MUMBAI (Reuters Life!) - A new Bollywood film takes a long hard look at India's fashion industry, putting the spotlight on its underbelly of drug abuse, depression and politics at a time when haute couture is making inroads into middle-class homes.
"Fashion," which opens in cinemas on Wednesday, comes close on the heels of three high-profile fashion expos in New Delhi and Mumbai, in a fortnight that has seen the country's media obsessed over post-show parties hosted by India's top designers.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar, an award-winning Bollywood filmmaker who created some of the most memorable woman protagonists of Indian cinema, said he hoped to give Indians an intimate, fly-on-the-wall look into the corridors of fashion.
"Two years ago, a common man on the streets in India wouldn't have cared about models and brands and ramp shows," Bhandarkar told Reuters in an interview. "Suddenly, fashion has entered our lives like never before."
India's fashion industry has raised its global profile, following a rise in disposable incomes, victories by Indian beauty queens at international pageants and a multitude of fashion events.
"The common man still can't afford many of those clothes on the ramp, but modeling as a career is a bright option for many girls," said Bhandarkar.
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, a former Miss World, is cast in the role of a small-town girl who harbors dreams of becoming a supermodel, but has to battle obstacles to succeed in the big, bad world of Mumbai.
"This industry has back-stabbing, politics, superficiality, envy and all that," said Bhandarkar
The filmmaker, who went backstage at fashion shows and modeling shoots as part of his research, said "Fashion" also deals with drug abuse and homosexuality in the industry.
Industry insiders agree that the film is for the most part accurate in its depiction of India's fashion fraternity.
"A lot of what is shown in the film does happen," said fashion designer Narendra Kumar, who has designed the film's look.
"I am not saying every model does drugs or that every designer is homosexual, but this is the story from the director's viewpoint."
Made at a budget of 180 million rupees ($3.6 million), the film has earned an adult rating from India's censor board, making "Fashion" off limits for any one under 18.
"This film should open up our eyes to what goes behind the making of a model," Kumar said.
(Writing by Tony Tharakan; Editing by Bappa Majumdar and David Fox)
INDIA FASHION WEEK--DAY--1
In sharp contrast to the low-key kick-off last year with a line-up of turbanned models, this year's India Fashion Week was flagged off by a provocative Diandra showing the audience her middle finger to the accompaniment of a raunchy number. That, I thought, set the pace for the entire event, giving it a hep, racy, provocative feel.The shows began with Delhi designer Aki Narula and Goa whizkid Savio Jon showcasing their collections jointly. The clothes were really wacky. The hairstyles were even more interesting.What was indecent though was model Ajay Balhara giving a show of his pubic hair with real low-slung golden G-strings. Disgusting!!!Outside the Taj Mahal Ball Room, where the shows were being held, the scene was picking up very slowly on this, the first day of India Fashion Week 2001. People were busy making their press calls; designers were still setting up their stalls.The second show of the day was Ritu Kumar's. As is expected of the lady, she put up a brilliant performance! Ruby Bhatia and Pooja Batra opened her show to the song, Yeh hai Mumbai, yeh hai Mumbai, meri jaan… Ruby was full of beans and the entire scene was nicely handled.The evening was once again a treat with the Monisha Jaisingh show. I expected nothing less from this Mumbai designer and once again, she presented a fabulous collection. Lots of colour, loads of Indian sensibility and Swarovskys all over the place. The day was rounded off with the party thrown by the Fashion Design Council at the Indigo restaurant. The invitee list went out from Tarun Tahiliani and the Who's Who was there. An enjoyable evening! More to look forward to tomorrow….
by Vijay Arora
FASHION AND BEAUTY TIPS:
Can I apply amla powder on my hair? Tell me how to do it. — AartiAmla powder can be added to oil or henna. You can add 10 to 15 gms of amla powder to 100 ml pure coconut oil or sesame seed (til) oil. Put the mixture in a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid and keep it in the sun for 15 days, shaking it daily to stir the amla. Then, strain the oil and keep. It can be applied on the hair to nourish it.
Amla can also be added to henna paste. You can buy whole dry amla. Soak a handful of amla in about 3 cups of water overnight.
Grind the amla the next day. Do not throw away the water. Both the water and the ground amla can be added to henna paste, along with 4 teaspoons each lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs and 2 teaspoons oil.
Amla is said to check graying and also keeps the scalp healthy. Of course, henna will leave a reddish brown colour on white hair, but will not colour dark hair.
Give me some tips for frizz-free and split-end free long hair. — PrakritiCut off the split ends. Avoid tying the hair with rubber bands. Avoid hair dryers and brushes for some time. Use a wide toothed comb. Twice a week heat pure coconut oil and apply on the scalp and hair. Apply on the ends too. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban.
Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Use less shampoo and rinse well with water.
Avoid very hot water to wash the hair. After shampoo, apply a creamy conditioner, taking less quantity and massaging it lightly into the hair. Apply on the ends too. Leave on for 2 minutes and rinse off with plain water. Applying egg yolk half an hour before shampoo would also help.
Tell me home remedies to make my hair straight and long. — MonikaHome remedies soften the hair, but do not straighten it. You can use a hand-held dryer at home to straighten the hair. The effect will last till the next shampoo. After washing the hair, while the hair is still damp, divide it in sections. Hold the end of a section with a comb or brush.
Holding it straight and slightly downwards, use the hand held dryer to dry the hair. Repeat this with each section. Hold the dryer at least 6 inches away from the hair. However, excessive use of the hair dryer can cause dryness. Diet is important for hair growth. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and include fresh fruits, salads, leafy green vegetables, curd, in your diet-= HINDUSTAN TIMES.
STAY YOUNG FOR EVER
In today’s world, even 35-year-olds are worried about ageing, not realising that worrying itself could lead to a stray wrinkle here and there. The answer to ageless beauty lies not as much in beauty products and injectables like botox and miracles of plastic surgery as it does in simple lifestyle.
The other day, I was sitting with the chairman of a well-known domestic airline. His skin looked completely dehydrated and I was trying to suggest some solutions. His exquisite chamber overlooked a plush green expanse of never-ending trees, beautifully trimmed bushes and the rarest of flowers.
What surprised me was that there was a huge window but but no balcony to breathe in the fresh air. Hydrating your skin with fresh air and keeping it away from the maladies of air conditioning is extremely important. A five-minute skin cleansing, toning and moisturising routine and having a healthy lifestyle can work wonders for your skin. Here are some wonderful skin toners and tighteners that can be created from natural ingredients.
Apple cider oily and combination toner200ml apple cider, 1tsp powdered camphor, 1 drop witchazelMix all the ingredients and store in a bottle and use it to wipe skin three times a day. The ingredients will help tone and clean the skin as well as increase blood circulation.
Honey and rose toner for dehydrated and dry skin200ml of pure rose water, 2tsp raw honey, 2 drops lavender essential oil Mix all the ingredients well and store in a bottle in the fridge. Wipe the skin with this three times a day for cleansing, toning and moisturising.
Egg white skin souffle2 egg whites, whipped till it peaks and put in freezer, 1tsp honey, 1tsp china clayClean the skin and mix these ingredients and brush onto the skin with a broad flat brush and relax. Let it dry completely [avoid talking] and wash off with ice water and pat dry. This is excellent to fade out fine lines and wrinkles.
Papaya porcelain mask2 cubes mashed papaya, 2tsp grated cucumber, 2tsp fullers earth, a pinch of powdered camphor BP, 1 egg white, rose water to mix to a smooth pasteMix all the ingredients and apply on a clean skin. Let dry and wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Honey age care3 tsp raw honey, 2tsp fresh cream, 50 gms beeswax, 1tsp wheat germ oil, 1tsp olive oilHeat the beeswax in a double boiler and add all the ingredients except the fresh cream, stir in well and let cool. On cooling add the fresh cream and stir well until it becomes a smooth consistency. Pour into a glass air-tight jar and refrigerate. Massage for 20 min. You can safely store this in the fridge for up to 10 days. It is an excellent skin polisher and hydrater.
Posts
