GOING SOLO

Seasoned fashion designer Ashima Singh — one half of the Ashima-Leena label — is just out with her debut solo collection. She chose to announce the arrival of her independent label over an exclusive two-day showing rather than a glitzy fashion show.

The collection, called Silk Route, is heavily inspired by Central Asia and the designer has gone with elements culled from the Ottoman Empire, the Mughals and Mongolia. “I have also used motifs and techniques of the Persians while the silhouettes as well as fabrics are contemporary.” So she’s played with textures of rich silks, organzas, brocades, chiffons, georgettes as well as tulle. Her colour spectrum is vast and includes whites, beiges, browns, antique silver, mauve, orange, corals, peacock and more. The embroidery used ranges from zardozi, marori work (twisted dori work) and zari tar that have been combined and reinterpreted in a contemporary context.

Singh’s festive collection is offering long, layered jackets, angarkhas, waistcoats, cholis, tunics and draped tops which are teamed with lehenga skirts, wraparound (pre-stitched) saris, sarong dhotis, shararas, flowing trousers and palazzos.  The designer has worked on a lot of separates as well. She says: “A short blouse from the collection can be paired with a sari or with a skirt. The idea is to let the wearer create her own ensemble.”

The casualwear in the collection is priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs 9,000 while the festive collection starts at Rs 18,000.

By Saimi Sattar

SHOW FOR A CAUSE

It was a fashion show where the outifts played second fiddle to the models extraordinaire, who sashayed down the ramp with panache, at times even breaking into a little impromptu victory dance to showcase their never-say-die spirit.

Celebrating real-life heroes, Roko Cancer Charitable Trust, held a fashion show in collaboration with The Imperial, New Delhi, that witnessed breast cancer survivors and even oncologists setting the stage on fire. The event was organised to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to generate awareness about the disease.      

Dressed by ace Indian fashion designer Anupamaa Dayal, the models strutted down the runway in boho-chic ensembles that accentuated their spirit. Titled Gulabi, the collection boasted a colour palette that ranged from light peachy pink to bright powerful flamingo pink on the silhouettes that were detailed with big and bold animal prints. Sequin butterflies blazed on knee-length dresses and hand-block printed motifs stood out on maxi gowns and traditional ensembles. To add drama to the look, Dayal used headgear, beaded barefoot sandals and bohemian gypsy jewellery to go with the line.

“The collection is essentially inspired by the story of hope, courage, femininity, indulgence, romance and winning over all shortcomings,” says the designer. “It aims to showcase the spirit of these feisty women who fought tooth and nail with the disease to emerge victorious,” she says.

After the show, the participants also shared their survival stories and how they lived to tell their tales. Joita Soni, a three-time breast cancer survivor while narrating her story said: “The one thing that I have learned from my experience is to never hesitate while asking my doctor questions. When your doctor tells you to start on chemotherapy, don’t follow him blindly. You need to have a self-awareness if you want to take this disease head on.”

By Anupma Mishra

ON A HIGH NOTE

The balmy evening came alive to the strains of lyrical melodies. The Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi, and the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia were celebrating the International Day of Peace and the 7th World Flute Festival with a performance by the Riga Saxophone Quartet. The foursome —  Lejia, Artis Simanis, Ainars Sablovskis
and Baiba Tihena — kept up the tempo with 20th and 21st century works and compositions by world famous jazz composers.

The Quartet that made its debut in 1992 has been globetrotting with its wide-ranging repertoire. When it launched it had different musicians on board, but its current members have been together since 2013. Of the four the only original member is the quartet’s founder, Simanis. The Quartet has travelled to the US, Canada, China, Germany, Portugal, France and Denmark — and now to India — with their music.

The ensemble loves to perform everything from classical works by Bach and Handel to jazz composers like Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington. It doesn’t end there: An important part of the RSQ’s repertoire consists of works by Latvian composers written specifically for this ensemble.

Latvia, represented by the Riga Saxophone Quartet, was participating in the annual Raasrang World Flute Festival in India for the first time. And the Quartet performed several concerts in Delhi and Hyderabad.

By Samita Bhatia

A SPLASHY EVENING

Sula Vineyards is not just synonymous with wines anymore. The company is also distributing a host of international alcoholic beverages in India and it’s eager to tell the world about its latest moves. So it kicked-off its three-city tour this year called The Sula Selections ‘Globe in a Glass’ Roadshow 2016, beginning with Delhi on October 3, followed by Bangalore on October 5, and Mumbai on October 7.

Earlier this week Sula launched its first Roadshow 2016 at the Lodi – The Garden Restaurant in Delhi. Sula Vineyards and its import arm, Sula Selections, hosted the event with producers from around the world who showcased 40 different wines and 20 spirits. It was a heady affair where guests got to quaff a variety of alcoholic beverages
including wines, whisky, tequila, brandy and more and also interacted with the people behind the brands.
In the Delhi chapter of the event, the wines showcased included Mud House from New Zealand, Hardys from Australia, Trapiche from Argen-tina, Cono Sur from Chile and more.

Also making their presence felt were Antica Sambuca, Remy Martin Cognac, Cointreau, Don Alejandro
Tequila from Mexico, Mount Gay Rum from Barbados, Pitu Cachaca from Brazil, and more.

“This is the first time that something of this scale is being done by a wine company in India. It really makes sense because now our portfolio and customer base is so big,” says Rajeev Samant, CEO, Sula Vineyards (in pic).

Samant has figured out that the best way to make the brand’s customers taste all its wines and spirits is by inviting them to a single location where the entire bunch of alcoholic beverages are on display. Ask him his motivation
behind bringing such a wide variety of international spirits to India and pat comes his reply. “We have a fantastic distribution network. We are in every single state, except the states that go dry from time to time. We also have 12 sales offices across the country,” he said.

Interestingly, the best part of the exhibition was the opportunity offered to guests to get up, close and personal with spokespeople from various brands. This resulted in more awareness about the offerings of multiple brands while detailed conversations coupled with tastings helped one understand the taste and flavours of each product. Maria das Vitorias Cavalcanti, director of external affairs, Pitú Cachaca, demonstrated how the Brazilian cocktail Caipirinha is made, right from scratch and offered a sampling as well.

By Susmita Saha