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Craning my neck upward, sitting nearly at the foot of the ramp I felt I could touch the red embroidered coats on the male models sashaying down the in flamboyant embroidered coats designed by Bollywood producer Karan Johar and Varun Bahl. Bangalore was sure buzzing with the buzz, and my mind was undecided about whether I liked the offerings or not when I saw a flash of gold ochre shining through that I definitely did like. It was only when the house lights came on did I see that it was a lady wearing a Grecian toga like dress pleated on one shoulder that I wanted instantly.
Not stopping to think (characteristically) I trapesed onto the ramp – gown and all – across (yes the Bangalore folk did smile indulgently passing it off as a Bombay quirk) to urge the lady to tell me the designers name. I wanted a creation from the same designer with instancy. I could just see myself in something like it!
Cut to my Christmas party hosted with store Atosa, here I am in a Grecian inspired gown, enjoying the additional flowerettes on my shoulder giving that extra drama that I love so much. Understated simple lines in dull drab colours without drama are not my cuppatea you might agree? Give me vibrancy and elaborateness of trails and gowns any day. And the designer on show is Ritu Pande, the same lady who had donned her own design that evening in Bangalore when we struck one of those rare connections that happen without reason and season. In a flash. Forever. Magically. A Bond!
Tucked in a quaint villa with Christmas tree, carols, Christmas pudding and mulled wine we are enjoying the Bandra Christmassy ceremonious air at the fashion evening with friends trouping in to enjoy the Citrine, Gold, Ruby, Flame collared designs in fluid silhouettes. And to make matters more fashionable is Lascelle Symons has designed exquisite embroidered corsets and draped dresses in silk, satin and cotton silk for the preview. Vikram Phadnis, Dalip Tahil, Vikas Bhalla, Actors Asha Sachdev, Anita Raaj (famed for beating up poor Dharmendrain ‘Naukar Biwi Ka’), Aditi Gowitrikar, Arzoo Gowitrikar, Konkana Bakshee, Himanshi, Devinder Siddhu, Chocolatier Zeba Kohli, Film producers Anjum Rizvi and Bhramanand, designers Vikram Phadnis, Shradha and Mayank Nigam whose work I really enjoy, Priyadarshini Rao, publishers of ‘Youth Inc Magazine’ Nitish Shah and Karan, Vinod Shankar Nair, Advocate Gautam Tiwari, Jeff Glekin from Reuters , Sam Sheth, Shaira Wadhwani, Model Sneha Upadhayay from Kingfisher who determinedly declares that soon, the world will know and believe in her.
Even I didn’t expect so many to have enjoyed Ritu’s unexpected and whimsical drape-ey fare with that hint of festive touch of sparkle with jeweled brooches that give you the feel that you are in a Roman court enjoying the languid air of no mobiles leashing you nor traffic tarring your soul. I am having a party due to that same bond, no commercialism, no ‘deal’ so atypical to all relationships today, but just because I truly believe our quintessential Bombay Fashionista’s would enjoy owning her very own Greco Roman Ritu Pande or corset by the ;corset king; as Azmina has christened Lascelles.
I would be lying if I didn’t admit a sense of joie de vivre when she declares with characteristic sincerity and the tiny signature frown “Nisha JamVwal has the aura of a medieval countess sitting in a Venetian palazzo! I have always been inspired by beautiful, intelligent classy and savvy women and the lady who epitomizes all these qualities is my muse and inspiration” wow, I am taking a bow guys! And celebrating with Lascelles, Ritu, Aparna and Azmina at the grand success of our ‘Greco Roman Christmas Party’!!!
By Nisha JamvWal exclusively for MissMalini
Follow her on Twitter @nishajamvwal.