A special screening of the Madhuri Dixit-Juhi Chawla-starrer Gulaab Gang was held at London Paris Multiplex on Women’s Day Eve to celebrate she power. The screening was followed by cocktails and dinner at Goldbrick restaurant at Mukti World. “Gulaab Gang’s release was perfectly timed, so we thought of screening the film on the eve of Women’s Day. For me, it was an honour. This film shows women’s empowerment. Every woman is a powerhouse,” said Mukti Gupta, managing director, Mukti Group.

Text: Ratnalekha Mazumdar

Shopstop

What: Spotlight, in association with t2

When: March 14, 11am to 10pm

Where: Galaxy, The Park

What to expect: Around 50 stalls displaying a mix of fashion and lifestyle products. Think designer outfits, fashion accessories, jewellery, artefacts and home decor products.

Labels to look out for: French Curve by Anjali Sharma from Bangalore with pret, XOXO by Neti Jolly from New Delhi with westernwear, city label Fleur (in picture) with ethnicwear, AL by Adrina Lyngdoh from Shillong with pret, fashion jewellery labels Chime and Anagha, Mumbai-based Tantrum Shoes with designer footwear and home accessory label Band Box from Delhi.

Organiser speak: “Spotlight brings the first-of-its-kind boutique pop-up exhibit to Calcutta, with an eclectic mix of established and upcoming labels from across the country,” said Karishma Ahuja.

Girl power: Lawyers and corporate professionals, actors and fashion designers — women from different backgrounds came together for a charity lunch organised by Child In Need Institute (CINI) on International Women’s Day at The Astor. An interactive session was held between the girls supported by CINI and the guests who got to hear their life stories. The funds raised will help a project to further education, safety, health and nutrition of girl children between 10 and 19 years in Murshidabad and South 24-Parganas. The CINI girls posed for a photograph with (from left) Samir Chaudhuri, founder-director, CINI, host Vikram Puri, fashion curator Lopamudra Mandal Saha, actress Sayani Dutta and Nina Saxer, wife of Swissotel GM Marco Saxer. Picture: Sayantan Ghosh

Ekru turns to nature for spring summer

Ekru, the city fashion label from Ekta Jaipuria and Ruchira Kandhari, launched its Spring/Summer 2014 collection on Monday. The collection, Flower Power, celebrates fabrics produced by the weavers from across the country. On display are draped tunics, jackets, kurtas, Anarkalis and saris in summer shades of off-white, yellow, lime, ash-blue, orange, crimson red and vermillion.

“This collection is inspired by nature. It has an organic feel to it as we have used mainly woven fabrics, combined with chiffons and georgettes, for a better drape and flow. The look is fresh and vibrant. The signature style of this collection is colourful threadwork on a monotone base,” said the designer duo in their flagship store at 40/1 Rupchand Mukherjee Lane, near Bhowanipore police station.

Straight sets have been replaced by draped silhouettes, while the all-over embellishments are ditched for placement embroidery. “Nowadays, people are wanting to experiment with drapes. Calcutta wants to move ahead and wear more stylish things. Even ladies who swear by tradition are looking for some stylish elements in their ensemble,” chorused Ekta and Ruchira.

Present at the collection launch was Moon Moon Sen. “I feel like grabbing each and every one of these pieces for my daughters. I know they will love it. The saris on display are also very attractive. And I think their colour sense is beautiful!” said the actress.

The collection is priced between Rs 6,000 and Rs 40,000.

Jyotica Ramchandani

A t2 rapid fire with Moon Moon Sen on all things fashionable...

Favourite colour this season: Slate grey, but I don’t see it everywhere.

Favourite silhouette: I always prefer fitted on top and flowy below.

Your style go-to: I’ve worn everything. I wear skirts a lot. Because I feel hot, I don’t like to wear trousers anymore. But I really love woven saris.

When in doubt, you wear… I’m never in doubt! I always know what I want to wear.

Your last buy: Some beautiful plastic clips from AC Market. It is still my favourite market!

Fashion to you is: Something which makes you stand out.

A fashion tip you’ve passed on to your daughters Raima and Riya: Enjoy what you wear.