Perfect timing

The event of the week was supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was in the city to promote Chopard jewellery and watches. The first black model ...

The event of the week was supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was in the city to promote Chopard jewellery and watches. The first black model to appear on the cover of Time Magazine, Naomi has been an ambassadress for Chopard on European ramps. Every eye, every neck was craned to the door to get an eyeful of the supermodel who appeared at the Sunset Suite, Oberoi, for a press conference. Looking stunning in a purple gold-pallav sari, Naomi admitted her love for the Indian wear, saying that it took her only five minutes to drape the sari as it was pre-pleated, and called her experience in India as spiritual8217;.

While socialite Devika Bhojwani was seen running around organising things, Rhea Pillai-Dutt, Chopard ambassadress in India, maintained a low profile all through, speaking very little and almost consciously staying at the back of the crowd. And so was the case with our Indian models who made a surprise visit at the conference. Casually dressed, tall and slim figures 8212; Madhu Sapre, Nina Manuel, NoyonikaChatterjee, Aditi Govitrikar and others 8212; quietly made a beeline to the back of the room.

Later in the evening they walked the ramp at the fashion show with Naomi Campbell. Making a heart-stopping, stunning entry, Naomi had the audience cheering and whistling each time she walked down. Fourteen other Indian models including Madhu Sapre, Sheetal Malhar, Noyonika Chatterjee, Uma Chiplunkar, Svetlana Casper and Aditi Govitrikar walked the ramp. Herve Leger, a leading designer from Paris, designed the clothes, and the show was choreographed by Daushka Langhofer, of international repute.

On display for the first time in Mumbai at the Oberoi, was a select collection of Chopard international jewellery and watches in pink and black diamonds. quot;Chopard too has been inspired in India by way of its Casmir collection of watches and jewellery and the perfume titled quot;Mira-Baiquot;, which will soon be launched in India,quot; said Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, vice-president Chopard, known for her innovative watch design 8212; thequot;Happy Sportquot; line.

The fashion show, hosted by Rashmi and Swati Mehta and Anoop and Devanshi Mehta, was followed by supper and dance. Spotted there were Tina and Anil Ambani, Yash and Avanti Birla, Hasina and Mahesh Jethmalani, Nina Pillai, Shobha De, Sumeet Chopra, Mehr and Arjun Ramphal and Lisa Ray. Seen from the art world were Sabira Merchant and Remu Jhaveri, who rightly said that quot;the whole of Bombay is here tonightquot;. Even Bollywood was well-represented with stars like Sanjay Dutt, Karina Kapoor, Gauri Khan, Sunita Kapoor and Karan Johar.