(From top) Model Sanjukta flaunts an embroidered lehnga at Bandhni; model Reshmi sports ornaments at Jewelco at HHI; model Srestha shows off a Gauri Bajoria ensemble. Pictures by Rashbehari Das

Bandhni ? the name says it all. Indeed, this spacious address at AC 26 Salt Lake specialises in the famous handwork of Gujarat.

From a casual salwar-kurta set to an elaborate bridal sari, there is a touch of bandhni in all outfits here.

The fabric ranges from simple cotton to sexy chiffon and everything in between. Taking a step away from the conventional, the four-year-old style stop has emerged with a new-look autumn collection steering clear of the bandhni look.

?Bandhni is our strength, but then we decided to tread other areas and give our clients something new,? said Siddharth Daga, designer of the line.

This new collection that has already become a huge hit during this wedding season mixes the popular ?bright colour on georgette? with some really unconventional and smart designs.

?Since the electric blues and fuschia pinks are in, we really could not ignore these colours while creating the saris and lehngas. But at the same time, we did want to be different,? explains Siddharth.

Titled Ada, the focus of this collection is the use of semi-precious stones that give a rich, almost royal look to the garments. A high-point is the Nizam line inspired by the crown of the Nizam of Hyderabad. ?The look of the crown has been duplicated using aqua-blue stones on the pallu, sleeves of the choli and a kamarbandh,? says Daga. The boutique also designs costume jewellery to go with the outfits.

Pearl jam

Just in time to dress up the city?s party people to usher in the New Year came Gauri Bajoria?s latest line of party clothes. Basically in monochromes, the focus of her collection this time is the use of Mother of Pearl embellishments in the form of buttons or pieces of the shiny sea-shells stitched on the fabric.

?I?ve dyed the Mother of Pearl in various colours to give it a dramatic effect that helps to jazz up the outfits,? says Gauri, who after her stints in various top-line boutiques including Kimaya and Ogaan is now selling out of her own stuido in Alipore.

The stress is on the kurta with big collars and handcuffs. ?The look of the outfits is very retro,? explains Gauri. Keeping kurtas company are jackets with simple monochrome designs and some texturing.

Jewel jazz

Ten-year-old Jewel Co, housed inside Hotel Hindusthan International (HHI), has now reinvented itself with a whole new look. The remodelled store and a new line of colourful jewellery were launched on the first day of 2005.

?We have a very loyal clientele and we wanted to give them an all-new experience in shopping,? said store owner Pratap Lodha, a graduate from the Gemmological Institute of New York.

The jewellery is as exclusive as the setting, dominated by sleek leather furniture and rimless glass showcases. ?We use a lot of precious and semi-precious stones like rubies, emeralds, sapphire and multi-sapphire with the diamonds to give the pieces a young and happy look,? explained son Nikunj Lodha.

Most of the pendants are large with designs varying from well-carved leaves and a bunch of red grapes to some uneven circles studded with precious stones and diamonds.

?Our jewellery can be worn with western as well as ethnic outfits and for any occasion. It?s the synergy of the east and west in one piece that makes them so special,? claimed Pratap.

Trendy picks

For all those on the trail of trendy clothes within a budget, Fashion Folks at 10 Wood Street is a good place to go. With a variety of items gathered from India and abroad, it?s a one-stop-shop for winter and partywear.

Some sleeveless T-shirts in pinks and whites with a sequin-embossed effect and formal, yet chic, tops can be picked up for anything between Rs 200 and Rs 500.

Distressed, stretch jeans in blues and whites are also affordably priced at Rs 850, while some pin-striped black trousers bear a price tag of just Rs 400.

With the motto being stylish clothes with a cheaper tag, sweaters, pullovers, jackets and polo-necks don?t even cross the Rs 1,000-mark.