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Bollywood Fashion Awards 2006: A Glitering Night to Remember

July 30th 2006 The Bollywood Fashion Awards – A Glittering Night to Remember.The Bollywood Fashion Awards fulfilled all expectations and more at the Roseland Ballroom in the heart of New York City on July 29th 2006.
Supermodel Iman, designer to the stars Rachel Roy, Music Mogul Damon Dash, Theater Legend Ben Vereen,Mrs Altovise Sammy Davis Jr all participated in the function’s festivities, making it truly the most glamorous South Asian event.
Iman, the ethereal Somalian beauty, presented Rachel Roy with the award for “Outstanding Contribution to American Fashion” for her elegant and demure couture which is a celebrity-favorite in Hollywood. The ravishing designer thanked her husband, Damon Dash, and daughter Ava, both of whom greeted the audience, for their hands in her success.
Another top honor was given to theater legend Ben Vereen who was felicitated with the specially instituted “Sammy Davis Jr. Award” for effortlessly combining style and talent, just as the late Sammy Davis Jr. did. The late Sammy Davis Jr’s widow, Altovise, presented the award to Vereen; he keyed up audience-members by instructing them to boast: "We've got a message for the world -- we are stylish!" The thousands seated broke into loud applause when he spoke of his desire to go to Bollywood.
Rouge, the girl-band at the top of the charts in the U.K. and India, was honoured with the Award for “Most Stylish International Group.” Later in the evening, they captivated the crowd with their gorgeous looks and mesmerizing renditions of their hit songs including “Don’t Be Shy.”
Other awards were bestowed upon Aryan Vaid (Model of the Year – Male), Nethra (Model of the Year – Female), Manish Malhotra (Designer of the Year – Film), Sabyasachi (Haute Couture) and Black (Most Stylish Film).
As if the glamour and glitter of the collections were not enough, the roster of supermodels from India were a feast for the most jaded eye.
Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra’s trendy and contemporary line confirmed that Asian and Western fashions could produce a fusion which could be both spectacular and elegant. Sushma Patel’s line was a celebration of the modern Indian bride. Sabyasachi’s collection created a feast of line, fabric and form with styles and motifs from past and the present effortlessly woven into a symphonic whole, leaving no doubt that he is worthy of his invitation to showcase his collection at NY Fashion Week this fall.Other performers included DJ Sanj, Sourabh Jain, Narayan and Amir Jamal. Broadway’s Bombay Dreams’ lead, Manu Narayan, hosted the evening.
A warm glow of having seen something memorable and wonderful seemed to settle on the viewers as the evening drew to a close. Kamal Dandona, who launched the Awards, has instituted an event that has become beacon for generations of designers drawing inspiration from both Indian and American traditions.