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Journalism of Courage
Store well
Thursday seemed to be a day for launches in the city. Priya Ailawadi reopened her store Oaktree on the same day as Shyam Ahuja had his book launch. Over a year ago, Priya8217;s highly successful retail outlet, Oaktree, had downed its shutters as her lease on the place behind the Taj had run out. Ever since then she has been working on re-opening her store at the more prominent location of Colaba Causeway. Judging by the turnout at her launch, it seems that Priya8217;s pret selections were well missed.
Spotted there were Lia Dubash, Monisha Jaising and Helen Brodie browsing through the trendy designerwear. Epitomising Bohemian chic the rage abroad Priya has also stocked a wide range of sizes so that even the not-very-skinny can find the right fit. Funky shoes and accessories by Rinaldi and Dipika Agarwal add the final flourish to the outfits.
Shyam Ahuja8217;s launch of Dhurrie: Flatwoven Rugs of India was also held at his store in Crossroads. Where glasses of fine bubblycompeted with the 272-page coffee table book for the attention of the city8217;s leading ladies of design. Preeti Vyas Gianetti, Rekha Bhatia under the brand name Mosaic, this petite designer makes Melange and Ensemble8217;s best-selling scarves and fashion choreographer-cum-Vaastu expert Sharmila Khanna were all there. Collectively Oohing8217; and Aahing8217; over this beautifully produced book. But they were part of a lucky few for the general janata it8217;s a wait until December the official launch date to get a dekko at this book.
Tacos toast
For over a month now Copa Cabana, the popular Latino bar, had shut its doors for spring cleaning and renovation. This Saturday, it finally unveiled its new look. For long a favourite with Mumbai8217;s party animals, this watering hole was packed to the gills. With lots of Copa regulars dropping in to wish Anupam, the owner, all the best. Spotted there were Shikha Swaroop, Sumeet Chopra with wife Apeksha, USIS8217;s Sheldon Austin and industrialist Aditya Garware. Copa8217;s newinteriors are much brighter than before and go very well with its revised menu, which will include a wide range of tacos to be washed down with many sangrias and margaritas.
Bal8217;s ball
If you were wondering why there were no models to be seen this weekend, well, it8217;s because they were all in Delhi for the Omega amp; Rohit Bal fashion show. In an hour long show, Bal revealed a collection that wore his trademark brilliant colours. Sensational and innovative in part, he too went the way of other designers in the use of Swarovski crystal to add glitter and sparkle to his creations. On the ramp were most of Mumbai8217;s top models like Madhu Sapre and Dino Morea. And in the audience was Omega ambassador Shah Rukh Khan who gifted a watch to the show8217;s guest of honour thespian Dilip Kumar who came with wife Saira Banu.
Cook up
The Silly Point, at the bowling co, held another one of its celebrity cook-ups, this Sunday. And this time wearing the touque were Devika and Suresh Bhojwani and their sonKaran. Their salad and pasta meal attracted quite a cocktail of a crowd. Channel V8217;s Mel De Souza, Nina Manuel, Jules Fuller, Matti Saran, Lakme8217;s Anil Chopra, Mira Raheja, Enterprise Nexus8217; Mohammed Khan, Alyque Padamsee, Gita and Aparna Piramal were all there. After the feat was over, the family took the stage and began to sing some old-time 8217;60s favourites like Cat Stevens. Before they knew it, the bar began to rock and people moved from foot-tapping to shaking a leg.
And finally8230;
While on music channels and veejays, it seems that not everyone is really impressed by them. Particularly not Bollywood and don8217;t let the latest trend of heroes and heroines taking the hot seat8217; fool you. Because it certainly did not fool the thinking actor Aamir Khan. We hear that he refused to be interviewed by MTV8217;s Cyrus Broacha as he was not impressed by his over-the-top clowning. Can you imagine a conversation between Cyrus and a serious actor? Neither could Aamir which is why he requested that NafisaJoseph do the interview!
