Sanjiv Goenka played perfect host, escorting Anamika Khanna and Alpana Gujral. Shantanu Goenka and Priti Goenka indulged in a light-hearted chat. At his stall, the Pearl Iced range was the highlight, coupled with a baroque-inspired collection and pieces in jewel tones. We also spotted Sumedha Saraogi and Kiran Uttam Ghosh sharing a moment.

From celebs to casual walk-ins, the crowd count at Stylefile was not less than 2,200. Actress Pallavie checked out Bose Krishnamachari’s paintings on bags. It was a family album moment for Sanjiv, Priti and daughter Avarna. Accompanied by husband Sanjay, Minu Budhia shopped for jewellery. We even spotted young shoppers Shilpa and Priyanka, perched on a Honda Activa bike, stopping by to check out the stock.

The show continued till midnight with energy levels running high through it all. While some shoppers quickly bagged their buys, others deliberated over their selections. The cool November breeze made the midnight bazaar a hit, and mommies shopped past babies’ bedtime.

From fashion statements to pensive pre-purchase moments. We spotted these don’t-miss-me yellow pairs of shoes; a shopper lost in thought before a buy; Dev checking out Salvatore Ferragamo shirts and a beautiful bag floating around on a lovely lady’s arm.

Adding spice to style were nibbles such as Baby-corn Skewers and Chocolate Ring Mousse with Strawberries from Just Desserts that were selling like, well, hot cakes! Pictures by Pabitra Das

The official invite was for 5pm, but the giant gates of The Old Bungalow at 7/6 Burdwan Road were thrown open much before that on Friday. This was Stylefile 2009, and the verdict was passed in less than an hour as shoppers moved from one stall to another, filling huge blue and white Stylefile paper bags at a frenzied pace.

“I only come to Stylefile,” smiled Gunjan Poddar, a shopper who made an early entry. Some came in pairs, trios and quartets to take turns laying their hands on the choicest pieces. While one checked out that lovely pendant, her shopping partner grabbed two tunics for a yacht Christmas party.

A cha-coffee-soda shikanji and muri stand was seen near the entrance as the sound of The Carpenters wafted through the air. To the right was a mixed media installation. Canvases, sculptures and porcelain with platinum glaze were on sale even as they set the mood. The stalls in the courtyard included Avarna’s cards; Crimzon’s array of “creative” neckpieces, bags and shoes; and designers like Kiran Uttam Ghosh and Nidhi Tholia from Jaipur. The ground floor highlights included Bose Krishnamachari’s paintings on bags and Alpana Gujral’s jewellery while the first floor housed designers like Manish Gupta and Dev R Nil. Nachiket Barve’s range of kurtas and tunics and Vivek Narang’s pleated jackets and heavily embroidered kurtas made for the most colourful room at Stylefile.

“It feels good,” smiled Priti Goenka, one of the two ladies behind the annual fashion extravaganza. “We try to maintain our quality.” And what makes Stylefile the hit that it is? “We make regular trips to see what the artists are doing. And Stylefile is really special for us,” said Sumedha Saraogi, Priti’s Stylefile partner, wearing Kiran Uttam Ghosh for the occasion.

Dressed in a ruffled top, jacket and cropped pants, we spotted Anamika Khanna catching up with Madhu Neotia. So what really sells at Stylefile, we asked her. “I think saris,” said the designer, who had put up a “mixed range”.