nidhit, April 11, 2002 at 4:03:26 PM CEST

An afternoon with Shahab Durazi

THis is my favourite post because I am completely a clothes person. Shahab is one of the men I very strongly admire and whom I was thrilled to interview...

Also, this was the first time, I blew away my entire salary at one shot. A recklessness, I never though I was capable of.

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What does a girl do when she is down in the dumps. She shops. I did the same. Only that Saturday afternoon really tested my capabilities. Yes, after three months of "I've got to watch what I spend", I finally cut loose. The fights, the anger, the pain... everything was a blur as I found myself standing in Ensemble with Shahab Durazi's latest collection all around me. An Indian compared to Armani, I have looked longingly as a kid at pictures of his powder pink jackets and feminine suits. Mom had promised me one then.

The clothes were divine. Pale peach saris, grey and white pin tucked cholis, black jackets.... shimmer, crystals, french seams -- all flawlessly finished. In the next three hours, I blew up an entire month's salary on a jacket, trousers and a bustier. Three hours of wondering where I would wear it, my sensible side duelling with the impulsive one. Though, what I bought made me feel like a million dollars.

But the experience was maybe like that of Emma Harte in A Woman of Substance. Never thought I would identify so strongly with it, till a snooty sales girl at Ensemble asked me, "Maam, are you buying this?" pointing to a 4,000 odd bustier I was patiently clutching as I waited for someone to attend to me. "Are you going to pay for it?"

I could understand her impatience... anyone would. Standing in casuals amidst coiffured women sipping wine, caviar and smoked salmon, I don't think I looked like the buying kind. The impatience showed as she took my measurements. Suddenly I didn't just want the bustier. I added trousers, and a jacket.... and I bought it. No other designer might have helped me lossen my purse stringes so easily as SD.

Shama Makki helped me make up mind. Shahab's assistant, she pintucked the bustier, held the trouser till I could enjoy the feeling of owning one of his creations. We got talking about Shahab, the designer... and how the jacket was an investment. Then, I found that she was from Pune, knew mom.... and the world just seemed such a small place.

It was strange. To first feel alien in those surroundings, then to enjoy the thrill of owning a Shahab Durazi... and to ask myself wld i really wear it anywhere? Would it just lie in my closet waiting for an occasion... Well, I hope not!

Its tough to explain to Mom, Dad, and even Dheeraj what prompted me doing what I did. Maybe, sometimes, clothes speak another language. A very expensive, impulsive one in this case...

I might have to spend the next one month living on love and fresh air. But I don't regret my impulse. Surprises me, that somewhere along those piles of gadget brochures and evenings spent discussing finances.... there is still an impulsive woman in me. I thought my practical side had won. It hasn't:)

And I was a big girl now. I had bought myself my first Shahab Durazi... with hopefully many more to come!