September 2006
Barmer floods have led to shortage of 'Multani' mud-packs
Barmer:
Beauty conscious people might need to pay more for their beauty
improvisation, as 'Mulvane or Multani Mitti' in the Barmer
region have been washed away in the recent floods, creating
the need to import it from neighbouring Pakistan. Barmer is
the only producer of Multani Mitti in the country apart from
Multan in Pakistan , from where the ingredient derives its
name. Now the fuller earth will have to be imported from Pakistan
's Sindh region, which in turn will make the price of Multani
Mitti dearer. Beauticians say this will affect their business
because the price of the fuller earth will rise and the quality
may not remain the same. "It will become costlier and probably
difficult to get. Moreover, the quality will not be the same,"
said Hitendra Chawra, a beauty expert in Jaipur. Fuller earth
is used for face packs and it is one of the most reliable
ingredients used in cosmetics. But customers say that even
though the price rises they will not compromise with their
beauty. "Even if the thing becomes expensive, we do not mind
paying since it concerns our beauty," said Usha, a customer.
Meanwhile, the State Government has asked officials of the
area to prepare a report on the present situation of the mines.
"The situation can be assessed only after the reports come,"
said Laxmi Narayan Dave, Minister for Mines, Rajasthan. There
are 16 mines in Barmer district in villages like Rohili, Kapoordi,
Bothiya and Bhadkha. Around 500 local people dependent on
it for their livelihood have been affected. The State Government
from these mines derives nearly 25 lakh rupees annually as
revenue.
-Sept 17, 2006
Harrods to launch King Khan, Hrithik and
Kajol collection
London:
It seems that, when it comes to the world of dolls, then Barbie
and Ken had better watch out - in Britain anyway. And why
should this be so? Well, an entrepreneur by the name of Shameen
Jivraj has created a series of dolls modelled on an assortment
of Bollywood filmstars. Those movie stars, to whit Shah Rukh
Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra, have been
closely involved in the making of the models, and two of those
stars - Hrithik Roshan and Kajol - will be in posh people's
shop Harrods, in London's Knightsbridge, this very week, for
the official launch of the collection. Shameen Jivraj, the
begetter of the 12inch high miniatures, had already worked
on the creation of Star Wars, Sindy, Playdoh and Teletubbies
dolls before she came up with the idea of a Bollywood super-stars
collection some four years ago. As she explained to the Asian
Times newspaper in Britain: "I became intrigued by Bollywood
a little while ago and was drawn into the movies with their
mix of fun, fashion, music and dance. It's such a magical
and emotive arena and I wanted to create something that would
allow the audiences to be able to take some of that magic
home to treasure and enjoy in a unique and new way". "I really
wanted to capture the essence of these wonderful and complex
screen personalities, who morph from one character to another
in their glamorous working lives for us, but at the end of
the day they are human beings just like you and me. As the
actors shared their thoughts and vision for the dolls with
me, I got to know them better and was more easily able to
have their enchanting personas transformed into the miniature
versions". "It has been a real privilege and pleasure to work
with these stars". Which is all very eulogistic, but what
do the stars themselves think about how the dolls have turned
out? Here's Shah Rukh Khan's reaction, as quoted in the same
newspaper: "Wow, I want to show my kids...the doll is rather
cool". And as for Hrithik Roshan, he said to Shameen: "Wow"
(yes, they both, allegedly, said wow) "I can't believe you
have created this...I feel so honoured that you came to me
with the idea of creating a doll of me". So, everyone involved
is happy with the dolls - now it's up to the public to give
their verdict by fishing out their wallets and buying the
things. Or not, as the case may be.
-Sept 16, 2006
Countdown begins for grand finale of India
fashion week
New Delhi:
Designers did everything they could to make the D-day
a memorable one, as the Wills Lifestyle Fashion week was about
to end on Sunday. Enhancing the spirits of the last day were
fashion designers Ranna Gill, Manuviraj Khosla, Anita Dongre
among others, who seemed to hit the right chord ahead of the
grand finale. The eclectic mix of floral with western outfits
was prominent in Ranna Gill's collection. Gill lit the ramp
with her bright hues with a dominance of red, green and blue.
Gill, inspired by the applause that she received at the end
of her show, said she had already started formulating plans
for her next collection. "It was fun it was a journey, it
was three months' of work. It was crying when it didn't work
out or tears when the print wasn't working or when the colours
would fade...it was fun, I enjoyed it. I love making...I love
every collection. I am actually thinking about the next collection
already, basically what to do now for next collection," Gill
said. Anita Dongre's collection focused more on the evening
dresses - modal and suvin cotton, georgettes and chiffons
playing a wispy tune along the suave bodylines of the models.
Setting her theme as 'India Rocks', the prominence of white
justified her collection. Bollywood celebrity Sanjay Suri
marked the end of 'India Rocks' in style, sporting white kurta
pyjama (traditional Indian dress). "I liked the theme "India
Rocks". It definitely does and exactly what I was here for,
to represent that - the made in India label. You can be comfortable
in a white kurta pyjama (traditional Indian dress) and be
accepted all over the world," said Suri. Manoviraj Khosla,
turned heads with his entirely bold and different collection,
which included more of the casual line, supported with funky
accessories. His theme revolved around the highflying bikers
who are full of speed, fun and wild styling. Overall the preliminary
shows of the day, with their varied genres of designs, worked
as a perfect bate for the grand finale slated later in the
evening. The Will Lifestyle India Fashion Week was made a
bi-annual event this year in order to cater to the international
market segments. While the designers beam in ecstasy in the
splendour of their innovative and glitzy creations, a determination
to club fashion with business clearly marks the event. The
fashion week has provided an opportunity to both well-known
and budding designers to share the platform with international
buyers and consultants. At least 70 international buyers explored
Indian designs, floored by their ethnic yet classy opulence
and an amalgam of traditional and modern lines. A decade ago,
haute couture was an _expression that barely existed in the
Indian vocabulary and fashion stopped at ethnic homespun cotton
outfits made by neighbourhood tailors or picked up at faded
government-run emporia.
-Sept 3, 2006
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