Hollywood's most influential style divas, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker, were spotted in New York carrying clutches designed by Suneet Varma
Hollywood's most influential style divas, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker, were spotted in New York carrying clutches designed by Suneet Varma
'Tis the season of New York. Just when Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' addictive track Empire State of Mind is ringing in your ears, there's exciting news from the Big Appleu00a0-- one that puts an Indian fashion designer at the centre of glamour spotlight
Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker wears an embellished blush Elie Saab cocktail dress, teamed with an emerald L'Wren Scott jacket and the Ritz Fizz (Jali) clutch at the New York City Ballet Spring Gala on Apr 29
That Suneet Varma was chosen as first Indian designer to join Judith Leiber's (US-based haute couture label founded in 1963) team is an old story. But that Hollywood style divas Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez are endorsing the choice, is big news.
The two paraded Varma's Ritz Fizz (Jali) and Starburst clutches at the coveted New York City Ballet Spring Gala held on April 29, and MET Costume Institute Gala on May 4, respectively. "The West has always flirted with India and our design sensibility. But we've been considered a little too 'exotic' to be mainstream. I wanted to change that with my association with Leiber," says the Delhi designer who spent six months to create both clutch designs.u00a0 
Latin pop singer and actress Jennifer Lopez arrives at the MET Costume Institute Gala on May 4 dressed in a Zuhair Murad gown and Swarovski-studded Starburst clutch. PIC/AFP
SJP looked every bit like her Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw, dressed in an Elie Saab cocktail dress teamed with an emerald L'Wren Scott jacket and the Ritz Fizz (Jali) clutch in hand. "In India, the Jali pattern is all around us, from the Taj Mahal to the weave in Banaras' textiles. We don't give it much credit for being an important motif. I've loved the Jali pattern, now Sarah Jessica Parker does too," smiles Varma.
The flamboyant designer has a soft spot for the Sex and the City series and movie. "Samantha Jones'
character has the coolest one liners, but my favourite is Carrieu00a0-- she is a romantic, and a style diva. SJP is the ultimate endorsement for any designer since she is considered the 'it' girl. Last year, I saw her at a perfume launch in New York and went up to say hello."u00a0
The inspiration behind the Swarovski-studded Starburst that JLo flaunted, dressed in a Zuhair Murad gown, is rooted in the Sheesh Mahals of Jaipur and Jodhpur. "Sheesh Mahals are constructed using fragments of mirrored glass; even a small candle light can illuminate the entire room, transforming it into a celebration! Almost like a thousand little stars flickering. This clutch is an entirely new experience for the Judith Leiber client," explains Varma, who still remembers JLo's green dress in Waiting for Tonight music video. "She opened up a whole new 
experience of Latin seduction for the world. Everyone sat up and took notice."
Suneet Varma, Designer
It's not important that A-list Hollywood wears Suneet Varma couture on the red carpet. If it happens, it's fine. But that Hollywood stars are carrying my bags with international couture is an endorsement of my work, and Indian talent. Famous Indian faces Nita Ambani, Parmeshwar Godrej and Priyanka Chopra wear my clothes teamed with international accessories.
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