Hilton Towers

The venue of the conference — Mumbai’s JW Marriott — did go out of its way to impress the Hilton heiress,what with the entire venue done up in pink. There were pink cupcakes and lollipops on offer,not to mention a special cake in the shape of a Paris Hilton handbag.

The lady herself made a dramatic entry,dressed in a Malini Ramani (styled by Rocky S) creation—a coral pink Grecian drape dress that reminded one of the sari. Needless to say,she waxed eloquent about her love for India,Bollywood and fashion. “I am so glad to have come here. I love the creations by Indian designers and I will be wearing only Indian designer outfits for my stay here. I am also keen to meet my friends from Bollywood. I have been approached earlier to do Bollywood films and if I get a good script,who knows I may just do a film; they (Bollywood films) are so colourful,” she said.

She also made it clear that this India trip was more business than anything else. “I would have loved to go to the beach but my visit is too short and I don’t have the time. This time around,I am concentrating on promoting my collection of handbags and accessories,” she pointed out,adding that she might just incorporate Indian influences in her future collections.

When emcee Mandira Bedi asked her whether she would have a BFF (best friend forever) here in India after her BFFs in London and Dubai,Hilton replied in the affirmative. “Right now,I am very busy with my brand but yes,after a couple of visits,I should have one BFF here too,” said Hilton.

Interestingly,Hilton was quite nonchalant about the rumours that several celeb talk show hosts such as Karan Johar and Simi Grewal had refused to have her on their show. “I am used to all the rumours and the speculation and I don’t pay attention to them. The fact is I have come down only for three days and I have no time for any talk show. But yes,people just love to make up stories about me,” she remarked.

The conference ended on a high note with Hilton charting out her future business plan. “We are starting out with two stores in India but we will expand to around 50 in the next two-and-a-half years. That apart,I am busy with preparations for my first beach club opening,followed by a boutique hotel. I am also writing a book and recording for my album,” she said.

What’s in her name

When asked as to why she was named Paris Hilton,she explained how her mother had zeroed in on three names for her: Alexis,Paris and China. “I wasn’t conceived in Paris but my mother liked the name and she named me Paris. I also have a friend called ‘India’ and we love to hang out together,” she said.