Monday, May 16, 2011

Cannes! Cannes!



Taaza khabar from Cannes: That is you-know-who (by now!) with Kayne West. And, later in the night, with a desi friend . You-know-who is in the pink saree. Going by the pics, I'm guessing she's having a good time.... what do you think?
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This appeared in Bombay Times today...

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Desi Designers Vs. Cannes

Desi designers were wringing their hands last week and asking the obvious question: Why do our stars pick outlandish outfits for their international Red Carpet photo- ops, when there are so many talented Indian designers to choose from? One of them cribbed, “It just goes to show their lack of confidence in our abilities. It also shows a lack of confidence in themselves.” They have a point. Looking at some of the more comical Cannes images so far, saw several people squirming in embarrassment. Poor Ash. No matter what she wears, she gets it in the neck from the local fashion press. The thing is, what Ash wears makes a statement. It counts. Nobody gives a damn what other, lesser starlets strut around flashing, because they don’t count!This year may have been one notch better for Ash than some of the earlier fashion disasters, but the Elie Saab gown was certainly not flattering, given Ash’s new, generously filled out frame. One designer referred to it witheringly as an Arab-style wedding dress minus the veil. Most agreed that the rather ungainly , thick frill at her waist accentuated her hipline , while the thick, ornate fabric of the one shouldered gown further piled on the naughty kilos. The make-up was also a bit too harsh and exaggerated on that occasion. Ash’s next appearance in a sleeker, two- toned gown was far more elegant, even if the upswept hairdo looked dated. There’s no point in comparing her look to Angelina Jolie’s supremely casual, yet supremely stylish dress at lunch. She’s Angelina Jolie! That’s enough.
Our gorgeous ladies must assert themselves at such high profile affairs at which they are the cynosure of hawk-eyed journos from across the world. The standard excuse that’s trotted out is that the imperious stylists of some of the mightiest fashion houses dictate what the stars must wear ( remember, it’s all about promotion, promotion, promotion). But that rule applies to minor stars, not the major league ones, who are given a vast choice of selecting the best of the best from a huge, multi-brand wardrobe. Too bad they pick duds, time and time again. If only they’d leave it to their buddy designers back home, they’d be far better off. Our local talent is not just formidable, but they know what suits our girls. Nude may well be the colour of the season, but it does absolutely nothing for our skin tones. We end up looking washed out and drab, when we can look so much better in our rani pinks and peacock blues. Perhaps in the few days left for the Festival to close, our stars will pull out the stops and get those flashbulbs going. Given the stiff competition in the glamour stakes this year, that isn’t going to be a cakewalk for any of them. Pity a prestigious film festival has been reduced to a catwalk by Bollywood. But till such time as we start making quality cinema, we’ll have to console ourselves each time we watch Aishwarya the model, preen and pose for shutterbugs on the Croisette.
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While on designers and all things fashionable, some of the big names have been really put off by the starry tantrums and demands of our top actresses whose secretaries and personal stylists pester these designers to send across pricey couture for their clients to flaunt at high profile events. Often , these wealthy actresses ‘forget’ to return borrowed garments, or flatly refuse to give them back saying, “But look at the publicity I generated for your label by wearing your outfit to so-and-so’s party.” As of now, the entire designer community is up in arms against a beauty contest winner who has walked off with her entire pageant wardrobe! Tch. Tch. Not done, honey. Be a good girl and send those frocks back immediately… or else!
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South Mumbai wears a deliciously deserted look these days – everybody’s left town! One can zip down those crowded roads in fifteen minutes flat and actually find a table in popular restaurants during peak hours. While we desis are fleeing the unbearable mugginess and mayhem for cooler climes, Liz Hurley is the only one who is voluntarily flying in to be with her man. Love ka side effects and all that.Obviously somebody forgot to Warne our Liz about the LSD syndrome.
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For some weird, entirely illogical reason, I believe Shiney Ahuja. Do you?

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

The better saree?
The one you wearing(check last post).

Neha said...

I didn't like either of Ash's dresses this year. You are right, they end up picking duds year after year! Wish she could have taken some advice from her in-laws and may be the choices could have been better! And her pose overdose - argghhhh!!!

For Shiney Ahuja, I am in two minds. He may or may not have done it as the question remains - why a maid when being an actor with means, he sure has paid options (if he is THAT desperate!)???

Ambika said...

Can you or your daughter (in pink sari) please enlighten on how Mallika Sherawat is at the Cannes?
I do admire her for being in the news all the time. But I wonder how she mangages those invites?

Uppal said...

What ever the fabric or the colour, Ash looked a class apart. We have a tendency to disparage our own Bollywood beauties whenever they attend international film festivals. Why don't our desi designers offer advice on their own to our star invitees.It is so much better than wringing their hands after the event.

चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...

Desi maal does not sell locally but has lot of demand internationally but our desi gals should understand this:)

Another Kiran In NYC said...

The first picture is so old world vintage bollywood. Looks like a photograph from that film magazine by the brilliant Baburao Patel - Film India. She looks lovely, The second picture with Kanye West is so wonderfully wackily flygirl! Great pictures.

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Sejal said...

Its high time Ash leaves the red carpet once and for all.. and please.. she stands no comparison with the stunning Angeline Jolie..

jean said...

i might be sounding dumb here, but is that your daughter??

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Unknown said...

she dunnit again, mz de! she showed up in some creation and has now polarised the universe! see, we in bollywood nation hear "ageless beauty" and run away screaming because after "age-" we heard nothing. this constant need to appear forever young and shapely is bad. to be replaced in soap ads by a pretty young thang is worse. to have just one soap fragrance as opposed to four by the replacement is the worst. come on world, be kind. it is not easy competing with hollywood divas who are the measure of everything glamourous and beautiful.

Tsomo85 said...

Gee, I'm so behind all these news. I need to go check out those cannes pix and also last year Deepika make up looks horrible. I still remember those thick, dark artificial eyebrows with dark brown eye shadow. Yuck! Could have gone smother & easier with make up. Dress I don't even remember. Love those pix of your daughter, looks so natural and completely having blast. Just as she is in Vegas! So laid back......looks like she got the best gift ever.

Divya (Virmani) Chadda said...

Ms. De, you daughter looks stunning! The change of her entire attitude in both pics is quite appealing! :)
As far as Ash goes, I saw her pics as well... The lady has definitely gained some extra kilo's; however she maintains this image all over the world which is clap worthy. Overseas, even gora's know this lady! All her outfits looked okay...at least she didn't come out as a loser like Malika Sherawat! Gosh, what is up with that girl???
http://divyavirmani.blogspot.com/

Christine said...

You know, its strange, but I believe Shiney too. What does not make any sense though, is the DNA evidence collected from the site. His wife ( who sounds intelligent!) is standing behind him, like a pillar.. she does not seem like one of those pati - dhari types. Even if he were framed, that site evidence is pretty damning..

Pooja Rathore said...

I loved your saree(orange- its my favourite color, also liked the way you matched the accessories. you looked gorgeous i mean it i think its the color and your positivity(of course your smile)orange stands for optimism whenever you want to be optimistic wear orange!
your leo daughter rocks ( she comes acrross stylish , bold and confident most leos have good sense of fashion.
About aishwariya rai i did not like the gown nor the color it did nothing for her and you are right about the fat issues too (thanks to your sharp eyes ).
I read your column on Two Amma's( jaya and mamta) hope they dont disappoint as their past record is not very encouraging but then lets expect the unexpected from them .
i loved the pictures of (may 11 Australia there was some problem with the com could not comment) especially one with the waterbody fantastic it just lifted my mood.
About shiney ahuja i dont think he raped her (maid) but kuch to hua hai(evidence) well if shiney is innocent i will be very happy he is a good actor my favourite was shocked to hear the news about the rape and did not feel like believing it , seems like a nice person.

Latha said...

Ash wore a Manish Malhotra outfit (more a desi one)for her first Cannes appearance & it was critizised by you. Come on. What is she supposed to wear ?
Love it or leave it , Barack Obama wants Mallika Sherawat in the white house while he recites poetry ('cause she loves poetry !) & wants to be invited for her film premier !!! phew....Howzzzat ?
She was already with him twice during his election campaign.

nidhi said...

Sorry.... Who is this ugly chick with kanye west and in pink sari?? Am I the only one who doesn't know who she is?

Speravegan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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Mrudula said...

Aishwarya looked goddamn awesome. But it's sad that a young, impressionable girl might read your blog and then vomit her dinner because of your judgmental musings about Aishwarya's figure. She wears designs that are suited to the international brand that she is representing - it's her job with rules and requirements just like any other job. She wears Indian designs when she represents India.

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