The uber-rich are spending big bucks on branded items and going the green route is the new trend in homes

Weekly updates on the what’s new- yoga and spas, branded goods and lifestyle gadgets are up for grabs

The year 2007 draws to a close with the nova rich eager to spend mega bucks on branded products. Smart phones and fashionable attire rule the roost even as designers seek new avenue to show off their styles. Spas and yoga are the current trends raging in the lifestyle segment.

- Chillibreeze Business Research Team

What rules real estate?

Some of the most visible trends in the country’s booming market this year are: going green, bigger the better, low-cost housing and through the looking glass.

The real estate boom has been accelerating for some time now. Apartment blocks that meet every lifestyle aspiration, thousands of square feet commercial and retail complexes, malls, roads, SEZs and other large infrastructure projects have contributed to what is today.
December 29, 2007
Source: Business Standard

s.Oliver unveils its January Collection

s.Oliver, one of the largest European fashion brands, now in India has unveiled its January Collection. The Collection, available at the two exclusive s.Oliver brand stores in Delhi and Mumbai is dedicated to the urban city lifestyle.

The various segments of the Collection, namely QS by s.Oliver, s.Oliver Casual, Selection Men by s.Oliver & Anastacia by s.Oliver, along the men and women collections have been inspired by this feeling, and topped with their own brand identities.
December 28, 2007
Source: Moneycontrol.com

Smart phone, hip dress

Cheap is out as far as personal technology goes. 2007 saw the launch of several lifestyle gadgets and technologies that were lapped up by consumers who clearly overlooked the accompanying hefty price tags. Powerful iPod speakers or wireless music systems forayed ahead. Another technology that has found its way in is the global positioning system (GPS). Come 2008 and a booming demand for GPS devices will see a lot of people on our roads taking turn-by-turn instructions from their mobile phones or specialized gadgets.

Our fashion designers are at one of the most challenging crossroads ever. Though Indians are more aware of fashion than ever before, there are also more choices available to them.
December 28, 2007
Source: Business Standard

Designers step out of the closet

Fashion designers are stepping out of our closets and into our bedrooms! Designers, in a new form, are nudging the fashion movement in areas apart from clothes.

The news areas include bed linen, office formals, home linen lines and credit cards.
December 27, 2007
Source: Times of India

India's new rich love to spend freely

This is the season for noticeable expenditure. Christmas is conventionally the time when shoppers all over the world head for the stores to spend their hard-earned cash on presents for themselves and their families. And in India, it's no different.

Money is flowing in India these days, and branded goods are a requisite for many young professionals, who are keen to show off their nova wealth. But this carefree attitude to spending is a rather new experience for many Indians. This ability to spend at the drop of a hat is an extravagance that only the new generation of richer Indians can afford.
December 27, 2007
Source: BBC

Winter gets the wind of fashion fusion

Changing seasons bring varying fashion and more impressionable style trends with each passing year. Winter fashion has designs galore ranging from pashmina shawls, shrugs, leather driving gloves and cardi-wraps to black cashmere turtleneck, crisp white blouse, round-toed knee-length boots, denim skirts and finally Ts, all flood the market bearing vibrant hues of the fall.

Simply and indisputably, fashion is all in relation to natural attitude and body language being in sync with the outer attire. Even though, comfort plays the most significant factor, design, cuts, fabric texture, color, uniqueness and scores of other dynamics would inevitably creep in.
December 27, 2007
Source: Fibre2Fashion.com

Spa, yoga & chicken tikka adding value to brand India

Hotels have seized every possible avenue to add value and today spas are big business and no self-respecting hotel can afford to be without one. As people work harder and longer, they are more willing to pay to relax and de-stress. Spas are now among the most important hotel amenities and are credited with increased occupancy and customer spending.

An astounding amount is spent every year on yoga products. Yoga is a high-value brand platform drawing strength from Indian intellectual property. Another major revenue driver for the hotel is the food & beverages business. Consumption of Indian meals is also being engorged by the day. The piquant chicken-tikka-masala is one of the most popular national dishes.
December 25 2007
Source: Economic Times

Satya Paul's 'Pop Art' Collection

Satya Paul's 'Pop Art' Collection Fashion motivated by Contemporary Art - for Inspirational Series III was held in Mumbai. This was the third collection as a part of the inspirational series. Satya Paul in association with Chateau Indage uncorked the Pop Art collection at the ITC Grand Central.

The show was choreographed by Sharmilla Khanna, saw India's top models and Miss Earth Air 2007 - Pooja Chitgopekar walked the ramp to popular hits from the 80s and current Bollywood hits. The evening was just the perfect setting for a X' Mas eve party and was attended by Mumbai's glitterati.
December 25 2007
Source: Smashhits.com

The countdown begins

Having introduced some of the prettiest faces to the Indian entertainment and glamour industry over the years, this edition, the Pantaloons Femina Miss India South 2008, was no different. This is the first time this prestigious event was being held down south, which made this event that much more special.

In the first round, the beautiful ladies were attired in classic black cocktail dresses, specially designed by Pantaloons. In the second round, the contestants sashayed down the ramp unveiling the latest collection of Gitanjali Maya Gold, in association with the World Gold Council, designed especially for this prestigious pageant. They were flaunting stunningly beautiful Hyderabadi Zenana cult sarees, designed by the Hyderabad-based designer Shravan Kumar.
December 25 2007
Source: Smashhits.com