This just in! Antilla was all sparkle and stilettos yesterday as Mukesh and Nita Ambani threw a lavish bash to commemorate 25 years in Fashion for Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. But you wanna know the real dish? Apparently Mrs. Ambani is mega peeved that The Bombay Times reported the party was for the Bachchans! (I’m told a catty socialite spread that story.) *lol* cracks me up that these are the Page 3 war games – social subterfuge, no claws barred 🙂

On a less murky note, the gorgeous collectible called India Fantastique has been published by Thames & Hudson to honour Abu Sandeep’s massive 25 years in fashion and will be exclusively distributed by Roli Books in India.

Last night the guest list boasted India’s A-List, everyone from Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, Sussane Roshan, Gauri Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (sadly without Abhi and wearing too much make up, and yup you were right they definitely Photoshopped her big time for her new ad, sad), Shweta Bachchan Nanda (who everyone says looked amazing), Karan Johar, Kokilaben Ambani, Isha, Aakash and Anant Ambani, Amrita Singh and Sarah Ali Khan, Anjalie Tendulkar, Kangana Ranaut, Adhuna and Farhan Akhtar, Sonalie Bendre, Arjun and Meher Rampal, Tabu, Deepika Padukone, Kirron Kher, Dipti and Raj Salgaoncar, Shobhaa and Dilip De, Simmi Garewal, Pinky and Sanjay Reddy, Parmeshwar and Adi Godrej, Namrata Dutt, Priya Dutt, Rakesh and Pinky Roshan, Yash what-are-you-wearing Birla and Avanti, Kumaramanglam and Neerja Birla, Natasha and Adar Poonawala, Rukshana Eisa, Rita Dhody, Tanya and Arvind Dubash, Milind and Pooja Deora, Hema Malini, Madhuri Dikshit, Kapil Sibal and Kaajal Anand – to pretty much you name it!

Actually, I’m surprised the PR note left out the always-elegant Waheeda Rehmaan’s name, she’s a legend! The only major absence was Dimple Kapadia, perhaps not ready to socialise yet after Rajesh Khanna’s passing I’m guessing, otherwise she’s always by Jaya B’s side. As expected, the Ambani’s were epic hosts, greeting each guest personally in a house that exuded aromas of mogra and jasmine. In fact they gave each guest jasmine candles as a take home gift! Nice touch.

Can I just say the clothes the glitterati broke out for this occasion are seriously OUT of this world bling bling crash boom AND bang?! But that’s another blog altogether, so stay tuned…

See what I mean?! Meanwhile, I had to grin at the PR note that says, “Fantasy and Fabulosity were the key words…” no idea what that means, but it sounds amazing and hilarious at the same time, kinda like Yash Birla’s outfit. (By the way, where’s the magic carpet that goes with those pants YB?!) Seriously, sometimes my blog just writes itself.

But to be fair, they did have an original Fashion Theatre presentation (btw, those two words will forever remind me of Rohit Bal’s drunk debut in KJo’s production *lol*) showcasing beautiful couture creations by Abu and Sandeep interspersed with dance acts. Sara Ali Khan (Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s daughter) and Isha Ambani even modelled along with Anna Bredmeyer and Coleen Khan! Isha Ambani also did the intro culminating in the official book launch jointly by Amitabh Bachchan and Nita Ambani with Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.

I hear the designers got pretty emotional when they got up on stage to thank everyone and a choked up Sandeep actually couldn’t contain his tears as he gave his thanks, especially to to mom. *Awww* cute.

How Fatastique are we talking?

The book is a lush insight into the world of Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla, India’s most celebrated couturiers. The first volume displays dozens of the duo’s elegant designs, including close-ups of exquisitely crafted details. The second volume focuses on their extensive work in interior design. Written by Gayatri Sinha, one of India’s most reputed art critics, it features the photography of Ram Shergill (fashion and fashion detail) and Deidi Von Schaewen (interiors). All shot at the most exquisite locations from across the globe.

It is slated to become the fashion collectible of 2012. All for the bargain price of  7,995rs!

An exhibition of their work will be held at Sotheby’s, New Bond Street, London, from the 3rd to the 5th of September FYI, if you happen to be in the UK. That is to coincide with the launch of India Fantastique there by Dame Judi Dench and Amitabh Bachchan. in London. Designed to literally bring the volumes to life, the exhibition will be a 3-D showcase of their 25-year careers. This will be followed by a Paris launch in October 2012. Not to shabby, not to shabby at all.

Fashion people buy it, buy it now.

Photos by Yogen Shah for MissMalini