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Designer Rahul Mishra, who created ripples in the fashion industry last year with his seamless creations has added another feather to his hat. He has been conferred the international designer of the year award by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) at their world convention held in Maastricht, Netherlands a couple of weeks ago.

Mishra beat 10 other designers from countries like Vietnam, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Taiwan, Turkey, Greece, Germany and Colombia to win the award. Says the jubilant designer, “I was the only designer from an Asian country.

This award is a ticket to the IAF show in 2009, where the heavyweights of fashion industry like Nike, Reebok, Fendi, Prada and other names would be a part.” The IAF is a global trade forum for clothing associations and companies.

The theme given to the participating designers was ‘Seizing the day, Crossing into night’. Mishra’s winning piece was a reversible dress comprising three garments and made from Kerala cottons and Benares brocades.

The jury comprised along with European experts Liesbeth in’t Hout, Dean, Amsterdam Fashion Institute and Angela Rumsey, Business Editor, WGSN Ltd; Meher Castelino, leading Indian fashion journalist. The designer feels this is one platform where the real business of fashion transpires.

“With due respect to all the fashion designers, I feel fashion should go to the masses and an association with global brands is a step in this direction.”.

The first day at WIFW gave us a glimpse of the trends that would be haute in the Spring/Summer 2009. We arrived at these trends by seeing the ‘Highest Common Factor’ in the collections showcased on Day1.

Ruffle Rage: These artful waves and curves or what is technically called Structural Ruffles was a favourite amongst most designers. Shine on Sequins: These new spring styles were spot on.

‘Shine on Baby’ seemed to be the loud message. It was a fresh switch from metallics.

Waist Matter: It was interesting to see everyone’s obsession with belts turn to more organic knots and ties. Cummerbunds, draped knots, corset belts and regular belts were omnipresent.

Divine Drapes: Jersey gowns, satin gowns, Empire-line dresses, Tent-shaped dresses with draped yoke were highly visible on the ramp. Floral Fantasy: Flowers ruled- from embroideries to structural ruffles, floral appliqu and #233; work to floral prints.

Most designers used flowers in one way or the other.

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma’s discovery Nisha aka Priyanka Kothari says she has learnt to enjoy the controversies that surround her because they are an intrinsic part of an actor’s career.

‘I don’t feel bad when my name figures in controversies. I didn’t do anything consciously to be a part of those controversies, but controversies surround me. Now, I enjoy controversies and look at their positive side,’ Nisha told IANS.

However, she doesn’t like it when she is romantically linked with her mentor Varma.

‘Don’t ascribe things that do not relate to me. Varmaji was only a director to me and I remained an actress of his films,’ Nisha said when asked about her present equations with the filmmaker.

Nisha debuted with a cameo in Varma’s ‘Sarkar’ followed by a full-fledged role in his crime thriller ‘James’. She also featured as Basanti in ‘Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag’, a remake of the 1975 hit ‘Sholay’.

She was also in the news for her skin show on screen, but the actress doesn’t regret it.

When her career didn’t take off in Bollywood, Nisha reverted to her original name Priyanka and moved down south. But her first Telugu film ‘Okka Magaadu’, in which she was paired with Balakrishna, bombed.

But the actress, still better known as Nisha, is happy because despite a bad start she is getting offers. She is working in a Telugu film and also signed a Kannada film ‘Raaj, the Showman’ in which she has teamed up with Kannada star Puneet Raj Kumar.

The actress has replaced glamorous actress Malavika in a bilingual film that will be made simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu.

Nisha is one more addition to the list of the not so successful Bollywood heroines who are making a splash in the South Indian film industry.

Currently, the actress is shooting for her debut Kannada film in Madikeri, 250 km from here.

Nisha may well take up some more offers down south, but reiterates that she would take up Kannada offers only after she completes her work in ‘Raaj, the Showman’.

‘I have worked in two schedules of the film so far in Bangalore and Mysore. We have now moved to Madikeri to shoot some songs. I am really enjoying the work here. Director Prem focuses more on details. And with a big star like Puneet Raj Kumar supporting me with the dialogues, I am really smiling all the time,’ said Nisha.

Asked about her decision to revert to her original name, she said: ‘My father suggested that I change by name. I decided to have my original name. After the name change, I am seeing a big turnaround in my career,’ she said.

Ranna Gill’s spring/summer ‘09 collection is vibrant and made out of fluid jersey. The kaftans, the knee-length dresses and maxi dresses have geometrical patterns in bright shades of jade, aqua, purple, orange and mustard.

The most significant element of Ranna’s designs is the modern embellishment that she has sparingly used on necklines, hems and bodices. Beads, sequins and threads adorn the garments.

Her thread work jackets and skirts are to look out for. Ranna’s mastery over colour-combos, prints and petit point embroideries promises nirvana to fashionistas.

The timeless enigmatic beauty Rekha who turns 54 on Friday still continues to mesmerize filmgoers and the industry with her glow and expressive eyes. Frequently described as ‘The Diva of Bollywood’ and throughout the 1970s till date she has been featured as a sex symbol in the Indian media.

Rekha was born in Chennai on October 10, 1954 to a renowned Tamil actor Gemini Ganeshan and Telgu actress Pushpavalli.

Life may not have changed that much for Victoria Beckham after moving base to Los Angeles, but one thing that certainly has altered in the singer’s life is her personal style - as she has started to wear flip-flops.

The former Spice Girl is known for her fixation with high heels, but ever since she has moved to Hollywood, she has started wearing more ‘practical’ footwear.

However, it has nothing to do with making another style statement-it’s all because she has to run around after her three sons at the city’s local tourist attractions.

“I have a pair of flip-flops now. I went to Disneyland and I was wearing the flip-flops with some baggy jeans from the new dVb men’s collection. I so rarely wear flat shoes and everyone went crazy, but the last time I went to Disneyland I wore heels and it was incredibly uncomfortable running around after the kids,” Contactmusic quoted her, as telling Glamour magazine.

She added: “I don’t own a pair of flat shoes. I don’t ever wear ballerina pumps, not my sort of thing.”

Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal spoke about his latest flick ‘EMI’ that deals with bank loan and credit card fraud in Mumbai.

The film is produced by Sunil Shetty and directed by Saurabh Kadra.

Actors Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Malaika Arora, Aashish Chaudhary, Neha Uberoi and Urmila Matondkar constitute star cast of the film.

Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal whose last films ‘Rock on’ and ‘Om Shanti Om’ have established him as a dependable actor at the box office said that story was film’s unique selling proposition.

“If you would ask me what is the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of ‘EMI’, I would say it’s the story. It is how a director has shown which is not so easy to portray on screen. When you have to pay an EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) it is not easy,” said Rampal.

‘EMI’ is a take on modern day India. It’s a narrative of interconnecting characters coming from different strata of the society. The story revolves around the lives of people who spend thoughtlessly and get into situations they do not anticipate.

Rampal further added that he always wanted to play a light character and the film has given him just the right opportunity to fulfill his dream.

“It was a great experience. I think it is a great film. I wanted to do a lighter character and it gave me an opportunity to do that and it has good music. I play a DJ (disc jockey)… it is a kind of comedy and it is also my fist film with Sanjay Dutt, so I was excited about that. It is popcorn entertainment. Sunil is a good friend and they had a really interesting script, which I think the people will relate to because of the kind of loans that they must have taken, and they have to pay EMI’s on it. So I think we all relate to the film,” said Rampal.

Chirantan Bhatt has scored the music of the movie, while Shakeel Azmi, Sarim Momin, Shabbir Ahmed and Hamza Faruqui have penned the lyrics of the film.

First he helped found the World Testicle Cooking Festival in his hometown south of Belgrade. Now Ljubomir Erovic is seeking to spread his enthusiasm for eating testicles in a new recipe book.

“I wanted to make something that we could be known by…to make a Serbian brand, not to be famous only for bombs, sanctions or corruption,” Erovic said at a friend’s inn in the wooded hills of central Serbia.

Rich in testosterone, the politely nicknamed “white kidneys” have been considered a strong aphrodisiac and in some countries are believed to cure impotence if eaten on a regular basis. Even the ancient Greeks believed that eating sheep’s testicles before battle made a man stronger, Erovic says.

“Testicles have been a delicacy in Serbia and elsewhere for as long as anyone can remember,” Erovic said. “The world had to be offered good balls.”

At the Gornji Milanovac’s testicle-eating festival each May, chefs come from Greece, Hungary, Finland, Norway and as far away as Australia to grill, goulash or make pies out of testicles from some 15 different types of animals, including bulls, pigs, sheep, horses, kangaroos and ostriches.

Erovic’s electronic cookbook subtitled “Cooking with Balls” offers suggestions on how to cook on a grill or stove with various spices such as fresh rosemary, yarrow, thyme and basil, grapes and wine. The book sells for about six pounds ($10).

For some recent visitors at a small cottage belonging to a friend Erovic prepared testicles in bechamel sauce and testicle goulash. He also played guitar and told stories to guests.

The sheep testicles were sliced and cooked together with liver, intestines and kidneys, a grass which he refused to name, fresh red grapes and dry white wine. The dish was rich in taste, compact in structure but softer than kidneys with a flavour that recalled venison.

He pointed out that no animals need to be killed to enjoy testicles and that farm animals are often castrated to improve growth anyway.

A medical equipment repairman during the week, Erovic works on weekends as a chef when guests seek out his cooking.

“It has to be well in advance,” he said. “It’s not easy to collect enough material for a meal.”

He also insists that good music and wine are key to enjoying the delicacy.

“I’ve always loved the unusual, strong things in life.”

Hollywood actress Pamela Anderson has revealed that she doesn’t intent to date good men, as she dreads ruining them.

The 41 year old who has earlier been married to bad boys Tommy Lee and Kid rock, says she would rather date bad boys.

“Bad boys just keep following me around. I think I’m stuck with Tommy,” The Sun quoted Pamela, as saying.

“To make it work, you have to allow freedom. Women accept friends as they are, but with men, we’re like: ‘Change!’ Nobody changes, but hopefully, we grow up,” she added.

Jackie Shroff was in Chandigarh on Saturday evening - to be part of golden boy Abhinav Bindra’s birthday celebrations. “It is Abhinav’s birthday and I am his father’s buddy.

Despite such a momentous achievement, he (Abhinav) is still so grounded and humble,” said Jackie. Jackie’s son, Jay, is also a National level basketball player.

Jackie nods, “I would love to watch him win gold for the country one day.” But isn’t Jay keen on doing films? “No and #8230;he is just 17 and it is too soon to decide.

But I would want him to be the next Abhinav Bindra for India,” he says. On his forthcoming projects, the actor says, “You will see me in Sai Baba, Kisan, Chehre and Ek Second (a thriller).

” Jackie, who’s shifting base from Mumbai to Khandala, because he wants to get away from the noise of the city and listen to the silence of the hills says, “I want to do my farming there and start an orphanage for children and a senior citizen’s home.”.