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Rubina A Khan
Journalist | Photographer | Transient Human
Rubina's Radar
Food | Travel
Realty | Art
Tag: Luxury
India Gets An Updated Model Tenancy Act 2019 | Gulf News
India's rental housing market, trammelled by archaic laws and ambiguity, is adapting to the pragmatic ameliorations outlined by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her inaugural Union Budget 2019 speech. Sitharaman's proposed regulations in the Indian realty market have since made way for the Model Tenancy Act 2019, drafted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, that addresses the relationship between the lessor and lessee realistically and fairly.
The new tenancy law limits the security deposit to two months' rent and lists heavy penalties for tenants overstaying and not adhering to the contractual terms of their rental agreements. An overstay will cost a tenant twice the rent for the first two months, that quadruples in the subsequent months. However, during such a period, the landlords are not allowed to cut off essential utilities like water and electricity. The Act also talks about creating special courts to deal with disputes between tenants and landlords and puts the obligation of carrying out repairs, maintenance and upkeep of the property like painting on the owner. While the landlord can't increase the rent during the middle of the tenancy contract, the tenant can't sublet the premises without prior consent of the owner. The Act aims to increase accountability in alignment with the government's equitable development plans in the housing sector. The Centre has left it to the states to implement the Act or to amend it in accordance with their existing rental laws.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link | Photo: Rubina A Khan
The Maharashtra government has decided to enact it for new constructions and introduce an amendment that protects properties governed by the Maharashtra Rent Control Act 1999. Landlords have domineered the rental business in India, and how, for far too long, especially in Mumbai, the only Indian city to feature in a top 20 list of expensive prime residential markets in the world recorded in Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2019. In Mumbai, a real estate agent's opening and closing has always been about what the owner wants, demands rather, barely skimming the surface of what a tenant wants, barring the monthly rent and astronomical security deposits. The broker is almost always submissive to an owner's preferences, despite the tenant being as much a paying customer as the landlord. This parti pris dynamic needs to change along with the Act towards a balanced equation between tenants and landlords. Tenants need to rent and owners need their money – it's a simple business deal and it's about time it's conducted like one.
The realty business in India is inescapably going to change with the Act, giving impetus to luxury rentals at the expense of buys. The biggest incentive in the rental sector is the security deposit being restricted to two months' rent, allowing a tenant to utilise and invest the money for herself/himself, rather than blocking it with a landlord that earns interest off it. The Mumbai rental market stands to gain the most from the new Act.
Luxury rentals are far more fiscally appealing and viable with the new Act coming into play than ever before. The Act increases the confidence and security for both, landlords and tenants, getting into rental agreements aligned with the new norms, leaving minimum room for legal discord. Landlords will have to desist from imposing delusional demands on a tenant like sky-high security deposits and maintenance of the property and tenants will be legally bound to pay the weighty fines for overstay and misuse of a rented property.
This feature first appeared in Gulf News on August 3, 2019
©Rubina A Khan 2019
RUBINA'S RADAR | A VERY FASHIONABLY YOURS APRIL
India's couturier extraordinaire, Sabyasachi's nonpareil fashion métier makes him an exalted being in the world of fashion. Today, the enviable designer ceases to be just about khaki, silks, embroidery, jewellery and his L'Oréal Paris x Sabyasachi Calcutta (a non-negotiable term when it came to his historic collaboration) makeup line. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, of the eponymous label Sabyasachi, is a vibe, and a very desired one at that.
NEW DELHI, NEW DELHI – MARCH 04: Indian fashion designer and couturier extraordinaire, Sabyasachi, opened his first flagship store in the capital, and his fourth in the country, spread over 13,500 square feet with two separate wings housing bespoke bridal wear, jewellery and accessories for women and men at Kutub Serai, Mehrauli on March 5, 2016 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Rubina A. Khan/Getty Images)
From Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma and cricketer Virat Kohli's wedding in Tuscany in 2017 to Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh's ceremonies in Lake Como in 2018 to Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' coupling in Jodhpur in 2018 to the Ambani twins – Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal in Udaipur in 2018 to Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta in Mumbai in 2019, the fashion artistry at all these extravagant weddings was designed and orchestrated by Sabyasachi. In a country where bridal wear, our equivalent of the West's haute couture, is of supreme importance when it comes to the big spend, all these celebrated brides and grooms from diverse worlds of film, sport, music and business wanted Sabyasachi to "do" their clothes and jewellery on their big day. And that's saying a lot because there certainly is no dearth of designers doing bridal collections in India. For someone who is on a no-sugar health plan, he sure is taking the biggest bite from giant wedding laddoos, India's sweetest business!
NEW DELHI, INDIA – MARCH 05: Indian fashion designer and couturier extraordinaire, Sabyasachi, opened his first flagship store in the capital, and his fourth in the country, spread over 13,500 square feet with two separate wings housing bespoke bridal wear, jewellery and accessories for women and men at Kutub Serai, Mehrauli on March 5, 2016 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Rubina A. Khan/Getty Images)
Sabyasachi celebrates 20 years of his fashion story this year, with Kashgaar Bazaar – a runway presentation, in collaboration with the world's most famous red-soled cobbler, Christian Louboutin on April 6th in Mumbai. The fashion extravaganza has international guests flying down especially for it and it's already blowing up everyone's minds with expectations of Sabyasachi's grandiloquent style. Mumbai's temperatures are soaring, but the anticipation of what Sabyasachi's bringing to the city in April is taking it to another level of fashion heat!
NEW DELHI, INDIA – JULY 29: Indian fashion designer and couturier, Sabyasachi checks in on models and last minute fittings just before his opening show for the Fashion Design Council of India's (FDCI) Amazon India Couture Week 2015. Sabyasachi and Lebanese shoe designer Christian Louboutin collaborated on the couture line together with his famous red-soled shoes adding glamour to the shimmering regality of the couturier's designs at the Taj Palace Hotel on July 29, 2015 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Rubina A. Khan/Getty Images)
Pharrell Williams makes the world a very happy place with his music, but he wants to make it happier with his fashion and design aesthete with a colourful collection for Parisian fashion house, Chanel. Williams is the first ever guest designer for the fashion house, having collaborated on it with the late Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's creative director for 36 years. It was Lagerfeld who named the collection Chanel Pharrell.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Pharrell Williams arrives at the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
To coincide with the launch at Chanel's flagship in Seoul, Korea on Friday, March 29, the Grammy winning artiste released a behind-the-scenes video of the collection. In it, the multihyphenate talks about gender-fluidity, meeting Karl Lagerfeld and the importance and influence of the number 5 in the collection as well as Akira and motorcycle gangs.
PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 05: A model walks the runway during the Chanel show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020 on March 5, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images)
Yellow bathrobes, brightly-colored hoodies and embroidered graffiti sweatshirts, terry-cloth bucket hats, sunglasses, T-shirts, opulent diamond jewellery and the double C bags make up the Chanel Pharrell collection, dedicated to both men and women. And, sneakers with hand-drawn text and doodles, but of course, and loafers and sliders. After the Seoul launch, the complete Chanel Pharrell collection releases worldwide on April 4.
A very fashionably yours April indeed!
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Shah Rukh Loves My Work The Most, Says Design Virtuoso Gauri Khan
Whilst her husband Shah Rukh Khan is the uncrowned king of Bollywood, Gauri Khan seems to have come into her own as a design virtuoso, befitting her status royale as the celluloid sovereign's wife. Gauri Khan Designs, her eponymous design studio, is headquartered in Mumbai, but her visual representational percipience is swiftly traversing worldwide.
Gauri Khan at Chivas 18 Alchemy in New Delhi
The modernist designer couldn't resist turning into an alchemist of sight at the second edition of the quintuple sensory Chivas 18 Alchemy experience in New Delhi, transforming the space with her definitive luxe aesthetic. As much as her husband is the alchemist of sound with his unequivocal eloquence, she seems to speak (the reluctant conversationalist that she is) through her alluring and arresting visual artistry. Khan makes for relaxed, affable company when she's talking business, but turns a deep, love blush when SRK Face Times her during our conversation. "It's Shah Rukh," she says, tossing her hair into place and arching her frame into a flattering angle to talk to him.
Rubina A Khan caught up with Gauri Khan in New Delhi for Gulf News tabloid!
You entered the world of design in 2011 and have been making enviable headway since designing homes, restaurants and pop-up events…
It wasn't a planned effort to get into interior design. I've been an artist all my life, in school and college, and even after I got married to Shah Rukh, I used to do a lot of charcoal paintings at home. There's a lot of connection to art in my life – I bought a lot of art and was intrigued by artists and read up on them extensively. Then I started designing my own home, Mannat, with my architect. A lot of people walked into the house and asked me to design for them. My friends, Yash and Avanti Birla opened Yantra about 15 years ago and they asked me at the time to join them and so did my friend, Kajal (Anand), as she knew I was passionate about art and design. But I wasn't ready for it. Then Sussanne (Khan) asked me to do a collection for her store launch. So, it's been a slow and steady pace for me into the world of design with friends.
What draws you to design – the creative pursuit of it or the final outcome?
Creating a first impression is what I set out to achieve when I start designing a space. Being creative and imaginative in my everyday life is tremendously exciting. All aspects of design, right from my drawing board to the actualization of it all enthralls me. When the thoughts in my headspace integrate seamlessly and are realized into tangible and tactile reality, from the inception stages to the final outcome, it gives me a great sense of accomplishment and it's the most wonderful feeling.
How did you turn into an alchemist of sight for Chivas 18 Alchemy?
Fashion designer Ashish Soni approached me with the idea to participate in the second edition of Chivas 18 Alchemy as the alchemist of the sense of sight as the concept is based on the five human senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Given that I love the creative space that Alchemy mounts their campaigns and the way they format and execute them with immense style and finesse, I was immediately attracted to it and now I'm an alchemist too! I added the touch of blue velvet drapes to turn the outdoor garden space of Alchemy into an indoor one, akin to a palatial living room. It was challenging, but it turned out rather fluid as the velvet lent an indoor vibe to the space and the artisanal glass bottle chandeliers, custom made especially for Alchemy, added the molten hue of inviting warmth. Lighting is the key to all my spaces. It's been a fantastic experience with Ashish, Pulkith and the Alchemy team and it was a joy to work with them. This is one of the best events I have attended and now, participated in, right from the venue to the scale and the exceptional invites… everything about it is extraordinarily stunning.
Gauri Khan at Chivas 18 Alchemy
Gauri Khan and Ashish N Soni at Chivas 18 Alchemy
Gauri Khan's artisanal chandeliers made from empty Chivas 18 bottles for Alchemy
What is the key component to the alchemy of sight?
The key component for me is when I design a space on paper. When the eye visualizes what can be, which then manifests into a real space – that's a visual delight for me. Subsequently, for it to then come to life exactly the way I envision it, to becoming the heart and soul of the design endeavor – that's the key to my alchemy of sight. What I did for Alchemy on paper, and to now see it come to life in this luxurious and seductive a manner, makes me extremely happy.
What is your signature design move?
It depends on the project really – if I'm doing a restaurant, a young boy's room, a nursery, a middle-aged couple's home – each space is different. But I make sure every space I design is warm, easy, inviting and comfortable. That's the quintessential design move that I adhere to in all my GKD work. I absolutely abhor cold, model homes.
How many hours do you work everyday?
I don't work all the time. It is an artistic pursuit wherein I can create anytime and anywhere, whether it's at home or at a site visit or a set. I spend a lot of time at home and I don't have any fixed hours or schedule per se. That's the beauty of my job.
Some Gauri Khan Designs' tips for homes?
When I am doing up a residence, I try to make the elements come together in such a way that the owners feel comfortable and at peace in their home. My design aesthetic is luxurious and glam as I love these aspects of good living, but that doesn't mean the home loses its warmth and comfort or that I'd put chandeliers in a baby's nursery.
a) Make any space your own, where you belong, with your own distinct individualism. It could be anything from lights to an art piece, something that tells the story of your personality.
b) Don't try to make a touch-me-not home where it becomes more like a museum and less of a warm, inviting home. When a home has super fancy elements with a trying-too-hard feel, the fear of disturbing the elements keeps you from enjoying the space and creates an uncomfortable aura in the home for you as well as your guests.
c) Luxurious and glamorous homes should be designed such that the owners should not find the comforts of their own homes even in luxury hotels. Despite all the luxe elements, the comfort of a home should never be compromised.
Who loves your work the most?
Shah Rukh loves my work the most. I have been attending award functions with him for 30 years and now, I've won my very first Excellence in Design Award this month; we both couldn't be happier.
What's the biggest love of your life?
Design is my biggest love! It consumes me.
What's your dream project?
My most exciting dream project is Karan Johar's new home. I've done the nursery for his kids and the terrace in his current home. Karan's always been my inspiration and he's been my support, in my personal and professional life, so I'm super excited to start this project. He's a creative being himself and when I create something for him, and he appreciates it, it makes me feel like I've got an 'A' in a school report card. It makes me very happy when Karan "approves" of my work.
Any plans of opening a store in Dubai?
Dubai is home to us and I love coming to our home in Dubai. I'm looking forward to bringing Gauri Khan Designs to Dubai very soon. It's already in the works.
This feature first appeared in Gulf News on 18 March, 2018
In A Goa Glam State Of Mind…
Rubina A Khan reviews the North and South of Goa and the beaches in between "in a glam state of mind…"
It's the last few days of 2016 and everyone's talking about New Year's Eve parties and where they'll be ushering in the first sunrise of 2017. But it's Goa with its warm sun, salty sea and shaken and stirred patterns in the sand, where the beach-erati are at this holiday season, bidding 2016 adieu with a beachy bang. Goa fulfills the three most sought–after F's of life – fun, food and fashion in a manner most susegad (living and enjoying life to the fullest with a relaxed attitude). And there's no celebratory time quite like Christmas and New Year's to be in Goa to make it a fiesta to remember. Here are the top five reasons to hit Goa, apart from its innumerable beach parties and music scene, from the North to its South to the beaches in between, making it an unrivaled party destination in India, every year, all year round:
GLAMOUROUS FUN: The opening of the first W hotel in India earlier this month, the W Goa in Vagator in North Goa, has flipped the olde Goan susegad mood board into a glamorously sassy one. W Goa is spread across 25 acres of luxuriant greens along the Arabian Sea, with unparalleled views of swaying coconut palms and the idyllic Vagator Beach shore from its elevated Rock Pool. The Goan red laterite stone is dominant in the hotel's contemporary architectural style with installation artist, Subodh Kerkar's art works from his Indigo and Chilli series occupying places of pride in the hotel's design métier.
Installation artist, Subdoh Kerkar's art from his Indigo series
But it's the W that shines bright like a gleaming diamond, at the entrance of the hotel, embodying its edgy and fashionable spirit that sets the tone of the heady times ahead.
The glamorous entrance of the W Goa
The Kitchen Table, an all-day diner overlooking the pool, serves the best Goan thali ever! The Bamboo Charcoal Prawn Tempura with Mango and Wasabi, a signature dish of Chef Tanveer Kwatra, Director of Cuisine, W Goa at Spice Traders, the hotel's Pan-Asian restaurant is just exquisite, as is the Baked Singapore Chilli Crab and the Tuna Truffle Tostadas with Caviar.
Baked Singapore Chilli Crab at Spice Traders
Bamboo Charcoal Prawn Tempura with Mango and Wasabi
The food at W Goa is exemplary in its distinctive tastes, flavours, finesse and technique and is poised to become a culinary haute spot in Goa very soon. The neon-hued WeeKids, a kids club, a first for the W globally, is immensely popular, almost as much as the music and DJ line-up at the Rock Pool bar. And what's a little glamour without some Bollywood thrown in? Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan and his family, were one of the very first guests' in residence during the W Goa's inaugural run in India. So, if you ever wanted to sleep in the same bed as Khan (without him in it, of course!) well, now you can in the W villa!
Amit Bhosale, owner W Goa and Salman Khan
EPICUREAN TRAILS: The culinary scene in Goa is as incredibly diverse as its people, not to mention addictive. There's no dearth of restaurants and bars in Goa, with world cuisine available right from a beach shack to a luxury hotel. The coolest places to hang out and actually eat in, rather than just be seen in, are undeniably Thalassa Greek Taverna (Greek / Mediterranean) on Small Vagator and Gunpowder The Peninsular Kitchen (South Indian) in Assagao. Eating here is akin to a food pilgrimage in Goa. Thalassa is always bustling with people, enjoying their Lamb Gyros, Feta Moussakas and Risotto Prawns, taking in the spectacular views from the restaurant, at any given time of the day or night. The blue and white Greek village environs add to the charm of Thalassa that entices you to eat (a lot!), laugh and shop without a care in the world. Gunpowder's cuisine ranges from flavours from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and even some parts of Maharashtra. From Syrian Christian Beef, Kerala Mutton Curry and Andhra Prawns to their famous fluffy Egg Appams to a South Indian must, a steaming plate of idlis with gunpowder, it's like a little bit of India on a very big, rotating plate. You might just run into Twinkle Khanna riding in on her yellow scooter here as it is one of her favourite restaurants in Goa.
FASHION: Fashion in Goa is refreshingly personal. It's you and your vibe, but a new outfit on New Years Eve is de rigeur, wherever you might be in the world. Fashion designer Malini Ramani's vibrant store in Calangute can help you get your Goa glam on with everything resort – from shimmering off shoulder dresses to feather flirt tops to sundresses to sequined shorts and bikinis. So whether you're going to a sundowner at the W Goa or a fireworks and bonfire NYE party on the beach, or just taking a selfie with a cow on the streets, you'll find something that works, and dazzles on you. Bold-hued outfits line the racks in Ramani's store, with a large black and white embellished artwork by her on the wall, that balances the color play, reflective of the designer's definitive sense of style, that is loved and worn by Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone, who makes her Hollywood debut in XXX: Return of Xander Cage with Vin Diesel in the new year.
Malini Ramani's store in Calangute | Photo: Rubina A Khan
RELAX: What's a holiday without a round of golf ala Rory Mcllroy on the Double T 9-hole golf course on the beautiful greens of the Lalit Golf and Spa Resort in South Goa or some good old soccer on the beach? Spread over 85 acres, the Baroque-Portuguese styled resort has an imposing hand-painted tile mosaic of Sao Rafael, the first Portuguese ship that landed in Goa, steered by Vasco De Gama to add to its cultural charm. With sweeping views of the Sahyadri mountain range, along the confluence of the Talpone river, the Lalit's manicured grounds are ideal to commune with yourself. If sport is your idea of a relaxing holiday with the family with your kids running wild, then the Lalit has everything from Lawn Tennis to Table Tennis, Squash, Volley Ball, Badminton, Cycling, Zorbing, Parasailing, Archery, Air Rifle Shooting to fuel your athletic side. And if you love spas, then Rejuve at the Lalit is an added must to your itinerary!
DETOX: The pursuit of a vibrant and energized spirit is on everyone's mind for the new year and the Detox Detour at the Alila Diwa Goa set amidst luxuriant rice plantations and mango, banyan and peepul trees, along Gonsua Beach in Majorda, South Goa offers just that. Just the idea of a detox detour is so appealing that it does not take any persuasion to check right in, straight into the serene and soothing environs of Spa Alila. Specially designed as 3,5,7,10 and 14 night packages right from a body composition analysis to holistic and ayurvedic treatments to nutritionally balanced meals, the Detox Detour at the Alila works at correcting imbalances and health deteriorations due to the stresses of modern living and enhancing your optimal wellness. After all the hedonistic partying and food indulgences during the holidays, Spa Alila's bespoke treatments infuse elements of Ayurveda, yoga, massage, fitness, hypnotherapy, pranic healing and nutrition to nourish and cleanse your mind, body and soul so you can take on 2017's exciting new adventures with renewed fervor.
There's a little bit of Goa for everyone, and in everyone's heart, and the glamorous new Goa is where it is all really at!
This feature first appeared in Gulf News on December 29, 2016
The Best Nightclubs In Dubai! #TGIT #DubaiWeekends
Rubina A Khan reviews Dubai's best nightclubs, "bedazzling nights on Sheikh Zayed Road or as I like to call it, the Party Mile in Dubai."
#TGIT is the Middle East's #TGIF when the weekend rolls into the week with a bedazzling glamour that is quintessentially Dubai on a Thursday evening. When you've been TGIF-ing all your life with #FridayFeels #Friyay and #Fridaze Instagram hashtags, it feels like you stole Friday a whole day ahead on a Thursday in Dubai, and it's thrilling. Maybe there should be a legit #ThrillingThursday hashtag for this part of the world as the #ThrowbackThursday hashtag seems redundant as you have to throw it all the way back, which is a little meh for now. The only shift here is that Sundays can NEVER feel like Mondays to me, but Thursdays are beginning to feel a lot like Fridays already. Convenient, right? I know!
It's another Thursday night and as the pop culturist in me acclimatizes (real easy, this!) to the new weekend style in Dubai – a country most contemporary, with its incomparable vision of the modern world. I have a huge favorite on its explosive night scene. There are nightclubs and then there's the Cavalli Club Dubai, ruling your nights and owning your days! The other favourites of mine are mostly on Sheikh Zayed Road, or as I like to call it, the Party Mile in Dubai:
CAVALLI CLUB DUBAI | THE FAIRMONT DUBAI
Cavalli Club Dubai | Photo: Rubina A Khan
This is undeniably the BEST nightclub in Dubai with its hedonistically dazzling interiors, replete with wild cats emblazoned on the doors of the lifts, designer Roberto Cavalli's inimitable animal design flair resonating through the space, the glimmering 'You are Gorgeous' powder rooms notwithstanding, and of course, the eponymous Roberto Cavalli Vodka cocktails. The Cavalli restaurant serves Italian and international culinary fare, and is set on three levels, where you can dine on Roberto Cavalli crockery and cutlery (but of course!) under the scintillating crystal chandeliers.
Cavalli is where elegance and sophistication turn into a sexy beast of glamour called the Cavalli Club run by the Pragma Group. The only way to describe a night at Cavalli is to call it legend 'cos it just is! Just last week, Drake hit up Cavalli on an extremely private visit to Dubai and it was unreal to dance to his tracks, especially One Dance, with him around! It just doesn't get better than this, does it? Not in Dubai! You'll only know when you dance to the last track of the night at 3AM and not want the music to stop, ever! Cavalli owns it with the best DJs and the greatest music lineup and is packed every night with the world's most glamourous people. Well, not all, but I believe everyone is beautiful from the inside. I love the music here and Cavalli just gets my vibe.
THE ACT DUBAI | SHANGRI-LA HOTEL
The Act | Photo: Rubina A Khan
The Act Dubai is an experience and I love it! The Act, created by New Yorker Simon Hammerstein, is located on the 42nd floor of the Shangri-La hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, making it the highest theatre venue in the world. The Act Dubai is akin to an artistic ménage à trios of fine dining, theatre and nightlife, in a space that sees risqué aerial theatrics right above your dinner table and looks just as effortlessly cool with a life size cutout of Kanye West on a hip hop night, amidst its Victorian decor. The Act Dubai serves serves Peruvian | Japanese fare for the dinner shows along with Pisco cocktails. There's a great Californian Rosé I discovered here. The spectacular performances at dinner are mesmerizing and will leave you looking up at the performers for most part of the night but it will be a crick in the neck that's definitely worth it!
VESNA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE | CONRAD DUBAI
Vesna | Photo: Rubina A Khan
Vesna is a contemporary Slavic restaurant and lounge at the Conrad Dubai Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road. Deep purple and fuchsia pink hues dominate the space, with extremely warm, not to mention beautiful Ukranian hostesses, adding glamour to the royal vibe it's shooting for, making the experience so intrinsically Ukranian you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd flown into the country for the night! Owned and operated by the Aston Restaurant Management Group, Vesna Dubai's Karaoke Nights are just so much fun, especially when you're singing your heart out on an Adele track, but not sounding even remotely like her! The singing and dancing (in all languages literally) start around 11PM, making it such a happy place, and go on till 3AM.
BILLIONAIRE MANSION | TAJ DUBAI
Billionaire Mansion | Photo: Rubina A Khan
Italian businessman and Formula 1 bossman Flavio Briatore's Billionaire Mansion, with its panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa, has Dubai entranced since it opened in April 2016 at the Taj Dubai hotel in the Business Bay area. The Mansion is spread out into five different venues – Sumosan – a Japanese restaurant, Billionaire Grill – an Italian restaurant, Karaoke Prive – a karaoke lounge, the nightclub and Diamond Kalian – a shisha terrace. The club pulsates with a thumping crowd and a busy bar every night and is a 'go-to' in Dubai with its varied dining and bar options, but I'm not so hot on the music at Billionaire, which I really think should be amped up, and fast.
I am sure I'll find many more favorites to add to my Dubai nightlife list, but Cavalli will always own it!
Love Fuels My Soul, Says Jewelry Designer & Photographer Nadine Kanso Of Bil Arabi
Nadine Kanso is not just an artistic being; she's a vibe. The sparkle to her vibe is as luminous as her incredible Bil Arabi jewelry designs, which I think are works of art. A celebrated photographer too, having exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the B21 Gallery in Dubai, Kanso was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon and lived in Canada and the Czech Republic after her marriage and has been living in Dubai for the last 16 years. She started her jewelry line with the idea of demystifying the presence or absence of a ring on a finger, that declared a marital or single status. And she chose to say it in Bil Arabi (which literally means In Arabic) with a handcrafted ring in 18K gold back in 2006 with a "noon" or "N" in the English language.
A proud Arab, the culture and heritage of her roots drove her to create a contemporary visual language for the world through her jewelry. An incarnation of the Emirati expression of endearment, Fdeytak, turned into a bangle studded with rubies, diamonds and emeralds that was auctioned off at Christie's Dubai. The Bil Arabi line today, a decade after its launch, includes rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants and cufflinks that draw on the inherent beauty, calligraphic shape and lyricism of the Arabic alphabet in Yellow, White and Rose gold, along with precious and semi-precious stones.
Rubina A Khan spoke to Nadine Kanso on a sun-dappled Sunday afternoon at her office in the Dubai Design District:
Are you the only jewelry designer in the world who does Arabic calligraphic designs on metal?
I was the first one to start the Arabic letter in jewelry and I have used words like Hubb which means Love and Bhibbak which means I Love You which no one had really used or done before. Designers had done non-religious verses, sayings and proverbs from the Arabic language, but not the Arabic letters. So I sort of dazzled it up with my designs and made the Arabic language more contemporary.
How did you decide upon this as a career?
I'm an artist photographer and I did a photo exhibition called Meen Ana which means Who I Am and it was about the Arab identity. This was it after the 9/11 when we were looked at and perceived in a bad way, which unfortunately, still stands today. I showcased people from the region from the Arab world in my photographs in a different way, with a different view. People from different backgrounds held up sentences in calligraphy that I wrote saying My Love is Arabic, My Language is Arabic, My Future is Arabic, Talk to me in Arabic with collages. A Saudi with blue eyes and blond hair was holding up a sign saying I Look Arab but don't judge us. So from here, I felt I needed to do something that is more spread out globally because photographs showcased in a gallery can only be viewed by a certain number of people and the reach is limited. I did cushions, scarves, teeshirts… and then I said to myself "why are we wearing Latin letters and not Arabic ones" and that's how the first "Noon" for Nadine started and Bil Arabi was born.
What about the Arabic script fascinates you the most?
I have nothing to do with religious stuff. I'm a proud Arab and I try to keep my work and designs related to our heritage, culture and our Arab roots and the language we speak. That is what is the most fascinating part to me. There are two ways to look two ways to look at my collection – you have some designs wherein I do my own calligraphy and then there's the classical font – I use both and people have appreciated both styles.
The City & Birds is a limited edition, 18K Gold Handcuff, made by Nadine Kanso for DRAK / Dubai Design Week 2015, reflecting the contrasting elements of Ras Al Khor, the oldest industrial area of Dubai and its flamingo reserve and the Burj Khalifa symbolising the concrete development in the country
What is the most unusual request you have received for a custom Bil Arabi design?(Laughs) A couple of words that are slightly risqué that were made into a pendant and a ring. And we did it in diamonds as well.
From making only rings, you now make all kinds of jewelry today. Is it both for men and women?
We just launched a men's line a year ago. It's a silver line, so the price point is different and it is more accessible. The font is designed by me and another designer from Milan, Italy who happens to be my cousin and it is more modern and contemporary. Even if you read and write Arabic or you don't, it's very difficult to make out that the font is in Arabic letters.
Where can one buy Bil Arabi?
Bil Arabi is mostly available in the GCC but I would say Dubai is the home and heart of Bil Arabi. This is where I live and this is where I started. It's available in Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales Dubai and Sauce which is the first store I started with and they promoted me so well and pushed me and were very supportive of the local talent. Then there is SAKS Bahrain, Eye Candy Oman and in Saudi Arabia, we do pop-ups and anywhere else in the world too.
An 18K gold handcuff designed by Nadine Kanso for DE.Fash.Struction 2015 (Telling Stories Through Fashion) outlining the UAE's rich pearl diving heritage, using deconstructed diving nose clips, UAE pearls and gold wires for the contemporary design called 'Taba' meaning dive in Arabic
What is the source of inspiration for your collections?
It is about being proud of who we are, today and yesterday, and I try to make the world look at us Arabs in a different way with everything I do.
An 18K Gold Evil Eye Handcuff from Bil Arabi
What makes you the happiest?
I find great joy in what I do and I love seeing my kids following their dreams.
What feeds your soul, to fuel your creative energy?
Love fuels my soul and creative energy. For me, the basic thing is to love life and to love everything you do. Love for me is very important, in all its forms. From loving a person to loving what I do, it all has to be very positive and fulfilling. This is where things come from and creativity comes. It's hard to be productive when you're sad, at least for me.
What about misery creating art and artists?
This is so typical, people thinking that you should not have money to be an artist or that you should be sad in order to be creative. I mean why? These are connotations that applied to artists a long time ago and they were right at the time, because they felt that way perhaps, and thats's what fueled their creativity, but that does not apply to everybody, especially today. I should not be begging on the streets to take a picture. Come on! In my photography, a lot of socio-political things form the base of what I do, but alongside that, there's always a twist of a hopeful future in all my work. In my black and white photo series, there was a splash of color somewhere in the picture which was my way of expressing that there was hope for a better future for Lebanon. You have to always hope, otherwise it does not happen.
Varun Bahl's Fantasy Bouquet Show At India Couture Week 2016
Varun Bahl has been showing at the Fashion Design Council of India's India Couture Week since its inception eight years ago with Sunil Sethi as the President of the council. Tonight, he shows his Fantasy Bouquet line at FDCI India Couture Week 2016.
Your show last year was spectacular. What is the theme of your couture line this year?
We have renewed our commitment to reinventing traditional Indian silhouettes for the contemporary woman with our India Couture Week 2016 collection and are showing almost 50 looks. Delicate floral motifs make a prominent appearance in the entire collection, with sophisticated colours, textures and patterns mixed with the intricate craftsmanship that our brand is well known for. Dainty vintage inspirations meet opulent baroque influences in this line, which has a hint of tropical motifs as well. The colour scheme is versatile and varied, and imitates a bouquet of flowers.
Whose show are you most looking forward to, apart from your own?
Each designer's creations are so unique that to differentiate and pick one would be an exercise in futility. What I look forward to most is the post-couture-week time, when I can enjoy looking at all the collections in detail and appreciate everyone's particular vision for the season.
Is there a celebrity walking for your show?
I feel a celebrity showstopper is not essential to a successful show, but I'm not averse to the idea either if it suits the concept of the collection. For this couture week, though, you'll have to wait and see.
What is the most challenging aspect of doing a couture show, aside from all the other preparations?
The modern Indian consumer is evolving. She is well aware, has ample global exposure, and is extremely quality-conscious. She is also one on the lookout for designs that seamlessly marry Indian heritage with an international sensibility. The real challenge is to appeal to her nuanced tastes. Another imposing challenge is to stay true to the craft in the face of growing commercialization.
You are largely known for your couture and bridal lines. Do you think bridal and couture and clearly demarcated in India?
One can't deny that the focus of the couture market in India is largely on bridal pieces — they are considered two sides of the same coin. That's mainly because the wedding market in the country is one that cannot be ignored. Moreover, since couture is associated with hefty price tags, people are more likely to purchase them for wedding festivities. While the trend of considering couture and bridal as synonymous is changing, it will take a while before the two are clearly distinguished. As a brand, we've been paving the way for couture to be embraced as part of one's daily wardrobe since the very beginning.
How many people pronounce couture right? Do you correct them, or you let it ride?
Almost everyone I meet can pronounce it right, but in case they can't, I prefer to let it go. Getting a pronunciation correct is not the foremost thing on everyone's agenda. Besides, they may be better than me at other things.
What is the most often repeated request for a Varun Bahl couture outfit?
There are many actually, like our sari-gown, our farshi-palazzo with a couture tunic, our anarkalis and of course, our haute couture saris.
What's your signature style that creeps up in every collection?
Our focus has always been to blend the classic with the contemporary, and the antique with the new. We are constantly reinventing traditional staples to keep them fresh for the non-conformist customer of today, but without diluting its traditional essence. Innovative use of fabrics and florals are also mainstays of all our collections.
What do you think makes your designs different from the others?
Our designs take global cues, but are not run-of-the-mill. They have a unique quality that makes the wearer stand out. We also believe in creating classics that will serve the wearer for years to come. We have stayed to true to our artistry even in the face of commercialization of the design business in India. Moreover, we introduced the concept of black and ivory bridal wear even when they were considered taboo colours in India. It may be de rigueur today, but we championed the concept when it was unheard of. Our treatment of the traditional embroidery crafts of India — like zardozi, aari, dabka, muqaish, chikan, etc — in contemporary motifs and colours is also our signature.
Varun Bahl's show is at 8pm on Saturday, July 23, at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi.
This feature first appeared in Gulf News on 22 July, 2016
Anita Dongre Makes Her India Couture Week 2016 Debut With Epic Love
India Couture Week 2016 kicks off in New Delhi today. You are debuting your couture line at ICW 2016 this year. Have you been doing couture all along in your career, as you are largely known for pret lines under various labels?
It is our debut at the India Couture Week this year. I started couture five years ago. I believe fashion should be affordable. Everybody deserves to own a label and our pret brands are doing just that. We are very excited to unveil the bridal couture collection in the capital at such a prestigious event on the fashion calendar. The Epic Love collection is inspired by Mughal gardens and architecture. Our muse, a young gypsy princess is free-spirited, yet embraces tradition in her own special way, much like young brides today who enjoy what they wear rather than being weighed down by it. Traditional silhouettes like the lehenga choli and saree are reinvented in contemporary and individualistic styling. We are exhibiting 55 pieces from our Epic Love line. Anita Dongre
India Couture Week showcases the most selective and the best talent that the fashion industry has to offer. ICW is the event that dictates the bridal couture trends for the season. It is exciting to see every designer's work because each one has put together his or her best creations of the season.
There is a lot of work that goes into putting a collection together for the ramp. The whole team works together on this. We have hundreds of people who are working very hard on the collection and the event. Coordinating with so many people is challenging, but it is all worth it in the end. For me, every show we do is exciting.
You are one of the most successful and popular designers in India, fiscally even more. How are you feeling right before your first couture show?
For me, every show we do is exciting.
Do you think the blurred lines between "couture" and "bridal" are becoming clearer over the years in India?
I think in India, couture means bridal. Weddings are when people look towards buying couture labels.
What has kept you busier – the production of the Kate Middleton Gulrukh dress or the couture line you are showing at ICW?
I know we have sold about a hundred pieces of the Gulrukh tunic dress after the Duchess of Cambridge wore it, and orders on that are still pouring in. I am in charge of the design process; my production team takes over from there. I am always busy with creating the next line, which is the bridal couture line of 2016 – Epic Love.
Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton in Anita Dongre's Gulrukh dress on her first trip to Mumbai, India | Getty Images
How much of a difference has the Duchess wearing one of your designs made to the Anita Dongre brand globally?
Of course, it is a matter of immense pride that I am the only designer who dressed the Duchess on her maiden visit to India. It was a wonderful experience for me personally; and the label made headlines across the world.
Anita Dongre's show is at 8.30pm on Thursday, July 21st, 2016 at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, India.
Tarun Tahiliani's Back At India Couture Week 2016 With The Last Dance Of The Courtesan Collection
July 19, 2016 March 21, 2019 2 Comments
India Couture Week last year was a fashion symphony extraordinaire, with Sabyasachi and Christian Louboutin taking collective bows amidst a bedazzled crowd of fashion forwards on opening night in New Delhi. The eclectic showing of couture by India's finest designers, was grandiloquent, with glamazons like Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty, Chitrangada Singh and Kangna Ranaut walking the ramp.
This year though, Sabyasachi will not be showing at India Couture Week 2016 and previewed his Firdaus line on Instagram on Monday, the 18th of July. But the week's schedule smacks of fashionable excitement as the ICW sees Anita Dongre, designer of the immensely popular Gulrukh tunic dress that Kate Middleton wore on her trip to India in March this year, making her couture line debut and Tarun Tahiliani returning to the week after a six year hiatus.
Two of Bollywood's most beautiful faces, Deepika Padukone and Fawad Khan are walking for Manish Malhotra who is kicking off the fashion extravaganza on July 20th at the Taj Palace Hotel, with a finale by Rohit Bal and the de riguer smattering of famous faces lending their celebrity to the runway for various designers.
Excerpts from the interview with Tarun Tahiliani ahead of his upcoming show on July 21st at India Couture Week 2016:
You are back at ICW after 6 years since it shifted to New Delhi. What made you participate in the ICW this year and what is your couture line all about?
Yes, I am. I am not sure if ICW was ever in Bombay, it is just that I had started with India Bridal Week, and so I stayed with the platform that I had started out with. However, over time I felt that India Couture Week being officially backed by the FDCI was the correct one to be involved with and it happens at a consistent time and at a consistent location, with a degree of professionalism that I have come to expect at the FDCI events so, it made sense for us to switch back since we are a Delhi based design house. We are very happy to be back and looking forward to having our first show with ICW next Thursday.
How many pieces are you showing?
We are exhibiting 28 couture pieces and 16 couture bespoke pieces for men as well from our Last Dance of the Courtesan collection. In addition, we will show the Ready-To-Wear bridal lehengas which will come out in a separate section and are styled to look different, as we do not have a separate platform for the RTW Bridal. We understand that couture is very linked to Bridal in this country. In view of that we are doing it in this manner.
Apart from my own show, I am most looking forward to seeing Anamika Khanna's show, who is a friend and colleague. I don't think will have time to watch the other shows because I am travelling thereafter. I am sure there will be a wonderful standard in many shows this season. It's been a long, slow summer and people have had lots of time in their workshops.
Last Dance of the Courtesan India Couture Week 2016 collection
No, there is no celebrity walking for us. We have tried the trick and it gets us tremendous eyeballs, but unfortunately, that's all that's talked about. We'd much rather have the star of a couture show be the clothes themselves with people noticing the finesse, fit and the embroidery on them. It is very easy to fall into the celebrity trap and we are trying to resist that for as long as we can because honestly, it's better for the reportage of the clothes if they are the real stars as they should be. Too often, I have seen very mediocre clothes get a lot of splash because it's been worn by, let's say Kareena Kapoor, and I don't think that's what we want to be associated with.
What is the most challenging aspect of doing a couture show?
The beauty about couture is that it is made to particular bodies and for a show, you get your models at the very last minute in a way, although you do fittings, it is not pushing the envelope as much as one could normally have had one got one the models right from the start. To me, that is always the greatest challenge and how to differentiate the couture and RTW shows, besides the costs, price ranges and the finesse of the embroidery and the quality of materials we use.
Describe how you are feeling right this moment, despite the vast experience of being one of the most legendary and reputed designers the Indian fashion industry has ever seen?
I would be lying if I said I am not a bit nervous, I am actually very nervous. I have got a lot riding on the show and I worked on it the whole summer, and we have 25 minutes to show the line, so I am very concerned about all the components coming together to portray it exactly as I see it in my head.
Do you think the blurred lines between "couture" and "bridal" are becoming clearer over the years, or does most of the fashionable populace think they are one and the same in India?
I think that's one of the best questions I have heard. The lines between couture and bridal are becoming completely blurred because the only time people really indulge in couture without even realizing it is during weddings. Most people think that if something is expensive, it is couture. It could be entirely machine-embroidered or machine-stitched and they still think it is couture. They don't understand that it's a bespoke experience, designed to mould to every body. We are probably the only design house that has a separate couture studio, though we think it might be time to merge the two now. I am not sure whether the fashion conscious want the same thing, but they don't have a specific regard for handmade v/s machine made and I think the designers who don't do a special couture line have used this to their advantage to keep propagating the myth that it is the same thing. The fact is that it is not.
How many people pronounce couture right?
Most people can't pronounce the word couture correctly. If it is relevant, we try and teach them the correct pronunciation but there are many who will never get it because phonetically they can't say certain things, and it is okay if we call it what it is as long as we understand what it is and uphold the standards in every which way, namely, in the fit and on the quality of the garments, I think that is more important than how it is pronounced.
Tarun Tahiliani's show is at 9.30pm on Thursday, July 21st, 2016 at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, India.
From Couture To Carats, Bibhu Mohapatra Designs His First Jewelry Line, Artemis For Forevermark India
May 25, 2016 July 11, 2017 Leave a comment
Each season, New York based, Indian fashion designer, Bibhu Mohapatra's collections play out a new, olde world story on the runway, a historical throwback to some of the most fascinating men and women that ever lived, and this year is no different.
Fern Mallis with fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra
Annemarie Schwarzenbach, a journalist and photographer in Europe during the 30s fueled his Bauhaus inspired SS 16 line and the audacious Empress Dowager Cixi, a concubine of Emperor Xianfeng, who went on to become a ruler of the Chinese Qing dynasty, his Fall RTW16 collection with dominant hues of red, at New York Fashion Week in February this year. He couldn't be more paradoxical in his design approach, elegantly consummating the past with the contemporary, with the visual flourish of an artist. What made him embody the spirit of Empress Dowager Cixi in his collection this time around? "Courage and confidence are the two qualities that I admire the most in people. My muses always have these qualities in common and Empress Cixi was a dreamer. With her focus and perseverance, she went from being a young concubine to a ruler of the Chinese empire for half a century. My clothes, inspired by her, are meant to bring out those qualities in women and empower them," said Mohapatra of his current muse.
Mohapatra is not the biggest name in the fashion business, yet, or the go-to designer for the coveted Met Gala or the Cannes red carpet photo-ops, but his designs are worn by some of the most influential and ingenious women in the world – the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Priyanka Chopra, New York Fashion Week creator, Fern Mallis and the stunning model du jour, Kendall Jenner. It is an incredible triumph for his young eponymous fashion label that launched its first collection in Fall 2009.
Kendall Jenner in a Bibhu Mohapatra outfit (2015) Picture Credit Unknown
From dreaming up fashion runways in his hometown Rourkela, in Odisha, India, to designing for Halston and J Mendel, his Economics degree from Utah turning fashionably expendable in the interim, to settling down in New York with his own atelier in the Garment District, Mohapatra's heart is "most humbled and gratified" with the distinguished set wearing his designs. Interestingly, it was fashion connoisseur Fern Mallis and author of Fashion Lives – Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis, who suggested his name to Michelle Obama's stylist when they were exploring young, new designers, making the initial connection for Mohapatra, and that's how the most famous woman in the free world came to wearing, and loving his designs. "I love Fern! She is one of my closest friends and a huge supporter," said Mohapatra, who recently launched a jewelry line, his first, in collaboration with Forevermark India called Artemis in Mumbai.
A piece from Bibhu Mohapatra's Artemis line
Mohapatra is ecstatic about this new creative dimension his design sense is roused by. He finds designing for both, couture and carats, "very different, with the only similarity designing for both being the ultimate target consumer who wants the same finesse, style and quality in the fine jewellery that is intrinsic to the garments I design. I have always dreamt of working with diamonds and designing a fine jewellery collection and this collaboration came about from a casual meet and greet with the Forevermark team in India about two years ago. So, before I actually got around to discussing this opportunity with the Forevermark team, I was reassured by the brand about the responsible sourcing of its diamonds, which was one of the most important and key deciding factors for our collaboration. It took more than a year to put the Artemis collection together and we have about 35 pieces in all and the collection is growing."
Is the Artemis line an extension of his creative pursuits as a women's wear designer? "Artemis is an extension of my brand as a lifestyle brand. When I had my first meeting with the Forevermark team, it became apparent to me that not only will I get to work with the finest of diamonds to create some unique pieces, but I will also get the opportunity to create something that will be available to a broader clientele, rather than just to a select few. Artemis is a collection of iconic pieces that are eternal. The sun, the moon and the stars play a powerful role in our lives and our loves and all creations in the world. For over 5,000 years, Vedic Astrology has provided a method of understanding the compatibility of couples. I have combined the forms and phases of the sun, moon and the stars to create a sensual, romantic line that brilliantly comes to life in the Artemis collection. The different shades of gold represent the sun, the moon and the stars and the Forevermark diamond at the heart of this collection embodies all the closely held secrets of the universe. The muse of this collection is someone who is well exposed to the world and appreciates the craft of fine jewelry and believes that these pieces are not merely for decoration; but that they represent a state of lives together."
There is almost always a celebratory female power, barring the odd male, in the characters Mohapatra picks out from historical archives for his mood board that resonate in his arresting, structured designs that stems from a deeply personal, feminine chord. "I have been shaped by women in my life, namely my (late) mother and my sister. My mother gave me everything I have today. She not only taught me how to sew, but she instilled the design sensibility in me. My sister indulged me by wearing my hand-stitched designs at home, but it was a gold jacquard top with a pale yellow chiffon skirt that she wore out at a function that got people talking and gave me the feeling that I was doing something right. I was so proud of my tailoring in that outfit. My sister has refined taste and she only wears select pieces of mine that suit her lifestyle. I am always inspired by women, not only professionally and creatively, but also personally," said Mohapatra, who likes to describe himself as an "emotional designer". "I call myself an emotional designer because I see clothes as tools to improve and empower the lives of the wearers by providing them with confidence. I am inspired by real people and deeply moved by their stories. The stories that shape the character of a person become my key sources wherein I draw my references from whilst working. Sketching and designing are both emotional processes for me." If he had no creative or financial restraints and were asked to run free with his imagination to create a spectacular dress, who would he make it for and how expensive would it be? "Well, it would have to be for someone really special and the value would be priceless."
Mohapatra is the only Indian designer based in the United States with an atelier in New York's Garment District, an enviable international clientele, and stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Neiman Marcus and Lane Crawford in China retailing his designs, but he does not have flagship stores in India or anywhere around the world, yet. "It's in the pipeline. It's my dream to open my first store in New York. All good things take time," says Mohapatra, who desires "to be present in many parts of the world, touching as many lives as I can with my clothes, jewellery and other products." Given that he loves cooking and traveling his "two passions after designing", he could very well expand his brand into a home and living line soon.
The designer finds the fashion sensibility of the Middle East "incredibly refined and interesting". Will the Artemis line retail in Dubai soon? "We just launched in India and our focus will be the Indian market for now. Dubai is a great city and the women there have such a definitive style. We will definitely look at launching Artemis in the Middle East in the future."
This feature first appeared in Gulf News on 25 May, 2016
Disclaimer: Kendall Jenner's picture is from an unknown source on Google. If you own this picture, we'll be happy to rightfully credit it to you.
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The owners of a retail property in Southern California challenged our team with creating a new dynamic identity for thier facilty and we respondedwith a facade system that is durable, modifyable and singular in recognition by consumers in a broad field ofshopping centers.
The most costly element of the facade, the steel superstructure and its foundation can remain while the decorative metal screen elements can be unbolted and refinished or even replaced with another material as need to keep the appearance of the property interesting and relavent.
Galvanized steel panels are fastened to a steel superstructure using pass-through bolts, which will allow for easy removal in the future if needed.
Selecting perforated panels with a 40% opening pattern allows for reduced wind loads on the superstructure and provides a gradient view of the building behind the screen.
Simplified connections demonstrate our goal of using "The right technology for the job" and ensuring that the construction method is well suited for the available skill sets of local contractors and fabricators.
The design also allowed for an enhanced signage dispaly as well as a more powerful visual presence from the busy street.


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Q: Inserting one entity into a new column Today is my first day working with SQL so please bear with me for this incredibly simple question.  I have been struggling with this for quite some time now...so any help is greatly appreciated
If I have a table (named Test) filled out and I add one new column, how do I then insert values into ONLY the new column. For example I have a table with 2 colummns (col1, col2).  If I add a third (col3)....how do I insert values [on the same rows I already had] into my new column.
If you can't understand what I am saying...please tell me and I will try to be more concise.
Thank you

A: You will use and UPDATE syntax,
UPDATE <tablename> SET <colname> = <value> WHERE <whereclause>

A: Yes you can,Use Update query
UPDATE <tablename> SET col3 = <value> WHERE col1=<value>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Home / Articles / Features / Fall Guide / Take a walking tour of Rochester houses
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014 12:01 am
Take a walking tour of Rochester houses
There are many more rewards at the end of the trail
By William Furry
Though not featured in the 1918 Orange Judd photo book, this handsome home at 605 East Main, like many others in the neighborhood, invites further exploration.
PHOTO BY WILLIAM FURRY
If you've long thought Rochester the last exit on the Lost Bridge Trail, the end of the line for your urban adventures on the fringes of Springfield, get off your bike and take a hike. There are rewards at the end of a journey to Rochester, and not just a mango smoothie with dark chocolate truffles at Cocoa Blue.
The Rochester Historical Preservation Society's walking tour of this town's architectural treasures invites close inspection, and autumn in Sangamon County has its own rewards.
First off, Rochester has a significant history of its own, and the walking tour brochure, which you'll definitely need, sets the stage nicely for your perambulations. Walking Tour brochures are available at the Rochester Public Library, area businesses, and some Springfield tourist sites.
Although most of the sites on the tour take you up and down East Main Street, don't skip the houses on the periphery. There are some real gems around the corner. But first you need to know this walking tour won't get you across any thresholds. Rochester folks are warm and friendly enough, but this tour stops at the sidewalk; none of the homes are looking for visitors at this time of year.
The local preservationists who put this tour together recommend that you start your hike around historic Rochester at the old bank building, site of a legendary robbery in 1932. The bank building has its integrity, including a visible alarm box installed shortly after the robbery. The building now houses a coin shop – still peddling the pecuniary but not in any vaulted sense.
The Old Stone House, built around 1835, is unique for its construction. Though no longer on its original location, it speaks to the early years of Rochester's settlement.
The stately residence immediately to the north of the bank, however, sets the tone for the rest of the walk. The Dr. Bell home, with its 18-inch-thick brick walls on the first floor, is a dwelling of substance. Here I should say something about the selection of the 29 buildings on the tour. All the buildings were photographed in 1918 by the Orange Judd Publishing Company, a vanity press from Chicago that cajoled communities into recording their economic glory in picture books, which, in Sangamon County history at that time, was considerable. Each home and building on the tour includes a photo from the Orange Judd publication and a more recent photo as well, so the casual walking tourist can take in the past and present in a glance. Cool and helpful.
While the Greek Revival/neo-classical Bell home is imposing, the Ira Twist house at 200 East Main is a bit more sprawling, due to its conversion into a funeral home in the last century. The brochure notes that this home might actually be the oldest in the community, for there are hand-hewn log sills and peg construction in the oldest portions of the house. There were no funerals at the time so I had to forgo greater investigation, and moved on to 214 East Main, where the 1901 house I intended to see (Dr. Cantrall's) was undergoing extensive renovation, owing to an April fire that had left it uninhabitable. The construction crew, however, let me walk through the gutted house and I got see the skeleton, which by 21st century standards was, I dare say, shoddy. Now with new double headers to support the load-bearing walls, a new staircase, and reinforced ceilings, this house will be another Rochester showcase in three or four months.
At this point in the walk I have to mention the many large trees in this historic neighborhood. I saw a half-dozen ginormous catalpa trees, their strange fruit dangling beneath elephantine leaves, towering silver maples, a smoke tree and a few chinquapin oaks that provided shade to many of these time-weathered dwellings. On a warm August day they were welcome, and in October should put on a considerable show.
Soon I crossed the Black Branch, a slow-moving creek that once turned a grain mill and gave birth to a local distillery, according to the brochure. This was probably back in the day when Martin Van Buren was log-rolling in Rochester, and a local lawyer named Lincoln was stumping for his Whig allies.
The Dr. Hannibal Claude Fortune House at 218 East Main Street was built in 1906 and, despite its several structural modifications, has aged well.
The sidewalk abruptly ends at Oak Street, but the tour continues on for a couple more blocks. It should be noted that although there are many other potential sites on the tour, not all of the houses have been researched. I found myself looking at all the residences, wondering about their history and the long-gone folks who built and lived in them.
The Reverend Wright House, 601 E. Main, is a hefty Queen Anne-style showplace that was originally owned by Thomas Benton Wright, a Methodist minister and editor of the local newspaper The Rochester Weekly Item. He was also a racehorse owner, a degree or two more worldly than his daughter, Mary Wright Kingsley, a missionary who died in Malaysia in 1903.
The tour moves north a block to Mill Street, where another series of handsome homes invite a stroll. The Whiteside Homestead at 201 East Mill hasn't changed much in 100 years, but needs a landscaper's hand. The Harcourt House, with its tidy dormers, boasts 10-foot ceilings throughout the house and logs as floor joists.
Whatever you do, don't neglect the two or three homes on West Main as you leave town. The C.L. Jones House at 341 West Main Street is a gorgeous property, both for its physical beauty and its well-maintained lawn. Built in 1905 by F.A. Chandler, this lovely Queen Anne was owned in recent memory by former Sangamon State University professor J. Michael Lennon. I fondly recall as his student having dinner once in the spacious dining room, my first experience with braised scallops in wine sauce. As Norman Mailer's authorized biographer, Lennon once played host to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author in this house, which puts it on a short list of significant literary sites in Sangamon County.
The tour brochure concludes at the old Stone House which, after the elegance of the Gilded-Age homes, is a reminder of Rochester's humble roots. Sadly, the site is devoid of those magnificent trees that grace the walking tour in town. But it's a solid and substantial ending to an afternoon diversion at the end of the Lost Bridge Trail.
William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society, enjoys a good mango smoothie and a French dark chocolate truffle at the end of a long day.
Fall rocks
The Nightingale of Andover
Also in Fall Guide
Fall Guide Calendar
Grant, goodies and great vistas in Galena
Adventures on two wheels
The new Arch park
Autumn onstage
The music of fall
Chiara Center awakens, inspires
Fall calendar
Effingham is for foodies and car lovers
Morton, the pumpkin capital of the world
Also from William Furry
A song in her heart
Society of the Living Dead
Timeless hunger
They saw him standing here
Lithuanians in Springfield
Shadows of the Motherland
Filling Lincoln's shoes, size 14
Grave robbers and academics

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
Harmeet Dhillon
Every conservative must commit to stopping the left-wing assault on education
77% of voters rate education and schools as 'highly important' to them
Republicans in twilight: RNC vote reveals era of institutional complacency
Illustration on public education and the LGBTQ agenda by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times more >
By Kathy Barnette - - Wednesday, October 26, 2022
From critical race theory and radical gender ideology to sex-ed classes for kindergartners and drag shows in classrooms, the radical left is more determined than ever to turn schools into indoctrination chambers for their sick and perverse worldview, all while silencing parents who try to do anything about it. With Election Day just weeks away, every candidate has a responsibility to make clear how they plan to take action to stop this madness, safeguard parents' rights, and restore trust and integrity in our education system.
According to a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, 77% of voters rate education and schools as "highly important" to them in determining their vote in the upcoming election — ranking just behind the economy (84%) and just ahead of inflation and crime (76% and 69%) as the second-most important issue to voters this fall.
With everything that's going on in schools, it's easy to see why. In Virginia, for example, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin won an upset victory last year in large part thanks to concerns over parents' rights in education, Democrat school board officials have openly threatened to defy the governor's new order, which, among other things, requires schools to seek parental consent before "socially transitioning" students who identify as transgender.
In Wisconsin, a school district stated in a teacher training document that parents are not "entitled" to know their children's "identities," and that information about what gender they are identifying as at school must be "earned." In Ohio, high school teachers were caught wearing badges with QR codes linked to instruction manuals for sexually explicit acts.
All of these examples are from just the past few weeks. Dozens of other cases from recent months confirm that schools are being radicalized in a concerted effort to push far-left racial, political and gender ideology on students. While critical race theory in education rightfully continues to be a major concern for parents, left-wing gender theory — which dovetails with CRT under the "intersectionality" agenda — is an equally sinister threat to both students' emotional well-being and parents' rights to be informed about their children and make decisions about how to raise them.
To be sure, we have seen some positive developments recently when it comes to protecting these fundamental rights. In March, Florida legislators passed a parental rights bill that bans discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade classrooms. While Florida parents undoubtedly breathed a sigh of relief that conversations about these sensitive topics would be removed from the classroom, the mainstream media and elected Democrats devolved into fits of hysteria, labeling the legislation the "don't say gay" bill. Similar legislation has been introduced or passed in Georgia, Kansas and Ohio. Another bill passed in Arizona in April requires schools to tell parents anything a student discloses about their physical, emotional, or mental health.
But to continue delivering victories like these in 2023 and beyond, we as parents need strong, visionary leaders who understand the magnitude of the threats we face. In my home state of Pennsylvania, legislators have introduced a bill similar to the Florida law that would prohibit age-inappropriate instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Though the bill has passed the Pennsylvania Senate, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto the bill if it makes it to his desk — a position shared by Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro. The outcome of the contest for Pennsylvania's next governor will thus have enormous consequences for the future of education and parents' rights in Pennsylvania, as is the case in other states around the country.
Congressional Republicans have also pledged to pass a federal parental bill of rights as part of their "Commitment to America" if the GOP retakes the majority in Congress in November. Every race, from the U.S. Senate down to — and especially including — local school board races, has potential implications for carrying our progress on parents' rights forward.
Signing the 1776 Pledge from 1776 Action is one simple step that candidates can take to make clear to voters where they stand on this issue. Pledge signers reaffirm basic truths about our country and its founding, commit to removing political influence from the classroom, and promise to uphold parents' rights to be informed about their children's education.
Pledge signers also recognize that winning elections is just the beginning of the challenge. As the past two years have shown, rooting out and eliminating left-wing radicalism from our classrooms will be no easy task. But when our children's future is at stake, this is one fight that is well worth the effort.
• Kathy Barnette is the national spokeswoman for 1776 Action, a 2022 Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, a veteran, and the author of "Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain: Being Black and Conservative in America."


text:
Leverhulme Doctoral Centre Publication beyond Print Welcomes Applications
Scholarship opportunities for DPhil students in Arabic and Tibetan Studies with entry in 2019-20.
Christian Martyrs under Islam
Dr Christian Sahner's latest book, Christian Martyrs under Islam, has just been released in Britain.
Book Series Arabo-Islamica Welcomes Submissions
The book series Arabo-Islamica welcomes submissions in all relevant fields.
Professor Erie Awarded ERC Starting Grant of €1.5 Million
The Faculty of Oriental Studies would like to congratulate Professor Matthew S. Erie for being awarded a European Research Council Starting Grant of €1.5 million.
The latest in our series of Research Conversations took place on 5 June 2018. Please click here for further details and links to the video recordings.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships
The Faculty of Oriental Studies welcomes interest for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship scheme.
The Faculty of Oriental Studies welcomes interest for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme.
Digitization Project of the Inscriptions of the National Museum of Iran
The National Museum of Iran (NMI), in collaboration with the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI), have presented their efforts to digitize and disseminate all available documentation on NMI's extensive cuneiform collection.


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Partner and I - and 9,000 other people - went to go see the movie Paranormal Activity last night. I was not feeling well, as last night was the third night of this cold thing that I've come down with, but I enjoyed the film. There were perhaps 2 times when I had to put my hand on Partner's forearm, but overall I thought it was a really enjoyable film. The rest of the auditorium spent a vast amount of the movie screaming and cowering into their neighbor's arm.
If you haven't seen the movie, I can honestly recommend this as a genuinely creepy, well-researched film about a demonic possession. The creator of the film spent at least a year researching ghosts, demonology, and the supernatural in general in order to create a realistic film. He did a great job, as I could see 95%-98% of the movie as quite plausible. (Except for the ending shown in theaters. Perhaps one of the other endings would push that towards the 100% mark.) Of course, one of the points brought up in any possession movie worth its salt is the idiot guy who just needs to have a conversation with the spirit/entity - this is after door slammings, footprints found on the floor, and a strange picture found in the attic. What does he use? A Ouija board, of course!
A Ouija board, like any divinatory tool, does NOT have any intrinsic powers. It needs a user to give power to the working, just like Tarot cards or Runes. The planchette (pointer) isn't moving around on it's own in the box.
The boards are NOT a gateway or an open door to the spirit world, the world of demons, or any other plane of existence. Again, it is only a tool of divination and spirit contact.
A Ouija board IS a simple cardboard board with a printed piece of paper glued to it manufactured by Milton Bradley. Like anything else, it is your belief and energy that gives and credence or power to the process of communication.
Spirit boards do NOT always work! Because of the other three points, it should be stressed that every time you sit down to the board may not result in an actual contact experience. Just like when doing any other divinatory reading, you may not get that strong connection you hope for.
I would only ever invite spirits into my home after preparing a protective circle. Set this up however you want, but I do 4 candles with corresponding elemental objects or stones.
Each of us has one person we contact. We make a list of the individuals we want to contact along with physical descriptions of each, and then that loved one calls out to the person on the other side. So, if I wanted to specifically talk to my paternal great-grandmother I would tell everyone I wanted to contact (her full name), provide as close to a physical description of her as possible (so everyone can get a good visualization), and then simply ask her to join us.
If and when a spirit begins to get hostile, or an uninvited spirit pops in, we immediately join hands and explicitly tell that entity to leave and that they are completely unwelcome. This puts up an immediate wall against the spirit and forces it back to where it came from. And, with a circle in place, the entity cannot go anywhere else, so it must be forced back.
Always always always purify and cleanse your house afterwards, and be careful before you take your circle down. I usually have a small spell that I say to open a portal to summon spirits and another spell to close the gateway. Then I burn either white sage, frankincense, sweet grass, or a combination of all three (depending on the experience) to cleanse the area. I take the circle down by blowing the candles out and then proceed to use the incense throughout the house...just to be safe.
Following a few simple guidelines and rules can lead to a really fun, spooky, interesting, and safe Ouija board experience. The risks are the same with any magical/meditative practice. But, if you're careful, and don't just dabble without sound research, you can have a lot of fun! Enjoy, and let me know how it goes!


text:
Gulbis Claims Marseille Title
Ernest Gulbis beat Jo-Wilfried Tsona 7-6(7-5) 6-4 on Sunday in the final of Open 13 to pick up his fifth career title.
The big serving Latvian overcame the second seed of the Marseille event in front of Tsonga's home crowd in France, which was available to fans of live tennis online on the bet365 website.
It was Gulbis' second ATP tournament win in five months as he secured the St Petersburg Open in October. His latest victory has earned him 250 ranking points as he continues his march up the standings and leaves him just outside the world's top 20 players.
The 25-year old went into this competition as the number three seed. He started his campaign in the second round against Robero Bautista-Agut in which he was forced to three sets against the Argentine before coming out on top.
Gulbis then faced a trio of French players before lifting the trophy. In the quarter-finals he defeated Nicolas Mahut 6-3 7-6(7-1). That came prior to a clash with the number one seed Richard Gasquet in the last four which went the Latvian's way 6-3 6-2, while in the final, he completed the victory in straight sets.
The champion hit 14 aces and finished with a 77% success rate on his serve against Tsonga on Sunday afternoon. There was nothing between the two players after the opening 12 points which meant the first set went into a tie-breaker. Gulbis held his nerve to come out on top 7-5.
In the second set, the number's three seed's serve was strong once again and helped him see out the match as he picked it up 6-4 to reward bet365 punters who had backed him in the betting.
Gulbis ensured he kept up his 100% record in ATP singles finals as he extends his record to 5-0.
Philip Oliver Feb 25, 2014


text:
Mariners 8, Angels 6
Mariners 8, Angels 6: Kyle Seager drove in four runs and Mike Carp and Ichiro Suzuki knocked in two apiece to lead visiting Seattle.
Michael Saunders had three hits as Seattle scored all eight of its runs with two outs while beating Los Angeles for the second time in three nights.
The Mariners trailed 6-4 entering the sixth before Ichiro doubled home one run and Seager stroked a go-ahead, two-run single to center to give the Mariners a one-run lead. Ichiro added an insurance run with an eighth-inning homer.
Brandon League pitched a perfect eighth and Tom Wilhelmsen struck out Kendrys Morales – representing the tying run – to end it for his second save as Seattle completed a 5-4 road trip.
Morales hit a two-run homer to right-center field off Hector Noesi in the third to give the Angels a 4-2 lead. Seager delivered a two-run double in the fifth off Jerome Williams (6-3) to tie the contest at 4-4.
Morales and Howie Kendrick had run-scoring singles in the fifth to give the Angels a 6-4 lead.
Carp's two-run double in the second gave the Mariners a 2-0 lead. Los Angeles tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a run-scoring double by Erick Aybar and a sacrifice fly by Hank Conger.
Shawn Kelley (1-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for Seattle.
Williams allowed seven runs – five earned – and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Noesi started in place of Felix Hernandez, who was scratched Tuesday because of back soreness. Noesi allowed six runs and four hits in four-plus innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Saunders went 19-for-39 (.487) over the nine-game road trip that concluded Wednesday. … Four of Morales' seven homers have come against Seattle. … The Mariners are hoping Hernandez will be recovered in time to start Sunday's interleague game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. … The Angels have six consecutive road games against National League teams on the horizon and manager Mike Scioscia plans to use Albert Pujols at third base to get the hot bat of Morales into the lineup at first base.


1333 WEST MAIN ST Waynesboro Twin Bed #3 - 134 sqm of bright, newly-renovated charm in Mitte.
1428MVD Amazing Champions Gate 9 Bedroom 5 Bath - 1435 Cedar Village - You`ll love this lakeview home!
145 Sea Breeze - 14609 - 9 Alava Way - A very nice one level home with 2 car garage about 1 mile from the Coronado Center in Hot Springs Village.
15 min Walk Downtown SF Private MASTER Room - 15 min from Super Bowl City!
15 min. de Estelí, supermercados, tiendas, etc... - 15 mins to Deer Valley! Views/Privacy/Hottub.
1500 sq.ft. apartment - 1504 SeaCrest - 5th Floor Oceanfront & Renovated. Stunning Views.
16 Hab amplia, centrico y economico. - 16 Sandals, In Town, Heated Pool, Ocean Views!
162 2-Bedroom Ground Unit near Colma BART SF & SFO - 163 한국인 환영 깔리나몰근처 깨끗하고 아늑합니다.
18 Elm Court (CC111288) - 18 Pessoas, Beira Mar, Pé na Areia + Beto Carrero!
18876 - 76 Marinero Way - Main Channel Lake Balboa Luxury Home with dock in Hot Springs Village Lake Resort - 1890's New England Farmhouse.
18th Century Cottage - Private Room - 18th Century miners cottages.
1920's Downtown Cottage near St. Lukes(duplex) - 1920's Hollywood Large room - balcony - And a cat!
1BA+1BA Long term Condotel w smartTV+Wifi+Pool+Gym - 1BD Centro de Santo Domingo Ciudad Colonial.
1BR 1BR Sydney Darling Harbour Bridge View - 1BR @ Hilton Valdoro - Walk to Main Street/Peak 9!
1BR Condo with Amazing View @ 9th Avenue, BGC - 1BR Cool Walk of Fame Condo with Balcony.
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1BR condo unit in Metro Manila - 1BR good for a nice night of comfort.
1BR in newly renovated home - 1BR near Mt Sinai, Columbia, Cent Pk. Must See!
1Bed 1Bath Best Location in Midtown - 1Bed/1Bath Apt in Heart of Uptown Charlotte.
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1st Floor Villa with Golf Views! Pet friendly! Recently updated! - 1st Room of 2. Quiet room overlooking garden.


A beautiful double B&B room with ensuite. An ideal place for a break for romantic couples or families.
The beautiful Walnut bedroom overlooks the church and garden, and has an amazing feature window looking through to the double height hallway below.
The bedroom features a super king Harrison bed with luxury bed linen and cushions and ample storage in the oak furniture. There is a seating area with two chairs where you can enjoy the flat screen television with Freeview, enjoy a drink cooled in the silent refrigerator or simply relax and soak up your surroundings.
The en–suite bathroom is decorated in white and aqua, and comprises a bath and separate walk in shower giving you plenty of space to enjoy using the luxury toiletries and large fluffy towels provided.
A hair dryer is provided along with tea and coffee making facilities.
The Walnut room can be made up as either a super king size or twin beds.


The Electro-Voice ND96 dynamic supercardioid vocal microphone features exceptionally high gain before feedback that is extremely effective on loud stages. Its shock-mounted capsule minimizes handling noise, which helps to eliminate low-frequency bumps and thumps from reaching the PA. Use the ND96 with confidence near speaker cabinets and EMF-generating equipment racks thanks to its Humbucking coil that helps guard the mic against line hum. The Memraflex grille is a durable tight-mesh deigned to withstand extraordinarily rough treatment from the road and consistent use. ND96's structural and acoustical functions allow the mic's signal to be pushed through an incredibly loud ambient volume without risking feedback, and its selectable voice presence booster reduces certain low-mid frequency areas and emphasizes key upper-midrange vocal presence areas for a more profound vocal edge when driving the voice higher in the mix.


text:
Review: R.C. Grand Prix
Reviewer Name: Gordman
Game Difficulty: Medium
Difficulty Options: False
Full Title: R.C. Grand Prix
Game Type: Racing
Ah, R.C. Grand Prix! One of the games I play since my childhood. R.C. Grand Prix is a racing game where you drive your own radio controlled race car. The race tracks will be more difficult and longer from race to race. Every course is a round based race, with the exception of one which is a drag race. The best thing is, you can play it with up to 4 Players. Not at the same time, but it feels like a contest. No, it IS a contest! I like R.C. Grand Prix and now I wanna to tell you why ;)
I like racing games, and R.C. Grand Prix is a very nice type of a racing game. As I said, it´s a radio controlled car race. The goal is to pimp your car and win the races to be the champ. It´s similar to Buggy Run, but faster. You start the first race with a very slow car. If you win a race, you get some prize money and with this money, you can pimp your car with a new motor, battieries, tires, gears and more. There is only one curious thing: If you buy the Ultra Motor at first and start the next race, you will rush like a rocket from the starting line. I don´t understand this sharp distinction. But anyway, you will aclimate yourself and then it makes a good fun to play the fast races. Every race has a time limit. If you are too slow or you don´t reach the finish line as 1st, 2nd or 3rd, your game is over. But I think it´s doable to win. The multiplayer mode is the best thing in this game, especially with 3 or 4 players. If you play the game with one friend, you both will play with controller one and two. With 3 or 4 players, then you give controller one around. After every race, you have to "squarrel" with the other players about the upgrades. If you want maybe the Ultra Tires, and antoher player buys it before you can do it, it´s out of stock and you have no chance to get it or you must choose an another or slower upgrade. This fact makes the next races more difficult, because every player has another type of speed. The drag race brings more fun into the multiplayer game. All players will have a one on one race against each other. Be careful not to overheat your motor - At the bottom of the screen is a line. If you give gas, you have to let go back in time before the cursor touched the line. Otherwise, that race is over for you. But the official game goes on ;) I doesn´t like the fact, when you drive to the grass, it´s like you´re driving against a wall - You cannot drive over the grass. Why?? Really curious. But now, lets go over to the graphics..
The graphics are ok, but not awesome. The title screen looks very nice to me. The shop looks nice too with detailled auto parts to buy. Most of the time you see the grass and the racing track. The route could be more detailed, and it could be seen more things on the track. Otherwise the game is so fast that you will have no time to enjoy a landscape :D But anyway.. The people in the public are not animated and are programmed to repeat themselves like a wallpaper. The graphics are average.
Hmm, there´s no much music to listen in this game. You have to listen to the theme on the beginnig, during the races and at the end. BUT, I like the theme. It fits good to the game. The sound of the cars´ motors is very good, even if you drive around the corner. As I said, the game is very fast. Before you reach every corner you will hear a jingle which helps you to react early enough. Overall - There is no much to listen but the sounds are ok. I think everyone must decide that for himself.
Button 2 is not reserved in this game. Everything goes with button 1. I think a nitro boost would be a good idea for button 2. But there is nothing.. You will steering your car with the D Pad of course. You have to think that you are sitting in the car. If there´s a down corner, don´t touch down on the D Pad, but press left. Is there a up corner, press right. I think it´s easy to learn it. The only problem is, the cornering. A patient gamer could be very good at this game - But most of the time you can´t drive clear around a corner. Everytime you tend to crash against the "wall" (I mean the grass, see the last part of "gameplay" upper...). If you have bad luck, a bug occured. You CAN land on the grass. But it needs a long time to come back to the race track because you are slower than a snail. If you have a very fast car, the steering is a problem for inexperienced gamers. I don´t think it´s a good idea to play R.C. Grand Prix with a control stick because you need fast skills which gives you only a D Pad on the controller.
Replay Value
The replay value is very high. You can train to be better and play it alone. But the fun key for that game is the multiplayer mode. It brings hours and hours of fun. I play R.C. Grand Prix as often as I can with my family.
I wrote this review with a realistic aspect. But in my opinion, this is one of my all time favourite titles. The game looks ok, gameplay is overall good, especially with friends. The developers made a good work, R.C. Grand Prix is one of the best racing games on the Master System. If you see a good copy, get it! Cheers, Gordman
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