On Tuesday night, artist Jaideep Mehrotra's latest exhibition, Bookmarks, opened in high style. Maxtouch's Asim Ghosh hosted a wine and cheese party, held at the Jehangir Art Gallery. And the finest mix of Mumbai's culture vultures, literati and glitterati turned up. Seen with a glass of wine in one hand and a plate of fondue in the other, were art patrons Harsh Goenka and Dr Saryu Joshi. Also spotted chatting were some of the media's best dressed editors -- ELLE's Nirja Shah, Verve's Anuradha Mahindra and Interiors India's Neeru Nanda. Adding glamour to the event was Anna Bradmeyer, who looked completely stunning. Jaideep himself was clad in a simple kurta and his wife Seema wore a traditional sari. They played the perfect host and hostess, filling everyone's glass with wine--ensuring that everyone went home in really high spirits.

Back to bistro

The Fashion Bar may have been shut for about two weeks, but now that its doors are open, modelsare flocking to it with a vengeance. This Wednesday, some of the city's most glamourous babes met up at the Bistro. Spotted dining together were Sangeeta Chopra, Mehr Jesia, Alison Kanugo and Svetlana Casper. Later, these lovely ladies went upstairs to their favourite bar to catch up with other members from the glamour industry. The Bacardi blast was on, in full swing, with deejay Husain rocking the crowds to tunes from his new album. Swaying to his beat was actress-girlfriend Manisha Koirala, who seemed to be having a great time -- even though she appeared to be totally out of sync with the music. Also spotted there were photographer Sumeet Chopra, Sanjeev Chowdhury and singer Sanjay Maroo.

Given the surging crowds at the Bar, it was hard to believe that the place had just re-opened last Sunday. Most of the people there behaved like they had been there forever. Incidentally, a few changes have been made -- for the better. Apart from the new fixtures and fittings, everyone really seemed to appreciate thestronger ACs -- just in time for the December party crush.

Bal buzz

The Rohit Bal show is still the talk of the town with both models and fashion pundits. Not always for the right reason. For instance, did you know that the show used a whopping 38 models. Just about every model was there -- Sheetal Malhar, Nina Manuel, Madhu Sapre, Manpreet Brar, Noyonika Chatterjee, Jas Arora, Sayed Zulfi and Inder Sudan, to name a few. From Delhi there was even Simar Duggal who had been flown down for the show. It's strange that models need to be flown in to Mumbai -- that too from the capital. Considering that every time there is a fashion show in Delhi, our models are called to sashay down the ramp. But the reason is clear. Rohit's choreographers needed to get Delhi models to make up the numbers because they refused to use top models Marc Robinson and Achla Sachdev. Given that the two used to be regular fixtures in Gudda's shows more than a few eyebrows were raised. Delhi choreographers Asha and Vidhyun refusedto use Marc and Achla for their show as they felt since these models have also turned choreographers they would `steal' their ideas. Now, what ideas could Marc and Achla steal by being in the show -- it's not as if the Delhi choreographers are very original. And once the show is staged anyone can `steal' an idea. Perhaps Asha and Vidhyun are not aware of this. Anyway, our choreographers are more clued in. They are secure about their work and refuse to play politics. Please note that they have no problems using Achla and Marc -- and Marc and Achla use each other all the time. I mean, what could be better than a model who understands choreography. Delhi's glam business needs a serious dose of professionalism.

B on time

The other piece of gossip that has been top of the talk on the cocktail circuit is the Big B's late arrival for the Omega / Rohit Bal show. You all know that he and Jaya Bachchan were presented with Omega watches at the show. It is also well known that the show started late becauseAmitabh made a late appearance. In fact, the crowd was even more unforgiving because the Big B's punctuality is legendary. And everyone took the tardiness to be tantamount to disrespect. But give the man a break. We shouldn't be so quick to pass judgment -- Amitabh was really ill that day and had a hard time getting out of bed. How do you feel now? Did you know that this stickler for time kept calling the Omega head honchos every 15 minutes to apologise. He also insisted that they go ahead and start the show. But since he was the guest of honour for that evening, the Omega people made the call to wait. Now do you blame them? Or Mr B.

Designer brains

Shaina NC, one this city's leading designers, never misses a chance to do her bit for charity. So when a ladies social work organisation asked her to do a presentation on saris Shaina willingly took time off her busy schedule. Essentially a lec-dem of sorts, her task was to tell the attending women about sarees and their different drapes. And instead ofcalling the usual ramp models to sashyaing up and down her store, she asked the ladies themselves to wear her designs. And believe me, some of these women could really give one or two of our ramp models a run for their money. Anyway, Shaina's designs were a real hit with the ladies and several of them left only after they had placed an order with her.

Soul night

AD Singh is one man who is always in the news for his attempts to liven up the now dull nightlife of Mumbai. This time, he organised a jazz night at his rest-o-bar Soul Fry, in Bandra. This nightspot has become quite the most happening place in the 'burbs -- the ambience and food somehow make a perfect blend. And people from town are actually making the trek to eat here or just hang out. Anyway, last Tuesday, AD had organised a night of nostalgia with Jazzy Joe's Band. Among those spotted there -- sporting red ribbons as it was also World AIDs day -- were Suneeta Rao (who is currently rehearsing for Dalip Tahil's play Man of LaMancha -- the story of Don Quixote and his lively squire Sancho Panza), Sanjeev Chowdhury, the Canadian vice-consul who is always at every event that takes place in the city and Marc Robinson who was with his most-recent girlfriend Bollywood babe Preity Zinta. Manish Malhotra was seen talking to Manisha Koirala. And sisters Amrita and Malaika Arora came together. It seems that most people these days are really tuned into jazz.

New designs

Saturday night saw the launch of a new designer on the Mumbai horizon, Seema Roye. This Delhi-based designer already has a flourishing export business back home, and the urge to try out her label, Seema R, in Mumbai, seemed the next best option.

Her Winter/Fall collection, called Ecstacy, is marked by the extensive use of embroidery and Indian textures and colours. On the ramp, the clothes were donned by Rajlaxmi Khanvilkar, Nina Manuel, Rakshanda Khan, Fleur Xavier, Melody and Gladrags supermodel, Tora. With choreography by Vikram Phadnis andmusic by Razzberry Rhinocerous deejay, Manoj, the evening saw a total of 10 lines on display, the grand finale being the Bridal Trousseau collection.

Her lines are priced at an affordable Rs 2,000 to Rs 35,000. "I aim to be classy and affordable," she says.

And finally...

Vijay Mallya is probably the only man hosting a bash at the Turf Club this season -- what with extortion threats taking the pleasure out of the party. But his bash is not a wedding-related function. The beer baron is standing for the post of chairman for the Mahalaxmi race course. And the party was part of the run up to the election. He went all out to entertain the 1,500 guests he had invited. No expenses were spared -- he had entertainment provided by Shiamak Davar and Daler Mehendi. Rocking! The spread was one of the finest gastronomic delights this city has ever seen. Mallya's reputation as a legendary host is well deserved. No can can match his spirits, literally.