It was at Aadar Jain and Alekha Advani’s wedding that I noticed Gautam Singhania wearing a Napoleonic coat which looked quite grand and I just had to ask him mid conversation where it was from. For the longest time I’ve wanted a Napoleonic coat of this kind for myself. I was certain it was some magnificent international brand. How we underestimate our own treasures! With some diffident pride Gautam shared that it was his new offering to the world of design. His team and he had come up with a collection of such flamboyant jackets and I should come over to see these exquisite creations. I was truly astounded. These would give many celebrated designers sleepless nights. Why didn’t the world know about these masterpieces?
As you know by now, I’ve been attending a slew of unending weddings and I would have absolutely slayed with these dramatic androgynous bandgalas. It was at that pivotal moment in discussion that we alighted upon the idea to host an event to introduce Mumbai to a grand art-like showing of the bandgalas.
The date selected proved to have some challenges what with Ramadan in full swing and a long weekend, where many of my regular friends were traveling. But I was determined that the show must go on! Some things simply cannot wait.
The grand art installation-like display and build up to the event was a ten-day run up of super excitement and joy with his stellar team and on D-Day we were counting down with unbridled anticipation.
Amruta Fadnavis, the First Lady of Maharashtra as I fondly refer to her, was one minute early for our six pm invite. She is one of my favorite guests for her affectionate interest in what is on display and her unwavering attention to conversation. In a world of attention deficit that is indeed a relief isn’t it? Gautam joined us and gave us a magical tour of each work of artistic embroidered bandgala on display and how it was conceptualized with meticulous planning and care. That was the only part of the evening that was chilled! After that guests poured in, in a continuous stream that I had no time to catch my breath. It’s a great compliment and joy to know that I have such loyal and encouraging friends who are there for all the happy times I celebrate.
The team at the Raymond flagship store were so seamlessly and supportively present throughout the evening that stretched into the wee hours of the night and I found that very reassuring. But the most graceful and warm was Gautam Singhania himself. So patient and welcoming to guests and indulgent with innumerable requests for photographs. He was definitely the star of the evening and looked every part of it in a red shirt with a Grecian print embellished ever so subtly and adroitly. Here I must quote my favorite director Madhur Bhandarkar who said “yeh collection toh Versace ka baap hai” – a testament to the collection’s extraordinary caliber.
Our friends loved the collection, posed with the displays, enjoyed the haute cuisine with veuve clicquot and exclusive single malts, chatted up a storm, gave video bytes on their thrill about the evening and the collection and delighted at the goody bags they received. Many of them were also very charmed by Gautam’s hospitality and generosity of spirit. I received innumerable compliments about my bandgala dress in a claret color embellished in gold. My next Nameet says is the coveted Napoleonic one – watch this space!
To most prejudiced impressions formed by biased media I have only this to say – silence does not mean weakness – it means strength. Gautam’s answer to all detractors and naysayers is his focused creative outpouring in his work, his resilience, talent, determination and passionate drive for his brand. True character speaks through action, not words.
The climactic moment for me on this evening was when I was recording a clip for some media – doing a mini chat with Gautam on camera – and asking him what led to this collection. As we ended this mini chat in the corner of the room, engrossed by the conversation, I was at once elated and astounded to see the entire room had collected around us applauding loudly at the mini chat we had had , absolutely unaware of every eye in the room focused on this spontaneous interaction!
The night ended at three thirty am with a finale sale of some ten shirts and four band galas by one shaukeen friend of mine. This of course was apart from so many enthralled friends swooping up choice picks from the collection. And then I went with a bestie to Trattoria to enjoy a smoked salmon and rucola pizza with skinny Cappuccinos and only managed to make it home by six thirty am. I must mention here that Mumbai is probably the only city in the world that can have a waiting list at a restaurant at 6 am. What with six am after party revellers crossing paths with Ramadan folk rushing to sehari! This glorious city, always alive, always buzzing with energy, never ceases to amaze me. And yes never sleeps too- Very much like me!
(Write to Nisha JamVwal at [email protected])
