Buy, Bye?

Global recession seemed far from everybody’s mind at the glittering opening party for Kenzo, the premium menswear brand from France, held at the foyer of Emporio Mall. Champagne flowed and guests nibbled on canapés, as they watched male models in fine silk wool suits and elegant dinner jackets trimmed with fine pearls. Kenzo’s autumn-winter 2008 collection was all about understated luxury with a hint of flash and prim handcrafted English shirts were teamed with patent shoes. “This line is for the discerning Indian customer who understands fashion,” said John Keller, international commercial director of Kenzo. The price for luxury, predictably, is not for the fainthearted, though Keller pointed out that Kenzo stocks accessories priced Rs 1,000 upwards. Men’s shirts could cost Rs 25,000, while three piece suits go up to Rs 1,50,000. We spotted designers Shantanu Mehra and Vijay Arora, businessman Peter Punj and restaurateur AD Singh checking out the store.