These days, it's not surprising to find that the song you're listening to on your iPod is by the same person who designed your dress and starred in the movie you rented last night. This crossover of disciplines in the arts-and-entertainment racket seems natural: music, fashion, and movies make up the vast majority of pop culture. Take J-Lo, Gwen Stefani, and Jessica Simpson (she's got a line of shoes), for instance. One could argue that if they're skilled in one creative medium, there's no reason they shouldn't be good at another. Or is it just ultrabranding in a world gone loco for labels? Whatever the case, it doesn't stop in Hollywood.

Crossover””Bollywood SE in Little India (6468 Main Street) is the newest local boutique to exemplify this trend. The world of Bollywood cinema, with its stunning sets, ornate costumes, and dazzling song-and-dance numbers, is all about glamour and style.

The boutique is the brainchild of Bollywood star Suniel Shetty. The flagship store is in Dubai, and the second location is right here in Vancouver. When Shetty met with local businesswoman and designer Raanee Khaira, it was fate. Khaira had a vision. She wanted to open a shop in Vancouver where she could bring in the very best of India's designers, things that couldn't be found anywhere else in town””or anywhere else in Canada, for that matter. The timing was perfect. A store was born.

Along with Khaira and Shetty's lines, you'll find gorgeous traditional beaded saris in a rainbow of delicious colours as well as a magnificent bridal collection by Neeta Lulla, the queen of Indian fashion. Lulla has dressed Bollywood's elite and also did a piece for Catherine Zeta-Jones. This line includes separate pieces that can be worn for nonmatrimonial occasions, such as brocade corset tops and floor-length beaded and embroidered skirts in silks and velvets.

The store also stocks a variety of fusion outfits designed by other top Bollywood costumers. A particularly stunning dress is by Falguni & Shane Peacock. It's a strapless little ditty made of turquoise chiffon layered over an exotic blue-beige-and-cream jungle print that peeks out from the flowy, uneven hem. The bust line is accented with faux-leopard trim and blue marabou feathers. It has a tropical sexiness reminiscent of Roberto Cavalli or Donatella Versace. There's also a dress by Suneet Varma in a small, giraffelike navy-and-lime print with an exaggerated handkerchief hem and a halter top of blue-and-yellow tulle. The clasp at the back of the neck is a jewelled, antiquelike brooch closure. Everything is one-of-a-kind, with the differences being in the details and finishing touches. Prices range from $100 to $10,000.

When the Georgia Straight asks if she will now be creating for an international audience, Khaira says, “I've been asked to put my designs in the Dubai store, but I'm more of an entrepreneur. For me, designing is fun, and it's more fun for me to just do it locally.”  Lucky for us. The pieces found here are only found here””not even in Dubai.