Sure, they call it the City of Light. But Paris is also the City of Fashion, one of the most influential fashion capitals of the world for decades, no, centuries (remember Louis XIV?) So it’s no surprise that fashion designers across the globe are busy getting their national team uniforms ready for their unique spotlight. When it comes to high-end Olympic fashion — be it for festive opening ceremonies, or for competition — all runways lead to Paris. Stella Jean will be there, styling each of Haiti’s dozen or so athletes herself. Ms. Jean, an Italian-Haitian designer based in Rome,…

At Púbol castle, where Gala Dalí spent the later part of her life, a new fashion exhibition sheds light on her bold personality and unconventional life. Brought together by Bicester Collection’s La Roca Village and the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, 24 fashion items have been picked to spotlight the woman behind the clothes. So, who was Gala Dalí? She was a muse, model, artist, businesswoman, writer and fashion icon. She lived in the shadows and was the invisible force behind the genius of Salvador Dalí. Born in Kazan, Russia, as Elena Ivanovna Diakonova, she was married to poet Paul Éluard…

At a watch-making workshop by Madras Watch Collectors Group | Photo Credit: Jayakumar Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) began its first watch-making unit in Bengaluru in 1961 when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided that India required a watch of its own. Experts from Japan’s well-known Citizen Watch were chartered to provide the technical knowhow to engineers of this newly established Indian brand intent on creating a functional, affordable and most importantly ‘Indian’ mechanical (hand-wound) wrist watch. An important part of this knowledge-sharing exercise was teaching the engineers the ‘020’ or ‘0201’ movement — a mechanism that helps dictate the intricate…

A creation by Ba No Batwo, Aurangbad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement With a mix of established ‘repeat players’ and fresh labels, popular makers’ market By Hand from the Heart returns to the city with its second edition for the year. Curated by Deepa Sekar and Kshiti Davey, this edition will feature a wide array of apparel brands, furniture and decor studios, wellness players, boardgame makers, and pottery artists to name a few. “We always prefer a mix of old and new brands, as customers want their classics alongside exploring what is new,” says Deepa, co-founder and curator, adding that…

If the Olympics is one of the world’s biggest sporting events, its opening ceremony is its crowning glory. The 2024 Paris edition is taking things up more than a few notches. The first Games to have the curtain raiser outside a stadium, it will see almost 100 boats carrying an estimated 10,500 athletes down the Seine. The quays will become spectator stands while the sun reflects off famous Parisian landmarks. And with all eyes on the global fashion capital, everyone is a fashion critic. Dressing any national contingent for the occasion is a flex. Top designers, luxury houses and sportswear…

The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M special edition  | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement We recently got exclusive face time with the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M special edition for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Omega has been the official timekeeper of Olympics since 1932, which means that we are thrilled to touch and feel this limited-edition, 42mm timepiece just ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris games, for which they have designed this commemorative timepiece. The watch was released in July 2024.  It features an embossed Paris 2024 logo in frosted 18-carat gold along with the texturised Olympic rings | Photo Credit:…

Actor Ananya Panday with designer Rohit Bal on the ramp during the grand finale of Lakme Fashion Week, in New Delhi. Bal passed way on Friday, Nov 1, 2024, after suffering a heart attack, at Aashlok Hospital in New Delhi | Photo Credit: PTI The recent passing of legendary fashion designer Rohit Bal has sent shockwaves through both the entertainment and fashion industries. From Bollywood actors like Sonam Kapoor and Ananya Panday to designer Manish Malhotra, many took to social media to pay their respects to Rohit Bal, affectionately known as ‘Gudda’ by his admirers. Sonam Kapoor wrote, “Dear gudda…

(Left to right) Jemimah Rodrigues, Shreyanka Patil, Shafali Verma, Radha Yadav sporting Qua’s pre-fall collection | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The founders of the brand Qua, Rupanshi Agarwal and Dr Divya Agarwal, call their pre-fall collection ‘modern armour’. The fits are designed for the contemporary Indian woman, they say, who often has to strike a balance between her professional and personal lives. The collection was created with the intention of giving continuity to the wardrobe, says Rupanshi, who is also the CEO of Qua. “We have created separates that can be mixed and matched; paired with older collections. These are…

Rohit Bal. Photo: Special Arrangement Designer Rohit Bal, a pioneer who helped put Indian fashion on the global map and dressed celebrities at home, Hollywood and elsewhere, died on Friday (November 1, 2024) night at a south Delhi hospital following a heart attack. He was 63. The celebrated designer, Gudda to his friends, who stitched together flamboyance, elegance and talent in his work and in his persona too, made his last public appearance just last month. He fought ill health to make a grand return to the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI 2024 grand finale. Mr. Bal…

Sarees by Tarini | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Every corner of the country has a unique weave and a story to tell — about the artisans, their unique craftsmanship and a history of the fabric passed down generations.  Stepping into the upcoming textiles and accessories show by the Crafts Council of India will lend the chance to experience all of this, and revel in the rich textile history of the country. The bi-annual textiles and accessories show will be held on August 9 and 10 at the MRC Centre, Chennai and is being organised close on the heels of National…

It takes a village, and then some, to craft Tilla’s Kabira and Rosa jackets. The one-of-a-kind pieces feature thread and metallic embroidery, reversible designs, and multiple colourways. The patchworked base is a highlight, stitched by women from Pindharada village near Gandhinagar, using leftover fabrics and off-cuts from the Ahmedabad-based label’s archives. “As a clothing design studio, we generate a lot of cutting waste,” says Aratrik Dev Varman, designer and founder of Tilla. “I have, over the years, very consciously collected every bit of scrap hoping that we could make something of it.” A conversation with Jaai Kakani, who runs the…

Eleven years ago, when Amit Aggarwal delivered his first bridal order, it was black and fashioned from polymer chips. On Sunday, his collection at India Couture Week 2024 continued to defy expectations, as his models walked the runway in futuristic pieces that referenced his fascination with science, philosophy and cosmology. In the sea of wedding lehengas, heavy silk saris and Swarovski-encrusted gowns that made Couture Week, this outlier’s bold experiments with polymer and corded textiles stood tall. One of the 53 looks was a 3D-embellished outfit resembling a cocoon. There were a few gowns inspired by the intricacies of basketry.…

Bound for Mumbai from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, when Chennai-based fashion designer Kaveri Lalchand speaks about her eponymous label’s new store at Khan Market, she is reminded of her numerous trips to the Capital over one-and-a-half years. Kaveri’s new store in Khan Market | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The shopping complex’s proximity to India Gate, its reputation for housing some of the most popular brands right in the heart of Delhi and its ritzy crowd impressed Kaveri. She had, after all, observed the market closely during all her trips there, even if some of them lasted only a…

People throng Ranganathan Street, T.Nagar. ahead of Deepavali on Sunday | Photo Credit: VEDHAN M At 11 am on Saturday, the excitement in the air is palpable in T Nagar. Outside the many big shops on Usman road ready to welcome a throng of people, snack shops and smaller jewellery sellers busily set up their wares. Mini samosas are neatly arranged in high piles, strategically located within an arm’s length from the chairs outside these shops meant for weary customers and their families who are waiting.  A counter of plants greet customers making their way into Pothys; every customer can…

Sawai Padmanabh Singh is not an easy man to catch. Yes, the 26-year-old titular maharaja of Jaipur (Pacho to his close friends and half a million followers on Instagram) has been generous in opening his home, the City Palace Jaipur, to creatives from across the country for evenings curated around fashion and culture in recent months. But glamorous soirees are only a small helping on his very full plate. His calendar is bursting with polo tournaments and training sessions, the opening of an upcoming arts centre, and the myriad ceremonial duties attached to his royal title. We finally manage to…

The sari, with its folds and layers, holds more than just fabric; it preserves the stories of generations and skills passed down over time. Draping it is an art — a sequence of gestures repeated until they become muscle memory. The act of draping is a subtle homage to the cultural tapestry that has withstood shifting trends. While eager to embrace tradition, younger generations often find it challenging to master the draping of a sari as their mothers and grandmothers did. As this garment becomes a regular part of their wardrobe, it is also being redesigned and reintroduced to be…

Ever since she stopped dyeing her hair more than a year back, waiting for the messy grey to grow into subdued salt, Nirmala Sitharaman has been particularly attentive to her sari selection. For years, she wore handlooms from her home state of Andhra Pradesh besides Tamil Nadu’s pattus, but there has been a stylistic shift recently. The colours she now chooses in Mangalagiris and Kanjeevarams, the gossamer of Venkatagiris, some allowance for zari, handloom blouses made from kalamkari and ikat fabrics match the confidence she now exudes as Finance Minister. Nothing screams for attention but everything is curated, the blouses…

When the iconic Jimmy Choo decided to step beyond shoes and into the world of fragrances, they wanted to capture something more than just a scent — they wanted to bottle the essence of pure glamour. Inspired by the bold, confident woman who walks through life as though it is her runway, I Want Choo was born. It started with a simple idea: to create a fragrance that would feel like slipping into a pair of the brand’s legendary stilettos. The team behind Jimmy Choo knew it had to be more than just luxurious; it needed to be fun, daring, and unforgettable.…

According to a 2019 UN report, it takes close to 7,500 litres of water to create one pair of jeans. As per a 2023 report by environmental news website earth.org4, each year approximately 92 million tonnes of clothes end up in landfills. These alarming statistics prompted New York-based designer Aradhita Parasrampuria to create Cellsense in 2022, which makes carbon-neutral, bioluminescent materials for embellishments. Last month, the brand was one of the 11 winners of the Redesign Everything competition by Amsterdam-based What Design Can Do, that promotes sustainable brands and initiatives. Aradhita Parasrampuria | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Quite candidly, Aradhita…

Atlantis The Royal hotel, Dubai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement No one does larger than life like Dubai. It is in the West Asian desert city’s very DNA. Naturally, this more-is-more aesthetic is mirrored in some of the city’s most luxurious hotels, including Atlantis The Royal. Yes, the same hotel whose launch party last year pulled in a crowd of international A-listers including Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, Gauri Khan, Jay-Z, Ashley Park,and Farhan Akhtar. Situated right next to its older sister Atlantis The Palm, this 795-key mega-resort with its futuristic architecture and smorgasbord of offerings is as sleek, sexy and glossy…

Models wear designs by Ekaya Banaras and Dareaab by Sonia K Mahajan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Come wedding season in the latter half of the year, and you suddenly find your weekends packed. There are multiple events to attend, outfits to put together, gifts to think about, travel to plan… and if you are a bride or a groom, chances are that your Pinterest board is bursting with options, and you have a hundred reels saved for wedding outfit and decor inspo.  Working towards redefining the wedding shopping experience, and bringing together everything you need for a wedding, Reliance…

Pieces from the Anamika Khanna H&M collection | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement For Anamika Khanna, when it comes to style, boundaries are blurred. Clothes and accessories should not be restricted to certain occasions and places, she believes. “A kurta can be worn at a beach with shorts or s a dress with a belt and a pair of boots,” says Anamika, adding that her whole idea — from the time she started design — was to take anything out of India and look at it from a contemporary point of view. This thought process is apparent in her new collection for H&M,…

In 2018, when Deepika Padukone wore two saris from label Advaya for her wedding, it put the Bengaluru-based brand under the spotlight. But the brand’s success story started way before that when it was launched in 2010. “Advaya means unique and we live up to that name as a brand,” says KH Radharaman, founder of the label, who also started The House of Angadi in 2001. Radharaman comes from a family that has been in the business of textiles for 600 years, with a background as master weavers and court weavers. So, it comes as a surprise that he is…

A fashion showcase by Anavila Misra at the Chettinad Heritage Festival. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In early October, famed fashion designer Anavila Misra launched her latest collection Payanam, inspired by the fabrics of Chettinad, at the Chettinad Heritage Festival. This week, the collection was previewed at The Folly, Amethyst along with jewellery by Sheetal Zaveri. An insightful talk by photographer Bharath Ramamrutham about how architecture has had an impact on fashion over the ages, was a prelude to the exhibition and showcase. The talk took the audience through the journey of how different styles of architecture, right from Spanish to…

Devika Arora will be bringing her collection of statement rings, neckpieces, and bracelets | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement If you are planning to kickstart your shopping spree for the upcoming festive season, this event comes just in time. Starting August 29, Chamiers at RA Puram will host a pop-up bringing together two brands: Aavaran and Devi. Alka Sharma, founder of Udaipur-based Aavaran — known for hand block-printed garments, home furnishings and accessories — is excited about her return to customer-centric events. “After Covid, we were doing more of business-to-business (B2B) projects, and we realised we were losing our identity. After…

A fashion showcase by Anavila Misra at the Chettinad Heritage Festiva | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In early October, famed fashion designer Anavila Misra launched her latest collection Payanam, inspired by the fabrics of Chettinad, at the Chettinad Heritage Festival. This week, the collection was previewed at The Folly, Amethyst along with jewellery by Sheetal Zaveri. An insightful talk by photographer Bharath Ramamrutham about how architecture has had an impact on fashion over the ages, was a prelude to the exhibition and showcase. The talk took the audience through the journey of how different styles of architecture, right from Spanish to…

The exhibition will showcase sustainable products | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement India HandMade Collective (IHMC) is having a Natural-Dye Handmade Exhibition in Bengaluru this weekend. The three-day event will also feature workshops and provide a platform for visitors to interact directly with artisans. Mahima Thangappan, the co-ordinator of IHMC, says: “We work with natural dyes that are sourced from natural resources like flowers, leaves, roots. This is an ancient method that we used until chemical dyes were discovered. In fact, chemical dyes are one of the main reasons for water body pollution. The disastrous effects can be seen in the…

A weaver at work at a Kanjeevaram weaving unit established by textile designer Gaurang Shah in Hyderabad | Photo Credit: Sangeetha Devi Dundoo The steady, rhythmic rattle of the looms is audible as we enter a house in Injapuram, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Brothers Yadagiri and Nagaraj, who were earlier part of the Gadwal silk weaving community at Amangal, Ranga Reddy district, in Telangana, now oversee the 12-loom Kanjeevaram unit in Injapuram, established by Hyderabad-based textile designer Gaurang Shah.  There is a steady output of premium handwoven Kanjeevaram saris from these looms, with some of them reviving heritage designs…

The jamdani process in the looms in Srikakulam is intricate and meticulous | Photo Credit: Sangeetha Devi Dundoo Jyothi and Suma rarely take their eyes off the loom, even to talk; they patiently count the threads and go about the weaving process. They are among the 50 women who work at a 25-loom facility, with two women working on each loom, at Alikam village in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. The women have been trained to weave the famed jamdani of Srikakulam. “All of us work here from 9am to 6pm,” says Jyothi. The saris these women weave are commissioned by…

Annie Titus Mammen prefers to maintain a low profile. To the extent that the fashion designer from Chennai launched her first-ever Insta page tambour.1985 just about three months ago. She has never had an outlet of her own to sell her product line. But it is her portfolio of work that leaves you wide-eyed. Fashion designer Annie Titus Mammen | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT “I have always done what I love to do — embroidery, and I remain busy with the orders of my clients,” she says. At a recent event in Delhi where she showcased her first personal collection…

As we walk into Gaurav Mehta’s store in Jaipur, located within the Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, we expect a large, swanky setting befitting the founder-designer of Jaipur Watch Company (JWC) and his latest collection, Brides of Jaipur. But it is an intimate space (less than 100 sq ft) without any external branding, tucked into a corner of the sprawling early 20th-Century palace, now operated as a five-star hotel by the Taj Hotels Group. It evoked the charm of the small, family-run shops nestled in the bazaars of traditional Jaipur. Rambagh Palace is, nevertheless, a prime location for Gaurav’s clientele. Those who…

Tamil Nadu’s temple saris | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The sari (also spelt as saree) has a chequered history. While some say its origin dates to the 1st Century; others trace it to the Indus Valley civilisation that flourished between 2800 and 1800 BC. Over time, this unstitched garment has taken on different forms and drapes, leaving us with remnants of our once-rich textile heritage. This realisation struck me while walking through the exhibition Heirloom Sarees: The Glory of India’s Woven Heritage l at Delhi’s India International Centre. Organised by the Delhi Crafts Council (DCC) to celebrate 25 years of…

A necklace from Anu Merton | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Nearly five months since its first pop-up in Chennai, jewellery brand Anu Merton, which shares its moniker with the designer who founded it in 2020, is back at Amethyst. This time, it introduces the city to its soon-to-be-launched capsule that parades a colourful spectrum of semi-precious stones on the sturdy foundation of time-tested jewellery-making techniques. Rings, necklaces and bracelets by Anu Merton | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Assessing the response to her brand’s first outing at the 24-year-old garden café and boutique, Anu lauds the venue’s potential to draw the…

Designer duo Abraham and Thakore need no introduction; known as masters of minimalism, the OG designers David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore were in Hyderabad to launch their first flagship store at Banjara Hills. In 1992, as classmates and friends, they started a business in Abraham’s bedroom in Delhi’s Defence Colony, based on a suggestion from their friend Martand Singh. In today’s entrepreneurial lingo, they were a start-up. Abraham is quick to answer, “Of course we were. It all happened in my bedroom — designing, planning and even meeting clients. John Bissel, owner of FabIndia knew we had started something, he…

When clothing brand My Designation launched their Onakkodi box, they did not anticipate the response. Though their merchandise — t-shirts, shirts, bottom wear, hoodies and jackets — that derive heavily from Kerala pop culture, is very popular, the response to the Onakkodi box has them on cloud nine. “We are almost sold out!” says Vishal Venugopal, general manager of the Thiruvananthapuram-based brand.  One of their Onakkodi boxes, also unisex, has their signature modal Kerala shirt with its cheerful Onam/Kerala imagery — snake boats, sadya, pookkalam, pulikali (tiger dance), chenda melam (percussion ensemble) — a white and gold mundu (dhoti), a…

Last month, Maison Christian Louboutin made a splash with “Paris is Louboutining,” a synchronised swimming spectacle at the Piscine Molitor, which is incidentally where the bikini was born about 78 years ago. It was Paris Fashion Week SS25 and Louboutin, 60, had the French Olympic artistic swimming team perform underwater in his new Miss Z pumps. Art and fashion intersected as film director and photographer David LaChapelle and choreographer Blanca Li presented a hypnotic aquatic performance that included colourful projections, fountains, even a giant pair of Christian Louboutin mules that served as a pool slide.  Also read:https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/luxury/christian-louboutins-red-stamp-of-approval/article26819055.ece Louboutin knows how…

A craftsman displays a fabric with batik design in Hyderabad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement A team of young, accomplished artisans is in Hyderabad to share stories of the unique batik handicraft of Kutch and showcase products created with innovative patterns/designs. In collaboration with the Crafts Council of Telangana (CCT), the four-day exhibition Batik of Kutch attempts to highlight the traditional batik craft and the role played by Kutch-based NGO Khamir in reviving and helping it adapt to changing times. Celebrating the city “Some of the artisans have individually showcased their collection in Hyderabad, but it is the first time…

In tandem with Navaratri and Durga Puja, a different festivity unfolded in Delhi: the latest edition of Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). Hosted between October 9 and 13 across The Grand hotel in Delhi and a few off-site venues such as The Imperial hotel and a colonial building in Barakhamba, this edition of LFW — which will celebrate its silver jubilee next year — presented collections from over 45 designers, plus student shows and retail brand presentations from Marks & Spencer and Kalki. Additionally, the calendar included the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge (CDC),…

A Rouka sari | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Kerala quirky Rouka by Sreejith’s collection of Kerala handloom saris for Onam are a bit whimsy, quirky and bring in a whole lot of nostalgia. The collection, says designer Sreejith Jeevan, as the answer to the question: What is the Onam of now? “This connection to our roots is also sprinkled with who we are now.” “Onam is a search for home — for a sadya that takes you back to childhood; for the comfortable wrap of a kasavu that connects with your grandmother; for that feeling of being one among a…

Keshav and Bina Rao of Creative Bee show a prototype of a lifestyle accessory made with water hyacinth fibres | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal In the compact office of Creative Bee studio in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, are samples of lifestyle accessories such as pen stands, coasters, table mats, baskets and lampshades made of water hyacinth fibre, priced between ₹300 and ₹5,000. Some of the sturdy baskets and lampshades are at least a decade old. Bina and Keshav Rao, founders of the organisation, which is reputed in the handloom and craft sector, have helmed skills training projects. After training women in…

In its fifth edition, Geneva Watch Days (GWD) has come a long way from August 2020 when it was launched by its six founding members — watch brands Breitling, Bvlgari, De Bethune, Girard-Perregaux, H Moser & Cie, and MB&F. An exhibit-cum-celebration of watchmaking, the event was held across various locations in Geneva, from hotels like Beau Rivage, Fairmont, Angleterre, Ritz-Carlton and Woodward, to boutiques of watch brands like Breguet, Blancpain, and Breitling. It had a common pavilion though — at the lakefront promenade in the backdrop of the city’s largest fountain Jet d’Eau — where all the 52 participating brands…

Inside Rahul MIshra’s store in Hyderabad Designer Rahul Mishra’s first store in Hyderabad is a reflection of his artistic vision. In a hat tip to the city, the 5000 square feet store has a metal ceiling featuring ripples of water inspired by the Hussain Sagar lake , and rocks resembling the Deccan terrain at several places inside the Banjara Hills store. The store’s facade incorporates Rahul Mishra’s signature trompe l’oeil technique, which creates optical illusions that trick the eye of the viewer. If a store can be this stunning with so many natural design elements, one would wonder what would…

In 2022, Balenciaga collaborated with Lay’s to create bags that looked like packets of chips. These debuted on the hallowed runway of the Paris Fashion Week. This year, the snack brand has teamed up with homegrown label Huemn. And the first look of the garment-heavy merchandise took place across grocery stores in Delhi in a rather innovative way. “It was a treasure hunt. We hid them in custom-made Lay’s chips packets in a few grocery stores,” says Saumya Rathor, category lead — Potato Chips, PepsiCo India, adding, “I found this idea very disruptive. We really believe that collaborations are a good way…

Still from ‘Emily in Paris’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement So obviously Emily in Parisis not a deep and meaningful dive into cultural differences and otherness. It is frivolous fun with fabulous fashion. The venerable Patricia Field, who clothed Carrie and her friends through 94 episodes and two movies of Sex and the City and made Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin household names, designed the first two seasons of Emily in Paris. While there has been some grumbling over Marylin Fitoussi (who took over from Field) trying too hard in Season 3 of Emily in Paris, Season 4 features more…

Tod’s aproached designer Rahul Mishra (right) for a collaboration in 2017 | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The story of the first-of-its-kind collaboration between award-winning Indian couturier Rahul Mishra and Italy’s multimillion-dollar fashion house Tod’s goes back to 2017 when their paths crossed in Paris. The latter reached out to Rahul — who had created waves in the industry with his couture edits at platforms like Paris Fashion Week — for a limited-edition handcrafted capsule of bags and shoes, which provoked his fiercely creative mind to take up the challenge. Made with absolute luxury of time and embroidered with intricate details,…

In 1951, MS Subbulakshmi made her way to Nalli Silks with a blue thread in hand, hoping to have a sari made of the same colour. The colour of the sari then specially woven for her, was so unique that it went on to be referred to as MS Blue. Till date, people walk into silk sari stores, referring to MS Blue, seeking out the exact same shade of inky, iridescent blue.  In a tribute to the legendary Carnatic singer, whose voice, and sartorial sense has inspired generations since, actor Vidya Balan collaborated with Chennai-based costume designer Anu Parthasarthy, who has…

Suneet Varma | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR Sara Ali Khan in an embroidered corset and skirt from the collection How do you take a ubiquitous fabric like denim — associated with rough use and daily wear — and make it look couture? This is a challenge, couturier Suneet Varma gladly took up as part of the Lee X Suneet Varma collaboration. By his own admission, Suneet likes to do things that seem difficult. “That’s what makes it exciting. If it’s not exciting, I am not interested,” he says over a call from Delhi. Titled Denim Beyond Definition, the 46-piece…

Just as the northern hemisphere starts the wardrobe transition from summer to fall, runway shows in the world’s fashion capitals seek to stir the imagination, and desire, for the next warm weather season. Milan designers have been ambiguous about seasons in recent fashion weeks, with summer collections not corresponding to the soaring temperatures. That was not the case during the first day of Milan Fashion Week previews on Tuesday, featuring diaphanous, dreamy summery dresses, alongside crisp cotton. Models walk the runway during the Redemption collection show at Milan’s Fashion Week Womenswear Spring / Summer 2025, on September 17, 2024 in…

Koodai totes | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Shop for a curated range of handlooms and handcrafted products at the second edition of Sondham. Sunita Prasad, founder and partner of the annual pop-up, brings traditional handloom saris, dupattas, and their signature koodai totes. Cotton saris from West Bengal | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Sunita says she collaborates with weavers to craft saris for Sondham. “I visited Kalna and Phulia districts in West Bengal to meet the weavers. Phulia district is known for its superior cottons, and they specialise in natural dye. In Kalna, which is known for jamdani weave, we collaborated…

New Delhi’s DLF Emporio Mall, synonymous with top-tier luxury brands, is now home to Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller’s first boutique in northern India, in partnership with Kapoor Watch Company. The brand’s inclination toward quirky aesthetics is visible in its 1,168 square ft boutique that houses some of their most exquisite timepieces: from the bestselling Vanguard to Master Square. Equally striking is the symmetry of watch tower displays in aqua tones suspended from the ceiling. With a firm eye on India’s luxury market, Franck Muller is on an expansion drive. This is the brand’s second exclusive boutique in India after Palladium…

The Allium lehenga set with cape | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Hyderabad-based design house Mishru is best known for its surface textures and contemporary interpretations of Indian wear. Yet again, it proved its mastery of this craft with its recent couture edit ‘Resonance 2024/2025’ held in New Delhi.  Set against the backdrop of the stately Belgium Embassy in New Delhi, Mishru’s presentation brought alive elements of urban architecture and untamed Nature in every creation. “There’s a story behind the title, Resonance. I believe natural elements help us vibrate with higher energy,” says Swapna Anumolu, the brain behind the couture brand.…

Hello Kitty is not a cat, she was born in the suburbs in London and her hobbies include baking cookies and making new friends. Earlier this year, when entertainment company Sanrio reiterated that their beloved cartoon character with whiskers and pointy ears was a little girl, it still came as a surprise to some. Sanrio deals in all things kawaii or “cute” and with the totemic Japanese brand completing five decades, perhaps they wanted to leave no room for confusion. At Péro’s Spring Summer ’25 show at Lakme Fashion Week on Wednesday night, a Hello Kitty mascot walked around in…

Natural-dyed silk sari with over 4,000 colours | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement As it completes 100 years in the business, RmKV Silks (since 1924), the legacy brand from Tirunelveli is in celebratory mode. To mark this milestone, the brand has launched a natural-dyed silk sari with over 4,000 colours, intricately handwoven into the zari checks on its body. The 99 flowers sari inspired by Kurinjipattu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In order to support weavers and ensure quality, the brand launched its own looms 30 years ago. After having reseached natural dyes starting 2014, it launched a range of natural…

A virtual reality headset that showcases Biskit, Adyar’s collection while also allowing shoppers to take a look at their simulated 1,500 sq feet online store. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement On the two days she was in Chennai, Meenakshi Singh, co-founder, Capsul, a multi-brand streetwear platform, spent time heading out to the newest cafes in the city. “I want to be where the young people are at,” she said.  Considering her brand is mostly driven by this demographic, it was only normal that she people-watched between sips of coffee. Did she have any profound observations?  “The Indian Gen Z and…

Yuvraj Singh at the new store | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Former Indian international cricketer Yuvraj Singh is a busy man. From working on his cancer charity YouWeCan to mentoring young kids from his home state, Punjab, besides travelling the world to play golf, he has a lot on his plate. “I am also taking care of my two kids Aura and Orion. It’s a lot of hard work (smiles). I also enjoy doing humanitarian work,” he shares. The all-rounder was recently in Delhi for the inauguration of Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller’s exclusive boutique at DLF Emporio, in partnership with…

“Hair wash, massage and eyebrows,” instructs Mary Lee, speaking to her assistant. Immediately, products are plucked off shelves, the air conditioner is turned on and curtains are drawn. Work begins. “They are all my regulars,” she says, pointing inside. “Can’t tell you how long I can talk to you. This is a busy time for me,” she says, but sits down for a conversation much longer than anticipated. Rose Beauty Parlour behind the busy Vannanthurai bus stop in Besant Nagar, has a no-nonsense yet generous personality that it has borrowed from its owner. The single-room parlour partitioned by sliding doors,…

Adithi Ganeshan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement For 23-year-old Adithi Ganeshan, inspiration is rooted in heritage and tradition.  “It could be a small annapakshi on a suryapalakai, athangudi tiles, or the carvings on the Burma teak pillars in Karaikudi. As much as I have travelled, I have also remained rooted to my culture, and love going back to my ancestral home,” she says.  The young jewellery designer and entrepreneur brings together culture and the contemporary in her newly launched brand Thamalli, a bespoke high fine jewellery line that celebrates rare gemstones and craftsmanship.  “Many of these rare gemstones from across…

Fehroza ’24 flaunts high-grade crystals, pearls and mukaish work, alongside signature mirror and gota detailing | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Just in time for the festive season, shoe brand NEEDLEDUST has renewed its association with designer Abhinav Mishra, expanding the horizons of their collaborative pursuits. An extension of their NEEDLEDUST X Abhinav Mishra collection of footwear and handbags, which began a year ago, their new collection called Fehroza ’24 encapsulates four different edits — Pearls Collection, Crystal Collection, Kaalbeliya, and Mehzabeen — comprising over 40 exclusive designs for both men and women, featuring juttis, mules, heels, wedges and embellished purses.…

Rhea Singha after she was crowned as the Miss Universe India 2024, in Jaipur, Sunday night, Sept. 22, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI Rhea Singha has been crowned Miss Universe India 2024, and she will now represent India at the global Miss Universe 2024 pageant. The grand finale of Miss Universe India 2024 was held on Sunday in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The event was filled with excitement, with Rhea emerging as the winner and taking home the prestigious title. After her big win, Rhea couldn’t contain her happiness. Speaking to ANI with a bright smile, she shared, “Today I won the…

A sari from the Garland collection Sanjay Garg is no stranger to Koyambedu flower market. It is a place he frequents during his visits to Chennai. He loves flowers, jasmine being his favourite. Little wonder that his store in Chennai — that he launched in 2002 — is called Malligai. The inspiration And now, the Koyambedu flower market is the inspiration for his Raw Mango Festive 2024 collection titled Garland. “I like to pick my own flowers,” says the designer, who spent the morning buying flowers from the market for his show. He then wandered around the “mandi” at 6…

Neesha Amrish with the stole that is now available at the Van Gogh Museum shop | Photo Credit: RAVINDRAN R The Van Gogh Museum shop in Amsterdam is awash with colours synonymous with the painter’s works. The shelves and nooks are brimming with collectibles, clothes, toys, ceramics and a plethora of artefacts primarily in teal and yellow. And if you look closer, among them you will find stoles with a name from India — Aeshaane by Neesha Amrish. The Chennai-based designer, who launched her label in 2008, recently created a line of Ahimsa silk stoles for the museum. “Two years…

A collection by Divya Seth | Photo Credit: Special arrangement A paean to the heritage textile crafts of India, the 13th edition of Nayaab — a retrospective that will make its way to Chennai on October 3 — puts the spotlight on dyeing, printing and weaving techniques like shibori, bandhini, jamdani and kalamkaari. This time, the two-day exhibit brings 23 brands to the Welcomhotel By ITC, Cathedral Road. “We have always kept the exhibit small and intimate while focussing on natural fabrics; that remains our priority this year too. However, there are new additions, like an installation at the exhibition,”…

The Barbie Signature Diwali doll | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT There is a new Barbie in town and she is all set for Deepavali. A collaboration between Mattel (a multinational toy and entertainment company) and Indian designer Anita Dongre, this is the first-ever Barbie Signature Diwali doll. The doll is garbed in a Moonlight-Bloom lehenga – a departure from the pink that Barbie is usually associated with – and has floral motifs like jasmine, lotus, and dahlia.. This is the latest addition to Mattel’s diverse line of Barbie dolls. And this collaboration tries to “merge the Indian cultural heritage with Barbie’s…

Ilkal sarees worn by women in North Karnataka | Photo Credit: Navaldeep Thareja “You are not a Bharwad if you wear a saree,” is how elderly Bharwad women chide young women from their community. Navaldeep Thareja, a textile engineer from Sangrur in Punjab, who often visits little-known places across India to meet craftspeople, artisans, weavers, and tribal people and photo documents their designs and stories, starts the conversation with Tangaliya weaves. The Bharwad women wear Tangaliya shawls, woven by the Vankar community in Surendernagar and Kutch, Gujarat. “Tangaliya is a 700-year-old traditional hand weaving technique where contrasting colour threads are twisted into groups of four or five warps to create unique beadwork. It is worn by married…

Manish Malhotra poses against the backdrop of Harrods in London | Photo Credit: Special arrangement India’s fashion industry has officially joined the 175th anniversary celebration of London’s luxury departmental store Harrods, with a special showcase of a fashion edit by couturier Manish Malhotra. As the first Indian fashion designer to have teamed up with Harrods, Manish has crafted a line of limited-edition garments that fuse India’s design grammar with the West’s style vocabulary. Titled World Collection, the edit reinterprets India’s textile crafts in contemporary context. “A little over a year ago, Harrods reached out to me with a vision to…

In the run up to Navratri and all the golu-hopping set to commence, Karpagam K is busy at work, fashioning potlis or drawstring bags out of silk saris and shawls.  “I wanted to make and gift something that was not just different, but useful as well ,for guests visiting my home,” says the Chennai resident. Much like Karpagam’s handmade bags, return gifts during Navratri are no longer just about blouse pieces, with several people and brands taking to innovating and delving into customised creations for the festive season.  Potli bags by Karpagam K | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Karpagam says she has…

Ask any millennial about the time they spent on Tinkle comics. Just the mention of Shikari Shambu, Kalia the crow, Suppandi, and Tantri The Mantri evokes nostalgia, transporting us to our childhoodand the tradition continues with every generation. The Mumbai-based weekly magazine has now teamed up with Mumbai-based online clothing brand A47.in for a merchandise collection that features three of the most famous beloved Tinkle characters. The designs showcase Suppandi, a village simpleton created by Ram Waeerkar in 1983, who turned 41 this year; Shikari Shambu, the reluctant hero who would rather spend his time relaxing on his hammock than…

South Korean Choi Soon-hwa, 81-year-old, poses after winning the best dress award for the 2024 Miss Universe Korea in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP An 81-year-old model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the South Korean pageant against much younger rivals. Dressed in a beaded white gown, the silver-haired Choi Soon-hwa strutted across the stage and performed in a singing contest at the Miss Universe Korea pageant held Monday at a hotel in South Korea’s capital, Seoul. She missed out on the crown but did…

Radhika Merchant in a phool dupatta by Floral Art | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Hours before Radhika Merchant’s haldi ceremony, a group of five karigars sat huddled around a mound of fresh flowers at Srishti Calcuttawala’s Floral Art Studio in Vile Parle, Mumbai. They then deftly stitched them together to create an ornate floral dupatta and jewellery. Little did they know that in a few hours, this handiwork of theirs would be trending on social media. This is the phoolon ki chadar dupatta that Radhika Merchant wore for her haldi ceremony along with a custom Anamika Khanna silhouette. The dupatta measures…

Sobhita Dhulipala at Qbik’s first flagship store in Hyderabad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Qbik, the Delhi-headquartered fashion label founded in 2011 by Vrinda Sachdev and Gurinder Singh, recently opened its flagship store in Hyderabad. The 3200 square feet store in Banjara Hills, spread across two floors, showcases a range of lehengas, pre-stitched sarees, tuxedos, bomber jackets, sherwanis and much more. Adding glitz to the launch event was actor Sobhita Dhulipala, recently seen in the international film Monkey Man. She also lent her voice to Deepika Padukone in the smash hit Telugu film, Kalki 2898 AD. In a brief interaction,…

At Savana, they are serious about trends. From dramatic bows and Coquette core to K-Pop and Bridgerton, if it is trending it is on Savana’s app, in the form of garments and accessories. Launched last month by the UK-based fashion brand Urbanic, this venture is targeted at Gen Z and the app already has 3 million downloads. Urbanic was launched in India in 2019, by James Wellwood (based out of London), head, strategy and partnerships, and Rahul Dayama, founding partner, head, brand and communications. While it also caters to a mature audience, what James and Rahul noticed was that their…

A model uses the Dyson Airstrait | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The launch of Dyson’s Airstrait in India feels like a chatty shindig. Everyone is getting to know each other over the whirr of this heat-less straightener, while glasses of bubbly are being passed around in Delhi on July 4. Yianni Tsapatori, Deepika Padukone’s hair stylist, is on stage discussing hair care and therapy, as he is straightening a model’s hair. Steve Williamson, manager of Dyson’s beauty commercial engineering division, is going over the technicalities of this machine for those with questions on hair types and voltage use. Both the…

Watch: Women artisans in Lucknow keep Chikankari embroidery alive

Thamires Pontes’ tenable seaweed textile fibre | Photo Credit: Ryan Galvao Thamires Pontes has configured how to turn seaweed into a tenable textile fibre. The alternative to petrochemicals in clothing is the Brazil-based textile designer’s attempt at negating fashion’s waste and carbon emission problems (currently, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the world’s global carbon emissions according to the United Nations). Last month, Pontes’ timely innovation also won her the Unlock Her Future Prize of $100,000 by retail experiences brand, The Bicester Collection. Increasingly, awards and prizes are becoming a gateway for women to have their ideas vetted,…

Aishu Ajith from Thiruvananthapuram who took inspiration from Aishwarya Rai | Photo Credit: Thamodharan B Although everyone from the city tends to defend Chennai’s eternal summer, we have no choice but to admit some truths. It is harder for make up to stay on as sweat is a vexing consequence. Black is a bold choice on a humid day, and anything other than cotton might seem foolhardy. But when fashion is the name of the game, these rules are meant to be bent. Egmore’s streets transformed into a runway at the 16th edition of Chennai’s annual Self-Respect Rainbow Pride March…

Imagine the possibility of designing the look of a character that is supposedly the oldest man alive. When director Nag Ashwin first narrated the story of Kalki 2898 AD, nearly four years ago to Hyderabad-based fashion designer Archana Rao, she was fascinated by Ashwatthama, the character inspired by Mahabharata, played by Amitabh Bachchan. She began imagining him in 2898 AD, in a science fiction setting. Archana, who had collaborated with Nag Ashwin for Mahanati and the short film xLife from the Netflix Telugu anthology Pitta Kathalu, was game for the creative challenges ahead. Speaking from the USA, where she is…

Six mobile food banks have been set up in the slums of Ejipura, an orphanage and old age home in KR Market, Gandhinagar, and at the HSIS Gosha Maternity Hospital | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Since March this year, access to food for low-income communities in certain pockets of the city has become a tad easier. This is courtesy of six mobile food banks that were set up in the slums of Ejipura, an orphanage and old age home in KR Market, Gandhinagar, and at the HSIS Gosha Maternity Hospital. “Our mission is to have 300 mobile food banks each…

Diljit Dosanjh ropes in couturier Raghavendra Rathore to design his outfits for Dil-luminati North America tour When Punjabi musician-actor Diljit Dosanjh made his debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he engineered a look rooted in tradition, but one which was garnished with a luxurious blend of ultra-chic brands that spoke to a global audience.  Diljit fuses traditional garments with ultra-chic global brands | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The Audemars Piguet watch — customised with diamond-studded dial, straps and bezel by Jain The Jeweler — and a pair of high-ankle Air Jordan were as conspicuous as the turlay wali pagg…

In March this year, Lubaina Sheerazi did a polar plunge. Organised by Antarctica21, the fly-cruise expedition to Antarctica had experts leading a small group of travellers on the great white continent. “From transiting the Lemaire Channel, also known as the Kodak Gap because of its breathtaking beauty, and cruising on a Zodiac vessel to continental landing at Cape Perez, doing a polar plunge, and sailing through an active volcano, the itinerary was curated a day before, based on weather conditions,” says Lubaina, CEO and co-founder of Mumbai-based tourism marketing agency, BRANDit. As a part of the trip, she also took…

While it is tough to get a word in edgewise when Sabato De Sarno’s micro shorts at Gucci and Alessandro Michele’s debut Valentino collection are in competition, Milan Fashon Week Spring 2025 had a few, albeit quiet, winners this season. One of them, MFW regular Dhruv Kapoor (this is his fifth showcase), simply called his the SS25 Co-Ed show, referencing nostalgia, in particular childhood memories of dressing up in dad’s shoes or a sibling’s outfit. According to a release circulated before the show, he was taking audiences “to a time when gender had no bearing and natural feelings trumped controlled…

For male French politicians, fashion writers say, a simple uniform has become dominant: a navy blue suit — fitted and generally a little too slim — with a white shirt and thin tie. This is particularly popular among centrists and social democrats and is the go-to look for President Emmanuel Macron. | Photo Credit: AFP France is in the midst of two of its favourite pastimes: political turmoil and fashion week — two worlds that increasingly collide. Fashion writer Marc Beauge, who has advised at least one president, walked AFP through the evolving style rules for French politicians. For male…

Narendra Kumar Ahmed’s bio on Instagram reads ‘Story Tailor’. Whether it is a new label he launches or a fashion show he is part of, the celebrated couturier always has a story which takes centre stage. More than two decades ago, he aided fashion designer Anita Dongre in launching her label AND with the idea of catering to young woman getting into the workspace. But a lot of time has passed since then and that woman has evolved, he believes. Hence, his new label — Tamiska by Narendra Kumar. “Tamiska brings a sensibility of a global traveller with an Indian…

At Bhagya Sivaraman’s home studio, she sits surrounded by art — her black line drawings on white paper cover the walls. Near her desk, is a large stand from which hang rows of earrings, each a different size, shape, and colour. There are bright pinks, checked patterns, and sunny yellows. “Art, to me, is open-eyed meditation,” she says. She is wearing a pair of large, black and white earrings from her brand Coloured Ears. Early in 2018, the interdisciplinary artist recalls how she began experimenting working with polymer clay. “While I loved wearing and hoarding silver and stone jewellery, I…

A Geographical Indication (GI) tag 15 years ago have placed chikankari embroidery in and around Lucknow today. Earlier this year, Naseem Bano, a Lucknow-based practitioner of Anokhi Chikankari, where the embroidery is invisible on the reverse side of the fabric, was conferred the Padma Shri. But did you know that the delicate style originated in East Bengal, and travelled all over undivided India before settling down in Lucknow? In the early 19th century, Madras Chikankari, along with that of Calcutta, Dhaka, Lucknow, Bhopal, Peshawar and Quetta, was described in detail in ‘Indian Art at Delhi 1903’, the official catalogue of…

Amama is know for its big statement jewellery Loud, edgy, dramatic — jewellery today resembles art in a gallery. Driven by a demand for bolder pieces, a crop of young designers are creating jewellery that deliberately moves away from traditional patterns. From funky reinterpretations of heirlooms to intricate hair buns, rhinestone gloves, metal nail claws and over-the-top necklaces, these creations defy trends and encourage wearers to make a personal statement. We look at options for your wardrobe. Roma Narsinghani For Roma Narsinghani, venturing into jewellery design seemed like a fortunate twist of fate. In 2016, when in the midst of…

Ruby red seeds of the Coral Wood tree (manjadikkuru) collected from the damp earth transform into standout neckpieces. A pair of hoops resemble the delicate petals of the ixora while another mimics the hot pink flowers of the Frangipani that blooms in summer. Each piece of handmade jewellery is wrapped in cotton and packed in a cardboard box, all set to be dispatched. Handmade necklace made of seeds of the CoralWood Tree and embellished with two clay parrots. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT “Some of my followers who see such reels wonder why I don’t wax my hairy hands. Most…

It is a warm day in the Chirang district of Bongaigaon, a two-hour drive from Guwahati, Assam. We are at the handloom section at the ANT (Action North East) campus. Since last year, Royal Enfield has been collaborating with the NGO — which works for women’s empowerment and to create voluntary action in the Northeast of India — on ‘The Himalayan Knot’, to create designer apparel. The motorcycle giant’s initiative is an endeavour to create meaningful fashion, focused on textiles from the Himalayan Belt. Each edition, they will collaborate with prominent fashion designers who are expected to engage meaningfully with…

“A designer always writes a story through their creations, drawing from a lifetime of experiences,” says Deepika Khatri, a freelance fashion designer whose designs were showcased on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. “It’s not a one-day dream but a lifelong journey. Each design reflects the life they’ve lived. Through my designs, I live my life.” Deepika has designed for international brands such as Matalan, Tally Weijl, UCB, and Dorothy Perkins and was also selected for the Women Entrepreneurship Programme by Cornell University. From dropping out of her BA program in Lucknow and getting into NIFT, Bengaluru, to…

From stables to the power corridors of fashion, Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s head of Womenswear Design, has had quite a journey. Growing up in Sweden, she says she was always in the stables, taking care of horses and going on rides. “I wanted to become a vet but I didn’t have the grades for that,” she laughs, adding, “At the same time, I was also interested in fashion. I drew a lot of sketches, did a lot of designs. My mom was a seamstress and stitched them for me.”   There are kaftans, sun dresses and matching sets inspired by the…

M Giri Babu, a farmer-activist looks at the designs on kora | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The Sonthanga (meaning ‘On its Own’ in Telugu) collection takes centre stage with 67 self-designs on Kora, the raw, unbleached off-white fabric which turned weavers into designers for the first time. The collection is on display at Malkha Commons in CCT (Crafts Council of Telangana) Spaces in Hyderabad. Ownership of skill A team of farmers, weavers and spinners of Sonthanga colelction with Uzramma (seated fifth from right) | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Uzramma, the founder of Malkha Marketing Trust, surrounded by a team of…

Uorfi Javed is a mischief maker. And she is not apologetic about it. This is her new role in the current edition of MTV Splitsvilla X5: ExSqueeze Me Please, a dating reality show. Unlike last season, she is not pretending to be a contestant this time. “I just create mischief in the life of contestants,” she says. The 26-year-old believes her unique clothes have given her this kind of visibility “Other than the addition of a mischief maker, this time we also have the exes making appearances. There are so may twists and turns. The love triangles are my favourite.…

Kani Kusruti with the All We Imagine As Light team at the 77th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals Carrying the watermelon clutch on the red carpet at Cannes was All We Imagine As Light actor Kani Kusruti’s way of showing solidarity with Palestine. The watermelon slice has been a symbol of Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation as it shows the colours of the Palestinian flag.  The film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival 2024.   The green, red and black beaded bag was a well thought out statement from the politically aware actor, says Kochi-based designer…

Sagarika Ghatge in Bengaluru, along with one of her hand painted saris | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Actor Sagarika Ghatge Khan, who hails from the erstwhile royal house of Kolhapur and is a descendent of Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar III, weaves her rich legacy into her fashion brand, Akutee that launched in 2023. Akutee, which means princess in Sanskrit and Marathi, offers delicate bespoke garments such as saris, dupattas, co-ord sets and more, in subtle pastels and deep jewel-tones. The pieces are hand-painted by Sagarika’s mother, Urmila Ghatge, along with a team of artists. The actor, with her mother and her…

The Kritikala store at Shaikpet, Hyderabad, is the face of a collective of enterprising women who design garments and products using ikat, kalamkari and Mangalagiri cotton sourced from craft clusters in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Displayed on the racks and stacked on the shelves are garments for women seeking fashion and comfort. The store stays true to the ethos of the non-profit organisation that the label has emerged from — Kriti Social Initiatives. The women who have tailored the garments on display, embellished with Lambadi embroidery, hail from low-income group households and have been trained in garment making and tailoring…

Fashion influencer Nancy Tyagi at the red carpet of the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2024. | Photo Credit: nancytyagi_/Instagram Fashion influencer Nancy Tyagi made her red carpet debut in a pink ruffled gown with an elaborate train at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The Delhi-based digital creator said the gown was designed and stitched by herself. Nancy said she took a month to finish the gown, which required over 1000 metres of fabric. Hailing from Baranwa, Uttar Pradesh, Nancy wore a gown that had a strapless decorated bodice along with elbow-high gloves. She completed her look with…

Recently, Georges Kern, the CEO of one of the most-revered watch brands in the world, Breitling, was in India. A few of us were privy to an engaging interaction — one that acquainted us with many things about the brand that we did not know, and some that we thought we knew but, frankly, didn’t.  Breitling Navitimer on Display | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Founded in 1884, the 140-year-old watchmaking company, Breitling, continues to be a youthful brand. Every watch brand has a USP and if I had to pin one to them, I would say it is retro-modern. It…

Designers David Abraham, Rakesh Thakore and Kevin Nigli have a new address for their handcrafted apparel and home brand Abraham & Thakore in New Delhi’s affluent neighbourhood, Defence Colony | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Designers David Abraham, Rakesh Thakore and Kevin Nigli have a new address for their handcrafted apparel and home brand Abraham & Thakore in New Delhi’s affluent neighbourhood, Defence Colony. Co-designed by Studio Organon, a Delhi-based architecture and design studio, the shop’s interiors compliment the label’s minimalist visual grammar with polished, white-marbled walls (diagonally and spaciously stained with faint streaks of black) and square-mesh-patterned terrazzo flooring. An…

Alia Bhatt attends the Gucci Cruise 2025 Fashion Show at Tate Modern on May 13, 2024 in London, England | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES Actor Alia Bhatt attended the Gucci Cruise show 2025 at the Tate Modern art gallery in London, hosted by the Italian luxury brand’s creative director Sabato De Sarno. The actor’s trip to the UK comes days after she appeared on the red carpet of Met Gala in New York, where she posed for the shutterbugs in a custom-made Sabyasachi floral saree. Alia Bhatt and Debbie Herry strike a pose at the Gucci Cruise 2025 Fashion Show…

The first drop comprises pure tissue, chanderi chikan kurtis for women and chikankari kurta sets for men | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement When actor Richa Chadha got married to Ali Fazal in October 2022, she chose to wear a custom Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla kurti for their ceremony in Lucknow. The off-white chikankari kurti with a heavily embroidered yoke and borders was worn with a net dupatta accented with Swarovski crystals. “It was my hat tip to the city of Lucknow and to the culture of the family in which I am married into,” says the Fukrey actress. Ali Fazal and…

Alia Bhatt, Isha Ambani, Natasha Poonawalla at the Met Gala 2024 A bevy of celebrities descended upon the red carpet of the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Several prominent Indians marked their attendance at the prestigious fashion ball and fund-raiser. Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, making her second appearance at the Met, shone in a stunning mint-green Sabyasachi saree with a 23-foot-long train, in keeping with the gala’s “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme. Bhatt made her Met Gala debut in 2023 in a Prabal Gurung ensemble. Isha Ambani, daughter of businessman Mukesh Ambani and…

Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s look from the Met Gala 2024, at the Metropolitan Museum Art in New York | Photo Credit: sabyasachiofficial/Instagram Well-known designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee became the first Indian fashion designer to walk the Met Gala carpet. Sabyasachi shared his look from the coveted event on his Instagram handle. In an elegant appearance, Sabyasachi wore an embroidered duster coat from the Sabyasachi Resort 2024 collection. He styled his look with tourmalines, pearls, emeralds, and diamonds from Sabyasachi High Jewellery. ALSO READ:Met Gala 2024: Alia Bhatt shines in stunning floral Sabyasachi saree The ace designer also wore tinted sunglasses and brown loafers.…

Kylie Jenner attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’ at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City | Photo Credit: DIA DIPASUPIL Amidst a constellation of stars and glitterati of the fashion world, the Met Gala 2024 unfolded its grandeur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, casting a spell of glamour and sophistication. The annual event, fondly dubbed as ‘Fashion’s Biggest Night’, embraced the theme ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’, deviating from its customary extravagance to focus on the revival of timeless garments from bygone eras. Stepping onto the iconic Met Gala…

Shakira attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’ exhibition on Monday, May 6, 2024, in New York | Photo Credit: Evan Agostini Columbian singer Shakira debuted at the Met Gala in a stunning red gown with a dramatic long cape. The ‘Waka Waka’ hitmaker walked the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a Carolina Herrera gown that gave off a flamenco vibe with its dramatic train and cape detailed with voluminous ruffled sleeves resembling an abstract rose. The gown featured a high slit at the…

Sauntering through the hallways of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the way to cocktails, James Corden spread his arms out comically, like he owned the place. “Let me know if you want me to talk you through any of this,” he said, pointing to the precious art on the walls, joking around with Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sánchez, who happened to be walking behind him. Gwendoline Christie | Photo Credit: Evan Agostini It was all in fun, but Corden, like many celebrities, is a Met Gal a regular. Then there are the first-timers. These guests, no matter…

The world’s first jeans made of discarded cigarette butts as part of the Lee Cooper Eco Collection  | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In the time you take to read this sentence more than 12,000 cigarette butts would have been trashed in India. Explaining what a massive challenge they pose to the environment, founder and director of Code Effort, Naman Gupta says that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are disposed of globally every year, of which a 100 billion are in India. This is why Code Effort focusses on finding practical ways to upcycle them. Which led to an intriguing collaboration with Reliance…

The new retail space has been designed by Paris-based architecture and interior design firm, RDAI | Photo Credit: Six Ways To Sunday Under the watchful gaze of a tiger, woven into a signature Hermès silk scarf, Eric Festy, regional director for Hermès in South Asia is discussing the changing Indian luxury consumer. He has just opened the French luxury brand’s new store, at Mumbai’s Jio World Plaza, now joining an array of luxury names that have taken up residence in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The open-plan store features silks, home decor and jewellery, the latter set apart by the use…

Motherland’s cricket collection, which is inspired by the cricket fashion of the 1970s, embraces nostalgia with whites, off-whites and deep navy blues | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Cricket fever continues to soar with the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and in tow is a fashionable limited-edition clothing capsule themed on the gentleman’s game. It transports the sport’s diehard fans,donning their favourite team’s jerseys at stadiums, to the era of test cricket. Motherland’s cricket collection, which is inspired by the cricket fashion of the 1970s, embraces nostalgia with whites, off-whites and deep navy blues. The recurring pattern on the edit’s pullovers,…

Fashion designer Mac Duggal | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The fashion industry in India is on the brink of a paradigm shift, with many global brands foraying into the country’s booming retail sector. Since January, the country has witnessed the advent of French fashion and fragrance brand Maison Margiela at Mumbai’s Jio World Drive (in partnership with Shoppers Stop and L’Oreal International Distribution), British menswear brand Charles Tyrwhitt’s store in Ahmedabad and Swedish lifestyle brand Gaston Luga via e-commerce platforms Ajio Luxe, Tata Cliq Luxury and The White Crow. Now, US-based, Indian-origin fashion designer Mac Duggal is making his debut…

With every print she creates, architect-turned-designer Anjali Ashok tells a story. “I am not just selling a piece of clothing. Each print is a story that resonates on a personal level with the wearer,” she says, discussing her clothing brand, House of Urmi. She adds that the garments are “hand-painted and digitally-printed wearable art”.  Urmi is a coiling sword in Malayalam used in kalaripayattu. Anjali says she named the label after it as it “captures the essence of the Malabar. I wanted to bring powerful stories from the region through the brand and was looking for a name that resonated…

Azure brings to life the colour spectrum of the ocean and the skies | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The metaphorical iterations of the colour blue may have attributed to its aesthetic value. No wonder, it has been the muse of many fashion designers — from Charles Lewis Tiffany’s trademark Tiffany blue and Yuima Nakazato’s 2022 collection Blue Season to Stella McCartney and Fendi taking to its pale shade during the spring/summer ’24 runway shows. Closer home, couturier Anita Dongre is romancing the hue’s association with Nature. Its prominent proportions in her newly launched collection, titled Azure, are coupled with eco-conscious…

“It’s pronounced ‘along’. Because clothes are always with you,” says Chennai-based Nithya Prakas of her just- launched label Alonge. “We added the ‘e’ so it is easier to find us on the the search engine,” she laughs. After completing a course in Fashion Technology from PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore, in 2007, Nithya waited 17 years before starting her label. “This had always been my dream. But my children were very young and I didn’t want to get into it till they were able to take care of themselves”, she says. Alonge is a knitwear brand that mirrors the…

Horology enthusiasts were looking forward to this year’s edition of Watches and Wonders in Geneva. The fair was bigger in scale, with 54 participating maisons, their retailers, partners, and media. The week-long event, open to invitees only for four days, flung its doors open to the general public during the last three days. Compared to last year, it recorded a 14% rise in footfall, with nearly 49,000 visitors, including 5,700 retailers and 1,500 journalists. On the Internet, #watchesandwonders2024 shot to popularity on many social-networking sites, clocking an estimated reach of over 600 million, states the event’s official closing report. Supermodel…

Love Me Twice’s second store was opened at Bengaluru recently | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement “You feel good when you shop,” says Mridula Pai, the founder of the thrift label Love Me Twice, the first branch of which opened in Kolkata in 2020. She has recently opened Love Me Twice’s second shop in Bengaluru at the Paper Boat Collective (PBC), a retail space with environmental consciousness, ethics and mindful production at its core. Creating a pleasant shopping experience, unlike a rummage through a thrift bin, is key to the brand; Mridula firmly believes that this is absolutely essential for thrift to…

Designer Ashita Singhal poses with her weavers at the Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI 2024 at Jio World Convention centre in Mumbai Ashita Singhal’s clothes look avant garde, but did you know they are made of waste? “At Paiwand Studio, we believe beggars can’t be choosers, so we use everything we get,” laughs Ashita, founder of the studio, which upcycles textile waste and turns it into fabric. This year, the Delhi-based designer won the seventh edition of the Nexa presents the Spotlight award (a programme that gives young fashion designers a platform to showcase their work) at Lakme Fashion Week…

Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC in titanium ($529,000) and platinum ($546,000), limited to 20 pieces. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Earlier this week, Bulgari unveiled the thinnest watch on the planet. Attendees at Watches and Wonders Geneva (till April 15), who have tried on the new Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC highlight its robust quality despite its 1.7 mm thickness. One popular reviewer likens it to a strand of spaghetti and others have been pulling coins or credit cards out of their pockets for comparison. It is a timely reminder of Jean-Christophe Babin’s favourite line: “Innovation never ends at Bulgari.” The new…

Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, centre, acknowledges the applause of the audience after presenting the Roberto Cavalli men’s Spring-Summer 2015 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, June 24, 2014. Italy’s world-famous fashion designer Roberto Cavalli – known for his flamboyant and glamorous style — died on Friday, April 12, 2024 aged 83, his company announced in an Instagram post. | Photo Credit: AP Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, whose penchant for python and flamboyant animal prints made him the darling of the international jet set for decades, died Friday at 83, the luxury company said. “It…

Peak season: In a week, many biryani kitchens will function non-stop leading up to the April 19 Lok Sabha election. M. Abbu Bhai’s kitchen at Tondiarpet has three pitch-black cauldrons of oil roaring to life as the firewood picks up heat. Onions, chillies, and whole spices sputter while the meat waits patiently for its turn. It is a relatively small order today — biryani, chicken 65, ennai kathrikai, and a sweet made of bread for a birthday party. The aroma entices even cats in the area as they promptly poke their head through the gates of his kitchen. This is…

Snapshots of the newly launched VR and AR-enabled digital store It is Saturday night and a party is underway at Chennai’s Biskit studio. Millennials groove to house music as they peruse a wide range of abstract, futuristic fashion. Here, the age-old concept of shopping is redefined. In one corner someone is desperately pinching the air to zoom in: he is wearing a VR headset, and is inside the studio’s virtual store, which offers a gender-neutral fashion line. Cast on a projector screen is a magnified version of the online store, where one can roam the vast, minimalist space in greyscale, past…

Outfits from Verandah’s Anjuna collection | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In a major win for Indian luxury fashion, popular resort wear and swimwear brand Verandah has joined the ranks of luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Tom Ford Beauty to bag the Butterfly Mark certification for ‘contributing to the future of the planet’. An initiative by UK-based Positive Luxury, sustainability experts for the global luxury industry, the certification is awarded to brands ‘meeting higher and higher standards for people and Nature’.  Anjali Patel Mehta, Founder, Verandah | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Anjali Patel Mehra, founder of Verandah — known…

Designer Urvashi Kaur with celebrities and models during her show at Lakme Fashion Week 2024 at Jio World Convention centre in Mumbai, India on March 14. | Photo Credit: Perfect Shadows, FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week and RISE Worldwide In 2008, when Urvashi Kaur started her label, after working with fashion designer Neeta Paul and completing a fashion course in Paris, she made her debut in the Indian fashion industry with Lakmé Fashion Week. This year marks her 15th year at the bi-annual gala. Rasika Duggal walks the ramp for Urvashi Kaur’s show at Lakmé Fashion Week 2024 | Photo…

A bag from The Good Felt X Jaggery Bags collab | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Late last month, as industry experts presented their offerings at Bharat Tex — one of the world’s largest textile events — two organisations from Bengaluru marked their presence with a rather unique offering: felt apparel, and accessories. The project is a collaboration between Hasiru Batte (an initiative by Bengaluru-based Hasiru Dala Trust) and The Good Felt. The latter is a project by Netherlands-based Enviu, an organisation that helps build new companies (such as Bengaluru’s Khaloom) across the clothing production chain that turn waste into value. …

Hanut Singh, 51, is just back from a trip to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra. “I can’t even begin to tell you how moved I was,” says the jewellery designer. “Even though I’ve been there many times, it feeds my soul. There’s such a strong feeling of déjà vu.” This resonance with the architecture of the period, its beauty and symmetry reflect in his designs. I first met Hanut in 2005, before he became the darling of international and Indian elite, as a guest of his uncle Martand ‘Mapu’ Singh at the grand reopening of the Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad. The…

Archana Rao (centre) with models showcasing her creations at Lakme Fashion Week 2024 | Photo Credit: FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week At designer Archana Rao’s studio in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, a marigold yellow gown with floral surface details and a voluminous trail draws attention. This satin-organza gown is from her Frou Frou Bride collection. In contrast to this are a few black and white separates, with silhouettes inspired by power dressing, from her Sun and Moon collection showcased at Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Spring-Summer, in collaboration with Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). A few feet away is a showcase…

Purses, jewellery and accessories that will be displayed at Collage | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Collage, Chennai’s multi-dimensional fashion and luxury store, is stepping into its 20th year with a retrospective that romances nostalgia. In collaboration with Mumbai’s high-end boutique Beg Borrow Steal, it is bringing antique jewellery and art along with vintage textiles and accessories to its premises this weekend. “It has the chaotic, diverse and vibrant vibe of a flea market,” says Lata Madhu, founder of Collage. Christian art, bags and clutches at the exhibit | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Gold spot Founded in 2018 by Pranav Sood…

As Mumbai’s fashion commentators, couturiers and creators came together last week at Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI, we saw stalwarts like Anamika Khanna revive tribal motifs, Rajesh Pratap Singh partner with an Argentinian polo brand, and JJ Valaya use royal travel fables as a narrative to work with. We also loved the sartorial elegance of Siddhartha Tytler and the dreamy Lucknow-esque motifs of Rajdeep Ranawat. Another highlight was Saaksha and Kinni’s summery swimwear collection. Here is what we believe will influence wardrobes in the coming year: A model walks the ramp during LA MARTINA X RAJESH PRATAP SINGH TRIBUTO AL…

garments from Moonray’s spring-summer collection Equilibrium | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Inspired by Nature, Moonray’s spring-summer collection, Equilibrium, envelops traditional crafts and dyeing techniques within the fold of sustainable fashion and modern design sensibilities. While plant-based dyes and eco-friendly fabrics are the cynosure of the range that hit store’s shelves mid-February, it is the three-dimensional floral bouquet details on the garments that underline the Mumbai-based luxury-clothing brand’s commitment to innovation in fashion aesthetics. Plant-based dyes and eco-friendly fabrics are the cynosure of the range  | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Karishma Swali, creative director of Moonray, shares that the brand started working on the collection…

The latest capsule collection, IRO, comprises 18 saris in silk and organza | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Just in time for summer, luxurious silks in vivid hues of electric purple, ultramarine blue, and rani pink are part of Ekaya Banaras’ latest capsule collection, IRO. Comprising 18 saris in silks and organza, the New Delhi-based brand has launched them in collaboration with jewellery designer Anu Merton.  IRO is a collaboration with jewellery designer, Anu Merton | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Palak Shah, CEO, Ekaya Banaras, says the collection has been in the works for a few months. “We opted for strong…

Archana Kochhar at the 71st Miss World pageant at Jio Convention Center, Mumbai on March 9 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In a display of sartorial finesse, fashion designer Archana Kochhar unveiled her latest collection for the 71st Miss World pageant, which took place at the Jio Convention Center, Mumbai on March 9.  With an emphasis on promoting Indian textile traditions and craftsmanship, Archana’s collection comprises lehengas, draped gowns, shararas, anarkhalis and more, and showcases a diverse range of material, from ahimsa silk to Kutchi mirror work. India’s Sini Shetty and other contestants during the grand finale of the 71st Miss…

Watch | Fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani on his new book ‘Journey to India Modern’ The conversation between Rosella Stephen, Editor, The Hindu Sunday Magazine and Literary Review, and one of India’s foremost fashion designers, Tarun Tahiliani, began with a mention of his book, Tarun Tahiliani: Journey to India Modern (Roli Books), a culmination of 25 years of the designer’s career. Ms. Stephen spoke about how the launch of the book at the Mumbai Art Fair had become news. She added that this was unsurprising because, along with the more technical aspects of his work — the signature craft work and…

A preview of Gaurang Shah’s Lakme Fashion Week 2024 springs-summer collection Gulal, in Hyderabad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement A burst of pink hues contrasts the pale white walls on the first floor of textile designer Gaurang Shah’s flagship store in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. On display are lehengas and saris he will be showcasing at Lakme Fashion Week (LFW), Mumbai, on March 14. His spring-summer collection is named Gulal and he says the idea of showcasing ensembles of one colour scheme came from singer Shubha Mudgal. “She told me that in the past, people dressed in colours representing a season.…

On February 27, at Paris Fashion Week, Dior went back to the 60s. But instead of leaning into its ‘swinging’ tag, creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri had her models wend their way around life-size, cage-like cane forms. Crafted by Mumbai-based artist Shakuntala Kulkarni, the commanding pieces placed at the centre of the runway in Tuileries Garden brought to mind many things: ancient carapaces, imposing samurai yoroi (armour), but also a sense of strength. Artist Shakuntala Kulkarni | Photo Credit: Laura Sciacovelli While Chiuri’s Fall/Winter 2024-2025 collection focused on the decade of liberated fashion — a transitional era that brought with…

As a collector of ikat saris, I have a defining memory of the weave. An exquisite cotton ikat sari woven by Pitabas Meher, whose father Mohan Meher received the National Award for the design. In shades of deep red and indigo, it was inspired by a board game and replicated the motifs of the dice with script and numbers. I wore it to receive the Rajat Kamal from President Abdul Kalam in 2003 for producing the documentary Meeting Manjit. Later, I had the occasion to acquire more beautiful weaves from Meher, before discovering newer designers such as Gunjan Jain, and institutions like Meera Mehta and…

Executives from the House of Pernod Ricard India, along with whisky connoisseur Zoran B and host Kubra Sait, at the global launch of Longitude 77.  | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The Palazzo Versace in Dubai is an opulent mirage. At the hotel’s lobby, is a spectrum of guests from different nations walking out after a swim, past the picture-perfect patisserie. The pool overlooks the Jaddaf Waterfront as the dimming sunset changes from the iridescent pinks and purples to a fading black. The dhows (traditional sailing vessels) and abras (boats) bobbing on the creek turn on their lights. Simultaneously, the hotel…

You can drink high in Rio and you can drink low, and I did both, and in-between too. The promenade along Copacabana, as well as Ipanema and Leblon, has cocktail carts well-spaced out, so by the time you have finished your first expertly mixed Caipirinha, you can order your next. The word Copacabana was derived from the Quechua word copa caguana meaning luminous palace.  If you want to drink high, then the option is not far away, the Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel and an Art Deco masterpiece, is on the other side of the street. As their website explains, the hotel was…

For the Estée Lauder X Sabyasachi collaboration, the couturier curated the shades by drawing on individual threads from his aesthetic At first, it looks like a piece of jewellery. A gilded case with 24K gold-plated accents and the Bengal tiger embossed on top. Is it a pendant, a charm perhaps? Neither; what it is, is actually a lipstick from the Estée Lauder X Sabyasachi collaboration. The just launched limited edition collection features 10 matte lipsticks with colours spread across a warm palette, ranging from red and berry to tangerine and brown. The lipsticks come in gilded cases with 24K gold-plated accents…

Bottomless scrolling on Instagram or TikTok for perfection also perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards | Photo Credit: Getty Images Social media has always taught people to erase all flaws. It is a landscape where beauty reigns supreme, and perfection seems just a filter away. However, this bottomless scrolling on Instagram or TikTok for perfection also perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards, wreaking havoc on one’s self-esteem, mental health, and collective perception of beauty. Social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, have become arenas of competition, prompting more people to alter their appearance, from using Photoshop and makeup to even plastic surgery to fit…

ACP Bhawani Singh is back in Anuja Chauhan’s latest whodunit-romance, The Fast and the Dead (Harper Collins). There was serendipity in his return, the 53-year-old author says. “When I wrote Club You To Death, I was working with an idea of this pudgy, gentle oldie who radiates so much sympathy that people can’t help talking to him.” Bhawani, Anuja says, was a vibe, not a face. All that changed with Murder Mubarak, based on Club You to Death, that is dropping on Netflix this March. Directed by Homi Adajania, the film features an ensemble cast including Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma…

ACP Bhawani Singh is back in Anuja Chauhan’s latest whodunit-romance, The Fast and the Dead (Harper Collins). There was serendipity in his return, the 53-year-old author says. “When I wrote Club You To Death, I was working with an idea of this pudgy, gentle oldie who radiates so much sympathy that people can’t help talking to him.” Bhawani, Anuja says, was a vibe, not a face. All that changed with Murder Mubarak, based on Club You to Death, that is dropping on Netflix this March. Directed by Homi Adajania, the film features an ensemble cast including Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma…

Shubhika Sharma has five cats — two in her office and three at home. And they served as inspiration for her just launched collaboration with Garfield. To commemorate the iconic, lazy, orange cat’s 45th anniversary, Viacom 18 Consumer Products tied up with Shubhika’s brand Papa Don’t Preach for a limited-edition collection. Just observing my cats’ personalities — sassy, loving, huggable — gave me clear direction as to what attitude this collection should have. I wrapped it up in a month,” says Shubhika who grew up reading the Garfield comic strip in newspapers and only later discovered that the tabby cat…

Students of the Department of Fashion and Lifestyle Accessories, NIFT, Hyderabad, who executed the wall art project | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The bold, wavy patterns in red, blue, yellow and black on the walls of the recently-inaugurated sports complex are visible from a distance to those who enter the National Institute of Fashion Technology campus in Madhapur, Hyderabad. The anterior portion of the sports building is a work of art by students and faculty of the Department of Fashion and Lifestyle accessories. For nearly a month, the students and faculty would begin work around dusk and continue till 1…

Once upon a time, in the 17th century, the governor of Malabar wrote a botanical treatise. Hortus Malabaricus (Garden of Malabar) is a series of 12 tomes that highlighted the flora in the Malabar Coast and its medicinal properties; it is considered an important book on India’s plant wealth. Today, this treatise finds space in research, studies and other books and lately, in cocktails. At Kochi’s Hortus — The Garden of Malabar, the cocktail programme is a tribute to the botanicals mentioned in the book. “It was fascinating to learn about our rich heritage and how the Malabar region was…

Once upon a time, in the 17th century, the governor of Malabar wrote a botanical treatise. Hortus Malabaricus (Garden of Malabar) is a series of 12 tomes that highlighted the flora in the Malabar Coast and its medicinal properties; it is considered an important book on India’s plant wealth. Today, this treatise finds space in research, studies and other books and lately, in cocktails. At Kochi’s Hortus — The Garden of Malabar, the cocktail programme is a tribute to the botanicals mentioned in the book. “It was fascinating to learn about our rich heritage and how the Malabar region was…

The bomber jacket designed for Puma | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Sportswear brand Puma gets an Indian makeover with varied embroidered textile cut-outs, courtesy a collaboration with artist-designer Viraj Khanna, son of noted Indian designer Anamika Khanna and brand AK-OK. It was featured in the brand’s bomber jacket — designed exclusively for its Gen Z brand ambassador, Shanaya Kapoor — that was sported by her for her first-ever Knicks basketball game at New York’s Madison Square last month. . “Puma got in touch with me to bring art and sport together to create this bomber jacket. They liked how I…

You can drink high in Rio and you can drink low, and I did both, and in-between too. The promenade along Copacabana, as well as Ipanema and Leblon, has cocktail carts well-spaced out, so by the time you have finished your first expertly mixed Caipirinha, you can order your next. The word Copacabana was derived from the Quechua word copa caguana meaning luminous palace.  If you want to drink high, then the option is not far away, the Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel and an Art Deco masterpiece, is on the other side of the street. As their website explains, the hotel was…

Diipa Büller Khosla is busy deciding where to lunch. She loves a good South Indian meal. And, filter coffee. Savya Rasa, Manjal, Junior Kuppanna… she lists out her options. The Mumbai/Amsterdam-based influencer — with an Instagram following of 2.1 million — has strong ties with Chennai. Her mother grew up here. Diipa lived here for a year and studied in Udhagamandalam (Ooty). She was back in the city this week to host an event for her brand Inde Wild – The Champi Tour – Momi x Diipa Khosla. “This feels like homecoming,” she says. Diipa Büller Khosla with her mother Sangitha Khosla Diipa launched Inde…

Ashish Soni | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Designer Ashish Soni says as a designer, he is all for inclusivity and sustainable talk if designers and consumers actually walk the talk. As a curator-in-chief of Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion NXT he says, “All of us as individuals should do our own little things to bring a change. Inclusivity and sustainability are done to death, but are we really walking the talk? Fashion across the world has been acceptable to all genders. Now that the envelope is being pushed, we must be as inclusive as possible. Saleability is a different subject. It…

JJ Valaya with show stopper Mrunal Thakur and Jim Sarabh | Photo Credit: Special arrangements At the exclusive preview of Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion NXT in Hyderabad, the audience got to glimpse the new face of fashion with designer JJ Valaya’s bridge-to-luxury line JJV Kapurthala. He informs the collection is all about accessible fashion and not couture. The designer says, “I have been a wedding specialist. So people don’t really come to me for casual wear. But on this platform, for the first time in Hyderabad, we are showcasing a JJV, which will be priced under ₹50,000. It starts at…

Like smartphones, smartwatches too have caught the attention of Indian users. A smartwatch serves two basic purposes: it keeps track of activitiesand acts as a fashion accessory too. Having said that, a majority of smartwatch users want to keep a tab on their daily activities such as number of steps taken, heart rate, and oxygen level in real-time, among other features. Smartwatch shipments reached 16.9 million units in Q32023 while the average selling price (ASPs) declined to nearly ₹2,218 ($26.7) noted International Data Corporation (IDC). Since smartwatches are becoming more affordable, they are finding more takers too. Premium smartwatches have…

Nila Jaipur will exhibit at Nayaab Edit | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement  Wall art/tapestries by Morii Design | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement A retrospective that engages with not just the warp and weft that spells India’s rich legacy of textile craft, but also explores the age-old techniques of hand embroidery, printing and dying — the Nayaab Edit, now in its twelfth iteration, is back in Chennai. Curated by craft and textile enthusiast, and revivalist, Rupa Sood, the Nayaab Edit has come a long way from its first edition in Delhi in 2015. “We have worked with over 50 designers through…

Model walking on the ramp at Asia’s largest leather fashion show ‘India International Leather Fair (IILF)‘ in Chennai at the ITC Grand Chola | Photo Credit: Akhila Easwaran The cameras flashed in sync at the supermodel who walked the ramp sporting a chic leather bag made of recycled leather. Office and travel accessories, biker jackets, belts, wallets, shoes, boots, and bags that fit every occasion were showcased at The Leather Fashion Show 2024 at the ITC Grand Chola. The evening began with Tata International’s display of men’s formal footwear in sleek leather in various styles like Derbies, Oxfords, loafers and…

The conversation between Rosella Stephen and one of India’s foremost fashion designers, Tarun Tahiliani, began with a mention of his book, Tarun Tahiliani: Journey to India Modern, a culmination of 25 years of the designer’s career. Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ. B

“This one is a conversation starter,” says Vinaya Gupta. Pushing her wavy burgundy hair back, she reveals a delicate pair of earrings. A cluster of small, brilliant-cut diamonds is set in a pattern that looks like a mini constellation. “They are gem quality, but lab-grown, planet positive and purse accessible,” says the 27-year-old entrepreneur shopping at Avira Diamonds, a swanky store that displays jewellery made of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) in Chennai. A 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond, gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to US First Lady Jill Biden | Photo Credit: PTI Like Vinaya, many millennials see LGDs not as a…

Jane Birkin poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Jane By Charlotte’ at the 74th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, July 8, 2021. | Photo Credit: AP Jane Birkin, the British-born singer and actress who became a style icon in her adopted France, has died, a source close to her said on Sunday. She was 76. Birkin had been suffering from health problems in recent years that had forced her to cancel concerts. The cause of death and other details were not immediately known. Birkin catapulted to fame through her turbulent relationship with legendary singer-songwriter…

The story so far: Three U.S.-based designers and artists on July 11 filed a lawsuit against Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein, alleging that the company indulges in copyright infringement that “constitutes racketeering”. The case against Shein was filed in a California district court,with the plaintiffs invoking sections of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO). The lawsuit also expressed surprise that for all the scrutiny that TikTok – yet another Chinese app – has been subjected to, the U.S. Congress has not considered “more dramatic action” against Shein. In April 2022, Shein was valued at $100 billion for a capital-raising…

Stories and anecdotes scatter themselves in the folds of textiles, saris, made-ups, and fabrics at the Craft Council of India’s textile show. . Bela Khaleeli, joint treasurer of CCI, Chennai, says that the theme for this year’s edition being “Revive, Revisit, Reimagine — and Innovate”, the focus will be on handloom silk, cotton saris and fabrics. CCI has identified weavers, designers, and craftsmen, who have been meticulously working on the revival of crafts and weaving on the verge of extinction. A creation by The Far East Studio | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement “ The show normally features 20 plus weavers,…

Apart from the famous ‘cat eye’ frame, Ms. Schinasi had patented many inventions throughout her career and produced documentaries too, Google pointed.  | Photo Credit: Google Google on August 4, 2023, celebrated the life of Altina Schinasi, an american artist, designed and inventor, who is known for designing the Harlequin eye glass frame or ‘cat eye’ frame. She was born on this day in 1907 in Manhattan, New York to immigrant parents. “Her mother was a native of Salonica (then in the Ottoman Empire) and her father was a Sephardic Jewish Turk ,” Google noted. Apart from the famous ‘cat…

Less is more, but nothing is still nothing. Stylist Louw Kotze repurposes a Donatella Versace quote to describe Tarun Tahiliani, 60, a ‘maximalist’ who is “well researched and knows his own signature”. Tarun’s show at India Couture Week, which concluded on Wednesday, had the refined aesthetic and sculptured fits we now take for granted, but the intricately embroidered lehengas, saris, and jackets were also backed by strong craftsmanship, a fusion of chikankari and kasheedakari, and references to Byzantine art, Egyptian doors, and Persian motifs. Models walk the ramp with designer Tarun Tahiliani’s creations at the India Couture Week held in…

An Uppada weave from Madhurya Creations | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement We have heard of sari revival projects that encourage weavers to get back to looms, individuals to restore or repurpose their heirloom weaves, and even get mainstream brands to collaborate or tie up with weaver clusters. At Bengaluru-based Madhurya Creations, Andhra Pradesh’s famed Uppada saris are getting a refreshing makeover by blending them with pichwai paintings. The brand — whose saris have found favour among the likes of Alia Bhatt, and Athiya Shetty, among other Bollywood celebrities — decided to launch a project after noticing the dwindling number of…

Nandita Mahtani presents ‘Reflect’ with Karan Johar as showstopper I Celebrating 20 years in fashion (3) Armed with 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, designer Nandita Mahtani is packing a punch with her brand’s new collection called Reflect. “Reflect is more than just a collection; it’s a heartfelt journey through two decades of creativity, and evolution,” says the Mumbai-based designer, who started working on the edit in the first quarter of 2023 to celebrate her label’s two-decade anniversary in 2024. She describes the range as a reflection of her journey, “intricately woven into the fabric of this collection, binding…

A model showcases a sari by Blue Lotus | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Handwoven and handspun khadi garments as well as naturally dyed fabrics will be in the spotlight at an exhibition in Hyderabad, from August 10 to 12. Hosted by the India Handmade Collective (IHMC) as part of its S.A.L.T Stories (Sustain Alternate Live and Transform) initiative, for the second consecutive year, the exhibition held in association with the Crafts Council of Telangana will also conduct a hands-on workshop on natural dyes and screen documentaries on ethical, slow fashion. The IHMC was founded in November 2020 to support the…

Hyderabad-based textile designer Gaurang Shah’s Whispers of the Loom showcased a wide range of handlooms from different pockets of India, to mark National Handloom Day on August 7. | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal How well do we know our handlooms? A habitual wearer of handlooms or anyone with a keen interest in the sector would be familiar with terms such as hand spun, handwoven, warp, weft, shuttle, loom and can differentiate a Pochampally ikat from a Sambalpuri ikat. But the more we explore the intricacies of handlooms, we realise how little we know about our diverse indigenous weaves and crafts.…

The Hindu Archival Exhibit The year is 1949. Crowds swell outside The Hindu’s office on Mount Road on a hot afternoon to keep track of the latest test cricket score, as the national newspaper’s office staff manually update the scoreboard from the building’s balcony. In the backdrop, daily life goes on as a tram passes by. Breaking news is literally served from across the road.   This moment, frozen in black and white, remains a rare sight. It epitomises the wealth that is The Hindu’s archives. Get a peek into the collection at the Kasturi building, the Art Deco headquarters of…

Outfits from Label Erode’s debit collection, jimikkalam | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Once a prominent decor artefact, the tightly knit jamakkalam carpets in bright shades of navy blue, red, green, and white now don a new avatar courtesy Mayank Bhutra’s label, Erode. The GI-tagged Bhavani jamakkalam, crafted in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district is on the verge of extinction, and Mayank says his label’s first collection — launched in May this year — is an ode to the craft. “Erode is a cultural luxury brand that reminds us how cultural heritage is fading, not just physically but also in the traditions…

From Seamstress’ kitsch collection that is a bright dash of colour | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The default Onam palette is white and gold, with the odd dash of colour either woven in, printed or added as surface embellishment. A few Kerala-based designers have added a dash of whimsy to their collections this Onam, marrying the traditional with the modern. Inkpikle From Inkpikle’s collection | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Kochi-based designer Aathira Manali of Inkpikle has stuck to ivory for her handspun, handwoven saris (with kasavu) screen-printed with Onam motifs such as thumbapoo (Ceylon slitwort) and papillon butterfly (seen during…

Sobhita Dhulipala in ‘Made in Heaven’ Chandni Chowk, Santa Cruz’s markets and Indian couture houses: Bhawna Sharma has scoured them all to source costumes for the cast of Made in Heaven 2. By the end of her sourcing trips, the stylist and costume designer had a godown filled with 200 steel trunks, each containing hand-picked garments and accessories for the show. “I have curated the looks for the eight main protagonists as well as their families,” she says over a call from Barcelona.  Bhawna Sharma A former model who walked the ramp for 25 years, in 2013 Bhawna traded her catwalk…

A snapshot of the Mehrauli store | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement It is said, that after working for 10 years, you become famous overnight. In Jade by Monica Shah and Karishma Swali’s case, it is 15 years. Scratch that, actually it is consistent, creative, committed, and patient work over 40 years. Chanakya, their parent company (the name behind Dior and many other international’s brand’s world-class embroidery) was envisioned in 1984 by Vinod Shah (Karishma’s father and Monica’s father-in-law). Shah senior, with a bent towards poetry and music, found a calling in Indian crafts and formalised Chanakya with one clear goal:…

Manufacturing unit of Walkaroo footwear at Malumichampatti | Photo Credit: PERIASAMY M “Start walking,” says V Noushad, founder and managing director of Coimbatore-based Walkaroo International. The footwear brand joins hands with Coimbatore Cancer Foundation to host the 11th edition of the Coimbatore Marathon. “It is the first step towards a healthy lifestyle. It helps overcome health challenges that are likely to arise from a sedentary lifestyle,” he says adding that their latest nation-wide campaign WalkIndiaWalk amplified the importance and role of daily walking for mental, physical, and emotional well-being. V Noushad of Walkaroo | Photo Credit: PERIASAMY M “Our brand…

Recycled turbans turn couture, courtesy designer Pavneet Kaur who is one of the 10 finalists at the Redress Design Award 2023 that was announced recently. The much-awaited sustainable fashion award by the environmental charity headquartered in Hong Kong aims to ‘educate and empower designers and consumers to reduce clothing’s negative impact on the environment, thereby accelerating a change in the circular fashion industry’. This year, the team received entries from 46 countries, and the 30 semi-finalists feature four Indians. Today, the finalists will showcase their collections at the Grand Final Fashion Show in Hong Kong.  Pavneet Kaur | Photo Credit:…

At the peak of the pandemic, when the larger Geneva watch fair, Watches and Wonders, missed its turn to hold a physical event, eight prestigious watch brands: Breitling, Bulgari, De Bethune, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie., MB&F, Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk came together in September 2020 to launch a unique watch salon called the Geneva Watch Days. Based on a cooperative philosophy, the salon was designed to be self-managed, providing a common platform to showcase the latest in fine watchmaking, while giving participating brands the opportunity to host individual events. Supported by the Canton, the City of Geneva, and the…

Anaar for Kish Jeane’s collection  | Photo Credit: Sam J. Photos The debut of India’s luxury footwear brand Anaar at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) spells a new chapter in the country’s exploration of fusion fashion — blending traditional crafts with global fads — on the international fashion ramp. Known for its hand-embroidered, wedged sneakers, nine-month-old, Mumbai-based Anaar claims to be the country’s first footwear brand to have partnered with NYFW for the runway collections of designers Kayzie Couture, USA-based Stuti weaves of pleasure, Kish Jeane and Haus of Faye/InspireD’Signs. A model wears Anaar shoes on the runway for Inspired…

India’s olfactory palette, owing to its diverse flora, has championed the art of distilling scents, fondly known as attars. It is these fragrant oils that caught the fancy of Good Earth’s founder Anita Lal, who launched LilaNur Parfums, an Indian luxury fragrance house, on Thursday in the country. The story of LilaNur Parfums began in the fragrant flower fields of South India, where the house soon forged a relationship with the proprietors of Jasmine C.E., one of India’s largest source of floral absolutes for the international fine fragrance industry. The flowers — distilled and extracted for use by the world’s most renowned master…

Gauravi Kumari and Claire Deroo with the artisans of PDKF | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Gauravi Kumari from the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur was 14 when her mother, the now Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Diya Kumari, launched her namesake Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF) a decade ago. The aim was (and continues to be) the socio-economic empowerment of the State’s women through skill development and employment. But it was only in 2020 that the young royal, who returned to Jaipur after pursuing Media and Communications at New York University, found herself more actively involved in her family’s social…

Designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil at the launch of S&N store in Chandigarh | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The Indian man’s quest for fashionable clothes has intrigued designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil, who have decided to dedicate nearly 70% of their collections to men while also keeping their designs gender fluid. Hot on the heels of their casual-wear brand Shantnu Nikhil Cricket Club, the couturier brothers went on a spree to open stores across the country, from the one that’s nestled in a 133-year-old building in Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda to their most recent one in Chandigarh. They have a total…

Despite winning the sixth edition of NEXA Presents The Spotlight (a programme that gives young fashion designers a platform to showcase their work at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI in October) for the first time, fashion designer Sushant Abrol says he almost feels like a veteran. “I had applied earlier for this coveted title. This was my fourth attempt,” he laughs. Sushant, who launched his label Countrymade in 2019, believes in learning from his failures. “Last year, I was very close to winning. I did well, but someone else did better,” he adds. “So, this time, I raised…

Tanya Biswas (left) with sister Sujata | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement When sisters Sujata and Tanya Biswas decided to kickstart an apparel brand, they launched with a collection of simple mulmul sarees that featured vibrant tassels. “They were basic, no-fuss weaves with no embellishments that weren’t available in the market then. The fabric was unstarched, hence making the saris soft. We wanted them to smell like our grandmother’s saris,” says Sujata of their brand Suta’s maiden collection in 2016. Cut to seven years later, and their Mumbai-based label Suta is synonymous with handwoven saris and blouses that cater especially to…

 (Clockwise from top left) Air India’s air hostesses; sari-clad scientists; air hostesses welcoming guests; a 1950s ad for a ‘modern’ girl; and designer Manish Malhotra with Katrina Kaif. | Photo Credit: Getty Images and Special Arrangement “No more saris? Air India may bring in new look for flight crew” was the headline. The article continued, “For six decades now, Air India’s flight attendants have worn the whole nine yards while negotiating long-haul flights and demanding passengers… The new look, expected to be unveiled in November, will include churidars for women and suits for men”. As someone known to be a sari aficionado,…

Helen Mirren walks the runway during the ‘Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris – Walk Your Worth’ show as part of the Paris Fashion Week at the Eiffel Tower on October 01, 2023 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Getty Images British actor Dame Helen Mirren recently walked the ramp during the ‘Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris — Walk Your Worth’ show as part of the Paris Fashion Week at the Eiffel Tower. The Oscar winner, 78, is known for her iconic appearances on red carpets and fashion galas over the years; the star’s daring look at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 earlier…

Jessica Chastain attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California | Photo Credit: AUDE GUERRUCCI Television’s top stars sparkled on the Emmys red carpet Monday, embracing the trends that have emerged in a hectic week of awards shows in Hollywood: red gowns, sumptuous purple frocks and lots of basic, sexy black. Here is a glimpse at the top looks seen at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles: Women in red “Succession” star Sarah Snook, who won best drama actress honors for her work on the popular HBO show, glowed in a red draped Vivienne Westwood ball gown with…

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau walks the runway during ‘Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris – Walk Your Worth’ show as part of Paris Fashion Week at the Eiffel Tower on October 01, 2023 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Getty Images Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau may have found mainstream Hollywood success with the popularity of the shows and films he’s starred in, but nothing excited the star more than walking the runway with his younger daughter Safina Waldau last week at the Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris event. After appearing with his wife Nukâka Coster-Waldau at the Paris Fashion Week runway in 2022, this time…

Visitors checking out different products at the artisans’ mela, Hazaar Bazaar, held at Christ university, Bannerghatta Road campus, Bengaluru, from October 4 to 7. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Small sustainable businesses from Bengaluru got an opportunity to showcase and sell their products at the Hazaar Bazaar fair that was held at the Christ (deemed to be University), Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, as part of “Jharokha – A Window to a Sustainable World” event, organised by Liberati, the student association of the Department of Liberal Arts. With sustainability at its core, the event encompassed a series of workshops, competitions, and exhibitions…

Closed setting polki necklaces from 1 Unique Jewellers | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement At the India Jewellery Show, an exclusive gold and diamond jewellery exhibition recently held in Mumbai, nearly 33 brands showcased fine and precious ornaments to nearly 3,500 people over a period of two days. We took notes from the best to decode bijouterie trends that will define the flavour of festive fashion this season. Here’s the jewellery forecast for the year end. A raw deal Bhavin Jakhia, founder of Om Jewellers, says, “This festive season, customers are particularly inclined towards uncut diamond jewellery. This shift has been…

A few weeks ago, Scuderia Ferrari’s racer, Carlos Sainz, won the Grand Prix 2023 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. But this was not the only major event happening in the island country. Italian textile and menswear authority Zegna also launched its collaboration with Los Angeles-based cashmere brand, The Elder Statesman, at Singapore’s monumental Fullerton hotel to add to the buzz of the F1 weekend. The collection features button-down plaid shirts, bomber jackets, turtlenecks, the softest shawls, shackets, and more | Photo Credit: Elvina Farkas The Fullerton hotel’s terrace — one of the best vantage points to the racing track…

The venue The new Pragati Maidan — with its red sandstone plazas and giant stone-and-glass constructions set amid fountains and open amphitheatres — played host to Indian fashion’s most defining seasonal event from October 11 to 15. It was the fashion industry’s return to a beloved venue, one that was (even prior to the makeover) designed to handle large crowds and intense traffic. In short, it works, like it always did. But something felt amiss, or maybe I was just feeling nostalgic for the times where the designers’ stalls sat prominently at the centre of the ground level, and we…

Designs from Samhita’s first collection  | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Woven intricately with the history of India’s freedom movement, khadi’s prominence in the fashion and textile industry has been both, evolutionary and revolutionary. Over the years, khadi’s visibility has transcended from the runways, with fashion designers like Divyam Mehta, Suket Dhir and Shruti Sancheti exhibiting their khadi edits at Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI earlier this year, to prêt-a-porter labels. Gandhigram’s ready-to-wear khadi brand Samhita is the latest addition to khadi apparel. The brand, developed in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Khadi (COEK) and NIFT, Delhi, will showcase…

Traditional Lambadi hand embroidery consists of a repertoire of 42 embroidery stitches | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement If you have longed to own the exquisite embroidered apparel and accessories crafted by Lambadi artisans at Porgai Artisans Association, here is your chance to get your hands on them. Just in time for Deepavali, Porgai (meaning pride in the Lambadi dialect), is hosting its first-ever solo exhibition in the city this weekend. Porgai’s artisans at work | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Founded by artisans Neela R and Gammi K, along with Dr Lalitha Regi in 2006, the 60-member women artisan group hails…

Pre-pleated saris at the Madras Ironing Company | Photo Credit: SRINATH M It takes my mother less than 10 minutes to drape a sari to perfection, be it crisp cottons, flowing silks, or pristine pattus. I, on the other hand, have never succeeded in the endeavour, even after watching YouTube tutorials for hours on end.  Younger generations, though eager to indulge in traditional wear on festivals and special occasions, often struggle to perfect the art of draping and carrying a sari as gracefully as our mothers and grandmothers did. However, help is here in the form of ‘instant’ or ‘ready-to-wear’…

A model sports a design from Icons The Era | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Designer Ridhi Mehra’s store on the first floor of The Hill Top@7 in the bustling Banjara Hills is the new fashionable address in town. Her first store outside Delhi, this one is festive ready with her new collection – Icons The Era. Models showcase a design from Icons The Era | Photo Credit: Special arrangement “Hyderabad has been our strong market; it has huge potential as more and more people are into high fashion and couture,” says Ridhi over phone from Delhi. Anarkalis with jackets, peplum…

J Satyanarayan (extreme right) at Sudha Chats | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN If you take a walk on Berlie Street after 4 p.m., the aroma of freshly fried samosas, kachoris, and pakoras envelopes the area. Sudha Chats, a hole-in-the-wall joint is where these delicious treats are made every evening by J Satyanarayan and his mother, Sudha, whom the shop is named after. Sudha frying samosas and kachoris | Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain As you step closer, one can see Sudha sitting behind a large cauldron of piping hot oil. To her left, is a tray of samosas, and kachoris ready to…

A pillar here, an elaborately carved door there, trellised balconies and stone carvings offer tantalising glimpses of what it must have been like 2,000 years ago when Paithan, then known as Pratishthana, was the capital of the mighty Satavahana dynasty, and later the Vakatakas, the Yadavas and the Marathas. The town located a little more than 50 km from Aurangabad city was a bustling hub of trade, money and great influence. A Paithani weaver at work | Photo Credit: Vishal Magar Some of that buzz was briefly recreated recently when locals and textile aficionados from the country converged to visit…

Smartwatch | Photo Credit: Akshaya Ganesh@Chennai Someone once said, “Style is nothing but a reflection of the collective vanity of the times.” I think it was uttered yesterday, and the bearer of this epiphany was none other than me. Either way, I thought it would make for a weighty phrase to start the annual trend of sifting through what worked and what did not. So before I share my covet list, here is a list of trends that you can KonMari (that is the verb form of Marie Kondo ie to discard.) Smartwatches: Purist as I am and much prefer…

Biologique Recherche’s first flagship Ambassade in India | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The cloying scent of my drugstore moisturising lotion makes me feel a trifle ringarde (tacky)— a la Emily in Paris — inside the studiedly luxurious interiors of Biologique Recherche’s first flagship Ambassade in India. The centre, which opened this month, attempts to closely emulate the skincare brand’s iconic centre at 32 Avenue des Champs-Elysee in Paris: think marble interiors, beige and blue furniture and gilded glass shelves containing a range of products. “The ambience reflects what the brand stands for,” says Dr Varshini Reddy, the owner of this…

Pre-owned, and hand-me-down clothes help consumers make informed and ethical choices about how they consume clothes | Photo Credit: Getty Images Indian households have always been an ally for sustainable living. A longstanding example of this is the household habit of buying pre-owned clothes, which now has a moniker: thrifting. By repurposing and sharing clothes, you not only sort your wardrobe and reduce textile waste, but also ease the burdenon your pocket while channelling your inner fashionista. . Thrifting pre-owned, and hand-me-down clothes help consumers make informed and ethical choices about how they consume clothes. It also helps foster a…

Models pose at Escaped closet, a thrift store at Velacherry, Chennai on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Akhila Easwaran Finding its legs during the COVID-19 pandemic, thrifting as a conscious lifestyle choice started gaining popularity across the general Indian populace a few years ago, and is still going strong. Being strictly better than investing in fast fashion by extending the lifespan of any piece of clothing that might have found its way to a landfill instead, it comes as no wonder that proponents of sustainability everywhere recommend thrifting or investing in slow fashion. The far more affordable prices and the possibility…

Clients getting their Deepavali looks customised | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement If you are under the impression that the immaculate Deepavali looks, consisting of neatly drawn eyes and perfectly placed glitter, is the handiwork of Aphrodite, you might only be partially right. Beauty parlours across the city are seeing a steady uptick through the festive season with specific requests for glam teams to be available for soft saree drapes and evening cocktail looks for house parties. At the smaller, independent neighbourhood beauty parlours in Chennai that have stuck around for around two decades, the response is a mixed bag. Gayathri…

Tailors working on festive clothes | Photo Credit: S.R. Raghunathan As the pre-deepavali rains bring a welcome change from the blistering heat, T Nagar’s Ranganathan Street is crammed with holiday shoppers on every corner. From the new swanky multi-storey shopping complexes, to garment businesses that have existed for generations, everyone gets a piece of the Deepavali cake.  There’s an old saying in the service industry — good, fast, cheap, pick any two, because you can never have all three. It’s known as the iron triangle rule. However, in every nook and cranny of Chennai’s busiest shopping hubs, there are hundreds…

Mulya, Uttarakhand  In August 2019, Alisha Maindoliya decided to quit her nine-to-six job in Jaipur and move back to her hometown Dehradun. The idea, she says, was to help others like her by creating job opportunities locally. A year later, she founded Mulya (meaning value in Hindi), which crafts hand-dyed, eco-printed apparel from waste flowers.  Flowers are collected from local temples, sorted, and then eco-printed onto fabrics. After collecting and segregating the flowers, the petals are placed on the mordanted and dyed fabric to create a pattern, which is steamed. “If not used immediately, petals are cut out and dried…

On Anavila’s weaves of diaphanous khadi silks are prints of Bundi miniature paintings, whether as exquisite embroidery, khatwa motifs or lahariya  | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Aamod is a disruption of bridal trousseau that is oftentimes weighed down by over-ornamentation and heaviness of design complexities | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The first-ever bridal edit by designer Anavila Mishra, under her eponymous label, puts an artistic spin on wedding apparel. Its motifs are inspired by the Bundi miniature paintings that are rooted in the romantic prose and poetry of 17th Century Rajasthan. Titled Aamod, the range takes cues from the elements of…

The words edgy, unorthodox, and bohemian aptly define the aesthetics of Mumbai-based Bhavya Ramesh’s eponymous silver jewellery label. Rooted in opulent Indianness, her catalogue is unconventional — on it are lip, ear and palm cuffs, ear hangs, joint rings, nail rings and crowns, hair harnesses and clips. And sunglasses too.   “I want to change how jewellery is perceived. Buying jewellery meant ‘let’s go buy gold!’ I want people to enjoy jewellery for its design and functionality!” says Bhavya.  Jewellery by Flying Fish Accessories  | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT She is echoing the design philosophy of a young wave of indie…

Models at the Rewild’23: Fashion For Good fundraiser | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Goosebumps. That is the word most guests used to articulate their experience of witnessing Anita Dongre’s recent couture extravaganza showcased in the sprawling inner courtyard of the iconic City Palace in Jaipur. As I sit down with the otherwise elusive designer at the palace’s Baradari restaurant the next afternoon, she looks visibly content following the landmark presentation she and her team just pulled off. “It has been a long-held dream to have a show here,” she admits. This was a true homecoming for Anita, in many ways.…

As you plan Christmas themed brunches or a New Year soiree, look towards India’s vibrant crafts spirits to stock your bar for a change. For those of you cutting back on your annual tequila shots, there are a host of low alcohol ready-to-drink beverages now available. Bengaluru-based Salud Beverages has launched Salud Fiesta, an invigorating agave soda that boasts an 8% ABV (alcohol per volume of the beverage) in each 275 ml bottle, with agave’s crispness balanced with the sweet grenadine, complemented by zesty orange and lemon. Ajay Shetty, CEO of Salud, says, “Indian consumers are becoming more adventurous with…