FAB FORAY

FRONT ROW TO BIG SHOW: Nandita Mahtani is certainly not new to the WIFW; the Mumbai girl has been part of the stiletto crowd on the front row. This season,however,it is business for the socialite-turned-designer. Mahtani,34,will be unveiling her resortwear collection on March 28,the last day of the fashion week. “I often come to Delhi to watch the shows. In fact,I was there for Rohit Bal’s finale last season. But this time I am looking at it from a business point of view,” she says. Mahtani will be showing pretty,floral-printed tops,leather pencil skirts and neon leggings,all delivered with a quirky touch. “I believe in doing bright colours and this time the collection will be edgier,” says Mahtani. “Most of my outfits are multi-purpose,like a tunic that can be worn over a bikini or a pair of leggings.”

THE TWENTIES SHOW: Masaba Gupta isn’t out of fashion school yet,but her client list is growing. Daughter of actor Neena Gupta and Windies cricket legend Vivian Richards,Masaba will be showing 20 pieces from her collection “Fitoor”,meaning madness. It is a kind of insanity that only a 21-year-old can unfurl. “Although I am retailing from most of the stores in Mumbai,I have yet to expand my presence abroad. And I heard that Wills attracts a lot of foreign buyers,” says Masaba,who debuted at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) in Mumbai last year,where she was hailed as the most promising designer. “I am huge on colour,” gushes Masaba. After wrapping up the week in Delhi — where she will show silk jackets in digital prints paired with dhotis,and anarkali suits — she will have to appear for her exams at the Inter National Institute of Fashion Design in Mumbai. But Masaba knows the real test will be the Delhi ramp — and she is unfazed.

FALL GUY: Arjun Saluja has clocked seven seasons at the LFW,but is looking towards home,Delhi ,for the first time. “LFW is showing summer collection while I’m primarily a fall designer. Internationally,stores have started stocking the fall collection and that’s where most of my orders come from,” says Saluja,35. On the runway will be floor-length coats trussed with chunky belts,stern sheath dresses in bleakish gray and navy patterns and trousers tucked into knee-high boots.