Do you really need a reason to celebrate? Not really, and the Bombay ‘set’ are always alive to the idea of meeting, bonding and enjoying a wonderful evening with an uncharacteristic nip in the air. So I decided to host a thematic Valentine’s Day Party with Rupal Gagar and Ami Patel at their designer store Creo, for my friend Ritu Pande to celebrate her flowing romantic couture.
The evening felt even more magical with music of the sixties wafting through, as friends came in right through the evening, up until nearly eleven. The Valentine fragrance was further enhanced with the choice of red and pink Marzipan Heart Cakes by Harsha Kilachand, pink champagne in long flutes, red, pink and orange heart balloons floating everywhere, heart shaped hors d’oeuvres, scones, muffins, streamers and a festive mid-week feel, that acts like a shot in the arm when we’re all in work and routine mode! I have to say I definitely enjoyed it all (forgive me for saying so myself).
Ritu had flown in especially, to showcase her dresses made in exotic silks from South East Asia, and signature drape-ey dresses like Grecian goddesses, along with hand painted georgette, bringing a breath of fresh air into the season.
As I entered the venue, I was riveted by an impressionistic flowing black and white dress that I couldn’t resist for one minute more; it was love at the first sight. So I surprised friends and family by jumping out of my blue dress halfway through the evening, and changed into that dramatic Ritu Pande black and white impressionistic print dress, flowing like a train behind me, feeling quite regal. As you know by now, I don’t adhere too much to a dress code, so flamboyant flowing dresses work for me always and for most occasions, understatement was never a word I’d payed too much heed to I admit.
Rupal looked lovely in green but Ritu stuck to a layered pink dress, that allowed her to be semi professional, while keeping the cocktail theme.
Barbara and Hira Seghal had just flown in from London, and came to party with us, to my delight. Sam and Palak came in color co-ordinated saffron, while Mona Narang was one of the few who kept to the Red Theme.
Malini Agarwala, looking lovely in a black ensemble, enjoyed the cuisine and was chatting with Sharmila Khanna, who looked stunning, and stayed and enjoyed the evening. Roddy Sale, just back from elephant polo regaled, came in with an entourage of Europeans and regaled all with his stories.
Neena Mehta, Arti, Radhika Agarwal and Varsha Javeri were meeting after a gap; Radhika had just come in from San Fransisco and we had a mini reunion. Mridula Kadam and Arti Sarin came in straight from work, and were quite delighted at the idea of a mid-week theme party. Friends traipsed in right upto ten in the night, singing and enjoying the romantic spirit that set off Valentine’s week, and especially enjoyed the red theme for the evening. Sangeeta Mehra looked most political in her military khadi jacket and shirt – very impressive.
Ritu Pande’s couture was appreciated by all. She had flown in from Bangalore, especially for the evening, and was delighted that the evening was a huge success.
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