The legend of a master trunk maker, retold. The unfolding romance of Hindi cinema. Verve fuses two historic and incredible phenomena and creates iconic images, in a tribute to style

You do recall the modern-Victorian representation of Sevigny in gingham and clutching that style weapon, the LV monogrammed bag. As striking, in our mind, as striking screen portrayals that continually draw us in. With Hindi cinema taking world fancy by storm, Verve decided to place two iconic situations together - a fashion juggernaut that has proved to be the great modern survivor and the amazing leading ladies of the Hindi screen - to present pictures that, we trust, will remain embedded in India's modern psyche for years to come. Unforgettable, contemporary photographs where elegance imposes on style, with singular effect.

History is made relevant here, as style documentary. Louis Vuitton, a master trunk maker, sensing that travel would be the new catchphrase of the modern world, created a trunk with ultimate poise. In 1857, the flat-topped, stagecoach trunk was fashioned out of poplar and stretched canvas. The wardrobe trunk, was introduced in 1870. Twenty years later, was created the first modern suitcase. Travel tales abounded with these carefully made pieces holding centre stage. The empress, Eugenie de Montijo, patronised the young trunk maker and entrusted him with the task of packing her royal finery. African explorer, Savorgnan de Brazza, traversed the Congo with a compact trunk-bed replete with mattress and mosquito net. Special orders remain close to the LV heart and Patrick-Louis Vuitton, a fifth generation family member, continues to oversee these at the original workshop at Asnières, in France.

Memoirs, however, cannot a brand make and constant reinventing brought chic muscle. In 1998, Vuitton entered the domain of fashion with Marc Jacobs, an ingenious young New York couturier, newly instated as director of womenswear. Better known for his grunge style, sceptics deemed it almost an inconceivable union. The enfant terrible of New York fashion, who continues to maintain his own label, however, struck gold, particularly with his bag collections. Several times over! Vuitton's man with the Midas touch, brought novelty to the traditional, while retaining old strengths and techniques. He initiated innovative collaborations with the (now late) artist, Stephen Sprouse (Graffitti collection, 2001); illustrator, Julie Verhoeven (Contes de Fees, 2002) and Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami, who created the ubiquitous Eye Love range with candy colours and feminine bows.

Voilà, the enduring fashion fable that is Louis Vuitton. And the timelessness of Hindi cinema. Fused and styled in tribute.

KAREENA KAPOOR

We applauded her award-winning prostitute in Chameli, making the role politically correct in Hindi cinema. She enjoyed the performing too, admitting to throwing caution to the winds, at twenty-two. "Acting cannot be done by research except for historical roles. I have always wanted to do every character…." Upcoming Hulchul, "My first, full fledged comedy. It's so funny, I didn't need to perform." Personal style "I believe style lies in your attitude. I am into very casual clothes and loads of Indian outfits."

BAG POCHETTE ACCESSOIRES IN MONOGRAM TROMPE L'OEIL, DESIGNED BY MARC JACOBS FOR FALL-WINTER 2004/2005; INSPIRED BY SCOTTISH SHOOTING PARTIES, THE HIGHLANDS AND VICTORIAN STYLE; EMBELLISHED WITH HONEY ALLIGATOR AND CARAMEL PIPING IN CALF AND VINTAGE METALLIC PIECES IN BRASS AND CRYSTAL STRASS.

A LIMITED EDITION BAG BY LOUIS VUITTON.

Pink Lycra top, by Manish Malhotra. Bracelets and rings, at Ravissant.

Watch, Kareena's own.

SHILPA SHETTY

Eleven sizzling years in the industry, somehow prepared her for the sensitive portrayal of an HIV positive victim in Phir Milenge. Now, she is set to do a Pretty Woman in Khamosh for which she admits to working hard on her body, to play an escort. "It is unbelievable but after Phir Milenge, every script I receive is heroine oriented. This is scaring me because I do not want to be typecast. The reason for my long survival is my song and dance routine and I am not apologetic about it. This is my USP." Personal style "I will not follow fashion just to make a statement." Upcoming Fareb with sister Shamita, a first for siblings in Hindi cinema.

BAG BOITE CHAPEAU IN EPI ROUGE, A REVITALISED 1850s BESTSELLER TRUNK ALZER IN MONOGRAM MULTICOLORE BLANC, Vuitton's LIGHTER HARD SIDED SUITCASE WITH THE AGE-OLD SAVOIR-FAIRE OF THEIR FIRST FLAT TRUNK, 1854.

Burgundy Lycra gown, by Rocky S. Necklace, by Pavan Anand, for Dagmar, from Purple Porcupine, at Ishna. Shoes, Shilpa's own.

JUHI CHAWLA

Do all former Miss Indias marry millionaires? Well, this one did. After her exuberant performance in Jhankar Beats and an intense one in Teen Deewarein, we can only be thrilled that she has not retired into millionaire-dom. Is that exuberance really her? "It is me but I can be very grumpy, also." Claim to particular fame? Films in Kannada, Telegu, Tamil, Malayalam and a recent one coming up in Punjabi. "I do not speak all these languages but, at that moment, I learned to speak them." Upcoming My Brother Nikhil. Personal style "I am very simply dressed, normally. I love Disney characters but now my kids (Jahanavi and Arjun) are wearing them, so I would rather buy those for them."

BAG SUHALI L'INGÉNIEUX PM BLEU, FEATURING NAILS, CORNERS, REINFORCEMENT BORDERS (CALLED LOSINES) AND LOCKS - ALL INSPIRED BY THE CLASSIC VUITTON TRUNKS.

SHOES FLEUR OPEN BACK PUMP IN COGNAC, DESIGNED BY MARC JACOBS, FALL-WINTER 2005, INSPIRED BY RETRO 50's VINTAGE AND THE 'FEMME FATALE' LOOK.

Yellow georgette poncho, by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. Beige camisole, at Marks & Spencer. Earrings and rings, at Riviera Fine Jewels. Trousers, Juhi's own.

SHABANA AZMI

Recently finished with Waterborne - where she plays a mildly racist Sikh owner of a convenience store - Hollywood is not a novelty for the veteran actress who triggers rural rhapsodies in our memory (Ankur, Paar). We admired her in Morning Raga, a celebration of Carnatic music, "a very daunting, completely new and deeply satisfying experience". Shabanaspeak "We are patting ourselves and saying that the Hindi film has really arrived but we still have a long way to go." Big Project "I head Nivara Hakk, a project that will rehabilitate 18,000 families ousted from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park." Personal Style "You will never see me informally dressed at a formal occasion; with my friends and family I can be quite eclectic."

BAG SUTTER IN MONOGRAM MAT AMBRÉ, LAUNCHED BY VUITTON IN 2003 AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE SHINY AND SOPHISTICATED MONOGRAM VERNIS. THE COLOUR AMBRÉ, INTRODUCED IN 2003, EFFECTIVELY BROADENED THE COLOUR OFFER OF THE LINE.

Beige and maroon georgette kurta and dupatta with mokaish and zardozi (salwar not shown), by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. Salwar and earrings, Shabana's own.

SIMI GAREWAL

Her little known screen debut, in Tarzan Goes to India, starring Jock Mahoney, makes her India's first Hollywood actress. Later, in Conrad Rooks' Siddhartha, she proved to be the first Indian actress to do a nude scene. After seven years, Rendezvous... anchors her firmly to the small screen, making her an icon to reckon with, while she continues to receive film offers that don't excite her. Rendezvous with stars "My crew tells me that I have changed after the Dev Anand interview. I was a person who always carried a bundle of sorrow. He says, you cannot get rid of sorrow but do not let it attach itself to you. Put it away in your pocket, somewhere." Looks "Whatever I look like is genetic. I have no greys, have never coloured my hair." Personal style "Simply classic. If I look at a photograph of myself 20 years hence, I should not feel that I look funny." White "It started out with my feeling good whenever I wore white. So, why not feel good all the time?"

BAG SUHALI L'AIMABLE IN WHITE, THE GOAT LEATHER LINE WITH CHARACTER AND SENSUALITY. SHOES DICE OPEN BACK PUMP IN BEIGE, FROM VUITTON'S FALL-WINTER 2004/2005 WOMEN'S LINE.

White trench coat, corset with thread work and white trousers, all by Narendra Kumar Ahmed. Cocktail ring, by Neha Agarwal, for Nillaya. Earrings, Simi's own.

Hair by Steffi, for Franck Provost

DIANA HAYDEN

Watch the former Miss World move bag and baggage from London to debut in Ab…Bas, starring "a sole hero which is me". No regrets! Only time will tell whether Shakespeare based acting courses at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts) and DSL (Drama Studio London) work with Hindi cinema histrionics.

Notwithstanding, the former L'Oréal model is already hair-deep in her career. Confession "I am a workaholic, big time." Personal style "When it is casual, it is extremely casual. When formal, I go the whole hog. I am an extremist, with my work, my life, my clothes." Upcoming Ritesh Sinha's All Alone.

BAG MONOGRAM ALMA, 1992. INSPIRED BY 1930s TRAVEL BAG LINE DEVELOPED BY LOUIS VUITTON'S GRANDSON, GASTON VUITTON. SHOES MONOGRAM GINA STRAP PUMP, DETAILED WITH 'CONCORDE NOSE' AND SLIM STACKED HEELS. SCARF MONOGRAM IN PRUNE.

Orange Lycra dress, by Reza Shariff. Earrings and ring, at Dia.

DIA MIRZA

Her character, a stripper, in Tumsa Nahin Dekha, is unapologetic about what she is doing. A far cry from the mentally challenged girl she played in Tehzeeb. Juggling roles could make her real-life dream come true. "I do not want to look pretty; I am through with doing that. I would rather be acknowledged as a superstar." A stripper "The role was a refreshing deal for audiences to see me in a certain avatar." Upcoming Blackmail with Ajay Devgan. Personal Style "There are days when I feel like a woman. There are days when I eel like a girl. My style is an extension of my mood when I wake up in the morning."

BAG SPEEDY IN MONOGRAM MULTICOLORE NOIR, ORIGINALLY LAUNCHED IN 1959 AND INTERPRETED TO JAPANESE ARTIST TAKASHI MURAKAMI'S MULTICOLORE DESIGN IN 2003. SHOES VEGAS OPEN SIDE PUMP WITH GOLDEN STRASS MONOGRAM ACCESSORIES, VUITTON'S CONTRIBUTION FOR THE 'WOMAN WHO IS READY TO PLAY'.

Lilac layered top, by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, for Cue, at 7 BEST Marg. Lime green trousers, by Tarun Tahiliani. Bracelet, at Amar Gems.

AMISHA PATEL

Barrister, Rajni Patel's granddaughter prepared herself adequately for Bollywood, by gaining a gold medal in economics from Tufts University, USA and, reportedly, a figure-enhancing job. Just out of her teens, when Gadar, Ek Prem Katha, was released, she admits that it was the most 'challenging and emotionally draining' time in her life. Upcoming The Rising Aamir Khan "He is a complete dream to work with." Personal style "Very feminine, very classy, very delicate. I love accessories more than clothes."

BAG EPI DHANURA IN MANDARIN, THE NAME MEANING, 'THE POSITION OF THE BOW', IS A YOGA POSTURE. SHOES SANDALS IN MONOGRAM MULTICOLORE BLANC, FALL-WINTER 2004/2005. ACCESSORY GOLD VUITTON CHARM BRACELET. THE 'BIG APPLE CHARM' WAS LAUNCHED TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE VUITTON STORE ON FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK.

Camel satin dress, by Komal Shahani.

MANISHA KOIRALA

Her contribution to her political family, is an awareness of what is happening worldwide. Beyond that, she is on the threshold of being a student - of direction, screenplay writing and whatever else, to do with filmmaking. "A film student is what I am and wish to be." Wild child "I love being called that. I am a fun, spirited, independent person but never irresponsible." Upcoming Chahat, Taj Mahal, Indira Gandhi. Personal style "I love wearing jeans, T-shirt and sneakers. But, at a party, I can do a glam number, just as well." Brands "For a long period, I was too much into brands. Then, you come to a point where brands merely add to your own style."

BAG THEDA PM MONOGRAM. THEDA BARA, A FAMOUS ACTRESS FROM THE 1920s, PLAYED THE ROLE OF CLEOPATRA WHO FORMED THE INSPIRATION FOR MARC JACOBS, SPRING-SUMMER 2004.

Black georgette pantsuit with beaded corset, by Shahid Amir. Ring, at Riviera Fine Jewels.