Designer AJ Singh’s collection showcased at Chandigarh Fashion Week

Delhi-based designer AJ Singh showcased his exclusive collection in the finale of the Chandigarh Fashion Week. The recently-concluded fashion week held at Taj Chandigarh from 29^th to 31^st January 2010 saw his label Afrin India present sarees, suits and lehnga cholis in rich embroideries and vibrant colors.

AJ showcased his signature chickankari collection embellished with heavy mukaish and zardosi work. The hand-embroidered lehenga-cholis, suits and sarees were styled to perfection in pure georgettes in eternal white, pink, beige and black. The all-season chickan range is rich and opulent yet subtle and wearable.

Indian weddings are grand and the bride and groom must be able to match the grandeur. Afrin India’s bridal trousseau and wedding collection is all about celebrating beauty – the beauty of the bride is enhanced with outfits in vivid colours, stylish cuts and fabrics given a royal touch through brilliant craftsmanship. Further, exquisite embroideries on fabrics like raw silk, nets and banarasi brocades add to the richness of the occasion. Choice of colors like burnt orange, fuchsia, plum and ruby in two tone on skirts with corsets in antique brocade silk and velvets compliment rich traditional jewellery in kundan, polki or diamonds.

The magic of the mogul era is revisited with a classic collection of anarkalis and angrakhas with ruching on yoke and delicate embroideries to give the wearer elegance and style.

The Indian groom is now willing to experiment with polo trousers and dhotis. The very princely collection showcases traditional designs with modern cuts in sherwanis, jodhpuris and short coats. Rich embroideries with use of ari and dabka work on brocades and jacquard highlights the richness of culture that is part of the Indian heritage.

 The show got an overwhelming response from the audiences and buyers alike and looking at the response AJ Singh in planning to open up a flagship store very soon in Chandigarh.

Poonam Dhillon gives Tricity new edge

 “This new social networking site (SNS), www.chandigarhwallahs.com, is for anyone, anywhere in the world who at some point of time has called Chandigarh ‘My home. My city!’ pointed out the still very gorgeous Poonam Dhillon, launching the website that serves to connect all those who have been connected with tricity in anyway.

This unique SNS is for people, who have lived, studied or worked in Chandigarh, or have family or friends here. It is a SNS for anyone with a Chandigarh story.

While SNS such as Facebook, Orkut or MySpace are popular with netizens, they are ‘one-solution fits-all’ kind of websites where anyone from anywhere can register and be part of the online community.

What makes this site one-of-a-kind is the fact that it is a dedicated, Chandigarh-specific site.

Reminiscing on her Chandigarh connect Dhillon said, “I left Chandigarh more than 30 years ago. I studied at Carmel Convent and we used to live in Sector 9. Today, even after so many years, my fondest memories of my growing up years are all centered around this city!”

Dhillon added, “Whenever I’m traveling, it’s very common that someone walks up to me and says, ‘I’m from Chandigarh as well!’ That instantly sparks a conversation and we then discover that there are at least a dozen people we know in common. That is the magic of the Chandigarh bond. That is the intrinsic beauty and warmth of our city. And it is this proximity, this closeness that we wish to further strengthen through the chandigarhwallahs.com.”

Commenting on the need for such a website, Dhillon said, “The entire idea of developing a site like took off when friends like Sandeep, Parambir (senior IPS officer posted at Mumbai) and myself would catch up on good old days in Chandigarh. We realized that even though all of us have branched out of this city, our hearts are still rooted here and we keep coming back to Chandigarh. We realized that there would be so many more people like us and a website like the social networking would truly help us stay connected with home, no matter where in the world we may be!”
 
Mumbai based ad-man Sandeep Goyal, Chairman Dentsu India and former Group CEO, Zee Telefilms and old Chandigarhwallah, said, “The site is a labour of love. It is a heartfelt attempt to connect all those who live here and all those whose hearts still live here! You can take a Chandigarhwallah out of the city but you cannot take the city out of a Chandigarhwallah!”

Here’s listing some famous Chandigarhwallahs starting with the Hon’ble Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who taught for many years in the city and still owns a house in Sector 11. Add to that ministers and ex-ministers like Kapil Sibal, Kumari Selja, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Sushma Swaraj; activists like former cop Kiran Bedi, sports icons like Kapil Dev, Jeev Milkha Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Abhinav Bindra to name just a few.

Shahwar Ali and UDITIYA GOSWAMI to walk for LIBAS

The month of January will create a history within the fashion industry in Chandigarh, with the city beautiful hosting its first fashion week, Chandigarh Fashion Week, 2010.

The platform will give an opportunity to the designer to showcase their talents wherein the talents of already established and upcoming designers will be showcased. The Fashion Week will begin with the ace designer Libas who will pay a tribute to rich Bollywood Traditional Designs and Craftsmanship, while will concluded with the grand finale of Ritu Kumar’s show.

Libas, Ritu Kumar, Pallavi and Bharavi Jaikishan, Satya Paul, Charu Parashar and many more will  exhibit their designs at a three day fashion extravaganza held from January 29 to January 31 at Hotel Taj, Chandigarh,

Utidiya Goswami, Shahwar Ali, Riya Sen, Mallika Arora Khan will be among the few showstoppers, who will be a part of the event.

This event will be a fashion celebration laced with lots of glamour and national as well as international media coverage, wherein many high profile designers as well as famous Bollywood celebrities will be a part of it.

Libas will bring to Chandigarh glamour and style with Uditiya Goswami and actor Shahwar Ali walking the ramp in the Chandigarh Fashion Week. 

LIBAS will showcase the Bollywood theme on the first day of the Chandigarh Fashion Week, 2010. Libas  will exhibit the contemporary and indo-western men’s and woman’s wear , which will be designed in elegant styles and cut from richly woven fabrics. The bridal lehengas, sarees, chaniya cholis, salwar suits etc will take your breath away.

Libas will showcase on the first day of the three day fashion extravaganza. Libas will also showe a brand new collection of Menswear that will make every man wants more. Having recently had their VEER collection unveiled by actress Zarine Khan – This collection will be the culmination of the efforts of the designer duo Riyaz and Reshma Gangji over the past months.

Mallika Arora Khan will be the show stopper for Pallavi and Bharavi Jaikishan, while Riya Sen will walk for Charu Parashar.

Simran Kumar Mundi will showcase for for Satya Paul, while Ritu kumar will showcase her collection at the grand finale.

Sonam Kapoor is the brand ambassador of ANANT Single Line Diamond Jewellery

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the apex body of the gem & jewellery industry has showcased ANANT, an exquisite range of single line diamond jewellery. Being jointly undertaken by the GJEPC with Gold Souk, in association with Rio tinto Diamonds, IGI and All India Gem & Jewellery Federation, ANANT is the first of its kind initiative by the industry, for the industry to boost and sustain growth of diamond jewellery in India. Adorned by the timeless beauty, Sonam Kapoor, ANANT’s collection comprising of exquisite Single Line Diamond jewellery will be available at over 200 retail outlets across the country.

With the participation of 27 manufacturers and hundreds of retail outlets, GJEPC has launched a nationwide campaign across various platforms to promote diamonds and diamond jewellery in India. Gujarat is a critical market for Gems & Jewellery and GJEPC is confident of the spread and reach of this initiative.

Sense and simplicity is the trend these days. Woman of today are distinct from those of yore. Classy and trendy are the words that define a modern woman. Hence the jewellery she wears has to be a reflection of her personality. Single line diamonds are increasingly becoming suitable for every occasion.

In the same light, marriage is the manifestation of the greatest relationship in the world- love. Diamonds are a symbol of undying love. Diamonds undeniably are the answer to the big fat Indian wedding.

Anant, with its versatile designs and cuts for the woman of today, will enthral one and all on this special occasion. Diamonds apart from being symbols of love and admiration also have the innate quality of reflecting emotions associated with the various stages in a woman’s life. Diamonds speak of infinite experiences. On D day, to be adorned with diamonds would be every bride’s dream.

STRANDS STYLE CHANDIGARH FASHION WEEK

Being an example is not easy, while being an exemplar, not any easy either. Strand- Salon ‘n’ Spa has wooed people all over and scripted a new chapter in the world of beauty. And now, it has added another stage, where STANDS would chic about a hundred models with different hair styles and beauty in CHANDIGARH FASHION WEEK at Hotel Taj, Chandigarh from January 29 to January 31.

The various methods and techniques that have come down to the level of the everyday, the common, and yet have retained uniqueness will be hard to forget. Strands- Salon ‘n’ Spa no doubt has been quite successful in enhancing your beauty, restoring your well-being and uplifting your spirit.

FOUNDER

Starting from the start, Mr.Naunihal Singh, born and brought up in Himachal and Chandigarh is a Post Graduate in Marketing Management & Financial Control. With his valuable knowledge and experience of 11 years of expertise with various brands like L’Oreal, Lakme, Garnier, Maybelline, Everyuth etc he started with Strands –Salon ‘n’ Spa in 2005 which is under Strands Salon Pvt. Ltd  as well.

JOURNEY OF STRANDS

Originally established in 2005, Strands- Salon ‘n’ Spa has now become the fastest growing chain in Northern India. An oasis of beauty, “Strands- Salon ‘n’ Spa” is the no.1 flagship of Matrix, America’s no.1 salon brand. The salon provides a vast range of skin, beauty, make up and spa treatments from stylists trained by experts from Matrix and L’Oreal. This wide range is complemented with technically perfect products to leave the customers totally satisfied.

Strands professional make up artists and hair stylists led by Miss. Raman Ghai are highly trained and caring individuals, who delight in ensuring that clients receive the maximum benefit from treatments, products and aftercare.

In last 2 years Strands has done extremely well in taking over the market share of beauty from other famous salons. The 15 professionally trained make up artists at Strands have the knowledge and expertise to bring out the look that best fits your style and accentuates your natural beauty at the same time. They all are competent enough to do any kind of makeup. Just to name a few:

1. Light make-up

2. Variety of bridal make-up

3. Variety of model make-up

4. Ramp make-up

5. Professional media make-up

For Bridal make-up, Strands uses a professional salon range of cosmetics to ensure long lasting results and even provide a wide choice of colors to suit your specific needs. It offers Make-up application that enhances your natural beauty, giving you confidence and an elegant polished appearance. All treatments for skin, beauty and make up at Strands use only professional products from well – known brands like L’Oreal, Krylon, Mac etc.

Apart from this Strands even specializes in Bridal nail Art, Nail extensions and Nail care. It also provides spa packages which acts on the nervous system and circulatory system of body to make you feel highly confident and fresh for the day. The spa section of the salon is purely devoted to enhance overall well-being through the variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit

After breaking into the beauty biz in northern region and working with glamour icons like Miss Simram Kaur Mundi (Miss India Universe 2008), Penaz Missani (Ghazal Singer), Rama Vij (TV Artist) and just about any famous celebrity you can name, Strands- Salon ‘n’ Spa has been very fortunate to win many national and local awards. It has even been part of the biggest Cut & Color Show organized by Matrix in Ludhiana in Sept’09 where 40 world renown models walked the ramp. Whilst winning awards is always a huge pat on the back, we do not sit on our laurels and indeed strive to improve our service to our client’s year on year.

Being a part of a huge brand like “Matrix”, Strands philosophy is to provide an unparalleled service, believing that high quality products, effective treatments and the provision of an escape from the hustle and bustle of life, promotes an inner beauty that positively glows. All clients are treated with respect and made to feel welcome. Strands have been expertly and stylishly designed to offer a luxurious environment within which to escape. Attention to detail is evident at every turn, secretly stimulating the senses and promoting well-being.