There can only be one Malini Ramani. And she's priceless. Who else can make a packed auditorium hang on to every word of a story about a "journey of love" that fictitious character Rita, takes.

Around the world with Rita

There can only be one Malini Ramani. And she's priceless. Who else can make a packed auditorium hang on to every word of a story about a "journey of love" that fictitious character Rita, takes. To fit into the brief byu00a0 Grey Goose who sponsored the show; we suppose, she sent Rita from Mexico to Zanzibar, Pushkar and Mumbai, to showcase her garments that matched locations, with martinis that the brand was promoting. Like Rita's travel itinerary, the collection was everywhere but the designer stood firm with her signature pieces -- kaftans, slinky one-shouldered dresses, Grecian-inspired gowns and jumpsuits. Actor Arjun Rampal, with his daughters cheered as wife Mehr Jessia walked the ramp in an elegant pistachio one-shoulder gown. They don't make supermodels like her any more. Bhawna Pandey (actor Chunky Pandey's wife) and Maheep Kapoor (actor Sanjay Kapoor's wife) followed her. Not in half the good shape that Mehr was in.

Houston, we've got a problem

Space was apparently the final frontier for Narendra Kumar and Killer Jeans at Lakme Fashion Week Day 3. If only. If only the show wasn't so blah that front row guest television host Koel Purie yawned even as showstopper Neil Nitin Mukesh hit the ramp. If only Nari didn't blind everyone with gold washed denims and a Preity-Zinta-in-Armaan wig. If only he'd stayed away from some patchwork. If only the distressed denims weren't, well, quite so distressing. If only he'd stuck to the denim tunics with subtle leather detailing and clean jackets he's an expert at... and stayed shy of sequins. If only he'd lived up to his muse -- Stanley Kubrick classic 2001 Space Odyssey.

The warrior is on holiday

Easy does it. Yanking the cumbersome out of women's wear, Hyderabad designer Asmita Marwa couldn't have found a better day (pre-Women's Day) to present an uncomplicated line-up that bordered on comfortable chic. Gingham prints (large red and white checks identified as table linen in Mumbai's Irani cafu00e9s), surfaced on halter neck dresses highlighting a solitary rose knot detail, before making way for Japanese-inspired collage patchwork over sleeveless jackets, and tie-and-dye samurai pants that tempted you to dash off to Tokyo, in search of a cherry blossom lined front. The focus was functionality and easy movement; drawstring and Palazzo pants interspersed with plait strap dresses. Crushed, organic cotton ensured you don't need a hot iron while on vacation. Such a simple collection is bound to find buyers, but it's meant for a few who enjoy a relaxed style instead of scoffing at its inventiveness, even if it comes from wearing table linen.

TAXI!

A survey done some time ago in the US revealed how there's a science to selecting music that plays in stores. Smart proprietors play the peppy stuff; My Heart Will Go On is for funerals. The idea is that sprightly beats put you in a good mood, ensure you shop more. And so, if the music fits, we are not sure if a bad show can transform into first-rate, but a good show will be perceived as great. Designers Shantanu & Nikhil presented Moto Chic, a line of sportswear for Adidas, to the beats of Pitbull's I Know You Want Me. And by the time the DJ played Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night, the audience was swinging and sold. How much can you really create with just black, white and yellow? Loads. The Delhi designer duo managed to design 39 garments without straying from the taxi colour scheme, as models marched on to a set that resembled a traffic intersection, complete with a zebra crossing. Jumpsuits, quilted shorts, bomber jackets, bubble shorts, hoodies, and a solitary swimsuit said this was a collection for a sportswear giant, but it was the quirky detailing that gave away the fashion designer touch. While the customary triple stripe Adidas identity stayed intact on the edge of a metallic finish tee, the shoulder of a front cowl dress and diagonally across a polo, the inclusion of drape, otherwise unheard of in sporty garments that are perceived as functional and frill-free, was clearly a creative mind's inclusion.
WE WISH: A) The female models didn't have to sport fake fringes. B) Deepika Padukone would've worn her hot and sporty Karthik Calling Karthik hairdo instead of hot iron curled extensions that so didn't vibe with her bubble shorts and diagonal striper top.

Autum's lost love found in summeru00a0

It takes a steroid shot of Inglourious Basterds to shake you out of your Sunday afternoon slumber, and train your eyes on your job. Anand Bhushan intended to do just that, and pushed the shock appeal by an inch by showcasing a collection high on adrenaline. But the Fall/Winter sensibility looked out-of-place at an event meant to showcase. Summer/Resort wear. Tough-walking, fist-clenched Geishas swarmed the runway; surface textures of foliage, uniform stripes and worn-out wallpaper added robust melancholy to sharp silhouettes. The designer fielded his collection between the introductory felt foliage jacket teamed with raw silk shorts, and the last rusted foliage wool jacket. Dresses demanding a special event appearance came marching out in hues of chocolate, wine, beige and lilac. Sinuous silk silhouettes hugged and stayed close to the body, as zippers edged on the conventional on dresses, and sequins appeared on fluted lines.