KITU GIDWANI feels the lemon-yellow figure-hugging top that ends at her waist. "It's all woven, see," she comments on its cool pastel comfort. Having paired it with contoured khakhi pants, she presents a fresh, youthful picture with an attitude to match. I suddenly become aware of my `post-baby pouch' that months of exercise haven't been able to dent, Kitu laughs. "Well, I haven't done that yet, but I hope to, some day. Just one kid," she trails away.

When ITC ferretted her out to serve as Fashion Consultant to promote the Wills Sport Lifestyle brand of clothing to the media and the end-user, Kitu was excited at the opportunity. The Wills Sport website www.willsport.com offers a sneak preview of the entire range of apparel. A personalised fashion consultancy service to help visitors pick the right wardrobe is where Kitu steps in. `Fashion Guru' will process your personal details - vital stats, work and leisure culture - and combine it with the latest fashion trends to outfit you with a unique wardrobe. "I'm here to help market and provide inputs to Fashion Guru", explains Kitu. She goes on to add, "The range includes Work, Leisure and Party and is priced between Rs. 200 and Rs. 1,000. Your body structure, lifestyle requirements and work culture are taken into account to give you wardrobe suggestions that are yours alone."

Corduroy, denim, lycra, angora, silk, and tencel come together to create a big fashion splash in the Fall-Winter Collection. The Spring - Summer Collection accents vibrant colours, soft pastels, and the fashionable washed look in knits and weaves to beat the hottest months. Short shorts, sleeveless tank tops, bermudas and capris all find a place on display hangers. "From styling to texture, the watchword is quality," says Kitu, playing the perfect hostess. ITC has, in fact, partnered San Francisco - based American Design Intelligence Group (ADIG) who have teamed up with the corporate's in-house design group in adapting internatinal styles to Indian tastes and conditions.

What does Kitu's personal wardrobe look like? I am curious. "I have one of the most extensive wardrobes - I need three whole rooms," laughs Kitu, sounding like just another clothes-crazy teenyhooper. "Hipsters are my favourites but my wardrobe has just about everything - casuals, stylish n'sexy long dresses, sporty wear... I love wearing sarees, they drape so much better than salwars." But talking of specifics - the Lifestyle store clothing range - she says, "I'd like to focus on women's wear. That's the thrust I want - to `empower' women."

When she's not doing the Lifestyle clothing spiel, Kitu dives headlong into teleserials that interest and involve her. "I'm working on a film right now. But this assignment is such a different challenge. It isn't about a cinema background. It's corporate, and I work with a very professional team," she gushes, running her fingers through her burgundy - streaked mop all the while.

Kitu, unlike many of her ilk, wears her real face for the world to see. There are no lines or blotches that need to run for cover - under the coat of a thick foundation. And, she exudes good health, to boot. "I'm not saintly, please. I love good food. I love my wines. But I'm a fanatic fitness freak because I want to be able to wear good clothes. I don't believe in starving to be thin, I believe in being fit," says the lady whose route to that gorgeous figure is dancing, aerobics and lifting weights.

And yet, she's attractively single. "In my life, nothing's been on the cards. The only thing I can plan is my holiday," she signs off with inimitable Kitu Gidwani flamboyance.

Wills Sport Lifestyle stores are now open in Anna Nagar and Khader Nawaz Khan Road.