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High Fashion
Fragrance a la Fendi

by Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
The Parfumerie held a high tea party at the Trans-Asia hotel to launch the new Fendi perfume called ‘Theorama’ and to introduce the Essence of Life, a cologne for men. Specially out for the event was Michele Groziat from Italy. The launch was attended by a select band of women, and a scattering of men, among whom was Kumar de Silva having fun with Michele in a chatter of information, both in English and in French, when we gathered at this truly feminine fragrance in a warm feminine perfume,exotic and inebriating, that suggests sweet, sensual and contrasting emotions.

Theorama, we were told, is the idea of perfection, the beauty of universally harmonious form and content. Theorama is an enigma and to wear it is to accentuate one’s own personal magic.

In Life Essence, the fragrance is the same. It is said that it belongs to the olfactory family of woods and flowers, although in a lighter version.

Helping themselves to a sumptuous tea hosted by Manu and Reshmi Hudlani were elegantly clad women who earlier directed an avalanche of questions for Michele to answer.

For the afternoon Michele favoured a simple suit in a taupe toned linen, the jacket worn over a while silk blouse with only the collar showing.

In exotic contrast was Charmaine Karunaratne in a saree of white silk, with a narrow border in black patterned in a scroll design in mustard. The same border design made stripes on the ivory background, with motifs in the ochre in between. Her blouse was in black, and she wore a necklace of black enamel on dull gold.

Most unusual was the saree Jasmine Ashraff, the wife of the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Sri Lanka wore. The Dacca cotton saree in black had a knee high border in a black and white check, with the top edge of the fall and the pallu appliqued in a design of white flowers. A black blouse, black accessories and pearls completed the outfit.

Black and white was also the choice of Deepa Chatulani for her smart dress. Over the black and white check reminiscent of a tartan, Deepa wore a short jacket in white, the collar, hemline and sleeves trimmed in black.

A black skirt Dulmini teamed with a hip length top in a shirred white fabric, shashed at the waist, Rukmani Wijeratne had her flatteringly feminine trouser suit made of a crepe georgette in a fusion of colour ranging from mangoosteen to burgundy and fuschia, to wear with a lovely necklace of garnets.

The necklace of fine beads treadled on fine plastic wire, brought style to the black dress Yasmin Wickremasinghe wore.

The invitees were all given a gift of the perfume, a fifty litre bottle of Theorama for the women, and the Essence of Life for the men.

Paparozzi for Style

Talk of the town, and soon to be a top restaurant with an air of difference is the Paparazzi.

This newest addition to Duplication Road which is fast becoming the street full of places for eating out at, has an unique decor and an air of sophistication, with its newspaper plastered walls, white columns and red, black and white furniture and linen, and is quite startling in its impact.

The bar is in the form of a roll of film, and for the opening cocktail ceremony was a hive of activity. The Board of Directors of the Papparazzi, Oysten Ellingsen and Thilak Senaratne mingled with the many guests making sure the event was a resounding success and will linger in their memories, and the words of recommendation will soon turn this into the stylish place to be seen dining at.

The two wives of the directors, the one Maldivian and the other Sri Lankan set the pace for cocktail time elegance. Ifasha Ellingson wore a dress in a print of black swirls of design on a burgundy with shoe string straps. She had a gossamer black stole draped over her shoulders.

Shalini Senaratne, the Sri Lankan counterpart had her dress of black patterned in cornflower blue roses, outlined finely in white. Dainty blue sapphire and diamond pendant and little drop-earrings were her choice of ornament.

Soshana Wijeratne, Shio Siriwardena and Shyamala Fernando all opted for western clothes and styles. Soshana’s pale ice blue dress was simple and slim skirted, over which she wore a loosely flowing top which was long as the hemline of the gown. Pearls for ornaments and silver sequinned handbag and shoes completed the ensemble.

Shio had her skirt in fine pleats to wear with a knitted top with straps making the ideal foil to a glittering white stone necklace.

Shyamala’s dress was in a lovely shade of purple, simple in styling, she wore with delicate gold jewellery and gold accessories.

Saree wearer that caught our eye was Sonali Karunaratne. Her cobalt blue saree was shaded and the pallu was in the deeper ruched blue silk. The blouse which was in the deeper blue had the sleeves in the blue ruching. She too wore dainty gold jewellery.

The decor and interior were conceived by Thilak Senaratne and Dhiraj de Almeida.

The nonagenarian who blessed 1,000 new born babies

Ummu Waseela Careem, the nonagenarian with the golden voice has blessed over a 1000 new born babies at their christening reciting verses fr om the Holy Quran.

Ummu Waseela, who will be 100 years old next year with her two sisters, is responsible for establishing the Muslim Girls School Madarasathul Khairiya at Dematagoda, Colombo 9.

Ummu Waseela Careem (Oseelatha) was born on 1900, the daughter of Sulaiman Lebbe (Kaka leva) of Clifton Lane, Colombo 9. She hails from a distinguished Moor family of Dematagoda.

Since childhood Ummu Waseela Careem followed the footsteps of her beloved father, conducting Quranic classes at Galwatte of Maligakande Road, Colombo. He was also a well known priest and caretaker of the Clifton Lane, Thakkiya Mosque.

After the demise of their father, Ummu Waseela and her two sisters continued their father’s teaching of Holy Quran and Islamic Jurisprudence.

The three sisters shifted their premises from Galwatte to 219 Dematagoda Road, where they organised as a Madarasa.

Due to lack of accommodation, they shifted to No. 166, Dematagoda Road, and named their school Madarasathul Khairiya.

Due to financial difficulties, they handed over the Madarasa to a Board of Directors — Mr. M. H. Mahroof (Retired Dist. Judge), Mr. A. H. Macan Markar, Mr. M. M. Siddeek and Mr. Atha Thassim.

The Madarasa was established as a Muslim Girls School in Maradana. In 1961 for the first time a student sat for the GCE O/Level Examination. The first Principal of the school was Mrs. T. David followed by Mrs. Mariam Jayah.

Ummu Waseela Careem, the nonagenarian respected for her wisdom and discernment for recital of Moulood Sheriff, Thalaifathi, She is compiled a special Qasida for the Muslim children of the Colombo Central.

Further Ummu Waseela Careem has blessed more than 1000 new born babies by naming them after recitals of Thalaifathia and Qaseedaas. She is a household name many Muslim houses in Colombo.

Those born in Sagittarius (Dhanu)

Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac. The sign belongs to a most auspicious planet, Jupiter. Sagittarius is a duo and fiery sign. It is depicted by a bust of a bow man fixed on a horse’s body which reveals various characteristics. Therefore, those born in Sagittarius will be aggressive upon fair play.

In addition, they will have an inclusion for philosophy and occult studies. They can acquire great mastery in these subjects. Humane and somewhat impulsive, they are generally active and enterprising. They are of a phlegmatic temperament. They are prompt and uphold conservative views. They are sympathetic and loving, and possess good foresight. At times they are restless and over anxious. They are too callous and enthusiastic. They hate all external show.

They are god fearing, honest, humble and free from hypocrisy. They exercise spirit control over their meals and in regard to their relationship with opposite sex. They are prone to be misunderstood unintentionally by others.

Most favourable planets for them are Mars, Jupiter, Sun and Mercury. Sun and Mercury combination will confer best results for Sagittarians. It is a strong Raja Yoga for them. However, when Jupiter and Mercury are separately or jointly occupied, one of the houses first, fourth, seventh or tenth would cause for lethargic situations.

For the present they will have no problem. From November to mid December period will be good to some extent. December to February, position unlikely to be good. Since then mixed results will enjoy till June. From June 2000 there would be some change in wealth and residence. The position will depend in order to planetary position of one’s chart and rulership planets.— Sugathadasa Jayasekera.

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