Out amp; About

What makes Priyadarshin Rao8217;s collection appealing is that they do not require a perfect size eight figure to drape well. There is no lycra and none of her garments are figure hugging. So anyone can wear them. Modelling herclothes is Lisa Ray 8212; who really enjoyed wearing them. quot;They are easy going clothes,quot; she says.

The collection includes a range of long skirts, tunics and trousers which are being sold as separates, so the customer can mix and match. With prices starting at Rs 1,100 they suit all pockets toomark. Last year, Priyadarshni sold nearly 80 outfits at her preview. So, if you want an original, you better make sure you are at the show 8212; early.

At Melange, Altamount Road. From June 26 onward. Tel: 385 4492.

Shop hop

There is good news for shopaholics! Ajay Piramal is planning to open a 60,000 sqft shopping complex at Tardeo. Called Crossroads, it is slated to open in the second half of August. Built to international standards, it is much more than just a place to shop though 8212; it is also home to a giant food complex, including a wide range of food stalls from an Italian restaurant Biscotti and a sports bar Cafe Ole to the largest McDonalds outlets in the city. And that8217;snot all. There is an entertainment centre, Jammin8217;, which will be much more than just another bowling alley. For the children, there will be bumper cars and stimulation games. And for the young at heart there will be virtual reality and skill games. Says Ajay Pirmal, quot;It will provide much more than just shopping. It will be a destination landmark for the city.quot;

The mall compromises of three buildings that have been put together by an international team of architects. Among those opening up shop at this mall are Shyam Ahuja, Ensemble, Lacoste, Rohit Bal, L8217;oreal and Fountainhead. Also there will be a department store run by the Piramals which will be a one-stop shop for just about everything

But the real appeal of Crossroads is the fact that Piramal has provided for ample parking space. Not only have they built an underground parking structure they have also made provision for parking on the top floor.

Harmony8217;s home

It8217;s a residential complex that makes a hotel look like a hovel.

Harmony 8212; a unique abode housed off Aksa beach 8212; offers five-star living. In an award-winning space! Winner of the Best Architect of the Year Award under Group Housing in the Urban Context8217;, Shakti Parmar8217;s 42 apartments and 11 row houses have been built as quot;weekend homesquot; for the elite. Which is why on offer are lush green gardens, a mist fountain, paved walkways, cascading waterbodies and even an amphitheatre. Says Parmar, quot;I just wanted to give people a little earth, for we humans unlike birds or fish have to live on land.quot; And can travel by sea. The developer Vijay Wadhwa has even made arrangements for flat owners to moor their boats.

But these are just small luxuries, Wadhwa has also ensured that residents of Harmony get top dollar neighbours. quot;I have selected my buyers. I don8217;t want one wrong inhabitant to spoil it for the rest.quot; Priced at several crores per flat 8212; between 1,700 sqft to 4,500 sqft 8212; 70 per cent of the flats are already sold.

Set sail

If you cannot go toSingapore, then Singapore will come to you 8212; courtesy the Singapore Tourism Board. They have launched Singapore Live

, a book to promote the 15-month millennium celebrations in the city.

A captivating book, Live brings out the flavours of Singapore, and appeals to the senses through 3-D pop-up images, scratch and sniff corners and detachable recipe booklets.

The book represents the new Asia, a mixture of the old and the mega-modern. Singapore presents itself as a melting pot of four main cultures 8212; Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western. Though these cultures have diverse histories, they have all blended into a seamless and unique foundation for racial harmony. Exciting sections of the book include the Culture Club, the calender which features Singapore8217;s various cultural festivals. It also features a mouth-watering section on the culinary delights the island has to offer. In India, the book will be accompanied by an advertising campaign to heighten Singapore8217;s visibility. To encourage visitorsto experience Singapore8217;s kaleidoscopic and dynamic culture, these books will be exchanged free on submitting a redemption coupon, published in leading magazines in India.

More information can be found on millennia-mania.com.

Beauty pack

Beauty Beyond the Mirror8217; is a unique concept translated into a mega event by Aviance Beauty Solutions. A two day celebration of femininity8217;, starting on June 21, the event combines glamour, style, information and entertainment for the woman of the millennium.

There will be a Beauty Service, Beauty Experts and an Arts and Crafts section. The Beauty Service section offers personalised beauty services. The Beauty Experts section will host interactive talks on beauty and career related subjects by well-known personalities like Nandini Sen, Sabira Merchant and Vijaya Venkat.

Through this event Aviance, hopes to provide a platform for women to interact, exchange new ideas, learn new techniques or simply pamper themselves with the wide range of beautyservices on offer.

Passes are available at Rhythm House for Rs 100.

At the Southside Lobby 8212; Center 1, World Trade Center, Cuffe Parade. June 26 and 27. Time: 11.00 am to 8.00 pm.

Goan gaga

Thinking of a vacation, but no firm plans in mind? Travel Corporation of India TCI has launched its Goa Monsoon Masti Mazaa holiday packages, and they sound good. Holidayers get to choose from attractive hotels in Calangute and Candolim which offer amenities like mini gyms and indoor games. Priced at Rs 1,150 per person on a twin share basis for four days, three-star hotels at Bambolim and Salcette are also on offer. An attractive alternative to flying down is a trip on the Konkan Railway. And the prize: Glorious Goa. Where the rains actually appear romantic.

Goa Monsoon Masti Mazaa packages from July 1 to September 30. For more information, call 202 1881 / 7120.

Mobile heart

Don8217;t ask, What8217;s MOTS?8217; Ask What8217;s MOTS Spot?8217; A one-stop infotainment centre with attractionsincorporating the latest technology including touch screen kiosks and a cyber cafe for surfing. A jukebox with a selection of popular music, flat plasma screen television and soft drink vending machines disguise a mundane service centre geared toward sales, cash and cheque collections.

BPL Mobile really seems to have a heart. Its first MOTS Spot was inaugurated by children undergoing treatment for cancer. Therefore the MOTS Spot 8212; the first of many 8212; is a non-smoking zone.

For information call Sangeeta Kuriakos / Manoj Warrier: 495 3124.

Poet Pritish

There is saying that goes: Jack of all trades, master of none8217;. We think it is most apt for Pritish Nandy. Is there nothing the man cannot do? He8217;s edited a magazine, anchored a show, produced television serials still does and promoted events still does. And in between all this, he wrote poetry. And whatever Pritish does, it must be done publicly. Therefore the media maverick is holding an exhibition Maverick 8212; poems of loveand longing. Along side his words of wisdom will be paintings by well known artists like Manjit Bawa and Samir Mondal. Another Nandy multi-media gimmick tried in the past. A must attend only for die-hard Nandy fans. Students interested in the art of self-promotion should also check out this show.

At the Jehangir Art Gallery, Khala Goda. Till July 30. Time: 11.00 am to 7.00 pm.

Snap happy

Like taking pictures but invariably end up with out-of-focus photographs? Well, now your holidays can be recorded for posterity. For Rs 2,585 Canon has a gift pack that includes a pack-a-snap8217; which includes Canon BF80 the8217;s company fastest moving camera, a colour film roll, a weather proof pouch and a water-proof watch 8212; so even if it pours, the rain doesn8217;t blot your shot. And in case something goes wrong with your camera, Canon has service centres throughout the country to attend to any of your needs.

With 3,000 dealer, Canon cameras are available at most photostores.

Discounted claim

If you want to be the Miss India or rather look like a beauty queen, head to Seema Roye8217;s store Ecstacy. She is offering a 25 per cent discount on her new and existing range, specialising in Indian bridal wear, Indo Western fusion and designer linen. If you like the heavy ornamented, crystal-encrusted stuff then the Seema R label is for you. Otherwise, give it is miss 8212; even though the designer claims that her work has found its way into the wardrobes of the quot;world famous music legendary group, The Beatles. Enough tall claims. It8217;s time class spoke for itself.

Ecstacy, Breach Candy. Till July 15. Ph no: 367 2836.