An Italian style priestess comes a-visiting; a flourishing eatery hosts a birthday brunch; romances from the Raj continue to wow audiences.... Verve rides a roller-coaster of parties.

Mumbai’s haute world dipped deep into its stylish armoires, readying to extend an

Oscar-style welcome to Donatella Versace. In the city for a few days – to crown the winner of a reality TV show and meet with fashion’s movers and shakers – her agenda was packed to the brim, scarcely giving the high priestess of style time to slip out of one outfit and into another. The Italian diva put her best foot forward when she mingled with the elite in their dandy tuxedos and sequinned tops at the Raheja Exotica, Madh Island, as the six finalists presented their grand finale. But all the lanterns hanging from the ceiling could not steal the spotlight from special guest, Abhishek Bachchan, who towered over the crowd. Overheard: "So, Abu-Sandeep are Donatella’s new, desi bodyguards?"