Bowled overThe fashion season continued this week with Azeem Khan's show on Saturday at Superdrome, the bowling alley in Tardeo which is owned by his brother. The place was packed with people from the glamour world such as Maybelline model Sheetal Malhar, photographer Farokh Chothia and make-up artist Vipul Bhagat, as well as the city's prominent party-goers from Sonia Garware to Kishen Mulchandani. Azeem is from the S U Zariwala family which explains why his clothes are mainly suited for trousseaus. Heavily adorned with caviar beads, sequins and crystals, the palette of pastels included sarees, salwar kameezes and lehengas. Teamed up with corsets, Azeem even used embroidery on his sari petticoats. His collection also had a few evening gowns and some short mushroom skirts with sheer tops - appropriate wear for a cocktail party. As always, Azeem's collection is for those people who like the very dressed up look. On the ramp were Bipasha Basu, Meghana Reddy, Shyla Lopez and Lara Dutta. And thechoreography was done by Achla Sachdev who stayed away from her usual dance style and went in for a simple and sleek show which suited the clothes on display. The only difference was since the models were walking down the bowling alley they were all barefoot!History showThe next day it was Ritu Kumar's turn to host a fashion show where the models - Noyonika Chatterjee, Anu Ahuja, Simmar Duggal and Ruchi Malhotra - wore the gowns she had designed for all the Miss Indias. The show was held to launch her book Costumes and Textiles of Royal India, which is being published by Christie's. The event was held at the Taj ballroom and officially launching this coffee-table book was Saryu Doshi, the honorary director of the NGMA. Doshi said that she had always been an admirer of Ritu's designs but she had only met her several months ago at an INTACH fund raiser in Jaisalmer. Among those listening to Saryu's story where Anish and Vineeta Trivedi, Sheldon Austin, Devika and Suresh Bhojwani, Sabah Khaleliand Pheroza Godrej. And after the show most stayed on to enjoy a drink and catch a glimpse of Ritu's first foray into writing. The book is packed with information and has an extended, informative glossary on Indian fashion. But the price tag of Rs 6,000 made this Ritu original a little too steep to suit anyone's pocket.Delhi teamWhile on Anu Ahuja, the model from Delhi, who also hosts The Good Home Show for Sony Entertainment Television, has recently been appointed as J J Vallaya's ambassadress. He held a showing of his pret range last night at Crossroads, and Anu was there to make sure that all were welcome. JJ has designed a ready-to-wear line for Piramyds, the mall's department store. Next month he is planning to hold a couture show in Mumbai. At present JJ's couture range is available at Vama .Anu is surely going to have her hands full managing JJ's business.Goa splashGoa witnessed a rather unique fashion show last week. Not just because Mumbai's Anupama Verma and a couple ofothers were on the ramp. It was also the first time 22-year-old Archana Desai was holding a show.And it was literally a splashing show. Just as the models took their places on an open-air ramp at the Mandovi Riviera in Panjim, the rains decided to pour. Nonetheless, it wasn't a complete wash-out, at least as far as Archana's creations were concerned. The salwaar kameez line, dedicated to Archana's `philosophy' and title of the show - `mindbodysoul + design', had sparks of sophistication. A curtain raiser to her millennium collection, simple cuts in silk tissue fabrics, plain silk, south cotton and jute, made for an impressive first show. The four collections - mind, body, soul and design - had a unique feel and look, yet the thumb rule for Archana seemed to be simplicity. For the `mind' collection, she used shimmering silk tissue, with a wispy, transparent texture, accentuated with self-coloured silver and gold zardozi embroidery. The body collection, in Khadi silks and Tussars, was as earthy and sensuousas its inspiration. Pure Banarasi and organza, adorned with mother of pearl and sequins, made for the soul collection, while the design creations were an amalgamation of the three elements. The proceeds of the show went to Positive People, an organisation working for HIV prevention and support.And finally.One ambassadress Anu should adopt as her role model is Anna Bredmeyer. The driving force behind Beautiful Boulevard, business is made a pleasure thanks to her impeccable professionalism. For instance, last Wednesday, she held a small press meet to announce the launch of Fendi watches. Dressed in a green top and black trousers this former Miss India still has a figure that most teenagers would envy. This week, when the Beautiful Boulevard sale starts, she will make it a point to be at the store at all hours to ensure that everything goes without a hitch. No wonder then that the store is doing better and better all the time.
