ಮಾಜಿ ಸಿಎಂ ಎಚ್.ಡಿ. ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಅವರ ಮಗ ಹಾಗೂ ಮಾಜಿ ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ ಎಚ್.ಡಿ. ದೇವೇಗೌಡರ ಮೊಮ್ಮಗ ನಿಖಿಲ್ ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಚನ್ನಪಟ್ಟಣ ಉಪಚುನಾವಣೆಯ ಅಖಾಡ ಮಾಡು ಇಲ್ಲವೆ ಮಡಿ ಹೋರಾಟವಾಗಿದೆ. ಯಾಕಂದ್ರೆ ನಿಖಿಲ್ ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿಗೆ ಸಾಲು ಸಾಲು ಸೋಲುಗಳು ಎದುರಾಗಿದ್ದವು. ಈ ಸೋಲುಗಳಿಂದಾಗಿ ನಿಖಿಲ್ ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಅವರು ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ನೋವಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪರದಾಡಿದ್ದರು. ಹೀಗಿದ್ದಾಗಲೇ ಚನ್ನಪಟ್ಟಣ ಉಪಚುನಾವಣೆ ಎದುರಾಗಿದೆ!

Grey Goose Vive Le Voyage x Shantanu & Nikhil bring elegance to bartending

Nikhil Shetty, an expert in networking and distributed systems, speaks with SE radio's Kanchan Shringi about virtual private cloud (VPC) and related technologies. They explore how VPC relates to public cloud, private cloud, and virtual private networks (VPNs). The discussion delves into why VPC is fundamental to building on the cloud, as well as configuring a VPC, subnets, and the address space that can be assigned to the VPC. During this episode they look into route tables, network address translation, as well as security groups, network access control lists, and DNS. Finally, Nikhil helps compare VPC offerings from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).

Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, KP Singh, chairman emeritus at DLF, and Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, have been named on the 17th edition of Forbes Asia's Heroes of Philanthropy list released today.

Nikhil Kulkarni's work exemplifies metallurgy's crucial role in creating a sustainable future for the steel industry and construction sector.

Dr. Loka formulates and develops pharmaceutical drug products for clinical programs in his role with UPM Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Bhayani lends years of expertise to his work as a physician advisor with Texas Health Resources

She's sizzled on lists featuring the world's hottest women. So, when South African model-designer Gabriella Demetriades walks into The Daily, it's easy to figure why. There's no discernable make-up on her face; her slip dress is perfect to take her from day to evening. It's impossible to ignore Nikhil Thampi too, with his tall build and sunglasses in place. "You always wear amazing boots," he tells Demetriades. The two designers, known for their sexy western creations, slip into comfortable chatter.

Fashion designers Gabriella Demetriades (left) and Nikhil Thampi at The Daily Bar & Kitchen in Bandra. Pics/Sneha Kharabe

Sabhnani: What made you enter menswear?
Demetriades: Because no one's doing it! I am doing more of a casual daywear line that is unisex — jeans, tees and jackets.
Thampi: Menswear has evolved from what it was five years ago. Men are more experimental. I remember I had done cowl kurtas in my GenNext show; it wasn't big back then. Every top designer today is doing drapes for menswear. I thought, let's revisit it. Although, it is mostly Indian, nobody is doing predominantly western clothes. We thought of doing a small collection of eight looks to check the market. We have been flooded with offers. I never believed in celebrity showstoppers till today [Hrithik Roshan walked for his show].
Demetriades: It's amazing when they wear them as it goes viral. But then it depends on the celebrity too. As a foreigner, it was interesting to see that.
Thampi: We both owe a lot to celebrities; my career graph accelerated because of it. But it's important only if it translates into sales. A Deepika Padukone wearing an outfit is not as aspirational as Sonakshi Sinha or Kareena Kapoor wearing it, as they are full-bodied. Fashion weeks should focus only on design, not showstoppers.

Sabhnani: Speaking of model sizing, how did you shift from modeling to designing?
Demetriades: My family business involves textiles and haberdashery. My grandmother started it 50 years ago. My mother owns a small knitwear label in South Africa. The production capability there isn't amazing and we always thought of moving to India. We first came to India to look at production possibilities.
Thampi: Production is a nightmare in Mumbai. It costs half in Delhi or Kolkata. I cry every day due to bills and production issues.

Sabhnani: We have a long way to go, right?
Demetriades: It's very young. The Indian sensibility is conservative, so you have to tone it down. But it's a growing economy and there are risk-takers too.
Thampi: To survive, you have to be an all-rounder, especially a PR maestro.
Demetriades: Exactly. What's in the public eye becomes the identity of the brand. There's a big gap between lounge and high-end Indian wear — I can't buy a four-lakh gown for every occasion. There are no sexy/fun labels. The price point between $100 to $700 is massive in the West, and you can buy something beautiful.

The food arrives; Quinoa Salad and Champagne Mushroom Fricassee for Demetriades; Pollo Funghi e Jalapeno, Drunken Prawns and Banana Peanut Butter smoothie for Thampi.
Demetriades: This looks good! Avocuddle sounds cute [we ordered a blueberry avocado shake called Avocuddle].
Thampi: Food is my happy space. I eat everything; I can eat a human being!
Demetriades: That's mean! I gave up meat three months ago. But my family is Greek, so everything has lamb. They asked me, 'What are you going to eat!' When I watched the film Okja, I was in tears. And I was hosting people for dinner that day. When a pork dish was served, I thought, 'Oh god, I can't do it.' Since then I haven't had red meat or chicken.

Sabhnani: So, do you eat before shows?
Thampi: I can't eat anything, but I compensate after the show.
Demetriades: French fries. When I am stressed, I eat. When I am super happy, I don't. When I was in South Africa, I was 10 kilos lighter. It's very hardcore there. When I came to India, it was the opposite. People liked that I was curvy.
Thampi: She's so thin! It's a profession; you need to maintain yourself. But none of us would want to project our clothes on an extremely thin model.

Sabhnani: What do you like and hate about the industry?
Thampi: Nepotism. You pick up any magazine, and you'll spot the same five people, all over again. The same people are given awards every time. Move on!
Demetriades: Fashion and celebrities are a single entity in India. I don't think that just because you are a celebrity (Bollywood or cricket), you are fashionable. Also, there is hierarchy and power play in the industry, which is scary for newcomers and outsiders or foreigners like me.

Nikhil can be seen sitting down on one knee kissing his lady love’s hands as Pallavi smiles lovingly in the Instagram photo they posted.

Rotch Library - TD304.M86 A53 2017