Smartbuy issue dated May 25, 2011

Smartbuy Business Line

G A D G E T S

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A U T O |

L U X U R Y

www.blsmartbuy.com

Korean superbikes?

Riding rhe Hyosung twins Page 8

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Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Top 5 cellphone cameras

WHAT’S HOT this week

Team Smartbuy Editorial Anushya Mamtora anushya@thehindu.co.in

Ketaki Bhojnagarwala ketaki@thehindu.co.in

Mahananda Bohidar mahananda@thehindu.co.in

S. Muralidhar muraliswami@thehindu.co.in

Design Bryan Gaughan aqua@thehindu.co.in

Balakrishnan designkbala@thehindu.co.in

Advertising Contact

Anywhere telly!

R. Diwakar ramdiwakar@thehindu.co.in

Web Advertising Contact N. Amarnath amarnath@thehindu.co.in Become a fan of our Facebook page: BL Smartbuy Follow us on Twitter

Slingbox

This nifty device allows you to stream content from your telly anywhere you go, provided you have a high-speed internet connection. Once the Slingbox is connected to your router and television, simply register online and stream instantly on to your phone, laptop or tablet. The PRO-HD version streams high-def videos, but there’s also a more affordable model.

Slingbox PRO-HD: Rs 14,999 (in pic) Slingbox 120: 7,999

Cover photo: S. Muralidhar

Rugged storage

Transcend StoreJet 25H3P This bright purple hard drive from Transcend is encased in an anti-shock silicone cover which protects it against falls.

With a storage capacity of 1TB, the drive is also bundled with Transcend Elite data management software which helps you keep your content organised and safe. USB 3.0 and transfer speeds of up to 90 Mbps make it idea for media-heavy files.

Rs 9,900

Smartbuy

Size doesn’t matter

Sony Xperia Mini Pro The credit card-sized Xperia X10 Mini Pro is a compact business smartphone which features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard with contoured keys. This smartie comes pre-loaded with Office Suite and McAfee, letting you manage documents easily and keep them secure.

You also have a 5-meg camera and 720p video recording apart from Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine that makes for a clearer display. The handset is powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and runs on Android Gingerbread (Ver 2.3).

To be announced

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May 25, 2011

Alluring luxe

TAG Heuer MERIDIIST Full Gold Black Lizard Designed with 18-carat rose gold and weighing 60 grams, the latest TAG Heuer MERDIIST handset is sheathed with black lizard leather on the back panel. The keypad is built with the signature black PVD, an extremely sleek and scratch-proof surface ďŹ nish. This exclusive design integrates an OLED display, protected by a sapphire crystal glass, which functions as a reversible clock and identiďŹ es incoming calls.

Rs 17,06,000

Comfortable clicking

This wireless Bluetooth mouse from Amkette is compatible even with tablets, and its 1600 dpi optical engine allows fast and precise movement. It works within a radius of up to 10 metres, and its comfortable arc shape offers superior grip. An intelligent sleep mode with on/off switch ensures longer battery life, which runs on 2 AAA batteries.

Rs 995

Bite-sized delight Creative

Zen Style M300

A mini candy-bar sized music player, the Zen Style M300 sports a 1.45-inch TFT screen with touch-sensitive control buttons. Equipped with Bluetooth 2.1 Wireless Connectivity and an FM Tuner, the player comes in 4GB and 8GB capabilities and comes in four different colours - red, yellow, white and black.

Rs 3,499 (4GB) Rs 4,999 (8GB)

Smartbuy

Amkette Pearl

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May 25, 2011

CAMERA review

Product photos: R. Ravindran Test photos: Ketaki Bhojnagarwala

Feature-packed compact Ketaki Bhojnagarwala he latest compact megazoom digicam from the PowerShot series, Canon’s SX230 HS aims to be an improvement from its predecessor, the SX210 HS launched last year. Although not much has changed in terms of appearance, this loaded digicam has a set of new features like CMOS sensor, in-built GPS tracker and full HD video recording.

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First glance Unlike the cameras in the IXUS series, which are both compact and sophisticated in design, the PowerShot cams are bulky and rugged. The SX230 comes with a motley array of controls, likened to what you’d see on a semiprofessional superzoom like the Nikon P500 we reviewed a couple of weeks ago. Although Canon has downsized on pixels; the SX210 was a 14-megger while the SX230 is only a 12; the sensor has been upgraded from CCD to CMOS. Basically, what this means is you get better shots in low light, and faster shooting. Don’t judge the cam solely by its pixel count, because that’s not the only indicator of good results.

The camera comes with a handy shooting mode dial,

which gives you quick access to P, S, A and M modes, as well as to Scenes, Effects, and a couple of frequently used modes like Portrait, Landscape and Kids & Pets. The clickable control wheel near the screen is devoid of markings, but these appear on the screen, allowing you to change focus mode (Manual, Normal, Macro) as well as exposure. There’s a handy recording button which lets you instantly turn on video mode. The camera has a popout flash on the top left hand side, which opens every time you start the camera. If you don’t want to use flash, you can just snap it back into place. Cleverly concealed in the side is a lid which opens to reveal a mini USB and mini HDMI port.

One of the best features of this camera is the 14x zoom lens (5-70mm). You can increase zoom further up to 4x digital zoom (which translates into approximately 56x zoom overall).

User Interface Usability wise, the SX230 seems easy enough to navigate around on the outset, but you do have to mess about with the controls a bit before you’re able to manoeuvre through the menu. Apart from the scene modes on the dial, there

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are a couple of others embedded in the menu, which include Panorama Stitch Assist, Foliage, Beach, Snow, Lowlight and Handheld NightScene. The Underwater mode can be used if you’ve got a waterproof cover for the camera. There’s a Smart Shutter mode which works for Smile Detection, and you can even adjust the mode to work as a self timer for Face Detection and Wink Detection.

Another turn of the dial will bring up the Effect mode, and we actually had a lot of fun using it. There’s a Fisheye effect, which you can tweak to increase or reduce intensity. Miniature, Poster and Toy Camera were some of the other effects that we played around with. The best part is that any of these Effects - apart from Toy Camera and Fisheye - can be used for movies, so we ended up with some cool looking videos.

Full HD video recording has become something of a pre-requisite in higher-end digicams, and the SX230 actually produced decent videos. The only problem we had was a bit of shake when we tried panning, but otherwise, you can get some good home videos with it. You can even take a Super Slow Motion movie for 30 seconds, which you can use to create dramatic clips. An interesting feature is

Movie Digest, which captures a few seconds of VGA quality video before you shoot each photo, and stitches them together to create a movie.

You get pretty much full manual control with this camera. You can easily adjust White Balance, Exposure, and ISO. Shutter speed can be changed from anywhere between 15 sec and 1/3200 sec. Aperture is f3.1 at the widest setting and can be brought down to f8. Flash output can also easily be changed.

Results With a compact digicam, it’s always easier to use the pre-installed modes that come with it, because it’s never really as intuitive for manual controls, unlike a DSLR. In good lighting, we got sharp images and natural colour reproduction. In low light, the photos displayed noise above ISO 200. We found that in Macro mode, the camera sometimes had difficulty focussing where we wanted it to.

Often, in bright sunlight, highlights appeared blown out and there was evidence of bleeding around the edges. At maximum zoom, there was exaggerated shake, although this is to be expected, but results also appeared washed out, and the images lacked detail and sharpness.

We got some really good results with the Colour Accent mode, which allows you to isolate a colour in a frame and portray the rest as black and white. The default setting is green, but you can change this in the options.

In Macro mode, you can focus up to 2cms away from your object. The camera is able to shoot at 8.1 shots/ sec, during high speed burst.

The in-built GPS functions to record your exact position via longitude or latitude. You can view these coordinates within the camera itself, or transfer them to your computer and use Canon’s Map Utility software to see them on a map. The software even logs your photos, so you can view

Camera has trouble focussing in the Macro mode

them like a route on a map.

Battery life is pretty good, requiring a charge only once every 3 days or so (in our case) with heavy usage.

Our Verdict The SX230 is definitely one of the better megazoom compacts available in the market. With a variety of Scene and

Fisheye effect can be increased for more distortion

<<< Also consider

Effect modes to choose from, it’s the perfect accessory to keep in your bag for anytime shooting.

Love: Interesting effects, flexible menu Hate: Bad performance in bright sunlight, noisy after ISO 200 Rs 20,995 ketaki@thehindu.co.in

Colour Accent Mode allows you to isolate a colour in the frame

Canon IXUS 115 HS

If bulky isn’t your style, you can always pick a camera from Canon’s IXUS range. The 115 HS is available in a number of eye catching colours. Unlike the SX230, this camera is both sleek and slim, so it can easily slip into your pocket. Minimal controls eliminate complicated navigating, The 4x zoom lens (4-20mm) retracts to gracefully form silver concentric circles which accentuate the camera’s minimalist design. Like the SX230, this camera too is a 12-megger, and is also capable of Full HD (1080p) recording.

You get pretty much the same offerings inside too – six Creative Filters (Toy Camera, Monochrome, Miniature, Super Vivid, Poster and Fisheye) and Movie Digest mode. Scene Modes include Portait, Kids & Pets, Smart Shutter. High-Speed Burst, Beach, Snow, among others. You also don’t have to miss out on the Colour Accent mode which we loved on the SX230. For manual functions, you get a program mode which allows you to tweak ISO, White Balance, Metering, etc. There’s also a simple slider switch to activate Auto mode, which lets the camera take care of all the settings.

At nearly half the price of the SX230, this is a good camera to consider if you don’t mind compromising on the zoom and more manual control.

Love: Compact design, feature packed Hate: Small zoom lens Rs 11,995 Smartbuy

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May 25, 2011

SNAZZY shooters

A lot more ‘cheese’!

Mahananda Bohidar oday, the largest selling category of cameras is the cell phone. Not surprising. It takes just one glance at Facebook to know how camera-obsessed the current generation is. And I’m not just talking about teenagers snapping photos of themselves and their friends. Moms and grandpas, activists and artists alike have taken to the mobile camera and are out to make the most of it. And let’s not forget, citizen journalism was effectively born thanks to the mobile camera. So here are a couple of options to help you pick your weapon of choice.

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Sony Xperia Arc This svelte entrant has more to boast than just its curvy body. Sony Xperia Arc is endowed with an 8.1-meg camera that gave us great results, no matter what we snapped, no matter where. The colours were bright and lively and the pictures sharp even in slightly low-lit surroundings. Not a surprise considering the fact that the company decided to rope in the Exmor R technology, previously limited to Sony Cyber-shot digicams and Handycams. You get three Capturing Modes – Normal, Scene recognition and Smile Detection. Under varied lighting conditions, the camera gave us really good results with excellent colour tones and crisp picture quality. The convenient ‘Touch Capture’ option makes the physical shutter redundant, letting you click by tapping on any part of the ‘Live view’ screen. The HD video recording too lives up to expectations and has a simplistic video editor that lets you snip the footage.

Apple iPhone 4

HTC Inc

LG Optimus 2X

Noki

Love: Excellent picture quality, Exmor R sensor Hate: Weirdly placed physical shutter, lack of editing options Rs 32,000

Apple iPhone 4 While we bite off our fingernails in anticipation of the iPhone 5, let’s consider its predecessor. Endowed with FaceTime and HDR capabilties, the Apple iPhone 4 has a 5-megger as its main (rear) camera with an LED flash.

The clicker has a built-in LED flash to deliver wellilluminated pics in a low-light ambience. Colours are usually slightly more saturated in most pictures, lending a certain vibrancy to the sharp, clear photographs. Helping you get closer to the subject is the 5x digital zoom and a tap on the screen lets you focus wherever you want. Of course, the front-facing camera, designed mainly for FaceTime, is a boon in disguise to us narcissists. You’d love flaunting the iPhone 4 while taking high-def videos (720p up to 30 fps) although you’ll need to fork out about $5 to download iMovie to give the budding film-maker in you a chance.

Love: Great colours, sharp images Hate: HDR isn’t always effective To be announced (in India)

credible S

ia N8

Nokia N8 More is better. It’s probably what the Finnish designers had in mind when integrating a whopping 12-megger in the Nokia N8. The company’s erstwhile flagship product (dethroned by the E7) might have received a lot of flak for the sluggish UI, but the camera was definitely one to behold. The clicker, being the company’s first 12-megger, did not disappoint by any measure. The Xenon flash lights up portraits quite nicely and the trademark Carl Zeiss optics retained amazing colour and sharpness. The camera comes with a variety of scene modes, and gives you manual options to adjust ISO, White Balance, Exposure, Contrast and Sharpness.

For those of you who are fans of capturing everything in motion right on their handset, the camera is also capable of taking great videos in 720p (25 fps) though the Xenon flash is rendered useless in this mode.

Love: 12-meg sensor, fun Photo/Video editor Hate: Inadequate zoom (2x for stills, 3x zoom for videos) Rs 26,259

HTC Incredible S

Sony Xperia Arc

Apps to up it!

Now that you have the best clicker in your pocket, here’s how you can make the most of it!

For the Apple fanboy Hipstamatic - A must-have if you love going down memory lane.

At just $1.99, Hipstamatic helps you lend the look, feel and fun of yesteryears’ plastic toy cameras.

ColorSplash - ColorSplash lets you choose a colour to be retained in the picture you are about to take and convert the rest of the background to B/W. So, imagine clicking the orange sun shying away behind the monochrome mountains or a pretty violet umbrella propped against the black and white door.

Doodle Cam - Cartoonise your real-time actions with this one.

Needless to say $0.99 is a small price to pay for an app that ensures you can add some life even to the drabbest videos that you can imagine.

Followers of the green robot PicSay - Apart from plain vanilla features like red-eye removal, colour-correction and sharpening, the PicSay, which comes for free, lets you unleash your creative side with painting tools, word balloons, stickers, distortions, cut-outs, special effects, and even an selective saturation tool that’ll give ColorSplash-like results.

Retro Camera - With Retro Camera you can take old-school pics with five cameras, five sets of vintage vignetting, film scratch & cross processing effects. Inspired by the old cameras whose iconic styles never fade away, this one comes for free.

FxCamera - Fx Camera lets you choose between six modes – ToyCam, Polandroid, Fisheye, SymmetriCam, Warhol and Normal - and gives you great results on all!

The HTC Inspire 4G, the latest from the Taiwanese manufacturer, has reviewers abroad gushing over its 8-meg clicker. However, back home, we only have the latest Desire Z and Incredible S to contend with. While we tested the former and got great results with its 5-megger, the latter easily trumps Desire Z’s dark-room skills. It’s natural to expect better photos with the 8megger in the Incredible S. You have the usual bunch of settings that comes with HTC Sense - vignette, depth of field, distortion, white balance, colour saturation and exposure among others. You can tap-to-focus during stills as well as videos, which you can record in 720p.

The clicker on the Incredible S also scores a point for its front-facing camera, a feature lacking in the Desire Z, but loses some as it won’t let you make video calls until you upgrade to Android 2.3. The dual-LED make for decent pictures even at night.

Love: Dual LED flash, sharp, colourful pictures Hate: Lacks dedicated macro mode Rs 28,900

LG Optimus 2X The world’s first smartphone to run on a dual-core processor, the LG Optimus 2X, also has a hefty 8-megger to add to its laurels. Images were super-sharp even when shot from a distance with colours not exactly jumping out of the screen but just a slightly-subdued version of the real-life counterpart. The camera has a very simple interface, geo-tagging, digital image stabilisation and the token bunch of features one can expect.

However, features like Face tracking, image stabilisation and shot modes like continuous, smile, out-of-focus, beauty, panorama, stitch and the like won’t be available when you are shooting with the front camera.

You have a 1.3-meg front-facing cam for video calls and not-so-flattering self-portraits. Videos can be recorded at a full-HD resolution and with an expandable memory up to 32GB, you can shoot all you want.

Love: Sharp images, lots of in-menu options Hate: Colours not too vivid, minimal post-processing software Rs 30,000 mahananda@thehindu.co.in

AUTO focus

The Chaebol strikes back

S. Muralidhar he Indian and Korean markets for motorcycles are like chalk and cheese. Yet, apparently there is a certain similarity in their marked preference this year for big bikes.

And while the Japanese super bike invasion is happening, simultaneously there is one Korean brand that is quietly attempting a comeback. The brand Hyosung is not new to Indian bikers; remember the 250cc bikes Comet and the Aquila that were brought here by Kinetic Motors?

This time around though, the comeback kid has grown up to fill out about 650 cubic centimeters.

The Hyosung bikes ST7 and GT650R have now been introduced by Garware Motors. And the company is positioning the Korean big bikes in the affordable luxury segment. Garware Motors expects all those aspirational buyers who can’t afford the Harleys and the big Jap superbikes to seek out the two Hyosung bikes instead.

So, how do the two bikes fare?

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Hyosung GT650R

brakes in the front and single disk two-piston caliper on the rear add to the aura of this sports machine. However, the steering head and instrument panel are rather simplistic and also seem to sport below average plastic quality in this class of bikes. The same can be said about the switches and knobs too. The paint job is excellent as is the quality of all the machined alloy sub-frames and foot pegs.

The GT650R’s four-stroke, DOHC eight-valve, V-twin 647 cc engine feels a little gruff initially. But it doesn’t let you down. Sporting a 90-degree configuration, the V-twin looks like it has been evolved from the smaller 250cc sibling we have seen before in Hyosung bikes. Even though engine misses out the heavy ‘vroom’ beat of a sports bike in the 560cc class, its peak power of 72.68 bhp and six-speed transmission manages to enable the rider to clock 100 kmph in just six seconds. However, manoeuvring this Korean sports bike at high speeds can be a bit taxing in very tight corners. But with a good riding posture, fairly wide and aerodynamic seating, and supported by an adjustable mono shock absorber the GT650R can be fairly engaging to ride on smooth, easy winding tarmac

On a scorching Friday afternoon, the gleaming, all-black Hyosung GT650R seemed to be waiting to be ridden.

Sporting a sinuous, classic sports bike design, the GT650R does have an air of familiarity about it. Some design lines seem to have been inspired by a few Suzuki bikes, a company with which Hyosung was originally associated with.

The GT650R is a looker though, and even toddlers in pull-ups will stop to drool over it. The stunning looks of the GT650R, including the sculpted 17-litre fuel tank, full fairing with a small but attractive sticker job and a muscled muffler, gives the feeling of ‘go fly’ like the motorcycle’s tagline itself. The headlights, windshield and adjustable mirrors fixed to the fairing give the GT an elegant look in front. The six-spoke wheels with hydraulic double disk

that you can find just outside most metros.

At 215 kgs, the GT650R is a fairly heavy bike and though the riding position is good, there is a considerable level of pressure the rider has to bring upon the handle to direct the bike at high speeds. Part of the reason is also the older tubular twin spar frame that has been adopted for this bike. The result is wrist and shoulder discomfort that may surface after long rides.

A thicker palm grip for the throttle would help the situation. Another thing to help reduce discomfort during long rides could be better heat dissipation. All V-twin engines tend to heat up, but the efficient dissipation keeps the engine within manageable levels. The GT650R has a water-cooled engine, but the vents and channels to direct heat away from the rider’s thighs may need to be better designed. A naked version of the GT650R is said to be under consideration, which may actually feel less hot under the seat, when launched.

The broad 160/60 tyres on the GT provide the required traction and grip to make sharp turns not end up as nightmares at three-digit speeds. The inverted telescopic forks provide adequate suspension in the front to handle hard bumps and speed breakers alike. Currently, the only player in the 650cc segment in the domestic market, the GT650R targets the ardent sports bike lover who can’t afford those seven-figure price tags for bikes above this segment. An affordable, performance motorcycle, this can be the dream machine for young speed lovers.

Hyosung ST7 To round-off its offering in the entry super bikes category, Garware Motors has paired the GT650R with the cruiser bike ST7.

The ST7’s comes across as a classic cruiser or chopper design – one that is more appealing to a slightly older, more laid-back rider. Featuring acres of chrome (a very

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Photos: S. Muralidhar

cruiser trait), the ST7 is ‘blingier’ than the GT650R. A round conventional headlamp, stout telescopic front forks, bowler-hat style mudguards, squat and fat fuel tank, twin chrome exhausts with cut-away ends and the classic wide rider seat in stitched leather are all classy cruiser features that the ST7 is endowed with.

A low-slung seating position and a fat rear-end that sports a 170/80 Shinko tyre add to the ST7’s cruiser feel.

The magical sensation of sitting astride a cruiser is best experienced when you hear the engine thrum and you grab the perfectly positioned handlebar. The ST7’s bar is shaped right and at the correct height too, though at the most ideal seating position, your hand will also have to be fully outstretched. If you stand 6 feet plus, the ST7 will provide the best ride posture. Minor modifications for shorter riders will help.

The ST7 sports a 678.2cc engine, which essentially uses the same basic architecture of the 90-degree V-twin in the GT650R. Reworked for the purpose of being mated to the cruiser riding style of the ST7, the fuel-injected, 8-valve engine now generates a peak power of 57.66 bhp at a lower 8,000 rpm. The peak torque of 57 Nm (compared to 60.7 Nm in the GT650R) is also available from a lower 6,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox.

Starting up the ST7 sounds a bit weak, compared to the rumble that you might expect from a bike in this class.

There will be the obvious comparison to the classic Harleys here. But, wring the throttle and after some quick power transfer to the rear wheel, thanks to the efficient belt-drive, the ST7’s exhaust opens up and slowly starts to resonate with a familiar cruiser note.

Talking of comparisons, there is also the inevitable design references that you’ll tend to make of the ST7 and the Harley Davidson Fat Boy. The ST7’s fuel-tank mounted chrome instrument cluster is an example.

The ride quality on the ST7 can be quite enjoyable even

for long distances, albeit at fairly relaxed speeds. The suspension has been tuned to perfection to suit a cruiser profile, with the rear hydraulic double shock absorbers offering a soft and pliant ride over rough patches. The pillion will be the most comfortable even at high speeds, because for the rider, handle bar vibrations at three-digit speeds may mar the experience a bit. Overall, the ST7 can provide a fairly sumptuous, yet affordable cruiser experience.

Bottomline The two Hyosung bikes are super bike wannabes that are being launched into a market that is already populated by the big daddies in the business. There are fewer compet-

itors now in the 650cc class, but there will be more soon.

In the meantime, Hyosung’s relative lack of brand appeal will have to be compensated by the VFM pricing. The GT650R is priced at Rs 4.75 lakh and the ST7 retails for Rs 5.69 lakh (both ex-showroom, Pune). The rated fuel efficiency is 24 kmpl and 28 kmpl for the ST7 and the GT650R respectively.

For both the bikes, there is room for improvement in refinement levels and perceived quality. But, there is certainly a feeling of getting onto a value for money super bike with both the ST7 and the GT650R. And if it is eyeballs that you are looking for, you’ll grab a lot of them.

(With inputs from Petlee Peter)

>> Clock-wise (from top-left) ST7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engine even features chrome cylinder heads Simplistic instrument cluster of the GT650R Attractive sticker job and decent paint ďŹ nish Embossed badge on the tank Classic cruiser-style on tank instrument cluster The belt drive in the ST7 The dual exhaust with cutaway ends in the ST7

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MELANGE luxury redefined

Fair-play

Hobo sighting

The Body Shop’s latest is a mind-boggling range of Moisture White Shiso products for a brighter and even complexion. Cleansing powder, serum, facial wash, mask and more, the range is available at its outlets.

Rs 1,045 to Rs 2,695

With oversized handwoven flap details, solid brass hardware and soft lamb leather crafting, this vertical ‘Ganga’ hobo, the newest from Hidesign can be your Bag Friday.

Available at its stores.

Rs 5,950

Depp lovers, over here!

If you are drooling over Captain Jack Sparrow, then this collection is a must-have.

Swarovski’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has some funky pendants, bracelets and rings. Head to its boutiques to inch closer to the Sparrow or Angelica look.

Rs 5,000 to Rs 9,750

‘Holly’day bags There’s nothing like slinging on a pastel pink tote or a lemon yellow box bag for that afternoon shopping indulgence. Lavie’s Holly collection treats you with some soothing summery hues.

Available at its stores in Mumbai.

Rs 1,840 onwards

Going nuts Feeling hydrated and fresh despite wearing foundation is now easy with Revlon’s ColorStay Aqua Mineral Makeup that claims to have the health benefits of coconut water. Add it to your summer purse by heading to select lifestyle and cosmetic stores.

Rs 1,150

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May 25, 2011

Gucci

Kazo

RUNWAY trends

Anushya Mamtora lvis Presley wore it with aplomb. The trademark white, the high-collared décolleté line, the jewelled patterns and gold link belt. Elvis’s jumpsuit started a trend of its own, springing up blingy versions for stage performances. Today, while men still sport it for sporting and adventure events, for the female fashonistas it has metamorphosed into a ramp favourite and a wardrobe staple.

Call it the all-in-one, romper or simply the jumpsuit, this one piece garment finds place in international fashion look books and has garnered quite a following.

Unlike other ensembles that get classified into a standard ‘look’, the jumpsuit can be anything from a lounge wear in printed cotton to a red carpet head-turner.

E

Take it easy The instant replacement to the good’ol tracks and tee is the even more comfy jumpsuit. Picking one in soft linen, spandex or cotton will stand you in good stead, especially, if you want something easy and quick to lounge around in. These casual jumpsuits, usually in a monochromatic pattern or in simple stripes or polka dots come with a drawstring and are best teamed with a pair of flip flops. They can be either flared or gathered at the feet. Some brands to look out for are Calvin Klein and French Connection, with its casual short and long versions. An ideal look we spotted is a purple kneelength strappy jumpsuit paired with black and orange strappy flats from Marc by Marc Jacob’s Resort 2011 collection.

If you want to upgrade the look to a sportier one, there are plenty of options in store too. Denim ones paired with belts and sneakers, khakhis with boots for the ‘Safari’ look… the sporty side can be pulled off anywhere. Interesting picks this season are Gucci’s patch pocket jumpsuits and Diane von Furstenberg’s black and white striped short number.

Then of course is the minimal look that is classy and blends well with fun day dos as well as cocktail evenings. Popular colours doing the rounds are nudes and greys, usually worn with similar colour pumps and minimal accessories.

Fashion takes a high jump

All dressed up As much as it can be a dress down, jumpsuits can also be a glamorous ensemble, when experimented with col-

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French Connection

our, material and styles. The romper, that has taken the fashion scene by storm in the last couple of years, is a short and shirt combo, slightly loose on top, with a drawstring or a belt to match. In bright colours, silks and shimmery fabrics, it’s a party favourite.

Bebe has an interesting collection of colourful rompers in their latest releases.

The draping of the jumpsuit also adds to the drama. Donna Karan and Stella McCartney have lovely flowy ones in black and Max Azria has chic green short ones in their 2011 creations. The ‘Suits’ style is also in, and is an ideal pick for formal events.

Yves Saint Laurent’s Resort 2011 shows a stunning red and black flared full-length, strapless jumpsuit, they term the ‘Red Carpet’ look. All these styles are best paired with stilettos or knee-length boots to up the ante.

The use of silk, satin and lace immediately takes the jumpsuit from casual to dressy, so does the use of colourful bright prints.

Is it on your shopping list yet?

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Calvin Klein

Etro

French Connection

anushya@thehindu.co.in

DINE in style

Italian flavours in Amchi-Mumbai Michael Swamy hite-washed walls that speak of Mediterranean influences, panels of coloured glass, immaculate white tablecloths and well-laid out tables – Vetro is steeped in Oberoi’s classic style, yet exudes its own, distinctive ambience. The latest addition in the new wing of The Oberoi, Mumbai, Vetro is a fine dining setup offering a traditional Italian experience with a gracious modern twist.

W First look

As I walked across the Italian marble floor, I watched the well-turned out staff greet visitors in crisp white uniforms that were reminiscent of restaurants in Europe. On my left was the ‘Enoteca’ (wine library), where 1,200 wine bottles from Piedmont to Fruilli, Toscana and Venetto, are encased in a glass panel. The library also permits guests to sample wines and make a selection for their meal.

There is a fine bar at one end, and the other houses an antipasti section where you can choose a combination of starters from smoked salmon, salads, cheeses, olives and a selection of breads. Bottles of marinades and pickles line the shelves and add to the Italian décor.

The menu The menu transports me to the quaint regions of Italy, where each locale’s cuisine is highlighted. The options are wide and tempting, ranging from pastas, to fish, to meats like duck, chicken, ham, and delicate sauces with hints of saffron and chilli, among many others. À la carte dishes range from Rs 400 for regular Italian fare to Rs 2,000 for exotic preparations like lobster and duck. The Mediterranean selection is at its best with a neat menu by Chef Vincenzo di Tuoro. Vetro is best enjoyed at a relaxed lunch; dinner would require prior reservations.

On my plate I began the meal with crisp loaves of bread drizzled with olive oil and vinegar from elegant bottles placed on the table. I also tried the eggplant dip which had a fine hint of chilli. To start off the mains, I ordered the Parmigiana, a

classic Italian dish. It is a simple and wholesome dish, consisting of layers of eggplant steak, tomato and mozzarella, baked and topped with basil foam. Savouring it, I could taste the contrasting sharp and sweet flavours, which were balanced by the firmness of cheese. Basil

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flavoured oil, tomato and cheese sauces were garnishes on the plate. The flavours were light, not too strong, and beautifully enhanced the dish.

Fine dining is all about technique, and cooking scallops is an art that not many restaurants can master. The panseared scallops with goats cheese and chilli mayonnaise were cooked just right. The cheese crouton and beetroot salad was an interesting combination. The same went for the pan-seared Red Snapper. Both the shellfish and the fish were cooked to perfection.

Many Italian dishes use a reduction of balsamic vinegar, wine and sugar, brought to a syrupy consistency. The drizzle on my plate was the perfect concoction, balancing the essence of the dish.

Every good Italian restaurant should be able to make good pasta. The tri-coloured red, green and white ravioli was stuffed with sautéed mushroom and garnished with a strand of fried pasta. The dish is made for drama, as hot flavoursome consommé (stock) was poured over it.

Another innovative dish that took my fancy was pasta made with squid ink cooked in a consommé and topped with mussels. It was served with a trio of sauce made with capsicum and had an interesting combination of flavours.

The crêpes stuffed with porcini mushrooms were delicious too. However, the couscous cake at the base had an almost squishy consistency, and wasn’t to my liking.

The one dish that truly captures the soul of Italian

BLING CORNER

In the ‘limelight’ Flashing gorgeous Limelight cocktail rings from Piaget, one will grab attention for sure.

This Lemon Fizz inspiration with a striking oval yellow quartz, emeralds, diamonds, red rubellite beads, and peridot is a stunner. Head to Piaget boutiques for more.

Drop by drop The evergreen tear drop springs up in Popley Eternal’s new collection in the form of these elegantly crafted ruby and diamond earrings. Available at its store in Mumbai.

desserts is the Tiramisu. If done well, it is truly delectable, with the egg custard, mascarpone cheese and sugar blended to perfection. It’s then set over a layer of biscuit that has been soaked in coffee liqueur and coated with a mist of cocoa powder. As each flavour, from bitter to sweet, permeates through the layers, it can often transport one to a level of ‘gourmandic’ ecstasy. Vetro serves its Tiramisu with a dollop of in-house ice-cream and sorbet made of passion fruit and vanilla.

Seated at the Chef’s Table I was given the honour of a sample menu and the Chef’s complete attention. The table was in front of a huge glass wall where I could watch the chefs at work before the dishes landed on my plate.

Attention to detail, plated food presentation and the flavours work in Vetro’s favour, making it an Italian restaurant of substance.

Where: Vetro, The Oberoi, Nariman Point, Mumbai

Blast from the past Zoya’s delicate ivory enamel jewellery with gold, diamonds, pearls and precious stones from the ‘Inheritance’ collection, gives you a whiff of past royalty. Available at its boutique in New Delhi.

Prices: Fixed meal for lunch Rs 1,500 per person; À la carte approximately Rs 3,000 per person (The author is a Cordon Bleu Chef, food stylist and writer) *All prices on request

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