A BOULEVARD OF HAUTE SURPRISES.

NEHA MATHUR walks through DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj, and just loves the fetching variety of goodies

NEW U

Plus: Affordable, international cosmetic brands Minus: Inadequate presence of nail accessories

THE huge banners that drop down from the ceiling of the store, at the end of DLF Promenade's atrium, are enticing enough to dip into an international experience inside this store. This multi- purpose shop has fragrances from popular global brands such as Azzaro, Nina Ricci, Elizabeth Arden and Escada; hair and fashion accessories like sunglasses and silver jewellery; cosmetics from L'Oreal, Maybelline and Vichy; and health and wellness products too.

What differentiates New U from other stores of the genre is the plethora of options under one roof -- besides affordable global cosmetics, you can also pick up babies' diapers here. A welcome entry is Turkey's Moda, available at affordable prices. Pick up a sparkling lip- gloss for Rs 150, nail paints for Rs 50 and eye pencils for Rs 120. However, it would have been better had there been a bigger range of nail accessories.

MANGO

Plus: A variety of styles in jackets Minus: The winter fabric, wool, has gone missing

AUBERGINE purple, the hot colour of last season, has made way for the colour of this season, the eco- friendly green. And this store is promoting green in all its hues -- bottle green, parrot green and also the sombre, winter green -- especially at its ground floor. The other hot colour, magenta, too has brightened up the entire store.

You can pick up a cotton- knit dress in magenta or even a knee- length coat with exaggerated collars.

One thing that you must check out while shopping here is the long, shepherd- style jacket in imitation fur. It's clearly the piece de resistance . The other styles include bolero, blouson, drop- waist A- line coat, and cocoon, priced between Rs 3,500 and Rs 11,000. Also worth your time are the winter dresses in mixed wool, priced upwards of Rs 5,000. Sadly, there is nothing in pure wool, which is surprising given that the season is taking a rather ' cool' turn.

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