Summer weaves

More good news for women in Calcutta (and more reasons to go shopping)! Azura, the lifestyle store, has launched its sassy summer collection, perfect for making a style statement.

Take your pick from dresses, kurtis, corsets, tunics, jackets, skirts and blousons in natural fabrics like cottons as well as georgettes, chiffons and crêpes. And if you choose to go ethnic, check out Azura’s range of cocktail and wedding saris. Designed by Farhana Chowdhury, the collection is marked by intricate cuts and the latest styles. The designer has stayed with a vibrant palette of feminine colours like off-white, light green, baby pink, emerald green and burgundy. Prices look upwards of Rs 1,500.

The collection is available in the Azura store not just on Royd Street but in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore as well as in Canada, Hong Kong and the US where Chowdhury retails from fashion stores. You can also check out fashion jewellery like necklaces, earrings and bracelets at the store. Prices start from Rs 80.

Power punch

Power cuts have become such a regular feature that even the Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi has joined in the power protest by opting for voluntary power cuts at the Raj Bhavan in Calcutta. Could there be a better time or reason to opt for a generator, especially since it is sweltering hot?

Keeping the weather in mind, Honda has launched EU65is, adding to its existing range of generators. It comes equipped with inverter technology and uses Honda’s advanced four-stroke GX390 — 13 hp engine.

An output of 5.5 Kva means that there is more power available to run things. The EU65is uses a separate triple chamber construction for low-noise operation. The EU65is is fuel efficient and thus eco-friendly.

The Honda EU65is is equipped with a digital i-Monitor that displays wattage, engine speed, hours of operation and has a self-diagnostic function that alerts the operator when maintenance is due. Priced at Rs 1.5 lakh, the Honda EU65is is available at all Honda dealers.

Travel smart

Well, there’s really nothing you can do about that

embarrassing moment when on a business trip you opened your bag at the airport to reach for an office file. Except that only your socks came tumbling out — right in front of your boss. Moral of the story: pack better next time or get yourself with luggage meant specifically for business travellers.

Perhaps you could try VIP Coupe that was recently unveiled by VIP Industries. This is a line of premium luggage that targets frequent business travellers. As business travel becomes commonplace, going for a meeting straight from airport is all in a day’s work for professionals. That’s where smartly designed baggage can come handy.

The VIP Coupe twin section strolley provides enough space to pack personal and professional belongings in a single bag — but in different sections. In the first, there is space for a laptop, cables, files, CDs and so on while the second provides space for personal belongings. It is priced between Rs 7,000 and Rs 7,500, depending on the size. Shell out some more and you could have an additional laptop back-pack, a double gusset satchel, a tie-holder and a document case too.The VIP Coupe is available at multi-brand luggage outlets and select VIP stores.