Mumbai
Eco Managers?
Shoppers’Stop is doing its bit of philanthrophy. Two paintings by underpriveleged children have been made the theme of the paper bags. Priced at Rs 15 each, each purchase will siphon Rs 3 to CRY (Child Relief and You). It’s your turn now to do your bit and carry your buys back in a bag that will help child relief. Do it — it’s the right thing! (Psst: Hope these bags are of recycled paper, Shoppers’ Stop are you listening?).
Available at Shoppers’ Stop stores in Bandra and Andheri, Mumbai

Delhi
The French Connection
Now Delhi divas have a chance to flaunt some Parisian style, thanks to the recently-launched store Oh La La! by French designer Agathe Gerin. Interestingly, she has lived in India for the last 10 years and uses Indian fabrics on simple style lines! Her latest collection is fun, bright and joyful, catering to all age groups. Choose from the striped line, which consists of loose flowing garments like kurtas, dresses and skirts in pink and white stripes with a touch of sequins and a chiffon and Japanese line that has a distinctively Oriental influence in cuts and drapes.

The Japanese range comprises of kimonos and tops with kaftan sleeves in art from Agathe’s label Oh La La! also retails high-end European brands like Petit Bateau (a French children’s clothing brand); ISI accessories by Isabella Fraysee and artefacts by TSE & TSE Associates.
Available at No 145, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi 110049

Old Creates Gold!
Tradition rules the design scene. Another designer duo courts it with élan – Shantanu & Nikhil’s new range of urban wear captures Kantha (the embroidery from Bengal) beautifully. Jackets, kurtis and skirts teamed with lycra churidars make great style statements. Prices start at Rs 1,850 and go up to Rs 4,850.
Available at BE, Mumbai


Kiddies Take The Cake!
The lawns of the Cidade de Goa Resort wore a haze of fairy lights as a band of six designers came together to interpret the night sky, the shimmer of the sand, the city’s architecture and the flights of childhood through fabric and sequins. Young designers Sheetal Pai Kane, Mariam Xekh, Joanne D’Souza, Kalpita Nagvenkar, Elizabeth Ferrao and Monty Sally tried hard to impress. Some failed at presentation, others at the finish. While Sheetal Kane’s collection of saris in black caught the attention of the audience with a display of intricate embroidery and embellishments, it was designer Joanne’s little girls line especially created for children that called for thunderclaps. Utterly adorable little ones did their numbers in the `Kiddies Heritage Line’ and quite confidently too, to show off a collection of garments for young boys and girls. The clean, fun line exuded an air of festivity, as young models pirouetted, preened and directed one other to ensure nobody stepped out of line. Cute!

Winter Musings By The Sea
Event: Sosa’s 2003 fashion show
Location: The Spa Lawns, Taj Fort Aguada Beach Resort, Sinquerim
The Evening: Toned bodies. Six-cm stilettos. Kohl-rimmed eyes. Glowing clean looks. Funky Fashion. Three designers Savio Jon, Sarah Eapen and Hidden Harmony (Sonali and Himanshu Sattar) presented an interesting mix of trendy silhouettes on the aesthetics of simplicity without superfluous ornamentation. Sonali and Himanshu, graduates from NIFT, New Delhi, who consciously maintain a distance from pop culture and fashion trends, had a collection inspired by sculpture and architecture. Sarah Eapen emphasised simple cuts, clean lines and impeccable finish to reflect a timeless elegance and style. We loved her garments in stunning, vibrant jewel tones combined with contrasting blacks. This playful collection had meters of fluid net skillfully combined and patch worked with jewel silks. The man who does Goa very proud, Savio Jon stayed true to his craft of creating unusual but wearable clothes. Working with flattering cuts, silhouettes in slashed and shrunken georgettes and satins, his collection boasted punk elegance translated into a posh resort look.

Femina’s Style Watch
Subject: Stripes!
Who: Women — five celebs on the party circuits

Sameera Reddy
What Worked...
The diagonal stripes make her look slimmer and taller. The short dress accentuated her thighs (they would have been a disaster if she had heavy thighs!).

Nafisa Joseph
What Worked...
The horizontal stripes accentuated her bust and the translucent fabric that flatters her. Don’t try it if you are flabby.

Queenie Dhody
What Worked...
The horizontal prints on fitted shapes looked rather nice!
What Didn’t...
Combining heavy prints and stripes.

Nisha Jamvwal
What Worked...
Her straight-cut top with vertical stripes looked stylish
What Didn’t...
The contrasting pocket on the hip disturbed the style, and drew focus to the hips.

Tanaaz Curim
What Worked...
The teaming of the simple striped corset with a pair of jeans! Her torso gets highlighted (if you have a wide mid-riff then go for a style that falls loose on the waist).

For Him
Put some coffee and tobacco in your wardrobe this season. Shocked? Relax! We are talking about shoes in these colours. Florsheim, the more than 100-year-old brand, offers 'Comfortech Casuals' at Rs 3,995 in unusual colours. The feature that might set this brand apart is the presence of shock dispersing gel pods that cushion every step. These shoes would look good with both business casuals and weekend wear.
Available at Metro Shoes, Regal Shoes, Inc..5, Vama, Lifestyle and Shoppers’ Stop in Mumbai. Also at Multi-Brand Outlets Across The Country

Warm Side Up!
Don’t tuck yourself into heavy quilts during these spine-tingling (read as cold!) months. You and your family can have something better this winter — Westside has collections for men, women and children. From flaming oranges, blazing reds and sunny yellows to somber blacks, air force blues and whites, they all look enticing to us. If you are a woman with a love for bright colours, the smart sweaters, cardigans and fleece sweat tops with patchwork are just right for you. The macho types can try the pullovers and reversible jackets. Both ranges start from Rs 799. Little angels are not left out–they have fleece jackets, hooded T-shirts, track pants and more, prices starting at Rs 399 (not bad eh!).
Available at Westside stores across the country.

Crazy Cottons
Designer Anshu Bhattacharya from Vasco is a woman with a mission: To promote cotton
with unwavering passion as the ultimate fashion statement. And she’s close to her goal. Backed by a loyal team of seamstress, her little workshop, Rave, is a beehive of colour with busy fingers weaving subtle embroidery on vibrant kurtas, churidars and odhnis for men and women. Her monthly exhibitions are much-to-look-forward-to events, because of Anshu’s ability to confluence the east with the west without succumbing to kitsch. Utterly wearable! Prices: Rs 300 onwards
Available: 446-A, Nofra-1, Airport Road, Dabolim, Vasco, Goa.