STAR WATCH: Sanjay and Rhea at the chopard launch. Last week's big event was the launch of Chopard at Kemp's Corner. The red ribbon was cut by Caroline Grussi-Scheufele, vice-president of the company. She flew down from Europe specially for the event. But drawing more attention than the watches was Rhea Pillai, who will be managing the swish store. After the store was opened, the Mehta family (who are responsible for bringing the company to India) dashed off with glam-girl Rhea in toe to the Oberoi for a press conference. Then there was a quick change of clothes and a cocktail at the store for close friends. It was a small but enjoyable affair with invitees swilling champagne and simultaneously checking out the merchandise. Incidentally the store was completed in record time by interior designer Meher Dubash. Among the celebrities at the store were Malaika Arora looking sexy in a short white dress, Anna Bradmeyer showing off her svelte figure in a tight black dress and jewellery designer Farah Khan. Then, just as most were ready to leave, Jeh Wadia made a late entrance. But the show stopper remained Rhea, as she had in tow her beau - Sanjay Dutt, looking lean and lanky and every bit as glamourous as her. Watering holeEarlier this month, a new pub opened in the L I C Colony at Borivli. Done in the Ye Olde Tavern-style of UK pubs, this watering hole can be found at Club Aquaria, a fun-cum-fitness centre that boasts of a water park and a bowling alley. So, locals can work up a sweat and cool-off with a few beers at the same time and same place. The dome-shaped bar and fast food restaurant has proved to be quite a success with the suburban crowd. In fact, emboldened by its success, the owners are hoping that the pub will add a touch of glamour to their water world.Face to faceThis Friday saw the launch of Gautam Rajadhyaksha's new book on Bollywood - Faces. The party was hosted by Cine Blitz's Karl and Rita Mehta. But the night belonged to the Bollywood stars, both past and present, who came together for their favourite friend and photographer. There was Tina Ambani, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan and even Aishwarya Rai and Kajol. They both managed to put in an appearance despite having hectic shooting schedules. Kajol had not been well all week and cancelled many appointments but managed to pull together for this function. And Ash delayed leaving for her shoot in Austria to stay back for the launch! Bohemian boy Nikhil Chibb hosted his third Buddha of Bohemia night at the Hyde Park, near Sterling theatre. And as usual it was a full house. This despite people complaining about his poor service, which Nikhil promises has improved since his first dinner. In fact after his first do, a local Mumbai chat page on the net was inundated with complaints about Chibb's poor service. But it seems that starting this Saturday they may not have much to write home about - service had drastically improved this weekend.Losing touchChina Garden seems to be getting complacent with all the awards it's won. Though the food is still quite palatable, the service has fallen down a few notches. The soup and the gravy is usually dribbling down the edges of the dish. And despite its exclusive image, there is no linen, just tacky paper mats. And it's high time Sunita Pitambar's decor was redone. It looks as if some common garden chairs have been placed indoors. Nelson Wang has some serious thinking to do if he doesn't want to lose his clientele. Silver BellsIt's the Shamiana's silver anniversary on August 27. This 24-hour coffee shop remains the favourite with many for a quick snack at any time of the day. Often packed till the wee hours on weekends, Mumbai's all-night revellers can be spotted eating an early breakfast. Steaming coffee and hot waffles with chocolate saucu are a favourite here. Come the D-day, to celebrate their silver jubilee, the Taj Hotel will offer its customers hand-picked favourites over the years. There is a selection of continental food as well as desi favourites. But before that, they are having an Italian festival with a whole range of pastas full of Mediterranean spices. In fashion Promoting Indian fashion and holding fashion forum looks like the `in' thing to do at the moment. The pioneers in this movement were the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. Last year, they put India on the international fashion map by helping Indian designers go to the IGEDO Fair at Dussseldorf. It's that time of the year again and this time India is being represented by three designers. Among them is Wendell Rodricks, the Goa-based designer well known for his flowing western wear. The two models chosen from India - who will be draped in the collections of top European and German designers - are Jaesae Randhawa (returning for her third consecutive season in Germany) and newcomer Fleur Xavier.Close at their heels was the announcement that Elle magazine was going to host a fashion promotion week in Delhi, later this year. Now, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) is having a Men's Fashion Fair with the aim of showcasing menswear that is exported out of India, from underwear to formal wear. All of India's leading companies are expected to participate but there will be no representatives from our desi designer world. The AEPC felt that our haute couture designers are not geared up to take part in an exhibition of such mammoth proportions.Designer ladyBut it's not as if the world of haute couture is bereft. Or suffering from the equivalent of a writer's block. Clothes are being churned out before hanging space can be found for them. And contributing to this abundance is Krishna Mehta. She has just come out with her new semi-formal range of clothing. From cotton-silk and crepe kameezes to informal western wear for women, her new collection includes boxer shorts and pyjamas for men. She has already begun working on her formal range which should be on the racks of her Napean Sea road store soon. And if this is not enough, she is opening a store in New Delhi's Mehrauli, next month. Incidentally, the store is right next to Tarun Tahiliani's Ensemble also opening its doors to the capital, next month.Fashion flashMore news from the clothing world. The latest fashion event is the Clothing Manufacturers' Association of India (CMAI) fair from July 29 to August 01, 1997. The national body of the garment manufacturers of India with over 2,500 members all over the country, the 34th fair is expected to draw in 6,000 dealers from all over the world. The fashion show for this event will be choreographed by ramp model Achala Sachdev. And finally.IT was a timely week what with Chopard watches being launched and Corum announcing a special limited edition watch. But according to the latest buzz in town you can expect to see one more premium watch brand enter the market soon. Bulgari should be setting up shop some time in the near future. Obviously foreign watchmakers feel the time is ripe to be in India.
