It was back to the Fashion Bar on Thursday night on the occasion of Ladies Night -- this city really needs to invent excuses to party. Behind the bar were Gautam Kapoor (wearing Gomzi jeans of course) and Rahul Dev. These models really like the role of bartender and seemed to be having a blast serving up drinks. One of the most glamourous ladies spotted that night was Shikha Swaroop, who stood inches above the rest of the crowd. Her distinctive height makes her hard to miss. And lots of people were willing to bet that she would be chosen as the best-groomed lady of the night. But this Delhi beauty lost the contest to Mumbai's Ramona Garware, wife of industrialist Jaideep Garware. Her winning attire: Black Diesel jeans and a black top. Sometimes being really simply turned out is all the style one needs to be ahead of the class.

Jazz duo

After a two-month break Devika and Suresh Bhojwani were back at NJ-Jazz By The Bay, singing old-time favourites like Carly Simon and Simon &Garfunkel. Anish Trivedi was there -- he must have had a busy Friday -- and aptly dressed in a white shirt with silver buttons which resembled musical notes. His wife, Vineeta, also looked stunning in a yellow knit top and long black sarong skirt. Anish and Devika were in high spirits as they both had a dose of good news. Devika is to back on stage with the musical Jaya, shortly before Diwali. Directed by Lilette Dubey, the play received mixed reviews when it was performed last year but Devika it sure that this time round it will be better appreciated. Anish is also returning to an old love -- very soon he will be anchoring a food show on DD-Metro. It seems that there is life after NBC! Season starts

The festive season is around the corner and no self-respecting woman has enough clothes to last the entire period. So, the shopping frenzy is about to reach a fevered pitch and cashing-in already is Melange's Sangeeta Kathiwada. She hosted a cocktail for all her regular clients at her store, on Fridaynight, so they could talk shop, literally. The guests were invited to mingle and buy. Among those having a dekko were Preeti Vyas Gianetti, Femina's Sathya Saran, and model-turned-business executive Matti Saran. On display were handloom sarees, short white kurtas, bejewelled handbags and embroidered kameezes. Just about everything you would need for the `season'.

Late launch

National Geographic Channel had their official `launch' at a gala affair at the Oberoi, last week. The party had live crooners, who murdered popular lyrics, food served in leaf plated and earthen sakoras, and an impressive guest list.

Special guests flew down from wherever in the world they were to grace the occasion. There was Greg Marshall, one of the best underwater film-makers around and Derek and Beverly Joubert, the ace wildlife photography couple, who enjoyed themselves.

Among the Mumbai celebrities spotted there were Dolly Thakore, Sony TV's Raveena Raj Kohli, columnist AnishTrivedi, Prahlad Kakkar, and the entire MTV gang. The channel was aired, by the way, a good three months before this party.

D-day

The book that has been on the best-seller list for the better part of the year has finally made it's way to the Indian market at an affordable price. The Day Diana Died, by Christopher Andersen, hit the market yesterday. A moving tribute to the Princess as a human being, more than the style guru-celebrity she was, this book has people who have never spoken before, adding their glowing tributes to Lady Diana. At Rs 175, it is a collector's item.

And finally...

At the opening of the Society exhibition, at the World Trade Centre, Amitabh Bachchan proved that even stars like to have fun while they go about their `public duties'. The Big B had to judge the best store in the exhibition, and he really seemed to enjoy the chance to wander around and look at all the goodies on sale. So much so, that he even bought some of the products, himself, while he wasjudging the stalls.