Q: I've
always preferred solid colors to prints. But, since prints are
such a huge part of the fashion scene this summer, I feel I
should try a few. I don't want to go overboard. Any suggestions?
Ans: Start with an item
in a bold but simple print, then team it with something solid-colored.
For example, a white shell printed with a couple of black flowers,
worn with a black cardigan and pants. Or a red-and-white print
skirt teamed with a red sweater set. Such an outfit will give
you enough print to make you feel au courant, while the solid-colored
pieces will feel comfortably familiar. You can add multicolored
prints as you become accustomed to the jazzier look. Or you
could simply team your solid-colored clothes with accessories
-- scarves, handbags, shoes -- that feature prints.
Q: How do I prevent my
black cotton clothes from fading in the wash? Also, if they
do fade, is there any way to restore the intense black color?
Ans: The best way
to limit the amount of fading is to turn the clothes inside-out,
then wash them in cold water on a short, gentle cycle using
a mild detergent. The only drawback: If the clothes are really
dirty, the dirt will stay put, along with the dye. To restore
the color, use RIT dye, following the instructions on the box.
You may want to leave the clothes in the dye bath overnight,
weighing them down with something heavy so they dye evenly.
The dye will bleed a little during the first few washings. To
minimize this, run the clothes through the rinse cycle two or
three times before drying them. To clean the machine, add two
cups of bleach and run it through a complete cycle with an empty
load.
Q: My daughter is a keen
triathlete. I heard her talking about some new watch that uses
global- positioning technology to measure speed and distance.
I'd like to surprise her with this watch (provided it's not
too terribly expensive) for her birthday. Does this ring any
bells?
Ans: I don't know about
ringing bells, but the new Ironman Speed & Distance System
watch from Timex does a whole lot of other things. The watch
consists of two pieces: a GPS (global positioning system) receiver
and a watch/ monitor that
| are connected
by a radio signal. The receiver scans the skies for satellite
signals that pinpoint speed, distance and pace readings
to the watch in real time. Techno-buffs should love it.
The watch comes in 100-lap and 50-lap versions, selling
for $225 and $200 respectively at selected sports stores.
For more details, check the Timex Web site at
http://timex.co
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Bollywoods
Fashions
By Deepti Hajela
It was all about glitz and glamour as contemporary
Indian and Indian- inspired fashion went on display
at the Bollywood Fashion Awards.
The fashion awards were the brainchild of Sonia Dandona,
daughter of Kamal "Danny" Dandona, the man
who started The Bollywood Film Awards. Both events are
part of an annual celebration of Indian pop culture.
Bollywood is India's movie industry, the most prolific
in the world with several hundred releases every year.
Sonia Dandona said she started the fashion awards because
she was looking to highlight how accessible Indian fashion
was.
"I wanted to show that while people think of India
as this mysterious land, the people there have great
stuff going on that people here can relate to,"
the Columbia University graduate said.
Indian designers such as Tarun Tahiliani, Alia Khan
and Manish Malhotra, along with Indian-inspired designers
such as Maura Moynihan, daughter of former New York
Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and fashion maven Diane
von Furstenberg sent their creations down the runway
at the Bollywood Awards in late June.
Von Furstenberg, best known for her wrap dresses, also
won a lifetime achievement award.
The models were some of India's most well- known faces,
including John Abraham and Neha Dhupia, currently Miss
India. Eight awards were presented during the fashion
show, recognizing the top models and the most stylish
Indian film stars, as well as the most stylish Bollywood
film ("K3G").
Tahiliani, who won an award for designer of the year
at the show, said Indian fashion has changed dramatically
since his start in the business in 1987. In those days,
exposure to Western style was limited. "We were
pretty much cut off from the rest of the world,"
he said.
Since then, Indian designers and consumers have become
familiar with Western styles and aesthetics. Indian
clothes, the cuts, the forms, have been somewhat "shaped
by the styles and sensibilities of the West."
And the global audience has discovered an Indian fashion
sensibility that it can wear, he said.
"Indian designers aren't making fashion only for
the Indian market anymore," Dandona said. "They're
making it for the global market."
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