2021-12-01 VOGUE India UserUpload Net

DEC
2021
150
N A TAS HA
P OO NAW AL L A
ON FASHION, FAMILY
AND PHILANTHROPY
ANA DE ARMAS
PRESENTED BY
Natural Diamond Council

ONLYNATURALDIAMONDS.IN
DECE M BER /2021
128 16 6
A QUIET REVOLUTION THREE CHEERS
Natasha Poonawalla is ready Since its launch, the JCB Prize
to strip her public image of a for Literature has expanded the
fashionable socialite and emerge reach of regional Indian writing
as a high-impact woman who beyond the dominant English-
can handle grit as well as language books. And among
glamour, finds Radhika Seth. India’s varied and multifaceted
Photographed by Mert Alas literary voices, Malayalam
and Marcus Piggott writing is having its moment in
Styled by Dena Giannini the spotlight, finds Sana Goyal
134 16 8
EXTRA LOVE SCENT AND THE CITY
Gilded pieces, from sparkling To perfumer Ben Gorham, a
shoes to dripping gems, as seen smell is invaluable. And with
on model-on-the-move Amrit, Byredo’s latest blend, he takes
illustrate how accessories will notes of a visceral journey
always dial up a look. and his deep connection with
REMA CHAUDHARY. EMBELLISHED PANT SUIT, KANIKA GOYAL. LONG NECKLACE, OUTHOUSE. NECKLACE WITH CHARMS, VIANGE FINE JEWELS
Photographed by Cruz Valdez Mumbai, finds Kirstie Clements.

Fashion editor: Max Ortega Photographed by Ashish Shah
142
THE JEAN GENIES
Looking for classic lines or artful
embellishment? Your wish is
denim’s command.
Photographed by
Angelo Pennetta
Styled by Julia Sarr-Jamois
156
LET THE SUNSHINE IN
In Northern France, John
Galliano has created a home
befitting the idiosyncratic
beauty of his tenure at Maison
Margiela. Hamish Bowles
pays a call to the treasure-
filled hideaway.
Photographed by
François Halard
www.vogue.in VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 11

D E C E M B E R /2 0 2 1
106
VALUE ADD
38 Contributors on your vacay style STYLE 90 Age of access accoutrements take

with multitasking 78 Through the After nearly two centre stage
SHOPS MVPS such as hold-all textile lens years of shoulder-up
47 This New Year’s Eve, bags and multipurpose What do some of India’s dressing, party clothes 94 It’s complicated
bring the party into make-up. Then, embrace biggest textile-focused are firmly back on the A watch complication
your living room with the charm bracelet as fashion designers collect agenda. And with the is the gold star of
all the ingredients for we head into 2022 for their personal return to dressing up horology. Swiss
a night to remember— and slip on a colourful archives? We get an comes a move towards watchmaker Audemars
puff sleeves, corsetry pendant—but keep accessorising. Malika Piguet prides itself
KIRAN GIDDA
exclusive peek. Styled

and micro minis— your watches a cool and written by Vinita Dalamal talks to three in crafting such
before hitting refresh and classic black Makhija women who let their masterpieces, and boy,
16 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

D E C E M B E R /2 0 2 1
COVER LOOK
Taffeta corset dress - Venezia, Dolce & Gabbana Alta
Moda. Hair: Andy Lecompte. Makeup: Mary Phillips.
Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. Styled
by Dena Giannini
are they impressive, are individualistic again, says Shabana history, architecture and 192 24 hours at Taj
says Rishna Shah and unexpected, says Patker-Vahi as she adventure in the UAE Bekal Resort & Spa
Meera Navlakha, as explores its return with these experiences, Treat yourself to a
98 Louis Vuitton and she discovers how the says Chaitali Patel calming weekend
the space oddity demographic is placing 122 Shine on in Kerala among a
The Louis Vuitton its identity at the heart Gloss makes a power- 188 24 hours at centuries-old fort, the
Resort 2022 collection of what it wears packed return to beauty Narendra Bhawan winding backwaters
takes the concept of kits everywhere The boutique hotel and enchanting coastal
cruise to interstellar BEAUTY in Rajasthan and the vistas, says Sadaf
heights. Ready for take- 113 Fresh start LIVING erstwhile residence of Shaikh
off? By Divya Bala Most resolutions are 175 Maximal city the Maharaja of Bikaner
likely ditched, but once Far from the dazzle of is the perfect place to 194 Diary
104 The party starter you rebrand some of the the Burj Khalifa and the live out your king-sized
Label Ritu Kumar has things you’re already magnetic pull of the dream, says Arushi 196 Shoplist
a new face and feel, doing and give them city’s malls, 10 creatives Sinha
with rising star Shanaya direction, you’ll be on from the cosmopolitan DESIRE
Kapoor ushering in your way to a better emirate of Dubai share 190 24 hours at 198 Cascading down
an era of high-octane 2022. Here’s your tool their local favourites W Goa the neck in ripples of
spontaneity. It’s a soirée kit. By Avanti Dalal with Megha Mahindru This young and gold and diamonds, the
you want to RSVP yes audacious beachside ‘Vanity Free’ necklace
to. By Praachi Raniwala 118 The rhythm is 186 The road less property is the perfect by Zoya is inspired by
going to get you taken addition to Goa’s party the sinuous lines of the
106 Value add Aerobics has everyone Keeping Dubai as your precinct, says Megha vanity chambers of the
Gen Z’s shopping carts dancing to its tunes base, get a taste of Mahindru Art Nouveau period

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CONTRIBUTORS
K I RA N D E N ZO N G PA
A multitalented hair, make- K I RST I E C L E M E N TS
up, SFX and prosthetics Author and journalist Clements is the former
artist, Denzongpa’s minimal editor-in-chief of Vogue Australia and the former
style has bagged her work features director at Harper’s Bazaar Australia. In
from brands such as Clinique, ‘Scent and the city’, she speaks to Ben Gorham,
Kama Ayurveda, H&M, Anita the founder of perfume brand Byredo, about the
Dongre and Gaurav Gupta, launch of his latest scent, Mumbai Noise. Her
alongside celebrity clients like new book is titled Why Did I Buy That? Fashion
Katrina Kaif, Athiya Shetty Mistakes, Life Lessons (Murdoch Books). Page 168
and Radhika Apte. In ‘Couch
party’, she puts her artistic
skills to work and brings alive
the fashion—all big-sleeved
dresses and embellished
tailored separates. Page 47
Get to know...
Our contributors from the December issue
V I N I TA M A K H IJA
Makhija has been working
as a freelance fashion
stylist, writer and visual
strategist in the Indian
fashion industry for the
past 13 years. On her
travels, she traces the
history of Indian textiles
and collects stories around
their continued relevance
to contemporary fashion.
In ‘Through the textile
lens’, she takes us into the
personal archives of India’s
biggest textile-focused RA D H I K A S E T H
fashion designers. Page 78 Born in Kolkata and raised
in London, Seth is the
film and culture editor at
British Vogue. A graduate
from Oxford University,
D I VYA B A L A her work has appeared
Bala is a Paris-based in titles such as Condé
writer who started her Nast Traveller and on the
career on the features Vogue Global Network. In
desk at British Vogue ‘A quiet revolution’, she
and has since been gives us a peek into the
published in the Sunday life of our cover star, the
Times and the Financial glamorous philanthropist
Times UK. In ‘Louis Natasha Poonawalla, who
Vuitton and the space is at the forefront of India’s
oddity’, she gives us a battle against COVID-19.
tour of the luxury house’s Page 128
sci-fi-esque Resort 2022
collection. Page 98

www.shantanunikhil.com
“THE ELEGANCE OF A DIAMOND SOLITAIRE, A PAIR OF STUDS OR A NOSE PIN
IS ALL YOU NEED TO SEGUE FROM A DAY AT THE MUSEUM TO DINNER IN
THE FINEST RESTAURANT IN TOWN.”
- Diya Kohli, Condé Nast Traveller
Your Guide To A
Sparkling Getaway
Whether you’re on a beach, by the pool, or hitting the slopes—natural diamonds are the perfect
holiday companions that add sparkle and shine to your travels. Vogue spotlights the must have
diamond pieces in your jewellery arsenal and how you can style them on your vacation
Going on a holiday post the pandemic arguably calls for zone, making it that never-out-of-style item you have to carry
pulling out all the stops—you’ve picked the perfect ensembles in your travels. “While travelling with diamonds, one should
for your long-overdue vacation, so now you only need the keep in mind that the jewellery is minimalistic, light-weight,
right accessories to elevate your outfits. A holiday is the and fuss-free to wear. A classic diamond tennis bracelet or a
perfect excuse to go all out and dress in a fantastical fashion, set of diamond rings would be an ideal pick for travel,” says
of course, but packing can seem tedious and overwhelming— Mr. Ishu Datwani, founder of Anmol. While spiriting the whole
lining up an endless list of activities with your wardrobe can arsenal away and adorning all-that-you-can is a rather tempting
be quite the challenge. Whether you’re going to laze around prospect, the key is to carry pieces which are stylish yet versatile
on a beach, sunbathe by the pool or take to the mountains for and match different outfits—think natural diamond lariats,
your rejuvenating escapade, natural diamonds can completely ring stacks or a pair of natural diamond earrings. “Travelling
overhaul a low-key look and add instant exuberance to your with diamond earrings is like travelling with the right
most fabulous holiday wear. handbag—convenient, luxurious, and necessary,” remarks
Natural diamonds have always been a staple of jewellery Biren Vaidya of Rose.
arsenals—from season to season, year to year, they always reign As we ease ourselves back into holiday waters, natural
as the most dependable jewellery stalwart to bring glamour to diamonds serve to be a stylish security blanket that accompanies
any outfit, regardless of your personal style. Real diamonds you on your getaway through pieces that strike the perfect
espouse endless wearability that catapult it into the versatile balance between timely and timeless.
"TRAVELLING WITH DIAMOND EARRINGS IS LIKE TRAVELLING WITH THE RIGHT HANDBAG
—CONVENIENT, LUXURIOUS, AND NECESSARY." - Biren Vaidya, Rose
A DIAMOND LARIAT NECKLACE

A natural diamond lariat necklace undeniably comes to mind when you think
of the ideal holiday glam scenario—whether it’s an escapade in the great
Lariat necklace: Notandas Jewellers, Cocktail ring: H Ajoomal Fine Jewellery, Hoops: Ganjam, Tennis bracelet: Anmol, Diamond studs: Rose
outdoors or a beach or a fancy dinner party, a dainty lariat always brings a
world of personality and character to amp up almost any ensemble, and is
easy to carry. To add the right amount of sparkle to your soirées, pair yours
with a stunning cocktail dress to embellish the décolletage or wear with your
HOOP EARRINGS swimwear or kaftan for a playful look.
For subtle drama, a pair of diamond
hoops are the perfect finishing touch A COCKTAIL RING
for most after-dark looks. A simple The joy of a cocktail ring is that
design yet remarkably versatile, a pair you only need one piece to make
of natural diamond hoop earrings a statement. Inconspicuous yet
frame the face to reveal true grandeur striking, it is a no-brainer accessory
and are a forever-favourite way to wear that never fails to deliver hints of
diamonds. Transform your slip-dress elegance to any outfit—whether
into a refined evening look or up the you’re holidaying in jeans and a
style quotient of your brunch outfit with t-shirt or layering up from freezing
the right kind of hoop earrings. temperatures—you can never really
go wrong with a natural diamond
cocktail ring.
NATURAL DIAMOND STUDS

If you’re looking for a piece of
jewel that works around the clock,
A TENNIS BRACELET complementing every outfit from
A diamond tennis bracelet is one of the hardest the beach to the bar, then lend
working pieces in any jewellery collection, so it goes your holiday look an understated-
without saying that it earns a veritable spot in your yet-unmissable sparkle with a pair
holiday wardrobe. Stack and layer yours up for a chic of ever-versatile diamond studs.
statement with swimwear or layer with holiday beads Pair them with your loungewear
to wear with a button down shirt or a sundress. Add while lazing around, or even
SPECIAL FEATURE
to your stack with little trinkets and mementos you brave the elements on hands-
purchase on your trip to imbue your arsenal with on adventures with your trusted
souvenirs that go well with your natural diamonds. natural diamonds by your side.
For more such stories on latest trends and styling inspiration, visit www.onlynaturaldiamonds.in
S
EDITED BY PRIYANKA KAPADIA
T R END
Couch
party
Going out on New Year’s Eve
is overrated. Bring the party
to your living room with all
the ingredients for a night to
remember. Think puff sleeves,
corsetry and micro minis
Pinstriped shirt,
Photographed by REMA CHAUDHARY
Zara. Embellished
dress, Dhruv
Kapoor. Socks, Styled by NAHEED DRIVER
Theatre. Heels,
Christian Louboutin Art direction SNIGDHA KULKARNI

TREND
Dress, earrings;
both H&M. Heels,
Christian Louboutin.
Socks, Theatre
BIG-SLEEVE
ENERGY
What’s a great night
without a dress to do all
the heavy lifting? Count
on supersized sleeves to
make a statement
3
1. Ruffled dress, Alexandre
Vauthier, 4,50,610
2. Dress, Philosophy di
DOLCE & GABBANA
Lorenzo Serafini, 52,471

3. Dress, Aje, 33,861
CHRISTIAN SIRIANO
2
INDIGITAL MEDIA

extend your international limited warranty
for up to 8 years on panerai.com
MUMBAI - PALL ADIUM MALL , LOWER PAREL - ART OF TIME , WATERFIELD ROAD, BANDR A
NEW DELHI - DLF CHANAK YA MALL , CHANAK YAPURI - K APOOR WATCH CO, EMPORIO MALL - ETHOS SUMMIT, SELECT CIT Y MALL , SAKET
CHENNAI - ETHOS SUMMIT, PALL ADIUM MALL I BANGALORE - ETHOS SUMMIT, UB CIT Y MALL
GURGAON - K APOOR WATCH CO, AMBIENCE MALL , NH8 I HYDER ABAD - ETHOS SUMMIT, ROAD NO. 12, BANJAR A HILL S
TREND
Corset, Polite Society.

Jeans, Kanika Goyal.
Charm necklace, Viange
Fine Jewellery. Choker
necklace, Outhouse
DOLCE & GABBANA
CLOSING IN
ON CORSETS
Making the figure-
enhancing corset
modern is a cinch with
denim, sporty details
GUCCI
and mixed materials

ROKH
1 1. Two-tone corset,
2 Dion Lee, 43,911
2. Satin corset, Zara,
1,990 3. Sheer
corset, Nensi Dojaka,
price on request
3
INDIGITAL MEDIA

AHMEDABAD | DELHI | HYDERABAD | MUMBAI | LOS ANGELES
www.shyamalandbhumika.com
Knit cardigan, Gucci.
Striped top, skirt; both
Shivan & Narresh.
Stockings, Theatre.
‘Blavet-Albi’ leather
sofa, Fabiolush
collection, Stanley,
2,56,900 onwards
TREND
ITSY-BITSY MINI SKIRTS

Prepare for legs for days with skirt hemlines
that go higher and higher
1. Leather miniskirt, Gucci, 1,34,200 2. Skirt, Louis Vuitton, price on
request 3. Miniskirt with hearts, Dior, price on request
Bodysuit, earrings;
both Louis Vuitton.
Skirt, Miu Niku. Socks,
Theatre. Pumps,
Christian Louboutin.
Rings, Misho. Cuff,
H&M. ‘Blavet-Albi’
leather sofa, Fabiolush
2,56,900 onwards
DSQUARED2
VALENTINO
INDIGITAL MEDIA

TREND Ruffled top, pants; both
‘Malie. Shoes, Christian
Louboutin. Jewelled
rings (on left hand),
Goenka Gems. Earrings,
ring (on right hand), Tara
1 Fine Jewellery
6 COLOUR HAPPY
Candy colours are the dopamine dose
your party needed
7 1. Tote bag, Burberry, 3,90,000 2. Satin top, Nanushka, 44,250

3. Trousers, Bottega Veneta, 83,000 4. Enamel link hoops, Misho,
4,000 5. Knitted crop top, Jacquemus, 19,500 6. Jewelled minidress,
Mach & Mach, 54,500 7. Satin platform pumps, Versace, 91,500

TREND
SUITING FOR THE NIGHT

Tailoring gets a night-time update with
sequins, satin and tulle
ABRAHAM & THAKORE
2
CHANEL
1
GUCCI
LOOK 1
3
3
1
4
LOOK 2
1. Knit, Khaite, 1,53,000 2. Satchel bag, Balenciaga,

1,29,000 3. Sequinned checked skirt, Prada, 2,30,000
4. Mules, Manolo Blahnik, 80,500
1. Organza jacket, Sacai, 3,99,000 2 .Bracelet, Fendi, 43,600

3. Wool trousers, Salvatore Ferragamo, 42,000

Sequin-embellished
blazer and trousers; both
Kanika Goyal. Long
necklace, Outhouse.
Charm necklace, Viange
Fine Jewels. ‘Blavet-Albi’
leather sofa, Fabiolush
2,56,900 onwards
Hair and make up: Kiran

Denzongpa/Feat Artists
Visuals editor: Jay Modi
Production: Somnath Bagh
Model: Manya Mitra/
Feat Artists
A BEJEWELLED LEGACY
Known for their unrivalled craftsmanship and magnificent jewels, House of Amrapali
signifies harmony between the past, present and future
When it comes to exquisite jewellery, bringing the imperial magnificence of age-old

there is perhaps no brand as revered as jewels to the world today as a living testimony
House of Amrapali. A fine reflection of to the rich craftsmanship of the country.
India’s unmatched jewellery traditions It comes as no surprise that House of
and workmanship, the story of House of Amrapali is oft-regarded as jeweler to the
Amrapali began in 1978 with two ancient stars, given their loyal clientele which is rife
history graduates—Rajesh Ajmera and Rajiv with royalty, corporate honchos and celebrities
Arora—whose vision to showcase the brilliance from across the globe, including dignitaries
of Indian jewellery to the world ushered in a such as Mr. Shimon Peres, Ex-Prime Minister
renaissance in the industry. of Israel; Her Majesty Ashi Wangchuk,
Amrapali’s design language exudes Queen of Bhutan; Maharani Padmini Devi
exuberant qualities—distinctive and luxurious, and Princess Diya of the Jaipur Royal Family.
they’re reminiscent of traditional methods that During her royal visit to India in 2016, the
reveal the passion behind culture and heritage Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton was
of the brand. Guided by Tarang Arora, also spotted wearing Amrapali Earrings at
Creative Director and CEO of Amrapali Charity Bollywood Gala. The brand has also
Jewels, every jeweled piece is created with caught the eye of Hollywood personalities
the help of master craftsmen and goldsmiths such as Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope
within and around Jaipur, with elements Cruz, and Angelina Jolie. Closer to home,
of Indian ethnic jewellery in their designs, Amrapali pieces are often spotted on
AMRAPALI MUSEUM
For founders Rajiv Arora and Rajesh Ajmera, a
passionate love for all things art and hand-
crafted led to the creation of the legacy of
Amrapali. No wonder then, that they would
go on to launch a museum in their hometown,
Jaipur, showcasing traditional silver jeweled
arts of India reflecting the ‘everyday’ life of
the people of India. The Amrapali Museum
is a haven for scholars, students, jewellery
connoisseurs, aesthetes and tourists looking
to explore the heritage and history of India
through jewellery and artifacts.
AMRAPALI MANUFACTURING UNIT

Catering to international and domestic
markets alike, Amrapali Design Studio &
Amrapali Exports demonstrate technical
mastery and a deep-rooted love for the craft.
Amrapali offers a wide range of bespoke
jewellery as per buyers’ specification in
precious and non-precious metals. With the
capacity of more than a thousand craftsmen,
their manufacturing units are equipped with
modern machinery, well-trained personnel, and
absolute dedication to perfection.
Bollywood actors such as Sonam Kapoor, and affordable designs cultivated out of
Vidya Balan, Deepika Padukone, Madhuri experimental design philosophy, primarily
Dixit, Alia Bhatt, Kiara Advani, Kirron Kher focusing on silver, gold-plated silver and
and Konkana Sen—adding glamour to their fashion jewellery. Budding out from the
style quotient. essence of the mother brand 'Amrapali',
With stores in Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, the brand reveals a story of a local myth,
Bangalore and London, Amrapali Jewelry interwoven with symbolic and diverse
is available in over 25 outlets, including identities.
major markets throughout the world. It only
goes without saying that the brand’s zealous LEGEND AMRAPALI
endeavours have taken it to soaring heights— When it comes to elegant and beautifully
from the founders being invited to meet the crafted everyday wear jewellery pieces,
Queen at Buckingham Palace to the jewels Legend Amrapali leads the way with a
being seen in block-buster favorites on the vast array of Indian designs married with
screen, House of Amrapali has paved a rather a contemporary perspective. The designs
illustrious path for the House of Amrapali. reveal ancient and cutting-edge details using
techniques that are thousands of years old.
TRIBE AMRAPALI Pick from an array of options—earrings, For more information, contact
Spearheaded by founder and CEO Akanksha necklaces, rings and bracelets made with 18K Info@amrapalijewels.com
Arora, Tribe Amrapali creates contemporary yellow gold. www.amrapalijewels.com
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ERRIKOS ANDREOU, VOGUE WEDDING BOOK 2019
VOGUE WEDDING SHOW, THE VIRTUAL EDIT IS BACK
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HOMEGROWN
Escape plan
There is no greater need than
that of a year-end break. Hit
refresh on your vacay style
with these picks, from hold-all
bags to multipurpose make-up
HOLD-ALL BAGS
1 1
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2 MULTIPURPOSE MAKEUP
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1. Maxi hold-all bag, Rara Avis,
2 27,890 2. Maxi dress, De Castro,
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cheek tint, ASA Beauty, 2,100
CHOLA
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TARUN VISHWA
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1,899 8. White stone slides, Paio X
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Diandra Soares
Alison Dumbell, Tanaz Doshi,

Pria Kataaria Puri & Nicholas Dumbell,
General Manager, The St. Regis Mumbai A GLAMOROUS
AFFAIR Elnaaz Norouzi
An evening filled with glamour, fashion, style

and food—the first ever Fashion-Social NFT
club marked the reopening of By The Mekong
at The St. Regis Mumbai
Fun and flair filled the air as the city’s swish set witnessed the
Shama Sikandar reopening of the award-winning Oriental dining venue—By
The Mekong at The St. Regis Mumbai. An extravagant affair
with a star-studded guest list, fashion designer Pria Kataaria
Puri and Nicholas Dumbell, General Manager of The St. Pria Kataaria Puri & Sunila
Regis Mumbai hosted the first ever Fashion-Social NFT party Duggal, Director of Marketing &
Caftans and Cocktails at the upscale venue. Communication, The St. Regis Mumbai
While the models were spotted wearing clothes from
Puri’s various timeless collections, the guests were dressed
in gorgeous kaftans even as they indulged in delectable
oriental fare and danced the night away to retro-house beats.
The glitzy soiree was replete with a number of luminaries,
Mugdha Godse & Arjan Bajwa including, among others, Mugdha Godse, Schauna
Chauhan, Bikram Saluja, Narendra Kumar Ahmed, Arjan
Bajwa, Kavita Lakhani, Rashmi Nigam, Rajit Tangri, Himani
Shah, Paulomi Sanghvi, Zoya Aggrawal, Namita Alexandra,
Anupama Verma and Anandita De.
Ralph & Sonia Hays

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Drops of heaven
Be it a pop of colour or a diamond dagger, the
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INDIGITAL MEDIA
1. Scalloped shell pendant, Hanut Singh 2. Divas’ Dream necklace, Bulgari 3. Layered necklace,
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Charmed, I’m sure

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with a solo accent, the charm bracelet is
having its moment in the sun
3 4
1. Charm bracelet, Pacharee

2. Bracelet, Timeless Pearly
3. Bracelet, Pippa Small 4. ‘Florentine’
charm bracelet, Carolina Bucci
5. Charm bracelet, Isabel Marant
6. Charm bracelet, Sydney Evan
7. Egg charm bracelet, Fabergé
6
INDIGITAL MEDIA

WATCHES
Black is the 1
2
new black
3
Turn to the dark side with these noir

novelties. By Rishna Shah 4
8
9
10
1. ‘L’Heure du Diamant’ watch, Chopard

2. ‘RM 60-01 Automatic Flyback
Chronograph Les Voiles de St Barth’
watch, Richard Mille 3. ‘Classique
Double Tourbillon Quai de l’Horloge’
watch, Breguet 4. ‘Oyster Perpetual
Sea-Dweller’ watch, Rolex 5. ‘Highlife
Automatic Skeleton’ watch, Frederique
ARVED COLVIN-SMITH
Constant 6. ‘Santos Dumont’ watch,

Cartier 7. ‘Royal Oak Selfwinding Black
Ceramic’ watch, Audemars Piguet 8.
‘Classic Butterfly’ watch, Graff 9. ‘Spirit’
watch, Longines 10. ‘Seamaster Diver
300m Black Black’ watch, Omega

AR C H I V E
Through the
textile lens
What do some of India’s biggest textile-focused
fashion designers collect for their personal
archives? We get an exclusive peek. Styled and
written by Vinita Makhija
I
ndia’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru once said, “The
history of India may well be written with textile as its leading motif.”
We won the freedom struggle in khadi, which has come to be known as
the fabric of India. There is no other country in the world with access to
living traditions and cultures like ours. In a candid conversation, textile and
fashion designer David Abraham once mentioned to me, “Even in a craft-
inspired country like Japan, a young designer may very well have to mortgage
his house for the want of mere 50 metres of an ikat weave. For us, we simply
need to go to the nearest village.” Or as technology (especially during the
pandemic) has proved, we can log on to one of the numerous India-based
master weaver Facebook groups to discover, place an order and own an ex-
tremely rare weave at the mere click of a button.
Then why is it that in a world of such access, we often look at our fashion
designers as trendsetters and not custodians of our crafts, knowledge and design
etymology?
Ritu Kumar, an art history student and prolific Indian fashion designer,
known as the doyenne of Indian textile conservation and revival, is a torchbearer
when it comes to acquiring and then preserving Indian textiles as a means to
honour and preserve our history. Her archive stands at 1,500 pieces—and grow-
ing. In the introduction to her book, Costumes And Textiles Of Royal India, she
writes, “Documenting the legacy of textiles and costumes of an older order is like
driving a stake into the flux of time to create a point of reference.” According to
her, studying the evolution of costume is to study the history of people and their
relationship with their environment. Mayank Mansingh Kaul, a textile expert
and curator, as well as a co-creative on Kumar’s exhaustive exhibit Crossroads,
explains, “In the absence of formal institutions that function as textile libraries,
personal designer archives serve as hugely important study material.”
Vogue India asked six loud and proud textile-first senior fashion designers
who have always focused on textiles about their personal fabric fascination, what
makes it to their tactile mood board, which weaves inspire visions for their fu-
ture collections and, most importantly, could they share what’s in their sandook?

ST
SANJAY GA RG
RAW M A N G O
“It’s okay that prestigious Indian
pieces exist in museums abroad. But
we need to develop our own archives
and museums here,” says Garg, whose
personal collection stands at 400
pieces and is growing every week.
His goal is to open his personal
archives to the public in 20 years as
study material.
Among the pieces he chooses to show
us is an umbrella cover featuring
Rampur ki patti ka kaam (appliqué
work from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh)
picked up for its skilful appliqué
technique. A rare cotton-on-cotton
chikankari embroidered kurta
(“Chikankari was always on cotton;
recent iterations in georgette, chiffon
and embellished with badla work
have completely moved away from
its original form”) a (possibly) mill-
made power loom sari featuring the
mill’s name tag and British pounds as
borders, and most curiously, a rope
made with ikat yarn wastage, used to
draw buckets of water from wells. He
explains, “It’s not all about money and
expensive pieces. It’s important to find
your own value within things. I am
sure the villagers were laughing when
I picked the rope, but it is completely
unique in its design and make.”
A rare Parsi jhabla (a tunic stitched

for children) featuring ‘cheena-cheeni’
embroidery. During the British rule
in India, Parsis traded with the
Chinese when travel had superstitious
connotations for Indians. Over time, they
VISUALS EDITOR: JAY MODI
brought back embroidered Chinese fabric

featuring the daily lives of the country’s
people that served as inspiration for
saris. Usually saris and their borders
(kor) are preferred while collecting, but a
jhabla is a rare collectible, picked purely
for its skilled embroidery technique
Photographed by ADIL HASAN www.vogue.in VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 79

GAU RAN G SHA H
“Collecting old pieces simply
to reproduce them makes no
sense. It is first, my love for the
Indian yarn,” says Shah. A design
vocabulary that ranges from Parsi
gara, to Banarasi, to paithani
and Patola, Shah’s understanding
and sale of Indian textiles to the
masses is unparalleled. To see
specifically commissioned pieces
by him in person is to see poetry
rendered on threads. So then,
it is no surprise to realise he is
quietly holding on to century-
old pieces that he hunts down
from collectors with a passion.
When he sends me a collection of
vintage Banarasis to style for this
shoot, a lot of them are tattered
and I worry about draping
them. But he’s nonchalant: “As a
designer and sari-maker, when I
collect old pieces, it isn’t purely
for the aesthetic value, but that
the pieces themselves serve as
physical schools.” He encourages
everyone to feel and spend some
time absorbing the history of the
motifs and weaves.
A self-textured vintage Banarasi

silk sari that is over 80 years old,
collected via antique dealers to
understand vintage yarn qualities and
weaving techniques that are not in
practice today
Photographed by HASHIM BADANI

ARCHIVE
RA K E SH T HA KO R E, ABRAHAM & THAKORE

The oldest textile When Martand ‘Mapu’ Singh (the primary authority on Indian textiles and the force behind
in Thakore’s the iconic Vishwakarma exhibits) started travelling to Indian villages to commission pieces
collection is
Coco Chanel’s for the exhibit, many weavers mentioned a student that had already reached their door. The
silk gold brocade student was Rakesh Thakore, who had just graduated from NID (National Institute of Design,
swatch featuring Ahmedabad) and was eventually hired to work on the groundbreaking exhibit. Thakore’s NID
a Chinese dragon
and cloud pattern.
education in textile design, personal inclination and training over the years of working on
It was woven in Vishwakarma means collecting textiles is an extension of his life and interest.
three panels and His collection includes revered textile artist Ajit Das’s cow print, a sea-world depiction by
inherited from Kailasam, Srikalahasti, and the pièce de résistance—a swatch from Coco Chanel’s house in Paris.
the late Martand
‘Mapu’ Singh Having covered the length and breadth of the country via looms, what is the one piece he still
hasn’t acquired? The Kodalikaruppur sari, made using an advanced weaving technique where
the ground is woven in gold brocade and then embellished with both hand and block prints.
Photographed by ADIL HASAN

ARCHIVE
An early 20th century kantha

embroidery panel from Bengal. It has
“Ram Ram” and unusually fine paisleys
embroidered around its borders
DAVID A B RA HA M
ABRAHAM & THAKORE
“The greatest travel story of the
world has been written around the
Silk Route, it’s a great unifier. One of
the first things people learnt to do
was make clothes and then barter
them,” says Abraham. The other
half of Abraham & Thakore, he has
taught at NID in Ahmedabad (his
alma mater) and continues to give
lectures on textiles and sustainability.
When he speaks to you about his
collection, it’s like doing a quick
crash course on Indian textile
history. For Abraham, self-study is of
paramount importance. “Unfortunate
interventions have resulted in
ugly abominations,” he says. The
untrained eye could be easily fooled
into believing anything old is worth
preserving. “Developing an eye
becomes the goal, but generous
and informed mentors and teachers
help too.” Much like his business
partner Rakesh Thakore, Abraham
mounts his textiles on walls as
paintings. “Storing them in the
cupboards makes them disappear.
It’s important to have them around
and to stare at them often.”

SPECIAL FEATURE
LEADING WITH PASSION

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By virtue, makeup is arguably one of away a world of knowledge about your craft
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ARCHIVE
TARUN TA HI L I ANI
“Fashion actually taught me about
India. Until I went to villages and to old
cultural towns like Lucknow and Bhuj,
I thought I was too ‘brown sahib’ for
Indian craft,” says Tahiliani, speaking
An old loom jamawar
of an upbringing many new Indians, shawl from Tahiliani’s
especially Sindhis (whose grandparents exhaustive collection. This
escaped with nothing from Sindh one was bought from the
during Partition), have had. “When you flea markets of Paris
go into your past for lessons, you can
connect to your future in a more holistic
way.” To that end, Tahiliani collects
Kutchi abhas, bandhani textiles, lace
Pichwai paintings and pieces that have
become covered in patina over the
years. However, his biggest investment
is jamawars that he collects both in
India and from flea markets in Europe
and New York. The fading of natural
dyes (madder and mitti) on older
textiles is Tahiliani’s preferred colour
palette. He remains the only Indian
designer to have showcased in Pakistan,
so naturally my first question is, what
did he bring back from there? “Only the
Sindhi embroidered topis—just enough
to reclaim what was left behind”

ARCHIVE
KH RADHA RAM AN
THE HOUSE OF ANGADI
Belonging to one of the most prestigious families working with textiles in South India, Radharaman’s family
and original store, Angadi Silks in Bengaluru, is an institution. Carrying the legacy that he does, and finding
ways to innovate within that, is no small feat. I have often wondered if one of his earliest explorations, the
linen Kanjeevaram, would have been as well-received if someone less thorough had attempted it.
“An important criterion for me is to be able to authenticate sources before I buy vintage pieces, but it’s
not always necessary to buy textiles itself to be a collector,” says Radharaman. While his own inheritance
consists of 100-year-old saris from his grandparents and rare textiles from around the world (all preserved
formally with QR codes in a separate office) Radharaman suggests the Victoria & Albert museum in London
and other museum catalogues as a starting point to train the eyes. And while the government weaver centres
are in need of a revival, Radharaman recounts finding many sources via these central institutions in the past.
A now almost extinct genre of Koranadu

sari with silk borders, cotton body and real
zari. This technique preceded the advent
of the 100-per-cent silk Kanjeevaram saris
that we are so used to seeing now
Photographed by LEKHA RATHNAM

A SUSTAINABLE ODE TO ART
In their sixth successive year, the Indian Art Fair and BMW Group
pay homage to the essence of art that paves the way to a sustainable future
It goes without saying that art has the power to convey stories that the IAF and BMW Group’s six-year- long association, with IAF 2022,
hold meaning and emotion—the world of art has been fueled by slated to take place from 3-6 February, 2022.
experiences since time immemorial. If you’re looking for masterpieces
that are led by an innate passion for art, look no further than the CELEBRATING CULTURAL INNOVATIONS
India Art Fair (IAF). Celebrating and supporting modern and From commissioning legendary BMW Art Cars to spearheading
contemporary art from South Asia, IAF—in association with creative initiatives like the BMW Tate Live, the BMW Group, ever since its
genius and culture maven BMW Group—is a leading platform for inception, has championed and engaged in cultural co-operations
intriguing new discoveries and revolutionary works of art. An eagerly across the globe, committing themselves to unparalleled excellence. So
awaited affair, the event takes place in New Delhi each year in a much so that the iconic BMW Art Cars by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons,
grand style, matching the magnificence of the art it celebrates. For Sandro Chia and Cesar Manrique have been exclusively showcased at
five years, the IAF and BMW Group have collaborated to encourage several editions of the IAF.
cultural engagement across the country, through brilliant art fairs that Over the years, the IAF and BMW Group have offered a real treat to
demonstrate the power of emerging technologies and art. And now, cultural explorers and art aficionados alike. For instance, they worked with
as the world picks itself up after a pandemic, it’s time to celebrate artists to create a series of ‘BMW Artist Films’. Whether it is New Delhi
artist and archivist Baaraan Ijlal’s fascinating study of her city or artist Dia and nurturing new technologies, this powerful partnership focuses on a
Mehhta Bhupal’s reconstruction of the spaces most familiar to us, this more sustainable and inclusive future, with the first-ever ‘The Future is
series shone the spotlight on some of India’s most gifted contemporary Born of Art’ commission.
artists. Moreover, the annual BMW Art Talk—the inaugural talk in the fair’s ‘The Future is Born of Art’ commission seeks an artist to design a
auditorium each year—became another event to look forward to. These creative BMW car wrap. Not just any car wrap, at that. BMW stresses
talks spotlight the artist who painted or designed the BMW Art Car on upon every artist’s wrap being as sustainable as possible. This stems
display, such as The Hockney Talk and The Warhol Talk, which were from the brand’s ideology of ‘Sustainable Circularity’, where reusing and
previously conducted in 2019 and 2020, respectively. recycling are the norm.
The winner will be chosen from a shortlist prepared by a jury
CRAFTING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE and decided in-part through a public poll. Better still, the car—a
As the pandemic puts sustainability in hyperdrive, the year 2022 fully electronic vehicle—will be unveiled at the fair and will traverse
will witness the return of IAF and BMW Group with a new edition, the country, decked in the winning artist’s wrap, thereby splendidly
combining art and technology to drive awareness and ignite change broadcasting their vision. This new initiative is an effort to re-inforce
towards sustainable development. With the aim of empowering artists BMW’s core beliefs in creativity, sustainability and innovation. It further
ensures the engagement of artists with BMW’s eco-creations, to
promote a cleaner, greener world.
Needless to say, the winning artist, along with three runner-ups, will
score some generous rewards. While all participants will be featured
in an editorial piece on IAF Stories, the winner will be covered in an
exclusive editorial and a film produced by IAF, which may even be
screened at the fair.
Whether it is illuminating talks by leading artists or novel, thought-
provoking initiatives like the ‘The Future is Born of Art’ commission,
IAF 2022 aims to be a diverse and inclusive platform that embraces the
very best of South Asian art.
For more information, visit Indiaartfair.in

ACCESSORIES
Age of access
After nearly two years of shoulder-up dressing, party
clothes are firmly back on the agenda. And with
the return to dressing up, comes a move towards
accessorising. Malika Dalamal talks to three women
who let their accoutrements take centre stage
W
hen it comes to conversa-
tion-starting accessories,
nothing sums up the
current mood quite like
the much-anticipated Met Gala in New
York in September. After a year’s hiatus,
the event saw attendees return in full fash-
ion force.
And as much as the focus was on the
head-turning looks, I don’t think it’s wrong
to say that this year the accessories, rang-
ing from the wonderful to the weird, com-
manded more of the spotlight. There was
that mesmerising Harris Reed and Dolce
& Gabbana feather head-dress on the
stately model Iman; the dazzling celestial
headband on actor Emily Blunt (Miranda
Priestly would definitely approve); the at-
tention-grabbing, bold jewelled spider on
model Hunter Schafer; and the metal face
mask on Canadian singer Grimes, who
also carried a sword in place of a handbag
While over-the-top accessories like
these usually exist simply to go viral on
social media or make an artistic statement, MINIMAL
more wearable versions are making post- EDGE
pandemic revenge dressing all the more For Shroff,
statement
fun. Joyful gems, like Fry Power’s stacking fine jewellery
ring and Robinson Pelham’s rainbow-col- and cool kicks
can complete
oured Murano glass necklace, are a quick any look
and easy way to brighten and lighten our
mood, while gigantic fits-all bags, like
those at Marni and Tod’s, ensure that (un-
like during lockdown) we don’t have to re-
turn home all day. And for next season,
when we hope that sweatpants and shoul-
der-up dressing will be firmly behind us,
you can expect everything from huge bows
to dramatic evening gloves, Art Nouveau
sunglasses, finely beaded headpieces and
jewellery in exaggerated proportions. One
thing is clear: we’ve missed dressing up.
So here’s to making up for lost time.

GERALDINE HU
JEWELLERY INFLUENCER AND COLLECTOR
Singapore-based Geraldine Hu has been collecting

jewellery and accessories since she was 16 years old.
Educated at Parsons School of Design, the Gemological
Institute of America and Istituto Europeo di Design
in Milan, Hu started her Instagram account (@girl.
with.a.diamond.earring) in 2019 as a creative outlet to
document her artfully stacked and layered #neckmess,
#armcandy and #ringstack ensembles.
JOYFUL JEWELS
“Colourful, happy, shiny jewellery can definitely lift
spirits, spark joy, induce dopamine, give hope and help
with mental well-being.”
ARM
TALISMANS AND TOTEMS APPROVED
“I’m drawn to evil eyes, especially by Lito Layer upon
(@litofinejewelry). With so much uncertainty in layer of
the world, a mythical form of strength and spiritual necklaces and
arm stacks
protection is especially assuring.” inform Hu’s
accessory style
LUST LIST
“Brent Neale’s seashell pendants
(@brentnealejewelry). I am currently in search of the (@joannadahdah), Harwell Godfrey
perfect antique crescent or star pendant to go with a (@harwellgodfrey) for fine jewellery, BaubleBar
chunky gold chain. I also love Maria Tash’s (@baublebar) and Roxanne Assoulin
(@mariatash) earrings—I never take mine off.” (@roxanneassoulin) for fun stuff, Eliou (@eliou__)
and Olivia Dar (@oliviadar).”
THE ART OF DISCOVERY
“Since I started my Instagram account, I have COLOUR ME HAPPY
discovered countless brands I wouldn’t have otherwise “Wear what feels comfortable, feels like you, and fits
come across, including Joanna Dahdah your routine. When in doubt, just add colour.”
accessories. I love all my beaded hand-made phone

TANIA SHROFF wristlets from String Tings (@string_ting). They
FASHION INFLUENCER are an easy way to add some fun to a look.”
Twenty-four-year-old London-born, Mumbai-raised LABELS TO LOVE

Tania Shroff ’s love for fashion dates back to her time “I’ve been collecting crystal bracelets recently and
studying at London College of Fashion. Today, the jet- love that they all stand for a different source of
setting millennial style icon combines her love of travel energy and meaning. Other fun favourites include
with fashion, taking her 177K followers on a tour of La Manso (@la_manso), Stinky Jewelz
the world’s most stylish destinations. (@stinkyjewelz) and Juicy Chews rings
(@juicychews) which are made from moulded resin.
ICONIC STYLE I’m obsessed with chunky jewellery that can be
“Bianca Jagger in the 1970s and ’80s—she really stacked together.”
knew how to dress up and look like she hadn’t tried
too hard. Her masculine touches, like the way she SNEAKER HEAD
accessorised with hats and ties, was always spot on.” “Shoes have always been my go-to accessory, but
I only ever collected the ones I loved, not the ones
FOLLOW YOUR MOOD that were on-trend that everyone else wanted. In
“My look is constantly evolving because it’s based general, I find having a good collection of footwear
around my mood. It ranges from dramatic one-off helps complete any look.”
pieces to something more subdued, depending on
where I am in the world and how I felt when I IT’S PERSONAL
woke up.” “Fine jewellery is a timeless work of art and it can
tell you a lot about someone’s personality. I don’t
ACCESSORISE YOUR ACCESSORIES think I would ever buy or wear jewellery unless
“My phone is an important accessory and has its own I really loved it or felt like it fit with who I am.”

ACCESSORIES
NOSTALGIA
LADEN
Ana Correa
returns to
‘camp-chic’ in
craft-focused
accessories
ANA CORREA accessories, as they have such sentimental

value and also convey your personality. I
FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES always wear three in timeless yellow gold in
EDITOR delicate chains and different lengths from
New York-based jewellery brand Catbird
The 35-year-old Parsons School of Design (@catbirdnyc).”
graduate has been a trend forecast strategist
at WGSN, the global authority on consumer ONES TO WATCH
and design trends, for over six years. An “Some of the brands on my radar include
accessories aficionado, her go-to items are Centinelle (@centinelle), a California-based
layered necklaces and straw bags. sustainable brand of fun and timeless hand-
drawn silk scarves, homeware, lounge wear
ZOOM-CALL STYLING and hair accessories. Emi Jay (@emijayinc)
“I stopped wearing bold accessories during from Los Angeles for fun hair accessories.
the height of the pandemic because it felt too And Blackcurrant Pop (@blackcurrantpop),
much. But for online client meetings I got a who define themselves as ‘primary school
bit more ‘dressed up’, which always brought chic’. In the more high-end spectrum,
a sense of excitement. For me, it was bright jewellery designer Bea Bongiasca
lipstick, big earrings and a fun top.” (@beabongiasca), who redefines fine
jewellery with novelty shapes and bright
LIFT YOUR MOOD tones. For bags, Danse Lente (@danselente_
“There’s an optimistic feeling that we are official), Cafuné (@cafune.official) and Hiems
experiencing globally in returning to real-life Cor (@hiemscor). And last but not least, the
events. People are in need of a mood-boosting new project by Marc Jacobs, titled Heaven by
look. A child-like aesthetic, bright colours Marc Jacobs (@heavn), which brings back
and nostalgic motifs have been particularly the nostalgia of the late ’90s and 2000s with
popular, like the super-trendy pearl necklaces classics like best-friend necklaces, chain belts
that are mixed with colourful beads and and shoulder bags.”
charms. This camp-chic trend was definitely
very important during lockdown, referring THE NEXT BIG THING
back to jewellery we made as kids.” “The hair claw is a must for younger
consumers, thanks to its Y2K styling,
NEVER TAKE IT OFF practicality, and because fashion influencers
“Layered necklaces are my all-time favourite and models wear them.”

WATCHES
It’s complicated
A watch complication is the gold star of horology. Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet
prides itself in crafting such masterpieces, and boy, are they impressive, says Rishna Shah
T
imekeeping is so much more than hours
and minutes. For almost 150 years,
Audemars Piguet has been pushing the
boundaries and redefining the way we
read time. Its mechanical watches have become the
stars of the show, with their complications taking
the lead role. Sometimes these come in the form
of a chronograph, sometimes a tourbillon, and
sometimes a perpetual calendar. Today, complica-
TIME CHECK
tions are being celebrated more than ever before, From left: The
including the brand’s latest drop of ‘Royal Oak ‘Royal Oak
Concept Flying Tourbillon’ watches that are both Concept Flying
Tourbillon’ watch
technically and aesthetically pleasing. Anne-Gaëlle featuring a
Quinet, Audemars Piguet’s complications expert fabulous flying
tourbillon; Anne-
tells us more: Gaëlle Quinet
Rishna Shah: Historically, how significant are

complications in women’s watches?
Anne-Gaëlle Quinet: Audemars Piguet has craft-
ed an array of mechanical watches for women since
1875. Worn as pendants, brooches or rings, these
timepieces played a trailblazing role in our quest for
miniaturisation, which led to the development of
the wristwatch in the early decades of the 20th cen-
tury. These feminine watches reflected the techni-
cal and aesthetic challenges of their respective era,
while often anticipating the evolving tastes and ex-
pectations of their female clientele. Ranging from From left: ‘Code 11.59
timeless and classic to avant-garde, these creations by Audemars Piguet
included a wide range of eclectic case designs, vi- Grande Sonnerie
Carillon Supersonnerie’
brant dial finishes and exquisite gem-settings, as with Anita Porchet’s
well as the creative use of colourful stones. dial interpretation, the
A CAROUSEL OF ‘Royal Oak Offshore

Grande Complication’
RS: In 1976 the first ‘Royal Oak’ watch was cre-
ated for women, by a woman: Jacqueline Dimi-
COMPLICATIONS and the architectural
tourbillon ‘Code 11.59
Quinet reveals her top picks by Audemars Piguet
er. Why was this such a milestone moment? Tourbillon Openworked’
AGQ: Audemars Piguet has always been an avant-
garde brand, further confirmed by appointing Jac-
queline Dimier, a woman, as the head of product Along with the ‘Royal Oak Concept GMT’, these
design. She re-evaluated the proportion of the mas- two pieces were the first to be endowed with a flying
culine ‘Royal Oak’, with a new feminine version, tourbillon.
smaller, but by keeping its dimensions it could be
considered a jewellery piece. RS: What is your favourite watch complication?
AGQ: Chronographs always amaze me, especially a
RS: How have the complications evolved? split-seconds chronograph that synchronises and
AGQ: In 2018, we launched the first ‘Royal Oak captures time with precision. I like the hypnosis of
Concept’ models for women with two 38.5mm a tourbillon in motion and knowing its history and
timepieces, combining the collection’s futuristic de- purpose. I also like the poetry and magic of listen-
sign, micro-mechanics and age-old gem-setting. ing to a Minute Repeater chiming the time. ■

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THE FUTURE OF
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
Fashion designers, shutterbugs, models, and content creators—the second edition of Blenders Pride Fashion
Tour's 2020-21 talent hunt, The Showcase, was rife with raw talent that proved to be a looking glass into
the future of sustainable fashion. Vogue shines the spotlight on the four lucky winners of the nationwide
competition that has established itself as the most definitive voice in the world of Indian fashion
In an association for the ages, powerhouses

Blenders Pride Fashion Tour and Fashion
Design Council of India (FDCI) collaborated
to bring the second edition of The Showcase
to life, which served to be a peek into
the future of fashion—creative, chic, and
conscious. Perhaps fashion’s most asked
question is how to transition towards a
sustainable future and to answer this burning
question, Blenders Pride Fashion Tour
points to a pioneering direction through
The Showcase 2021. Nurturing the idea of
‘reuse, repurpose, and reinvent’, the show was
anchored with the meaningful theme of ‘My
Planet, My Pride’.
Like always, it was an opulent affair, rife
with industry stalwarts and raw talent paving
the way to a world with a conscience. As an
authoritative voice in the industry, Blenders
Pride serves to be an eminent platform where
the next generation of fashion designers,
shutterbugs, models and content creators
catapult their career journey by showcasing
their talents.
While the concept of sustainability
was articulated throughout the show,
collaborative effort was seen in the 10 teams
of four contestants including designers,
models, shutterbugs, and content creators
who came together to bring to spotlight
their creations helmed by eco-conscious
philosophies, mentored by the leading names
in fashion: Amit Aggarwal, Anju Modi, JJ
Valaya, Namrata Joshipura, Rahul Mishra,
Shantanu & Nikhil, Suneet Varma, Abraham
& Thakore, Rina Dhaka, Anamika Khanna
and Tarun Tahiliani. While the mentor panel
included the trailblazers of the industry, the
jury did too, feature the crème-de-la-crème
of fashion—Chairman of FDCI, Sunil
Sethi; actor and style icon Neha Sharma;
designer extraordinaire Gaurav Gupta;
content creator Masoom Minawala; celebrity
stylist Shaleena Nathani; and Bollywood’s
leading shutterbug Rahul Jhangiani.
experts has played an intrinsic role and I am
grateful for the experience that the platform
has given me.”
TANAY BABBAR,
FASHION SHUTTERBUG
With the hope that winning the second
edition of ‘The Showcase’ would be a turning
point in his career, Tanay Babbar, a fashion
photographer from New Delhi says that
he is grateful to the Blenders Pride Fashion
Tour and FDCI for appreciating his talent
and hard work. “Being mentored by the
Urbasi Chowdhury
Ishpreet Kaur biggest names in the fashion industry such
as Abraham & Thakore has been nothing
short of a dream and their creative direction
helped my team develop the concept for
the final film. I will always cherish the journey
and the bond that I have created with my
teammates,” the shutterbug shares.
URBASI CHOWDHURY,
CONTENT CREATOR, MUMBAI
Urbasi Chowdhury from Mumbai has been
creating content in the fashion and lifestyle
space for over eight years. So when she
decided to participate in the talent hunt,
she was most excited about getting to
work with the biggest names in the industry
and collaborating with other creators from
diverse fields. While calling it the most
fulfilling and enriching experience in her
Tanay Babbar
Naushad Ali life, Chowdhury says, “It seems like eight
years of passionately and consistently
The teams of aspirants from each and has been working with artisans in India, curating content around lifestyle and
category together created beautiful to showcase the incredibly rich traditional fashion has finally displayed its worth. Right
ensembles, a final fashion film and social techniques that India as a country has to from being shortlisted amongst the top 10
media content that echoed their individuality offer. Talking about his journey, Ali says, “I content creators, to being mentored by the
and unique sense of style. Naushad Ali, was fortunate to have extremely talented dignitaries in the industry to working with
Fashion Designer; Ishpreet Kaur, Model; team members alongside me who made this the finest creators from diversified fields, this
Tanay Babbar, Fashion Shutterbug; and possible. It was also a great opportunity to journey has certainly been an exciting roller
Urbasi Chowdhury, Content Creator gained be mentored by the stalwarts of the industry coaster ride and I can't wait to see how the
the coveted spots of the tour’s winners, along such as Mr. Sunil Sethi and Abraham & future unfolds.”
with an opportunity to showcase their work Thakore. I am looking forward to the journey
in the next edition of Blenders Pride Fashion that lies ahead of me.” Coming a close second the first runner-up
Tour, the winners will also benefit from a team included designer Ada Mali from
long-term association with the Fashion ISHPREET KAUR, MODEL Mumbai, model Kanishka Maheshwari from
Design Council of India and a cash prize. From registering for the second edition of Bareilly, shutterbug Shreyans Dungarwal
Let’s hear it from the winners themselves: the talent hunt to being declared a winner, from Hyderabad and content creator
winning The Showcase at the Blenders Pride Aria Krishnamurti from Hyderabad. The
NAUSHAD ALI, Fashion Show was nothing short of a magical second runner-up team comprised designer
FASHION DESIGNER experience for Ishpreet Kaur, an aspiring Sreegokul Viswanath from Kannur, model
For fashion designer Naushad Ali who model from New Delhi. But it wouldn’t have Aniwarya Pawar from Mumbai, shutterbug
is based out of Pondicherry, winning the been possible without the support of her Pratim Shankar from Mumbai and content
second edition of The Showcase was a parents who always encouraged her to follow creator Shriya Kandude from Hyderabad.
defining moment in his career even as her dreams and gave her the courage and
he describes the entire experience as confidence to be who she was. “Being part
‘wholesome’. The designer who launched his of The Showcase has been an empowering For more information, follow
own label in 2015, has a minimalist aesthetic journey. Getting mentored by industry @blenderspridefashiontour on Instagram
DESPATCH
Louis Vuitton and

the space oddity
The Louis Vuitton Resort 2022 collection takes the concept of cruise
to interstellar heights. Ready for take-off? By Divya Bala
T
rave l has been tricky for a while, espe- sculptures in the world. Axe Majeur is considered a
cially for a brand built on the virtues of journey between space and time, a link between
the voyage (Louis Vuitton founded his past and present, integrating the urban with the
business on travel trunks, after all). So, natural environment. Built in the 1980s and taking
how to host a resort show—an exercise in fantasy, almost 30 years to realise, the site was part of a gov-
the extravagance of exoticism and the promise of ernment-initiated ‘satellite city’ project to relocate
the far flung—at a time of continued restriction? Parisians from the capital to new, self-sufficient
For Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of Louis towns. However, Karavan’s vision would see it as
Vuitton women’s collections, the answer lies in a the architecture of reconciliation, where water,
journey of the imagination, of possibility. light, wind, sand, concrete, stone and steel meet,
“It’s this expression of enthusiasm. It’s the fantasy championing mankind and the human experience
of going somewhere,” Ghesquière told British Vogue above a national agenda. “That is why in the Axe
following the release of his Cruise 2022 collection in Majeur, I invite people to climb up a 36-metre-high
a world very much still grappling with the effects of tower where they can contemplate the beautiful
the pandemic. “Today, with what we’re experienc- view of the surroundings,” Karavan explained to
ing, it’s a different approach.” Culture magazine.
TIME TRAVEL ANOTHER WORLD

Lockdown had lifted in France since the last round The sci-fi-esque setting holds 12 individual architec-
of resort offerings (then, Louis Vuitton’s Cruise tural ‘stations’ through which the film short pans
2021 presentation was released as a fast-cut film through, a sweeping drone shot winds from the Ile
shot in studio, paying homage to ‘the contradiction Astronomique to Le Douze Colonnes and Le Jardin
of a stationary journey’, as per collection notes). des Droits de l’Homme, culminating in the fire-en-
However, with global travel restrictions still in place gine red La Passerelle installation that served as a
—and destinations such as the previous years’ so- catwalk, set against an optimistic, synth-heavy
journs to Rio De Janeiro, Kyoto or Monaco off the soundtrack by British producer Julian Emery.
cards—Ghesquière chose to stay close to the house’s These sites and sounds provide fertile ground for
home base, choosing Cergy-Pontoise, a northwest- Ghesquière’s exploration of what it means to travel
ern suburb of Paris, as the setting for the collection. and what it will mean to discover new places, with
COURTESY LOUIS VUITTON
And, more specifically, Axe Majeur, a utopic, futur- the near possibility of space tourism being the col-
istic art installation by the late Israeli humanist lection’s starting point. “I don’t know why, but it was
sculptor Dani Karavan. always an obsession to reflect on futurism, space
At three kilometres long, the installation is argu- conquest and what we might call ‘the space colony,’”
ably one of the largest environmental, site-specific explained Ghesquière to British Vogue. “The titans >

IN FRAME
A few miles away from
Paris, Axe Majeur,
by the late Israeli
humanist sculptor
Dani Karavan, set the
scene for a future-
ready resort collection
by Louis Vuitton
PASS OVER
Indo-French model
Ashley Radjarame
walked the show
wherein the
collection boasts the
heritage codes of the
house intertwined
with a sci-fi bent

DESPATCH
of the world are investing in it, and what looked

unreal in the past is now bringing us closer to space.
And I have to say, I think it’s great. It’s really
progressive for all of us.”
INFINITY AND BEYOND

Indeed, the designer’s portfolio has long been laden
with a love of futurism, his collections a riff on the
heritage codes of the house, intertwined with a sci-fi
bent. Take, for example, Ghesquière’s casting of the
Final Fantasy XIII character Lightning in his
spring/summer 2016 campaign for Louis Vuitton, a
first for an anime or computer game character, his
Tron-inspired colour work, interstellar silhouettes
and spacesuit references dotted throughout every
collection.
FUTURE CLASSICS
For Cruise 2022, this stargazing is articulated
through planetary prints dotted with earthly details
such as a basketball court and an escalator (“Those
prints in a light and fun way are about the domesti- BACK TO THE
cation of our future conquests of those planets,” FUTURE
Details from
Ghesquière explained), retro-futuristic cowboy the collection
boots fit for space travel, lantern shoulders, dramat- included cowboy
boots with a
ic ruffled capes, wing-like crop jackets, bubble space-age lilt alongside
hemmed dresses (like the one worn in optic bags of the future
white by Indo-French model Ashley Radjarame) >

DESPATCH
“I like the concept

of a stargate—an
imaginary portal that
can transport us,
our feelings and our
wishes to someone or
something we love”
—N I CO LAS G HE SQU IÈ RE

BIRD’S EYE
A panoramic view of
the scene that doubled
up as a metaphorical
time machine for
Ghesquière’s collection
holographic sheens, nebula-printed separates, para- COME FLY WITH ME

chute pleats and trousers with padded quilting “I like the concept of a stargate—an imaginary por-
reminiscent of spacesuits. A particularly pro- tal that can transport us, our feelings and our wishes
nounced marching-band-meets-Star-Trek aesthet- to someone or something we love,” Ghesquière said.
ic introduced structured looks, a departure from “I wanted to give this jaunt of energy, a pure fashion
traditional resort wear, with shoulder pads and ep- moment in less than eight minutes, to show that
aulette details alongside a reimagining of the Since those connections weren’t lost with what we experi-
1854 range in a space grey tonal colourway. enced.” n

EXCLUSIVE
The party
starter
Label Ritu Kumar has a new face and
feel, with rising star Shanaya Kapoor
ushering in an era of high-octane
spontaneity. It’s a soirée you want to
RSVP yes to. By Praachi Raniwala
S
hanaya Kapoor loves to dance. But you
probably already knew that if you’ve ever
found yourself on her Instagram profile.
So it comes as no surprise that Kapoor de-
cided to combine “two of my most favourite
things—fashion and dance” in her latest campaign
for Label Ritu Kumar. The soon-to-be debutante
actor grooves like a natural fit in this latest rendi-
tion of the brand’s #JustDanceWithLabel series.
LET’S DANCE
With dance an integral part of the campaign’s Gen-Z star
narrative, the need was for a young, bold personal- Shanaya Kapoor’s
ity to add energy to the campaign film, reminiscent athleisure and
vintage style melds
of a 2000s musical, shot in a vintage cinema set-up. perfectly with
This marks Label Ritu Kumar’s first athleisure Label Ritu Kumar’s
new collection
line—printed co-ord sets, its first-ever puffer jack-
ets, pullovers, cosy knits, party-ready dresses and
form-flattering denims—that Kapoor embodies ef-
fortlessly as an extension of her style. “Shanaya’s
infectious personality shines through and conveys “My ultimate go-to for a
Label’s philosophy: functional and on-trend, ideal night out is a well-fitted
for those seeking to elevate their wardrobe with a
contemporary touch,” says Amrish Kumar, manag-
black slip dress and
ing and creative director at Ritu Kumar. strappy heels”
Kapoor, who describes her personal style as —S HA N AYA K AP OOR
“young, fresh, quirky and edgy” resonated with the
collection’s versatility, which allows her to be spon-
taneous and carefree with the way she chooses to spirator and she is quick to point towards her mother,
style it. “The sequinned LBD is my absolute go-to jewellery designer and reality TV star Maheep Ka-
from the line—you can’t go wrong with a well-fitted poor. “She has really shaped my style. I love shopping
black slip dress and strappy heels for a night out,” with her whenever we travel because she always picks
says the style-savvy Zoomer. out some really cool pieces for me.” Movies have also
Kapoor’s ultimate sartorial staple is a good pair allowed the 22-year-old to craft her own sensibility. “I
of boyfriend jeans. “I love baggy jeans, which I wear took inspiration from several iconic characters, like
with my lucky blue Jordans, a fitted white crop top, Poo in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Elvira
gold jewellery and a vintage shoulder bag from my Hancock in Scarface (1983) and Ginger McKenna in
mum,” she reveals. Her most recent accessory ob- Casino (1995), to eventually figure out my own style.
session? Classic black sunglasses from Le Specs. Now I enjoy styling myself and experimenting with
Ask Kapoor about her biggest fashion co-con- my clothes.” n

SPOTLIGHT
Jacket, Richard
Quinn. Hair
pins, Misho
Value add
Gen Z’s shopping carts are individualistic and unexpected, says
Meera Navlakha, as she discovers how the demographic is placing
its identity at the heart of what it wears
W
hat you wear is how you pre- ated that pulls in this persuasive cluster of consum-
sent yourself to the world,” ers. Gen Z is humanising fashion and becoming a
Miuccia Prada once said. Ar- self-proclaimed purveyor of its metamorphosis into
guably, no one understands the 21st century. With its purchases, it is placing its
this more than Gen Z. As a 24-year-old myself, identity at the heart of what it wears, how it dresses,
I have seen this in the people I am surrounded by, and what it buys. Some of its members cloak them-
on my Instagram feed, and even with myself. It is selves in their roots, with threads from their herit-
our demographic that is reinventing and redefining age and homelands. Some infuse their street-style
fashion, a fact further confirmed by figures. Fash- looks with second-hand items. Others address their
ion houses are moulding themselves to draw in sexuality, fluidity, and freedom with every sartorial
style-conscious Gen Z, offering it increasingly digi- concoction. Here are three leading Gen-Z style
tally-savvy shopping, optimistic and healthy atti- icons, each connoisseurs in their own right, discuss
tudes to beauty, and ethical approaches to it all. It is the key pieces and aesthetic values that make up
fashion that is principled, individualistic, and liber- their wardrobes.

MUSICAL ARTIST
I N G RE D I E N T: D I ASP O RA
F U SIO N
Nayana IZ belts out dreamy vocals

interspersed with rap, never
failing to present her heritage.
The London-born singer says
her wardrobe comes to her in
spontaneous bursts, “a reflection
of how my heart is feeling”.
This could mean anything from
“masculine tailoring with feminine
touches, or straight princess
energy”, she says. Her outfits are
reflective of her birth city via
“Holding all that history baggy puffer jackets, knee-high
against my skin is a boots and ski masks. Yet, these
Western, seasonally-appropriate
constant reminder of tastes are complemented by a
why I do everything I do” nod to India, whether found in
the gold nathnis she dons, or the
lehengas she intermixes daily
with jeans and miniskirts. She
says that jewellery passed down
from generations before her is the
greatest expression of the past.
“Holding all that history against
my skin is a constant reminder
of why I do everything I do,” she
says. In her profession, this plays
a role too. IZ’s grandmother,
who was once a Thang-Ta sword
dancer based in Manipur, is her
ultimate source of inspiration.
Shirt, skirt, bomber “She would pour her whole heart
jacket bag; all
into every performance, she
Versace. Hooded
jacket, Zilver. Boots,
would bless the grounds before
Miu Miu. Rings; she performed upon them.” Her
PHOTO: KIRAN GIDDA; PRODUCER AND STYLIST: SACHIN
granddaughter is certainly taking

GOGNA; HAIR AND MAKE-UP: KARLA QUINONEZ LEON
necklace; both
Misho. Gold necklace, the same approach. @Nayanaiz
Schiaparelli

SPOTLIGHT
ENTREPRENEUR AND
FOUNDER
I NGRED IENT: S MA LL-
B RA ND EN ERGY
Princess Gauravi Kumari has a wealth

of tradition and heritage to draw
inspiration from when it comes to her
closet. With royal roots (her mother
is Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur) and
a title to match, the younger princess
pulls threads from her heritage but
harnesses this into small-brand energy
to define her own shopping tendencies.
Kumari says, “A lot of the patterns
and motifs on most of my Indian wear
are inspired by the immense textile
collection we have in our museum
at City Palace, and sometimes by
motifs from the various decorated
walls and ceilings of the palace or
other traditional Rajasthani floral or
geometric patterns.” Her personal style
finds its feet in Rajasthani history— Shirt, skirt, pouch
hand-blocked clothes, and handwoven and necklace; all
JACQUES BURGA (GAURAVI)

accessories in rainbow hues—but The PDKF Store
borrows from everyday casual too. The
latter is Kumari’s go-to, constructed via
denim jeans, white crop-tops, a pair of
evergreen sneakers and a shoulder bag.
She is also the co-founder of the small
but impactful Princess Diya Kumari
Foundation Store, a joint venture with
French designer Claire Deroo. The
store “weaves the trendy with the
traditional” while also providing “a
direct platform to the women artisans
of Rajasthan to showcase their skills
to a global audience”. Her brand, like
the princess herself, centres the beauty
of legacy, colour and design, uplifting
tradition and the region’s culture with
each ensemble. @thepdkfstore
“Textiles are part of the cultural and

artistic heritage of Jaipur, and we
are dedicated to keeping them alive”

SPOTLIGHT
Shirt, tank top,

trousers; all T’s
Armoire. Shoes,
Nike from
Sneakerhood.
Necklace,
Inaavae
“I love the versatility

of sneakers and the
comfort they provide”
I N F L U E N C E R A N D C O N T E N T C R E A T O R | IN GR E D IE N T: S N EA K E RH EAD
One look at Priyam Yonzon’s style and you’ll be scrambling to find out how they put together each perfectly-curated, offbeat
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merges distinctive qualities with constant sartorial experimentation. @priyamyonzon

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BEAU
PHOTO: FELICITY INGRAM. STYLIST: LORNA MCGEE SN NI
F O C U S
Fresh start
Most resolutions are likely ditched, but once you rebrand some of
the things you’re already doing and give them direction, you’ll be on
your way to a better 2022. Here’s your tool kit. By Avanti Dalal

FOCUS
MAKE REST YOUR mindfulness at the University of Southern

PRIORITY California. “Be okay with starting small.
Let’s put a moratorium on revenge bed- Begin with three to five minutes at the best
time scrolling, shall we? Sometimes the time of the day for you. Once five minutes “Having rest days and
best way to reset and recentre is to reinvest feels manageable you can increase your down time allows muscles
in sleep. “Sleeping enables your body to re- meditation time to longer practices. “Some
pair and be fit for another day. Having rest days your practice is peaceful and easy,
to replenish, adapt and
days and downtime allows muscles to other days it’s tough. But no matter what become stronger”
replenish, adapt and become stronger. you get when you sit on your cushion, greet —A NIS HA JOS HI, OST EOPAT H
You cannot improve anything in your body it with kindness. The important thing is
if you don’t give it any time to heal and that you showed up for yourself and that’s
recover,” says Anisha Joshi, a London- enough,” says Laurasia Mattingly, a medi-
based osteopath. Is working out the num- tation and mindfulness instructor, author ing to put together a complicated routine
ber-one item on your resolution list? Joshi and speaker. that treats everything is far more effective.
suggests prioritising total rest days in Doing too much may mean that you’re not
between, as gains are made when you rest. PRACTISE INTUITIVE doing anything well,” confirms Dr Joshua
It’s the time that your muscles can be re- SKINCARE Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical
paired and built. Your skincare routine might be thriving on research in dermatology at Mount Sinai
order—you start with an AHA toner, you Hospital in New York City. If you feel a
FIND TIME FOR MIND- always end with a face oil, and your seven breakout coming on, head it off at the pass
FULNESS steps are non-negotiable. But if all those with a pre-emptive swipe of an AHA-BHA
Stop thinking you’re too busy to slow products and all those routines are feeling peel pad. If your skin feels dry, add a rich
down. “If you have time to check social like more of a to-do list than a ritual (and face mask into your routine. And use sun-
media a few times a day or watch TV are leaving your skin red, inflamed and screen. That should be a skincare resolu-
shows during the week, you most definite- itchy even still), you might want to slow tion that never changes.
ly have three to five minutes a day to be in things down and add or subtract products
your meditation practice,” says Amanda and techniques only when you need. “Fo- DON’T RELY ONLY ON
Gilbert, meditation teacher and lecturer of cusing on a specific issue rather than try- AT-HOME SKINCARE
You might have figured out what worked
for you while in lockdown—face massages,
dry brushing, ice rollers—but now that you
can see your facialist or dermatologist,
make that appointment. “Try advanced
peels instead of relying on dermaplan-
ing—it can only cause skin irritation, dry-
ness, sensitivity, risk of cuts and scarring,
and bacterial spread if you don’t do it care-
fully,” says facialist Mimi Luzon. Instead,
make a plan for your skin with a pro and
keep to a schedule that will work for you.
PUT YOUR MENTAL

HEALTH FIRST
The workings of our mind play a major
role in our well-being. Our mind and body
are connected. Research shows that find-
ing the best coping strategies for your
mental health is important for the longev-
PHOTO: FELICITY INGRAM. STYLIST: LORNA MCGEE
ity of your lifespan. “Stress, trauma,

depression, anxiety and anger are linked to
chronic illness and poor interpersonal re-
lationships, which we need to not only sur-
vive but to thrive,” says Dr Courtney Tracy,
LCSW, PsyD. Going to therapy, doing the
work and figuring out what your coping
mechanisms are is key. “I always say that
one of the most important things about >

FOCUS
your well-being is the truth about what diets (“No macro should be demonised about what your goal is. Do you want to
happened, how it made you feel, who you and have strict limitations,” she says) and feel relaxed after every practice? Do you
are, and what you want in your life,” she replace the urge for validation by reflecting want to improve your back bending? Do
says. inward, so that whatever lifestyle or nutri- you want more flexible hips? Do you want
tion tweaks you make will be for the right to get more functional so you can move
SHOP YOUR OWN MAKE- reasons—and so much more sustainable. better? “Once you attain a goal, you can
UP KIT move to the next one,” she confirms.
Instead of constantly looking to new re- MOVE MORE
leases and ordering every limited-edition Can’t wake up early enough to get in a LEARN HOW TO REALLY
palette, taking a more mindful approach workout before you start work? Always DO YOUR HAIR
to consumerism may serve as a less waste- have too much on your plate to make it to You might know the perfect cat-eye shape
ful strategy for 2022. Plus, you’ll get to ex- a workout class? It is all too easy to find for your face or the best lipstick colour to
periment more by fishing through your reasons to skip exercise when you can’t make you feel confident, but styling your
own makeup kit and playing with the commit to all that time. “Start slow, try dif- own strands can be the wild, wild west.
products you have. “A lipstick can easily be ferent workout forms and then commit to “Embracing your natural texture is one of
used as a cream blush—use the warmth of one you enjoy,” says Radhika Bose, fitness the best things to come out of 2021 be-
your fingers to tap it into the apples of the influencer and founder of Yogasini. You cause glossy, healthy locks always look the
cheeks. You can also use a lip balm or oil don’t have to chalk out an hour every day if best,” says Los Angeles-based hairstylist
for a cheek highlight, and I often use my you can’t, but climb the stairs instead of Matthew Collins, who often works with
bronzer as eyeshadow. Hairspray can also taking the elevator, add in a few jumping Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss. But if you
be used as a brow gel—simply spray on an jacks before your Zoom call and walk eve- want to fake it, he says that the blow-out is
eyebrow brush and brush the hair spray rywhere you possibly can. back. “Polished hair with vintage volume
through the brows to hold them in place,” and round brushing will make a big come-
says Tobi Henney, a New York City-based MAKE SPECIFIC FITNESS back,” he confirms. Want to figure out how
makeup artist who works with Ashley Gra- GOALS to do it yourself? This is the time to learn
ham and Olivia Culpo. “Simplify,” says Deepika Mehta, a Mum- from a pro or watch a tutorial and brush
bai-based yoga teacher. “Get very clear up on your skills. n
ADD NAIL CARE TO
YOUR REGIMEN
When it comes to nail art, you don’t always
have to go the simple route. “Y2K has been
inspiring fashion and beauty across the
board, and I think it’ll translate to nail art
as well. Think: butterflies,” says Betina
Goldstein, an editorial, campaign, and ce-
lebrity nail artist. “Metallics will be popu-
lar too, especially colours like chrome, gold
and brass.” But when you’re playing, don’t
forget to give your nails some TLC too. “Do
not pick your gels off. Proper gel removal is
the key to a healthy nail. Exfoliate your
hands twice a week and massage Vitamin
E oil and SPF onto your hands and cuti-
cles,” she confirms.
TAKE A WELL-ROUNDED
APPROACH TO YOUR
DIET
PHOTO: FELICITY INGRAM. STYLIST: LORNA MCGEE
“The biggest change I’d tell everyone to

make in 2022 is to please stop thinking
that your body carries the weight of your
worth. Stop trying to lose weight to seek
external validation. Because it’s almost
never about the food. It’s always about the
emotions attached to the food,” says
Dubai-based nutritionist Rashi Chowd-
hary. Skip restrictive keto and low-carb

SPOTLIGHT
The rhythm is
going to get you
Simulating sex in spandex back in the ’80s, and now the official
workout video to Dua Lipa’s ‘Physical’, aerobics has everyone
dancing to its tunes again, says Shabana Patker-Vahi

A still from MOVE
Olivia Newton-
John’s 1981 YOUR BODY
song, ‘Physical’ Nawaz Modi
Singhania’s tips to an
at-home dance
workout
PREP: Make your

favourite playlist
TECHNIQUE: Add-on
exercises
METHOD: Do each move

for 8-16 counts. Start
with one and add the
next. Then back to the
beginning and add a third
EXERCISE SEQUENCE:
March/jog. Wide-legged
march/jog. Alternate
knee lifts. Front leg kicks.
Side leg kicks. Hamstring
curls. Back leg kicks. Step
touches. Squats. Jumping
jacks. Scissors. Power
lunges. Grapevines
W
hen Olivia Newton-John magnitude that industry giant Nike had to American Medical Association that made
said in 1981 to “Let me shake up its system to compete with a then the now-seemingly-seamless connection
hear your body talk”, an little-known brand called Reebok, which between aerobic activity and cardiovascu-
entire generation an- cashed in on the trend with the now iconic lar health. Speaking on the enduring pop-
swered her dance-pop siren call by don- white sneaker, which was then known as ularity of aerobics, Dr Cooper attributes it
ning their brightest leotards, tights (and the aerobics shoe. Everyone had a pair. not just to physical fitness but also to
leg warmers) and got into the aerobics Today, aerobics shows no signs of slow- mental health maintenance. “Scientific
groove to the tune of her smash hit, ‘Physi- ing down. From spawning off-shoots like studies have indicated that people who
cal’. Me included, though that wasn’t until bachata and Zumba to step workouts pro- are physically fit are less depressed, have
almost a decade later. Yet the seeds were gressing into HIIT and circuit training, improved self-image and a more positive
sown and aerobics or ‘dancercise’ as it was this cardio-funk craze is clearly here to attitude towards life. So, feeling good
called back in the day, was well on its way stay. But what makes it popular, besides its post- exercise isn’t just physical or psy-
to becoming a global lifestyle trend, not sartorial significance? And why has the chological. It’s also biochemical because
just a passing health fad. pandemic played such a large role in its re- of the release of endorphins, which gives
Aerobics was more than just bored surgence? We get the experts to weigh in. you a natural high.”
housewives making half-hearted attempts Nawaz Modi-Singhania, the doyenne of
at getting back in shape in front of their TV STEP BY STEP fitness in India and the founder of Body
sets. It became, quite literally, a move- Dr Kenneth H Cooper, called the ‘father Art fitness studios, concurs, adding,
ment. Jane Fonda spawned an empire of aerobics’, coined the word for his tome “Aerobics comes with a host of benefits in-
with her home workout videos in 1982, Aerobics in 1968, a groundbreaking study cluding weight loss, sculpting and toning,
Richard Simmons turned pounds-shed- on the benefits of aerobics on health. His cardiac and respiratory benefits, improved
ding sequences into sheer flamboyance, 1972 book, Aerobics For Women, brought self-esteem, better sleep, lower blood pres-
donning only the brightest, most eye- a slew of criticism on everything from sure and lower blood sugar. In these times,
catching lycra outfits that changed the face health implications to social and behav- when mental health and isolation-related
STEFANO GULAZZI
of ’80s fashion—stretchy, shiny, they made ioural implications of women exercising. anxiety is on a sharp rise, exercise releases
exercising in a rainbow of colours de ri- It was his 1989 study on ‘How much exer- our feel-good hormones—endorphins,
geur. This craze of aerobics reached such a cise is enough?’ in the Journal of the serotonin and dopamine.” >

SPOTLIGHT
SHAKE IT
OUT
Follow these online
fitness platforms to
get moving
POPSUGAR FITNESS:
Free online videos with
every dance workout
from Bollywood to
HIIT cardio to hip-hop
routines
DANCE BODY: High-

impact aerobics with
ankle and wrist weights
to increase intensity
ADRIANA MARTINEZ:
Latin dance aerobic
routines including salsa,
samba, bachata moves Clockwise, from top left: Dua Lipa released
a workout music video for her song
MKIK808: Mark ‘Physical’ in 2020; Jane Fonda with Mike
Douglas during the taping of the The
Kanemura’s wildly Mike Douglas Show; Jamie Lee Curtis in
popular live session Perfect (1985); Jane Fonda at the Workout
Instagram dance parties Exercise Gym in Beverly Hills in 1979
PUMP UP THE JAM fun ways of keeping fit. There is a natural way to encourage social bonding with the
Dance, in all its forms, is the endorphin urge in us to find ways to remain happy, use of technology. We can access classes
boost we could all do with. In India, it’s not especially during this pandemic. The even if we can’t be in the same room to-
surprising that an online dance workout growing awareness and importance of gether. The ability to express yourself
search throws up countless results of vide- mental health also plays a role in the physically, while moving in rhythm with
os with millions of views (and counting). comeback of dancercise. Plus, it’s really others, helps you feel a sense of connection
An ear for music and a natural affinity to easy to access an online class or follow and belonging. It’s a great way to break the
rhythmic motion, we are a country of in- videos from the comfort of your home.” isolation, even for a short period of time.”
numerable established dance forms with a Modifications and playing to individual Uplifting music, group energy, encour-
penchant for learning new ones. From strengths is the backbone of Mexico-based agement and motivation, social bonding
classical and traditional to Bollywood and online fitness membership platform Body while in semi-isolation (not to mention
folk, fitness instructors have been incorpo- Groove, whose founder Misty Tripoli’s visible results and cute outfits), the aero-
rating dance moves and music to create philosophy is simple—if you can move, you bics formula for success seems pretty fool-
their own blend of aerobic exercise. Bhan- can groove. Counting a global audience proof. Add in that, by definition, aerobics
gra, garba and Bollywood moves are sta- from USA, UK, Canada, Denmark, Aus- means ‘in the presence of oxygen’ and it’s
ples in almost every online fitness class, tralia, Latvia, Turkey, Argentina, Mexico, not hard to understand why it has
practised by people of all ages. Sonica Nigeria, Italy, Germany, South Africa and remained a lifeline for millions around the
Shah, choreographer and dance fitness in- India, the fostering of community and in- world for decades. As Dr Cooper puts it:
structor who collaborates with the hugely clusivity is a high point of the programme. “Get involved in a programme which you
popular Bombay Bootcamp fitness fran- “We empower women to take charge of are going to enjoy and I can guarantee you
chise, attributes this surge to the pandemic their health and happiness through move- are going to feel better if you exercise
GETTY IMAGES
pushing a captive audience to find newer ment that boosts self-awareness and confi- regularly and keep it up. Fitness is a
ways of staying sane in home confinement. dence, regardless of race, age, location or journey, not a destination. You’ve got to
“People are resorting to newer and more demographic. Dance workouts are a great keep it up for the rest of your life.” n

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New
territory
• Natasha Poonawalla
embodies grit and glamour
• Gilded accessories get extra
love for the party season
MERT ALAS AND MARCUS PIGGOTT. BLOUSE, TROUSERS; BOTH GUCCI
• Denim redone, rethought

and reinvented
• Inside John Galliano’s
French hideaway
• Spotlighting regional
writing with the JCB Prize for
literature
• A peek at a fragrance
inspired by Mumbai
EYEVIEW
A QUIET
REVOLUTION
A bright light in the world of philanthropy and high society, Natasha Poonawalla
is ready to strip her public image of a fashionable socialite and emerge as a high-
impact woman who can handle grit as well as glamour. The LSE graduate, who
has been on the front lines of the vaccine crusade, sits with Radhika Seth to give
us a rare peek behind the curtain
Photographed by MERT ALAS AND MARCUS PIGGOTT Styled by DENA GIANNINI
128
Dress, Laquan Smith
Gown, Valentino. Elsa
Peretti bone cuffs,
Tiffany & Co.
T
his y ear, people have realised what I do,” says Natasha Poonawalla with a wry
smile. We’re sitting in the cavernous library of her home in
London’s Mayfair, which is piled high with coffee-table books and contempo-
rary art, and the 40-year-old looks more amused than contemplative. As the
executive director of the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine maker,
she—alongside her husband, the company’s CEO Adar Poonawalla and his father, the
chairman and managing director Cyrus Poonawalla—has been at the forefront of the
global fight against COVID-19. She’s also the chair of the Villoo Poonawalla Charitable
Foundation (named after her late mother-in-law), is active in the family’s horse racing
and breeding business, and is a mother of two. But over the last decade, she’s been labelled
a socialite almost as often as a businesswoman. “I think I was misjudged a little bit,” she
adds. “People saw me dressing up and said, ‘She’s that fashion person on the racecourse.’
But I didn’t feel the need to expose the serious part of my life to everyone.”
CALLING THE SHOTS

That happened naturally as the world was turned on its head towards the beginning of
2020 and the work that had continued quietly at SII for 54 years suddenly became crucial
to our immediate socioeconomic survival. Natasha remembers hearing about the virus for
the first time, fearing for her asthmatic young son and the moment when everything
ground to a halt. The family ended up staying at their farmhouse in Pune, 10 minutes
from the factory, and sprang into action. Adar and Cyrus took a multimillion-dollar
gamble on the most promising vaccines, stockpiling doses before clinical trials had
confirmed their efficacy. Natasha, meanwhile, focused on distributing personal protective
equipment, testing kits and food to those in need. When the first vaccine was approved,
she says it felt “incredible”. There was no time to celebrate then, but she hopes that there
will be soon, now that a billion vaccine doses have been administered across India.
Their successes have, of course, been coloured by devastating loss. India’s death toll is
nearing half a million, a number which rose sharply during a catastrophic second wave
when the demand for hospital beds and oxygen outstripped supply. “At that point, every-
one thought that we’d passed the worst phase,” Natasha says gravely. “We saw so many
people suffer.” It also meant that SII was directed to prioritise the needs of the nation over
its global commitments, including to Covax, the vaccination initiative which sends
supplies to developing nations. “I always thought the vaccine would be distributed equi-
tably,” she continues. “Obviously, we’re Indian and whatever the nation needs, it should
have, but we were so worried about what was going to happen in [countries in] Africa,
South America and the places that didn’t have any vaccines because we’d already said
we’d send it out. Our hands were tied. We thought, ‘Are we doing the right thing?’”
PERFECT FIT
As a child, these were not the sort of questions Natasha expected to grapple with later in
life. She tells me that her upbringing in Pune, near the Osho ashram, was largely tradi-
tional. “I was not anywhere close to ambitious,” she admits. “I was raised with the notion
that education was very important, but the women around me were running homes and
taking care of people.” She credits her stint at the London School of Economics, where she
studied organisational behaviour and change management, with opening her eyes to
other possibilities. Months later, she met Adar in Goa on her first-ever trip without her
parents. “We didn’t really drink or party,” she grins. “We got to know each other and
laughed a lot. I told him, ‘We’re going to be really good friends.’”
The pair eventually began dating, but found long distance difficult. “He wanted to be
back at work in Pune and I was at that stage where I wanted to see the world,” she sighs.
“I was like, ‘I’m in London, I want to work.’ He was like, ‘Come and work with me. It’ll be
so much fun!’ And I said, ‘That’s crazy! We’re just dating.’ He went back to India and I was
here for about two years after that, finishing my master’s. We’d see each other every few
months. His focus was clear from day one. He was like, ‘I like you. I know I want to get
married. This is it.’” >
131
“I think I was misjudged a little bit. People saw me
dressing up and said, ‘She’s that fashion person on the
racecourse.’ But I didn’t feel the need to expose the
serious part of my life to everyone”
THE GOOD LIFE

After marriage, Natasha joined the family business almost immediately. “My father-in-
law introduced me to the board and said, ‘We’re putting her to work.’” At SII, she was
initially sent to every department to get her bearings as an intern. “I saw everything from
the investment side to the production side. After that, it was like, ‘Now that you’ve done
this, what are your thoughts on it?’ Or ‘What happened with that?’ Every day at the dinner
table, every minute, was a test. Culturally, I didn’t speak out. Before that, I’d been told,
‘Don’t speak above your elders or your husband.’ But here it was encouraged. It took me a
while and still does sometimes, until I have the knowledge and the expertise. Then I’m
like, ‘Sorry to interrupt, this is what I’m thinking.’”
Even now, “we still talk strategy at the dinner table,” she laughs. “My kids have learned
so much from just listening to our conversations about everything from future strategies
to human resource issues.” Natasha believes their horizons have been broadened further
by the family’s recent move to London. “We go to museums, watch theatre in the park,
and my five-year-old knows so much about art. When we travel, we make sure to go to the
opera and to plays. I didn’t grow up with enough of that in India.” And then there’s the
matter of the children’s schooling. “Adar went to boarding school aged nine, and always
said, ‘If you want the kids to be focused and disciplined, it’s the best thing.’ I can’t deal with
it. My older son spends half the week at boarding school and Adar laughs at me because
every time I drop him off, I’m sobbing. I’m a helicopter mum.”
DRESSING THE PART

When not working or parenting, Natasha still takes refuge in fashion. Today she’s wearing
an understated wasp-waisted black suit but “there are times when, after a rough day at
work, I come down to the dinner table all dressed up because it makes me happy.” She
says her passion for conceptual looks and oversized Philip Treacy hats, whether at home
or on the racecourse, is something Adar has long been supportive of. “Often people
couldn’t understand what I was wearing. They’d say, ‘What’s that? A dish antenna?’ My
husband has always said, ‘If you love it, do it.’ If you’re comfortable being ridiculously
dressed, how does it matter to anybody else?” She’s also adamant that it shouldn’t make
people take her any less seriously. “For this Vogue India cover, I was like, ‘I’m going
glamorous’ and everyone said, ‘Be careful.’ I feel like I go up against myself in that way
sometimes, because that’s where the socialite thing comes in, but why should I not be true
to who I am? I can wear what I want.”
Would she ever want to do something in the fashion industry? “Promote new designers,
curate, and maybe have a fashion museum or travelling exhibit someday,” she replies. “I’ve
been a collector for many years.” She is also eager to do more in the clean energy sector
and hopes SII will soon be able to manufacture the malaria vaccine that’s been recently
approved by the World Health Organisation. “We’ve collaborated with a lot of companies
and it’s something we’ve been chasing for years, since the day I joined the family.” Now
that the impact of the pandemic has eased again in India, exports of the COVID-19
vaccine have resumed, too. The future, however, remains uncertain. Does she feel the
weight of the world on her shoulders? “We’re used to pressure,” she says stoically. “We
don’t have the time to overthink.” n
132
Blazer, trousers; both
Louis Vuitton
Hair: Andy Lecompte

Makeup: Mary Philips
Assistant stylists: Sachin
Gogna; Taylor Hubbard
Manicure: Tom Bachik
Production: January
Productions & T Creative
STANDING
TALL
Platform mules
that throw it
back to the Y2K
generation are our
call to action for
the party season.
Maxi dress, Proenza

Schouler. Mules,
Bottega Veneta
EXTRA
LOVE
Gilded pieces, from sparkling shoes to dripping gems, as seen on model-
on-the-move Amrit, illustrate how accessories will always dial up a look
Photographed by CRUZ VALDEZ Fashion editor MAX ORTEGA
135
ALL HANDS
ON DECK
The arm stack has
evolved. A chunky
and statement cuff
has a trickle-down
effect on sizeable
cocktail rings.
Dress, Alexandre
Vauthier. Bracelet,
rings; both Louis
Vuitton
136
IN MOVING
MEMORY
Earrings that hug,
dangle, flow and
sparkle.
Jacket, Bottega
Veneta. Skirt, Victoria
Beckham. Crystal-
embellished earrings,
Saint Laurent
STEP THIS
WAY
Webbed and
netted, these
are shoes with
attitude attached.
Top, vest, skirt; all

Louis Vuitton. Boots,
Saint Laurent
TIME TO
PRADA
A ladylike
watch gets a
party update.
Sequined cardigan,
ribbed shirt; both
Prada. Watch, Dior
139
COLOUR
CODED
Bulgari’s new
drop: earrings
good enough
to eat.
Coat, Sportmax.
Knit turtleneck,
Victoria Beckham.
Earrings, Bulgari
140
BABY GOT
BAG
Double the fun
with a crystal
clutch and a
mini-me.
Fringe top, Loewe.

Trousers, Bottega
Veneta. Embellished
bag, Michael Kors
Hair: Jonathan De
Francesco
Makeup: Kuma
Manicure: Megumi
Yamamoto
Set design: Julia Wagner
TWO FOR
THE ROAD
What’s better than
one denim shirt
right now? That’s
easy: two. Layer up,
belt up and frost up
Short-sleeved shirt,
Levi’s. Long-sleeved
shirt, Mother. Jeans,
Emporio Armani. Belt,
ELV Denim. White gold
and diamond earrings
and necklace, Bulgari
The Jean
GENIES
GLAM GIRL
Anyone seeking high
drama need look no
further than Chanel’s
floor-sweeper.
Jacket, skirt, chain belt,

leather shoes, jewellery;
all Chanel
Looking for classic lines or artful embellishment?

Your wish is denim’s command
Photographed by ANGELO PENNETTA Styled by JULIA SARR-JAMOIS
143
STRAIGHT
AND
NARROW
Strictly tailored and
with fine leather
binding: when Hermès
does denim, it’s whip-
sharp.
Apron dress with leather

details and wool rollneck,
Hermès. Leather boots,
Gianvito Rossi. Velvet
and felt hat, John
Boyd. Crystal earrings,
Moschino
ONE FOR THE AGES
Ralph Lauren proves that an oversized denim jacket will always be in vogue.
Jacket, jumpsuit and shirt, Polo Ralph Lauren. Crystal flower choker, Nué
145
A FINE
BALANCE
When the jacket is
capacious, you can
afford to strip down
elsewhere—right
down to a sheer skirt
and bra top, should
you wish.
Trapeze jacket,
Loewe. Bra top, No 21
X 7 For All Mankind.
Crystal embellished skirt,
bag; both Prada. Shorts,
Alaïa. Crystal embellished
shoes, Amina Muaddi.
Crystal earrings, Fallon
146
POWER TRIP
A bodysuit and a
cardi-coat with
bleached denim is
giving us strong
early-90s vibes.
Bodysuit, cardigan,
necklace, jeans; all Saint
Laurent. Shoes, Tom Ford
DRESS TO
IMPRESS
Indigo denim cut in
the ultra-feminine
New Look? It can
only be Dior
Belted shirt dress and

net petticoats; both
Dior. Leather boots, Dries
Van Noten. Lace gloves,
Miscreants. Velvet
headband with veil, Philip
Treacy. Crystal earrings,
crystal necklace; both
Kenneth Jay Lane
148
MIXING
ELEMENTS
A balance of tough
and tender, blue jeans
beautifully collide
with McQueen’s
precious embroidery.
Corseted T-shirt
with trailing
embriodery, Alexander
McQueen. Jeans, Gap.
Rhinestone sandals, René
Caovilla. Velvet gloves,
Miscreants
DOUBLE DUTY
There’s an artistry to denim now, whether that’s in crafty dye techniques or in the pile-it-on approach
when it comes to the extras.
From left, on Mona: Jacket, jeans; both Alberta Ferretti. Nylon gloves, We Love Colors. Crystal cap, Slim Barrett
On Fran: Jacket, Brunello Cucinelli. Shirt, Victoria Beckham. Jeans, R13. Crystal earrings, Alexandre Vauthier. Vintage
bracelet, www.merola.co.uk
150
PAST
FORWARD
Louis Vuitton makes a
convincing argument
for reimagining retro
silhouettes, such as
gently flared jeans
and a decorated tunic.
Wool minidress with

Swarovski crystal
embroidery and jeans,
Louis Vuitton. Leather
sandals embellished with
crystals, Gina
NIGHT ON
THE TOWN
When the Noughties
dress code of jeans
and a top goes all out.
Jersey top embellished

with paillettes, cargo
trousers; both Burberry.
Leather and neoprene
boots, Jimmy Choo
152
MODERN
TOUCH
Ripped jeans and a
blazer will never go
out of style. It’s the
cut-out bodysuit
that makes it now.
Wool blazer, wool

bodysuit, and jeans,
Celine by Hedi
Slimane. Vintage
earrings, www.merola.co.uk
DRESS CODE
Swoons of delight
don’t necessarily
follow workday
denim—until Off
White had other
ideas.
Jacket, Polo Ralph

Lauren. Crystal mesh top
and crystal mesh jeans,
Off-White. Crystal clutch,
Black & Brown. Crystal
earrings, Butler & Wilson
154
IT’S A WRAP
A belted full-length
coat offers a classic
response to frayed
patchwork denim.
Coat, and slingback

shoes embellished with
crystals, Diesel. Crystal
earrings, Saint Laurent
Hair: Cyndia Harvey

Makeup: Petros Petrohilos
Nails: Laura Grieco
Production: MAI
Productions
Digital artwork: Output
Models: Vittoria Ceretti;
Mika Schneider; Fran
Summers;
Mona Tougaard
With thanks to: Hotel
Locarno and Donna
Camilla Savelli, Rome
LIGHT WORK
The 18th-century
house that Galliano
shares with his
partner Alexis Roche
sits in Gerberoy, a
quaint village some
80km northwest of
Paris. “It’s like
you stopped time,”
says Roche.
Sittings editor:
Hamish Bowles
Let the
sunshine in
In Northern France, John Galliano has created
a home befitting the idiosyncratic beauty of
his tenure at Maison Margiela. Hamish Bowles
pays a call to the treasure-filled hideaway
Photographed by FRANÇOIS HALARD
156
157
DREAM CATCHER
Galliano, seen with
his Brussels Griffon
terriers Coco and
Gypsy, worked with
the landscape designer
Camille Muller on
the house’s English-
inspired garden,
which is punctuated
by a small lily pond
I
can’t miss a market or a brocante,” says Maison Margiela’s
creative director, John Galliano. “I’m very curious; I love
hunting, and then the find—the excitement of the unknown,
that one key in a door that opens the door and another door
and another door.”
“You have to pull him back,” admits Alexis Roche, Galliano’s partner
and collaborator. “Otherwise, he doesn’t stop!”
Galliano, however, cherishes “things that I’ve found in a flea market,
or travelling geographically, or historically—they come imbued with
a story, an energy,” he explains, “and they start deep emotions. And
when those emotions start, I’m able to create.”
Many of those treasures are showcased in Galliano and Roche’s
Paris apartment in the Marais, and in their modest stone farm-
house in the Auvergne, one of the most unspoiled but remote parts
of la France profonde, where Roche’s grandmother was born. That
house proved to be the perfect refuge at a moment when Galliano’s
professional life was unraveling a decade ago, but as he conquered
his demons through rigorous recovery programmes and brought his
creative genius to reshape Maison Margiela—which he has helmed
since late 2014—the couple began to yearn for a country retreat that
would be more accessible to Paris.
An antique-dealer friend suggested they look at a house in the
almost absurdly picturesque Gerberoy, in Picardy, a village of cobbled
lanes and half-timbered houses framed by roses and hollyhocks in
Northern France.
“It’s like you stopped time,” says Roche. “We felt there was a
soul to the village.” (The proximity to the fabled antique shops of
nearby Rouen was an additional incentive.) Gerberoy is famed for the
gardens created at the turn of the century by the post-impressionist
artist Henri Le Sidaner in the ramparts of a ruined country house,
which served as endless subjects for his shimmering, evocative paint-
ings. He even painted the very house that Messrs Galliano and Roche
had gone to see: an 18th-century gentleman’s residence that might,
as Galliano suggests, have been a setting for Flaubert’s Madame
Bovary. The couple were smitten by both the house and the town’s
beauty and storied history, and could not resist.
The house, though, was in a parlous state, and Galliano embarked
on an ambitious restoration plan that would preserve its romantic
patina. The roof tiles were each carefully numbered and removed
and, once the structure was stabilised, replaced to rise and dip as
they always had. The reconfiguration of the rooms, meanwhile, was
largely determined by the light and the views. The main bathroom,
for example—crowded with antique perfume bottles, etched Venetian
mirrors and Baron von Gloeden’s photographs of winsome Sicilian
youths—serves as an anteroom to the bedroom. Now, sitting in the
antique tub or standing at the sink, Galliano and Roche have the best
vantage points from which to admire the landscape below the window.
While staying at Claridge’s in London, Galliano always took
time to admire the antiques and the iconic chintzes at the deco-
rating firm of Colefax & Fowler, then seductively arranged in >
158
HIDDEN GEMS
Left: Roche walks the stone garden
path. Above: Delft tiles designed
by artist Eloïse d’Argent cover the
fireplace wall in the Salon Jaune
an 18th-century town house that once belonged to the legendary with rosettes scrunched from the same fabric, all based on examples
Nancy Lancaster and was famed for the high-ceilinged drawing in 18th-century upholsterers’ manuals—along with those in Pauline
room that she painted “buttah-yellah”. Galliano clearly admired de Rothschild’s fabled London apartment, which was designed with
that room, as well as the exacting haute couture standards of the John Fowler himself. The yellow drawing-room windows, meanwhile,
firm’s custom work—“finding craftspeople,” as Galliano notes, “is are hung with a silver and buff African-inspired glazed cotton that
like gold”—and collaborated with the decorators on the curtains for Galliano worked on with Fortuny, and the main bedroom is hung
his Paris apartment. In Gerberoy he worked with Daniel Slowik, and curtained with a chintz from Antoinette Poisson that evokes the
formerly at Colefax & Fowler. “It was a very collaborative process,” blue-and-white azulejos tiles that Galliano admired in Portuguese
Slowik recalls, “and it was fun to work with a fashion designer who gardens and houses. (He was so obsessed with them, in fact, that
understands the feel and idea of couture. He’s always going for the he commissioned the trompe l’oeil artist Eloïse d’Argent to create a
most exciting options.” narrative sequence of Delft tiles that now spins its tale on the Salon
Ancient kilim carpets, for instance, were carefully reassembled Jaune’s fireplace wall and brings even more light into the room when
into a patchwork runner for the staircase, which is adorned with racy the fireplace is roaring.)
drawings and photographs, while antique Moroccan wedding cover- The property is protected by a 1779 gatehouse—now crowned
lets, their purple silk floss embroidery long faded to raspberry pink, with a banner, crafted by the Margiela atelier, depicting two roosters
were hung unlined in the upstairs pink drawing room to filter the (galli in Spanish, for Galliano)—that once served as monks’ quarters.
daylight. “He’s so interested in where the light falls and catches,” says Galliano created a brace of guest rooms and a soaring atelier in the
Slowik, who drew colour inspiration from paintings and objects in space, complete with a library of his favourite reference books. (His
Galliano’s collection. (Galliano also put amber glass panes in the door beloved first-edition Dickens novels, with the illustrations that so
to the kitchen so that at teatime the dining room is bathed in light.) inspired him as a child and as a fashion student, are kept closer to
The dining room, with wide, tapestry-seated Louis Quinze chairs his bedside table.)
drawn up to the circular table and portraits of toucans and parrots After the atelier’s terracotta tomette tiles underfoot were carefully
(and earnest early-19th-century children) on the cool blue walls, has restored and laid with antique Turkish rugs, Galliano had small
taffeta curtains in an antique pale yellow and blue stripe tied back squares of the different colours that he was considering painted
160
The 18th-century gentleman’s
residence is a place that might,
as Galliano suggests, have
been a setting for Flaubert’s
Madame Bovary
FRAMES OF REFERENCE
Left: Also in the Salon Jaune, a Louis XV chair is
surrounded by Indian miniature paintings. Above: In the
guest bedroom, a Directoire bed sits below artworks
including, at top centre, a fashion study by Howard
Tangye, Galliano’s tutor at Central Saint Martins
around the room to determine the changing effect of the light. “The
ultimate test with me is always candles,” says Galliano. “The glow, and
how the colour reacts. That’s when the colour really sings. I spend a lot
of time in candlelight.” He settled on a rich terracotta, a colour that he
describes as “almost like a deep breath in the evening”. That singing
pink is painted eight layers deep, ceiling and all. “I wanted this kind
of cocooning effect—the idea was that the light would reverberate
and bounce off each wall and the roof,” he continues. “And it works,
it’s super relaxing in here. I come to pull out my favourite Vionnet
book and dream.”
Through the centuries, artisans—tile makers, glass-blowers and, of
course, the tapestry workshops of nearby Beauvais—have flourished
in this region of France. In homage to their work, Galliano began
sleuthing the artworks originally created to serve as templates for
those weavers at the local antique fairs. “I kind of live, breathe my
work,” Galliano avers, “so, being at Maison Margiela, this idea >
161
just came very naturally to find these wonderful cartoons and recycle Holiday’s plaintive voice on the day I visited, for instance—and the
them, upcycle them.” He cut them up into a collage of imaginary heady, richly layered fragrances that Galliano loves, including church
landscapes that now cover one wall. “I love the trompe l’oeil effect incense, Diptyque’s musk, Santa Maria Novella’s pomegranate, and
of real trees swaying and refracting in their light,” Galliano explains. Indian joss sticks that waft through the rooms.
“I was playing with the idea of the outside in and the inside out. I’ve The main house is also one room deep and flooded with light
saved some,” he adds, “and when the fancy takes me, I’ll do another from both sides. That upstairs pink sitting room is filled with
little collage.” devotional church figures in their antique robes of shattering silk (“I turn
The atelier’s mystery is further enhanced by the window shades. everything into shrines,” Galliano confesses), and the drawing room
“They’re from a Japanese monastery,” Galliano says, and were below is painted another 18th-century colour that was known, as
assembled by Lilou Marquand, a friend and collaborator of Gabrielle Galliano notes with delight, as pipi de vache, as it was inspired by
‘Coco’ Chanel. Galliano, who describes the nonagenarian Marquand the urine of cattle fed a mango diet. “Once again,” he explains, “it’s
as “an artist, a poet,” was bidden for tea at her Parisian home to see if he an amazing colour that works in a mysterious way in sunlight and
passed muster as a client. “You could feel the energy zooming around sunset, and glows in candlelight.”
her,” Galliano says. He was enraptured by her atelier, “an Aladdin’s The fruits of Galliano’s sleuthing with Roche are abundantly
cave of wonderment, of Japanese fabrics, Indian sari fabrics from evident. His suave juxtapositions in the Salon Jaune, for instance—
the ’30s, pom-poms, trims, tassels—I was gagging on the Chanel including splay-legged 1950s Gio Ponti armchairs upholstered in a
ribbons!” At one point during the visit, Madame Marquand “trod chintz design of plump pomegranates and peonies, a rosy needlepoint
on something—I don’t know whether it had fallen out of her very rug, a 1940s marmalade red velvet sofa, a Louis XV chair in sunflower
elegant trouser suit, or if it was already on the floor,” Galliano recalls. silk velvet, and an 18th-century painted Italian commode—bring
“She picked it up, and it was like this little elephant: a pincushion, the room seductively into the 21st century and illustrate the couple’s
with really sharp pins on it,” fashioned from pink silk velvet that had passions.
rubbed bald through years of use and love. “I’d never seen anything Galliano thinks nothing of hanging a Sex Pistols poster or Ron
so gorgeous,” Galliano says. “I’d like you to have this,” Marquand told Raffaelli’s portrait of Jimi Hendrix to jostle 19th-century salon
him. “It belonged to Coco.” art, Brassaï and Penn photographs, and homoerotic Jean Cocteau
With Marquand’s blinds at the window, the room, notes the drawings. Madame Bijou, Brassaï’s 1932 portrait of a dishevelled
designer—in true Galliano-speak—“is a little bit of Marlene-on- woman sitting at a table in a bar, an original print of which now
the-train.” He is referring to Marlene Dietrich in director Josef von hangs in Galliano’s guest bathroom, “has inspired many a collection,”
Sternberg’s 1932 Shanghai Express, veiled and shaded in feathery the designer confides. “The volume of the coat, the hat, the wig, the
glamour by the legendary costume designer Travis Banton. “It’s a jewels, the fallen stockings, the tap-dancing shoes—I mean, it’s just
place of mystery,” says Galliano. an endless dialogue with Madame Bijou!”
The atmosphere of the house is enhanced by the soundtrack—Billie The house is also a palimpsest of the places Galliano and Roche >
162
RURAL SPRAWL
Galliano’s robust reference library (and
some very impressive flower
arrangements) presides
over the atelier, painted a cozy terracotta.
Opposite page: The upstairs sitting room
have travelled, particularly on the epic inspiration trips that Galliano
once took with his teams for his eponymous brand and for Christian
Dior, the house that he redefined as artistic director from 1996 to
2011. These travels took them to Japan, China and India, among
other exciting locales. One end of the Salon Jaune, for instance, is
hung with a collection of exquisite 17th- and 18th-century Indian
miniatures found in Rajasthan on that India reconnaissance mission.
“There’s always been a magical relationship with India,” Galliano says.
Outside, Galliano worked with Camille Muller to create a roman-
tic, English-inspired garden, although it is an ancient beech tree that
perhaps excites his imagination the most. (In the last quarter of the
18th century, a complaint was brought against the house’s dissolute
owner, and Galliano is convinced that the scars in the stately plane
tree’s trunk are a flagellant’s stigmata.)
Soon after they arrived, Galliano and Roche befriended the
village’s colourful cast of neighbours, who now provide
gardening and psychic advice, gossip, and delicious produce and
local culinary delicacies. Dressed like a Bloomsbury Group eccentric
on an afternoon that I visited—in a Margiela prototype sweater
knitted from strips of blue and lilac gingham, a Margiela trench,
Wellington boots, and a woven-straw cloche hat pulled down low
on his brow—Galliano set off with Roche to pay his calls with the
couple’s Brussels Griffons, Gypsy and Coco, gambolling at their feet.
He seemed very much at home. n
THE LONG HAUL

Above: In the entrance hall of the main house, handsome
terracotta tiles and Turkish rugs lie underfoot while an eclectic
mix of drawings and photography hangs on the staircase walls.
Right: Trailed by Coco, Roche and Galliano head off into town
164
THREE CHEERS
Since its launch in 2018, the JCB Prize for Literature has expanded the reach
of regional Indian writing beyond the dominant English-language books. And
among India’s varied and multifaceted literary voices, Malayalam writing is
having its moment in the spotlight, finds Sana Goyal
166
O
n t he evening of November 13, readers, writers, trans- Jasmine Days and Moustache by S. Hareesh. Evidently, there’s a
lators, and editors of Indian literature had their eyes boom in Malayalam translations, and undoubtedly, there is a new
glued to their screens in anticipation of the winner wave of translations from Kerala emerging from within the per-
announcement of this year’s JCB Prize for Literature. spective of the JCB Prize lists in recent years—in part perpetuated
The question on everyone’s lips? Will a work in translation from by the celebrity and visibility afforded by the award. Jayasree Kal-
Malayalam take home the prestigious prize for the third time? athil, translator and co-winner of the 2020 Prize for Moustache,
Now in its fourth year, the 25-lakh JCB Prize for Literature, says, “It is no doubt an absolutely thrilling time for contemporary
also called the ‘Indian Booker Prize’, is awarded annually to a Malayalam literature, which is exciting, refreshing and challeng-
‘distinguished work of fiction by an Indian writer’. Among the ing with a range of writers, each with their own unique voice.” For
constellation of literary prizes for Indian writers—such as the DSC her, winning the JCB Prize has definitely helped with opening
Prize for South Asian Literature, the Tata Literature Live! Awards, doors to publishers, where previously she had struggled, “often do-
and the Atta Galatta-Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize, to ing the (unpaid and unacknowledged) work of a literary agent.”
name but a few—the relatively nascent JCB Prize has, in little to The prize has also “helped with the public perception of literary
no time, made a name for itself on the literary landscape. translations as creative works in themselves”.
And yet, Kalathil is not sure if there is a sudden shift in terms of
FOUND IN TRANSLATION something magical happening with Malayalam literature. “I think
In awarding the inaugural 2018 prize to Benyamin’s Jasmine it is to do more with the increasing visibility and acceptability of
Days (Juggernaut Books), the JCB Prize remained true to its com- literary translations in general—and literary translations from
mitment to champion work in translation and books published by Malayalam in particular. I think Malayalam literature has always
the independent press. And in a seemingly small move, it sought had a strong presence within literary translation, with veteran
to expand the hitherto narrow conception of Indian writing be- translators like Gita Krishnankutty, Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan
yond the dominant English-language-original books. and Prema Jayakumar to Fathima E.V., J Devika, Priya Nair and
It is refreshing in a country as diverse and diffuse as India. Mita many others taking it to a global audience. The Crossword Book
Kapur, literary director of the JCB Prize, shares the inclusive pros- Award for Indian-language translation went to Malayalam litera-
pect of the awards when she says, “India’s vibrant literary land- ture nine out of 20 times between 1999 and 2019. But that was a
scape, encompassing geographies, languages and histories, is the prize for translation. What the JCB Prize has done is to make
keystone of the JCB Prize for Literature. Each year, the diversity translated literature, and through it the amazing and varied
symbolised by varied voices gets reflected in the prize’s lists and regional literatures of India, an integral part of Indian literature in
are a reflection of the energy and vitality that the prize brings to English,” she added.
the country’s literary environment.” Speaking specifically to trans- Shahnaz Habib, the winning translator for Jasmine Days and
lations, she adds that the prize “believes wholeheartedly in transla- this year’s judge, echoes these thoughts, highlighting that the JCB
tions and that they are as integral a part of our storytelling reper- Prize is playing its part in celebrating and consecrating age-old
toire.” Indeed, this diversity and variety is reflected in the quantity literary cultures: “I believe the success that contemporary Malay-
and quality of submissions each year. Submissions to the JCB alam literature in translation is having these last few years in the
Prize have consistently come from over a dozen states across India JCB prizes goes back to its long history of literary culture. There’s
each year—the 2021 longlist was chosen from submissions by a strong and foundational culture of reading and criticism and
writers from across 16 states writing in multiple languages. publishing in Malayalam, and in the last few decades, it has gath-
ered momentum and visibility. I hope that prizes like JCB will
SOUTHERN COMFORT encourage more of this kind of regional literary culture.”
And while previous years have seen the range of submissions M. Mukundan, with his co-translators Fathima E.V. & Nanda-
feature translations from seven or eight languages, this year, the kumar K., would go on to win the 2021 JCB Prize for Delhi: A
JCB Prize received submissions in just four languages. Among the Soliloquy. He has previously been a recipient of multiple awards,
longlist of 10 novels were three works in translation, all from Ma- including the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary hon-
layalam. These were Delhi: A Soliloquy by M. Mukundan, trans- our given by the Government of Kerala, and the Crossword Book
lated by Fathima E.V. and Nandakumar K. (Westland), Anti-Clock Award, twice. The jury described the novel as “a rambling, inti-
by V.J. James, translated by Ministhy S. (Penguin Random House mate epic”, one which “captures what it means to be a small per-
India) and The Man Who Learnt To Fly But Could Not Land by son in a big capital… Clairvoyant in its human empathy, this ex-
Thachom P Rajeevan, translated by P.J. Mathew (Hachette India). traordinary book is the distillation of a lifetime of experience.”
What makes these novels stand apart—and perhaps the emerging In his moving winning speech, Mukundan said that the JCB
canon of contemporary literature in translation from Kerala so ap- Prize is an award of “great magnitude” because “it gives the certain
pealing—is a lively cast of characters and the zooming-in on the book and its author an immense visibility, deleting all the borders
otherwise inconsequential aspects of a plot or place. The mundane of culture and languages”. The award will help him reach more
is no longer mundane, but something magical and memorable. readers, non-Malayali ones in particular, across English speaking
That all three translated titles contending this year were in countries, and even beyond that, if the book is translated into
Malayalam would seem like coincidence, or sheer luck, were it not other languages, he added—and for that he is grateful. If books
for the history of the JCB Prize, which has had two previous win- can delete and break through borders, surely that’s the greatest
ners writing in Malayalam in the span of three years: Benyamin’s prize of all. n
167
SCENT AND
THE CITY
A picture may speak a thousand words, but to perfumer Ben Gorham, a smell is
invaluable for recollecting memories. With Byredo’s latest blend, he takes notes of
a visceral journey and his deep connection with Mumbai, finds Kirstie Clements
Photographed by ASHISH SHAH
169
H
ow does one possibly capture a country as enor- MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
mous, diverse and dynamic as India, in a perfume? By Ashish he is referring to the Delhi-based creative Ashish Shah,
If you are Ben Gorham, founder and creative direc- who photographed the campaign for Mumbai Noise over a
tor of the brand Byredo, the very idea is simply too period of months, enlisting a diverse cast of local dancers, archi-
vast. But for this master perfumer, it’s personal. “I realised early tect-turned-models, drag performers and artists, producing a
that when creating fragrances, it seemed pointless to generalise,” luminous portfolio of images and a short film intended to reflect
says Gorham, Zooming from his home in Stockholm to talk about modern India. “I knew Ashish from his previous work for Vogue
the launch of his latest scent, Mumbai Noise. “There is potential India. I found that beyond being young and talented, he is a
for injustice. It has to come from a subjective angle—these are my photographer who has his own language. There is a zest, a curios-
memories of the city.” ity and an exploration of diversity, which I love,” says Gorham.
While the collaboration with Shah was focused on showing
EAU DE BOMBAY actual people, it was also about avoiding clichés. “Because India
Born in Sweden, Gorham and his sister were raised by their single has such a strong visual culture, it’s very easy to get caught up in
Indian mother from Chembur, Mumbai. When he was 11, the stereotypes—I know from living in different places in the world
family moved to Toronto and, as a young child, Gorham would that they exist. Even though my memories were the touchpoints,
return to India to visit his grandmother. “Many of my fragmented the backdrop, the importance of Ashish to this project was
memories are of travelling there as a child and as a teenager.” immense. He played a role in creating a contemporary portrait of
Given there is a relatively large Indian community in Toronto, the city and its people.”
Gorham felt as though he were living in a Diversity is a philosophy that has been
version—albeit, a more westernised ver- at the core of Byredo since the company’s
sion—of India. “It has always been part of inception in 2006. “I understood that an
my life in some form,” he says. But on re- authentic approach was something that
turning to Mumbai as an adult, his con- “[Mumbai Noise] was going to resonate with people,” says
nection to the country grew deeper. “Be- Gorham. “Given that I was biracial,
cause of the British involvement in is an evocative multicultural and curious, the existing
India’s history, its people had become beauty industry didn’t really make sense
good at assimilating culturally. I saw that
in my family. But then I began to see this
riff on Mumbai’s to me. It was dictating a notion—that
should be completely democratic—about
incredible Indian identity and how much
it had changed. The younger generation
ceaseless, what is beautiful, what is self and what is
self-expression, and equality. India
(primarily) had become very proud of its
culture, its music. It was almost like a
churning activity” suffered colonialism and oppression, and
it was also part of my living experience in
renaissance. It changed my perception of Europe as a ‘Brown’ person. If I was to
what being Indian was about.” have a brand, it was very important that I
Perfume brand Byredo is renowned for did it my way.” It appears the world has
producing luxurious, left-of-centre fragrances, and Mumbai finally come around to this way of thinking in the last few
Noise follows this maverick tradition of imagination and explora- years—a long overdue shift in attitudes that Gorham acknowl-
tion. “I’m less rational when I create fragrance,” Gorham con- edges. “These things have become topics, talking points and ini-
firms. “It’s truly emotional. I create these briefs that are some- tiatives because people are fed up. Social media enabled more
what abstract and then I work with the perfumer [Jerome voices and I’m grateful for that.”
Epinette]. For this project, it was about identifying certain When asked to describe Mumbai Noise, Gorham mentions the
things—woods, incenses, spices, fruits—that are part of my mem- word ‘vibrant’. “Mumbai has a huge subculture; it is a melting pot
ory bank in connection to Mumbai.” The scent is a delicious con- of people from all over India and they contribute to the city and its
struct that includes notes of warm wood, amber, davana, coffee, soul. For me, it’s a world, a universe. In terms of the cultural diver-
tonka beans and dusky sandalwood. The name is an evocative riff sity that exists within India, I feel like I’ve seen less than one per
on Mumbai’s ceaseless, churning activity. “The idea of ‘noise’ is cent. The idea of exploration is really important to me. Ashish sent
my take on it. It’s more conceptual (and less definitive) than sim- me a beautiful film and part of his objective was to make me miss
ply calling it Mumbai,” explains Gorham. “We are not saying this India, to feel like I’d come home. It does feel like home now, very
is the official smell of the city—this is a facet of the city, by Ben much in an odd way since I’ve never lived there. It speaks a lot about
and Ashish.” lineage, this ancestral connection that somehow grows stronger.” >
170
FOLLOW YOUR NOSE full circle,” he says reflectively. He pauses to relate a lovely story
Even though the Byredo collection contains a multitude of cult about nostalgia, memories, and time passing—all key elements in
fragrances such as Gypsy Water and Bal d’Afrique, Gorham the mystery of a great perfume. A portion of the campaign was
famously does not wear fragrance himself. “Well, I wear them actually shot outside his grandmother’s house in Chembur. “The
during the creation process,” he admits, claiming he does not area has changed over the years but the humble bungalow is still
have favourites. ”I love them all individually, for different reasons. there, dwarfed by the tall buildings that have sprung up along-
I have unique relationships with them, but Mumbai Noise is side. My mother lived there and had a childhood sweetheart, but
quite dear to my heart. It represents more of a tangible part of they broke up when she moved away. When I was 11, they were
myself, whereas some of the others are projections or from other reunited and subsequently married. The photo of the young new-
experiences. This is truly connected to myself and my family. ly-weds in the Mumbai Noise campaign represents the marriage
Maybe this is the one.” that never happened when they were younger. Ashish captured
A Byredo boutique is slated to open in Mumbai this month, these conversations—memories that didn’t happen but that
something of a homecoming for Gorham. “It’s amazing, a kind of should have.” And which now have a fragrance to mark them. n
173
R E A D E R S ’ T R AV E L AWA R D S 2 0 2 1 W I N N E R S I N S I D E
THE LAST WORD IN TRAVEL

NOV-DEC-JAN 2021-22 | 200
100
AMAZING PEOPLE
ON WHY THEIR
HOME COUNTRY
SHOULD BE
YOUR NEXT
DESTINATION
Bengaluru-based
poet and writer
Joshua Muyiwa
at the Malleswaram
flower market
REIMAGINING IBIZA + GOA, BUT DIFFERENT + SKIING IN FRANCE + NEW IN THE MALDIVES
R E A D E R S’ T R AV E L AWA R D S 2 0 2 1 W I N N E R S I N S I D E
THE LAST WORD N TRAVEL

NOV DEC JAN 2021 22 | 200
100
AMAZING PEOPLE
ON WHY THEIR
HOME COUNTRY
SHOULD BE
YOUR NEXT
DESTINATION
R E A D E R S’ T R AV E L AWA R D S 2 0 2 1 W I N N E R S I N S I D E
REIMAGINING IBIZA + GOA BUT DIFFERENT + SKI NG IN FRANCE + NEW IN THE MALDIVES
100
LIVI
T R A V E L
Maximal city
Far from the dazzle of the Burj Khalifa and the
magnetic pull of the city’s malls, 10 creatives from
GETTY IMAGES
the cosmopolitan emirate of Dubai share their

local favourites with Megha Mahindru
TRAVEL
< Must-read:
Temporary
People by Deepak
Unnikrishnan. He
grew up in the UAE
and writes about
the experiences of
migrant workers in the
country. I also like the
magazine Sorbet.
It’s a mix of fashion,
art and culture with a
take that’s irreverent
and fun
Go-to
<
stationery:
Useful and
beautiful, I have a
pile of notebooks
and journals from
My Dubai
Montroi. I also
love its incense
BY AVNI DOSHI
The Booker nominee and mother of two
shares her cultural hotspots, perfect for
children and adults alike
> Best souvenir:

Candles by From
the Arabs, a
wonderful Emirati
company that does
limited-edition
scents set in earthy
terracotta pots
that you can keep
forever
Lust list: M
<
at her stud itra Mose

io, Oka. For r’s vases, available
tiles, I love exquis
the Mud H ite handmade
ouse Studio
storian
Artist-food hi learn
On my radar:
aa. And Art D
ub to
ai
KIDS’ STOP
<
Nah la A l-Tabb li (above)

ou t ne w artists like Alia A
ab
Best activity spot: Duba COURTESY GALERIE PETER SILLEM; SHARON HARIDAS; GETTY IMAGES
i
has a lot of amazing
Favourite organic farms. Emirates
weekend Bio Farm, Aranya and
getaway: The Greenheart Organics, to
charming Chedi name a few, are
Al Bait in fascinating to visit for
Sharjah is the kids and adults. There’s
perfect place also the painting studio
to stay while The Jam Jar, which offers
visiting the many classes for children.
exhibitions at Child-friendly spaces:
the Sharjah Art OliOli, a science museum
Foundation Culture fix: The Ishara Art and a play area. In
Foundation and also the team at the winter, we are
outdoors—at Safa Park,
Alserkal Avenue which organises
Al Khazzan Park or
reading groups with writers and artists
the beach
<
Kitchen
equipment I
cannot live
without: My
Josper oven.
The charcoal grill
intensifies the
flavours of every
Favourite dinnerware: dish and brings
<
Lausanne is my top cutlery me so much joy

brand. It looks elegant and has a
balanced weight and shape so that
it feels comfortable in your hands
My Dubai
BY CHEF IZU ANI
Prolific and poised, Dubai’s culinary darling,
with an ever-growing restaurant empire, picks
his favourite food attractions
< Best coffee

shop: Boon
Coffee, a
specialty coffee
shop and
roastery that
serves delicious
coffee
Meal with the best view: Carine

<
opens to rolling green hills and a scenery

that’ll transport you to the countryside
Restaurant to reserve: Scalini at the Four
<
<
Most innovative
Seasons Jumeirah. It has an authentic, classic
cocktails: Shanghai Italian feel—perfect for friends and family
Me has an imaginative Latest food discovery:
cocktail list inspired Badia Farms, the GCC’s first
by the animals of the urban vertical farm that grows
A Dubai secret: NYX is a discreet gourmet greens
<
Chinese Zodiac calendar

lounge, hidden behind a souvenir shop
at Gaia. It is rich and flamboyant, with
red-gold furnishings. It also has the
incredible DJ Marios Tsiaprazis, who
SOUND
Favourite Dubai activity: One of plays enigmatic deep-house music CLOUD
my favourite ways to start the day is
My go-to playlist:
by cycling through the Al Qudra
• ‘Only you’ by 112
desert. Riding between the sand (feat. The Notorious
dunes feels like meditation and sets BIG & Mase)
me up for a beautiful day. Next to • ‘Let’s get it on’ by
the track is a food truck which serves Barry White
coffee and really delicious egg rolls • ‘So fresh, so clean’
by Outkast
• ‘Table for two’
by Joe
• ‘Blinding lights’ by
The Weeknd

TRAVEL > A podcast I love: Physics
World Weekly. I’m really
interested in quantum physics
> On-stage fashion

essential: My Allah
necklaces
A souvenir to
<
bring back: An Oud

perfume
Go-to sunglasses:
<
Vintage Gucci and
Oakleys
My Dubai
BY DJ KARROUHAT
The Kuwait-born, Dubai-based musician
shares his nightlife essentials
> A street that

inspires me:
Baniyas > After-dark
Square. The pursuit: Getting
neighbourhood by Karak tea
the sea has special from a cafeteria,
architecture, low- or a cruise in
key restaurants
and friendly people
Old Dubai
Favourite
BEAT IT
<
m
Alserkal Av usic store: The Flip
enue. It’s a Side on Playing on loop: A
where I go n in
to browse die record shop
old Arabic
music
Canadian indie band
called Men I Trust. I lov
e
like to
b eat a creative block: I how smooth their music
Cure to Deira is and their lyrics are very
water taxi to
<
< Street style take the Abra

special
essential: I love Travel essential:
thrift shops in Al Apple AirPods
Quoz. You can find An underground party
your favourite Sneaker style: At the moment I’m hub: Kung Korean at
<
denims and obsessed with Clarks Originals Byblos Hotel

camo jackets Favourite music
as you walk estival: Sole DXB
through the area bai music acts to
ar: Oldyungmayn,
m Takriti’s Sizer and
Karrouhat
ue with the best
stics: Analog Room

> Go-to local
designer: Faiza
Bouguessa has
BOUGUESSA
nailed perfect, modest

tailoring and flattering
cuts. I also love wearing
Rami Al Ali’s
gowns, his embroidery
is beautiful
Style crush:
Raffia bags from
Loewe are my
summer vibe
> Party hotspot:
Nammos Dubai is
always fun and has the
best lineup of DJs
My Dubai
< Best homeware labels: The
BY ROSEMIN MANJI decorative East Gallery products
from Indigo Living as well as
The TV presenter and director of RR&Co Kashida (left), a homeware label
picks the finest luxury experiences from inspired by Arabic calligraphy
the ‘Las Vegas of the Middle East’
INDULGE
Seasons
Check-in at: Four
n and the
for the best locatio
l staff
Insider tip: Download most professiona
perience:
the Careem app to get Bespoke travel ex or
around town Nara Desert Escape
bo are
th
Platinum Heritage,
nies
luxury travel compa tte
, Face
Best facial: Orskin
y villa
Facial Bar and Ivor
ok ahead:
Restaurant to bo
v My stress buster: Carine by chef Izu
I’m a terrible sleeper, es: O’de
Best concept stor
Piec e, Kulture
so I’m hooked to the Rose, The Odd
2, Boom
Mulberry sleep masks House, Comptoir 10 ept
AT Co nc
Most Instagrammable hotel: SAL at
by Skincare by & Mellow, TH
<
Burj Al Arab has four pools, private cabanas Store and FL TR D

s: Al Mai. It’s the most Best spa: M an da rin
ee ken d getaway esort, and the perfect backdrop for holiday photos sk in body
Best w i Beach R comfortable fit for Oriental for its 11 1
he Obero , Abu Dhabi. lon
<
i. T lo ge sa
Maha, Du b a
i Island my face treatment, and La
aya Nura land for a blow-d ry
Ajman. Z ah at Saadiyat Is
Ju m e ir

TRAVEL
< In my beauty kit: My
crystal Shiffa Gua Sha
that feels amazing on the
face. Nars Climax mascara,
its red packaging is sexy and
industrial. And Ouai detox
shampoo, its chic bottle is
designed by my friend Tony
Current
<
Yumul (Case Agency)

perfume:
Sundazed by
Byredo. I
love the smell
of neroli My Dubai
BY DR LAMEES HAMDAN
From the best beauty buys to home-grown
ingredients and rituals, the founder of Shiffa
Beauty shares her skincare secrets
Spa day essential: Try

the Moroccan bath at the
Talise Spa at
Jumeirah Al Qasr
llery’s Al Noor A necessary extravagance to try:

Best baubles: Misk Jewe
<
HOME SPUN
<
) and Nadine Afternoon tea at Peacock Alley, Waldor

Heritage collection (above pieces
f
ble Astoria Hotel DIFC.
Kanso’s stylish and weara
An Emirati beauty ritual
I follow: My mother and
Best spice market souvenir: Frankincense grandmother would mix
cucumber with rose water
and use it as a face mask
An ingredient that is also
Instant mood-lifter: A 10-minute a beauty booster: Dates
<
> DIY beauty

hot bath. I blend dried sage are amazing for the face
(maramiya in Arabic) with oatmeal and help you stay younger.
hack: Mix
and add the powder to my bath I use date extract in my
rosewater and
Shiffa skincare products.
water and PM beauty routine:
freeze them Double cleansing (Shiffa
in ice moulds. Aromatic Facial Cleanser)
When it’s hot with a muslin cloth.
outside, massage Best off-counter buy:
rosewater ice Orange blossom water
from Wafi Gourmet. Neroli
GETTY IMAGES
cubes directly
on your face water is great for anyone
with combination or
acne- prone skin

< Statement
jewellery to
own: Bil Arabi,
inspired by
Arabic fonts, or
the glamorous
pieces by Arts &
Gems at the
Wafi Mall
Best catering service: Muskan Ohri’s Go-to day dress:
<
Simmer with the Stars. She Curve-friendly
makes pan-Asian food that caters to all clothes by Dima
diets, even keto and paleo Ayad. She has tie-
dye kaftan dresses in
jewel colours that are
< A beauty item that helps perfect for the beach,
me relax: I use the Healing a brunch or just
lazing at home
Balm by Shiffa when my skin
is feeling tired or dehydrated
Food fix: The freshly grilled

kebabs at Wafi Gourmet
with a side of hummus and extra
pickled green chilies
My Dubai
BY SUJATA ASSOMULL
The journalist and former fashion editor
shares her style guide from the flashiest
of the seven emirates
s. It’s a Favourite meeting spot: The private

<
Best flower shop: Fine Bloom room at The Arts Club (above) or Roka for
<
es a very
bespoke floral studio that tak its business lunch Latest fashion discovery: Qatari ready-
abstract approach to floris try
to-wear label 1309 is a minimalistic Arab
brand that uses vegan textiles and practises
Lust list: Bouguessa, for its sartorial a zero-waste policy
STYLE FILE detailing and architectural silhouettes
Best multi-brand stores:

Priceless and The Outlet
Fashion souvenir to gift:
A cool abaya by YNM Dubai
Most conscious boutique:
The Edit on Alserkal Avenue,
which features the mindful
curation of Rumana Nazim
A fashion pick-me-up:
Dubai-based e-tailer Ounass.
com delivers in two hours It-bag: Former Dubai girl Amanda Navaian’s
<
and has a wonderful cross- vegan leather brand, House of Marici. Now
section of local and global in London, she was one of the first designers in
labels as well as jewellery the region to talk about conscious consumption
and a great beauty edit

TRAVEL
Go-to
<
homeware
label: L’Objet
has a beautiful
variety of
joyous and
chic designer
collaborations
Boutique with the best curation:
<
THAT Concept Store offers a fresh
look at local and international brands
(pictured above is a diffuser by Ginori 1735)
for a younger demographic
< Souvenir
to take
back: A
statement
jewellery
piece from
Bil Arabi
My Dubai
BY NADINE KANSO
From fashion to art, the uber-stylish
founder of Bil Arabi spotlights the avant-
garde offerings of the desert city An ar
<
home: M tist’s work I’d lo

On my radar: Angeles Agrela is an oh ve
as well a amed Ahmed Ib to bring
<
artist whose work I keenly follow s Rokni a rahim (a

nd Ramin bov
Haerizad e)
eh
Favourite flower shop: Goshá

<
Outside the mall, I shop at:

has a cool vibe and brings a sense
of art to its bouquets
The Odd Piece on Alserkal
Avenue and The Light House
in Dubai Design District
MRS KEEPA
GET SET, GO
Best weekend getaway:
Most covetable fashion labels: The Oberoi Beach Resort
<
in Ajman is so zen, and

Khalid Shafar is a product designer who has great service and
has been inspired by local heritage and done a food
great job with it. Mrs Keepa (above) is an Spot with the best view:
edgy fashion designer whose clothes have a lot Vida Creek Harbour in Ras
of character. And Rami Al Ali makes chic Al Khor. Its terrace offers
made-to-measure couture with a lot of romance a panoramic view of Dubai

Best child-friendly hotel: Jumeirah
<
Zabeel Saray. It has a wonderful kids’ club
Kidswear store
My Dubai
<
I swear by:
Ellijunior.com,
an award-winning
online shop started BY SAIMA KHAN
by Elli Kasbi
The co-founder of children’s party
destination Cheeky Monkeys and
mum of four shares a fun-filled,
child-friendly itinerary
Most child-friendly restaurant: Carnival

Most relevant children’s bookstore:
<
Bookworm, which has a great selection of by Trèsind. The food is amazing and the
books and activity boxes presentation is really unique
gifting:
GET OUT
Best weekend activity: Visit the u rite p la ce for children’s eets
Favo ers sw
I love how it off
<
Museum of Illusions or try a Candylicious. e w or ld A unique family

helicopter tour of Dubai from all over th experience: Fishing
on a dhow
An offbeat trail to
Favourite experience with tots:
Best theme park to visit: I love weekend getaway: The Jebel Jais hiking
Legoland. It’s so easy to navigate and Stay at The St. experience offers six
offers indoor and outdoor attractions (and a Regis Abu unique trails for all levels
Favourite outdoor
water park) that cater to all age groups Dhabi and visit activity: We love going
the Al Seef to Kite Beach to swim,
Village Mall make sandcastles and
enjoy its F&B choices
We also visit the nearby
skateboarding park and
love going to Miracle
Garden, which is home
to 50 million flowers and
250 million plants

<
An artist
more people
should know:
El Seed
is a street
artist whose
vibrant work
incorporates
traditional
Arabic
calligraphy, a
style that he
calls ‘calligraffiti’
My Dubai
BY RICHARD FITZGERALD
Purveyor of the local pulse and the founder of
LovinDubai, a popular news and lifestyle website,
offers his offbeat city guide
A necessary extravagance: The hammam at the

<
A food experience to reserve: 3Fils

<
Chef’s Table, where a 10-course feast Talise Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
is
prepared right in front of you visit:
ural marvel to
An architect h its shape inspired
<
era, wit
The Dubai Op ing acoustics
also has amaz
by a dhow . It
INSIDER
A food creative to follow: Chefs
Izu Ani and Tom Arnel are
SECRETS
very creative with food Best shopping app:
InstaShop or El Grocer
Favourite weekend
Most getaway: Al Wathba,
Instagrammable Abu Dhabi or The Oberoi
spot to visit: Beach Resort, Al Zorah
The new Best spot to propose:
Sunrise over Burj Khalifa
Address at Kite Beach, with
Beach Resort, the Burj Al Arab in the
which has a background
residents-only Best running track:
infinity pool The Kite Beach running
GETTY IMAGES
that is simply track. You can extend to

breathtaking the Dubai Canal and run
around down by Bvlgari
Most innovative cocktails: Residences—a stunning,
Zuma at DIFC. seaside route
TRAVEL
> Local
design icon:
Khalid Favourite
<
Shafar coffee-table book:
is a game- My jumbo David
changing
furniture
Hockney book
(Taschen). Worth
designer
every cent, it costs
way less than his
My Dubai original art and is a

real statement piece
BY PALLAVI DEAN
The award-winning interior designer and
founder of Roar shares her design finds
from the city of architectural excellence
> 5 stores for

new homeowners:
Marina Home
Interiors, The
One, Urban Nest,
Four Seasons
Ramesh Gallery
and Tribe Dubai
Best place to buy tiles: 41zero42.

On my design lust list: The Cookie
<
My
<
of rich dad was a tile supplier, so ceramics

Monster toy by Medicom. It is 71cm are
ame.com kind of in my genes
blue faux fur, available at Selectshopfr
DESIGN Favourite lighting store: Best-designed hotel:

TRAIL Huda Lighting. It even stores the The rooms at Form Hotel or Burj Al Arab
lights I made in collaboration with
Best street for Artemide, which I flaunt in my dining area
product-watch
ing:
I love wandering
around < Most
Alserkal Avenue
or Dubai treasured
Design District. T
hey design piece:
come to life duri
ng My Moroso
festivals and even
ts
Must have on yo ‘Double Zero’
ur
design itinerary: dining chairs
A visit
to Burj Khalifa an by David
d the
spectacular Mus
eum of Adjaye
The Future
Favourite antiqu
e store: One-stop shop for statement
<
Zinjaar Vintage
pieces: Cities, the design store. It’s
where I buy pieces by my favourite
designers, such as this tray (above)
by the awesome Nada Debs
TRAVEL
> Go kayaking in Hatta

The road The azure waters of the Hatta Dam look spectacular
against the backdrop of the barren Hajar
mountains. Soak in the surroundings and take in the
less taken glorious views as you kayak on the placid waters of

the dam. Canoes and paddle boats are also on offer.
Take along a picnic basket to savour later.
Keeping Dubai as your base, get
a taste of history, architecture and Stay at: Atlantis The Palm in Dubai. It also
adventure in the UAE with these has a massive water park and an aquarium,
and is about two and a half hours away
experiences, says Chaitali Patel
Hike up the Al Rabi trail in

Khorfakkan, Sharjah
A well-marked trail starting from the Al Rabi Tower
takes you right to the top of the 395m Al Rabi peak.
As you climb, enjoy scenic views of the coastline,
secluded coves and rugged mountains. Blue skies
and spectacular sunsets are a given. After the trek,
head to the Khorfakkan Corniche, where you will
encounter plenty of cafes as well as a beach and play
area to keep the children busy.
Stay at: The Fairmont Dubai, bang in the city

centre of Sheikh Zayed Road, is just an hour
and a half from the hike location
Visit the head-turning

Louvre Abu Dhabi
Whether you are an art aficionado or not, the Louvre
Abu Dhabi is absolutely worth a visit. Its magnificent
steel dome, covering a vast area of the museum, is
stunning. Designed by the Pritzker Award-winning
Jean Nouvel, the dome appears weightless but actually
weighs 7,500 tonnes. Besides showcasing works by
world-class artists like Roger Fenton and Ai Weiwei, it
also houses an equally engaging children’s museum.
GETTY IMAGES
Stay at: The Palazzo Versace Dubai. The
fashionably maximalist hotel is a an hour and
a half from the iconic museum

> Wander through Al Ain’s
date palm farms
Inside Al Ain’s lush date palm farms, the desert seems
a distant memory. Wander through the patchwork
of farms, with the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping
birds and trickling water for company. The ancient al
falaj irrigation system taps into underground aquifers,
providing valuable water to the over 1,47,000 date
palms and fruit trees spread across the area. There’s
even the interactive and educational Eco-Centre on site
to help you delve deep into the area’s history.
Stay at: The Thai-style Anantara The Palm

Dubai Resort is a kingdom of calm, and is a
two-hour drive from Al Ain
< Step back in time at

Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi
Dwarfed by the surrounding high rises of downtown
Abu Dhabi, the watchtower part of the Qasr Al Hosn
complex was where the city began. Built of coral and
palm fronds, the oldest surviving structure in Abu Dhabi
has witnessed the transformation of the city from
a small fishing and pearling village to a modern-day
metropolis. An on-site museum showcases this history
through exhibits and a number of carefully preserved
artefacts. Don’t leave without visiting the nearby House
of Artisans to get a feel of local handicrafts.
Stay at: The art deco-influenced Ritz-Carlton,

in the financial heart of Dubai, is located just an
hour and a half from Qasr Al Hosn
> Rewind at the Mleiha

Archaeological Centre, Sharjah
Set within the all-encompassing desert of Sharjah,
Mleiha Archaeological Centre takes visitors
way back in time to when life was first found in
the region almost a million years ago. Through
interactive displays, exhibits, carefully preserved
artefacts and guided tours, visitors can discover
the secrets of the region from Paleolithic to pre-
Islamic times. Adventure seekers can explore the
area through activities such as paragliding or dune
bashing. The pristine desert and its surrounding hills
offer many opportunities for camping and trekking.
Stay at: The pyramid-shaped Raffles Dubai

(it even has a new outpost in Palm Jumeirah
now) is located less than an hour away

TRAVEL
8AM
Begin the day with
a yoga session by
the rooftop infinity
pool which offers
unparalleled views
of both the old and
new city, silhouetted
against Bikaner’s
brilliantly blue sky
10AM
Take a walk through
the city which takes
you through the many
heritage havelis,
including Rampuria
Haveli, which dates
back to the 1400s and
is made of the local
Dulmera red sandstone
24 HOURS AT...
7PM
Narendra Bhawan
Unwind from your day
with a cocktail at the
hotel’s Drawing Room,
which draws inspiration
from gentlemen’s
smoking rooms of yore e boutique hotel in Rajasthan and erstwhile residence
and exudes old-world of the Maharaja of Bikaner is the perfect place to live out
charm and glamour via
its wood panelling and
your king-sized dream, says Arushi Sinha
leather upholstery
1PM
Have a multicourse meal
at Narendra Bhawan’s
P&C restaurant, where
the menu is inspired by
classic literary novels
including Moby Dick and
To The Lighthouse
5PM 3PM
For those escaping city life, a
Find your bliss at the in-
dinner in the desert under the stars
house spa, where therapists
is just what the doctor ordered.
employ Bach Flower Therapy,
Narendra Bhawan also curates a
a homoeopathic technique
dinner à deux lit by candlelight and
that harnesses the botanical
served under white canopies for
power of plants and flowers
mini-moon seekers

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST ` 200 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOMES IN THE WORLD INDIA
FEELING
MAXIMAL
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST ` 200 NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2021

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOMES IN THE WORLD INDIA
FEELING
MAXIMAL
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST INDIA
FEELING
MAXIMAL
TRAVEL
7AM
Kick-start the morning with a
kundalini yoga session at the
scenic Rockpool, perched atop
a cliff and open to the majestic
view of Vagator beach
9PM 24 HOURS AT...

As night sets in, the W
revs up as if to uphold 9AM
W Goa
Goa’s reputation as the Savour breakfast by your
Ibiza of the East. The chalet pool and then sign
meditative Rockpool up for a trip with the
transforms into a party resident W Insider, who
hotspot, throbbing This young and audacious beachside curates a minefield of
with lights and eclectic property is the perfect addition to Goa’s local experiences around
music programmed for performance arts, sports
every night party precinct, says Megha Mahindru and sustainable living
12PM
Catch up with the hotel’s
Detox-Retox-Repeat cycle
with a rejuvenating massage
at the Away Spa or take a
dip in the heated vitality pool
2PM
If you’re saving the Goan
thali for a siesta day, head
to Spice Traders, the
5PM in-house Asian restaurant
Head to Sylvia, the buzzy sunset bar which where inventive, texture-
offers a huge selection of gin cocktails. Its bending dishes like the
outside section opens to magical sunsets crudo of prawn taco and
most evenings, while a potent sound thermidor har gow are
system ensures gigs that attract both local among the highlights
bohemians and visiting tourists

TRAVEL
9AM
Time travel to the
17th century as you
walk around Bekal
Fort, or set out to
7AM explore the quaint
A curated breakfast spread of bylanes dotted
eggs, home preserves, jams, with traditional
pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit Kerala homes. The
and seasonal juice floating hotel’s architecture
atop your private pool? You itself is inspired by
couldn’t concoct a better visual the state’s famous
to wake up to, even if you tried houseboats
24 HOURS AT...
Taj Bekal Resort & Spa

Treat yourself to a calming weekend in Kerala
among a centuries-old fort, the winding backwaters
and enchanting coastal vistas, says Sadaf Shaikh
7PM 12PM
Wash away your city weariness
Wrap up your day with an with an Ayurveda session at Jiva
early dinner. The sumptuous Spa or sign up for their Homam
four-course prix fixe ritual with a consecrated fire—a
meal includes bamboo spring cleaning for your spirit
biryani, Koliwada chicken
popcorn, kheema popsicles,
kallappam kozhi tacos, lamb
chops perattiyathu and
more—all gorgeously set up
at a gazebo by the riverside
2PM
5PM Stretch out on a
daybed before you
Rent a bike and cycle
head to the in-house
around the property.
restaurant Latitude
When evening cravings
for a sadhya-style
set in, make a pit stop
lunch comprising
for a hot cuppa and light
delicacies like
snacks at the Chai Kada,
sambaram, inji puli,
modelled after local tea
pineapple pachadi
stalls, by the backwaters
and more served on
a plantain leaf

THE MUSE THAT
YOU DESERVE TO BE Celebrate
the Shaadi Spectacle
To plan the perfect wedding is like painting a beautiful
picture as an Indian wedding is nothing short of living,
breathing art. But to create the most wonderful picture,
you need the right canvas along with the right muse. There is nothing more mesmerizing than a bride. The wedding,
With pre-bridal treatments for brides and grooms such eponymous with rituals and traditions, marks the beginning of her
as Cryotherapy for face with trained professionals and wondrous journey, complete with memories and sentiments. On her
superlative technology, Potenza Advanced Wellness wedding day- one of the most photographed days of her life- she
Centre strives to turn you into your best version, to deserves to look, and feel, her most beautiful. Manish Malhotra Beauty
bring all your wedding aspirations to fruition. Turn Exclusively by MyGlamm brings a specially curated Bridal Vanity Kit
yourself into the mesmerising artwork that you aspire featuring his top ten bridal favourites, offering luxe makeup to artisanal
to be with Potenza’s advanced Mind, Body, and Soul skincare products, with something for every discerning bride to cherish.
treatments, yearning to give you the stunning look that Manish Malhotra’s Luxe Bridal Vanity Kit celebrates brides in their
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For more information, visit Potenzawellness.com or proving to be the perfect addition to your bridal trousseau.
Vogue
call 9310168669, 01141086333 For more information, visit. Myglamm.com/
DIARY
This December, we bring you the best in luxury and fashion
An Oath
GET, SET, GLOBAL!
Keeping up with the latest happenings in beauty is no child’s game. But whether
to Keep
“I do” is one
you’re a skincare aficionado vying for that flawless glass-skin goal, or a beauty
savant hoping to turn heads with those glamorous K-pop looks, Nykaa never fails
to deliver. The Global Store at Nykaa is pioneering the revolution of the Indian
of the most
time-honoure significant an beauty scene by bringing world-class beauty directly to your doorstep, and its
d expression d
eternal prom s of intent, an K-shop, powered by innovative Korean discoveries, brings handpicked Korean
ise between
a shared futu two individu Beauty shipped to you directly from Korea. And the best part? The Global Store
re. It is emoti als to
and beautifu onal, life-cha at Nykaa hunts for the newest international trends and brands, offering only the
l. De nging,
campaign em Beers’ new, sustainable best-in-class curations at one single destination, completely hassle-free.
phasises the
these powerf importance For more information, visit the Global Store on your Nykaa App
ul commitm of
two iconic w e n ts, and takes
ords into new these
territory, exp
their meanin
of all kinds- to
g to stand fo
r personal ple ing
d
and
ges
DONNING JOY AND HAPPINESS
sta
family, society nd for love, friendship, Few things drive us the way euphoria does. There is nothing more beautiful
, nature, and than the celebration of happiness and joy, and that is exactly what makes
a wide range more. Featu
of jewellery fr ring
Houses, De om across its fourth-generation diamantaire Harakh Mehta’s work so enchanting and
Beers Jewelle two
Forevermark rs and De Be captivating. Staying true to his promise of creating wearable art ignited from
, the campaig e rs
diamonds as n presents it moments of joy in life, Mehta has managed to captivate us again with his latest
symbols of th s
talismans for ese promise collection of jewellery. The Haveli collection pays tribute to the beauty and
individual an s, like
of intent, and d collective a splendour of the architectural marvels of a bygone era; the Cascade collection
as pioneers to c ts
brighter futu wards a bett brings to life the delight of experiencing the sights and sounds of the waterfalls
re. e r,
For more in gushing down the mountains—the perfect symbol of fluidity and grace.
formation,
Forevermark visit
.com For more information, visit Harakh.com

h o u s e
o w e r
A P tnership
Par no v ators by t ear
nd Tissot, in commitmen ce d a multiy l
ra l n ba
iss w atch b newed their he Nationa ently annou pon the glo eper
Sw re rt. T rec du eke
a d itio n, have to their hea ) and Tissot h will expan Official Tim the
tr se A hic nd nd
alm clo n ( NB rship, w ial Watch a NBA) a
to a re ll Associatio eting partne n (W ion
s ke tb a m ark A s the Offic ll Associatio issot’s precis e NBA
Ba their 15. tba nT d th
x te n sion of t began in 20 tional Baske e to champio e. Tissot an d in all
e
ent tha Na l contin
u lob se
men’s s the g been u
agreem BA, the Wo rtnership wil o fans acros em that has
N pa t st
of the League, the nce and style ekeeping sy eason.
a im s
NBA G ing, perform e precision t 016-17 NBA Instagram
e p t iv e 2 l on
timeke d an innova e start of th officia
A Christmas in Zurich
pe th sso t _
develo arenas sinc e @ti
B A io n , follow
29 N at
ore inform
For m
Indulge in an authentic Swiss Christmas with Hotel Noël—the
Christmas pop-up hotel that surprises with 10 individually
designed guest rooms in 10 different Zurich hotels. Artists
have transformed each room across the 10 hotels into
inspiring works of art that serve to be the perfect backdrop
to discover the Christmas city on Limmat. Explore the winter
wonderland this festive season and immerse yourself in a
creative world—stay at the Marktgasse Hotel to witness gentle
mythical figures designed by illustrator Philipp Dornbierer,
THE EPITOME OF LUXURY or get transported back to the 1970s at the 25Hours Hotel
Langstrasse—really, the choices are endless.
Discover the true meaning of opulence at UAE’s newest luxury resort—Raffles
The Palm Dubai. A palatial beachfront resort on Palm Jumeirah’s West For more information, visit MySwitzerland.com
Crescent, Raffles The Palm Dubai is an upscale and eagerly awaited addition
to the city’s lifestyle, dining and hotel scene. Demonstrating the very best of
the Raffles brand, the property is rife with a world of luxury to indulge in—from
stunning views of the 500-metre private beach, sophisticated accommodation
in the lap of comfort, to gastronomical journeys with top-class chefs and lavish
amenities like the award-winning Parisian Cinq Mondes Spa and Raffles Club
Lounge which offers a 360-degree view of the city’s skyline.
For more information, visit Raffles.com
AN UNFORGETTABLE
INDULGENCE
Standing tall as an ethereal symbol of Emirati ambition, an iconic
UAE innovation, the awe-inspiring Burj Al Arab is one of the
A Tropical Hideaway
world’s most iconic landmarks. And, if you’re planning a trip to
Dubai, this legendary architectural marvel offers you a one-of-
a-kind chance to discover the iconic moments that made them
Looking to set off on a holiday with your tribe? Anantara Lawana Koh Samui
who they are. Visitors can walk through Burj Al Arab’s lobby,
offers luxury island getaways for private group holidays tucked away in a
sprawling paradise. Leave your worries behind and indulge yourself in tropical seeing the world’s tallest atrium, take a trip to the Royal Suite
bliss in your own, private pool, or soak up the sun on your private deck and safely via a panoramic lift, view items that are part of news-worthy and
dine together in your very own exclusive poolside Thai Sala. Anantara Lawana iconic moments that have taken place on the helipad or visit
Koh Samui offers a private sanctuary for tropical hideaways with resplendent the hotel’s aquariums that are home to almost 4,000 fish of 56
pool-villa clusters around their very own palm-fringed lagoon pools. tropical species.
For more information, visit anantara.com/en/lawana-koh-samui For more information, visit Insideburjalarab.com
SHOPLIST
(www.kajfinejewellery.com) Longines: Mumbai 022-67439853, Delhi
011-43592848, Chennai 044-28464098, Bengaluru 080-40982109
Moksh Fine Unseen Jewels: Mumbai 022-23661718 Omega: Mumbai
9987958364, Delhi 011-41513255, Bengaluru 080-40982106, Chennai
THE MERCHANDISE FEATURED EDITORIALLY HAS BEEN ORDERED AT 044-28464092, Hyderabad 09169165656 Pippa Small: (www.net-
THE FOLLOWING STORES. SOME SHOPS MAY CARRY A SELECTION a-porter.com) Retrouvai: (www.retrouvai.com) Richard Mille: www.
ONLY. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY WERE CHECKED AT THE TIME OF richardmille.com Rolex: DiA, Mumbai 022-22042299, Kapoor Watch,
GOING TO PRESS. BUT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT PRICES WILL Delhi 011-46536667, Horology, Chennai 044-28464095, Luxury Time,
NOT CHANGE OR THAT SPECIFIC ITEMS WILL BE IN STOCK WHEN Ahmedabad, 079-26469797 Sydney Evan: (www.net-a-porter.com)
THE MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED. WE SUGGEST THAT BEFORE VISIT- Timeless Pearly: (www.net-a-porter.com) Zoya - A Tata Product:
ING A SHOP YOU CALL TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE YOUR SIZE
Mumbai 022-6559000, (www.zoya.in)
BEAUTY
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DESIRE
Parallel thinking
Cascading down the neck in ripples of gold and diamonds, the
‘Vanity Free’ necklace by Zoya, inspired by the sinuous lines of
the vanity chambers of Art Nouveau, features twin strings fixed
together with lustrous opals at its joints. The characteristic draping
and curves meet in a necklace that drapes and flows on the body.
— Akanksha Kamath
‘Vanity Free’
opal and
diamond two
string necklace,
Zoya, price on
request

FIVE YEARS OF GLITZ & GLAM
W Goa Turns It Up With Five Years of Limitless Possibilites with An Endless Appetite for the Now.
Boldly Coloring Outside The Lines of Luxury and W Goa’s

Irreverent attitue and taste for excess redefine revelry for the modern jet set.
Own The Moment with W Hotels - Goa

R HEA
KAP OOR
LIVING IN STYLE
C ASA VOGUE/2021
76
FAMILY VALUES
Designer Ravi Vazirani has
fashioned a colourful tableau
of design treasures and family
heirlooms for the first home of
newlywed producer and stylist
Rhea Kapoor, finds Meghna Pant.
Photographed by Sahil Behal
Styled by Priyanka Kapadia
84
FULL HOUSE
Interior designer Sravanya Rao
Pittie’s Mumbai apartment
resembles an art gallery that
places delicate and eclectic crafts-
focused pieces at the centre of an
otherwise practical family home,
finds Aditi Shah Bhimjyani.
Portraits by Neville Sukhia
Interior photography by
Ashish Sahi
Interior styling by Samir Wadekar
88
ONE FOR ALL
How does an architect go about
renovating an old family home?
For Sruthi C Reddy, it was a
“something new, something old”
approach that turned a modest
2BHK in into an expansive getaway,
finds Shalini Shah.
Photographed by Ishita Sitwala
Interior styling by Samir Wadekar
92
THE GRASS IS GREENER
Flipping the cliché of susegad Goa,
PR maven Srimoyi Bhattacharya
is rebuilding her practice from a
paddy-view home by architect Ini
Chatterji, finds Megha Mahindru.
Photographed by Arsh Sayed
SAHIL BEHAL
Styled by Priyanka Kapadia

Interior styling by Ranji Kelekar
C A S A VO G U E /2 0 2 1
98
HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS
22 Contributors 30 House of style Louis Vuitton reinvents 40 Be extra 56 Natural instincts

JJ Valaya is set to an iconic 1929 bureau Bold, supersized As science confirms our
24 At home in the branch out into our for today’s remote-work prints on couture-like brain’s deep connections
world living rooms with his era. By Dana Thomas furniture— we’re all with our environment,
Anita Lal, the founder new multidisciplinary for maximalism going architects and designers
and creative director of studio, finds Rajashree 36 Green mile mainstream catch up by blurring
Good Earth, pioneered Balaram Inspired by Asian the lines between the
the idea of a sustainable Paints’s colour of the 41 Work of art indoors and outdoors
modern Indian luxury 32 Word of south year, Cherish, is this With ergonomic chairs, for a more synergetic
that is grounded in Ritu Kumar Home’s calming selection of productivity-inducing life. Renuka Modi
craft, heritage and latest collection, in wallpapers, statement desks and conversation- explores the growing
storytelling. Now, 25 collaboration with furniture and more starting accessories, interest around biophilia
years on, she’s ready to interior designer #WFH is anything but
tell a more mature India Ashiesh Shah, seeks 38 Top brass business as usual 60 Wild things
design story for a global inspiration from three Big and small, attached The pandemic has
community, writes Indian cities. Rajashree or detached, on the wall INDESIGN reignited a global
Shahnaz Siganporia Balaram gets a look at and the floor—brass 44 Design’s new affection for gardening.
the Cochin edit lights play many shining guard Here’s a fun-loving guide
TRENDING roles this season Meet the game to a thriving windowsill
26 What happened at 33 Gold standards changers in design—all by Christopher Griffin
Supersalone? Dazzling pieces and 39 Make a splash women and under aka Plant Kween. By
Salone del Mobile illuminating ideas from Beach days, barbecues, 40—who are pushing Hilary Cadigan
returned to Milan with the design world basking in the sun— creativity to turn a
ASHISH SAHI
new products, trends these pool and patio good idea into a liveable 62 The new order
and more. Cristina Kiran 34 Hot desk collectibles have you solution. By Megha With restaurants
Piotti reports Digging into its archives, covered Mahindru reopening after a long
16 CASA VOGUE INDIA 2021 www.vogue.in

COVER LOOK
Blazer, Seen Users. Skirt, Chloé. Shoes, Celine. Earrings, Mnsh.
Hair and makeup: Namrata Soni.
Photographed by Sahil Behal. Styled by Priyanka Kapadia
hiatus, will the large, 68 Sanctum of solace and modernity. By long-term commitment Gupta bookmarks seven
bustling eatery become Entrepreneur Karishma Avantika Shankar with vintage pieces crafts-focused
a relic of the past? Manga Bedi shares for antiquarian Gaurav collections for your
Roshni Bajaj Sanghvi the solitude she 104 Let me entertain Bhatia. He shares his next self-assigned
reports on the new experiences by the you journey and tips on how decor overhaul
blueprint for post- Ganga at her mountain With the right buys, to find a classic that
pandemic dining home in the mystical you can create a home stands the test of time 120 What lies
hills of Rishikesh. By theatre, a gaming den beneath
64 Home away from Arman Khan and a cellar—all in your 111 Set it right Flooring is the very
home living room. By Avantika This festive season, foundation of a home’s
With city folks looking 70 Safe haven Shankar dress the dinner table aesthetic. From
for an escape, second Mountains or beach? with artistic flourishes statement marble
homes got a new lease With our selection of 106 Live in instead of forensic to warm wood and
as primary shelters. luxury rentals across technicolour precision, suggests striking terrazzo,
Studio Verandah’s Anjali India, nestled between If months of staring at designer Ranji Kelkar Renuka Modi shares
Patel Mehta recounts snow-capped peaks the same walls didn’t ways to bring colour
how Alibaug became in Kasauli and by the weaken minimalism’s 112 Get your home and personality under
a healing space for her warm sandy beaches of appeal, one look at party-ready your feet
and her family in the Goa, you don’t have to designer Ellen Van Ready to bring home
midst of the pandemic pick just one. By Arman Dusen’s gloriously the guests again? Sonal 122 Diary
Khan over-the-top Brooklyn Ved shows you how
66 From Goa, with house did. See how to be the mistress of 124 Shoplist
love BLACKBOOK she combines patterns, ceremonies
For Delhi-based lighting 98 Home is where colours and tchotchkes. 126 Put a bow on it
designers Prateek Jain the art is By Aliza Abarbanel 114 A stitch in time Update your
and Gautam Seth, a Pichvai patron and From traditional Indian housewarming gift
second house in the entrepreneur Pooja 108 In with the old crafts that highlight registry to include
sunny state offered a Singhal opens up her Love at first sight India’s rich textile these keepsakes
safe space to reconnect, art-filled Delhi home with a 19th-century history to contemporary that help transform
rejuvenate and refresh. that spins fascinating Dutch-Sri Lankan and eco-friendly a house into a home.
By Arman Khan tales of folklore armoire started a designs, Sheree Gomes By Saaya Vaidya
www.vogue.in CASA VOGUE INDIA 2021 17

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CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PUBLISHER Dilshad Arora
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CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER - SALES Jabir Merchant
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DECODING
DECOR
Exclusive furniture and luxe furnishings that truly celebrate the
unique design aesthetic of your personal space, India’s most-loved
paint brand—Asian Paints has now forayed into the home decor
space with Beautiful Homes—to create living spaces that are an
amalgamation of beauty, harmony, and quality
Since its inception in 1942, Asian Paints has home a complete facelift or a renovation. For are sure to add visual accents to your home
had a rather esteemed presence within the a truly bespoke experience, Asian Paints’ latest interiors. Available in a variety of fabrics
country—as the go-to for every home’s paint premium service Beautiful Homes Access and a manufacturing process that involves
needs. So much so, that the brand has become allows users to get in touch with leading European power looms, the range comprises
an inseparable and irreplaceable aspect of architects and interior designers empanelled 150+ collections and 5500+ SKUs, ranging
home design projects over the years. It only with the brand to design their dream home. from solids to prints and embroideries and
makes sense then, that with their expertise The best part? The sensible cost. While the jacquards that are suitable for draping your
in enabling millions of homes to turn into user will be charged a premium for the service, curtains, upholstering your sofas, chairs, bed
visions of dreams, that Asian Paints would it will still be a better deal than what they headboards or cushion covers. Take your pick
foray into home décor, too. As India’s favourite otherwise would have to pay up. Thereby from collections such as Ador, Sabyasachi for
paint brand, Asian Paints delves deep into its giving users exclusive ‘access’ to great service. Nilaya, The Pure Concept for Nilaya, etc.
decades of experience and brings a brand new
avenue of home decor. With multiple eras of FURNITURE LIGHTING
understanding the Indian palate, Asian Paints Furniture makes for the most important part If you're looking for unique and innovative
has launched a home décor brand—Beautiful of your home as it is a reflection of you and lighting fixtures to up the style quotient of your
Homes—a one-stop shop for everything to do your personality. And to help you achieve home, your search ends at Beautiful Homes.
with home decor. Catering to contemporary, what is arguably the most important part of The brand is the comprehensive solution for
transitional and classical lifestyles, Beautiful decorating your home, Asian Paints has waded lighting ideas that speak of good taste and
Homes offers home design and renovation through the exhilarating waters of furniture. refined sensibilities and where patrons are
services, a content arm with tips and tricks for Whether it’s unconventional dining tables, offered several choices. From understated
a homeowner, along a range of products under luxurious beds, accent chairs, unique coffee and recessed to over-the-top statement
furniture, furnishing and lighting categories. tables, or modular sofas, Beautiful Homes pieces—discover lighting options that include
comes with a diverse range of products that chandeliers, floor and table lamps, pendant
CONTENT DESTINATION are crafted to support the new lifestyle of lights, ceiling lights, and so much more. What’s
To inspire and give you design advice that today. From traditional Indian hardwood pieces better? The collection includes decorative
is not just practical but also functional, the to contemporary pieces, the three brands lighting fixtures that work in every space in a
Beautiful Homes content arm covers people’s under its belt—Ador, Royale, and Nilaya home—be it your study area or the patio.
homes, designers’ studios and has ideas, tips exude comfort and sophistication while being
and tricks for the decor enthusiast. functional and luxurious.
BEAUTIFUL HOMES SERVICE FURNISHING QR Code

Providing a range of integrated and cohesive To ginger up your space with textured patterns
solutions that bring a world of ideas together, or symmetrical designs for curtains, cushions,
the Beautiful Homes Service is an end-to-end upholstery and carpets Fabrics by Beautiful For more information, visit
solution for everything to do with giving your Homes has exceptionally unique pieces that www.beautifulhomes.com
CONTRIBUTORS
SA H I L B E H A L
A fashion and lifestyle
photographer from Mumbai,
Behal decided to shoot this
month’s cover star, Rhea
Kapoor, on film in ‘Family
values’. “This assignment
was special. It allowed me to
mix still life and portraiture
in the same frame and
shoot,” he says. Page 76
A RS H SAY E D
Having grown up between
Dubai and Mumbai, Sayed
moved to Goa during the
lockdown. In this issue, he
captures communication
stalwart Srimoyi
Bhattacharya’s tropical
escape in her newly
adopted state, in ‘The
grass is greener’. Page 92
Get to know...
AS H IS H SA H I
A former art director
with Architectural
Digest India, Sahi has a
Our contributors from this issue trained eye to capture
spatial design. For this
issue, he spotlights a
stunning art-focused
C R IST I N A K I RA N
home in Mumbai in
PIOT T I
‘Full house’ as well as
The Milan-based
one in Delhi, in ‘Home
Indo-Italian freelance
is where the art is’.
journalist has been a
Page 84 and page 98
regular at Salone del
Mobile for over a decade,
from where she reports
in ‘What happened at
Supersalone?’ Besides
design, she also loves
to write on subjects
ranging from economics
to geopolitics. Page 26
SA M I R WA D E K A R
A former stylist at
Architectural Digest
M EG H N A PA N T India, Mumbai-based
An award-winning Wadekar spends his
journalist, author and time travelling across
screenwriter, Pant is the country consulting,
a regular contributor sourcing and styling for
to Vogue India, designers, interior brands
with an impressive and hospitality spaces.
body of work on For this issue, he styles
gender issues. In two distinct homes, in
‘Family values’, she Mumbai and Chennai,
interviews cover star respectively, in ‘Full
Rhea Kapoor at her house’ and ‘One for all’.
new Mumbai home. Page 84 and 88
Page 76
WORLD VIEW
For Heirloom Project,
Good Earth has fine
china dinnerware
with butah motifs
on display at The
Metropolitan Museum
of Art in New York
until spring 2022
At home in
the world
A midnight’s child, Anita Lal, the founder and
creative director of Good Earth, pioneered the idea of
a sustainable modern Indian luxury that is grounded
in craft, heritage and storytelling. Now, 25 years on,
she’s ready to tell a more mature India design story
for a global community, writes Shahnaz Siganporia
ICON
CV: Last month marked the 10th anniversary of

The Met’s Islamic Wing, and Good Earth col-
laboratedwith the museum on a capsule line.
Tell us a little about it?
AL: The collaboration with The Met came about
almost a year ago, when designer Madeline Wein-
rib reached out to us to be a part of the Heirloom
Project. Madeline has visited our stores on each of
her numerous visits to India, which made this as-
sociation so much more special. Heirloom Project
celebrates the artisanal heritage of Islamic culture
and how it is being kept alive across the world by
way of design and crafts skills.
Good Earth is part of a select list of artisanal
brands with similar world views and values which have interpret-
ed elements of artworks from the Islamic Wing as a range of col-
lectibles for the collaboration. We recreated a beautiful Mughal
butah motif based on the reference of a poppy-printed fragment
at The Met. With Madeline’s direction, we interpreted it on inte-
rior products. The Poppy butah has been applied to dinnerware as
THE INDIA STORY
Anita Lal built her well as on table linen and cushions by hand- block artists in Jaipur.
storied brand by
focusing on sustaining
traditions, livelihoods CV: Stories are at the core of Good Earth. How do you see the
and the planet relationship between storytelling and design?
A
AL: Good Earth has always been about passion—mine to start
with, and now the entire team’s. My deepest passion is, of course,
bout 50 years ago, a 23-year-old potter with a degree India. I grew up in a newly independent India to realise that we
in psychology spent her days and weekends exploring are a beautiful country with an immense culture. I wondered why
everything from the finer details of madhubani to the we didn’t speak about Nainsukh and Raja Ravi Varma the way we
brassware of Moradabad at the National Crafts Mu- did Leonardo Da Vinci or Picasso. Now we’re getting there. Mar-
seum in Delhi. Between the jharokhas and angans of Correa’s vi- tand Singh, Pupul Jayakar, Sally Holkar and a handful of others
sion of a modern Indian museum, Anita Lal fell in love with the began this India narrative. I wanted to celebrate our crafts, arti-
living tradition of Indian crafts and began forming her own vision. sans and culture. And what better way to celebrate a culture than
Back then, the seeds of Indian artisanal luxury were sown. Now, 25 through its stories. So each year, I picked a theme, deep-dived into
years later, 73-year-old Lal’s Good Earth is one of India’s leading it and found a story to tell. I remember when we started research-
design houses. It has redefined the modern Indian aesthetic and ing Kashi, it led us to the rich histories of brocading and a cultural
updated luxury into a conscious and sustainable format, while re- exchange with the Gyasar, a Tibetan brocade woven in Benares.
viving ancient wisdom and local crafts. Now, as her home-grown So it's because of the stories that we design, not the other way.
brand’s collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art is un-
derway in New York, Lal, the founder and creative director of Good CV: What values do you associate with Good Earth?
Earth, shares her learnings and her vision for the future. AL: I was celebrating the idea of India, so our values developed
organically. We focused on sustaining traditions, livelihoods and
Casa Vogue, Good Earth turned 25 in the midst of a the planet. The Indian lifestyle, pre-consumerism, was sustainable.
pandemic. Did it change things for you and for the brand? Growing up, we never threw anything away. Clothes were handed
Anita Lal: I’m an optimist so I try to find the positive in everything. down from one sibling to the next. It was tradition. We mended and
For those of us privileged to be safe at home, the lockdown gave us preserved our belongings. We ‘upcycled’ without even knowing it.
time to think, while technology helped us stay connected. This
phase made it clear that the future was on the internet. And with CV: So what does sustainability mean to you?
that, we are now creating our own digital footprint and language. AL: Sustainable is when you’re local, small, growing in a healthy
The lockdown also forced us to work in unusual circumstances. organic manner and making a profit—but not endless profits. You
Our floral collection, Pushpanjali, was born as a result. It’s what cannot exploit resources around you and be sustainable. At Good
we like to call our jugaad collection because we had to find ways to Earth, our products are made to last. We are not seasonal or time-
work together while being apart. But inspiration hit easy—we or trend-bound. If we make a water jug, it brings back the tradi-
missed the great outdoors and our larger sense of community. The tion of copper jugs and with that, the craft of hand-beaten copper.
puja thalis, the chadars on the shrines of Sufi saints, church altars, We don’t dismiss ancient wisdom; we research and sustain prac-
the ceremony of flowers in India—from the Himalayan poppy to tices and crafts that make sense for us today. It’s simple: if you are
the Kashmiri iris—brought the two together. sensitive and conscious, you are sustainable. n

REPORT
The hope in colour

Whether it’s bright and contrasting or delicate and pastel,
the design world seemed to offer optimism through a vibrant
palette. Poltrona Frau’s first two lines designed for the
outdoors were infused with the warmth of the Mediterranean.
Among the novelties by Salvatori was the debut of designer
Stephen Burks, who presented a series of mirrors in table
version (Friends) and a wall-mounted version (Neighbors)
that showcased a palette of colours created by mixing natural
stones. Technicolour, the collection of upholstery, rugs and
curtains resulting from the celebrated collaboration between
Kvadrat and Peter Saville, was rich in chromatic depth, while
Louis Vuitton collaborated with design legends like Campana
Brothers, Marcel Wanders and Patricia Urquiola, of which
the multihued, avocado-shaped Aguacate room divider by
Fernando and Humberto Campana was our favourite. Serial
entertainers had something to look forward to in JJ Martin’s
new Miniscalchi homeware collection, which reinvented
tableware inspired by plates belonging to Napoleon, in warm
pink. Also on the spectrum were Dior Maison’s Medallion
chairs (opposite page), reinterpreted by 17
renowned artists, and comprising a
‘Miniscalchi’ blush-coloured tempered glass
plates by JJ
Martin for
chair by Nendo as well as a riot
La DoubleJ of colours and crafts by India
Mahdavi, who created chairs
that are hand-embroidered
‘Aguacate’ room divider in Djerba wool from Kashmir,
by Louis Vuitton among others.
Ode to India The ‘Ganges’ rug by Álvaro

Every year, Milan becomes the meeting point Catalán de Ocón for GAN
won the Ro Plastic Prize
of the world. Jaipur Rugs opened its flagship 2021 in Milan
store at Milan’s Piazzale Cadorna, designed
by Italian designer Matteo Cibic, to showcase
unique rugs designed and woven by artisans in
India. The country also made its presence felt
with some key pieces, like the organically-shaped
Sillage d’Hermès armchair by famed architect
Bijoy Jain from Studio Mumbai for Hermès. The
chair’s beechwood is structure-upholstered with
sustainable cellulose microfibres. Italian brand
Chelini unveiled a collection of cluster tables
conceived and designed by Mumbai designer
Sussanne Khan. India seemed to also be on the
mind of the Milanese lady of design—at Rossana
Orlandi’s iconic gallery was a rug woven with
recycled plastic, titled Plastic River No.6 Ganges,
which displayed a map of the polluted river. Over
the year, the country’s vibrant crafts have
seamlessly entered the design of ETRO
Home Interiors, and this year was no Sillage
different. The Kolkata cabinet, the Madras d’Hermès chair
by Bijoy Jain
sofa and the Rajan bar cabinet are some of for Hermès
the pieces that will floor Indophiles. At the Tables by
Sussanne Khan
fair’s The Lost Graduation Show, Sachin for Chelini
Choyal debuted a crafts-focused collection
made from textile waste.

TRENDING
WHAT’S NEW AND NOTEWORTHY AROUND THE WORLD
Khaled El Mays
R E P O R T
What happened
at Supersalone?
Among the 17
A new format created for these
designers and artists exceptional times, the 2021 edition of
who interpreted Dior’s
‘Medallion’ chair is Salone de Mobile returned to Milan with
this vibrant piece by Sam Baron
India Mahdavi new products, trends and more. Cristina
Kiran Piotti reports
A
fter a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, Salone del
Mobile, the annual pilgrimage of the design
world, returned to Milan in September, mak-
ing it not just a highly symbolic moment for
the design industry, but also providing a prescient insight
for a post-pandemic world. The event, renamed Supersa-
lone, also saw a newly appointed president, Maria Porro,
who shared her key focus as “sustainability, recycling and
circularity of structures and installations”, which she
achieved by favouring recycled wood for the stalls that was
channelled back into the production cycle after the fair.
From standout to sustainablity-focused, we round up the
designs and trends from the most important design week.
Pierre Ma Yansong
Charpin
Nacho
Carbonell

REPORT
‘Dudet’ armchair
by Cassina
‘Secret Cubic’ Lean on green
shelves by Moroso A trend traversing recycling and
minimalism, upgrades of vintage pieces,
or the use of organic and eco-friendly
‘Costume’ one- materials, sustainability is the need of the
seater chair hour in this age of climate emergency. At
by Magis Supersalone, Berlin-based designer Lukas
Wegwerth designed the installations and
paid special attention to sustainability
by creating a structure that could be
dismantled and recycled or composted
after the fair. The playful Dudet armchair,
designed by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina,
can also be completely disassembled for
ease of disposal and recycling. Moroso’s
Secret Cubic shelves, born as an artistic
project by Olafur Eliasson for the Venice
Art Biennale in 2017 and conceived
around the perfect geometric ratio of the
golden triangle, is made from recycled
iron. Magis, which celebrates its 45th
anniversary, showcased the Costume sofa
system, which can easily be dismantled
B&B Italia’s and is made from most materials that can
‘UP5_6’ armchair be recycled. But the pièce de résistance
in a cork variant
this year has been B&B Italia’s special
edition of its iconic 1969 UP5_6 armchair
with pouffe, this time made from recycled
bottle corks.
The return of sensuality The graffiti-inspired

Soft, curved, sensually rounded shapes ‘Venus Power’ rug
by cc-tapis
were everywhere. Unlike its signature
kaleidoscopic designs, Seletti’s new
collection drew from the dreamy poetics
of designer Marcantonio with My Moon,
a sculptural luminous crescent moon.
Artemide’s Stellar Nebula, designed by
BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), spotlighted the Artemide’s
‘Stellar
enriching artisan craft of glass-blowing Nebula’ lamp
with its innovative finishing techniques.
For the outdoors, the generously-shaped
padded cushions and the elegant details
of the Hamptons daybed designed by
Antonio Citterio for Flexform, looked
as delicate as it was inviting. And
for the indoors, cc-tapis (the rug
brand turns 10 this year) launched
‘My Moon’ lamp
Venus Power, a collection by by Seletti
Patricia Urquiola that invites
us to consider the dimensions
of femininity inherent in all of us.
Venus is also the name of the sensual
Versace chair, which along with its
rounded love bed, Aeternitas, brings
the popular Italian brand’s bold
designs to homes (and homeowners)
who have a penchant for drama. ‘Aeternitas’ love
bed by Versace

The tepee-
inspired ‘Hut’
seat by Ethimo
‘Wild’
swing chair
‘Angelo by Roberto
Stone’ lamp Cavalli
by Kartell Home
The importance of
singularity
Don’t confuse loneliness with time by yourself,
designers seemed to remind us after these long
LADY LUCK
months at home. Ethimo launched its Hut Salone’s first female president,
seating, a place to rest, pause and meditate, Maria Porro, talks about the fair
which takes into account socialising as well
as the need to create safe personal spaces.
that was and what lies ahead
The same concept echoed in the bold Wild
swing chair by Roberto Cavalli Home You were appointed as Salone’s new
that evokes a comforting moment after a president in this tumultuous year. What
long safari. Even the approach to lighting were your priorities?
seemed to be an ode to singularity. To address issues that we’ve been ques-
For his lighting debut with Kartell, tioning for a year. In particular, the role of
Philippe Starck designed a mysterious design and furniture in redefining domes-
light that illuminates from an LED tic spaces, which has become so important,
in the stand, thus creating a play of but also public and communal spaces, as
reflections through its lenses. furniture has a role in redefining them. For
Salone, my three pillars were sustainabili-
ty, inclusivity and a phygital dimension.
Living Divani’s ‘Kasbah’
sectional garden sofa Tell us about your green goals this year?
We wanted to give a strong signal, so the
exhibition set-up was fully sustainable—
all the raw materials involved were either
recycled or recyclable.
The age of flexi-living As the first woman in this role, how does
The past year, we turned our dining table into a work it feel to break the glass ceiling?
desk and our living room into a gym. This fluidity was the Pedrali’s high-back
‘Buddyhub’ armchair I’d say I broke the routine. And breaking
hallmark of 2021’s furniture launches. Living Divani’s the routine is good for those who break it
Kasbah, a modular sofa, can be used for a convivial seat
and for those who are part of it. My hope is
as well as a solitary daybed. Modularity meets dynamism
that it will bring added value in demon-
in the Marteen sofa by Molteni&C, which can transform
from a seating corner to a private island. The modularity strating that finding a balance between
of Visionnaire’s Babylon Rack sofa is in its ease at home private and working life is possible.
and in a home office, thanks to its built-in LED light and
a wireless system that charges devices. Also versatile is Next year marks the 60th anniversary of
Minotti’s Marvin, an architectural table that fits as easily Salone. What are your plans?
in private homes as it does in corporate meeting rooms. Salone has an incredible history and it has
Innovative designs like Pedrali’s Buddyhub seat with sound always proved to be fertile ground for in-
absorbing panels and Natuzzi Italia’s wheeled Block sofa novation, ideas, proposals and new visions
can easily fit into any room or setting. n of living. My aim is to treasure the values
that design masters have helped create in
its 60 years of history, and also look ahead
at a crucial moment because the contribu-
tion of design is fundamental to trace this
Visionnaire’s new way of living, the one towards which
‘Babylon Rack’
sofa has an the pandemic has pushed us.
inbuilt bookshelf
LAUNCH
House of style
Joining a growing tribe of fashion designers
moving from ramps to residences, JJ Valaya is
set to branch out to our living rooms with
his new multidisciplinary studio, finds
Rajashree Balaram
W
hen women who had their bridalwear designed
by JJ Valaya 25 years ago return to his studio
these days seeking to have their wedding cos-
tumes adjusted to fit their daughters, the Delhi-
based designer admits to feeling a special warmth. “It feels good to
know that I have created something timeless, something that
didn’t fall prey to a trend and that has endured,” says the 53-year-
old designer. It is timelessness that he has ardently pursued in his
long, prolific career and which he now aspires to capture all over
again through The World of Valaya (TWV), a 12,000sqft,
two-storey multidisciplinary space at JW Marriott in Aeroc-
ity, New Delhi, devoted to his “three loves”—couture,
home and photography.
The concept took shape during the two-year sabbatical
that Valaya took in 2017. And though the store was slated
to open in 2019, COVID-19 made him shift gears. “I
strongly believe that adversity is a precursor to something
fabulous,” he says. “Human beings have now learnt to appreci-
ate life anew, thanks to the pandemic. We want to live each mo-
ment to its fullest. It has also changed the way we feel about our
homes. It’s no longer that space that we come back to solely to
sleep at the end of the day. It’s now become a place where we
would rather spend more time.”
THRICE AS NICE Valaya describes the store as an amalgamation of products de-
Featuring signed and developed by him, as well as rare finds sourced
couture, home
decor and pre-COVID-19 from the Far East and Istanbul. “A Valaya home is
photography, the an experience of creation as well as curation,” says the designer,
multidisciplinary
World of Valaya who enjoys curating as much as he does designing from scratch.
opens in Delhi in “No interior has character if it does not carry a mix of modernity
January 2022.
Inset: JJ Valaya and historical and cultural references.” At TWV, the diverse mix
spans fine jewellery, accessories, photographs and a new line of
JJV creations based on travel attire, furniture, lighting, signature
tapestries, soft furnishings, carpets and textiles. There will also be
a display of the ‘Valaya way’ through renditions of living rooms,
dining rooms, bedrooms, bars, lounges and lobbies, though the
overarching theme of the space and its offerings will be rooted in
themes of royalty, the nomadic spirit and Art Deco.
In fact, it’s the nomadic spirit with which the designer associ-
ates most closely. While in pre-COVID-19 days he would source
materials from all around the world, the pandemic has confined
his shopping trips to mostly Kochi, Mahabalipuram and Goa. He
says, “I miss picking up vintage pieces from flea markets and ba-
zaars around the world, wondering at the many hands something
must have travelled through before it reached mine, and the plac-
es it will go to once it becomes part of my project. There is seren-
dipity and history at work here. History is not about any period for
me, it’s an emotion.” n

Ravish Vohra Home
+91 98199 92020, 0124 410 8800
info@ravishvohrahome.com
www.ravishvohrahome.com
COLLABORATION
Ritu Kumar Ashiesh Shah
GOLD STANDARD Chandbagh line, inspired by the prince-

Available in ly state of Amer; the dune-hued Desert
understated white and
gold, the Cochin edit line, a nod to the startling landscapes of
is inspired by Kerala’s Jaisalmer; and the Cochin collection,
topography, attire our favourite, which presents an under-
and architecture
stated visual feast from the south.
In the Cochin collection, Shah skil-
fully captures the key elements that
draw people to the tropical beauty of
southern India—the lush greenery of
its scenic topography, the stunning
minimalism of its traditional attire,
and the extraordinary, yet understated
architecture of its ancestral homes and
palaces. “Having explored and experi-
enced Fort Kochi so frequently, I felt
curious about what the city had to offer
in terms of its deep-rooted tradition
and aesthetic,” says Shah, who started
conceptualising this special edit after a
visit to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
Each item in the Cochin collection—
from the bed linen and cutlery to the
home accents and decor pieces—has
been designed to reflect a quintessen-
tial Malayali habitat. The tableware
Word of south featuring Kansa dinner plates, for ex-

ample, is a nod to the bell-metal craft
seen in the temples of South India. The
Since 2019, Ritu Kumar Home has strived to bring traditional cushion covers in off-white fabrics with
crafts into modern homes. The fashion doyenne’s latest subtle gold borders have the same ton-
collection, made in collaboration with interior designer Ashiesh al and textural characteristics as the
Shah, seeks inspiration from three distinct Indian landscapes. mundu sari and the kasavu drape. And
the geometric design of the table linen
Rajashree Balaram gets an exclusive look at the Cochin edit is fashioned after Kerala’s long-stand-
ing nalukettu architectural style. Shah
T
derived several design motifs from the
leaves of the banana tree, a faithful
wo years ago, Ritu Kumar unveiled her debut home- mainstay of every Malayali household.
ware line of ikat cushion covers, platters emblazoned “An in-depth study of the traditions led to this collection being
with Mughal prints, traditional table linen and antique steeped in tones of white, green and gold,” Shah explains. Accord-
brass glasses, successfully escorting her label beyond ing to CEO Amrish Kumar, the Cochin edit’s uniqueness lies in its
her patrons’ wardrobes and onto their dinner tables. For her latest ability to effortlessly blend with any existing decor. “It’s a quick
collection, which launched in November, the first lady of Indian way to lend a new aesthetic to an interior environment,” he offers.
fashion collaborated with award-winning architect and interior “Take the upholstery in off-white and gold, and place it against a
designer Ashiesh Shah to create an exquisite selection of furniture, wallpaper with banana leaves. There, you have both, the under-
GETTY IMAGES
tableware, wallpaper and upholstery inspired by the culturally stated and the dramatic in the same space.” Months in the mak-
rich landscapes of Amer, Jaisalmer and Kochi. ing, each piece has been curated after deeply engaging with local
Distinct in style, the three collections comprise the jewel-toned communities. And undoubtedly, it’s been worth the wait. n

TRENDING
G ET SER VED
Gold Far from the monotony of modern

furnishings today, furniture brand
standards
Scarlet Splendour has brought whimsy
and drama to our homes with playful
anthropomorphic creations, like its
donkey-shaped Ciuco cabinet and Gorilla-
Dazzling pieces and like lounge chair, since it launched in 2014.
illuminating ideas from The Kolkata-based brand, started by
siblings Ashish Bajoria and Suman
the design world Kanodia, delights with its tongue-in-cheek
works. “The idea is to show that luxury
doesn’t have to be boring,” says Bajoria
about his label’s style of bringing levity
to luxury pieces.
While the brand’s latest offering
doesn’t rely on its signature kitsch, it
manages to dazzle with its unapologetic
flamboyance. Designed by Dutch designer
Richard Hutten, the Wolk coffee table
is a solid brass piece that is likely to be
the centrepiece of any room. The piece
extends the collaboration that the Droog
Design co-founder first executed with the
brand in 2019 with a cloud-shaped chair
launched at Salone del Mobile that year.
Sculptural and idiosyncratic, Hutten’s
table too is defined by bold silhouettes,
exquisite finishing and sophisticated
engineering. “Richard adds his own twist
to things and I love how he puts details
into his works,” adds Bajoria, who is
‘Wolk’ table by also collaborating with the designer on
Richard Hutten a nifty bar and console table version,
for Scarlet which will be launched in Milan next year.
Splendour
—Megha Mahindru
F ACE me + you Reddy’s interactive

piece for the Smithsonian’s
L I GH T U P F ORW ARD exhibition, Futures
Anyone who knows the What is one word for your

designer Simone Arora future? This is the probing
will know she is an question posed by me + you,
immaculate entertainer. an interactive artwork by
For the festive season, Suchi Reddy that is on view
the founder of the till July 2022 in the central
eponymous design atrium of the Smithsonian’s
store Simone, picks Arts and Industries Building
a piece that will (AIB). “I want people to
empower you to be the think about what they’re
master of entertaining. putting out into the world,” says the New York City–based architect and artist of the
Reminiscent of a burning acrylic-and-washi-paper sculpture. Powered by artificial intelligence, the 20-foot-tall
candle, this bold, gold piece translates that word into light and colours that shimmer across the structure,
candle stand, a paradigm which Reddy compares to a mandala. Developed by a team of women in collaboration
of good design, is the with Amazon Web Services, it’s the centrepiece of Futures, a vast exhibition celebrating
only spectacle you the reopening of the AIB (closed since 2004) as well as the Smithsonian’s 175th
need to light up your anniversary. So what word describes her future? Creativity. Meplusyoufuture.com
conversations.—MM —Hannah Martin

NOSTALGIA
I
n July 1929, when the roaring
twenties were still roaring, celebrat-
ed British orchestra conductor
Leopold Stokowski commissioned
Louis Vuitton to design and produce a
portable secretary. By then, the Paris
luggage company, founded by French
master trunk maker Louis Vuitton in 1854,
had produced an impressive array of
speciality designs. The Bed Trunk, which
contained a folding cot, was favoured by
19th-century explorer Pierre Savorgnan de
Brazza; the Library Trunk was command-
ed by Encyclopædia Britannica to deliver
its 29-volume 11th edition to customers;
and the Shoes Trunk was requested by
American opera diva Lily Pons for her
ample collection of pumps.
Upon receiving Stokowski’s order, the
design team—led by Louis’s son Georges
at the company’s original workshop in the
Paris suburb of Asnières-sur-Seine—set
about reconfiguring the traditional malle
(travel trunk) to meet Stokowski’s needs.
When opened, a desk swung up and
perched on foldable legs. There were book-
shelves, a typewriter compartment, and
drawers large enough to hold sheet music.
(There was no need for a baton; Stokowski
NICE WORK famously started the trend of conducting
Louis Vuitton’s with his hands.) While the exterior was
Secrétaire Bureau
2.0 (foreground) enveloped in the luxury house’s traditional
with its vintage Monogram canvas—an ecru-and-burnt
predecessor; sienna jacquard with geometric and floral
(below) vintage ad
motifs and the founder’s initials—the
interior was lined with soothing gray
EDITED BY SAM COCHRAN; COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON
swallow Vuittonite, a waterproof material

introduced by Louis in 1854 and later
Hot desk popularised for automobile luggage.

For many years, the Stokowski, as it
became known, was one of a kind. But it
Digging into its archives, Louis was such a smart and enviable design that
Vuitton reinvents an iconic 1929 the company eventually made it available
bureau for today’s remote-work for special orders, adding a compartment
era. By Dana Thomas for a folding stool. It has remained in
production ever since. Versions now reside
in the company’s archives and in La

TRUNK SHOW
An abbreviated history of Louis
Vuitton’s monogram canvas
Louis Vuitton pioneers

waterproof canvas, 1854
originally offered in trianon
Clockwise from top: gray and encircled with iron
Original version of the
Stokowski; a compact slats (1879 version shown)
showcase of the
original; an archival
sketch of the 1929
Secrétaire Bureau
Stripes—first red, then
1872 beige—begin to appear
as a new brand signature
Georges Vuitton presents

the Damier checkerboard 1889
design, developed by his
father, at the World’s Fair
Georges creates the iconic

LV monogram, a tribute
1896
to his father, made up of
three botanical/geometric
motifs and his initials
Galerie Louis Vuitton, located at the

Asnières-sur-Seine compound in France.
Coinciding with the 200th anniversary
In celebration of the
of company founder Louis Vuitton’s birth, 1996 monogram’s 100th
the brand has introduced the Secrétaire
anniversary, Helmut
Bureau 2.0, an update of the Stokowski, Lang designs a DJ box
with modern needs in mind. The desk is
larger, to accommodate laptops, as are the
compartments for storage. There is a cable
passage for efficient wire management, a
‘smart top’ that keeps the trunk organised
when closed, and a lid lining that can serve
as a bulletin board.
Marc Jacobs taps Stephen
As with all Vuitton trunks, carpenters 2001
Sprouse for his graffitied
craft a structure made of three types of (and now iconic) take on
wood: poplar for framework; okoume, a the Louis Vuitton logo, an
light, resistant African wood, for the body innovation that would lead to
and lid; and beech for decorative and collaborations with Takashi
reinforcing laths. The interior is available Murakami and Yayoi Kusama
finished with varnished beechwood or
straw marquetry. And like all speciality
Louis Vuitton Men’s
Vuitton trunks, it is made to order, price 2021 artistic director Virgil
upon request. Delivery time: one year. At a Abloh debuts his own
time when remote working is increasingly watercolour variation
the norm, this luxurious take is anything
but ordinary. Louisvuitton.com ■

DESIRE
EVERYTHING WE LOVE THIS SEASON
1. Wallpaper, Artisan 5
Furnishings, 165 per
sqft 2. Minty ottoman,
Cane Boutique, price on
request 3. Sage ceramic 7
dinner plate with
dip bowl, Dandelion
Dreams, 1,650 6
4. ‘Library’ chair,
Mallika’s Edit, 88,000
5. ‘Dhvaja Aqua In
Zardosi’ cushion,
Studio Covers, 5,100
6. ‘Palmeraie’ vase,
Haviland at Emery
Studio, price on request
7. ‘Moss’ bureau, Arpita 8
B Design Studio, PI CK
95,000 8. ‘Frilly’ chair
by Patricia Urquiola,
Green mile
Kartell, 43,500
Inspired by Asian Paints’s colour of the

INDIGITAL MEDIA
NO 21
year, Cherish, is this calming selection of

wallpapers, statement furniture and more
COMPILED BY NUPUR SARVAIYA

VOGUE.IN
11.6 Million discerning

readers. One destination
Connect with over 11.6 million affluent
luxury and lifestyle consumers on
Vogue’s digital platforms
DIGITAL REACH
11.6M+
Website users
5M+
Instagram
2.8M+
Facebook
2.6M+
Twitter
1.2M+
All social media numbers are as
of November
Web users are an average of September,
October and November.
GREG SWALES
THE AUDIENCE:
The affluent lifestyle consumer
THE OPPORTUNITIES:
Display ads, branded content, native stories, social media promotion, video creation, and more...
For advertising queries email: sales@condenast.in

SINGLE-MINDED
7
1. ‘Fluxus’ ceiling lamp, Sicis at
Tessera India, price on request
2. ‘Goa’ chandelier, Klove Studio,
6,75,000 3. ‘Owl’ lantern, Soane,
Top brass
6 price on request 4. ‘Dark Stallion’
lamp, The Decor Remedy,
12,990 5. ‘Mercury’ wall sconce,
Preciosa at Sources Unlimited,
price on request 6. ‘Jack’
Big and small, attached or detached, on
INDIGITAL MEDIA
portable lantern, Windfall at

Emery Studio, price on request
the wall and the floor—brass lights play 7. ‘Castelli Wings’ candelabra,
BURBERRY
Beyond Designs Home, price

many shining roles this season on request
38 CASA VOGUE INDIA 2021 www.vogue.in COMPILED BY NUPUR SARVAIYA

SPACES
1
2
Make a splash 3
Beach days, barbecues, basking in the sun—

this selection of pool and patio collectibles has
9 you covered for all outdoor pleasures
1. Bath towel, Hermès, price on request
2. ‘Mai Tai’ outdoor hanging chair,
Roberto Cavalli Home, price on request
3. ‘Aya’ platter, Bouchra Boudoua,
8 7,500 4. Stripe pillow, West Elm,
3,200 5. ‘Foil’ sunbed Visionnaire,
price on request 6. Big square vase,
CPRN Homood at Ottimo, price on
request 7. ‘Cactus Canvas’ side table,
Harshita Jhamtani Designs,
23,500 8. ‘Naturalista’ dessert plate,
Johanna Ortiz, 14,000 9. ‘Riviera’ sun
lounger, Dior Maison, price on request
7 6
VERSACE
COMPILED BY NUPUR SARVAIYA

TREND
2
Be extra
Bold, supersized prints on
couture-like furniture—
we’re all for maximalism
going mainstream
1. ‘Battalion’s Valour’ rug, Obeetee X Shantanu

& Nikhil, price on request 2. ‘4607’ chandelier,
Barovier & Toso at Emery Studio, price on
request 3. ‘Milta’ hybrid dinner plate, Seletti,
5,100 4. ‘Frank’ chest, Boca do Lobo, 8,60,675
5. ‘Otomim’ cotton multi cushion cover, Sarita
Handa, 4,950 6. ‘Beetle’ rug from Alexander
McQueen collection, The Rug Company,
3,79,175 7. Dining table adorned in a Carretto
pattern, Dolce & Gabbana Casa, price on request
8. ‘Frey’ cushion, Iqrup + Ritz, 1,500
6
4
8
MOSCHINO
INDIGITAL MEDIA
5
7
40 CASA VOGUE INDIA 2021 www.vogue.in COMPILED BY NUPUR SARVAIYA

WORK FROM HOME
Work of art
With ergonomic chairs, productivity-inducing
desks and conversation-starter accessories,
#WFH is anything but business as usual 4
1. ‘Archetype’ rug, Jaipur Rugs, 56,700 2. ‘Stack’

shelf, Iqrup + Ritz, 95,000 3. ‘Árbol’ table by
Jaime Hayon, Ceccotti Collezioni, price on request
4. ‘Edwardian’ desk, Timothy Oulton at Tarun
Vadehra Interiors, 5,65,000 5. ‘Cupertino’ desk,
BoConcept, 1,33,950 6. ‘Twist’ chair, Baro Design,
38,500 7. ‘Quilton’ sofa, Doshi Levien for Hay,
2,88,200 8. ‘Elle’ chair, Bentley Home, price
on request
5
DIOR
COMPILED BY NUPUR SARVAIYA www.vogue.in CASA VOGUE INDIA 2021 41

Luxury bath brand Artize seeks inspiration from art movements and creations
to provide design connoisseurs with award-winning luxury bath products. AD
spotlights a stunning innovation—Artize’s Luxelet—a revolutionary smart electronic
water closet that is sure to elevate your bathroom experience like never before
The festive season comes with many shopping splurges and festive season might be the perfect opportunity for you to
house redecorations. Amidst all that, the one aspect of your upgrade that. With Artize, you can make your bathroom the
home that often remains disregarded is the bathroom. Your hub of all things beauty and technology. How, you ask? For
bathroom makes for the most intimate space in your homes— starters, their product designs are inspired from major art
it’s where you unwind after a long hard day, it’s where you can works and movements around the globe, spanning centuries.
truly relax and with Artize, it’s also where you can incorporate But that’s not all. These designs are also meticulously created
the most stunning art. using state-of-the-art technology to provide you with modern
Artize exists in the magnificent conjunction of art and modern smart bathrooms. Think sleek artistry blended with modern
luxury. While art might not ideally be found in bathrooms, this luxury and you have Artize.
ARTIZE LUXELET
Part of the Artize Signature collection inspired by the
Art-Deco movement, the Luxelet is a work of art. With
its innovative bathroom ceramics and multiple sensory
intelligence features, this Touch Operated WC opens
and closes the seat cover automatically with other user- A luxury bath brand from Jaquar Group
sensitive features such as seat temperature control,
automatic flushing, anti-bacterial clean glaze, deodoriser to As a brand we create:
remove odours, LED night light, etc. A manual control knob www.artize.com
or a remote control ensures the highest levels of hygiene,
As enthusiasts of all things art, we curate:
comfort and convenience, upgrading your bathroom
experience to a whole new level. artize.in @ArtizeIndia artize.in
1 Shonan Purie Trehan,
38, FOUNDER AND
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT,
STUDIO LAB, MUMBAI
Just months before the pandemic
hit, this RISD graduate ended up
meeting one of her design heroes
when her Studio LAB was among
the three Indian design firms
nominated for the 2019 World
Architecture Festival in Amsterdam.
“It was wonderful just sharing the
room with Rem Koolhaas,” says
Mumbai-based Purie Trehan, whose
sculptural work often features boldly
angled structures, just like that of
the global starchitect. Through her
decade-long practice, she has played
mentor to many young talents and
dramatised vernacular architectural
elements towards a contemporary
variation by seeking regenerative
solutions even before it became a
buzzword. “I’ve always believed
2
that any architectural intervention
must work with the land and the
Teja Amonkar, natural elements around it. I have
32, FIELD ATELIER, GOA been thinking of earthworks, natural
landscapes, water management and
A protégé of Bijoy Jain, Amonkar architectural interventions as an
started her Panaji-based architectural integrated ecosystem,” shares Purie
practice with her husband and fellow Trehan, who recently completed
architect Yatin Fulari in 2015. An a course in permaculture design
emerging studio, the duo’s debut project and is now exploring rammed
in Goa’s tony Assagao was shortlisted earth construction with projects in
for the National Awards for Excellence Vadodara and Bengaluru, besides
by the Indian Institute of Architects. designing homes in Pawna, Kamshet
Known for building primordial spaces and Goa. But that’s not all. From
that inconspicuously blend with their Anita Dongre stores in India and
landscape, their architectural rigour New York to Tarini Jindal’s home in
lies in choosing materials that are Hampi, and Bombay Sweet Shop’s
emblematic of ecological sensitivity. Art Deco-inspired dessert counter to
“We work on a lot of restoration most recently, Araku’s sleek cafe in
projects and use salvaged wood for the Bengaluru, Purie Trehan’s dynamic
interiors. The idea is to create without work has brought a poetic yet playful
damaging,” notes Amonkar about the approach to architecture and design
sustainable bent of their practice which in public and private spaces.
specialises in residential spaces across UP NEXT: A new crafts-focused
the sunny state. product line that celebrates the
UP NEXT: A residential restoration handmade, with offerings like a table
project for This and That’s Ariane made by blue pottery artisans in
Thakore, a resort in Baga, as well as Jaipur and lights made from bamboo
homes in Goa’s Socorro, Corjuem and and biomaterial. Out early 2022. >
Saligao areas, along with a multilevel
interior project in Vadodara.

INDESIGN
STYLE, TRENDS, PEOPLE, NEWS AND OPINIONS
GA LL ER Y
Design’s
new guard
In a vocation where fame comes
slowly, and only with years of
experience, here’s a pack to
convince us that the future is
bright. From emerging stars to
established names, meet the
game changers in design—all
women and under 40—who are
pushing creativity to turn a good
idea into a liveable solution.
By Megha Mahindru

Tanya Singh,
37, TANYA SINGH STUDIO, MUMBAI AND MILAN
After stints in London, New York, Los Angeles, Istanbul and Paris, this RISD
graduate started her dual practice in Mumbai and Milan in 2016. “The nature of my
work is craft-based,” says Singh, who designed entrepreneur Tarini Jindal’s home.
Like a good movie that warrants a rewatch, Singh’s nuanced design only reveals itself
on closer look, making residents grow fonder of her work as they start observing
3
her obsession with detail, whether it’s a doorbell or a handle. At a lawyer’s office,
she created an ergonomic desk that can be raised or lowered to align with the user’s
height, while for a house in Worli, Mumbai, she commissioned light fixtures that
appear to dance on breezy nights. And though the reticent architect is as well-
guarded about her projects as her tight-lipped clientele, one secret she cannot wait
to spill is a cross-cultural design collaboration featuring sculptural yet utilitarian
furniture that merges Indian craftsmanship with global design.
UP NEXT: A one-acre property in Bengaluru that integrates permaculture,
composting and solar panelling as part of its sustainable living design, and a
mentorship programme encouraging interns to design bespoke pieces for her projects.
GALLERY
5
Nishita Kamdar,
32, STUDIO NISHITA KAMDAR,
MUMBAI
Emotion is the driving force behind
everything Kamdar creates—be it her
passion project, Jar Designs bakery,
her eponymous design practice, or her
swinging furniture venture Pieces of Desire
(POD), which she launched just before
the pandemic with architect Veeram
Shah. After working with some of the
biggest names in design—Shonan Purie
Trehan, Architecture BRIO and Samira
Rathod—Kamdar, who won the prestigious
Charles Correa Gold Medal for her design
dissertations in 2013, launched her studio.
“The idea is to build micro memories in the
house with our design or furniture,” says the
part-time baker and full-time designer, who
is now expanding her budget-friendly design
footprint to Kolkata, Goa and Bengaluru.
UP NEXT: A large-scale architectural
project of 30 villas in Lonavala, interior
styling for a villa by Isprava in Goa, a lamp
collection with hemp and indigo for POD
4
and a rug collection for Mehra Carpets. >
Rohini Raghavan,
31, STUDIO R+R, CHENNAI
After stints with Bengaluru’s Chitra
Vishwanath, Mumbai’s Bijoy Jain and
Chennai’s MOAD, Raghavan branched out to
start her practice with Harish Ramakrishnan
in 2017. The duo has since been practising
sensitive and elemental architecture
through residential and commercial spaces
in the south. During the pandemic, they
finished designing The Board Room Cafe in
Mylapore, a cosy cafe and co-working space
that also doubles up as a den for board
game enthusiasts. But their magnum opus
remains the makeover of an 800-metre-
long pedestrian plaza at Pondy Bazaar, a
public space in Chennai’s shopping district,
which is now equipped with play areas,
vibrant seating and wider walking spaces
for citizens. “We believe that we are in the
business of creating atmospheres that evoke
a feeling of sublimity in space,” adds the
Penn State alumna.
UP NEXT: A mud-block house in Bengaluru,
entertainment and cultural spaces at
a factory in Chennai, a line of wooden
furniture and a collection of lighting made
using metal and concrete.

6 Ritika Dhamija,
36, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO,
IQRUP+RITZ, LONDON AND DELHI
“My biggest achievements are my two babies,
my daughter Elina, who was born last year, and
my six-year-old brand, Iqrup+Ritz. I consider
myself very lucky that every day I do something
I absolutely love with my number-one role
model, my mum, Iqrup,” gushes Dhamija. The
mother-daughter duo’s design practice and
furniture brand that marries handcrafted Indian
products with a mid-century and Scandinavian
design twist has become a fast favourite across
the country, with orders pouring in from far-off
places like Switzerland and Zimbabwe too.
From their collaboration with craftspeople in
the north-east (to provide continued support
to the dwindling community in the region) to
launching a project in conjunction with Tree
Delhi to plant a tree for every piece of furniture
sold, they are now moving towards a more
conscious supply chain that “designs smart to
reduce wastage”.
UP NEXT: Concentrating on remote-selling and
other virtual customer engagements, Dhamija
is now eager to bring back iconic designs from
Iqrup+Ritz’s archival history.
—Shahnaz Siganporia
7
Aakriti Saraf,
38, FOUNDER, AAKRITI
SARAF DESIGN,
BENGALURU
Finding the right balance
between design and functionality
is Saraf’s speciality. A former
Mumbai girl, she cut her teeth
on internships working under
stalwarts like Nozer Wadia and
Ajit Shilpi before starting her
eponymous practice in Bengaluru
in 2017. Her biggest project
so far has been conceiving the
terrace penthouse of the former
CEO of LinkedIn India, where
her eye for fine design can be
seen in the furnishings she has
hand-picked. “I’m inspired by
designs from brands such as B&B
Italia, Poliform and Ligne Roset,”
says Saraf, who, pre-pandemic,
would make her annual design
pilgrimage to Milan every April.
UP NEXT: A house in Bengaluru
and a 10,000sqft duplex in
Mumbai, among other homes.
—Sonal Ved

8
GALLERY
Darshini Shah,
36, DESIGN BY DARSHINI, MUMBAI
Thirteen years ago, a chance project with producer Dinesh Vijan for his home
set the ball rolling for Shah. Today, she is Bollywood’s go-to interior designer and
stylist. From filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s residence to actor Kartik Aaryan’s bachelor
pad and Saif and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s new family home, Shah’s projects read
like a powerhouse filmography. But the one closest to her heart is the three-
year-long restoration of Pataudi Palace. “You don’t get to do palaces often,”
says Shah, who is working on adding new-age comforts such as elevators and
modern bathrooms without sacrificing the structure’s old-world charm.
UP NEXT: Actor Radhika Madan’s residence in Mumbai, a villa in Dubai, a
colonial home in Hyderabad and the transformation of a heritage structure in
Colaba into an office for a law firm.
9
Ishrat Sahgal,
32, DESIGNER, FOUNDER,
MISHCAT CO, DELHI
Conscious design, craft and
sustainability are the cornerstones
of this architect-designer’s interior
practice and her brand of carpets and
rugs, Mishcat Co. A graduate from
RISD, Sahgal first made headlines
in 2013 when she launched a line of
hand-knotted, upcycled carpets. “Each
carpet takes about 12 weeks to create
and is made from yarn sourced from
leftover yardage at silk sari weaving
units in South India,” says Sahgal, who
shuttles between London and Delhi
and works with carpet weavers from
Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Equally
well regarded is her interior design
service, where she curates an entire
room around one of her bespoke sari-
rugs. “Mishcat is closely connected to
my interior projects so it seamlessly
fits my vision,” adds Sahgal, who finds
inspiration far and wide, whether it’s
the tribal motifs of the Kuba textile
from Zaire or Swedish minimalism.
UP NEXT: A range made using
upcycled linen and a 55,000sqft house
in the English countryside outfitted
with antiques and solar lighting. >

GALLERY
Anjali Mody,
34, FOUNDER, JOSMO STUDIO, GOA
True to her multidisciplinary practice, this RISD
graduate dabbled in the world of design, graphic
art and brand solutions with internships at Graj +
Gustavsen in New York and Pinakin and Dashrat
11
Patel in Mumbai before launching her practice,
Josmo Studio, in 2010. Dreaming up pieces
that are most often trendy and always at the
“intersection of art and design,” Josmo furniture
can be spotted as part of permanent fixtures at
multiple luxury villas that are part of the Lohono
Stays catalogue as well as at the homes of actors
Jim Sarbh, Ranbir Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan. “I
like to play with the ordinary and flip it altogether
to bring out the magical and playful,” says the
sparky designer, who imaged a chandelier out of a
collection of pocket watches and created a line of
bar stools from old microphones, proving that her
work is as fresh as her personality.
UP NEXT: A capsule collection of geometric,
textured furniture pieces for Josmo, a line
of #workfromhome desk essentials, and a
Krittika Agarwal, collaboration with Ren Design on furniture and
10
28, ARCHITECT AND lighting made from agricultural waste.
FOUNDER, SAFE DESIGN
STUDIO, SHILLONG
Short for Sustainable Architecture
For Earth, Agarwal’s burgeoning
practice started in 2017, after the
graduate from Delhi’s Sushant School
of Art & Architecture finished her
master’s in building technology from
Delft University of Technology in
the Netherlands. “My work aims to
promote construction systems and
building materials that resonate with
the natural environment, and my core
interest lies in the revival of the local
timber construction system in north-
east India,” says the young architect.
In Guwahati, she constructed a
six-storey residence which features
a timber and steel staircase and a
waste-wood wall made from sun-dried
tree skin procured from sawmills.
“We repurposed the use of lime-sand
plaster in modern buildings because it
is carbon-neutral, insect- and mould-
repellent, paint-free and three times
cheaper,” adds Agarwal, who trained
under the mud architecture pioneer
Revathi Kamath.
UP NEXT: 11 new projects, all in
the north-east.

12 Alina Vadera-Talwar,
33, DESIGN DIRECTOR, AVA STUDIO, DELHI
If you’ve spent time shopping and brunching in Delhi,
chances are you’re familiar with Vadera-Talwar’s work. The
Indian fashion world’s go-to, she has designed the flagship
store for Shantanu & Nikhil, Rahul Mishra, Bhaane (besides
all the Ogaan stores across India), and most recently, that of
Amit Aggarwal (where she collaborated with Orproject on
the sculptural wall partitions). What makes her such a city
favourite (she’s also designed popular Delhi hangouts such as
Coast Cafe and Dear Donna) is her elegant, comfort-oriented
aesthetic, a refreshing change from the opulent sensibility all
around. “My design sense is relaxed but edited. I gravitate
towards simplicity, but with a quirk,” she says.
UP NEXT: Homes in Rishikesh and a new furniture line that
will be out next year. —Shahnaz Siganporia
Shruti Jaipuria,
38, FOUNDER, MAIA DESIGN,
BENGALURU
Jaipuria is the final word in design for
Bengaluru’s restaurant scene. Having trained
in New York under architect Tony Chi,
this Parsons graduate focuses on creating
13
tangible experiences by imagining life-size
murals and dramatic lighting, among other
effects. The brain behind some of the best
eateries in Bengaluru (take the playful
interiors of Toast & Tonic), her roster has
now extended to include high-end residences
in the city, as well as in Kolkata. “Through my
work, I’ve explored thikri work from Udaipur,
thathera brass work from Jaipur and lacquer
from Channapatna,” she says of her crafts-
based approach, which has been key to
designing the candy-coloured sushi parlour
Lucky Chan and the theatrical restaurant
Rika at the Park Hyatt, Hyderabad.
UP NEXT: A microbrewery in Bengaluru,
nestled among eucalyptus trees, plus a few
luxury homes in the city. —Sonal Ved >

GALLERY
14 Priyanka Narula,
36, FOUNDER, THE WICKER STORY AND PRELAB
DESIGN STUDIO, HYDERABAD
Known for her dream weaves, Narula launched The Wicker
Story in 2018 as an off-shoot of her Hyderabad-based practice
Prelab Design Studio, which she runs with her architect-husband
Kasi Raju. “It happened by accident. I started to develop
products because, as architects, we wanted to work with
innovative pieces,” says the graduate from IAAC, Barcelona,
who has previously worked with architect Vishal Agarwal’s
Brick by Brick and Manit and Sonali Rastogi’s Morphogenesis.
Sculpting earthy wicker into imaginative, architectural forms,
Narula transforms the chosen material for outdoor furniture
into centrepieces for homes. Pieces like her Imli Bench explore
her obsession with complex geometries and form, while simple
masterpieces like her Bloom Bench (shortlisted for the Lexus
Design Award 2021) that curves into a flower at the edges,
showcase her dexterity with the material. “A product is useless
if it’s not comfortable, so we want to be able to balance form
and function,” she says of her practical art pieces, which were on
display at the recently concluded London Craft Week, where she
collaborated with designer Jehanara Knowles’s Kam Ce Kam.
UP NEXT: Besides working on farmhouses in Hyderabad, she’s
developing a product collaboration for Made In Earth
and Muselab.
15
Devyani Gupta,
34, ARCHITECT, INTRIGUE DESIGNS
STUDIO + LABS, DESIGNER, VAKR, DELHI
A chemistry graduate from St Stephen’s College,
Gupta arrived at architecture through a circuitous path.
After a bachelor’s degree from Sushant School Of Art
and Architecture, she enrolled at IAAC, Barcelona,
where she specialised in digital architecture. “That
place was a melting point of engineers, geologists,
and so many people at the intersection of art and
architecture who were interested in working with
technology and computer-aided design,” she recalls.
This alchemy of art and science is the touchstone of
her architectural practice, Intrigue Designs Studio +
Labs, which she launched with Nehit Vij a decade ago,
and the duo’s latest furniture arm, Vakr (Sanskrit for
steep curve), which kick-started last April during the
pandemic. “With Vakr, we are trying to blur the lines
between furniture, art and sculpture while retaining the
utility of each piece of furniture,” says Gupta, whose
debut furniture line Lehar fuses rattan with concrete
and wood to form experimental pieces that break
the conventions of shape, size and form to present a
catalogue of utilitarian chairs, tables and shelving units.
UP NEXT: A new vibrant furniture series that spotlights
Madhubani art along with metal with jute yarn.

16 Farah Ahmed Mathias,
36, PARTNER AND PRINCIPAL DESIGNER, FADD STUDIO, BENGALURU
It’s hard to tell Ahmed Mathias’s projects apart. Dynamic and ever-changing, her studio’s catalogue of audacious residential projects
and quirky hospitality spaces do not carry a signature style, but rather, reflect the idiosyncrasies of her clients. “We try not to stick to one
style, making every home different,” says the Bengaluru-based mother of two, who graduated from Istituto Marangoni in Milan, and after
a short stint in advertising, pursued design under the tutelage of Sandeep Khosla at Khosla Associates. In 2012, she branched out to start
FADD Studio with Dhaval Shellugar and today, the duo form one of the premier design studios in Bengaluru which has stubbornly resisted
pigeonholing its range in terms of style. Its work comprises magical residential spaces, both in vibrant colours of the rainbow and sparse
ones in monotones of black and white. With its latest hospitality projects, a grungy Asian restaurant called Misu and a pub called 1522
(whose design was inspired by a conservatory), the duo seem eager to showcase the whimsical side of design.
UP NEXT: A beautiful cliff house in Goa, a villa in Coonoor, a holiday home in Alibaug and homes in Mumbai and Chennai are just some of
Mathias’s upcoming projects outside of Bengaluru. — Sonal Ved >
18
Isha Gopal,
35, DESIGNER, FOUNDER,
BLOON TOYS, MUMBAI
“I stumbled into design as a means
to an end. I was exploring the space
of education and realised just how
intrinsic self-directed play was to
intuitive learning,” says Gopal, a
self-taught designer and a maths
graduate who completed her MBA
from ISB before dabbling in a
teacher’s training course in Waldorf
education. From there, in 2018, came
the desire to create toys that didn’t
come with a manual and invited
open-ended play. Take her bestselling
Curvy Board, which can be a rocking
chair, a balance board, a stool or even
a rainbow or makeshift tunnel home,
depending on a child’s imagination.
Sparely designed and Scandinavian
in style, her thoughtfully designed
toys come in natural materials
(birch, neem, wool and beeswax) and
reinvent time-tested designs (take
her polyhedric Zen blocks, inspired
by the Japanese tumi ishi), that
encourage imaginative play.
UP NEXT: A climber inspired by the
Pikler Triangle.
17 Sarah Sham,
33, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER, ESSAJEES ATELIER, MUMBAI
Even a lockdown couldn’t slow down the indomitable Sham. Completing
eight interior projects since last March (including a 6,000sqft office in
Mumbai’s Churchgate neighbourhood that was inspired by a tree house), she
not only worked through the pandemic, but went a step ahead: “I delivered on
Thursday and was back to meetings on Monday,” says the new mother. Eight
years ago, this art history graduate from Oxford University decided to turn
to interior design. A degree from Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture
prepared her to take on a leading role in her 120-year-old family business.
With Essajees Atelier, the interior design arm of the parent company, Sham
infuses a bright, contemporary spark through her work and personality.
UP NEXT: Two 10,000sqft penthouses in Hyderabad, along with family
homes in Surat and Kolkata. She is also designing a beautiful duplex in Juhu
with 14ft-high ceilings alongside a show flat in South Mumbai.

20
GALLERY
Vritima Wadhwa,
32, FURNITURE-INTERIOR DESIGNER,
PROJECT 810, DELHI
After a decade of infusing Indian homes with a
pared-back, modern flair, in 2020, this NID Ahmedabad
graduate decided to launch her debut line of furniture
which turned humble materials into heart-warming
pieces for contemporary homes. And while Wadhwa’s
multidisciplinary practice continues to engage across
retail (Artisan Lab), hospitality (Fio Pop, New Delhi),
offices (Shantanu & Nikhil’s studio and office) and
multiple residential projects, her minimalist, handcrafted
furniture line carries forward her design explorations
with earthy materials like concrete, terrazzo and other
stones. Comprising everything from lighting to room
dividers and tables to chairs, her soulful pieces include a
three-legged Rumi chair and a chiaroscuro-effect Renga
screen. “We are a holistic practice dedicated to creating
memorable spatial experiences. From crafting detailed
pieces of furniture to building expansive interiors, our
strength lies in the flexibility of our expertise,” says the
designer, who is currently working on her second line of
austere-meets-elegant furniture, out in 2022.
UP NEXT: A new retail space for Outhouse in Mumbai’s
Palladium, a spa in the capital and the farmhouse of
19
gallerist Shefali Somani in Delhi. ■
Mridhula Chandramohan,
27, CO-FOUNDER, SAMSARA, CHENNAI
For Chandramohan, sustainability not only informs her
lifestyle but also her designs. In 2016, after interning
with Niels Schoenfelder’s Mancini Enterprises and
RSP Design in Bengaluru, the architecture graduate
from Chennai started her practice RAW Architecture
with Pradyumna Rao. Two years on, the duo launched
Samsara, their recycled furniture leg that repurposes
plastic waste into utilitarian furniture pieces, assisted
by the Netherlands-based Precious Plastic’s open-source
recycling machines. This passion project has now turned
into their preoccupation. “I used to go surfing, and seeing
milk and biscuit packets 10 metres into the ocean was
so disheartening,” says Chandramohan. “As designers, we
wanted to use our knowledge in design and find a way
to flip the ecological impact by adding value to waste
material.” Since then, their designs, like a lounge chair
made using eight kilos of recycled plastic, have won
nods from eco crusader design legends such as Rosanna
Orlandi and have been showcased globally at events like
the Dutch Design Week in 2019. During the pandemic,
they created a hands-free sanitisation station using
plastic waste from takeaway containers, plastic bottles
and CD cases.
UP NEXT: Collaborations with jewellery brand Studio
Love Letter as well as design studios like Josmo and
Vincent Roy’s Wood’n Design. They will also release a
new collection of outdoor furniture made from waste
plastic in this month.

Natural instincts
As science confirms our brain’s deep connections
with our environment, architects and designers catch
up by blurring the lines between the indoors and
outdoors for a calmer, more synergetic life. Renuka
Modi explores the growing interest around biophilia
I
n September this year, I took my first family break in two monsoon breeze and the sun on my face that proved to be most
years. Buoyed by double vaccinations, we travelled to cathartic. I realised how much I had missed the outdoors.
Ranthambore in the hope of a big-cat sighting. Settled into Through lockdown and being stuck indoors came a collective
a luxurious tent surrounded by frangipani trees and creep- appreciation of how therapeutic the outdoors is—and how critical
ing bougainvillea, I spent much of my time sitting outside, my it is to our emotional well-being. It’s the reason why influencers
Zoom-fatigued eyes getting much-needed relief. A thrilling tiger like PlantKween have found a massive following among millen-
sighting was definitely the highlight of the visit, but it was driving nial plant parents and built careers on Instagrams. The pandemic
around in an open jeep, deep in the national park, feeling a light also witnessed an uptick in plant sales like never before. And it

TREND
seems quarantine also gave a new lease to biophilia, with the

design world offering solutions to our cooped-up life by turning to
nature’s restorative powers. The American psychologist Erich
Fromm first used the term biophilia in 1973, describing it as ‘the
passionate love of life and of all that is alive’. Nearly a decade later,
the American biologist Edward O Wilson used the term in his
work Biophilia to explain that the human tendency to crave
nature is genetic. Today, biophilia is a thriving design practice that
is focused on increasing our exposure to green surroundings by
tapping into nature’s mood-lifting abilities.
As humans, we are essentially an outdoor species. Over time, we
moved into caves, which eventually evolved into our present-day
urban jungles. This shift made us distant from nature, and along
came the stress of urban life. Simply put, biophilia is built around
the fact that humans are happiest around nature. It accommo-
dates the elements of nature in design via natural light manage-
ment, ventilation, greenery and natural materials.
INSIDE OUT
The award-winning Kerala-based design firm Lijo.Reny has been
Above: The 6.5-acre Titan Integrity
Campus in Bengaluru by Mindspace is
harnessing this innate human desire to connect with nature in its
built around a natural lake and features designs for over two decades. “Human beings are designed to be
green cascading walls and solar panelled outdoors—to connect with plants and animals. We’ve always fo-
terraces. Top right: SP+A designed the
Maya Somaiya Library with a curved brick cused on blurring the lines between the outdoors and the indoors,
roof and angular glazed windows that the built and the unbuilt,” explains Lijo Jos, one half of the Thris-
allow light to enter through the day
sur-based firm that features path-breaking projects that use the
elements of nature as elements of design. Jos explains that his ar-
chitectural firm makes a conscious effort to incorporate elements
of natural light, water, wind and greenery into every project. >

Clockwise from left: Sameep
Padora’s SP+A built the
Jetavan Spiritual Centre in
Maharashtra without harming
a single tree on the site. Lijo.
Reny designed The House That
Rains Light, a biophilc home
where several landscaped
pockets like the garden (left)
and plant wall (below) not only
attract butterflies, insects and
birds but also help lower the
temperature inside the house.
Inside, a series of skylights
offer ample light through
the day. Bottom left: Core
Architecture Pune designed the
Elantas Beck India Ltd office
by creating gardens as links
between different office blocks
TREND
As a long-time champion of biophilia, he’s concerned about the LESS IS MORE

current buzz around it. “When something becomes a trend, it loses The Jetavan project is a great example of resource management.
its original intent,” he says of the interpretation of biophilia as Not only is using local materials wisely and frugally a hallmark of
forest-print wallpaper and artificial lights that mimic the variation sustainable design, it also has an obvious positive financial effect.
of the sun. “Biophilia is about using natural light, wind and water “Frugality is an important way for us to look at our lives and how
to connect with nature, and not artificial means of mimicking na- we consume,” stresses Padora. We can incorporate sustainability
ture, whether it is artificially controlled light or temperature.” and resource management into our everyday lives by making
When Lijo.Reny first started designing, Jos began by simply in- small changes—you can harvest rainwater in your apartment
corporating skylights and windows to allow light in. Over time, block and use it for flushing, or make your building compound
the firm incorporated other aspects of biophilia. A case in point is more pervious to allow more water to seep through so that certain
a home he built in Kerala for a young family with two children. species of plants can survive with less watering. These are simple
Called The Home That Rains Light, the biophilic home includes ways to bring biophilia into everyday living.
several landscaped pockets, flood-lit by a series of skylights. Large Jos adds that another way to incorporate biophilia is to avoid
frames were fitted on the facade of the house, extending the gar- spending all your time in a temperature- and light-controlled
den through flowering creepers and attracting all manner of but- space. “Resist removing balconies and converting them into stor-
terflies, insects and birds that provide an endless source of fascina- age rooms or other rooms. Keep them, even make them bigger if
tion for the home’s youngest inhabitants. These continue as a you can. Fill them with plants. Allow the natural breeze to come in.
shaded canopy onto the terrace, which serves as an outdoor rec- Control the natural light in the room through sheers and heavier
reation area for the children and also helps lower the temperature drapes. If you’re worried about bugs, get a bug screen, but open up
inside the house. “We bring gardens inside so your windows.” Though not a pet person
people can connect with grass and plants. himself, he says having a pet around is
This often brings with it bugs and bees, but “BIOPHILIA IS ABOUT also a great way to extend biophilia as it
connecting with other species in nature is also USING NATURAL LIGHT, helps you connect with another species.
an important aspect of biophilia,” adds Jos. WIND AND WATER TO Jos is also a big fan of moving water
Sameep Padora, of Mumbai-based SP+A, bodies, although the high humidity in
CONNECT WITH NATURE”
has a similar story to tell. In 2016, SP+A built Kerala prevents him from using them ex-
the ambitious Jetavan Spiritual Centre, a skill —L I J O JO S , L I JO. R E N Y tensively in his projects. He credits sci-
AR C HI T ECTS
development centre in rural Maharashtra, ence with explaining the calming effect
without harming a single tree on the site. Re- that moving water bodies have on our
specting the native plant life, it used local building traditions and minds. Moving water creates negative ions in the air, and studies
materials like stone dust that was abundantly available as waste have shown that these help promote positivity and relieve depres-
from a nearby factory. It also used mud rolls to insulate the veranda sion. It’s perhaps what motivated Mindspace Architects to built a
which, over time, saw birds build nests in them. Padora’s client was corporate campus around a lake. The six-and-a-half acre Titan In-
delighted to see a space that benefited humans and other species. tegrity Campus in Bengaluru also features green walls and terraces.
It’s this respect and connection that resonates with Padora. Architect Sunil Kulkarni believes that humans have a primor-
“There needs to be harmony with nature,” says the award-winning dial urge to be close to the water. “Perhaps it’s in our muscle mem-
architect whose work is often built around the ecological frame- ory or survival instinct.” Pune-based Kulkarni’s design philosophy
work of a site. “The inside and the outside of a space doesn’t need is heavily inspired by the legendary Japanese architect Tadao
to be as hard as in a cold environment,” he explains, adding that Ando, who has long used nature, specifically water and light, as a
living in a country like India, which has a tropical climate, means leitmotif through his prolific body of work—as evident in struc-
that we can access our outdoors more seamlessly. tures like the Church of Water and Church of Light. “Light can
Padora stresses on how homes were built historically, with a take you to a meditative space. We have been doing this in India
special recognition of light, air and ventilation—all elements cru- for generations,” he says, adding that his approach to biophilia is
cial to our well-being. “Look at how chawls were built in urban to express nature in design, both physically and visually.
India—to connect with the world, and to create a community. Kulkarni’s oeuvre at CoreArchitecture uses age-old scientific
Sadly, our urban homes are now becoming spaces for us to discon- techniques, like the Venturi effect, for better ventilation and light.
nect rather than connect.” He’s also incorporated solar chimneys in a project to remove heat,
The greater the disconnect, he says, the greater the disuse and and created a natural hillock to eliminate the need for an elevator.
more far-reaching the implications, such as climate change. This In his designs, the traditional finds a contemporary retelling.
means communities struggle with basic needs, like access to For Padora, biophilia is ultimately a push to rethink how we
drinking water. “Biophilia is not just about the rooms we inhabit, live. “Once you realise that your home is a part of an apartment
but addressing this disconnect from the world, from our environ- block, which is part of a street, which is part of a neighbourhood,
ment. There is a need for us not only to be sensitive to the environ- which is part of a city, we can start thinking of creating change of
ment, but also to be sensitive to how we use our resources.” scale. And no change is too small.” n

EXPERT
Wild things purifier and desert-resistant, so you don’t need to water her
often—I have about 25 of those gurls! The pothos is a fast grower
and really easy to propagate, so if you want to green up your space
The pandemic has reignited a global affection with plants you already have, just snip, snip, snip, put them in
for gardening. Here’s a fun-loving guide by water, wait three weeks, and bam! You have a new plant. And the
ZZ plant (also called Zanzibar Gem) is one of my favourites be-
Christopher Griffin aka Plant Kween to a cause of its glossy leaves and ability to survive in all lighting condi-
thriving windowsill. By Hilary Cadigan tions—she can really bounce back from those plant parent mis-
takes we all make in the beginning.
S
ince the beginning of quarantine, Christopher Griffin, Where should we buy plants?
aka @plantkween, has acted as my digital wellness tonic. I prefer independent plant nurseries, but I won’t denounce any-
Their glowing self-portraits (always mid-laugh, decked body. Just make sure you thoroughly check those plants for pests
out in something fabulous, and surrounded by an indoor before you buy. Larger shipment sizes mean they likely spent a lot
jungle of 185-plus houseplants) and videos (along with a salutatory of time touching each other in transit, which can spread creatures,
“Daaahlings!”) are the moments of verdant bliss my gloom-and- so dig around in the soil a bit, looking for bugs or even mice. Make
doom-filled Instagram feed needs. But facing down a long lock- sure you’re not bringing anything home beside the plant.
down, I realised what I needed more was an IRL space as green as
Griffin’s. So, desperate for advice, I caught up with the Kween This plant by my bed is growing some scary yellow mushrooms
themself for answers to my most burning botanical questions. that look straight out of Alice in Wonderland. What do I do?!
Okay, first off, don’t eat them, honey! They might be poisonous, so
LAURA MURRAY
What are the easiest-to-keep-alive houseplants for newbies just pick them and throw them out, especially if you have pets.
and known plant murderers like myself? Mushrooms are usually a sign of overwatering—when soil is too
The snake plant is the queen of all plants. She is a wonderful air moist it allows fungus to grow. So reduce the watering and then,

Bounty hunter
Inspired by botanicals and the natural world,
these dramatic pieces can bring a floral refresh
to your homes, says Nupur Sarvaiya
CASA PARADOX
Raseel Gujral Ansal’s
‘Into The Wild’ line
embodies the spirit
of the Amazon with
pieces inspired by
its rich biodiversity
and vibrant flowers
HERMÈS
Available in a set of two, the
verdant ‘Passifolia’ porcelain
dessert plate by Nathalie
Rolland-Huckel brings a profusion
of plant life to your table
MANGROVE COLLECTIVE
Count on the ‘Floral Symphony’
closet with painterly shutters
if you are looking for a fresh
perspective on your boudoir
after you make your next cup of tea, sprinkle those leftover tea
leaves over the topsoil as a fungus deterrent.
Okay, let’s talk about watering. I’m pretty sure I’ve drowned
every plant I’ve ever owned. How much water is just right?
My general rule is once a week, but in winter lots of plants go GUCCI
dormant—conserving energy and not sucking up as much Bringing Alessandro
liquid—so I push it to once every two weeks. Cacti and succulents? Michele’s whimsical
Every three weeks to a month. touch to a humble
chair is this ‘Moire’
I bought a really cute pot, but there’s no drainage hole on the seater in a rich
bottom. Do I have to get rid of it? dragonfish jacquard
No! You have two options: one is to drill a hole in the bottom of
the pot if you’re handy with a drill. (I am not, so I don’t do that.)
The other is to put lava rocks at the bottom of the pot so the roots
will sit above any excess water. Just be extra careful about overwa-
tering from then on!
If you name your plants and talk to them, do they live longer? SHIVAN & NARRESH
My plants are all my Green Gurls, but I do like to call them by their India’s game-changing
scientific names. They remind me of drag queen names. I mean, resortwear designer duo make
Ms. Ficus Elastica? Oh, my goodness. I don’t talk to my plants un- their debut into homes with a
bold selection of resort rugs,
less I’m in a mood, like, “You better grow, girl.” But if I knock into
perfect for a garden party ■
them, I always say sorry. ■

TASTE
The new order safe,” says Shonan Purie Trehan of Labwerk, who worked with
New York-based Jorge Zapata of JAZ Architect to design Araku
Cafe in Bengaluru, which opened in April this year. “The funda-
With restaurants reopening after a long hiatus, mental tools of creating a collective experience in social spaces
have been challenged by the pandemic. Going to a restaurant was
will the large, bustling eatery become a relic of also about your interaction with the hosts, waitstaff and bartend-
the past? Roshni Bajaj Sanghvi reports on the ers. Now with acrylic screens and masks muffling communication,
new blueprint for post-pandemic dining one has to layer the exchange in other ways,” she adds.
Araku was designed pre-pandemic and then went into detailing
A
and construction just as the first wave set in. “When the pandemic
t the post-pandemic restaurant, bar or cafe, the hit, we looked at the premises and asked ourselves how we could
bouncer is a no-contact thermometer, the reception take it further,” says Zapata. “We not only readjusted the layout
is a walled-off plexiglass fort, and the air conditioner and seating arrangements but also looked at touchpoints that may
is an anxiety-inducing appliance. Since March 2020, be encountered by a patron in their journey through the space.”
we’ve barely eaten out, and when we have, we’ve dined out like Zapata notes that while fomites were concerning then, protecting
never before. Restaurants are intrinsically social experiences, people from aerosol transmission has since become vital. “We can
offering a great deal more than just food and drink. Over the past learn from some of the eateries that popped up on the streets of
20 months, these social interactions have birthed a new vocabu- cities during the pandemic. We have to bring that knowledge back
lary—distancing, sanitisation, QR codes and pandemic pods. to ‘formal’ spaces and use it moving forward,” says the Colombian-
All of it was unforeseeable, but none of this is going away in a American architect.
hurry. The pandemic has changed the design experience of eating
out, and so, architects are rethinking the post-pandemic restau- CLEAN SLATE
rant blueprint. The idea is to help diners relax and feel safe enough In Mumbai, Ashiesh Shah of Ashiesh Shah Architecture + Design
to take off their masks in an enclosed area where everyone else is has worked through the pandemic on two landmark Mumbai res-
also maskless and loud—laughing, eating, drinking. “While we all taurants: Joshi House, which replaced Pali Village Cafe in Bandra,
wish that we could just go right back to social spaces as they used and 108 Bungalow, which will occupy the Colaba space that was
to be, we know we will have to rethink the design of the space to be once Indigo. “Ventilation has become so important, my longest

Left: Bastian’s Worli outlet
in Mumbai has see-through
kitchen arches intended to
give guests a peek into the
kitchen operations. Below:
In Bengaluru, Araku Café’s
seating arrangements were
altered to offer a safer
dining experience.
Opposite page: The airy
interiors of Joshi House in
Bandra, Mumbai, designed
by award-winning architect
and interior designer
Ashiesh Shah
meetings are with my HVAC consultants these days,” he says. “108

has five outdoor spaces that are open to the sky.” At Joshi House,
made to look like a tastemaker’s haveli in Jaipur, the glass-walled
porch has been made al fresco, the layout has been opened up,
and he’s worked with colour to convey immaculate hygiene.
“White is the new colour for the post-covid world,” says Shah.
“When it is airy, white and light-filled, it makes me feel like things
are sanitised.”
The theatre and choreography that notches up the restaurant
design experience are now being deployed to make diners feel
safe. Cutlery is placed in visible UV sanitation boxes before it
comes to the table, seating is made flexible to adapt with changing
safety norms, dining rooms are made to feel voluminous, vibrant
and animated, while tables around are ensured to be unoccupied TURNING TABLES
to make them feel secluded and secure. The pandemic has also made certain restaurant formats more
appealing than others. Fine dining, with its long-drawn, expen-
PRIVATE QUARTERS sive, multicourse meals in air-conditioned rooms filled with stran-
At Mumbai’s Bastian in Worli, which opened last December, this gers, isn’t going to feel as appealing given the information we have
was achieved in one way via a sectional layout that unveils smaller about the aerosol transmission of COVID-19. “Fine dining is going
private spaces. “See-through kitchen arches are placed at eye-level to take a back seat. Who is going to sit for four hours while they are
so the guests can view every aspect of kitchen operations, and be anxious?” asks Hanisha Singh, chef-owner at Plats in Delhi.
assured of hygiene and safety every step of the way,” says designer “[New places] are going to be about more fun-casual dining. Res-
Minal Chopra of I Need Space. “Perhaps the most important in- taurant [aesthetics] have taken a back seat, it’s all about function-
clusion during this time was the 28ft tower bar, which could only ality,” says Singh, who, along with her partner and chef-owner
be accessed by a single bar operative using an elevator.” This al- Jamsheed Bhote recently launched an informal brand called Over
lowed for social distancing as well as made it easy to replace a Easy in Delhi’s DLF Mall, offering soft serves, toasts, tartines and
crowded bar—an inconceivable notion now—with table service. jaffles. The doorless, open-facade outlet has 10 seats in the three-
For restaurants to be truly safe, protocols must originate where storey open amphitheatre of the food court, but the counter is de-
the food does, at the busy back of the house, and in the parts of the signed for no-contact ordering and grab-and-go eating. And be-
eatery that may not be immediately visible. At BrewDog Midtown cause the space is large, customers can stay distanced.
in Mumbai, Sona Mantri, founder of Sprinteriors, dedicated areas As designers find long-term solutions for safety in restaurant
for inward goods sanitisation, demarcated space for staff hygiene design tweaks, some temporary solutions have also veered on the
checks, modified ventilation for faster air circulation, and installed bizarre. Singh and Bhote went to a popular Chinese restaurant
adapters on taps for contactless hand washing. These, in addition between the first two waves and found that the management had
to using UV air purifiers, installing greenery in corridors, and invented a novel way to block alternate tables in order to space
making the indoor and outdoor spaces seamless. “Trust has people out. “A life-sized teddy bear was sitting on each chair that
become an important factor for customers,” she says, “Only the wasn’t supposed to be occupied,” he says. “On round tables of
‘vibe’ of a place will no longer cut it when it comes to the dining.” eight, there were eight teddy bears in different colours.” n

SECOND HOMES
Home away
from home
With hordes of city folk looking
for an escape, second homes
got a new lease as primary
shelters. Studio Verandah’s
Anjali Patel Mehta recounts
how Alibaug became a healing
space for her and her family in
the midst of the pandemic
room cottage with an attic, built in the early 1980s by the well-
known architect Ratan Batliboi and bought by my husband’s fam-
ily almost 17 years ago. We fondly call it the ‘Beach House in Ali’.
It has served as a getaway from the hustle of city life, first for my
in-laws and now for all of us. It’s where we escape for some much-
needed family time. We spend our days there running on the
beach, watching the fishermen go by, admiring the casuarina for-
est that frames the coastline, playing around the massive ‘junglee’
kevda plants, hanging out with the stray dogs on the beach, and
enjoying the no-network life.
T
Our home itself has become a memory-keeper. Family antiques
he driv e to our family home in the sleepy seaside from my father-in-law’s ancestral house in Surat, a giant
village of Awas in Alibaug on March 20, 2020, seemed patchwork piece of upcycled textile art that I designed in
longer than the usual hop, skip and jump that it usu- Ranthambore and stitched together with the women of the Mogya
ally is from our Mumbai home. My husband Chippy tribe, and posters from Paris and drawings from Vietnam bring
and I, along with our kids, nine-year-old Sumer and seven-year- back old family memories. Nestled behind our rustic second home
old Alekha, were heading across for what we thought were a few is a pool, hidden behind a sway of palms and bluebells
days. All we carried were a few not-so-fashionable clothes, school planted years ago by my mother-in-law to shield bikini-clad
books, three novels, essential cooking ingredients and a set of weekend visitors from prying eyes.
what proved to be the most valuable possessions—dumb-bells and
a yoga mat. Five days later, the all-India lockdown was announced. A SIMPLER LIFE
Over what was one of the harshest lockdowns in the world, we
THE GETAWAY lived a blessed and peaceful life, tucked away safely on the shores
Our family home in Alibaug is a cosy, whitewashed three-bed- of Awas. Here, for the first time, our barely-used rustic kitchen

Clockwise, from left: Anjali
Patel Mehta’s patchwork
quilt takes centre stage in
the wicker-furnished living
room; upcycled cotton
voile curtains, a handmade
rug from Ranthambore
and a pop of colour via
cushions from Good Earth
add a breezy, tropical vibe
to the bedroom; a foraged
flower arrangement from
the garden is framed by a
grid of sketches from Hoi
An, Vietnam, in the dining
room; post-impressionists
Paul Gauguin and Henri
de Toulouse-Lautrec
posters are paired with a
vintage rattan set in the
sitting room
Opposite page: Patel
Mehta in her palm-lined
backyard; the family
beach house in Alibaug
designed by architect
Ratan Batliboi
witnessed long banana bread-making sessions. We learned to reconnected with nature and tracked shooting stars, and finally
cook more consciously with vegetables from our garden and be- realised the joy of a home away from our city home. It
gan observing and adapting to the seasonal cycles as the weeks inspired me in more ways than I realised, and my spring/summer
went by. We struggled with patchy Wi-Fi for the first three months 2022 collection for Verandah (a conscious resort brand) is called
but discovered a whole other analogue world around us—every ‘Awas’, an homage to the patch of beach that became our home for
morning and evening was spent walking through the village or on the last few months. The prints for the season are all hand-drawn
the beach, playing in nature with our bubble of friends and their and pay tribute to the flowers my mother-in-law planted in our
kids who live nearby. For me, it was a time when I began designing back garden, the casuarina tree in our backyard that fell during
more by hand—the surroundings brought on a whole new per- Cyclone Nisarga, the shells my kids collected over the year, and to
spective. By the time Zoom school began, we were finally Internet- our beach house which has had the most profound impact on me
optimised, but our days were already different, with less screen and my family. This is my most personal collection yet and it was
time and more family time. Our second home became not just our made in the safe arms of our beach house. We’re back in Mumbai,
lockdown home, but a safe and caring sanctuary. but Alibaug remains our special hideaway. We now give out our
It gave us a stress-free space where we had the freedom to just beach house on short stays as a way to share our place of healing
live and be, where we trekked and talked and thought, where we and joy with those who care. n

SECOND HOMES
From Goa with love

For Delhi-based lighting designers Prateek
Jain and Gautam Seth, a second house in the
sunny state offered a safe space to reconnect,
rejuvenate and refresh. By Arman Khan
A
s far back as lighting designers Prateek Jain and Gau-
tam Seth, the co-founders of Klove Studio, can re-
member, Goa has been a dream—a shared fantasy, to make their Portuguese-style villa by Isprava in Assagao their
where they would go and live by the sun and sand own. Jain shares his preference for bolder shades that come with
someday. Their reasoning was simple—everything seemed per- the architectural school that dominates the Coromandel coast. “I
fect, the beaches had their own story and there was always good see the beauty of Portuguese architecture,” he clarifies. “The exte-
food cooking in some alley or the other. “It was a milestone. We rior aspect of a Portuguese home is very appealing to me, but not
thought if we owned a house in Goa, we’ve made it in life,” says the interiors. We had to find a way to make it our own—marry the
Jain. And finally, in 2018, it happened. The year of the pandemic Southern Indian aspects that I love with the Portuguese
ensured that the duo split their time between two bubbles, their sensibilities of the area.”
home and studio in Delhi and their second home, in Goa. But how did they bring their idiosyncrasies to this space? Jain
“We all see Goa as a place where we can let go of ourselves,” he knew right at the onset that their home in Goa had to reflect their
continues. “I’ve done all of that and some more. Some days I might journey—the product of all their travels, memories, and collected
be feeling particularly hedonistic and some days I might not. But souvenirs. The idea was to “evoke a deep sense of nostalgia” when
Goa is also the mecca of healers, practitioners of alternative one entered the house. The walls of the house are dotted with art-
medicine and yogic gurus. And from the safe vantage point of my works that hold deep meaning for them—take, for instance, the
home, I want the best of both worlds,” adds Jain, who, with Seth, small statues of Peruvian angels. “They are very special to me,”
has created a loving space to let go even as they rest and recuperate says Jain. “They was first gifted to me by a very special friend, but
from their hectic city lives. I gradually started to buy them myself from the local flea markets
of Delhi. I now surround myself with them—my office, my Delhi
MEMORY MAPS home, and even the Goa home—you will see them everywhere.”
These designers were very clear on their aesthetic and have strived These angel figurines, the way he sees them, have an “almost

TIME TRAVEL
Prateek Jain
and Gautam
Seth’s Isprava
villa in Assagao
is infused with
souvenirs, art
and personal
mementos
Seth prefers to be more rooted, stable even. These deep

contrasts manifest when they are working together, and this is
where the Goa home acts as a sort of retreat as well. “There is nat-
urally a lot of paraphernalia attached to our daily lives when we
are working,” explains Jain. “In Delhi, it’s mostly work stuff. We
both agree that whenever we are outside of our regular
environment, we connect much better. In many ways, our Goa
home allows our relationship to breathe more.”
The Goa home, incidentally, takes on a “sacred” hue when Jain
and Seth are together. “Gautam is more of an introverted person,”
says Jain. “He prefers being on his own, as opposed to me, who
views the home as an inviting space. All our friends respect both
maternal vibe” for the couple, who believe that a home needs to be these approaches and it certainly helps that we have a lot of com-
a nurturing space. Their sunlit home, with its plush white interi- mon friends.” Their second home offers them the space for both,
ors, is perfectly balanced with natural accents of wood, cane and as inviting as it is a serene sanctum.
palm, making it a serene yet cosy tropical haven. But for all the dichotomies, there is one common thread that has
made this coastal retreat a safe and comforting home for them.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT Without a beat, Jain says: “Laughter. Lots of it.” He explains,
Seth and Jain are not just business partners but life partners too. “There are random videos of us, with our friends, with each other,
Their Goa home serves as a safe space for the two to kick back and laughing in stitches and we don’t even remember why we were that
bond, away from the hustle of the city and their studio. Jain, by his hysterical. I guess, eventually, this house just brings out the silly,
own admission, oscillates between the “extreme ends of life” while unfiltered child inside us and I think that’s beautiful.” n

SECOND HOMES
Sanctum of solace the house, barely months into her marriage. “I could literally see
all my troubles disappear the moment I stepped into the house. I
knew I was in an exceptionally tranquil place,” she recollects. And
Entrepreneur Karishma Manga Bedi shares this ancestral paradise has now been infused with a contemporary
language of its own, making it an ideal retreat. The key, she
the joy of solitude she experiences by the explains, was finding meaning in the little rituals that hold a
Ganga at her mountain home nestled in the family together, the ones that reinforce love ever so gently.
mystical hills of Rishikesh. By Arman Khan
T
SENSE OF BELONGING
he f ormer Raja of Tehri-Garhwal couldn’t have One of these rituals was a Christmas tree. “It has now become
possibly predicted the pandemic, but he knew well of permanent. I’m not Christian, but the Christmas tree has a special
the therapeutic powers of his land. For one family, it narrative around it—we like circling around it, unwrapping our
became a space for hope and healing. “This land is gift boxes, and there are always surprises waiting for everyone
quite exceptional on its own,” says entrepreneur Karishma Manga under the tree. I even make a full turkey roast for dinner, despite
Bedi. “It was the place where spiritual guru Anandamayi Ma had being a vegetarian,” she says. Although these rituals were initially
spent quite a bit of time and she’d given the property the name planned to keep her children, 10-year-old Shabad and seven-year-
Anand Kashi, which roughly translates to: light of inner bliss.” old Angad, in good spirits, they have now become an organic, even
The maternal grandfather of Manga Bedi’s husband had subse- necessary, part of their lives. Opening up the kitchen as a
quently purchased the land from the Raja and her mother-in-law communal space and rolling pizza bases with her children only
then built the house that would carry the weight of its enchanting added to a collective sense of ease and belonging.
history on its sturdy beams. To provide everyone with their own space while still feeling con-
The 37-year-old fondly remembers the first time she’d visited nected to each other is the ultimate gift provided by a second

“I have the luxury
of sitting on a
boulder by the
Ganges, where I
can dip my feet
in the water and
just be”
—K AR I SH MA M A NGA
BEDI
Clockwise, from above:

The conservatory is
studded with furniture
from Gulmohar Lane
and art from the
Bengal School; custom
furniture by designer
Vikram Singh is paired
with artwork by Dilip
Chobisa in the living
room; the riverside patio
is a family favourite for
al-fresco dining; Manga
Bedi enjoying a leisurely
walk down the river
bank. Opposite page:
Manga Bedi lounges
at her Rishikesh home;
a high-backed chair
by Vikram Singh with
A MINDFUL RETREAT
cushions from Sarita Spread over five rooms, the space has ample nooks for the family
Handa make up a cosy of four to find themselves. Manga Bedi acknowledges that there is
reading nook in the
master bedroom a marked improvement in her family dynamics that seeps in when
they are in Rishikesh. Even the first night she’d spent in her
second home—she looks back on it as the night where she was
home that is set in the vastness of nature. With Manga Bedi’s brimming with gratitude for everything life had given her so far.
family, it is all the more true. “Sometimes when I just don’t feel like “Our lives in Delhi are nothing short of riding a tiger,” she says.
it, and because I enjoy solitude, I know I have the luxury of step- “You cannot stop even when you want to—whether it is between
ping out and sitting on a boulder by the Ganges, where I can dip things you do for love, for work, or sometimes things you simply
my feet in the water and just be,” she says. The idea that a second have to do. But Rishikesh is where you can just slow down.”
home need not be an island in itself, but rather a constellation of You might recognise the extension of their home as the
little islands for everyone, can be quite liberating. And it certainly stunning hotel and former Neemrana-run property, The Glass
is for this family. “My husband can be in his corner doing his work, House by the Ganges. The Bedis have now beautifully restored the
I could be in my corner reading a book, and the children could be extended property and given it back its original name, Anand
involved in something else altogether,” she explains, “You don’t Kashi, as named by Anandmayi Ma. The 22-room boutique hotel
have to be physically together all the time, and I think that’s okay.” will reopen in an all-new avatar early next year. Manga Bedi says
The proud mum is only too happy that both her children love it was a natural decision to share the intense natural energy and
reading books as much as she does. And she goes out of her way to serene vibrations of the property with other families who were
ensure this rare, cherished trait is not lost in the cyber maze of perhaps seeking the same. She explains, “The idea of being rooted
electronic devices—her second home naturally lends itself to her is essential. I believe, for an individual to truly flourish, one re-
endeavour. “We have a reading time set out where all three of us quires both wings and roots. Rishikesh gives a bit of both. I re-
will snuggle up in the bed together and just read. It’s a maze of legs member taking a picture here for my Instagram account with the
and books,” she says. caption, “I’ve planted my feet out here and I’m not moving!” n

EXPLORE
Safe haven
Mountains or beach?
With our selection of
luxury rentals from across
India, nestled between
the snow-capped peaks
of Kasauli to the warm
sandy beaches of Goa, you
don’t have to pick just one.
By Arman Khan
976 Panangad, Ernakulam

This quaint property is just half an hour away from Fort Kochi in Kochi. Its
four bedrooms allow an unhindered, almost paradisiacal view of Kerala’s
famed backwaters, courtesy the wide floor-to-ceiling glass wall in each
of the rooms. Two of the four rooms even feature attached plunge pools,
in addition to a common infinity pool that offers a panoramic view of the
waterfront lined with coconut trees. 976panangad.com
Glass House 91, Alibaug

This is an estate with a design scheme firmly
orientated towards a high level of privacy and
inside-out living. A series of monolithic glass
edifices essentially create the basic design
narrative, where multiple installations reflect
the experience of a contemporary mansion
surrounded by natural beauty. With three
The First House, Goa
This plush Portuguese colonial home was originally built in 1896 by the then
en-suite bedrooms and a master suite with a
Portuguese Consul to the British colony of Aden (now a part of Yemen), Luis
private deck, book the space for a perfectly
Jose de S. Lourençe Mendonca. The property in Saligao is currently managed by
luxurious family escape. Lohono.com
Suchna and Yogi Shah of The Villa Escape and is also one of Goa’s few 10-bed
homes, meticulously renovated by architect Ayaz Basrai. Thefirsthousegoa.com

WHERE LUXURY AND
LONGEVITY FIND A HOME
Superior design, contemporary aesthetics and bespoke elements blend seamlessly
in sophisticated villas designed by Palmore Luxury Developers. If Alibaug is your
dream destination, let Palmore Luxury Developers be your guide
STAGES OF THEIR CUSTOM

BUILD APPROACH:
• An exploratory call and visit for

a walkthrough of past homes, an
assurance that you are in the most
qualified hands.
• A breakup of commercials with
payments benchmarked to a 14-16
Having built their first villa in Alibaug month delivery schedule.
in 2001, the following decades have
cemented Palmore Luxury Developers
• Land acquisition wherein Palmore
can offer properties with plotting
as a trusted developer in the region. completed for 20 ghunthas (half
Anticipating a demand for second homes acre), 30 ghunthas, 40 ghunthas
to service Mumbai’s discerning clientele, (one acre) and above. Their local
father-son duo Navzer and Karl Irani have network has them suited and skilled
honed their vision by combining what at vetting land, identifying red flags
they love and do best. A veteran architect one might ordinarily miss.
and household name that has become
synonymous with the tropical landscape, it
• Due diligence on land from water,
soil, access roads to slopes: every
is Navzer’s expertise that gives Palmore its factor that affects your environment.
first-mover advantage. His mastery over
local nuances and personal involvement is
• A custom design evolved through
sittings with their full-service
complemented by Karl’s eye for design and team for architecture, interiors,
detail—and one’s homeowner experience is landscaping and permissions
rewarded by it. streamlined through one point of
As a one-stop solution, Palmore’s contact.
offering comprises three verticals:
Ready Villas, Custom Builds and Land
• The build and handover of your
home whose complete management
Acquisition. Having sold their last set of is facilitated by an Annual For more information,
five Ready Villas during the last two years, Maintenance Contract from day one, visit palmore.in,
Palmore is now immersed in bespoke so you may enjoy it with sweet, call 8291739898 or
orders that are tailored to a client’s carefree abandon. follow @palmorevillas
specifications. on Instagram
EXPLORE
Coco Shambhala, Sindhudurg

Blending seamlessly with the lush greenery and sea encircling it, this
property allows you to be one with the forgotten sounds of nature. Add an
infinity pool and sea-facing rooms, and you have yourself a blissful second
home to isolate at. Using fresh, organic produce with a deep reverence to
local culture is their fine culinary experience. Cocoshambhala.com
Villa Habu, Udaipur

Located on a private island
on Jaisamand Lake, this Mary Budden Estate, Binsar
villa does not give in to the This almost historic villa traces its story
expectations of generic back to 1899, when it was bought by an
Rajasthani architecture. The Englishwoman named Mary Budden. It
outdoor dining area offers was then uninhabited for almost a century
refreshing views of the lake, until photographer Serena Chopra flipped
while a bath carved out of a it into a restful mountain home. Spread
single natural stone is perfect over five acres of land, the wooded estate
for that summer read with has a cottage that can sleep six across
a fresh, tropical breakfast to three rooms and an additional three double
add to the magic. rooms in the lodge to accommodate your
Villa-habu.business.site extended family. Marybuddenestate.com
The Mansion, Kasauli

A stunning colonial property spread across five acres—the otherworldly
charm is strong in this vacation home. Cocooned by lush Himalayan forests
and panoramic sunsets, this sprawling abode offers easy access to various
hiking points and a peaceful retreat to reconvene with nature. Vistarooms.com
La Vie En Rose, Puducherry

Lined with bougainvillea, and owned and run
by a French family, this stunning villa is located
in the heart of Puducherry’s French Quarter.
An ornamental spiral staircase designed in the
Chettinad style leads to three bedrooms, all which
overlook the charming Rue de L’evêché. Airbnb.co.in

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EYEVIEW
The life eclectic

SAHIL BEHAL. DRESS, MATCHING STOLE; BOTH OSCAR DE LA RENTA
• Into the world of Rhea Kapoor

• A guided tour of Sravanya Rao Pittie’s art house
• Inside Sruthi C Reddy’s light- and foliage-filled
family getaway
• Srimoyi Bhattacharya’s tropical haven in Goa
Rhea Kapoor in the
dining area atop
a table from Blue
Loft. The ceiling
pendant lights
were custom made
Dress, Khaite
F AM I LY
VA L UE S
In tony Bandra, amidst vintage mainstays and contemporary collectibles, designer Ravi
Vazirani has fashioned a colourful tableau of design treasures and family heirlooms for
the first home of newlywed producer and stylist Rhea Kapoor, finds Meghna Pant
Photographed by SAHIL BEHAL Styled by PRIYANKA KAPADIA Art direction by SNIGDHA KULKARNI
T
wel ve years ago, when Karan Boolani and Rhea director-producer husband remains the centre of this self-con-
Kapoor went on their first date, it turned out to be a fessed foodie’s life. In lockdown, #rheamade became a repository
hunt for the most scrumptious rolls in Bandra. It’s of her kitchen experiments—from mac and cheese to enchiladas,
hard to know if their food pursuits were successful, but all on view for her 1.6 million followers on Instagram. “Dad wants
Boolani managed to clinch the date by leaving flowers in Kapoor’s me to be like Jerry Bruckheimer, the world’s best producer, but we
car. Kapoor says she knew then that he was the one. are a multifaceted generation,” adds the stylish producer-turned-
When we meet on a rain-soaked afternoon, it is at the charming entrepreneur. “We can be everything!”
new address in Bandra that the recently married couple now call
home. Seated on a swivel chair (a favourite of her actor father), MAKE YOUR OWN BLISS
Kapoor, dressed in grey trackpants embellished with her last Leaving the comforts and cosiness of a childhood home cannot be
name in Devanagari, tells me, “My father asked me for only one easy, more so if your family home is a landmark bungalow. At first,
thing when I left the Juhu bungalow: ‘Don’t spend all your time in Kapoor wasn’t sure that Boolani’s split-level apartment could sud-
the kitchen!’” But entertaining friends and cooking for her denly become everything for her. “I want my home to be a >
77
On Karan: Shirt, Savio
Jon. Trousers, All
Saints. On Rhea: Shirt,
Huemn. Trousers,
Y Project. Hoops,
Completed Works
“I’M NOT ULTRA-FEMININE. I DON’T

LIKE CHINTZ AND FLORALS. SO WE
KEPT THE OMBRÉS SOFT BUT GRAPHIC”
—R HEA K A POOR
78
Clockwise from right: An Art
Deco chair that Kapoor acquired
from an auction at Saffron Art.
The Magari concrete table is
from Gulmohar Lane and the
vases by Lailums; Kapoor’s
bedroom features artwork by
Manisha Parekh and bedding
by Anavila. The pendant vase is
from Agustina Bottoni and the
rug is from Obeetee. Opposite
page: The couple in their study
with their Shih Tzu, Russell, on a
coffee table by Phantom Hands;
the cast metal side table is by
Ravi Vazirani Design Studio;
the day bed in the living room
is decked with cushions and
throws by designer Anavila
Clockwise, from left: In the living
room, an artwork by Rathin
Burman, acquired from Kolkata’s
Experimenter gallery, takes pride
of place; the limited edition ‘Raku’
cocktail table and the cast metal
cocktail table in the background
are both from Ravi Vazirani
Design Studio while the coffee
table is from Gulmohar Lane. The
bar trolley was sourced locally by
Kapoor. In the study, Boolani on
an Art Deco chair bought from
an auction at Saffron Art.
Opposite page: Kapoor with her
Shih Tzu, Russell
“WHEN AN APARTMENT
IS WELL-LAID OUT, THE
TRICK IS TO STICK TO GOOD
PROPORTIONS, MUTED COLOURS
AND ATTENTION TO DETAILS”
—RAVI VA ZI RA NI
T-shirt, Uniqlo.
Trousers, Zara. Jacket,
80 Engineered Garments
Dress, Casey
Casey. Chain,
pendant; both
Viange Fine
Jewels
sanctuary, a place of fun, comfort and security. So while I loved Kapoor also had to work around the constraints of a rented
Karan’s place, I wasn’t sure how it’d work for me. The apartment, house. Vazirani could not break down walls or change details such
split over two floors, is in an old bungalow, now converted into a as the mouldings. “Living in a rented space does not mean that it
building. It’s not conventional. Could I make it practical and func- has to be unappealing,” she says, playing with her dogs, Russell
tional? Could I make it my own?” and Lemon. “Put in the effort to build a home that makes you
It’s evident that houses, like marriages, have a way of uniting happy, inspired and proud. Spruce it up, don’t be cheap!”
disparate sensibilities. Under this Bandra roof, nips and tucks en- Despite Kapoor’s love of the dramatic, Vazirani opted to design
sured that the beloved house was up to date to serve the newly a space that is simple, with light-painted walls, so the decor would
married couple. “The apartment has a lot of character, so I knew not compete with their collection of art. “I didn’t want an ostenta-
we could make it work,” says Kapoor. As the world sheltered in- tious house, so we have a mix of high and low, and kept everything
doors, Kapoor channelled her passion for fashion into interior de- under budget. The only thing I spend on is contemporary art,”
signing with the help of her friend, designer Ravi Vazirani, whom Kapoor adds, pointing out works by Manish Nai, Rana Begum,
she knew through baker Pooja Dhingra. “I’m not ultra-feminine. I Dashrath Patel and Rithika Merchant.
don’t like chintz and florals. So we kept the ombrés soft but graph- Besides these extravagant vignettes on the wall, Kapoor’s sense
ic. We chose a neutral palette to make the house younger and of theatre pervades indoors through just another indulgence—the
fresher, wooded the marble floors and changed the mouldings 30 vases by Agustina Bottoni that she’s accumulated for the love of
from gold to white for that old-school softness,” she shares. fresh flowers. She explains as I look askance, “Every morning, my
The result is an 1,800sqft three-bedroom apartment designed nani would drive to Dadar market in her Maruti to buy flowers for
in the mid-century modern style. The refurbished wood floors, her home. So when someone gifted flowers to my parents for their
soothing beige and white hues, along with the wooden and cane wedding, my mother began to keep fresh flowers in the house
accents, give it a clean and uncluttered aesthetic. Strewn around every day. That’s how the tradition started.”
are well-curated mix-and-match curio clusters, like the wooden Kapoor’s portmanteau of memories, aside from the family pho-
candlesticks and terracotta vase on a repurposed antique console tos in the den, find right of place in a Sudhir Patwardhan painting,
that belongs to Kapoor’s mother Sunita. Colours are layered a family heirloom that belongs to Sunita. “It’s one of two things I
through art, textiles and flowers. Candles are lit everywhere. And took from my childhood home,” confesses the film producer, who
the guest bedroom has been turned into Kapoor’s dressing room. recently transitioned to being a businesswoman with her ice cream
The effect is timeless but contemporary. brand, Papacream. Up next are new film releases in which she
plans to take female actors forward in terms of equal pay scale and
BETTER TOGETHER opportunities. “Women make themselves feel equal and valuable
Kapoor’s taste is impeccable, but she felt the need for another according to the man they’re standing next to. And that’s sad,” says
craftsman. That’s where Vazirani came in. His aesthetic is pared Kapoor, “No one can deny you your place.”
down, while Kapoor veers on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Instead of wrangling over this, they decided to collaborate. Kapoor ROOM OF ONE’S OWN
kept themes and trends in mind while he focused on texture and In the true essence of modern relationships, Boolani shares her
scale. “When an apartment is well-laid out, the trick is to stick to views. “He trusted me implicitly with doing up his house,” says
good proportions, muted colours and attention to details,” he says. Kapoor “The only thing he wanted was a wood and marble bar
The merging of their two aesthetics is everywhere, including the and a library outside the den, as he is a voracious reader.” The den,
foyer, which features some of their most treasured pieces such as a adjacent to the upstairs bedrooms, is a place Kapoor carved out
mirror from Mahendra Doshi Antiques, which reflects the mobile because she grew up with one at her parent’s place. She uses it for
brass vase installation that Kapoor unearthed through a designer meetings and to hang with friends. For the foreseeable needs,
in Italy. By trusting each other, the client and designer created a she’s also taken the third floor, so her den can expand into a home
house that is homely and soulful. “The whole place came together office. “I work hard and I deserve this luxury,” she says earnestly.
because of Rhea’s willpower,” says Vazirani. “Not only can she get Meanwhile, Kapoor’s favourite nook is a daybed with uphol-
things done quickly since she comes from a production back- stery—throws, cushions, bedding and bolsters—by designer
ground, she also has great taste as she’s a stylist. We designed the Anavila Misra, and tomes all around. “After the end of a long day,
house keeping in mind that the two of them love entertaining but Karan and I grab a drink and unwind here. The music plays, the
also need privacy, so it’s a joy to see how the space is being used.” candles are lit, and we can just be. It’s ceremonial for us.”
Designed as a comfortable yet voguish family home to share, An epitome of insouciant comfort and unforced elegance, in
chill and dine in, the apartment was put together during the trying this home objects of intriguing beauty are disposed with an effort-
times of the pandemic. Every object in the house was sent to a less touch to complement the disposition of its residents. “I want
warehouse, sanitised, left out for 36 hours and only then brought an open house full of good food, loud laughter, bad behaviour, and
home. Over-sanitising was just one challenge, but overall, the pace all that wonderful stuff,” says Kapoor, as we wrap up our interview
was slow. They could paint only one room at a time, so a room and her sister Sonam Kapoor Ahuja enters, a vision in a red-and-
would take six days to paint instead of two. Manufacturing white polka-dotted dress.
bespoke pieces became impossible with factories closed. Thanks “What do you like best about this place?” I ask Sonam.
to social distancing, “the house was basically styled on WhatsApp,” “That it’ll always have good people in it,” says Sonam.
Vazirani admits, laughing in retrospect. She’s right. Good people, after all, make good homes. n
82
On Karan: Jacket, trousers; both
Universal Works. Air Jordan 1 Low
‘Travis Scott’ sneakers, Nike. On Rhea:
Gown, Lanvin. Shoes, Savage X Fenty
The couple seated at their eclectic

bar, designed by Zameer Basrai of
The Busride Studio
Hair and makeup (Rhea): Namrata Soni

Hair (Karan): Rohit Bhatker
Hair and makeup assistant: Komal Vora
Assistant stylist: Naheed Driver
Production: Divya Jagwani
Florals: Twelve Tomatoes
Food stylist: Sage & Saffron
Interior designer Sravanya Rao Pittie’s
Mumbai apartment resembles an
assiduously curated art gallery that places
delicate and eclectic crafts-focused pieces
at the centre of an otherwise practical
family home, finds Aditi Shah Bhimjyani
Portraits by NEVILLE SUKHIA

Interior photography by ASHISH SAHI
Interior styling by SAMIR WADEKAR
Y
ou wouldn’t typically picture a white sofa and artist
Shilpa Gupta’s dulcifying canvases as elements of a
children’s room. And yet, there they are. The sofa is
hand-painted by interior designer Sravanya Rao
Pittie’s two children (aged four and five) and then digitised on fab- ravioli, all prepared by her in-house cook. Rao Pittie adds her touch
ric. Gupta’s works, titled Half A Sky, hang above their twin beds. to this lavish Italian spread by placing three stout Capri lemon
A rocking bull by Sangaru Design Studio occupies the floor while trees (custom-made by her artificial plant vendor) which transport
a fallen branch from Alibaug forms the stark foundation of a mez- me to a prosecco lunch at Da Paolino in Capri.
zanine tree house that Rao Pittie’s children love because their “I don’t like to walk into stores and pick stuff up,” she shrugs
nanny cannot navigate its tricky steps. “The play area is the central between morsels, pointing to the sculptural chandelier compris-
artery of our home, where we convene as a family every day,” says ing a series of concrete blocks with gold metal trims that looms
the Mumbai-based designer, walking through her sunlit balcony magnificently over the dining table. It took her several attempts
with the family’s newly adopted cocker spaniel, Ziggy, at her feet. and iterations to nail it with the help of architect and lighting de-
An open floor plan and large windows lend a mid-century mod- signer Arjun Rathi, who executed the final design. “My husband
ern character to this Worli home. Every morning at six, the house Aditya and I both enjoy looking at the pieces around our home.
comes to life when they bring out the pet turtles, feed the fish, play This is what I need, to be able to start a conversation,” she adds as
chess and get in a few rounds of skating. After breakfast, the fam- my eye travels to a credenza refurbished by Thierry Betancourt for
ily of four goes about school, work, Kuchipudi lessons (Rao Pittie Splendour, adorned with tribal masks from Nagaland.
is also an accomplished dancer) and chess class from different In a pleasant post-lunch stupor, I put my feet up on the sofa. Rao
parts of the house, where the clever use of space befits its residents. Pittie’s curated mix of Italian furniture from Fendi, Minotti, Ru-
giano and Visionnaire, with a sprinkling of the minimalist Scandi-
LIVING WITH ART navian aesthetic (courtesy a sofa from Muuto Studio) is enviable,
Propitiously, our interview is scheduled for a relaxed Saturday but what stands out is the comfort. “A home has to feel comfortable
afternoon, and it starts over the lunch table, laid with conversation- and hardy,” she explains. “When designing for my clients, I use
sparking crockery from Italian company Seletti, which channels resin and wood and keep things light so they can be moved around.”
STYLED BY PRIYANKA KAPADIA
the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi in how it assembles its table-

ware with broken, contrasting pieces of porcelain. There is also a DESIGN JOURNEY
gorgeous drinking glass designed in a patchwork of etched crystal Founder of Soka Design Studio, an interior practice she launched
and a hand-painted plate comprising two separate halves that hold in 2014, Rao Pittie arrived at design after trying her hand at mar-
today’s feast—risotto, spaghetti aglio e olio, eggplant parmigiana, keting, finance and playwriting. In fact, her design trajectory,
goat cheese and fig arancini, burrata salad, gluten-free pizza and which includes stints at Inchbald School of Design and work >
84
Clockwise, from above: Rao Pittie against
a Jitish Kallat work in her living room.
The focal point of the living room is the
white tree chandelier that stretches
across the ceiling to the wall in one
coloured glass, designed by Rao Pittie
and executed by High Home. Armchairs
from Natuzzi and a sofa from Meroni
& Colzani are placed around a set of
reflective hologram-hued coffee tables
designed by Hatsu. Geometric carpets
from Ilo rugs, Hatsu and Hands are
thoughtfully placed around the house. A
striking blue-grey credenza by Baxter is
placed in the passageway.
Opposite page: In the children’s play area,
a rocking bull in natural ombre from
green to blue, made by Sandeep Sangaru,
lies near the tree house
Clockwise, from top left: The master bedroom is finished with Visionnaire
side tables, a Besana lamp with fabric from Chanel and Dedar, cushions from
Splendour and a bed designed by Jai Danani. Rugiano sofas, Minotti coffee
tables and Roberto Cavalli chairs adorn the sitting room with artworks by
Peruvian sculptor Aldo Chaparro and SH Raza. On the table is a chess set
designed by Rao Pittie, while the feather plume floor lamp is from A Modern
Grand Tour. Rao Pittie seated on one of her self-designed wine-red chairs with
lush folds of interlacing fabric for Splendour. The bar room with a Elliot Walker
tiered glass sculpture features panelled walls that can be easily dismantled and
conceal storage too. The neon-lit pop art piece is by Australian artist Frida. The
furniture includes pieces from Fendi, Kartell, Natuzzi and Splendour
“I literally design a room

around the art”
86
Right: The Baxter dining table
with chairs from Rugiano
is placed under a sculptural
chandelier designed by Rao
Pittie and Arjun Rathi. On the
table, baskets from Heirloom
Naga. On the credenza
(refurbished by Thierry
Betancourt for Splendour)
stands a vintage mask from
the Akha tribe of Thailand
and Naga warrior headgear
sourced by Rao Pittie.
Below: At the door, two
Channapatna chairs by
Sangaru Design Studio are
flanked by an artwork by
Reena Kallat on one side and
a tiered etagere made of
champagne buckets, designed
by Rao Pittie, on
the other
been collecting through the years. The furniture isn’t a copy-paste

job either. It mixes global brands (Fendi, Kartell, Natuzzi and
Splendour), alongside Indian artefacts (Phillips Antiques, Moor-
thy’s, Souk Studio and Manglam Arts Jaipur). Among the star-
tling design juxtapositions around is an antique palkhi holder
from Chennai and an old monstrance from a Portuguese church
in Kerala on one of the tables.
Rao Pittie’s obsession with art and objets d’art reflects through
eclectic custom-made pieces of varying proportions strewn across
the home. Incidentally, Rao Pittie’s mother was on the board of
the National Gallery of Modern Art and she’d often curse her luck
while traipsing in and out of galleries as a child. But as fate would
with Noshir Talati and Candy London, only picked up when she have it, art ultimately became an intrinsic part of her life. “I liter-
decided to move from London to India in 2010. ally design a room around the art,” says Rao Pittie. So neither the
When we discuss her design influences, Rao Pittie fondly recalls MF Husain mounted on a frame custom-designed by her, nor the
her boss Martin Kemp as a mentor who expanded her understand- lightweight sinuous metal sheath of gold by Peruvian sculptor
ing of the subject. “His sense of form was unreal, even when visual- Aldo Chaparro look out of place among the Akbar Padamsee, SH
ising something as elemental as a table.” Kemp tops her list of all- Raza, Nalini Malani and Reena Kallat works dotting the walls.
time favourite design creatives, along with American designer It’s clear that love is in the details for her. Nearly an entire wall
Kelly Wearstler who, according to her, has the talent to jam many is dedicated to a sprawling work by Anita Dube, which uses a se-
patterns into one space and make them work in her own edgy way. ries of ceramic-enamelled Shrinathji eyes, crafted by the artisans
And sure enough, there are shades of Kemp and Wearstler in from Nathdwara temple. “During the lockdown, I couldn’t get the
Rao Pittie’s distinctly urbane home. One is evident in her absolute artist to install it herself so I brought in a stencil artist and mount-
love for form, be it a lush white feather plume floor lamp from A ed this work on panels in cement,” says the designer, who has
Modern Grand Tour or an elaborate philodendron in a planter worked with experts like Kanchan Puri-Shetty for lighting, Kapil
fashioned from a Nagaland tree. The other is a touch of the bohe- Thirwani for bar acoustics and Taera Chowna for landscaping.
mian, brought alive through a panoply of patterns, colours and Whimsy is another defining character across this home, and it is
styles which sings in its synchronicity. It’s a European sensibility best seen through a bunch of champagne buckets stacked up to
with large hints of India, an influence Rao Pittie joyfully flaunts. make a tiered etagere. “It was an eccentricity. I saw these buckets
Take, for instance, the entrance, where an Italian table is flanked in Italy and thought I would make a table of them,” she recalls.
by artisanal Channapatna chairs from Sangaru Design Studio. A glass bowl by artist Hanne Enemark, baskets from Heirloom
Naga and a balti vase from Ikkis play off the reflective hologram-
OBJECTS OF DESIRE hued Hatsu coffee tables. But the pièce de résistance remains a
The interior designer’s eye for trimmings emerges in the most un- self-designed, dramatic white tree chandelier which stretches
expected corners. It’s in the gently used silverware she inherited from the ceiling to the wall. Just as I begin to wonder if this may
from her grandmother, in the art her children make for their fa- not work out well for two children playing catch, Rao Pittie clari-
ther which is carefully stored, and the art on her walls that she has fies it’s where the kids freely hang their Christmas tree baubles. n
87
How does an architect go about renovating
an old family home? For Sruthi C Reddy, it
was a “something new, something old”
approach that turned a modest 2bhk in into
an expansive getaway, finds Shalini Shah
Photographed by ISHITA SITWALA
Interior styling by SAMIR WADEKAR
F
or a sense of the attention to detail that architect Sruthi
C Reddy put into her family beach house, look at the
ground beneath your feet—specks of yellow peek
through the terrazzo flooring, like sunlight frozen in
concrete, consciously introduced in keeping with the light-dap-
pled mood of her weekend house. White but warm, modern but
not stark—wide, open doorways lead from one room to the other
and ample use of glass allows for a garden view from every cor-
ner—this is a house living in harmony with its surroundings. Prin-
cipal architect and creative director of Ceebros Designworks,
33-year-old Reddy invested eight months into turning her cosy
family home off East Coast Road in Chennai into something that
would stretch to encompass every member’s needs and demands.
FAMILY AFFAIR
The home is situated on a one-acre property that her father, C
Subba Reddy, managing director of Ceebros Property Develop-
ment and The Raintree Hotels, acquired in 1988. Over the years,
the family acquired the adjacent land too (another acre), but the
main house remained untouched. For Sruthi, who graduated from
the School of Architecture and Planning in Chennai and followed >
88
Clockwise, from
opposite: The Reddy
family decided
to the retain the
original facade “We wanted
of their weekend
home in Chennai; to keep the
Sruthi, creative
director of Ceebros
bones of the
Designworks with
her sister Swetha of
house, the
The Raintree Hotels
and Swetha’s two
structure, and
children (Keshav and adapt it to our
Arya) at the poolside
pavilion dotted requirements”
with 100-year-old
Burmese grain jars; —S R UT H I C R E D DY
the living room has a
lamp from Heathfield
& Co and artefacts
from Sri Lanka
it with a master’s from the Rhode Island School of Design, this was
a chance to put her specialisation—Adaptive Reuse—into practice.
“For 30 years, this home was where we spent all our holidays. My
sister [The Raintree Hotels’s Swetha Reddy] now has two kids, and
with all our needs increasing we realised it didn’t suit what we want-
ed today,” she says, reiterating the challenges of making room for
new members in an old family home as time passes.
So, the family sat down, and each member spelt out what he or
she wanted from their weekend home. A pool was a given. Two
bedrooms were proving insufficient. But three decades of memo-
ries meant the edifice and the traditional beams on the roof would
remain untouched. As Sruthi says, “We wanted to keep the bones
of the house, the structure, and adapt it to our requirements and
to whatever we thought was missing.”
GREEN EXPANSE
To that effect, she retained the two bedrooms and kitchen and
demolished everything except the structural elements that kept it
intact. More living spaces were added, as was an entertainment
den. The family entertains regularly, so Sruthi also added a guest
bedroom, an open living area and a sort of bar and a place where
they could cook meals together. (Of course, she put in a swimming
pool, but it also came with a pavilion that offers fabulous views of
the Bay of Bengal—her favourite part of the house.) “If you do a
Google view you’ll see how these three structures have cropped up
in the landscape and then we have a large garden that integrates
them,” Sruthi adds, who enlisted the help of Vadodara-based
landscape designer Manisha Patel for the house.
90
The property also housed a coconut grove, and the idea was to
expand the garden and not overpower it with a large home. Her
mum, Rajini, loves gardening, so there’s a fruit orchard, a vegeta-
ble patch, and jasmine shrubs from where they get the flowers.
OLD AND NEW

Once inside the house, look up and you’ll see the wooden beams of
the original ceiling; to ensure continuity, they were extended to
the verandah as well. “It was always about not doing something
completely afresh but trying to retain some of the elements and
weaving it into something new. If you see the space, it’s hard to say
what exactly is the new element and what is the old,” she shares.
The synergy between old and new also extends to the furniture
and artefacts here—a 100-year-old rattan and wood bed that once
belonged to Sruthi’s great-great-grandfather now sits grandly
near the pool area; a striped monochrome carpet that gets reflect-
ed like an op-art piece in the mirrored side panels of the box table
that sits atop it; not very far from a conical brass table is a set of
plump candelabra from Colombo tying the two contrasting styles
together. There’s also a pair of Art Deco chairs that her father
bought at an auction 30 years ago, a Georgian bell jar lantern that
casts its glow over the dining table, and Chinese vases collected
over the years alongside modern ceramics bought in Sri Lanka.
Clockwise from left: “There was nothing that I specifically bought for this house in
The living room, which terms of furniture. I’m a hoarder—when I see beautiful pieces I
features the home’s
original wooden beams
want to get them. The only furniture I bought with the house in
on the ceiling, is a mind were the two cream sofas in the living room,” Sruthi points
study in beige, housing out. “I was quite clear about not having a very modern or very clas-
Mungaru chairs by
Inoda + Sveje from sical form per se, so it was easy mixing and matching things in a
Phantom Hands; at contemporary versus old theme.” There are, for instance, the
the entrance, a pair of
cow sculptures picked Iqrup + Ritz lights that hang above the bar, which also seats a figu-
up from an antique rine from Bangkok’s famous weekend market, Chatuchak. “They
dealer guard the
house; Sruthi Reddy [the lights] are not very classical but I like them because the form
at the bar outfitted still has a colonial vibe. It’s nice to play with contrasts.”
with lights from Iqrup
+ Ritz; the bedroom
opens to a seating area VIEW FINDER
featuring an heirloom The idea, according to Sruthi, was to keep it simple. “The materi-
bed overlooking the
pavilion and the als that I wanted to use, the colours were important—light creams,
garden; the country- with textures of rattan. Most of what you see inside is in an off-
style open kitchen
offers a relaxing space white palette. The house itself is small, so we tried to open it out by
for weekend cookouts having a sunroom-like area that connects to the garden and incor-
porating a bit of glass, actually a lot of glass, to make it airier.”
The entire renovation was carried out by Sruthi, during which
no family member was even allowed a peek. In a family in the real
estate business, was there a clash of ideas and aesthetics? “Surpris-
ingly, I think it’s one thing we agree on, without a doubt,” she says.
First-time visitors get a sense of this place even before they enter
the home. The compound wall is a bright yellow (“like a Pondi-
cherry French-quarter yellow”). “A lot of my references came from
[Geoffrey] Bawa and Sri Lankan architecture, so when you enter I
wanted to prolong the entry to the actual house,” Sruthi explains.
“So you drive around the property and get dropped at the court-
yard, covered with bananas and temple trees. I wanted to extend
the architectural experience to even where you enter. There’s a col-
onnade added in the front. And we have two cow sculptures that I
found at the local antique dealer’s, they’re like mascots that guard
the house.” Oh, to imagine the sunrises that the pair witnesses. n
91
Flipping the cliché of susegad Goa, Srimoyi
Bhattacharya, the industrious PR maven,
Photographed by ARSH SAYED is rebuilding her practice from a paddy-
Styled by PRIYANKA KAPADIA view home by architect Ini Chatterji, finds
Interior styling by RANJI KELEKAR Megha Mahindru
O
lauli m is one of those charming Goan villages that challenges. “The difficulty of Goa is to look for something unfur-
inadvertently never shows up on tourist guides. Far nished with a long lease commitment. Those two do not co-exist,”
from the beach but not exactly secluded (it’s a she says, throwing her hands up in the air. “We had three factors
15-minute drive from buzzy Mapusa), a drive down that were important to us—we wanted a standalone home with a
its winding road opens up dazzling views of fluorescent fields on spectacular view that was well-maintained.” After six months of
either sides and into the horizon. “It’s a very special village,” shares relentless calls to brokers and friends, the trio of conditions
PR professional Srimoyi Bhattacharya of Peepul Consulting, who convened when she received photos of this paddy-view home.
left the capital earlier this year to settle into a 110-year-old home
with a field view from its glistening pool. “I first visited Olaulim in A SENSE OF PLACE
2016 and its carefree, rolling hills reminded me of Gene Kelly’s Many city folks would say it’s crazy to live there, but this hamlet is
Brigadoon (1954), which was set in a fictitious, bucolic village. It’s just where the family came to trade life with the urban jungle of
a tucked-away secret, yet easy to get around.” Delhi. Bhattacharya’s neighbourhood has all of one café, but she
was never seeking the thrill of tony Assagao anyway. “For both of
CHANGING LANES us, one thing we were clear about is that we wanted to get off the
Born and brought up in Paris, Bhattacharya reached the sunny merry-go-round and lead a quieter life,” she shares. The only noise
state through a circuitous path—working at agencies in New York, around is the tatter of birds, monkeys and other tropical fauna,
kick-starting her own practice in Mumbai and expanding it to who are her perennial guests.
Delhi, before moving here with her husband Sourabh and their Renovated by Goa-based architect Ini Chatterji, the house in-
daughter, Dayani (nicknamed Nimki). Goa was a distant, conspicuously blends with the splendid landscape. Visitors enter
long-term dream—the sort that most people imagine as their through a palisade to arrive at the driveway, located opposite
retirement plan—but the lockdown and its ensuing work-from- Chatterji’s landmark studio (commonly known as the Ice Factory,
home order accelerated the move. “The retirement plan became a after its erstwhile operation), and walk up to her upcoming
mid-life plan,” smiles the 48-year-old. “Neither of us was ready to permaculture kitchen garden on one side, while another patch of
leave Delhi so fast, we really loved our life there, but the lockdown luxuriant green opens to a field view on the other side.
was the perfect opportunity to do this. Why wait till 60 when you Once inside, the home linearly takes you through its public and
can enjoy the life you built today?” private arenas. An al fresco terrace which faces the pool and the
For the peripatetic Bhattacharya, moving lock, stock and barrel verdant fields is the family’s most-used spot for meals and mus-
has been the norm every few years, but Goa came with its set of ings. Indoors, the house is divided into three cavernous sections, >
92
Kimono dress, Maus by
Annika Fernando
Dress, Alamelu
Clockwise, from top left:

Kokeshi dolls from Japan, a
sculpture by Claymen and
Bhattacharya’s baubles are
among some of her memorable
possessions; Bhattacharya
with Momo in her dining area
against a canvas by Sri Lankan
artist Priyantha Udagedara;
in the background, ceramic
artist Shweta Mansingka’s
giant apple; In the living room,
Ashiesh Shah’s Longpi vases
hold foraged banana leaves,
sofas by Iqrup+Ritz and Baro,
furnishings by Toile Indienne,
jute carpet by Casegoods and
cushions by Janavi.
Opposite page: The master
bedroom, where poppy curtains
by Brigitte Singh play off a
chevron sofa from Baro, Art
Deco chairs by Serendipity and
a coffee table by Iqrup+Ritz;
the family at their favourite
terrace area; the ochre
anteroom, like every room in
the house, features a wall of
tomes that offers a glimpse of
the family’s voracious appetite
for fine art, objects and design;
an artwork by Saskia Pintelon
94
Sari, Good Earth
95
Clockwise: The pool
area is engulfed in
greenery; Dayani
with Tokyo and Saké
in the work area;
Bhattacharya seated
at the boudoir in her
bedroom; her anteroom
is a repository of art,
design and books
Blue African wax dress,

Obaapa Originals.
Hairband, Olivia Dar.
Shoes, Michel Vivien
Hair and makeup: Laila Dalal

Art direction: Snigdha Kulkarni
Production: Divya Jagwani
Dress, D’Ascoli.
Earrings, Katerina
Psoma
allocated with the obligatory functions of entertaining, working bedrooms, kilims meet Kanchipuram and chinoiserie merges with
and sleeping. The entry to this tropical refuge is through the living chevron, bringing about a tasteful mix of styles and eras. Garden
and dining area, a place where everybody meets. As you go deeper, picked heliconias and birds of paradise enliven the space further,
a guest room, a master bedroom, a common work area and finally, while art by Jamini Roy plays off with curtains by Brigitte Singh.
Nimki’s bedroom reveal the private quarters. “It has the challeng-
es of a Goan house—the light inside, the humidity that ensures we FRINGE BENEFITS
wipe the back of all artworks routinely, and basically a home that In this romantic but forgotten corner, there are some remnants of
constantly needs love and care. But the trade-off is so huge that we their fast-paced Delhi life. “When we moved from Bombay to
don’t think about it,” says Bhattacharya. Delhi, it felt like a change of zip code. Here, it’s a change of life-
style,” notes Bhattacharya. Unlike the powerhouse publicist with a
INTO THE WILD busy life in Delhi, who clocked meetings, lunches, parties and
It is said that the best architects turn liabilities into assets, and events all in a day’s work, her preoccupations are markedly differ-
Chatterji’s solution lay in “stripping everything back” to its honest- ent: “Now it’s about how to bring the coconuts down or where to
to-goodness bones while chalking out design interventions that find a snake rescuer,” she says with a laugh. “Instead of going to a
suited Goa’s climate and topography. In 2010, when he bought the mall on the weekend, we go to the beach or the nursery.”
home, he peeled off the walls and tiles to reveal a design vision that That’s not to say that she’s no longer busy. Besides her flourish-
was organic in form. It gave the home—and even its bathrooms—a ing PR practice, Bhattacharya is now a published author (her book,
handmade quality. To combat humidity indoors, he designed open Pitch Perfect, released on Penguin Random House last month) and
cupboards, currently veiled by curtains that a budding entrepreneur with TableCode by
Bhattacharya scoured from Kolkata’s Rus- Sri that she launched in August. “I wanted to
sell Street Anokhi, to keep the mildew away.
“It’s a way of life. To build successfully, you
“Goa has made do something rooted in Goa,” says the
incorrigible worksmith about her new
need to understand both the engineering
and the natural forces at play,” says the
us look at our passion project that brings tastemakers
from the interior space to put together
reticent architect.
We are at his home, located a few steps day differently. beautiful tablescapes.
Even in this island life, she’s compartmen-
from Bhattacharya’s haven. A design marvel
made from coconut wood, his material of There’s talised weekends from weekdays. “There’s a
general sense that if you live in Goa you’re
choice is not just emblematic of his ecologi-
cal sensitivity, but also showcases a practice something about just bumming around. But our days are hec-
tic. Sourabh and I still have a full day of
this environment;
built around honouring the natural setting work. Our work hasn’t suffered. On the con-
with an emphasis on “man interacting with trary, we are re-energized by our surround-
nature”. A wall-less space, Chatterji’s “workings, so stress is low and the output, better.”
in-progress” abode engages with the ele- you feel healthy, Since they moved here in February,
ments through louvred windows and abso- Nimki too has had her hands full. Besides
lutely no doors, indicating a life that is open
to an exchange of ideas.
happy and safe” attending virtual school, she has adopted
two indies, Tokyo and Saké, the latest addi-
To the city-bred couple, a living room tions to their family, which also has a pic-
without an air conditioner was unthinkable, but the architect’s ture-perfect poodle called Momo. “Goa has made us look at our
clever use of slatted doors and windows, which allow for easy entry day differently. Sourabh started learning to swim with Nimki. The
of cooling breeze, reconciled the family. “It never feels hot,” ex- fact that the pool is right here, we just jump in after a day’s work.
claims Bhattacharya, when we first meet in May, the sweltering There’s something about this environment; you feel healthy,
month popularly designated as the beginning of Goa’s off-season. happy and safe.”
In rainy July, when we meet again, she’s equally incredulous of A year ago, she never thought she’d settle into village life so eas-
visiting friends who ask if it ever gets dull so far out. “Bored? My ily. “After observing nature from our balcony, we are now living in
landscape is always changing with the season, so how can I get nature,” she notes. This also meant unlearning the ways of the city.
tired of this view?” “You can’t live the way you lived in Delhi,” she shares, recalling an
If Chatterji’s genius lies in creating an elemental space that anecdote about an impulse generator purchase that startled the
strikes a tropical note with minimal footprint, Bhattacharya’s mix- village. “I understand that we are to reprogramme—the lights need
and-match approach plays a mediating role in marrying diverse to be dim and the noise levels need to be respectful for the birds and
stylistic components into a definable look. Her house is colourful the bees to take over. So we are transitioning to re-align.”
but it’s also very zen. Invigorated with objects from various travels, The change is also in the company they keep today. Leaving the
it’s cheerful yet calming. Through a catalogue of home-grown indulgent life of a Delhi publicist who was often cajoled with gifts,
designs (Baro, Claymen, Ikkis, Good Earth to name a few), a com- one box after another, here the bounty is enriching. “What I love
bination of Bengal modern art and Sri Lankan contemporary art most about our friends here is that they just show up—with a house
and tchotchkes from Sri Lanka to Paris and Japan, Bhattacharya shrub or a home-made loaf of bread. There’s no making an ap-
shows her joie de vivre and an unabashed love for colour. In her pointment,” she says, “and therein lies a warmer connection.” n
97
BLACKBOOK
SHOPPING GUIDE, ENTERTAINING AND HOME SOLUTIONS
Home is where
P
ooja Singhal’s home is a muse-
um of her life. The Delhi-based
the art is
entrepreneur grew up in a
household where collecting art
was a family activity, and she has nurtured
the passion ever since. “My mum was a big
Pichvai patron and entrepreneur
collector,” Singhal says of her childhood in
Pooja Singhal opens up her art-filled Udaipur. The City of Lakes also happens to
Delhi home that spins fascinating be a flourishing market for Pichvai art
ADIL HASAN (POOJA)
tales of folklore and modernity. (devotional hand-printed textile paintings

By Avantika Shankar that originate in the nearby village of
Nathdwara). “The artists themselves had a
Photographed by ASHISH SAHI relationship with my mum, and I remem-

FOCUS
IN THE FRAME
Clockwise, from left: In the living room, a
sculpture by Himmat Shah flanks a wall
with artwork by Zarina Hashmi, Akbar
Padamsee and Jogen Chowdhury. The
dark-toned furniture comprises a couch by
DeMuro Das and tables by Baxter; a series
of Ramayana miniatures and a brass wall
sculptures by Astha Butail are on display
in the main dining area; a DeMuro Das
console is ornamented with a sculpture
by Manjunath Kamath, a photograph by
Umrao Singh Sher-Gil and a vase from
Good Earth; Opposite page: Art collector
Pooja Singhal at her home in Delhi
ber how a lot of them would come home nest when she moved into her own apart-
with their bundles of wrapped paintings.” ment. “In my parents’ house it was always a
Singhal studied economics and pursued collective decision: ‘Do we all like this
an MBA but was always drawn to the arts. painting, or do we not?’” she says. “But
In 2004, she set up Ruh, a label that brings when I moved out, buying art was about
the craft of handloom to contemporary finding my own self-expression.”
fashion. In 2009, she launched Pichvai: Singhal recalls a specific moment that
Tradition and Beyond, an enterprise that marked the launch of her collecting
aims to revive and preserve the art form. journey: at a preview of India Art Fair in
She recalls purchasing her first artwork 2017, she came upon an exhibition
when she was in class 12, a work by Jitish hosted by Gallery Espace. “There was this
Kallat, which still hangs in her Udaipur wall of about 25 of Zarina Hashmi’s works,”
home. But she only began collecting in ear- she says, “I had no idea who she was at >
the time, but I was so drawn to it—it was an Ramayana miniatures—a perfect balance
unbelievable connection. And I said, ‘I have of Singhal’s versatile aesthetic. This small
to have this wall.’” While Singhal couldn’t spark of tradition offers a glimpse of the
afford the entire wall, she did come away floor above, which functions as a by-
with 12 artworks. “I didn’t start out think- appointment gallery to view Singhal’s
ing, ‘This is an artist I must have in my Pichvais. Here, a teakwood dining table
collection,’’’ she says. “It is a spiritual from Casegoods offers spare seating, the
exercise—you become silent, and you really arrangement of which encourages
see how you respond to that artwork, and movement, exploration and conversation.
then the curiosity of the mind begins.” The third floor, designed for Singhal’s
children’s godfather, sees a lot of minimal-
STOREYED HOME ist, contemporary furniture and sculpture.
Singhal’s four-and-a-half floor Delhi The highlight of this floor is a wall installa-
apartment is a metaphorical map of her tion by Danish artist Alke Reeh, crafted in
art-collecting journey. “The original archi- the style of a fabric skirt but made of rigid
tecture of the apartment was very neutral,” plaster. On the other side, a sculptural side
she says, “It had beige khareda sandstone, table in wood and steel by Belgian designer
and the walls were off-white—for me that Arno Declercq complements a brown
was perfect.” Over time, each floor took on leather Baxter chair. Much of the furniture
an identity of its own. The first floor, where was acquired on holiday, in a process simi-
Singhal entertains guests, is muted: dark lar to that with which Singhal purchases holiday in Bangkok. “My home will always
Italian furniture, contemporary sculptures, art. “Everywhere I travel, I come back with be a collection of my travels, and all the
sketches in ink on paper. In the dining something,” she says. A wall of her terrace beautiful things that connected with me.”
room, clean-lined furniture from Baxter is is adorned with African masks, she found The fourth floor is where Singhal’s
strikingly complemented by a brass wall centre tables from Baxter’s Bidu collection sensibilities truly shine, holding the most
sculpture by Astha Butail. Offsetting the while she was in Italy, and purchased treasured pieces of her collection. An
arrangement on the far side is a series of Alexander Lamont’s candle stands on antique Chinese cabinet, gifted to Singhal

FOCUS
THE LIFE ECLECTIC

Clockwise, from left: Sunil
Padwal’s installation takes centre
stage in the living room that
features DeMuro Das and Carl
Hansen & Søn furniture and a rug
from Jaipur Rugs; in the dining
area, a Brokis chandelier hangs
over a table by Arno Declercq and
Molteni chairs; an Eames chair
is placed near a work by Abir
Karmakar; bespoke wood and
cane furniture overlooks a work
by Rathin Barman. Opposite page:
In the guest room, a Prabhakar
Pachpute work is offset by a
Flos lamp and a Baxter chair;
in the bedroom, the carpet is
from Mohebban Milano and the
chandelier is from Artemide;
in the gallery, teak furniture
from Casegoods offers a neutral
backdrop to showcase art
The children are also especially fond of a

wood cut-out by Prabhakar Pachpute,
which depicts an old woman hunched over.
“My grandmother, who is 93, bends and
walks, so my daughter started saying, ‘This
is Amma Nani,’” says Singhal. “Both my
children will go and touch this lady’s feet
because, to them, she is a reflection of their
great-grandmother.”
TRUE VALUE
During the lockdown, Singhal’s extensive
art collection offered her a glimmer of
positivity. Staying at home also allowed her
to tend to the areas of her house she hadn’t
had time to properly decorate before. “I
think this is true for all people who have
art,” she says. “But even for those who never
focused on art, being forced to stay at home
has made them want to beautify their spac-
es and their lives.”
Singhal’s atelier has thrived with patron-
by her brother, stands alongside a desk and age during the pandemic—a consequence,
chair from Baxter and is accented with art- she believes, of people finally seeing the
work by Avinash Veeraraghavan. Pride of value of art in trying times and recognising
place is held by a site-specific installation its power in redefining the nature of their
by Sunil Padwal, titled The Found And The homes. “For me, having a home was always
Lost. The work comprises a series of draw- about having a silent space which could
ings and old-world objects—a typewriter, house my art,” she says. As a relatively
an ink bottle, old machinery parts—and young collector, she is still on a path of ex-
happens to be a big hit with Singhal’s two ploration and anticipates that her home
young toddlers, whom she encourages to will evolve over the years to reflect her jour-
interact with art. In their nursery, ney. “My main focus is to be able to walk
photographs from Shilpa Gupta’s I Want to into a space every day and look at those
Live With No Fear series hang at eye level. pieces, and just enjoy them.” >

can. “Go to galleries, read up on the artists,
start attending talks and walk-throughs,”
says Singhal. “All of this will help you
understand the depth of the artwork you’re
looking to invest in.”
3 Buy the art, not the signature:

Purchase the art that appeals to you,
irrespective of whether the artist is
well-known or not. “Sometimes when
artists make a name for themselves,
everybody wants to buy them,” says
Singhal. “While it may be good art, it may
not be the kind of art that relates to you.”
4 Look beyond the investment:

Singhal also warns against playing the
art market. “The biggest disservice people
do to art is to look at it as an investment,”
she says. “It could be a good investment,
but if you only see it as such, you have
defeated the purpose of art.”
5 Expand your horizons: Art collectors

shouldn’t restrict themselves to a
particular genre or movement, but rather
indulge all their varied interests. “Don’t
think about whether your collection is
traditional or contemporary,” she says.
“Look at the aesthetic that appeals to you.”
6 Let your artworks interact: Bringing

a diverse art collection together can be
immensely fun. “You can make artworks
speak to each other by how you present
them,” says Singhal. Pair works based on
similar forms or colours rather than
COVET TO COLLECT genres, or simply present them in the same
type of frame.
Pooja Singhal’s guide to
7
discovering new art, building Art loves interior design: You must
a collection and bringing it also pair your art with complementary
home for new collectors. By furniture. In Singhal’s home, a room with
Avantika Shankar black furniture and white upholstery is the
perfect backdrop for ink sketches, while
her Pichvai gallery comprises a lot of
home-grown teak wood. “It is about what
1 Take your time: Like any relationship,

finding an artwork you’re ready to
commit to can take time. “You don’t have
works aesthetically, not whether it’s tradi-
tional, folk or modern,” she says.
PICK ME UP
to make a purchase at the first show you
visit,” Singhal insists. “It’s really important
to spend time exploring the world of art to
8 Have confidence in yourself: Finally,
the process of art collecting is deeply
personal, and it should be treated as such.
For Singhal, collecting art is a personal
journey. Top: Her Pichvai gallery with a discover something you truly love.” “There is no right piece of art,” says
GETTY IMAGES
Manjunath Kamath sculpture. Above: Her Singhal. “It is about what speaks to you at
2
study with a wall sculpture by Alke Reeh
Education is key: As a new collector, a particular time. Acknowledge what you
make an effort to learn everything you like and have confidence in that.”

GUIDE
for longer. Humidity can encourage the art storage facility ArtVault, is among a
PROTECT AND growth of fungus, so it is important to place growing number of entrepreneurs that ser-
artwork away from walls that tend to get vice India’s burgeoning art community. He
PRESERVE damp. Exposure to direct sunlight tends to also advises clients on building dedicated
bleach paintings, so if you happen to place storage spaces at home. “In India, people
Along with buying and one by a window, make sure to use UV- aren’t looking at light, temperature and hu-
collecting, a good art home proof glass on the frame. “Paintings in the midity together. They’re just putting things
needs maintenance. Art prayer room can collect soot deposits, so in their basement, which could be the
restorers, conservators and don’t keep these works too close to a fire or wrong humidity, or in a temperature-con-
consultants share their insights incense source,” advises art conservator trolled room that has a lot of light. We
and restorer Vedika Kochhar of Partum come in and make sure to keep all three
on how to care for your
Restauro. “For people who follow Vastu consistent.”
artwork. By Avantika Shankar
and place bowls of saltwater in each room, Danani also recommends that people
don’t keep it near a sculpture, especially ask the gallery or consultant they’re buying
bronze ones.” Kochhar also recommends from for advice on how to maintain the
getting an expert to check on the work piece. A general rule of thumb is to never
M
before and after each monsoon. roll paintings and to never wrap works in
Digvijay Sinh Kathiwada, the founder of newspaper. Still, even if your artwork does
aintaining an art Circle1434 and Kathiwada Arts, insists suffer some damage over time, all is not
collection is a project that that the best way to maintain a collection is lost—an experienced restorer might be
continues long after the to enjoy it. “When you have the art at home, able to help you salvage it in time.
work is on your wall. All you can keep an eye on it,” he says. “Make “We have some superb restorers in the
artworks are naturally susceptible to sure it’s in plain sight, so you’re country, and I’d say they’re doing God’s
deterioration, but where and how you immediately aware of any damage.” Jai work,” says Danani. “They’re here to
position your artwork can help preserve it Danani, the founder of Mumbai-based fine protect our culture and heritage.” ■

TECH
1For starters,
Samsung’s newest
Neo QLED TV is a
serious upgrade
in the smart TV
universe, making
colours brighter and
contrasts more vivid.
Increased motion
clarity and frame
rates also make for
a more immersive
gaming experience
Let me entertain you

With the right buys, you can create a home theatre, a gaming
den, and a cellar—all in your living room. By Avantika Shankar
T
he heart of the home, for a while now, has been the TV unit. In the wise
words of Joey Tribbiani, if you don’t have one, “What’s all your furniture
pointed at?” The past decade has proven that a TV isn’t just a TV anymore.
With tech leaping forward, it has been upgraded into the hub for home en-
tertainment, mutating into an all-in-one cinema hall, gaming centre and sound station.
It’s where family and friends come to listen, watch, play and bond. So how do you create
the perfect home entertainment room? Here’s all the tech you need to get started.
3
Apart from its slick
1. Neo QLED TV, Samsung, exterior, the Apple
99,990 onwards
2. Series X, Xbox, TV 4K is also one of
49,990; Playstation PS5, the fastest streaming
Sony, 49,990 3. Apple boxes around. So
TV 4K, Apple, 18,900
onwards 4. Recliner, Little plug, play and binge The advantage of a high-tech
Nap, 20,000 onwards home theatre is more game
5. Lifestyle 650 5-speaker,
Bose, 3,58,400
nights. The new Xbox Series X
6. TK800M projector, and PS5 both offer faster-than-
BenQ, 1,69,999 ever frame rates, seamless
7. ‘Beoplay’ headphones, gameplay and stunning visuals.
Bang & Olufsen, 30,000
onwards 8. Popcorn These devices allow you to play
machine, iLife, 24,999 games from the back catalogue
9. Wine cabinet, Liebherr, and even upgrade existing disk
price on request
games to digital

4
5
No home entertainment
Round out your home
experience is complete
theatre experience with
without surround sound,
a plush recliner chair
and that’s where Bose’s
from Little Nap. The
entertainment systems
recliner, which comes
take the lead. The
in a range of styles and
Lifestyle 650 5-speaker
finishes, can be paired
system brings quality
to your phone via
acoustics that pair
Bluetooth and is fitted
perfectly with your TV.
with cup holders and
Plus, its sleek design will
trays for snacks, just
suit any space
like at the movies
A godsend for those who miss

the theatre experience, BenQ
TK800M creates ultra-sharp
4K projection and is designed
6
for big-screen projection,
which means you can turn any
room into a cinema or stadium
7 Noise-cancelling wireless
headphones are a lockdown
must-have since working from
home and sharing recreational
spaces comes with the price
of constant disruption. Bang
& Olufsen’s Beoplay collection
offers a range of specialised
headphones with adaptive
noise-cancelling technology,
longer battery life and built-in
microphones for gaming
8
To fully recreate the home
entertainment experience,
bring home a vintage-style
electric popcorn maker
from iLife. Its quick one-
button operation delivers
a tub-full of fresh, movie-
style popcorn in minutes,
9
For those party nights or sit-down dinners at home,
these specialised wine coolers by Liebherr are a dream.
The cooler is segmented to allow you to chill different
types of wine to different temperatures, ensuring that
without any artificial each bottle is given the specific care it needs ■
flavours or preservatives

HOW TO
Live in technicolour
If months of staring at the same walls didn’t weaken
minimalism’s appeal, one look at designer Ellen Van
Dusen’s gloriously over-the-top Brooklyn house did.
“Not everyone has the same relationship with colour,
but little objects can really shift the mood of a
room,” Van Dusen says. “It’s an easy way to change
things up.” Here’s how she combines patterns,
colours and tchotchkes. By Aliza Abarbanel
Van Dusen used broken tiles—

which are plentiful online and
affordable, and they don’t require
cutting—to cover damaged tiling
with a free-form mosaic
This mismatched roster

of patterns was designed
by Van Dusen to contrast,
not clash. Set of four
napkins, available at
Dusendusen.com
LAURA MURRAY

Take every opportunity to cultivate
colour. This trippy resin clock by
Italian architect and designer
Gaetano Pesce is not just fun but
also functional. Watch Me Clock, White walls and neutral
available at Comingsoonnewyork.com appliances keep small,
colourful objects from being
overshadowed
Walls aren’t just for

prints and paintings. Van
Dusen used a dowel rod
to hang this scarf from
Massif Central, designed
by painter Jonas Wood
Playful planters,
like this geometric
one from
Recreation Center,
draw the eye while
drainage holes
keep their green
occupants happy
The kitchen island doubles as a

display case for favourite items, like
this cheeky toothpick dog by ceramist
Eleonor Boström. Matchstick Dog is
available at Mociun.com www.vogue.in CASA VOGUE INDIA 2021 107
ANTIQUES
In with the old

Love at first sight with a 19th-
century Dutch-Sri Lankan
armoire started a long-term
commitment with vintage
pieces for antiquarian Gaurav
Bhatia. He shares his journey
and tips on how to find a classic
that stands the test of time

PERIOD DRAMA
From left: At Bhatia’s home, the Burma teak sideboard from
Studio Malabar is flanked by chairs from Kavita Singh and
lamps from a flea market; the photograph is Nandini Valli
Muthiah’s Disillusioned II. In the dining area, the mid-century
table from Phillips Antiques is next to a limited-edition gold
‘Panton’ chair, placed on a Turkish kilim purchased in Istanbul
HOW TO BUY
An expert’s guide to building a
collection that grows with you
• Buy from a recognised and

tested source: Antiques should be
stamped by an expert. Scour serious
antique markets and flea markets,
but buy from a reputable gallery or
dealer. Provenance and the gallery’s
reputation are important. There
are enough and more wonderful
reproductions today, so don’t be
fooled by them
I
• Track auctions: Auction houses are
safe places to buy antiques as they
t was with the doyen of period furniture, the late Mahendra Doshi, that I began my are vetted and published. Institutions
journey with antiquing. I had just moved back to Mumbai after a decade in New such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s,
York, almost 30 and newly minted into my first job in the luxury industry. I was a Pundole’s, Saffronart and AstaGuru
second-generation antique hunter, my parents being firm patrons and friends of come up with great sales every year
Doshi, whose advice was simple and wise: “Collect what thrills you. There are no rules. • Be patient: Collect what appeals
Invest in periods old and new. It’s a wonderful mix.” His words have stood me in great to you. Take time and train your
eyes before you make your selection.
stead, from the first piece I bought—a 19th-century Dutch-Sri Lankan satinwood and Sometimes buying one good piece a
ebony armoire—to today, when I am never scared to see if anything ‘fits’ my home. If I like year is better than buying several at
it, it will fit. Just like that gorgeous armoire did in my one-bedroom flat over a decade ago. one go. Patience is key. Rome wasn’t
As I sit on my Pierre Jeanneret Chandigarh chair, also carefully restored by Doshi, and built in a day
look around my house, I think the grand old man of period furniture would give me a • Buy what appeals to you: Don’t
silent nod. Our living room today houses British and Dutch colonial furniture collected be afraid to mix and match. Antique
Indian miniatures pair beautifully
from master dealers and icons of the trade, such as Doshi, Laura Hamilton and Farooq
with contemporary furniture and
Issa (owner of Phillips Antiques). Hallmarked silver flirts with ancient Asian ceramics as period furniture works brilliantly with
vintage textiles from Benares mix with South Asian contemporary art. An early-19th-
SAHIL BEHAL; RICARDO LABOUGLE
Indian contemporary art

century brass-inlaid rosewood cabinet is flanked by ultra-contemporary works by • Do your research: The internet is
Bangladeshi artist Ayesha Sultana. A pair of irreverent celadon garden seats handsomely exploding with information and is a
perch themselves on a century-old crimson Persian carpet inherited from my grandpar- great indicator for pricing. To avoid
ents. Casual kilims play with South Indian temple antiquities as other old ephemera and getting duped, do your due diligence.
Know your stuff, as though you were
objets d’art pepper themselves carelessly across the room. It’s a space that still manages to
buying a piece of jewellery
send me into a magical time warp. >

BLACKBOOK
From left: A 19th-

century brass-inlaid
rosewood cabinet
from Bhatkal in
Karnataka, restored by
Mahendra Doshi; the
wooden bust is a find
from Jew Town, Kochi.
In the drawing room,
abstract art by Arun
KS is surrounded by
plates from Fornasetti;
the satinwood side
table is from the
estate of Laura
Hamilton, the founder
of Studio Malabar;
the mahogany chair
is a Hepplewhite
reproduction from
the 1940s, restored
by Mahendra Doshi,
upholstered by Thierry
Journo of IDLI, Jaipur;
the 1960s rosewood
coffee table is also
from Mahendra Doshi,
while the carpet is a
PAST PRESENT family heirloom
Scour these stores and markets
for the best antique picks
• Mahendra Doshi, Mumbai TELLING A STORY

• Phillips Antiques, Mumbai India is an explosion of art and design that straddles its past and present unabashedly,
• The Carpet Cellar, Gurugram its rich diversity creating a complex language. The queen of juxtapositions, the legend-
• Natesan’s Antiqarts, Mumbai ary Laura Hamilton, in her erstwhile magical cavern-like boutique Malabar, always
• Balaji’s Antiques and Collectibles,
encouraged me to realise how art and design from across regions must be revered. I
Bengaluru
• Crafters Antique Shop, Kochi would often bump into her at Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar, where we would share a laugh as
• Moorthy’s, Mumbai we both grabbed the same blue and white Phoenix Jar. I gladly let her have it. A gesture
• Russell Exchange, Kolkata Hamilton never forgot. In turn, she offered me her vintage collection of The World of
• Ranji, Goa Interiors and American Architectural Digest. I never managed to bag the books, but
• Savio Jon, Goa what I took back from Hamilton was her spirit of sprezzatura—not everything needs to
• Jogeshwari furniture market, be perfect, important or expensive; once we have bought something, it lives with every-
Mumbai
thing else, in perfect harmony.
• Mutton Street, Mumbai
• Jew Town, Kochi Choosing art and antiquities is much like choosing a life partner; it is about an instant
• Nakhas Market, Lucknow connection, chemistry, what appeals to you. Then you look at character and depth: how
• Amar Colony, Delhi relevant is it, what conversation is it making, and can you grow old with it?
Antiques can be the finest storytellers, and fashion designer Sandeep Khosla agrees:
“To both Abu [Jani] and me, antiquing is the best way to discover a country and a culture.
When we hit a new city, the first destination is the antique market, as opposed to fancy
RICARDO LABOUGLE, RUSHIKA RADHAKRISHNA TYABJI
stores.” Maximalist collectors, their obsession for water and champagne glasses is well-
TIME TRAVEL known in the country’s party circuit. “We often buy with clients in mind, then end up
5 best antique markets around keeping it for ourselves!” says Khosla, with a laugh.
the world Issa, from the legendary century-old store Phillips Antiques, firmly concludes, “Art and
antiques have a calming, restorative quality which is hard to match. The
• Saint-Ouen, Paris pleasure they provide is difficult to quantify in purely financial terms. Most true collectors
• Portobello Market, London don’t worry about appreciation. They would hate to be parted from their art.”
• Grand Bazaar, Istanbul After all, antiques are totems of culture and heritage—once in happy homes, perhaps a
• Levinsky Market, Tel Aviv
palace, or just an aesthete’s moment of joy. Always, these ephemeral moments are meant
• Antique District, New York
to be relished as mementos of the past. ■

TABLE-SETTING
Above: A
table setting
Set it right
at Kelkar’s
eponymous
Goa store,
Ranji. Left:
Ranji Kelkar
This festive season, dress the dinner table with artistic flourishes
instead of forensic precision, suggests designer Ranji Kelkar
FOOD FOR THOUGHT depth and warmth. You can also consider their meal or a small gift like a handmade
“The cuisine should dictate the setting. a playful block-printed tablecloth at the soap, your favourite incense or a napkin.”
If you’re going to serve Indian fare, don’t bottom and layer it with a sheer Chanderi
go completely Victorian with the theme fabric to diffuse it. Let the same printed TAKE IT EASY
but don’t shy away from mixing and fabric serve as table napkins too. “Set a slightly undone vignette to
matching various elements for an inviting encourage your guests to relax. People
tablescape. Here, I used heirloom bird GARDEN FRESH come to your house to enjoy themselves,
plates crafted in Sri Lanka and spruced it “Instead of flowers, I prefer shrubbery, so don’t worry about that tablecloth
up with fine English china, like the classic leaves, and planters—it can help guests getting stained or a piece of crockery
Blue Onion patterns from Wedgwood.” feel cosier, more comfortable and most breaking. Don’t hold on to things, they are
importantly, at home.” meant to be used and loved. In fact, I urge
STACK IT UP you to not relegate your finest china to the
“For an artistic arrangement, add different TABLE MANNERS cabinet. Use it regularly and not just while
textures. A tablecloth or runner is your “A personal touch can go a long way. It entertaining guests.”
greatest ally to bring personality to a could be just a small ‘Thank you’ note
table. I used an old kantha quilt here for placed on the plate as your guests await –As told to Nupur Sarvaiya

Get your home
party-ready
Ready to bring home the guests
again? Sonal Ved shows you how to
be the mistress of ceremonies
W
hether you are planning
a Sunday brunch or an
elegant sundowner, the
rules of entertaining at
home have changed tremendously over
the last two years. With our guest lists
ruthlessly edited to accommodate the few
and fine, an intimate set-up has replaced
the lavish Gatsbian feast of yore. Add the
reality of planning in a pandemic and it
introduces a new layer to your organisa-
tion game. Here’s our edit of the new party
essentials, from useful gadgets and cool
apps to tips from the experts.
TABLE SECRETS
Cool tools, books and more to
upgrade your kitchen service
5
ON TAP
Apps to use for flawless
party planning
Big Night: My Party Planner

For assistance lite: The perfect 4
on menu app if you’re
planning, co-hosting with
shopping lists friends, it allows 1. Gelato cup and
and cooking you to assign tasks, 2 spoon (set of 4),
reminders so you delegate, send Nicobar, 5,750
don’t miss out on reminders and 2. ‘Morya’ setting,
Ware Innovations,
details, BigNight organise shopping 1,700 3. Matte
helps you be the lists as well as silver spoons (set of
host who has it save recipe URLs 4), Rosebuck,
2,650 4. ‘VeSync
all figured out. for future use. Pro II’ smart air
(iPhone only) (Android only) fryer, Cosori, 9,331
5. Let’s Do Dinner
cookbook, Antoni
3 Porowski, 1,790

ENTERTAINING
CALL IN THE PROS

Two party experts share their cardinal
rules for a cosy get-together at home
DECOR
Neha Jhunjhunwala, textile designer, entrepreneur and
decor blogger (@design.on.the.go)
Cottagecore is one of the biggest decor trends of 2021.

It brings the beauty of the English countryside indoors by
creating a farm-like environment. Incorporate this on your
dining table. Brands like Daisy Life and Brio Art House use
natural materials and work well to create this mood.
‘Vocal for local’ is still my mantra while picking decor items.

Opt for crafts-focused plates, vases and glassware that are
made using natural and eco-friendly materials.
It’s been a year of the plant person, so bring the greens

onto your table. Go for jade, string of pearls, cactus, FOOD
succulents or baby rubber plants to elevate the setting. Bani Nanda, chef-founder, Miam patisserie (@chefbani)
There’s a growing range of placemats made from upcycled Be mindful about the quality of produce. While choosing
and natural materials like terracotta, jute, glass or organic cheese or honey for your grazing board, keep it small-batch and
cotton. Opt for these over plastic mats. artisanal, and serve it with organic grapes and nuts.
Make the kitchen counter a trailer for guests to see what’s The home-made bread trend is nowhere near over. Make your
to come on the dining table. Decorate it with plants, use it own sourdough, focaccia or even simple dinner rolls from scratch.
for a charcuterie board, or serve drinks here.
Keep the gatherings small (invite four-to-six people at a time) and
opt for a balcony or verandah setting if you don’t have a garden.
Barbecue complements the outdoor theme and keeps guests

engaged with fresh mains loaded with seafood and grilled
vegetables. For dessert, do cold pies, tiramisu and trifle.
Don’t tire out the guests or yourself. Let friends bring a dish or two,
and rustle up what you can. Be minimal, and maximise on joy. ■
UNDER THEIR INFLUENCE

@twelvetomatoes: An Instagram
feed of unique floral decor ideas, it
also showcases edgy arrangements
with foliage and grass
@camillestyles: Styles knows how to

fix food for a good party. Get inspired
TARUN VISHWA
by her ideas around pretty grazing

boards and outdoor table settings

A stitch in time
From traditional Indian crafts that
highlight India’s rich textile history to
contemporary and eco-friendly designs,
Sheree Gomes Gupta bookmarks
seven crafts-focused collections for
your next self-assigned decor overhaul
Ritu Kumar
Home’s Lavana
collection
is an ode to
the colourful
blockprinting
craft of Ajrakh
SPOTLIGHT
< LAVANA by RITU KUMAR HOME

Made using pure cotton and silk, the Lavana collection draws inspiration from Ajrakh,
the age-old hand-block painting technique practised in Ajrakhpur, a village in Kutch,
Gujarat. “Hand-block printing is a craft that is deeply rooted in India’s design sensibility,
with different pockets of the country adapting the craft to suit their aesthetic. Ajrakh
holds a rich cultural cachet in India, tracing its origins to the Indus Valley, which has a
powerful Sindhi legacy,” says Amrish Kumar, managing and creative director at Ritu
Kumar, adding that the collection fits perfectly into a home that “seeks to bridge the gap
between the old and new, fusing age-old traditions with fresh approaches to create a look
that is completely unique”. The collection’s hero pieces are undoubt-
edly its cushions. Designed with dexterous detail in Mysore silks,
the history of the craft is essayed through hand-printed motifs,
T IP: ash
adding just the right pop of colour to any room. “The famous PR-O a s
w
h or to the t
mix-and-match prints, along with a dash of chintz, create the dw set ven
Han achine to pre
ideal harmony one needs in one’s home,” adds Kumar. m e he
in a te mod ge to t ils
ca a ta
deli ny dam its de
a n d
ic a
fabr
> ROYALE PLAY TAANA-BAANA by ASIAN PAINTS

Available in metallic and non-metallic variants, skimming through the eight
textures in the Taana Baana collection is like travelling through India and its
native crafts. Charpai is reminiscent of the coarse fabric found in the snugly
woven charpoys used across North India; Palm is
inspired by the chevron pattern of the palm leaves
dotting the coasts of Goa and Kerala; and Bandhej The Bandhej
pays homage to the ancient tie-dye technique of wall texture is
inspired by the
Rajasthan and Gujarat, with hollow spots stamped tie-dye technique
over crinkled, freshly dyed fabric. There’s also of Rajasthan and
Gujarat
Basket, which brings a bit of the north-east
countryside to homes, with strokes resembling bent
cane and woven bamboo; Madras Checks, which
mimics the lines and bumps of the distinct
southern weave by using a special roller to recreate
the effect; and Ikkat, fashioned after the labour-
intensive craft native to Andhra Pradesh, Telan-
gana and Odisha, with its prominent blurry effect of
resist-dyeing on silk and cotton recreated by trained
artisans using a special brush. For standout walls,
check out Pom Pom, which uses specially designed
inflatable tools stamped over wet paint to bring out
the embossed effect. Finally, there’s Tussar, which
looks fluid, monochromatic and grand, and lends
luminosity and depth to big walls. >
P
Roya RO TIP
be ap le Play sho :
subst plied on uld n
ot
conti rates tha surfaces
nuo ta or
To re us seepa re exposed
move ge or to
with st da
a mild ains, spon mpness.
wipe soap ge wa
c so lls
time lean. Ensu lution and
of at re a d
le ry
befor ast two w ing
e clea eeks
ning
Made from recycled
polyester, the Avani, Gaia
and Tierra lines of uphostery
and drapes are available in
denim and linen variations
< THE ECO

COLLECTION BY
CLARKE & CLARKE
Manufactured entirely from
recycled plastic bottles
(approximately 90 plastic
bottles are used to make one
metre of fabric), this
collection speaks to both the
trendy and environmentally
RO TIPd:ry- conscious consumer. A

P ble for ust classic herringbone, rustic
Suita . If you m at multicoloured design, and a
ing o so
clean e wash, d t spin soft distressed chenille
in or
mach with a sh umble- present an impressive trifecta of durable, practical designs. Washable, with a soft handle, the
t
30°C . Do not r fabrics from this collection look best on cushions, curtains and upholstery. “This collection
in g g o
sett ry, wrin poses an elegant answer to the question: ‘How can fashionable interiors be sustainable?’ With
d h
bleac designs ranging from chevron to fresh geometrics, these sustainable weaves instantly enhance
the interiors of any space. By using eco fabrics, you are contributing to a conscious way of living
and helping to save our planet,” says Arun Garg, founder of Maishaa, the first official bed linen
brand to be associated with New York Fashion Week, which houses Clarke & Clarke.
> SUNDARBANS COLLECTION by KANCHI

A fusion of the 18th-century French scenic pattern Toile de Jouy and the Golconda-
inspired chintz textile, each piece from this bespoke design house’s Sundarbans collection
has been created using natural linen and recycled polyester yarns blended with nylon.
“The final result is the sublime evocation of a naturescape: a dazzling display of hidden
tones and shades, depending on where the light hits,” says founder and creative director
Kunal Mehta. A part of Kanchi’s collector’s edition, Sundarbans is available across the
gamut of home furnishings, from wall coverings and upholstery to cushion covers and
lampshades. Highlighting the versatility of this fabric is its sartorial interpretation, a
clothing line which replicates the vocabulary of the decor material. We hear a collabora-
tion with a French winemaker to showcase the line in Europe is also in the offing.

SPOTLIGHT
Rattan artwork
(below) inspired
by wicker weaving
and the kantha
stitch are part of
The Pure Concept’s
handwoven pieces
< POWER OF HANDS

COLLECTION by THE
PURE CONCEPT
“The Power Of Hands
collection explores diverse
forms of handcrafted artistry
in India’s rich legacy of textile
traditions,” explains Chanya
Kaur, founder of the modern-
minimalist home decor store
The Pure Concept. The
collection is a mix of light-
weight, breathable handloom-
woven linens showcasing the
traditional Indian kantha
stitch as well as an inventive
hand-stitched criss-cross
pattern. In addition, there’s a
revivalist take on traditional wicker weaving with modern
Available in shades rattan art, for which the cane was sourced from artisans
from sage to silver,
the Sundarbans working in the bylanes of Mumbai. “If you think about it,
line spans wall what makes Indian design language truly unique is its
coverings and
upholstery ability to support versatility in the simplest of materials
and techniques. Building on that, our methods have always
been characteristically ingenious and one of
the most important intentions at the
heart of the brand has been sustainabil- PRO T
ity. Both linen and wicker-weaving Dry-w IP:
ip
dry-cle ing or
tick those boxes,” adds Kaur. > recom aning is
m
the co ended, as
llection
100-p
er-cen uses
embro t hand
idery
O TIP: erable
PR is pref ethod
ng m
leani aving e
Dry-c f the we e intricat cool
use o e th , use
beca to creat by hand ver scrub
used washing gent. Ne bric.
f deter fa
rns. I t the
patte nd a mild g or twis en when
ra rin ak nd
wate rously, w ould be t agging a
h
vigo a care s event sn long,
Extr ing to pr ife of the orm
er el f
laund extend th ads which
to re
ing th e design
float t h

CONTEMPORARY LINEN COLLECTION by SARITA HANDA
>
Reinvigorating pride in Indian art and textiles through her vibrant designs, Delhi-
based Sarita Handa has spent two decades bringing age-old craft techniques to
modern homes. The debut linen line from her eponymous brand celebrates various
crafts and techniques like appliqué and patchwork, as well as machine and crewel
RO TIPe:n on a
embroidery. Abstract patterns are interpreted in colour gradients and all embroideries P bed lin water
the arm of
are finished with desk stitches, patchworks in boxes and triangles, and appliqué work Wash cle with w amount er
ec y th e nev
in cubes and circles. The bedding plays with an assortment of monotones—grey with gentl . Use half ested and ding
C) g ed
ivory thread, ivory with charcoal thread, combinations of blue and white, combina- (60° nt as sug to your b void
ge on .A
tions of brown, and accents of mustard in patchworks. “At the heart of this collection deter t directly the fabric ers or
i v
is the revival of the trademark Indian needlework, but with cross-culturally inspired pour may stain ain remo ay
it , st m
modern accents as a means of embracing the evolving needs of present-day homes,”
as
g bleach ts as they
usin ng agen s
fibre
says Handa, the founder and creative director. blui mage the
da
Sarita Handa’s
geometric Grey
Amber collection
of cushions; Right:
The Rhombus
patchwork quilted
bedspread

SPOTLIGHT
> THE FABRIC

COLLECTION 2021
by D’DECOR
If you are looking to trans-
form your living space
without the hassle of actually
redoing it, the latest collec-
tion from D’Decor might just
be what you need. Designed
with practicality in mind, the
fabrics—available with a
fire-retardant finish—are
suitable for both contract as
well as domestic interiors.
“During the pandemic, we’ve
all spent most of our time
D’Decor’s new range
indoors. This has inspired of delicate sheers are
many of us to make changes available in neutral,
calming shades
in our decor to make our
living quarters more suitable
PRO
TIP:dry-
for the multiple purposes they
serve today,” says Ina Arora, tly
Stric an
product development head at D’Decor Exports, explaining the creative intention behind the collection. cle
You can choose between a collection of classic drapery consisting of delicate sheers—subtle metallic
highlights add contemporary style to these lightweight weaves—or the symphony sheers, which are
available in a palette of soft shades, watery tones and versatile neutrals. “The collection induces a
calming and restorative ambience with fascinating textures in a restful palette,” adds Arora.■

What lies
beneath
Flooring is the foundation
of a home’s aesthetic. From
statement marble to warm wood
and striking terrazzo, Renuka
Modi shares ways to bring colour
and personality under your feet
T
ruth be told, selecting what natural and rougher stone in a country
floor to lay is the starting point home as opposed to a highly polished
to redecorating a space. It’s a stone or marble for a city home,” she says.
huge decision, not only in Nanda is partial to beautiful stone floors
terms of cost and effort but also in design and keeps the use of laminates to less busy
commitment. Buyer’s remorse about a sofa spaces such as the bedroom. For those
or a bathroom fitting is easily fixed, but who love wooden floors, the designer rec-
you can’t change your flooring in a hurry. ommends natural wood which is specially
It requires careful thought and research to treated for the outdoor pool and engi-
suit the resident’s aesthetic and budget. neered wood for the bedrooms. In one
Veteran interior designer Ritu Nanda project, she even used beautiful teak floor-
believes that the flooring of a space needs boards which had been reconditioned.
to reflect the defined architecture and Rasesh Jain of Symphony Flooring
interior style of a home or office. “I’d use a credits the widespread appeal of wooden

EXPERTS
TRADE SECRETS
Rupesh Shinde’s guide to
durable and timeless flooring
ON THE SURFACE
• Pick flooring that suits the Clockwise, from above:
Marble is an elegant choice
purpose. Decide if it’s for the indoor, for flooring and statement
outdoor, wet or dry areas walls; TQG’s Biancanero
• Never compromise on the stone makes for a
thickness of a marble slab. Ideally, it dramatic kitchen island; In
this bedroom, Ritu Nanda
should be no less than 20mm uses engineered wood;
• Place a mat at your door to keep Opposite page: Opt for
the gravel from scratching your floor, patterned flooring for a
and cap furniture legs with padding striking indoor space
to avoid scratch marks on the floor
known for its unparalleled elegance, re- requires a special type of installation proce-
flooring today to its ease of installation and mains the most popular choice for flooring dure and nuances that our team of skilled
low maintenance. Real wood flooring, par- in India. Rupesh Shinde, founder and artisans at TQG is trained to do.”
ticularly from the US and Europe, is also chief curator at The Quarry Gallery (TQG),
sustainably sourced from FSC certified known for its exclusive selection of marble GET FLOORED
forests. Using engineered wood increases and stone, likes to remind clients to pick a For a bold and textural look, look no
the life span of the flooring, which if main- stone according to the space and the usage. further than terrazzo, which is witnessing a
tained properly, can last over 25 years. “For example, our food uses spices like tur- contemporary revival of sorts. The pat-
meric and certain oils, which can stain terned flooring tile made of cement, with
GROUND RULES natural floors. I recommend more durable chips of glass or stone, is natural and hand-
To make the floor the showstopping ele- and less porous stones like granite and made. It also works well in warm climates
ment of a room, opt for bold, patterned quartzite for the kitchen,” he says. like India, explains Firdaus Variava of
ceramics or rustic terracotta tiles that will Contrary to popular belief, Shinde says Bharat Floorings and Tiles. “The addition
have your guests looking down. Nanda of- that marble flooring isn’t high mainte- of stone or glass chips to the floor adds a
ten advises to buy local: “Natural stones nance. A little bit of mindfulness—from great deal of durability, reduces the
like Indian marble, Kota, granite and slate padding your furniture to routine clean- porosity, increases the shine, and also adds
are all wonderful options. There are also ing—can ensure the longevity of your mar- a lot of flexibility in terms of the look of the
plenty of limestones. For me, the finish of ble. At TQG, stones are treated to a special floor. One can play with different types and
the stone is just as important as the type of vacuum process, called QVAC, to make sizes of chips and background colours as
ISHITA SITWALA; SHIPRA SRIVASTAVA
stone,” she says, adding about variants that brittle stones like onyx more durable. TQG well as the distribution to make an endless
oscillate from high-gloss to matte. Hardy also uses BactoFinish treatment on certain variety of finishes,” adds Variava, who has
local stones like kadappa are perfect for stones to combat bacteria and mould. designed bespoke tiles using semi-precious
heavy usage areas such as the driveway, (“You can practically eat off them,” he says.) stones, mother of pearl and brass inlays.
while neutral colours on the floor make it Using clever planning and precise posi- So whether you pick marble, wood or
easier to build an aesthetic around. tioning, his team is particular about each patterned tiles, or a hybrid mix, choose
This is one of the reasons why marble, marble being properly installed. “Each type wisely because a floor is forever. n

hotlist
The season’s hottest design and decor picks
DELVE INTO
COMFORTING LUXURY
Vivacious, joyous, heartening, and excellent—Matteo Cibic
for Scarlet Splendour showcases his brilliance with the
new range of furniture—Gelato Collection, handcrafted
in Kolkata. Taking inspiration from the iconic Vanilla Noir
forms and patterns, the Gelato Collection captivates the
eye, and is thrilling to behold with its gorgeous blend of
deep, bright, and light hues. With their meticulous inlay
and work, these luxurious new pieces—be it cabinets, tables
or seats—move away from the mundane, and showcase
a world of extraordinary finesse and magnificence. The
Scarlet Splendor Gelato Collection brings you comforting
familiarity and joyful adventure through each creation,
turning any space stylish and chic.
For more information, visit Scarletsplendour.com,
email info@scarletsplendour.com or call +9198310 10243
LIVING THE LUXE LIFE

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from being more confined than ever before, it is that the physical structure is only one aspect of what makes a home.
And if Alibaug is your choice of destination for a second home, Palmore Luxury Developers—a residential property development firm with Alibaug
specific luxury villa development experience is your best bet. Palmore’s all-service offering consists of three verticals: Custom Builds, Ready Villas and
Land Acquisition. Having amassed over 40 years of architectural experience, founder Navzer Irani exclusively focuses on the development of private
residential villas while co-founder Karl Irani’s successes setting up a premium wellness establishment, urged him to turn his attention to Alibaug.
For more information, visit Palmore.in, call 8291739898 or follow @palmorevillas on Instagram

LUXURY LIKE NO OTHER
Created by and for connoisseurs with a ‘Born From Art’ design philosophy, luxury bath brand Artize offers beautifully crafted, award-winning
products that are sure to elevate your bathing experience. One such product that takes inspiration from the iconic Art Deco style of architecture is
the bold yet elegant, futuristic yet masculine—Tailwater by Artize. Echoing the sinuous form of a bird perched on the edge of a pool, the Tailwater
flaunts a minimalist aesthetic expressed by a beautifully engineered piece of industrial design that celebrates the abundance of nature. The result
of research into how architectural style can be artistically engineered to complement contemporary design, Tailwater is an iconic piece of bathroom
fitting that Illustrates technical know-how while deriving inspiration from nature.
For more information, visit Artize.com
WHEN DESIGN
MEETS LEGACY
Veneration and adoration ring true in many Indian households, and rooted
in tradition and history with a legacy of over 100 years, Obeetee waltzes
in like a match made in heaven. With over 25,000 artisans dedicated to
the art of weaving rugs and Obeetee’s commitment to making only the
best for the Indian household, the Aradhana collection, specially curated
for puja rooms, is all set to make a mark in the industry with its divine
collection. Comprising beautiful designs that leave you awestruck, the
floral and jharokha patterns are inspired from Indian spiritual elements in
gorgeous jewel tones, blending seamlessly Indian aesthetics and modern
designs. This breathtaking collection lends a unique touch of the divine,
adding soul to the corner of your temple room.
For more information, visit Obeetee.in

SHOPLIST
THE MERCHANDISE FEATURED EDITORIALLY HAS BEEN ORDERED AT
THE FOLLOWING STORES. SOME SHOPS MAY CARRY A SELECTION
ONLY. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY WERE CHECKED AT THE TIME OF
GOING TO PRESS. BUT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT PRICES WILL
NOT CHANGE OR THAT SPECIFIC ITEMS WILL BE IN STOCK WHEN
THE MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED. WE SUGGEST THAT BEFORE VISIT-
ING A SHOP YOU CALL TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE YOUR SIZE
DESIRE it) Simone: (www.simone.com) Soane: (www.soane.co.uk) Sources

Arpita B Design Studio: (www.arpitabdesignstudio.com) Artemide: Unlimited: (www.sourcesunlimited.co.in) Studio Covers: (https://
(www.artemide.com) Artisan Furnishings: (www.artisanindia.com) studiocovers.co) Suchi Reddy: (https://rmdny.com) Tessera India:
B&B Italia: (www.bebitalia.com) Baro Design: (www.baro.design) (www.tessera.com) The Decor Remedy: (https://thedecorremedy.com)
Barovier & Toso: (www.barovier.com) Bentley Home: (https://shop. The Rug Company: (www.therugcompany.com) Timothy Oulton: (www.
bentleymotors.com) Beyond Designs Home: (beyonddesigns.in) Boca timothyoulton.com) Versace: (www.versace.com) Visionnaire: (www.
do Lobo: (www.bocadolobo.com) BoConcept: (www.boconcept.com) visionnaire-home.com) West Elm: (www.westelm.com)
Bouchra Boudoua: (bouchraboudoua.com) Cassina: (www.cassina.com)
cc-tapis: (www.cc-tapis.com) Cane Boutique: (www.caneboutique.com) INDESIGN
Ceccotti Collezioni: (www.ceccotticollezioni.it) Chelini: (https://chelini. 976 Panagad: (https://976panangad.com) Casa Paradox: (www.
it) Dandelion Dreams: (www.dandeliondreams.co) Dior Maison: (www. casaparadox.com) Coco Shamabhala Sindhudurg: (www.
dior.com) Dolce & Gabbana Casa: (www.dolcegabbana.com) Ethimo: cocoshambhala.com) Glass House 91: (www.lohono.com) Gucci:
(www.ethimo.com) ETRO Home Interiors: (www.etro.com) Flexform: (www.gucci.com) Mangrove Collective: (https://mangrovecollective.
(www.flexform.it) Good Earth: (www.goodearth.in) Harshita Jhamtani in) Mary Budden Estate: (https://marybuddenestate.com) Shivan &
Designs: (www.harshitajhamtani.com) Haviland: (www.haviland.fr) Narresh: (www.shivanandnarresh.com) The First House Goa: (https://
Hay: (https://us.hay.com) Hermès: (www.hermes.com) Iqrup + Ritz: thefirsthousegoa.com) The Mansion Kasauli: (www.vistarooms.com)
(www.iqrupandritz.com) Jaipur Rugs: (www.jaipurrugs.com) JJ Martin: Villa Habu Udaipur: (https://villa-habu.business.site)
(www.ladoublej.com) JJ Valaya: (https://valaya.com) Johanna Ortiz:
(www.johannaortiz.com) Kartell: (www.kartell.com) Klove Studio: BLACKBOOK
(https://klovestudio.com) Kvadrat: (www.kvadrat.dk) Living Divani: Asian Paints: (www.asianpaints.com) Apple: (www.apple.com)
(https://livingdivani.it) Louis Vuitton: (www.louisvuitton.com) Moroso: Bang & Olufsen: (www.bang-olufsen.com) BenQ: (www.benq.com)
(https://moroso.it) Magis: (www.magisdesign.com) Mallika’s Edit: Bose: (www.bose.com) Clarke & Clarke: (https://clarke-clarke.
(https://seetukohlihome.com/collections/mallikas-edit) Nendo: (https:// sandersondesigngroup.com) Claymen: (https://claymen.in) Coming
studionendo.com) Molteni&C: (www.molteni.it) Minotti: (https://www. Soon New York: (https://comingsoonnewyork.com) Cosori: (https://
minotti.com) Natuzzi Italia: (www.natuzzi.com.au) Obeetee: (https:// cosori.com) D’Decor: (www.ddecor.com) iLife: (https://ilifecare.
obeetee.com) Ottimo: (https://ottimoceramics.com) Pedrali: (www. in) Kanchi Designs: (https://kanchidesigns.com) Liebherr: (www.
pedrali.com) Poltrona Frau: (www.poltronafrau.com) Preciosa: (www. liebherr.com) Little Nap: (www.littlenap.in) Massif Central: (https://
preciosa.com) Ralph Piucci: (https://ralphpucci.com) Ritu Kumar massifcentral.us) Mociun: (https://mociun.com) Nicobar: (www.nicobar.
Home: (www.ritukumar.com) Rosanna Orlandi: (www.rossanaorlandi. com) No 3 Clive Road: (https://threecliveroad.com) Recreation Center:
com) Roberto Cavalli Home: (www.robertocavalli.com) Sarita Handa: (www.recreationcentershop.com) Rosebuck: (https://rosebuck.in)
(https://saritahanda.com) Salvatori: (www.salvatoriofficial.com) Scarlet Samsung: (www.samsung.com) Swarovski: (www.swarovski.com) The
Splendour: (www.scarletsplendour.com) Shantanu & Nikhil: (www. Pure Concept: (www.thepureconcept.co.in) Ware Innovations: (www.
shantanunikhil.com) Sicis: (www.sicis.com) Seletti: (www.seletti. wareinnovations.com) Xbox: (www.xbox.com)

SAHIL BEHAL

PS
The Party by Lotus Tea Lights by Klove Studio

Claymen A change from the boring old candle stand
These covetable small or photo frame, these hand-blown glass tea-
handmade clay sculptures lights are delightfully elegant.
add some much-needed From 9,440 to 11,800
cheer and whimsy to any
space. 10,500
Crystalline Toasting
Flutes (set of 2)
by Swarovski
You can never go wrong
with a classic set of flutes to
Convoy Rug by mark an occasion. 24,900
Nappa Dori
Made from recycled
PET bottles, this
minimalist rug is the
perfect addition for
maximum impact.
15,000 onwards
Frankincense Ancient
Put a bow on it
Incense Gift Set by Update your housewarming gift registry to
Good Earth include these keepsakes that help transform a
For a more mindful experience,
this incense gift set contains a house into a home. By Saaya Vaidya
whole ceremony in a box with the
Dewa Dhuna fumer, frankincense
resin, charcoal pellets and a Lanterne by Louis
paraffin wax candle. 4,500 Vuitton
The luxury house’s design
collaboration with Zanellato/
Bortotto celebrates
artisanal craftsmanship
with a meticulously woven
honeycomb-shaped lantern.
Price on request
Journey Box by No. 3 Clive Road

Nothing like a warm cuppa to cosy up with,
GG bee and star-jacquard especially if it’s with the best hand-blended tea
stool by Gucci traditions of India that include everything from
The made-to-order designer footstool a First Flush Darjeeling Black Tea to the Madurai
is an easy investment piece with a Masala Blend. 3,000
classic monogrammed design that
can work in any home. 2,62,021

Email : retail@obeetee.com | Phone 01168140222

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DEC

Natural Diamond Council

Photographed by Cruz Valdez Mumbai, finds Kirstie Clements.

www.vogue.in VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 11

38 Contributors on your vacay style STYLE 90 Age of access accoutrements take

exclusive peek. Styled

16 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

22 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER - SALES Jabir Merchant

BEAUTY EDITOR Sneha Mankani MARKETING DIRECTOR Madhura Phadnis

HEAD - WORKPLACE SERVICES Boniface D’souza

HEAD - EVENTS Fritz Fernandes

ASSOCIATE PROMOTIONS EDITOR Sneha Mahadevan

MANAGER - CIRCULATION OPERATIONS Jeeson Kollannur

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Sunil Nayak CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Amrit Bardhan

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - COMMERCIAL PLANNING Alisha Goriawala

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS DIRECTOR - HUMAN RESOURCES Coralie Ansari

DIRECTOR - VIDEO Anita Horam

26 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

to get the digital edition

Chairman Of The Board

Published Under Joint Venture

Published Under License Or Copyright Cooperation

Condé Nast is a global media company producing premium content

38 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

A DIAMOND LARIAT NECKLACE

NATURAL DIAMOND STUDS

www.vogue.in VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 47

Lorenzo Serafini, 52,471

48 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

Corset, Polite Society.

and mixed materials

50 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

ITSY-BITSY MINI SKIRTS

www.vogue.in VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 53

7 1. Tote bag, Burberry, 3,90,000 2. Satin top, Nanushka, 44,250

54 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

SUITING FOR THE NIGHT

ABRAHAM & THAKORE

1. Knit, Khaite, 1,53,000 2. Satchel bag, Balenciaga,

1. Organza jacket, Sacai, 3,99,000 2 .Bracelet, Fendi, 43,600

56 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

Hair and make up: Kiran

When it comes to exquisite jewellery, bringing the imperial magnificence of age-old

AMRAPALI MANUFACTURING UNIT

YOUR ONE-STOP SOLUTION FOR ALL THINGS WEDDING

GIFTS & HOTELS &

4. Moon and gold tassel earrings,

Talisman, 2,299 5. ‘5 Elements’

Ookioh, 7,400 7. Blush flats, Cai,

64 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

Alison Dumbell, Tanaz Doshi,

An evening filled with glamour, fashion, style

Ralph & Sonia Hays

Malini Agarwal Models

66 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

72 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

*Terms & Conditions apply

Charmed, I’m sure

1. Charm bracelet, Pacharee

74 VOGUE INDIA DECEMBER 2021 www.vogue.in

Turn to the dark side with these noir

1. ‘L’Heure du Diamant’ watch, Chopard

Constant 6. ‘Santos Dumont’ watch,