved the way for the vast array of club mags currently doing the rounds. So as we get candid with this king of UK progressive beats, he shares his bit of anecdote with Stylekandy. Catch this spinning master live @ ELEVATE on 11th April.

MANISH BASH AT PRIVE

4/7/2008 5:45:49 PM

The post show party of Manish Malhotra was held at plush lounge Prive in Mumbai among much pomp and show. The revelery was attended by the gliterratis from Mumbai's social whirl. To name few present were Lucky Ali, Shawar Ali, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Vivek Oberoi, Dia Mirza, Ritesh Deshmukh, Muzammil and Sabyasachi.

THE RAMP STYLE STORY

4/7/2008 12:58:53 PM

A sleek looking ramp- credit to the production team. The perfectly turned out bodies- credit to the models. The models strutting their stuff- credit to the designer. The drama unfolding on the runway- credit to the choreographer. But is it really so? And that’s where the trick lies. Not discounting the effort by the above faculty; it’s the Stylists and hair and make up team who are the real heroes responsible for giving the ramp ‘the look’.

LAKME GRAND FINALE

4/4/2008 5:26:36 PM

Post the event, Wendell and Lakme hosted the Grand finale party at the Taj President, which was attended by the big wigs of the industry. Anil and Sabina Chopra were shot swinging to the thumping music, a rare sight to capture. Amongst the tired, yet enthused crowds were models, celebs and industry tiers of the fashion fraternity. Music, food and boose flowed until 4 in the morning and yet the party animals kept craving for more. Well, you can never get enough of a Lakme Grand Finale party, especially when it goes the Wendell Way!!

BATTLE OF THE SEXES

3/29/2008 12:50:00 PM

The global Aids pandemic is increasing worldwide, particularly in women and young girls, according to a UNAIDS report. There are currently 39.4 million people living with HIV globally and every day as many as 1,300 people die from HIV and Aids-related illnesses across the world.

Alarming new global research released today reveals that a significant percentage of young people continue to have unprotected sex despite the fact that HIV and AIDS tops their list of worries when it comes to sex. There is a significant difference between male and female attitudes to HIV and Aids.

To contribute to this noble cause, the Body Shop and MTV are launching a major global campaign 'Move Your Lips' in response to the findings to get young men and women to take responsibility together for stopping the spread of HIV and Aids.

SOUL OF NOKIA NIGHT

3/27/2008 12:39:56 PM

Do you know the soul of your ‘Delhi’ by night? Join the thrill of Nokia Nseries’s ‘Nokia N82 Wireless Adventure’ as it discovers the best “hangout” venues, “night spots” and “hidden treasures” that symbolize the spirit of Delhi’s nightlife. In the adventure, ten teams each equipped with the latest Nokia N82 harnessed the power to navigate through the streets of Delhi at night. Its first adventurous party was held at Six Month Story which also saw a performance from Jalebee Cartel later in the evening.

EXTRAVAGANZA OF GLAMOUR

3/19/2008 4:34:59 PM

What more you can expect after five oozing days of glamour, glitter, fashion and paparazzi? If not wrong in guessing, it is surely a one great bash that can sum it all (handwork, frustration, failure and success). After putting a glittering grand finale at Wills India Fashion Week, designer Anamika Khanna and Ashish N Soni hosted the grand finale carouse at Tabula Rasa. Joined by their near and dears and friends from fashion frat everybody present seemed in jollity mood.

FASHION WEEK BASH

3/17/2008 6:08:16 PM

The glitzy invite of Manish Arora’s after show party promised a fun filled evening at Aqua at the Park Hotel. Like his garbs and design aesthetics, his revelry too was different from quintessential. Instead of hip-hop numbers and electronic beats taking over heads, in his own archetypal style designer welcomed his guest with ‘band-Baja’.

WIFW DAY 2: TARUN TAHILIANI BASH

3/15/2008 4:37:00 PM

When people hear 'fashion week', they think cool couture.It may be a scheduling nightmare for some, but for me it is as glam-packed as the fashion jamboree; a quick change and a dash of martinis.

CONFESSIONS OF A BAR STRIPPER

3/14/2008 2:27:03 PM

I was undertaking a jewellery designing course in Bangkok and was low on cash. Keeping up a certain lifestyle with a huge credit card debt was catching up with me — I needed cash fast. There was no way I was going home in defeat. A girl I knew suggested stripping. I convinced myself it would be an adventure of sorts and a way of earning fast cash. So I auditioned in smoke-filled bar and got the job.

It’s not as effortless as it seems; you have to work on the guests to buy lap dances. When I learnt how to manipulate the customers with my body, I started making $400 to $600 in tips and my money worries disappeared. I can't say I enjoyed it but the money made it worthwhile. At a strip club, they call us ‘entertainers’. I was fine with that, but I didn't refer to myself that way because ’entertainer’ prompts another question: ‘What kind of entertainer?’ So I just said ‘stripper’. I’m not ashamed of the term. If you can't handle it, maybe you should be doing something else. People say stripping is a form of prostitution but its not! Stripping falls under the realm of adult entertainment. I view stripping as a job, and I do it without compromising my values. The only time I feel bad is when I lead on men. I felt really bad for a regular customer when he confided in me, saying, ‘I’ve spent $27,000 on this girl, and I haven’t even gotten her telephone number.’ Now, I genuinely liked him, and seeing him throw his money away made me uneasy. I wanted to let him in on the truth: ‘strippers are a fantasy, see but don’t touch. But telling the truth isn’t easy. Their fantasies drive our bead and butter.

It’s a myth that a stripper’s job is fraught with sexual harassment. But keep in mind that sexual harassment is relative. What's acceptable in a strip club would be considered sexual harassment elsewhere. Most clubs are clean. The owners feel, ‘Pretty girl in a bikini. Whatever.’ In the odd event that a lecherous boss tries to make a pass at the girls, we blow them off by saying, ‘If you want me to work here, you have to lay off. Or I'll quit and work elsewhere.’ When it comes down to choosing whether to try and seduce the stripper and risk having her quitting the job, costing the club the money she would have brought in, most men will leave her alone.

Different kinds of people check out strip clubs. And it's not unusual to see just women in the audience. Most guests are polite but we do get the odd guy who is obnoxious. And you know what? It's not just the strippers who hate him. The other customers disapprove as well. One time I had a ‘wandering hands’ customer, and this other guy looked at him in disgust, then looked at me and said, ‘I don't know how you don’t end up hating men.’

If someone were to ask me whether they should get into the business, I would ask what their goals are. Is there urgency for money? If not, look for an office job. A lot of women, me included, have said, ‘I'll never strip.’ Then they make a split-second decision to do it because of the lure of easy money. Make money, find a husband, perhaps put a down payment on a house — this is all part of a stripper’s dream. But it can be emotionally crippling. There are a lot of girls who start out with the best of intentions and end up feeling like a toy or a used rag. Now that my debts are finally paid off, I know I can quit

A TALE of 2 GIRLS

3/14/2008 2:17:01 PM

“I met Carl three years back. I was working in a call center and living alone in a studio apartment in New Delhi. One night, as I was leaving my workplace, a lean good-looking man came up to me. He introduced himself, and I was immediately drawn to him. I was painfully shy back then so I admired his blasé approach. I also liked his looks; he is Goan. He told me to drop by his cabin any time, as it was a floor above mine.

A few days later, a colleague dropped a bombshell. She had seen me talking to Carl and informed me, “That man’s father has spent time in prison for embezzlement.” But, and this may sound strange, rather than rejecting any notions of a relationship with him, I empathized with Carl. I know how it feels to suffer prejudice in life as I was in a lesbian relationship for three years. I grew up with the stigma of lesbianism, so somehow felt an instant affinity with Carl.

With friends in common, we began to get to know each other. Although he was three years younger than me, I found him really easy to talk to and somehow intriguing. I vividly recall the night I told him about my past. Although we hadn’t slept together by then, we’d started seeing each other and one evening, I said I had something to tell him. Revealing my true self was necessary for me to take our relationship a notch up. I began, ‘When I was young, I always wanted to grow up and live with my best girlfriend, and that feeling never changed as I got older. I was heterosexual until the age of 21. In fact, my heterosexual appetite for men was always healthy and still is today. I suffered disastrous relationships with men in my twenties: a short-lived relationship and guys who played mind games. I suffered too much disappointment. By the time I was 24, I decided to take a hiatus from dating. I desperately needed to feel in control of my own life again.’

I told Carl it was during that year I developed feelings of bi-curiosity. ‘When I found myself getting drawn towards women, I thought I was abnormal. I don’t know how to explain the attraction. Physically, sex with men is different and more satisfying than with women; emotionally, I connect with women deeply. At that point in my life, men took a backseat to my growing bi-curious tendencies. When I met other bisexuals at gay bars, it was therapeutic; it reassured me that I was not an oddball. The feeling of understanding myself … of knowing there were other people like me … of looking forward to a possible relationship … these were the gifts ‘coming out’ gave me.’ Carl stopped me to say he understood. Relieved, I continued that I often felt like an outcaste because I was bisexual; neither a lesbian nor ‘straight’.

The general argument against bisexuality is that we are not satisfied with one gender and hence we’re promiscuous. But when I speak of myself as a bisexual, I am describing my sexual orientation, not actions. I am not into threesomes although who's to say that won't change. But for now, I am a one-on-one person. If I am in a relationship, it will be with one person.

In fact, my life as a bisexual was an obstacle course. ‘I told myself over and over again that I will not be accepted by society and played out the worst possible scenario in my head. It is not an easy path. But, slowly, I have made it. I recently confessed to my elder sister that I was a bisexual and felt reassured at having been accepted after the initial confusion. I then began confiding in my close friends. Their reactions ranged from alarm to tolerance to a slow acceptance. Today, two years later, I am a bisexual to everyone who matters in my life, except my parents.’

When I first met my girlfriend, we instantly bonded and within a few months decided to live together. We navigated our way through teething problems together, and shared some mind-blowing orgasms. It was true what I had always heard, ‘who knows better about a woman's body than another woman?’ Everything was just as I expected it to be, except for the small details of this being our first lesbian relationship. My denial of the existence of the relationship in front of our families left her feeling insecure, and she began questioning my commitment. I, in turn, felt misunderstood and suffocated, and very soon instead of cherishing the time we spent together, we were irritable, and took it out on each other, until we amicably decided to part ways. Burnt by my first lesbian relationship, I fell back into dating guys. At least it was comparatively hassle-free.

I think being bisexual has made me accepting of all sexual lifestyles, whether I participate in them or not. Now that I am becoming less confused about it, I am realizing I have more freedom than a lot of people, and instead of seeing myself as cursed with it, I am looking at my sexuality as a gift. The secrecy of my past only served to intensify my relationship with Carl; it was far more equal than ones I had experienced in the past. We had similar aspirations and he was extremely caring. I felt genuinely happy at last. Looking back, it felt like a lifetime ago that I was with my girlfriend. There was a deep bonding with her but now I realise how oppressive living with her insecurities was. For the first time I felt I could be my own person. I decided to tell him my story because I didn’t want there to be any secrets. I felt liberated.”

KISS ... KISS ... KISS

3/14/2008 2:06:37 PM

In 1980, former actress Padmini Kolhapure scandalized the nation by kissing Prince Charles when he visited the country. Actress Shabana Azmi's kiss planted on Nelson Mandela's cheek in 1993 inflamed the righteous once again. The latest incident of Richard Gere wrapping Shilpa Shetty in his arms and kissing her several times during an AIDS awareness event in Delhi, has once again come under the scanner of the holier-than-thou milieu. But hey, isn't the scenario being played out like a Bollywood storyline … a couple sharing a kiss battling against society?

DRUG LANDSCAPE

3/14/2008 1:43:56 PM

Scene 1: The party at a South Delhi residence had all the right ingredients. It began with a gourmet meal accompanied by wine. The host then presented the piece de resistance: dark chocolate mousse laced with Marijuana. 'Would anybody care for dessert', he inquired. Of course, they would.

Scene 2: DJ Aqeel was detained in Dubai for possession of drugs, earlier this month. Aqueel, India's leading disc jockey, was held after 0.4 mg of Ecstasy was found on him. He was taken away by the Anti-Narcotics department for a blood test, the report of which was negative.

Scene 3: Nitish is waiting for Rohan outside a bar. Rohan, who peddles drugs, is 45 minutes late, and Nitish, who uses drugs as a social crutch, is livid. He calms down once the dealer hands over two packets. "This," says Nitish, holding up a packet, "is for my buddy's bachelor party. We're gonna hire strippers." A smile flickers across his face, the effect of the pill he consumed earlier. "And this"—he holds up the other bag—"is for tonight with my girl."

Scene 4: Paris Hilton has been jailed for 45 days after being found guilty of violating her probation for a drink-driving conviction.

SAVE ANAND JON CAMPAIGN

3/14/2008 1:24:10 PM

Legal Luminaries, Bollywood and Indian fashion fraternity rally around beleaguered Anand Jon, incarcerated in US prison without bail for over 8 months.

MUSIC FOR AWARENESS

3/14/2008 12:07:29 PM

In India, we love our music & we love our sex, yet we seem not to love our life by overlooking our social responsibilities and falling prey to the monster we dread as AIDS. No matter how much it is tried to educate people and make them aware of the existing peril that can be averted by adhering to basic precautions, the subject remains tabooed.

“SHOULD I SHIFT TO DELHI”- SRK

3/14/2008 12:01:31 PM

After the mixed response of KBC3, Shah Rukh Khan is all set to make a come back on the small screen. Only this time around, he will be donning your home space with Kya Aap Panchavi Pass Hain?, a mass awareness generating series. Shahrukh will be hosting this show to impart education to people of different age, caste, creed and status. Having made a public appearance for promoting his newfound venture in Delhi on 12 Feb, he was slated to make his presence felt at ITC towers, Parel, right in the heart of Mumbai.

SPICE (LESS) GIRLS CALL OFF THEIR WORLD TOUR

3/14/2008 11:16:54 AM

Long back in 1994, when the Pop band Spice Girls was formed; it was nothing less than a teenage sensation. It amassed popularity to such an extent that it generated mass hysteria. But history has it- explosions have always occurred wherever there are 2 girls, imagine 5! In 2001 the bimbos moved away on their separate ways to pursue their individual careers and even though no formal announcements were made, Spice Girls had been diluted.

WHERE IS THE PARTY TONIGHT?

3/13/2008 7:17:56 PM

After the hectic first day at Wills India Fashion Week and exhilarating last show of Rohit Bal everybody was looking forward to a rocking revelry. With a mind to paint the town red, fashionistas made a quick move to the hip lounge the F Bar & Lounge at The Ashok. Like always, the house was jam-packed and still had a que outside with horde of wannabes going berserk to get in.

ILIAS KOUSIS

3/13/2008 12:14:38 PM

Flair bartending has hardly gone the way of Tom Cruise. It is as hip as ever, and guests at Fluid got a full show from Greek flair bartender Ilias Kousis on Friday, as part of the Tour of International Cocktail Jockeys presented by United Spirits.

As I settle down to watch his act, I was blissfully unaware of what this guy had in store for us; he flipped the bottle in the air and [believe it or not!] caught it with his neck, head, chin and elbow, and spinning it on his finger! The bottle and shaker moved around his body in such a maniacal way that you had to make a concerted effort to catch a glimpse of the act.

Ilias, who joined this profession as a beach bartender in Chalkidiki, moved to Germany four years later and became a mixologist. "In Germany, I saw people flairing and thought of trying it. The film 'Cocktail' was also an inspiration," says Ilias who practiced eight hours daily for three years under the guidance of world champion flair bartender Nicolas Saint-Jean at the Flairmotion School of Bartending.

Trained as a Flair bartender by Flairmotion school run by Nicolas Saint-Jean, one of the world’s leading flair bartenders, Ilias won the Greek Flair Championships and finished eighth in the World Championship in Finland last year; two months back, he came third at a flair bartending competition in London. "Nowadays I do not work at bars. I work for shows with the Flairmotion team, at private parties, and train bartenders worldwide. I performed at 13 places last year like Saint-Tropez, Monaco, Lebanon and Finland," he reminisces. "It is a great profession! I get to meet people and travel. Flair bartending opens doors as there are opportunities to be on television and if one tries hard, one can also become an actor!"

Although scared of the traffic in India, Ilias loves the country. Brought to India by United Spirits, he has performed in bars across Goa and at Vijay Malaya's party. In India, he is conducting workshops where he will be teaching the art of flair bartending to over 500 bartenders. Post Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata are on the anvil. "Aspirants should go to a mixologist school, know the spirits and become a bartender first; then a person can graduate to flair bartending. The workshop I am holding will certainly help bartenders to get acquainted with flair. Someday I want to hear people saying 'I have been taught by Ilias'."

Ilias plans to tour the country someday with his Flairmotion team [Nicolas and Florian], moving from club to club and showcasing their skills. His favorite cocktail? "I love fruit martinis; muddle tropical fruits or puree them in a blender, and make a vodka martini." Cheers!

FERRY CORSTEN

3/13/2008 12:02:22 PM

Smirnoff Night Life: the new experience brought by Smirnoff gave partygoers an unparalleled clubbing experience at Ministry of Sound, with electronic dance music spun by Ferry Corsten from the Netherlands and Nikhil Chinappa.

The vibe was unadulterated EDM, which brought the crowd on to the floor. With thumping beats and incessant trance, Ferry and Chinappa had the audience rockin'. Though it was a different experience for me as I'm acclimatized to rap, the music was easy on my feet i.e. Fire with Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran and Ferocious.

"I was a little kid when I developed a passion for music. I always tuned into radio shows that were different from the Top 40 countdowns. I had a lot of respect for Paul Oakenfold. He opened the door for European deejays in South America. If it wasn't for him, it would have taken a lot longer for these guys to break through. I invested in second-hand turntables and a mixer. From there, it was practice, practice, practice! I remember going each Friday to a record store and buying all the latest records. After a while I began creating my own tapes which I distributed amongst friends, until I got myself a studio. My first hit in the UK was 'System F Out of the Blue' and then Ministry of Sound asked me to mix their compilations, 'Trance Nation'; the former sold 400,000 copies, and then the big clubs like Cream, Gatecrasher, Ministry of Sound and God's Kitchen asked to play for them," he reminisced.

Since then, it has been a spiraling ride to fame. "I have pretty much covered most of South America, North America, Europe, South Africa and part of Asia. The only places I have not been to are Thailand, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan! This is my first trip to India; this is a place I have always wanted to visit. Since I got the opportunity to team up with Smirnoff, and spin here, I just took it," he grinned.

What advice would he offer to aspiring deejays, I asked him? ''I've always lived with the idea of believing in yourself. If you like a certain type of music, even if people around you say it's cheesy and that you should play something else, do not do it as you cannot feel that music. Do what you believe in as that will be what you will be good at. If you're trying to make a breakthrough with deejaying, be original and focus on production,'' are his pearls of wisdom.

On a final note, I asked him how he deals with requests which are not a part of his bag. 'Well, luckily for me, I am in a position today where people come to hear what I play and the requests I get are usually my older records,'' he grins.

DJ KIRAN

3/13/2008 11:56:12 AM

This is one dude who rocks a party! Mumbai-based DJ Kiran has been spinning since 1994, and when you hear him, you will not get off the floor. He creates an energy that clubbers will be coming to experience for long. Whether he is on the console or on the floor, Kiran totally cuts it up. And with key music production contracts and a gig in Dubai this week, it's only a matter of time before he makes it big.

"I started deejaying in 1994 for private parties and got my first break as a professional DJ in 1995. Music has always been the biggest passion in my life and I felt the need to share that passion with other people. I was a music freak and one day I walked up to the resident deejay of a club I used to frequent and asked him if I could be his assistant; to my luck, the answer was "yes"! That is how it all started ... he introduced me to the manager of the club and I got the afternoon shift. Over the years, I have worked in renowned clubs like J-49, Scream, Incognito, Athena and Rock Bottom, to name a few. But I still felt something was missing, and took a step into music production in 2004, where I started off by making my own remixes! In 2005, I remixed three songs for the "Kajra Re-Mix" album under Yash Raj music, and from then onwards there was no looking back," he reminisces with a broad smile.

Did he face opposition from his parents, considering deejaying and music production is not a traditional career, I ask him? "Yes! They were against me getting into this field. I have struggled to convince them and have to prove my point every now and then, by winning a few competitions, getting regular gigs, et al. It came to a point, where they finally started believing in me and in my convictions ... and today I have support from their side," he reveals.

Considering he is a veteran now, I ask Kiran if Bollywood is the mainstream preference or are tastes evolving. "Of course there are new sounds evolving and new tastes developing, but the sounds, compositions in Bollywood music have been outstanding and also changing tremendously with time. Hats off to our music directors and musicians for composing such wonderful music! In simple words "Bollywood Rules". Bollywood was, is, and will always be the first preference; after all we all are Indians!"

On a parting note I ask DJ Kiran for his pearls of wisdom for aspiring deejays. "Keep spinning and producing, and remain focused! Your efforts will be duly rewarded," is his simple mantra.

KENJI JESSE

3/13/2008 11:51:15 AM

DELHI, JUNE 2007: It's that time of the year when Delhi can indulge in innovative cocktails and observe Kenji Jesse, Brand Ambassador of Smirnoff Black, share his pearls of wisdom with local bartenders at the Smirnoff Black Bartender Training Workshop in Delhi.

There is nothing more powerful in the spirits world than an innovative cocktail. That rare distinction of holding patrons in a powerful grip has belonged to only a handful of cocktails. Some notable honorees include the Martini, the Manhattan and the Margarita. But there is a lot of room for variety and one hand feeds the other. An interest in high-end liquor is shoveling coal back into the red-hot bartending engine of Martini and Caiprioshka, with bespoke versions by master mixologists.

Kenji Jesse, Brand Ambassador of Smirnoff Black

Kenji was impressed to see a number of eager bartenders at the workshop. "They were passionate about learning new tips which is great news for the future of Indian bars. Bartender skills differ from tender to tender rather than country to country. There are a lot of factors that will influence bartender culture, the main one being the customers! The Indian bar-goer is slowly appreciating the art of mixology, which in turn will raise the level of the bar industry."

What are some of the things that you have taught bartenders during this workshop, I ask him? "I always stress that bartending is more than just making drinks. It is important to treat your customers like guests at your home and they in return should treat your bar in the same fashion," he responds. "The base of any good cocktail is the alcohol, so in order to make a good cocktail, it is important to use a premium spirit. The soul of a cocktail comes from the ice. Use good quality, solid ice cubes and use LOTS of it. The colder the better! Lastly, preparation is vital so ensure you have enough glasses, mixers, fruits, mixers and spirits to last the night. Peals of wisdom: use your mixology skills to bespoke cocktails to individual taste." Cheers!

PLAY ON

3/12/2008 8:13:46 PM

A night ago, Delhi’s à la mode F Bar & Lounge was rocking louder than ever. And the reason was fair enough as DJ Aqueel and designer Manav Gangwani hosted the bash.

THE FASHION BAR

3/12/2008 8:07:25 PM

DJ SUKETU SPINNING MAGIC

3/1/2008 1:38:54 PM

The moment I enter that petite scope at ELEVATE to meet this person who is supposedly, renowned as one of the best DJ’s in the country at present, I was completely shocked . As I was rather expecting a showy character. With his very first glance he seems to me a sophisticated gentleman rather than a freaky disc jockey. And when I told him the same, he can’t stop himself from griming on my obnoxious observation.

FASHION MALAISE

2/29/2008 3:25:28 PM

AUG 22, 2007: Do you crave couture? Then rejoice, because this month is choc-o-block with fashion week previews! Far from the exclusive image Fashion Week has, previews draw the party perennials.

BRUTAL THEFT SHOCKS FASHION FRATERNITY

2/29/2008 3:23:42 PM

28 AUGUST 2007: High-end designers from Rohit Bal to Manish Arora are preparing to descend on the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring Summer 2008 showings. They would be joined, as they are every year, by those looking to steal their work. Design piracy, in which cheap manufacturers knock off catwalk designs and quickly offer them for sale, has a long history in the fashion world. Even the best designers copy the work of others-though they prefer to call it "referencing." Piracy aside, a brutal theft last night shook the fashion world. Thieves grabbed a haul of designer Varun Behl's latest designs for the fashion week, from his warehouse. The collection is alleged to be worth Rs 50-60 lacs. The fashion fraternity believes Varun Behl is the victim of a gang seeking to produce counterfeit copies of the designs, which are worth potentially lacs of rupees to the thieves. We feel the designer should consult a good trademark and copyright lawyer as selling copies of original designs that are trademark protected, without copyright approval, is a criminal offence. Unfortunately, though, the collection images, database of buyers and important business document were all stored in a computer, which too has been stolen. With barely a week before his showing, the theft has marred the success of Behl Designer Varun Behl's collection at fashion week. Such thefts call for stronger protection of fashion design. Technological change has made copying easier and faster than ever before. Globalization has led other creative industries to seek strong intellectual-property protection. The fashion industry, which is increasingly global, may start to do the same. But as yet, there is little sign that the downside of design piracy outweighs the upside. The current situation works too well for too many players. At the time of going to print, Varun Behl was unavailable for comment.

THE MOST STYLISH PEOPLE@ WIFW

2/29/2008 2:36:44 PM

At Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, a mélange of designers, models, media and the A-list reveled in the carnival atmosphere. The guests were dressed to kill; the fraternity exuded natural elegance. Check out our pick of the most effortlessly stylish people in the fraternity…

BACKSTAGE@ WIFW GRAND FINALE

2/29/2008 2:31:55 PM

DELHI, SEPTEMBER 10, 2007: It's rare for the fashion fraternity to open its doors to all its secrets, to allow access to their creations, so I was determined to go backstage for the Rohit Bal Grand Finale showing at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. The moment always comes during a fashion week when, suddenly, I'd rather be backstage. Its 10 p.m. and a half hour left for the showing! This, when it was slated for 9 p.m. and guests are taking their seats! I walk into the ateliers of Rohit Bal and experience an Alice-in-Wonderland feeling. "For me, couture is about the delicacy of perfection in the workmanship of the cloth and imprint of the design. Only when you have experienced couture, can you appreciate clothes that are uniquely crafted." Sure it can be argued there must be insanity to spending over a lac on an ensemble, but the embroideries, the craftsmanship and hours the ateliers spend to make something unique … once you have tried it there is no going back, so I am told. The backstage protocol may seem startling to the outsider, but it gives you a glimpse of another world; you can't open Pandora's Box too far... Female models clad in voluminous dresses are everywhere and it's difficult to move. Most of them are pulling on stilettoes and carefully putting on their gowns. There are curlers, irons and jars of styling gel everywhere. A stylist is adding last minute make-up touches and blue sindoor to the models' maang! To create the "intense, cat-eye look," he lines the models' eyes with black liner and mixed in greys and blues on the eyelid. Model Ignatius Camillo sits in a corner with what appears to be the finished look: a suit with a nose-ring and blue sindoor. He is not his usual fun self, and when I question him, he says it's because he is gearing up for the catwalk. "This hurts," sighs another model, pulling off the nose-ring until show time. Moving on, a few female models are flirting with actor Upen Patel; this guy is reeling them in like bees to a jar of honey! Checking out the garments, I can see it is going to be a creative, artistic showing; from guys sporting silver nose rings and sindoor to a dozen veteran designers preparing to walk the ramp for the final sequence, Rohit Bal's fantasies are clocking in creative time. In hindsight, I am glad I spent a half hour just soaking up the ambience backstage at Bal; I experienced the magic and mystery of couture though it is not until the person herself slips on a couture number that she understands its allure. "Haute couture is all about fit, feel, the ultimate in luxury," explains a model who has fallen in love with the gown she would be showcasing. Now she gets it. Walking out into the auditorium, I wonder if everybody should be privy to the magic. One day, when I was arguing with the security to allow my photographer backstage, the designer came out to reason with me. 'Why do you want him to come backstage? He should be covering my creations on the catwalk,' she said; she wasn't being difficult, she was puzzled. 'Would you let me stand in your dressing room and watch you dab on powders and lotions, and take photographs of you getting dressed?' I shuddered. Moisturize, conceal blemishes, tease the hair into place, put on the brassieres that defy gravity, and slip into heels that elongate. Yikes! A girl should never give away the secrets, let alone allow photographers to accumulate evidence of the same. Some secrets are meant to be kept. I would love to give you more insight into the backstage mechanism but its show time now and I cannot wait to see the end-result, so I am off to locate my seat on the second row. This is one show I want to see close-up! Tune into RUNWAY REVIEWS for our appraisal of the WIFW Grand Finale showing.

ANY EXCUSE TO PARTY..?

2/29/2008 2:21:35 PM

Last Friday night, Hotel Shangri-La seemed to be under siege. Paparazzi, shrieking publicists, handlers, rockers and wine-swilling guests were celebrating a special edition of Femina at Island Bar. It was a long way from the elegance of the year of the magazine’s birth. On a makeshift stage, media tycoon Vineet Jain shared a few words with his guests and the media. By the bar, filmmaker Karan Johar, Anupama Verma and a couturier surveyed the scene. "We should all be getting Femina tiaras with a 10 on them," the latter remarked. Cynical? Perhaps. But then, parties are so common these days.

BACKSTAGE AT LAKME FASHION WEEK

2/29/2008 2:12:56 PM

Backstage at NCPA, models are scrubbing off makeup. They look skinny but not cadaverous, observes JASMEEN DUGAL. Yet after four days at Lakme Fashion Week, I realize I cannot trust my own judgment: it has become impossible to see the difference between thin and THIN!

CHIVAS FASHION TOUR DOCKS IN DELHI

2/29/2008 1:56:55 PM

DELHI, NOVEMBER 3, 2007: The Fashion Week hangover isn't just a metaphor, feels JASMEEN DUGAL. Last month's mix of showings, parties, and stiletto-induced blisters at Lakme Fashion Week has left me in a haze—and in fashion withdrawal. It's a unique affliction, acquired from living off freebies and sharing gratuitous self-congratulations while the world looks on in disinterest or condescension.

THE MAGNIFICIENT MEN... ON THEIR PONIES!

2/29/2008 1:38:04 PM

Come November, and the epicenter of the social scene is a grassy field where a posse of polo players is the main attraction. With a combination of beautiful horses, bruising competition, and celebrities, polo has become the fix of the A-list set, muses JASMEEN DUGAL.

THE FASHION SPECTACLE

2/29/2008 1:29:25 PM

The Fashion Week, Fashion Fair, Fashion Tour spectacle has devolved into a parody. An air-kiss goodbye to all that, says JASMEEN DUGAL.

HOGLUND GLASS ART

2/29/2008 1:25:31 PM

I often walk around Mumbai browsing for cool stuff. Usually, all I see is pretty ordinary jewelry, bags, more jewelry, and the ubiquitous book vendors. But recently I came upon something much cooler: the Hoglund Art Glass home accessories and glass jewelry collection brought to India by Effervescence. The colors were incredible, and the shapes were simple but sexy.

"SALON ETIQUETTE"

2/29/2008 1:19:59 PM

A friend recently admitted that she never tips the hairdressers at a salon, says JASMEEN DUGAL. She claimed it was an uncomfortable process since she's never sure of "tipping etiquette." I told her off, explaining that most hairdressers don't earn much and that tipping is for reasons of self-interest, too. If she loosened her purse strings, she would soon see the benefits, I reasoned. Hey, you want to get the best personal care, and build a rapport with the stylist. And you surely don't want to fall into "the other category" at a salon; you want to be one of those clients who can call on a whim and request if they can fit you in …

RACE REVEALED!

2/29/2008 1:13:43 PM

Stylekandy brings to you the most cliché, behind the scenes secrets of the movie. It’s easily the most awaited block bluster of the season with a cast hot enough to burn down the silver screen, when it actually arrives. With Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha Basu, Akshaye Khanna, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor and Sameera Reddy in the lead, Race promises thrills, chills and the frills to rake into the moolah. But seeing what everyone will on the screen is one thing, and knowing the behind the scenes most buried secrets quite another. Wouldn’t you give one arm and a leg for chancing upon the sometimes dark, sometimes grey and sometimes white secrets during the making of the movie? Ok, no need to answer that one, as Stylekandy brings to you the most candid confessions broken from a nutshell-

RAZZIE AWARDS AT OSCARS

2/28/2008 9:46:24 PM

The paparazzi might be keeping a watchful eye from every vantage point on the Hollywood icons, but Stylekandy with the presenters of “The Razzie awards” salutes the worst that Hollywood has to offer each year. The itchiest fashion faux pas at the 80th Academy Awards held on the 24th of Feb in Los Angeles, California.

10. Cate Blanchette

The very pregnant Blanchett was seen in a deep purple halter gown that did full justice to her 7-month pregnant belly. Unfortunately, the positives if the dress start and end there! Nominated for Elizabeth – the Golden Age, Her Majesty’s sand brown accessories with a hint of green probably matched the roadside hoarding, but certainly looked like a square peg in a round hole with the dress. Her hair, perhaps were the saving grace of her night.

ZENZI TURNS 3

2/27/2008 3:44:42 PM

MUMBAI, 29 JULY: Zenzi celebrated its third anniversary on Sunday afternoon .The décor was bright with black and orange balloons throughout the lounge to counteract the gloomy weather; there was an open bar serving bespoke cocktails, a live counter with Chinese cuisine served in paper boxes so that it would be easier to mingle, and foot stomping music by DJ Charlee.

'COLORS OF PASSION'

2/27/2008 3:39:44 PM

Artist Raja Ravi Verma will come to life on Ketan Mehta s canvas as the filmmaker tries to find the 'Colours of Passion' in the artist's life. Starring Randeep Hooda who plays Raja Ravi Verma and Nandana Sen who plays his muse Sugandha, this will be one film that will be shot simultaneously in English and in Hindi.

'GATEWAY' TO HOLLYWOOD

2/27/2008 3:25:58 PM

MUMBAI, JULY 4: Since I'm in Mumbai, I decide to stop by Ashok Amritraj's launch bash for 'Gateway'. It's a totally different atmosphere from the everyday parties crowding my little black book. The waves are drowned out by Snoop Dogg's "Drop It Like It's Hot," and the television-Bollywood set is replaced by the A-list.

KINGFISHER F1 BASH

2/27/2008 3:19:35 PM

MUMBAI, AUG 5: The Kingfisher Formula1 picked up force this weekend when the chic set blew into The Sports Bar for the screening of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

TETSUMA PALETTE

2/27/2008 3:12:52 PM

MUMBAI, AUG 8: Veni, Vidi, Visa! After dancers and deejays, fashion and F&B, retail is the bait being used to reel in the party people, as Mumbai nights, particularly at Tetsuma, become increasingly crowded. Tetsuma Palette features people from the field of art, fashion, and jewellery to give guests a preview of their new work, every Wednesday.

BLING

2/27/2008 12:24:57 PM

MUMBAI: It's been months since a rockin' party, but I have a feeling tonight's bash to celebrate the launch of Bling is going to be a good one. Atul Kasbekar is moving beyond photography to a talent management company: Bling Entertainment Solutions. And it looks like the word is getting out: When I arrive at JW Marriot, Sushmita Sen smiles at me before walking into the lobby. Looks like this party is going to be better than I thought!

LIVE@ LAIDBACK: JALEBEE CARTEL

2/27/2008 12:01:52 PM

DELHI, AUG 10: I'm back at Laidback Waters, this time for Jalebee Cartel. I've lost track how many times I've hit this hot spot this season. Blame it on them for featuring the hottest electro-lounge sounds each Friday! After some white wine, I realize I haven't eaten dinner so I weave my way to the fine dining section and order 'Snacks from the Baltic', their signature platter of hot and cold seafood. Superb, but I need another drink.

'HELLO' CELEBRATES 6 MONTHS

2/27/2008 11:34:39 AM

DELHI, AUG 18, 2007: The party season hasn't begun till the A-list set has shined, shimmied, and schmoozed till they drop. Tonight, I'm feeling extra hair-tossing sassy. You would be, too, if you were one of the über exclusive guests invited to HELLO's anniversary bash. The soiree is at Island Bar; hence, the guaranteed graces of the fashion fraternity and gilded guests alike.

BRAWNS, BLOOMS, BUTTERFLIES

2/27/2008 11:26:16 AM

DELHI, AUGUST 27: Delhi's party pack was at Tabula Rasa on Monday night and here's why. It was playing host to Manav Gangwani's bash for Château Indage. There was reason to celebrate: themed 'Brawns, Blooms and Butterflies', Manav Gangwani launched Ivy-premium wine from the Chateau Indage cellars.

HABANOS CIGAR AND MALT WHISKY DINNER

2/27/2008 11:17:25 AM

DELHI, AUGUST 29, 2007: Like every gathering, there's got to be a reason behind a dinner, and today's do at My Humble House is Chetan Seth's farewell tribute to H.E. Patrick De Beyter, Ambassador of Belgium in India, who having spent five years in Havana as Ambassador, not only has a deep love and regard for the country but also the Habanos!

ARABIAN NIGHTS

2/23/2008 2:19:52 PM

AUGUST 29, 2007: Veni, Vidi, Visa! After dancers and DJs, fashion and F&B, retail is the bait being used to reel in the party perennials, as Delhi nights become increasingly crowded.

LAIDBACK WATERS' LAST CAROUSAL

2/23/2008 2:12:56 PM

DELHI, AUGUST 31: Laidback Waters is the place of choice. And tonight, it's ready to party with Karsh Kala. If arriving late is fashionable, I'm woefully out of step tonight. I'm one of the first to arrive! The party perennials have yet to make their entrance because they would never be so gauche to arrive early. In my defense, I just can't contain my anticipation. It's a double whammy tonight! In honor of the Best of Laidback Waters, the seafood lounge has teamed up with imminent artists to throw a monsoon soiree each Friday until August 31—tonight—its last big carousal before shifting base.

WIFW OPENING BASH

2/23/2008 1:55:12 PM

September 5, 2007: When it comes to fashion weeks, one soiree is passé. The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week is studded with A-list bashes.

WIFW GRAND FINALE BASH: ROHIT BAL

2/23/2008 1:48:36 PM

SEP 9, 2007: The week is over and I've a sore Fashion Week hangover. Inside the Pragati Maidan tent yesterday it seemed like I wasn't the only one. The crowd was more subdued than it had been all week. Maybe it was the weather, or maybe—and here comes my personal theory—for even the greatest fashion enthusiast, there comes a saturation point. Around Day5, every model starts to look the same, every name has been dropped, all the post-showing parties have been dissected, and people are starting to come back to reality. Sure, you're still happy you're at Fashion Week; the fun [and fashion] never stops! You're just starting to wonder if you locked the car. Just when I thought that I'd seen enough, when the exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me and all I wanted to do was go home and crash, there was a rocking post-showing party on the agenda: Rohit Bal's grand finale bash at Veda.

VOGUE-INDIA GALA

2/23/2008 1:37:26 PM

SEPTEMBER 23, 2007: Jodhpur is still reeling from the delirious glamor of this weekend's Vogue-India launch. The fashion bible pulled out all the stops for the launch of their Indian edition at Taj Umaid Bhavan Palace, which has rarely witnessed such a whirl of models, couturiers, socialites, Bollywood and royalty.

LAUNCH OF 'BACI' WINE BAR

2/23/2008 1:22:48 PM

DELHI, SEPTEMBER 25, 2007: I peel myself out of the workplace at 6 p.m. and begin a debate over how to spend this mellow Tuesday evening. Do I hit the theatre for a comic film? Spend the evening tucked in bed with a glossy magazine? Or drop by the launch of a wine bar at Baci? After a strong cup of coffee to clear the cobwebs, I decide to head over to Baci and raise a toast to a discerning bouquet of wine.

OLAY BRUNCH

2/23/2008 1:09:38 PM

JODHPUR, SEPTEMBER 2007: The launch of Vogue-India may have been a grand affair but the morning-after celebrations were no less. Olay hosted an exclusive brunch at the Taj Umaid Bhavan, Jodhpur to introduce Olay Total Effects to the glitterati.

HUNT FOR 'MISS MAXIM'

2/23/2008 12:19:48 PM

DELHI, SEPTEMBER 30, 2007: All roads led to Elevate last weekend and here's why. Maxim was hosting the finale to the Indian leg of the Miss Maxim pageant. The eight finalists—selected by a jury comprising celebrity photographer Darren Centofanti, Maxim-India Editor Anup Kutty, and designers Rahul and Gunjan of Sirali—presented a sizzling showing in beachwear.

PRIV-EXPRESS

2/23/2008 12:11:37 PM

MUMBAI, 5 OCTOBER 2007: Though the Lakme Fashion Week is a week away, the fashion and party momentum is rising in Mumbai. First Kunal Rawal had a swish preview of his LFW collection at Tetsuma, and then PreivExpress showcased Apnavi Thacker's funky artwork titled "Insolence". Tonight, the city is gearing up for the Chivas Fashion Tour at the ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton.

ARJUN KHANNA'S LFW BASH

2/23/2008 11:27:30 AM

Mumbai proved its worth as the fashion and party capital last night as Arjun Khanna's post-showing party at Taxi showed us exactly how it's done, says JASMEEN DUGAL.

FASHION POLICE

2/23/2008 11:17:38 AM

MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 2007: FCUK's [French Connection United Kingdom] Indian unit has created a community building initiative through www.fcukfashionpolice.com. This self-anointed upholder of style is a networking site like Orkut or Facebook, and goes by the name, FCUK Fashion Police. It has taken up the challenge of uniting the chic set in an online community. However, unlike other networking websites that allow anyone to join, here you will be judged on whether you have a characteristic style quotient.

AZA FOR SABYASACHI

2/23/2008 11:08:27 AM

Returning to regular life after back to back runways at Lakme Fashion Week is a buzzkill, says JASMEEN DUGAL. Surely, there has to be some action somewhere? Sure enough, there is, over at Indigo, where Aza is hosting a post-showing party for Sabyasachi.

HALOWEEN

2/23/2008 11:02:44 AM

Sure, it's a weeknight. Sure, you have work in the morning. Sure, you're "grown up." Actually, that last excuse doesn't even count. Halloween has always been a favorite, and I've never understood that it might only be for kids. Browsing the costume shops with their walls of adult costumes, sexy and humorous, tells me I'm not alone! And, with several themed parties, activities, and club nights taking place across Delhi, there was no shortage of chills and thrills to make the most of this holiday. Tabula Rasa offered a witch's brew of delights with a ghoulish dress code and bloodthirsty beats. Check out the action:

HALLOWEEN@ TABULA RASA

2/23/2008 10:52:34 AM

STUDIO 54@ WHITE

2/23/2008 10:45:21 AM

Mumbai, November 1, 2007: You would think the dismal weather and traffic would maroon people in their homes, sighs JASMEEN DUGAL. But, this is Mumbai, and there is always a sultry affair going down, so tonight we're headed to White Lounge; the chic lounge is presenting a Studio 54-Retro Fever Night co-hosted by proprietor Rij Eappean, Reshma Bombaywala, and Ash Chandler.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. JACK!

2/22/2008 6:05:51 PM

DELHI, NOVEMBER 18, 2007: If arriving late is fashionable, I'm woefully out of step tonight, says JASMEEN DUGAL. I'm one of the first to arrive at the Jack Daniel's bash going down at Forbidden City, launched by Roshni and Jai Singh. The A-list set is yet to make their entrance because they would never be so gauche to arrive early. In my defense, I can't contain my anticipation. It's a triple whammy tonight: Aparna and Tanya's bash; Jack Daniel's 157th birthday; Khushi, Ignatius Camillo and Arjun Saluja at the console.

A TOAST TO RUMMY SHARMA

2/22/2008 5:54:37 PM

DELHI, NOVEMBER 19, 2007: Bring on the shots, because I'm in a mood to celebrate, says JASMEEN DUGAL. Tonight, I'm at a bash toasting DJ Rummy Sharma as the spinmeister completes 15 years in the industry.

SUNBURN RELEASE PARTY

2/22/2008 5:45:26 PM

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 20, 2007: Percept D'Mark [PDM Entertainment], Smirnoff, Nikhil Chinappa, and the Ministry of Tourism-Goa toast India's first international electronic music festival at the pre-party in Poison, says JASMEEN DUGAL. 'Sunburn Festival', touted as the first of its kind in India, promises to give party revelers a time of their lives on December 28 and 29. The list of musicians is long and includes spinmasters Carl Cox to John 00 Fleming.

MICHAEL BURIAN ROCKS AGNI

2/22/2008 5:34:45 PM

DELHI, NOVEMBER 22, 2007: Recipe for a great club night: blend socialites with supermodels and polo players, and garnish the scene with Electronic Dance Music. I'm talking about the über chic bash going down at Agni-The Park with Czech DJ Michael Burian in the house.

SUNBURN RELEASE-DELHI

2/22/2008 5:16:17 PM

NOVEMBER 22, 2007: Another night, another party, sighs JASMEEN DUGAL. Friday night, Delhi's party perennials headed over to Tabula Rasa for the Sunburn Release Party, where Nikhil Chinappa and Pearl raised a toast to Electronic Dance Music with the likes of Asif Adil, Managing Director-Diageo India; Shailendra Singh, Joint MD-Percept Holdings; Aman Anand, Festival Director-Sunburn; and Devraj Sanyal, CEO-PDM India.

BIKERS' NIGHT OUT

2/22/2008 2:46:45 PM

DELHI, NOVEMBER 25, 2007: As much as I enjoy clubbing, Smoke House Grill was the place to be last weekend. The city's seasoned bikers were out in full force. What am I talking about? Shiv Karan Singh rounded a select group of bikers at the restobar for a night dedicated to 'The Guys and their Hogs'.

LAUNCH OF JAGERMEISTER

2/22/2008 2:36:18 PM

DELHI, NOVEMBER 26, 2007: Premier spirit brand Jagermeister was officially introduced to Delhiites on Monday night. For the uninitiated, Jägermeister is 35 per cent liquor flavored with herbs… the flagship of Mast-Jägermeister AG, headquartered in Wolfenbüttel, Germany. Its recipe is speculated to be a blend of 56 herbs, including licorice; it is a digestif spirit similar to other Central European stomach bitters, such as Gammel Dansk from Denmark, the Hungarian Unicum, or Czech Becherovka.

DIVE INTO ACTION AT PRIVE FEATURING 'DADA NIGHTS'

2/22/2008 2:31:34 PM

DELHI, JUNE 28: I've got some serious work to do, sighs JASMEEN DUGAL. As your unofficial party guide, it's my duty to check out each entry to the nightlife scene so I'm ready to dive into action at Prive featuring Dada Nights. This nightclub is smack in the heart of Mumbai's club corridor and it is geared to rock.

300 AND GOING STRONG..!

2/22/2008 2:25:59 PM

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 26, 2007: To honor the completion of 300 songs, advertisements, and music videos across genres, languages, and aesthetic sensibilities, choreographers Bosco and Caesar hosted a bash in Squeeze.

FUSION OF TECHOLOGY AND STYLE

2/22/2008 2:22:09 PM

MUMBAI, DECEMBER 2007: I'm expecting the party at Tetsuma to be the quintessential A-list event. Sure enough, there is a row of cars queuing up outside the Japanese restobar when we pull up at 11 p.m. The reason for all the commotion is Tetsuma Palette, which is hosting VU Technology… a fusion rendezvous of luxury, technology, and style.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR JIMMY

2/22/2008 2:17:32 PM

MUMBAI, DECEMBER 3, 2007: "I was born at 6:28 this evening," Jimmy Shergill joked at Rock Bottom, where Anand Rai and the team of 'Strangers' were hosting a birthday bash for him. Present at this party were Jimmy's wife Priyanka in a scarlet dress, 'Strangers' co-star Nandana Sen, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Kabir Sadanand, Rahul Dholakia, Nisha Rawal, Hansal Mehta, Ravi Gosai, and Deepak Tijori.

JOHN UNVEILED THE 'KINGFISHER SWIMSUIT SPECIAL'

2/22/2008 2:01:06 PM

MUMBAI, DECEMBER 9, 2007: Mumbai's party pack was at Taj, Colaba for Sunday brunch and here's why. The sixth edition of the 'Kingfisher Swimsuit Special' was being unveiled by actor John Abraham and Dr Vijay Mallya, amidst a host of celebrities from the world of fashion, business, and celluloid.

PREMIERE OF 'I AM LEGEND'

2/22/2008 1:49:40 PM

Miniisha Lamba, Aman Verma, Yuvika Choudhary, Vikas Bhalla, Pooja Ghai, Narayani Shastri, Shaheen Abbas, Kashmira Shah and a slew of socials who still had energy to burn after a week full of showings and parties headed to the premiere of 'I Am Legend' at Fame Adlabs in Mumbai. The Delhi premiere at Satyam distracted the social set from the farm parties. We spotted former Miss India Meyhar Bhasin posing for the paparazzi.

CHIVAS IN FASHION TOASTS VIJAY ARORA

2/22/2008 1:45:53 PM

DELHI, DECEMBER 13, 2007: Most birthday parties stick to the basic formula of open bar and cheese platters. But designer Vijay Arora, as we well know, does things a little differently. The 45th birthday bash he hosted with Chivas in Fashion was elaborate and chic. Over a hundred revelers, including Peter Punj, Rohit Bal, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Manav Gangwani, Inder Bajwa, Sanjeev and Monu Bali, former Miss India Meyhar Bhasin, and Varun Bahl ascended to multi-level nightclub Kuki. There was, of course, an open bar and a variety of horsdoeuvres. There were also a huge dance floor and photo ops as guests rocked to retro chartbusters with a contemporary spin. Cheers!

ED HARDY AND CHRISTIAN AUDIGER ARRIVES IN INDIA

2/22/2008 1:38:40 PM

December 20, 2007: The art form that has already intoxicated the world with its interesting mix of designs has arrived in India. The Ed Hardy and Christian Audiger have made a roaring debut in India with a stunning fashion show at the grand ballroom of the Taj Land’s End Mumbai. Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhwan of the Wadhwan Lifestyle Retail Pvt Ltd host the party and announce that initially the brands will be retailed from Delhi and Mumbai stores.

A TOAST TO VILLA MARIA

2/22/2008 1:30:11 PM

DECEMBER 17, 2007: Delhi's wine connoisseurs, including New Zealand High Commissioner Graeme Waters, Aman Dhall, and Charlotte Read, turned up at the New Zealand High Commission to raise a toast to the launch of Villa Maria wines in India.

DJ AQEEL AS SOCIAL AMBASSADOR

2/22/2008 1:26:25 PM

Belvedere Luxury Vodka, which created the luxury vodka segment, has appointed DJ Aqeel as its Social Ambassador. With this association, Moët Hennessy India will extend the Belvedere brand experience through DJ Aqeel's appeal and music, for their Belvedere Beautiful Evenings.

DJ MEGHA’S ‘BLUE AND GREEN’

2/22/2008 1:16:25 PM

December 22, 2007: Bollywood’s very own ‘China Town’ boy, model-turned-actor, Upen Patel has revealed DJ Megha Kawale’s debut album, ‘Blue and Green’ at Cinnamon lounge, Mumbai. The launch is then followed by a rocking party which is buzzed by who and who’s of Mumbai’s Page 3 circle. To name some, present at the party are Fleur Xavier, Nina Manuel, Dippanita Sharma, Jesse Randhwa, Candice Pinto, Nethra Raghuraman and Atul Kasbekar. After a while, DJ Megha herself took charge of console and played tracks from her debut album for her friends from music, modelling and Bollywood fraternity.

A BARREL FULL OF ROCKING NIGHT AT BARRIQUE

2/22/2008 1:06:45 PM

The connoisseurs of ‘Moksha’ and ‘Pebble Street’ after serving successfully at their much-celebrated eateries has come up with a new diner in Gurgaon named ‘Barrique’ in association with Royal Challenge.

ED HARDY'S HIP-HOP PARTY BASH

2/22/2008 12:54:46 PM

December 27, 2007, Delhi: After marking a roaring debut in Mumbai, Ed Hardy and Christian Audiger have arrived in capital. Their intoxicating mix of colours inebriated the whole ambience of Shangri-La Hotel. Their arrival gave capital a chance to party hard and harder. Dheeraj Wadhawan of Wadhwan Lifestyle Retail Limited, the promoter of Ed Hardy and Christian Audiger in India hosted the party.

MUMBAI’S NEW YEAR BASH

2/22/2008 12:47:14 PM

January 2, 2008, Mumbai: We’ve worked hard all 2007 long, and will very soon likely slave through 2008, so between that change of dates we only had one night of pampering and partying with us.

DELHI’S ROCKIN WELCOME TO 2008

2/22/2008 12:41:36 PM

January 3, 2008, Delhi: With every passing hour mercury was dipping low although Delhi is not complaining at all. It was the coldest New Year’s Eve of the capital in last six years but it could not be more hot and rocking than it was.

NACH BALIYE BASH

2/22/2008 12:36:46 PM

January 7, 2008, Mumbai: After the huge success of the serial ‘Nach Baliye’, contestants celebrated the occasion with a huge bash held at Sejjo and Souldish in Bandra, Mumbai. Seen enjoying the event, David Dhawan along with winning jodi ‘Amir Ali and Sanjeeda Sheikh’, Sweta Keswani and her husband Alex, Barkha Bisht and beau Indraneil, Kiran Janjani with his wife and Hanif Hilal without his partner Pooja Bedi.

ZOOM WITH CAPTAIN’S EXOTIC CREW

2/22/2008 12:31:11 PM

January 8, 2008, Mumbai: Captain Morgan in association with Times Internet Limited and Zoom TV has launched the “Captain Morgan Zoom Calendar 2008” at the Seijo and Soul dish in Mumbai. Promising 12 months of fun, glamour and visual appeal the Captain Morgan Zoom Calendar- 2008 is a rare blend – symbolizing life, glamour and fun

ZEE’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY BASH

2/22/2008 12:23:11 PM

January 9, 2008, Mumbai: Zee network has celebrated its 15 years of existence with great pomp and show and also paid homage to the mutiny of 1857- India’s first struggle for independence. The stalwarts like Subhash Chandra Goel, Subhash Ghai, Shammi Kapoor, Anup Jalota, Pankaj Udhas and many other Bollywood stars paid their tributes to the Indian legends that started the fight for freedom 150 years back.

ELITE CALENDAR... A TRYST WITH THE ORIENT

2/22/2008 12:13:13 PM

Mumbai: Elite Model Management, India's largest modelling agency launched and unveiled 'ELITE 2008' – a spectacular limited edition calendar styled by L'Officiel and a calendar that showcases the art of beauty, photography, make-up and styling at Zenzi Bar, Mumbai .

STAR SCREEN AWARDS

2/22/2008 12:08:17 PM

Mumbai: The Nokia 14th star Screen Awards were announced at a star-studded ceremony at Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Shah Rukh Khan was adjudged the Best Actor Award for his performance Chak De! India and Kareena Kapoor got the Best Actress award for her spirited performance as ‘Geet’ in Jab We Met. Shah Rukh and Deepika Padukone were named as the Best Pair onscreen for Om Shanti Om and she also bagged the award for the Best Newcomer (Female) beating Sonam Kapoor. More predictably Ranbir Kapoor walked away with the Best Newcomer (Male) Award.

OLIVE BEACH CELEBRATORY BRUNCH

2/22/2008 11:59:20 AM

The white pebbled courtyard of Olive Beach indeed sparkled on Sunday afternoon, as the capital's hoi polloi poured in to savour the Sunday brunch and raise a toast with AD Singh to the return of Olive to the capital - in its new avatar.

BOLLY VEGAS NIGHT

2/22/2008 11:47:05 AM

The High Lounge at Sahara Star was transformed in to Las Vegas, with flamenco dancers, fire-eaters, roulette tables and much more.

GOLD GYM CALENDAR-2008

2/22/2008 11:39:51 AM

Mumbai: Soha Ali Khan, Dino Morea and Neil o’ Mukesh unveiled the Gold Gym Calendar 2008 at a finction held at it’s gym in Bandra.Gold Gym also celebrated its fifth anniversary on the occasssion which was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony. Dino Morea, Soha Ali Khan, Neil Mukesh and Shekhar Suman are among those who have been featured in the calendar.

INDIAN OAKS RACE

2/22/2008 11:34:43 AM

Indian Oaks hosted by Sunny Dewan Wadhawan, MD HDIL saw a glamorous mix of Bombay's chic set at Turf Club, Mahalakshmi in Mumbai.

FARHAN KEEP TIME FOR GERMAN’S

2/22/2008 11:29:20 AM

Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar threw a huge bash to celebrate the launch of A Lange and Sonhe Watches in India at Taj Hotel in Mumbai. On the social patrol were Adhuna Akhtar, Karan Johar, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi, Honey Irani, Tanvi Azmi, Arjun Rampal & Mehr Jessia, Ritesh Sidhwani, Chunky Pandey, Kishen Kumar.

CLUB BLING LAUNCH

2/22/2008 11:25:16 AM

Mumbai: To celebrate the launch of Club Bling, DJ Aqeel and Wife Farah hosted a grand bash at The Leela in Mumbai. Seen enjoying the occasion was who’s who of Mumbai glitterati that included Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Esha Deol, Zayed Khan, Sanjay & Wife Zarine Khan, Suzanne Roshan, Raveena Tandon, Sonali Bendre, Riteish Deshmukh, Kishen Kumar & wife Tanya, Aashish Chowdhary & wife, Shamita Shetty, Akbar Khan, Vashu Bhagnani, Shruti Sharma, Bunty Walia, Apoorva Lakhia, Mohit Ahlawat, Queenie Dhody, Anushka Dandekar, Niketan, Nandita Mahtani, Kahkashan Patel and others.

MAXIM’S 2ND ANNIVERSARY BASH

2/22/2008 11:20:01 AM

On the occasion, Maxim launched its Calendar for the first time in India in association with Royal Challenge at Six Month Story, Mehrauli. The sizzling beauty Yana Gupta unveiled the calendar and also introduced Prianca Sharma the winner of the India Asia title in Miss Maxim International pageant. The calendar has been shot on the exotic beach of Pattaya by the renowned photographer Alan Strutt that features the top 12 Miss Maxim contestants from across all the continents.

NEHA USES OXYGEN MASKS FOR MITHYA

2/22/2008 11:14:37 AM

High on spirit after the grand success of his last movie Bheja Fry, director cum actor Rajat Kapoor seemed to enjoy the attention showered on him at the promotional party for his latest comic-thriller Mithya at Zenzi, Bandra. The obvious question was the unique title of the movie. “Mithya means a lie or an illusion. Very true to what our film industry is all about- make believe! You watch a movie for 3 hrs and get so involved in the story that you actually start living the characters, only to realize that it was all fake.” Then why should audiences come to the theatres? “Simply because the film is high on entertainment value!”

A MID WINTER NIGHT DREAM

2/22/2008 11:10:40 AM

Creating a cultural bridge, Lecoanet Hemant unveiled their accessory line at an ephemeral show. Over as you bat an eyelid; the show takes fashion installations to the realm of art.

180 DEGREES OF FASHION

2/22/2008 11:03:37 AM

The leading designer Arjun Khanna unveiled "180 Degrees" – an exclusive catalogue of select designs from various collections over the years. Displayed over cocktails at Indigo in Mumbai, two hundred autographed limited-edition catalogues were gifted to Arjun's friends and well-wishers.

ROHIT BARKER@ CLIMAX!

2/22/2008 10:55:42 AM

RJ Rohit Barker has made his presence felt in Bangalore's music community, and more recently, in Dubai. For the uninitiated, he's the voice of Radio City Night Mix. This dude has the power to not only spin breaks as good as he does but also to spin anything from House and Commercial to Drum n Bass. The Bangalore boy is fueled by his fans and a passion for music. Through that passion, a musical energy is formed … the energy that he transmits through the airwaves. Intrigued? Tonight [24th November], you can catch him live at Climax!

ITALIAN STYLE QUINTESSENCE

2/21/2008 5:34:18 PM

No qualm the word 'fashion' whisks up Delhi like nothing else. After all Delhi is the fashion Capital.

The Moorish Fable

2/21/2008 1:54:49 PM

Open on Sundays only, The Moorish Fable at the Olive Bar and Kitchen tempts guests with a contemporary Moroccan fantasy. Intimate alcoves, lava lamps, sensual incense, African and West Asian art on the rugs, silk-n-bead curtains, and candles combine to evoke a heightened sensory experience. The chill grooves of House and sexy uplifting music pulse through a wave of thick chatter. Add to it an al fresco dinner, Egyptian music, and an authentic Moorish menu. This exotic hideaway is inspired by the travels of the Great Moor, and follows his journey by serving delicacies from Africa, Europe and West Asia. We recommend the mezze platters and wine-based desserts.

AURA

2/21/2008 1:51:00 PM

It took only a few seconds to work out that this lounge club had established itself as a kick-off point for the A-list. High heels, tanned shoulder blades and coiffed hair were the norm. If you're a wallflower or simply interested in enjoying your drink, shift your focus to the vodka. Flavored or infused—vodka appears to be the 'spirit-ual' leader these days. From the mass popularity of energy drinks-and-vodka to the Martini renaissance, the trends translate into bar profit. After gauging our preferences, the bartender whipped up 'Hot Chocolate' [chocolate liqueur, chilli-infused vodka], 'Pineapple-Ginger Martini' [Pineapple, ginger, vodka, gomme, orange bitter], and 'Spicelandic' [coriander-infused vodka]. Cheers! If you enjoy your cocktail with bar snacks, go for 'Juniper Berry Marinated Chicken Supreme Skewers', 'Black Satay Tiger Prawns' or 'Baby Spinach Spring Onion Cakes'. The menu has a notable selection of dumplings; we particularly liked the 'Lava Roasted Leek and Freshwater Crayfish Khote', 'Drunken Baby Lamb', and 'Black Mushroom-and-Green Spear Dumplings'. If a cold selection is your forte, try the 'Salametti-and-Melon Mélange' or 'Teriyaki Cold Prawns'. Warning: The lounge bar operates an over-25 door policy. Anyone who looks younger will not be permitted entry unless they have a photo-ID.

DUBLIN

2/21/2008 1:46:36 PM

Dublin—the Irish bar at ITC Maurya Sheraton—is perfect for a night out in the company of the city's 30-something chic set. With interesting bric-a-brac and five chambers for privacy, it is a fine amalgam of a modern club and an old-world watering hole. The 106-foot bar, divided into four segments—whiskey, vodka, cocktails, and wine—has been acclaimed by ABTA Travelspirit amongst the world's 25 finest bars. It is a position reiterated by the outstanding selection of spirits, wines, beers and a whiskey library that boasts the largest collection of single malt whiskeys in town. Martinis are top-of-the-drawer—the bartender knows what he's stirring. The kitchen offers excellent global cuisine. We recommend 'Kebabs With Attitude', 'Achari Prawns', and the steaks. Dublin kicks into high gear on weekends. DJ Sunny Sarid mans the console and his repertoire spans the gamut from lounge, rock, R-n-B, house, Bollywood, and retro. Wednesdays are rock-n-retro nights, and Fridays are Ghungroo nights, where guest deejays are invited. Rock on!

HOOKAH

2/21/2008 1:43:10 PM

You could walk past the lane that houses Hookah and never notice this Lebanese restro-bar. But once you get your first whiff of sweet pipe smoke and then your first taste of the falafel and hummus, you won't pass it by again! Done up in deep jeweled tones complemented with low seating and diffused lighting, Hookah promises to be an experience; it is split in three levels: a cigar lounge and private dining room, the bar and DJ console, and a lounge. "In the Middle East, there is a hookah bar on every corner. People go out and have a hookah with friends, and unwind. I catalogued the experience and expanded it," says proprietor Rajneesh Mullick. The bar menu features reds and whites from France, Argentina, Spain, Italy, Chile, Australia, and California, and works its way through spirits, liquors and classic cocktails. Complement your poison with Middle Eastern snacks. I like the Ouzzu Mezze [assorted platter], which serves up six dishes including Warak Enab Bi-Zami [vine leaves stuffed with minced lamb], fried Kalamari, Kibbeh [fried minced lamb balls], and Kibed Makli [chicken liver cooked in pomegranate sauce. Since everything's cooked to order, your meal may be slow — but it's worth the wait. Though it is tempting to fill up on the mezzes, I'd advise you to leave room for their dessert: Shariya with Ice-cream [vermicelli with black pepper Ice-cream]. Tres Delicious!

ROXY

2/21/2008 1:38:42 PM

Seems as though the party pack were dissatisfied with Kolkata nightlife. The clubs were loud, aloof, and filled with Generation X-ers. Until Roxy was launched. The cocktail bar at The Park recreates the glam '60s. In a bid to create a dramatic cocktail bar ambience, the management installed aluminum ovals against a brick masonry wall, antique furniture, and a frosted glass wall bathed in RED light. The bar features 56 varieties of wines and a cocktail list that includes daiquiris, margaritas, martinis, and champagne cocktails. It also has an admirable cigar collection. The mobile DJ unit at the far end of the bar helps the DJ to interact with clubbers, as he mixes vintage vocals. Suddenly, the city's A-list is listening to music that should make most self-respecting Generation X-ers squirm—and not a peep has been heard in resistance! According to Sneha Jaitley, a regular, part of the reason people are moving toward the cocktail bar is for the sophistication that comes with it. "People appreciate a cocktail. Instead of grabbing a beer, they are going for a martini. It's the elegance that comes with a cocktail—the social grace and the moneyed look." Taking one look at the bar, and you know the money's flowing fairly freely in Roxy; on any given night, the bar overflows with the hip set, practicing their 'Shaken, not stirred,' and sucking down Manhattans, Mojitos and Menthol.

ROYALE MIRAGE

2/21/2008 1:30:24 PM

The former Mirage has metamorphosed into Royal Mirage. The remodeled club will make you think you've left India and landed in Egypt. The management has done a great job of integrating an Egyptian theme into the club. Each wall is adorned with exotic paintings –– and snake figurines guard the DJ console. Of course, Royal Mirage has the requisite velvet-roped VIP sections scattered throughout the club where guests can chill out with private service, after rocking the floor. The seven-colour laser light system, that rotates 360 degrees and generates hologram animations of graphic designs in mid-air, creates an explosion of fun as DJ Mohit spins hip-hop, underground, Bollywood and R&B tracks for the dressed-to-impress set. There's more! Royal Mirage houses two karaoke lounges, which are sectioned off from the larger club and have their own equipment. Sure, there are those out there who think that most people wouldn't get up in front of a room full of strangers to belt out a throaty rendition of their favourite track if they hadn't been plied with copious amounts of liquor, but these days those killjoys are in the minority. Cheers!

SHALOM

2/21/2008 1:27:37 PM

The approach to Shalom is through a marketplace. Had it not been for a subtle neon sign, we would never have guessed that a chic resto-lounge-bar lies within the unassuming structure. Inspired by the Hebrew concept of peace, a split-level design separates the bar, DJ console and dining area on the mezzanine with a quieter section on the upper level. Shalom threw open its doors in 2003. Since then, it has held its own in the face of stiff competition from mushrooming lounge bars across the city. What make Shalom hot are its features: cozy alcoves, burnt wood furnishings, iridescent candles, and lounge-House music. The bartenders make a mean margarita, martini, and Long Island Iced Tea. The menu is predominantly Mediterranean. We recommend Moroccan Harira [cubed lamb-n-vegetables soup] and Dijaj Mahrooz [grilled chicken stuffed with rice]. Tip: Shalom is packed every day of the week; call ahead and reserve a table to avoid disappointment!

ELEVATE

2/21/2008 1:05:37 PM

Elevate rocks till 4 a.m. [officially!] and signs off with breakfast. On the fifth floor of Centrestage Mall, split across four levels, Elevate boasts of the largest club layout in Asia [2700-capacity]. The computerized music, lighting system and world music against a backdrop of psychedelic images, create an explosion of fun for the party pack. Powerful watt transducers within India's first 'body sonic' dance floor take you on a different high. Elevate presents international DJs every weekend. ''We encourage international artistes'', says Corporate Head and Manager, Ranvir Singh. ''Elevate gets most of its DJs from the UK, Israel, France and New York.'' Expect underground music on Fridays and London bhangra, R-n-B, and Bollywood beats on Saturdays. The interiors are eclectic––old world allure meets futuristic fantasies [bubble chairs compete for attention with handcrafted silver-plated furniture from Rajasthan]. The third floor houses several curtained VIP rooms while the terrace offers lounge music and a breakfast buffet ['Caviar on Toast', 'English Gin Fish', 'Mushroom Mad Balls' et al]. If making trips to the bar is not your style, order a cocktail served in a larger-than-life glass, and sip it all night! The club specialty is 'Hookah' in strawberry, orange and kiwi flavors; it comes with a warning –– 'Meant for 2. If single, sip slowly!' If you're not the adventurous sort, go for 'Lethal Elevator' [a potent mix of Bacardi, vodka, Gin, Dutch Apple Liqueur, fresh lime juice, sugar syrup, Apple Juice and soda]. Cheers!

TANTRA

2/21/2008 1:03:07 PM

Tantra spells magic. From the opening night itself, the club cast its spell on Kolkata and is recognized as the ultimate club experience in the city. Designed by Carl Enttensperger, the 5000 sq. feet split-level club has two bars, a dance floor and a hangout area, Santra Room. What makes Tantra hot is the décor; the club is done up in colors that reflect both modern and traditional India: saffron, rani pink, peacock green, orange, and blue. "India has plenty to offer in architecture, fabrics, colors and designs. And we have kept all those riches in mind while designing Tantra," says Ettensperger. "The color scheme has been inspired by saris and the architecture has Rajasthani influence in the niches." Jharokhas, Mandala murals, Tantric artifacts, and the use of saris as drapes, are all rooted to the Indian tradition. The Santra Room, done up in orange, yellow and gold hues, is an informal room, with divans and beanbags; while the neon colors create a funky mood, the low seating allows the guests to lie back and relax. The split-level design separates the dance floor and bar on the mezzanine with an exclusive VIP zone on the upper level: The Bodhi Bar. This is a private bar where select guests can spend quieter moments and yet be a part of the club experience — with a panoramic view of the dance floor below.

ODYSSEY

2/21/2008 1:00:52 PM

This weekend, sail aboard 'Odyssey'––the ship-themed restro-club berthed at Sahara Mall, Gurgaon. Odyssey is the first downtown restro-club to combine two dining floors and a rooftop club with a panoramic view of the Gurgaon skyline. 'Passengers' can revel in a luxurious space spread over 17,500 sq ft., which covers two decks, a promenade, a bridge and few cosy nooks. What's with the ship paraphernalia? ''The first houseboat in Kashmir, the 'Kashmir Princess', was built and operated by the proprietor's great grandfather, Pt. Narain Das Raina. The family has since managed and built 300 houseboats between 1885 and 1948, and was the pioneer of the Kashmir tourism industry. It comes as no surprise then that their restro-club would be a reincarnation of the 'Kashmir Princess','' revealed the Director-Operations of Odyssey. The menu skims over Sicilian, French, Chinese, Thai, Irananian, and Indian cuisine. ''We have imported both the ingredients and the chefs, Ali [Iran] and Somboon [Thailand],'' said 'ship captain,' Suresh Kilam, who recommends the 'Iranian Kebabs', 'Yan Tapiahsot' [chilled pancakes stuffed with prawns], and 'Nam Tla Tuk Soo' [whole fish braised in lemon sauce].

ABSOLUT ICE BAR

2/21/2008 12:58:09 PM

Mentioned in Newsweek as one of the most stunning bars in the world, Absolut IceBar in London leaves no-one cold! The bar has two doors, and the usher who helps you with warm clothes, asks you to go past the first door and wait until it is closed before opening the second one. This keeps the cool air inside. The next step takes you into a bar, which is made of 40 tons of ice, and remains at a constant temperature of -5 degrees Celsius. The ice is imported from the Torne River in Sweden [200 miles inside the Arctic Circle and renowned for the purity of its ice], and visitors receive a large thermal cape and ice glass as they enter the bar. The bar––an alliance between Sweden's state-owned Absolut Vodka and the Ice Hotel, an outfit that constructs a hotel from ice every winter in Swedish Lapland––holds 60 people, but there is an adjacent non-ice bar and restaurant, which serves cocktails and snacks served on ice platters. Cheers!

TAXI: THE FUSION KITCHEN

2/21/2008 12:54:00 PM

‘TAXI – the Fusion Kitchen’ is spacious with stone walls that give you the feel of a princely castle. The high ceiling with exposed beams, high-backed chairs, and contemporary décor add to the grandeur. Completing the theme are interesting pieces of furniture like a grandfather clock, rustic wrought iron chandeliers, rich drapes, large mirrors with wood-carved frames, and old ceiling fans. The bar serves wines, Champagne, spirits, and cocktails in addition to appetizers prepared with ingredients flown in from different corners of the globe. Their Margarita menu features a repertoire of the tequila-based drink using fresh fruits and Jose Cuervo Especial. We recommend Guava Margarita in a Riedel glass rimmed with salt and chilli powder. TAXI is renowned for its fusion food. We’re all familiar with dining establishments serving fussy portions with elaborate presentation, but TAXI takes a fresh approach to creative cuisine. The menu is a combination of wholesome dishes and international flavors designed to suit anyone, from the most calorie-conscious to those daring to indulge. Beneath its festooned ceiling, and within its sinuous bar and dining room, co-proprietors Sumeet Chopra, Prashant Chaudhri [the man behind Italian restaurant, Mangi Ferra], Mohini, and Manish Mehta do what seems to be the undoable. They put modern European, traditional French, Moroccan, and Asian influences all on the same menu, and make it work!

AQUA

2/21/2008 12:41:45 PM

Perhaps no one enjoys outdoor wining and dining quite as much as the people in Kolkata, owing to its year-round pleasant weather. Taking advantage of the enviable climate, The Park has unveiled a poolside lounge, Aqua. The atmosphere in Aqua is delightful; the open deck, used for sunbathing by day, transforms into a stage for revelry post-sundown. On one end is an inviting hot tub for a relaxing dip. The open sundeck, on the other end features two Champagne Pavilions. There is antique and contemporary furniture mixed with vibrant bolsters, and deck recliners plumped up with cushions. Glowing candle lanterns by the poolside and bar complement the languorous mood. Service is restrained, and the waiters are knowledgeable, friendly and an effective guide to the intricacies of the menu. This is complemented by a range of wines, spirits, Sangrias, Martinis, Sparklers, and Cognac cocktails.

BACI WINE BAR

2/21/2008 12:34:49 PM

I peel myself out of bed a hair before noon and begin a debate over how to spend this mellow Sunday afternoon. Do I hit the malls for some soul-salving shopping? Spend the day tucked in bed? Or drop by the Sunday brunch for the launch of Baci Bar? After a strong cup of coffee to clear the cobwebs, I decide to head to the brunch, where an über chic set has gathered to sip sleek cocktails.

VENOM

2/21/2008 12:29:24 PM

The winds of change blew a twister through the Kolkata nightscape when 'Venom' threw open its doors in January 2006. Designed by Ayaz Basrai and Kritika Malhotra, the club allows resident DJ Sumedh Mankame to manipulate synchronized digital audio-video equipment and rock the party.

UNDERGROUND

2/21/2008 12:22:16 PM

DK Jaiswal, MD, HHI knows how to seperate his nightclub from the chaff; he left no stones unturned to present Kolkata with a mind-blowing clubbing experience. Inspired by the London Underground, Jaiswal employed a dedicated agency to build on the theme and replicate the London Underground ambience at his 4,500-sq ft club. The "rustic station-subway feel" begins at the entrance with its grand wooden staircase, the waterfall cascading through a glass partition, a glass-lit "landing station", and of course, the private "stations" named Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street that are reserved for members and their guests. The club has roped in DJ Anshul, the winner of "War of the DJs" [Kolkata], to add punch to the ambience. So you can boogie on the 600-sq ft dance floor or just let your hair down and chill to the tune of performing bartenders. The psychedelic ambience set up through UV, laser and interactive lighting add flair to the thematic décor and sets the mood to chug on to the party tracks. The island bar too has a unique feature: a wide bar platform designed to host ramp shows and rhythmic performances. So what are you waiting for? "Underground" is not just another nightclub but a concept that takes party perennials to a different plane.

FUGA

2/21/2008 12:04:21 PM

As your unofficial clubbing guide, I must check out each entry to India's nightlife scene. So, on my recent visit to Bangalore for the Castle Lager Mens Fashion Fair, I dived into action at Fuga, undoubtedly the most rocking nightclub in the country.

WHITE

2/21/2008 11:58:20 AM

Rij Eappen, one of the three directors of White [the others are Pranav Chaturvedi, Puneet Sehgal, and Mickey Manek], has hit on a winning formula. "It is a new concept. White can ensconce 175 people. There is a clearly defined bar area with two bars and a lounging area with comfortable leather seating."

SHISHA

2/21/2008 11:53:08 AM

To hear it from gossip mavens and nightlife scenesters, Shisha is the most exclusive Hookah Bar in Kolkata. The proprietors [Sanjeev Kapoor-signature Grain of Salt stable] hit on a deceptively simple idea that would work great here. They identified a gap in the market and launched an intimate hookah lounge that plays RNB Funky Progressive on wednesdays, House Progressive on fridays, and freestyle over the weekend.

IVY

2/21/2008 11:44:37 AM

Even on a weeknight, Ivy should park a velvet rope outside its front door; the place is packed and rocking on slow nights too. This, with the official launch slated for 11th Feb! Why have they coined it 'Ivy', I wonder? ''We chose Ivy because my brother Himesh and I met our associates in Infant Jesus church, so we wanted a name that begins with an 'I'. Ivy appealed to us because of the connotation of something that creeps all over; we want to be as popular,'' grins model and co-proprietor Tarun Arora. From modeling to restaurateur, what made him switch lanes? ''Modeling was just a hobby,'' confesses Tarun. ''It was a time pass, which became a profession when I was offered good assignments and shows. I took the opportunity to see the world and visit different restaurants. This was the easiest way for me to make contacts and the capital to launch the restaurant. I have been waiting for the launch of Ivy for two years and now everything has fallen into place.''

MINISTRY OF SOUND

2/21/2008 11:35:53 AM

Known as a nighttime no-man's-land, the concrete Vasant Kunj landscape bordered by freeways, finds itself at the center of an extraordinary nightclub explosion fueled by a who's-who of Delhi thriving after-dark empire, with the launch of Ministry of Sound [MOS]. Those who are not on the list are in an haute huff; after all, it's the measure of how hot you are socially! MOS is being pegged as the most exclusive nightclub in India — a huge, celebrity-packed jewel box. Designed to accommodate 1500 guests, MOS is going to be a beacon to the Delhi-ites, on the strength of its multi-level pyramid structure and mind-blowing sound system. Designed by Rudraksh of 42mm, the three-tiered club has a huge bar and floor on the mezzanine; for those who want exclusivity of a members bar, there is a VIP lounge on the next level, and a more exclusive V-VIP zone on the top tier. This is a private lounge where select guests can spend quieter moments and yet be a part of the club experience — with a panoramic view of the dance floor below.

KUKI

2/21/2008 11:22:46 AM

Bumper-to-bumper cars and queues were a talking point when the lounge made its debut, reviews JASMEEN DUGAL.

TOP 10 NIGHT SPOTS

2/21/2008 11:13:05 AM

If there was ever a list that was by no means exhaustive and complete, this would be it: Top 10 Night Spots. Jasmeen dugal scanned the metros and looked at some of the most popular places that attract the creatures of the night and entertain until the sun rises. What makes for a great nightspot? Ambience, great music, people, and alcohol! That said, we tried to avoid the ones with irrational door policies and let the music do the talking. Cheers!

FTV LAUNCHES BAR & KITCHEN

2/20/2008 6:42:30 PM

December 19, 2007: After sensitizing the whole world, FTV, has unveiled their new venture ‘F Bar & Kitchen’, in Gurgaon. It promises a whole new experience in couture dinning with its amusing aura and global cuisine. Its ‘F-Prive’ proffers an unmatched style and panache in private lounge experience and meeting space with eloquent design and functionality.

PLAY- THE SUPERCLUB

2/20/2008 6:32:26 PM

Mumbai has always been lucky when it comes to party destination. But, it has become luckier with its new retrograde hot spot ‘Play-The SuperClub’ located at High Street Phoenix, Mumbai.

RICK’S

2/20/2008 6:25:56 PM

Rick’s situated at the lobby level of the Taj Mahal Hotel is inspired by the legendary movie “Casablanca” where the lead character displays the finest wines. The Wokkerie brings a unique concept to bars in the city, offering a contemporary Moroccan setting, along with the innovative cuisine from the South East Asian Chefs.

ZENZI

2/20/2008 6:16:21 PM

Zenzi @ Bandra, Mumbai, is self-defining, as the name does not occur in the dictionary of any languages. The shareholders from Amsterdam, Israel and India thought that the term was slick, cool, unconventional, and so decided to baptise it! Today, Zenzi stands synonymous with an elite lounge cum restaurant cum bar for people with different moods.

THE SHACK TURNS FIVE

2/8/2008 11:47:18 AM

One of the most popular lounge bars and pubs in the city that never sleeps, Hawaiian Shack celebrated its fifth anniversary today. Frequently visited by the nocturnes for the retro cum hip-hop and Bollywood music that it plays every night, the Shack is one of the few joints that are perennially crowded on weekdays and weekdays alike.

I-BAR VERSION 2.01

2/5/2008 1:59:02 PM

Redefining the energy and dynamism of Bangalore’s nightlife, I-bar at the The Park, now launches its ultra glamorous version - I-bar version 2.01 that has been designed by Project Orange from UK to lend an imperial and futuristic look to the lounge, with a fresh focus on luxury. An exclusive selection of high-end Indian and Imported spirits and presence of Ben Birkinshaw, from UK are some of the high points of the I-bar version 2.01.