Cloud Gate — Chicago Millennium Park

Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park within the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The sculpture and AT&T Plaza are located on top of Park Grill, between the Chase Promenade and McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the sculpture is nicknamed "The Bean" because of its bean-like shape. Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It is 33 by 66 by 42 feet (10 by 20 by 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons (100 t; 98 long tons) Said to have been inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture's surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline. Visitors are able to walk around and under Cloud Gate's 12-foot (3.7 m) high arch. On the underside is the "omphalos" (Greek for "navel"), a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections. The sculpture builds upon many of Kapoor's artistic themes, and is popular with tourists as a photo-taking opportunity for its unique reflective properties.

The sculpture was selected during a design competition. After Kapoor's design was chosen, numerous technological concerns regarding the design's construction and assembly arose, in addition to concerns regarding the sculpture's upkeep and maintenance. Various experts were consulted, some of whom believed the design could not be implemented. Eventually, a feasible method was found, but the sculpture's construction fell behind schedule. It was unveiled in an incomplete form during the Millennium Park grand opening celebration in 2004, before being concealed again while it was completed. Cloud Gate was formally dedicated on May 15, 2006, and has since gained considerable popularity, both domestically and internationally.

B-town celebs on the ramp at IIJW 2012

Bollywood Actresses Turn Models at Indian Bridal Fashion Week 2013

The Indian Bridal Fashion Week 2013 ended on a high note, and if you missed it, don’t worry. We have the best moments from the event. From Sonam Kapoor to Kangna Ranaut – Bollywood actresses graced the ramp as models and showstoppers for some of the biggest names in the Indian fashion industry.

                                                        Amyra Dastur

The girl in the ads who made it to Bollywood – Amyra Dastur also walked for Rina Dhaka along with her ‘Issaq’ co-star Prateik Babbar. Dressed in an ornate shararas with a golden headgear, Amyra looked quite comfortable sashaying the ramp with Babbar, dressed in a black velvet sherwani.

                                                         Esha Gupta
Day 5 saw ‘Jannat 2’ star Esha Gupta sashaying down the ramp for Adarsh Gill in a gold and red lehenga. She looked every bit the bride – the intricate work of the lehenga and choli glimmering through a red net dupatta.

                                                           Jacqueline Fernandez
Sri Lankan beauty was also seen on Day 2 of IBFW as the showstopper for Jyostna Tiwari. She looked resplendent in a slit pink strapless dress with intricate gold embroidery and teamed with pencil-fit pants. Wild hair and minimalist jewelry completed Jacqueline’s look.

                                                                 Kangna Ranaut

The ‘Fashion’ star walked the ramp as the showstopper for JJ Valaya on the opening day of the IBFW ’13 in Delhi. She looked regal in a gold lehenga with matching headgearand a blue choli.

                                                  Lisa Haydon
Cut to the final day of IBFW 2013, and ‘Aisha’ star Lisa Haydon wrapped up Tarun Tahliani’s show in a stunning beige sari that was apparently light as air, although it looked quite embellished. She topped it off with some pretty Swarovski jewelry and the sheer confidence that Haydon exudes on the ramp.

                                                                 Nargis Fakhri

On the fourth day, Ashima Leena showcased her bridal collection, and her showstopper was the ‘Rockstar’ actress Nargis Fakhri. She was dressed in a red and gold lehenga and a full-sleeved koti, with her wavy hair flowing down her right shoulder, as a huge maang-tika adorned the left side of her head.

                                                                Neha Dhupia

Walking the ramp for Falguni and Shane Peacock, Neha Dhupia was a class apart from the other IBFW showstoppers with her going Goth. A black and red full-length peplum dress with wavy black hair and kohl-lined eyes – she was quite the gothic bride next to the bright pinks and oranges.

                                                Sonam Kapoor

The same day, Sonam Kapoor walked the ramp for Rohit Bal. The actress’ flab was quite noticeable, albeit in a very attractive gold and cream lehenga with matching jewelry. Even though, she looked quite confident and had a ball shaking a leg at the finale of Bal’s show.

                                                Chitrangada Singh

The same day ‘Desi Boyz’ star Chitrangada graced the ramp as Suneet Verma’s showstopper. She looked pretty graceful even dressed in what seemed like quite a heavy embroidered red, gold and silver lehenga. Her beautiful tresses with bangs and a confident smile completed this actress’ on-ramp persona.

                                                          Sophie Choudry

Sophie is back in not one, but two significant movies after a long time – ‘Shootout at Wadala’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobaara!’ And she is making the right waves – walking the ramp for Rina Dhaka on Day 2 of IBFW being one of them. She looked just like a bride – all done up in an orange and green bridal lehenga.