Akki tops, Ajay flunks

Round 2 of India Couture Week saw Katz sashay in a gown screenprinted with a painting by Sallu, before she cuddled his mum on ramp. 6 top actors walked for charity, and we rated them on ramp-presence. Shweta Shiware tables a report card

The French would've been appalled. Since when did graphic tees, weathered denim and cowboy boots spell couture? French for "high dressmaking", haute couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing made using hand-executed techniques. In fact, in Paris, it can only be used by firms that meet well-defined standards.

At the ongoing India Couture Week 09, the only thing made-to-measure were schedules of A-list Bollywood stars who walked the ramp in droves for Being Human, actor Salman Khan's charity. Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan and Govinda swaggered to hooting by actresses Preity Zinta, Kajol, Sushmita Sen, Ameesha Patel with brother Ashmit, filmmaker Karan Johar, Kiran Rao (Aamir's wife) and cricketer Yuvvraj Singh.
An extra Main Show Area was created specially for the show, the elaborate set taking over two days to construct. Salman's paintings were plastered around (one even made it as a screen print on Katrina's gown), while a colour canvas stayed in focus as kids from Shiamak Davar's dance school pranced around, followed by actors strutting to a medley that included Michael Jackson's Earth Song, John Lennon's Imagine and The Killers' Human.

The energetic threesome (Karan, Preity and choreographer Farah Khan) made it a point to be seen and heard.

They cheered. They clapped. They giggled. They even screamed lustily, all the while ignoring a coy Ameesha and a very-pregnant Amrita Arora who sat quietly beside them.

The show's ensemble male cast had only one leading lady Katrina Kaif who wore a Falguni & Shane Peacock gown inspired by boyfriend Salman's painting.

We heard that first-time model Aamir was nervous backstage (he took a last-minute decision to swap a jacket for a simple tee), but the jitters evaporated when he walked with the kids to a track from Taare Zameen Par.

Talking points for the evening: Have siblings Ameesha and Ashmit put the prickly past behind them? Preity Zinta is looking five years younger. Good for her!
Inputs by Kasmin Fernandes



Akshay Kumar 4.9/5
The last time Akki walked the ramp, he had the moral police flare up over his zip-down act with wife Twinkle. Akshay Kumar didn't play his "walk unbuttoned" stunt this time. And he made sure everyone noticed. When he passed by where Twinkle was seated, the actor looking every bit a rockstar in black and silver pointed to his zipper, gave her a mischievous glance and shook his head with the killer smile he flashes on TV show Khatron Ke Khiladi. If a look could kill, Akshay would have been a serial murderer.u00a0

Saif Ali Khan 4.5/5
On screen, chhote Nawab has made "deliberately-awkward" (think Love Aaj Kal) his signature style, and he followed it on ramp. His feet tapping to Human by The Killers, was as adorable as his flushed-with-embarrassment face.

Sanjay Dutt 4.5/5
Sanju's new lean frame (he's lost 20 kg) is not thanks to love but fresh air, as he reluctantly admitted to filmmaker Karan Johar on national television. And we are glad he hasn't lost the childish swagger.

Aamir Khan 3/5 (one mark deducted for biting his lips)
Before making an entry, Aamir was seen scratching his head, maybe asking himself, "Which one of the numerous rehearsed walks should I go with". But his boyish energy was contagious.

Govinda 3/5
Here's why a well-cut suit can help you look fit and dapper. We say Govinda hire the services of Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna, who designed this outfit, permanently.

Ajay Devgn 2/5
Ajay was awkward, squinting at the lights, making a dash of an entry and a super-quick exit. Even the machismo in his walk couldn't save him.

The stars wore designs by: Ashish N Soni, Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna, Shane & Falguni Peacock, Rocky S, Babita Malkani, Kunal Rawal and Gavin Maguel

What? HDIL India Couture Week 09. It's an annual event that showcases the best of made-to-measure designs from India
Where? Grand Hyatt, Vakola

Who was there?

Tab aur ab

Who: Pallavi Jaikishan
Is: Veteran designer specialising in Indian and bridal wear
In an industry that chugs on incessant air kisses, larger-than-your-craft personas and subtle favour banks, Pallavi Jaikishan's 30 year-old business has hundreds of blushing brides as advertisement. The original host of the now done-to-death "wine and cheese" soirees, Pallavi's annual 5-star rooftop get-togethers had only one agenda. "To meet your friends, eat and drink, have fun. The concept allows us to interact with our customers, since they are the ones who are going to buy our work," she had once told this reporter.



While we may have moved from the rookie reporter's idealism to cynicism, sure-footed Pallavi hasn't quite changed. Neither has she stopped believing in the divine power of non-fussy, beautiful clothes.

Her second edition at India Couture Week titled, Five Senses, saw cheery, moustached men dressed in white serving chocolates and mithai on thali to guests, adding drama to a show that began to the tune of a saxophone, as models sauntered in seemingly light-weight lace sarees, saree dresses and lehengas in tulle, georgette and lame. Rich brocades and floral motifs were the only distraction to a collection that included pre-stitched dupattas draping the shoulders to give a saree-like feel. The grand lady of Indian fashion introduced a jewellery line inspired by an antique Czechoslovakian crystal broach she picked up during a vacation to Europe.

We wish the unforgiving strobe lights hadn't dragged attention away from the presentation. But when you see Pallavi reluctantly trudge on ramp to take a bow after repeated requests from models, hiccups are forgiven.