Goodbye, ‘Maverick Genius’ Rohit Bal

November 4, 2024

I first met Rohit Bal when he had just got out of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), the newest, trendiest design school that was creating maestros back then. A fine student of history who went to the Alma Mater of geniuses, St. Stephens College, Rohit had undertaken a...

Fashion and design under the roof of royals

September 21, 2023

Royal Fables, my small offering to the world of Princely craft and couture comes alive this weekend. Here is a glimpse of some of the traditional crafts created within palace karkhanas to watch out for. RANI JAYKIRTI SINGH OF BARIA Rani Jaykirti Singh of Baria is famous for her very...

Princess with a golden heart

August 24, 2023

The spokesperson of Indian National Congress in her region of Madhya Pradesh, a graduate from London School of Economics, a royal and a philanthropist, Kumari Shubhangana Raje strikes one as a young woman on a mission. Her aura of warmth and deep intellect and her delicate persona cloaking her feisty...

Get the Alia Bhatt look from these royal ateliers

August 17, 2023

Alia Bhatt is media’s darling. The icon of fashion that every young girl adulates. What she wears becomes fashion immediately. Now, a young girl known for either her laid back, boyfriend shirt look or her chic, moulin rouge avatar, she suddenly brought the arch light on what I call Rajwada...

Regal & Royal Udaipur

August 10, 2023

No place is more beautiful than Udaipur in fall-winter. The generous lake brimming with crystal blue water, the many havelis by its shore, telling a majestic tale of yore and the statuesque City Palace, built by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput family as he shifted his capital...

Maharani Radhika Raje Gaekwad: India’s most progressive Maharani

July 20, 2023

She is called the most beautiful Maharani of this era. People often compare her to the iconic beauty, Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur. She is toasted even by Instagram accounts known for their caustic critiques and she often gets included in juries and panels of relevance. Radhika Raje Gaekwad, the...

A Nawab and Chef: a keeper of history

July 14, 2023

Fondly called Naved bhai by all, the handsome Nawab of Rampur, Kazim Ali Khan wears many hats. He is a politician who also served as the Minister of Tourism in Uttar Pradesh Government. He loves fashion, not just creating fables through fashion shoots of Laila Majnu and Sohni Mahiwal, but...

A Nawab and Chef: a keeper of history

July 14, 2023

Fondly called Naved bhai by all, the handsome Nawab of Rampur, Kazim Ali Khan wears many hats. He is a politician who also served as the Minister of Tourism in Uttar Pradesh Government. He loves fashion, not just creating fables through fashion shoots of Laila Majnu and Sohni Mahiwal, but...

Art on Textiles: A vintage tale

July 7, 2023

Royal design and memorabilia motifs are inimitably wound together. One influencing the other in the most endearing way. Especially when it comes to designs that emerge from palace ateliers and studios run by designers with noble lineage. And nothing inspires the Indian nobility more than our rich flora and fauna....

A LITERARY EVENT AT NAINITAL

June 28, 2023

I have known Rani Reena Kumari and her lovely husband Yuvraj Pratap Singh Jhala of Thikana Labhowa for a long time. Besides being successful entrepreneurs, they are also behind the restoration of the Sahaspur Belari House in the heart of Nainital. Beautifully converted into what is now known as Welcomheritage...