Minnie Menon
If you get the nametag of ‘socialite’, yes, you have to be particular about what you wear and your appearance. In the early days, it was not a term that people were comfortable with. It has a narcissistic, flippant connotation.
But speaking for myself, I believe there is a very serious side to me. I wear many hats: I was in advertising for 18 years, sports marketing in its early years, an associate dean of a business school and now I design an eponymous jewellery brand. I am asked why I keep reinventing myself, but that’s not what it is. I simply enjoy challenging myself. I read seven newspapers a day, including the business papers. I feel like a quick-change artist as I get into the role of a socialite in the evening.
When I go to an art auction, I can talk about Thota Tharani or Yusuf Arakkal, and hopefully it’s an intelligent input because I do know about art. You go for the launch of a safari resort, you needn’t have gone for a safari, but you have to know what it would entail. Rather than just sipping on a glass of white wine, I like to get involved in the whole event process.
In any case, parties per se have changed over the years. There was a lot of private partying that happened in the ‘80s and ‘90s, which we used to do as young, married couples. But all of these were held at homes. The whole concept of events as parties started about a decade ago.
Even though it was a new genre of living, there wasn’t the glitz, red carpet, gaggle of photographers and the what-do-I-wear-today conundrum associated with events like there is in recent years. In the early days, I used to go to at least four or five events a week. Did I enjoy it? Yes, I have varied interests and I enjoy meeting people. Now, I use my time a little more productively.
Fitness is a personal responsibility for me. Even though it might seem like I am terribly undisciplined in a party, having nibbles and wine, I make sure to work it off the next day.
I take my attire very seriously. I do pick up designer clothes when I need them, but I am not designer-centric as is expected of socialites. I do a lot of shopping in London because in a city like Chennai, you can spend a bomb on clothes and walk into a party and find that two others are wearing the same thing in different colours.
And to top it all you can’t be a repeat offender. Why have you spent Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 on a decent designer outfit? You wear it once and then your wardrobe sees it? You have to repeat your clothes at least four or five times a year (not back-to-back of course). If Kate Middleton can be seen in the same outfit thrice, we can do the same! I try and repeat them before they go out of style, but in different groups and cities.
Most times I decide what to wear in the evening. I am extremely good in my turnaround time: 25 minutes for a quick shower, change and makeup and my best foot forward. That’s sheer experience!
I have no compunctions about walking into a party or event alone. Strangely, my closest friends are not socialites. They have their own careers but they are intrigued and love this socialite side of me. There’s an old Madras and a new Chennai; my closest friends belong to the former.
I moved to this city more than three decades ago. Chennai grows on you. I had a challenging career and one day it is too late to leave. And when you ask yourself, if you want to move out of Madras you don’t want to leave namma Chennai.
Today, I am a true-blue Chennai-ite. I take my role in society and community service very seriously. The city and people have been good to me, so I plough that back.
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Priya Manikandan
Last week, I was invited to at least one event every day. Most days there are at least three different places to go to. Today, I have to go to four events. It’s not that I want to go out every evening, but sometimes, the invitations are personal. I am obligated to turn up for at least a few minutes out of the respect I have for those who invite me. And since Chennai has a very small community of party goers where everyone knows everyone else, it is obvious if someone’s missing.
When I arrive at a party, right from the door to the centre of the room, I’m familiar with so many people. After being in the circuit for around five years now, it is a route I am familiar with.
I don’t step out for clubbing per se, but as most of the DJs are my friends, I do end up going to support them and watch them play. The latter half of the year is very hectic, what with weddings, sangeets, brunches and other events. All over India, Chennai is quite happening because we have a lenient curfew. The outlook has changed and people do want to step out. Since the circle is small, once you get to know one person, you immediately get to know the others. Even expats and visiting foreigners are quickly part of the group!
When I’m invited somewhere and I decide to go, I mentally prepare for what I’m going to wear. Invariably we can’t repeat outfits. But I know the value of money: we spend so much on clothes we like and look good in, so what’s the point if we can’t wear it more than once. I am not so much into designers and labels. If you take the time, you feel nice when you dress up and it is necessary to look presentable. But it is a stressful thing to be out and about, from being dressed appropriately to wondering who you’re going to meet tonight.
Any evening is bland unless you have friends around. I have my core group that I hang out with, but I don’t just stick to them. In any case, I have met so many people that I will know someone at any place I go to.
We sometimes relax by hanging out at each other’s house, or stepping out for coffee or brunch or lunch.
Basically we are all doing something besides partying. Professionally, I design costumes for movies, do a bit of fashion choreography, lights and sounds for stage events and do a bit of styling apart from a lot of other things. I have two teenage daughters, and since my husband works in Mumbai, I also have my household chores to take care of.
The tag of a socialite seems to me like a very strong accusation. What does it entail? What is the quantification for it? I don’t like to be called a socialite, but would rather have it known that I am a good friend to those who want my presence. Only if people like you will they invite you anywhere. I am a friendly person and that’s why I get along with so many different kinds of people.
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Bala Chandran
Why is it so hard to believe that an educated person can party as well? People tend to stop talking and stare when I tell them that I have a doctorate in psychology.
I’m from Bangalore, but have been in Chennai for the past 10 to 15 years. In that time, I have become quite an integral part of the party circuit. It began at Hell Freezes Over, then moved to Zara and then to Bike and Barrel. Around this time, I began a Facebook community and organised parties through it. This is partly what I do now, and almost all the clubs recognise me. They know that when I walk in, a crowd is sure to follow.
In Chennai, about a hundred of us define what works and what doesn’t when it comes to partying. I believe I am one of the opinion-makers in that circuit. We ask each other what’s going on and decide where to go. Sometimes, it is very last minute: for example, till last evening, I had no plans for today. But at 11 p.m. last night, I got an invite, and so now I have to turn up at a party on ECR.
A few months ago, I would be out three or four times a week. Now I keep it to two nights —Wednesdays or Thursday and Saturdays. I try to skip Fridays as much as possible as the crowd is very young and are mostly in the club for the free drinks.
My dressing depends on who I’m hanging out with. If the crowd is casual or if it’s a house party, I’m a bit laid back. I go in for branded clothes and wear as much colour as possible. Right now I’m into blue. And people watch out for my shoes — eel skin, ostrich skin and printed shoes as well. Shoes are very important to complete the look.
I take about 40 minutes to get ready for a night out: 15 minutes for ironing clothes, 15 minutes to shower and 10 to 15 minutes for grooming. I decide what to wear just before I get ready since almost all my plans are made at the last minute.
“Socialite” is an elitist term, but I’m not against it. In any case, it is more of a status than a profession. To attain it, one must have done something that warrants it.
