What’s happening in Mumbai’s hotels? A peek into the party circuit and events in the city… By Marcellus Baptista
Style check
Movenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore was the happy venue for the very first India Luxury Style Week (ILSW). Fashion and film do come together. You knew that when Bollywood star Akshay Kumar turned up as the special act for ILSW creator Ramesh Dembla’s super show. He lay down and lip-synced his famous ‘Mujh Me Tu’ song, walked the ramp and then sprinted down the ramp with the designer and male models, much to the delight of the packed house. Also on the final day of this five-day fashion feast were designers Sumit Dasgupta’s ethnic fashion, Aasif Merchant’s sharp cuts and a minimalistic approach and showstopper Vijay Singh, Dubai-based Varoin Marwah with his ‘Amala’ collection and showstopper Rajkumar Rao and Ken Ferns who presented his own take on beachwear. Madhur Bhandarkar and Vidyut Jamwal were among other celebrity showstoppers during the style week.
Red carpet drink
Italian supermodel Isabella Spagnolo made her presence felt at Enigma at JW Marriott. She was there to launch the Isabella Spagnolo non-alcoholic fashion red carpet drink, brought to India by Anup Bhatia. The event saw the presence of trendsetters who were felicitated. And when there is a fashionable drink launch, can a fashion show be far behind? It wasn’t as models sashayed through the audience, showing off chic creations by Riddhi and Siddhi Mapxencar and carrying bottles of Isabella Spagnolo. The talk veered towards the range of drinks, specially designed by Isabella Spagnolo, for those who love to pop a bottle of bubbly, yet a non-alcoholic drink.
Blue carpet affair
Beach is the new ramp! That was the refrain at the launch party of the second edition of India Beach Fashion Week 2015 presented by Gionee, a UVAR Global property in partnership with Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort that would come alive from October 29 to 31 in Goa. It turned out to be a blue carpet affair at D’Bell with guests getting a sneak peek into the fashion feast ahead. Well-known designers James Ferreira, Asmita Marwah, Anupama Dayal, Babita Malkani, Ken Ferns and Riddhi and Siddhi Mapxencar were present with their muses as they held forth their collections. With an emphasis on beach and resort wear along with destination bride, this second edition would also boast of a unique category ‘Made in Goa’ where all the garments are created and/or constructed in Goa. The weekend of high fashion would showcase the best of Indian couture for the destination bride, chic resort vacationer and trendy partygoer from over 50 designers.
Coasting along
There was much cheer and bonhomie at the Taj at the 55th Independence Day celebration of Republique de Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Hosted by Cote d’Ivoire honorary consul general Sandeep Shah and wife Shirrin, it saw the presence of chief guest Sumit Mullik who gave an informative and insightful speech on the Ivory Coast. The event, orchestrated by Carl Dantas, included a live band, premium drinks at the bar and a bountiful dinner spread. And it ended up in a double celebration as it culminated in the send-off of Canadian consul general Richard Bale. South African consul general Pule Malefane and other members of the consular corps were there to share in the celebration that went on late into the night.