Archives: '12 Issue 02

When it comes to the everyday rituals of living, few cities in the world can beat Tokyo, writes Radhika Jha, who discovers the city’s elusive smell and revels in a bowl of what she has christened the Downtown Ice-cream Sundae

Indian cinema has proven with its recent offerings that it can confidently step up to the plate and serve style that matches the character and mood of the movie rather than cook up a half-baked stew of fashion and metre. As Verve pointed out last year, couture has found a definite place in Indian cinema, whether through a subtle pair of designer shades or through a statement handbag. The good news is high fashion isn’t being used as candy floss on the big screen – it’s playing a specific role. Costumiers are equally willing to turn to village threads for authenticity, or design garish, bordering-on-the-vulgar outfits for a real-life character, as they are to doll up their actors in an international label. While there may not be any path-breaking moves here, costume design 2011 has been authentic, stylish and character-oriented. It sets the stage to push the envelope further, away from the sensationalist and dysfunctional ensembles of the past. Verve picks out four movies that impressed with their true-to-the-grain styling, and Verve recreates these looks with young actors Sarah Jane Dias and Sahil Shroff

Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan, co-founders and creative directors of the luxury ethical fashion label, Beulah London, speak to Verve about their commitment to India as well as their royal clientele

Located across the iconic Qutub Minar, the well-appointed Circa 1193 satiates the palate and senses alike. Vidhur Parashar – one of the four partners of the popular restaurant – chats with Verve on what makes it a must-visit eatery in the capital

It’s when we forgo the retelling of our histories and let go of our safe perches that the most magic can happen. Sarita Mandanna urges us to stand on the edge of that lily pad, kick back our heels, take a leap of faith and soar

Director Aishwarya Dhanush’s show of intellect can easily be mistaken for arrogance and her husband and actor-singer Dhanush’s simplicity for ignorance. Interacting with the Kolaveri di couple, Verve finds them extremely warm and grounded!

Her first novel, a love story of epic dimensions, Tiger Hills, got the highest advance for a debut novelist in India and also made it to the long-list of the Man Asian Literary Prize two years ago. Sarita Mandanna interacts with Verve on how she writes about what she loves most

Growing up with the likes of actor Salman Khan, media personality Barkha Dutt, and author Vikram Seth, their sisters – Alvira Agnihotri, Bahar Dutt and Aradhana Seth – are women driven by their own visions and passions. Verve meets the feisty trio....

Blending distinct flavours together, Chefs Suresh Thampy and Arunava Mukherjee offer a taste of the high life while serving gourmet offerings with the super classy caviar and wine. Malvika Sah gets hungry as the top chefs cook up a storm and much more

An exhibition in Milan, Louis Vuitton: The Art of Fashion, flaunted and threw into renewed focus, the savoir faire of the House’s ready-to-wear collections and the meticulous care that goes into each creation