(From top): A model shows off a creation from Be:’s Spring-Summer line; Krishna Mehta with models in outfits from her summer collection; a part of the exhibition at the Apeejay Media Gallery; Deepti Naval and Usha Uthup at Elevate

Seasonal style

If stand-alone designers are going all out to promote their new collections, clothing chains like Be: are also getting into the act. The pr?t store from the house of Raymond, recently launched its Spring-Summer collection at its store in Mumbai?s Kemps Corner. With some of India?s best designers on board, Be:?s offerings includes the best creative talent out there. And with a line-up like Priyadarshini Rao, Rohit Bal, Wendell Rodricks, Aki Narula, Gauri and Nainika, Shantanu and Nikhil, Krishna Mehta and Rajesh Pratap Singh, there?s no argument there.

Inspired by the flamboyance of Spain, Priyadarshini Rao?s collection for Be: showcases multicoloured gypsy skirts with stunning floral prints. This season, she has experimented with the exquisite Andhra kalamkari art form on her kurtas. Her menswear caters to the metrosexual man with eye-catching shirts in floral prints and bright colours like aqua, pink and sunshine yellow.

With cool stretch knit halters and figure-flattering tops for women, Rohit Bal?s collection is all about fun in the sun. Wendell Rodricks on his part, has created perfect ensembles to stay cool and comfortable in loungewear for men. Aki Narula reinvents himself with striking creations with a Japanese flavour. With printed cotton trousers and kimono tops in bright yellows and pinks, Aki manipulates soft chiffons creatively to bring together the ultimate sexy ensemble for the ladies. Recreating magic in their creations are designers Gauri and Nainika and Shantanu and Nikhil, who wowed with their glamorous creations in satin soft fabrics.

And for men, Krishna has gone stylishly funky with batik printed shirts in oranges and blues. Rounding off the ranks is designer Rajesh Pratap Singh who has on offer intricately-embroidered T-shirts for men.

Spring-Summer 2005 at Be: also sees the launch of accessory brand Beaditi that offers floral printed bags, big chunky belts and a gorgeous beaded jewellery range.

A nomadic touch

With summer here to stay, almost every designer is unleashing his/her style mantra for the season. Krishna Mehta too, recently showcased her summer sensations at Mumbai?s High Street Phoenix Mills. This fashion preview comprised a line inspired by the untamed beauty and spirit of the nomads. The line maintained a soft yet sexy look with silhouettes that were structured yet unrestricted and comfortable.

From the softness of yellows, blues and pinks to tangier hues like mint, mango, orange and raspberry reds, her palette for this season is vivid and full of life and colour. The look is all about individuality with self-expression, exploring the extremes with subtle sensuality. The highlights of Krishna?s collection were kurtas, tunics, shirts, skirts and dupattas mixed with bold contrasts to create a stylish look for men and women. The fabrics of choice were crisp cottons, voiles and chiffons, all textured or dyed along with contrasting coloured prints and embroideries. Explained Krishna, ?This season is about wispy chiffons and crisp voiles with different types of embroidery in clean silhouettes. The emphasis is more on creating a sensual look.?

That something special!

It was a musical event at Elevate in Noida, to raise funds for the Special Olympics, a movement that helps physically challenged athletes to train and compete at the state, national and international levels. The evening, which kicked off with some soulful strumming courtesy Silk Route, went on for a good three hours and ended a little after midnight.

Two children with special needs, Manjari and Benzy, swayed to the tunes of Dooba Dooba, Thanda Pani and Wind while others gradually joined in to shake a leg to some more rocking tunes thanks to singing sensation Usha Uthup. Uthup even graciously agreed to perform a second time on popular demand.

?The sensitivity and the sensibility is of course there for this special cause. The aim is to help special people achieve what they aspire to,? said Uthup who has been associated with the Special Olympics since its inception. The Delhi chapter of the Olympics is an initiative of parents of special children and Vasant Valley School in the Capital. Special Olympics is an international organisation that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without disabilities.

Also participating in the cause for a second time was rock band Parikrama. Their repertoire of songs included several by Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd. Actress Deepti Naval paid a surprise visit too. She?d visited a school for special children in the Capital earlier in the day and said, ?This is the first time that I am getting acquainted with the Special Olympics. I think it?s a great movement to encourage athletics among special children.?

Bombay dreams

The Apeejay Media Gallery in Badarpur, Delhi, recently played host to an exhibition of installation art titled ?Bombay, Badarpur Border?. The works used a variety of analogue and digital media, including live electronics to capture a theme (Bombay) and a physical location (Badarpur).

The artists, Shaina Anand, Mukul Patel and Ashok Sukumaran presented the border as a site from which to consider the other city ? Bombay. According to them, they had gathered to invent and perform ?Bombay?, and to synthesise it in various media.

An old projector churned out images of a serial promo. A short film in another part of the gallery had some viewers. But sadly, few had any clue of what was being shown or who the artists were. The virtual user-controlled sea, though, seemed to hold some promise, attempting to recreate the feel of Marine Drive.

Photographs by Rupinder Sharma and Prem Singh