Why buy? Just rent

It was the business opportunity waiting to explode: the rentals' business of luxury and designer numbers. especially in the UAE, where being well-turned-out (and well-heeled) is the ultimate calling card. Designer-24 and My Luxe Club are companies on a fashionable mission (I'm sure there are many more, but get an idea of the sector from these two): to make you look the part without paying for it. Just rent out the latest clothes and accessories - haute couture affairs - for a fraction of the price you'd be paying if you were going to buy them off the hangers. Consider the advantages: you save money, you stay on trend, you never repeat anything (if you bought anything for a princely sum, can you imagine not being able to wear the same outfit twice because, hey, someone may notice and pass a snarky comment?), and you don't have to worry about hoarding your wardrobe (remember our de-cluttering story from a few weeks ago?). Rentals sound like the perfect recipe, what say?
I had been a bit out of the loop (wasn't keeping with Bollywood tidbits), so I was surprised to see Irrfan Khan looming large on the screen when I went to watch Jurassic World recently. Irrfan seems to be quite in the international thick of things. Along with the likes of Priyanka Chopra, who's starring in the television series Quantico (that's supposed to give Homeland a run for its money), Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher and co. Many desi stars are now looking for a walk of fame on Hollywood Boulevard - or a westside sidetrack (if you think of the British film industry); it would be unfair to say it's a new thing because it's not. 'Crossover' has been a buzzword in Bollywood for a long time now; there have been hits and misses, but the phenomenon is worth a read. Check out our Bollywood feature.
With Ramadan underway, many of us are abusing health (by eating wrong stuff) and resources (by causing enormous wastage). In keeping with the spirit of being averse to both, we talk to a few people who have been consuming judiciously, thoughtfully - and ethically. Hear it from them. In Travel, it's the charming French village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val; yes, the same place where The Hundred Foot Journey was set. Plus, Lady Di's best-known quotable quotes.
All this and much more.
Enjoy reading wknd. and have a great weekend!
Sushmita Bose
Editor