It's Heating Up

Red pandas are territorial, generally quiet except for some whistling sounds. Adults are solitary but not during mating season.

Well then it must be that happy mating season in the forest, because this Red Panda’s pretty social. Living on a new online fashion portal that helps you get the A-lister look for less, this furry creature’s developed a keen eye for fashion with a finely tuned radar for bargains. Here’s how it works: The team behind Red Panda picks a movie, deconstructs the look of its actors, sources uncannily similar designs that don’t cost the Earth and sell them to you via their website. Right now for instance, you can buy Farhan Akhtar’s reel-life sunglasses for just Rs 1,800. How’s that for vision?

Can’t Find Style? Just Goggle It

Currently in beta testing phase, Red Panda’s line-up of movies is far from house full. The main featured film is Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and the product pick is sunglasses. So you can shop for reasonably-priced but cool Opium eyewear that exactly match the ones sported by the film’s cast. Then there’s some loot from Tees Maar Khan – crystal mini dress and black cropped dhoti pants like Katrina wears in Sheela ki Jawani, along with a few more accessories. Other products on sale include easy-to-source white tank top and denim skirt that could be out of any film but have been matched to De Dana Dan and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. The site allows you to shop by actor, film or designer.

Film Directory

But when the site adds newer film releases that feature hip designs – or even more fashion-centric movies like Aisha - shopping on Red Panda could be fun. They ship anywhere in Mumbai for free, allow a 28 day return policy, have fun interactive features and do a fashion blog (they should however, consider limiting the use of the word ‘versatile’ in their descriptions).

Given the number of cool stylists in Bollywood today and the burgeoning landscape of fashion stores in the city, Red Panda could be on to something. We were kind of hoping for a more glittery, star-studded premiere, though.

Looks like those red pandas are solitary creatures after all.

Getting there: Visit www.redpanda.co.in, Rs 5,000 for dhoti pants like the ones sported by Katrina Kaif in Tees Maar Khan.