Category Archives: Fashion

The New Indian Luxury Is Not Shiny. It Is Subtle, Solid, and Silent

Kishangarh, Jan 20: There was a time when luxury in Indian interiors announced itself through gloss, reflection, and visual excess. Today, that language feels increasingly out of step with how spaces are designed, lived in, and valued. In its place, a quieter and more grounded idea of luxury is emerging—one rooted in material integrity rather than surface spectacle.

The new Indian luxury does not seek attention. It holds space.

From Surface Appeal to Lasting Substance

Across contemporary Indian homes and hospitality projects, designers are gravitating toward materials that feel calm, stable, and enduring. Finishes chosen to impress at first glance are giving way to surfaces that age gracefully and support long-term living.

This shift signals a deeper design maturity. Luxury is no longer defined by how quickly a space dazzles, but by how naturally it integrates into everyday life. Materials are selected for their ability to soften light, anchor architecture, and create visual continuity rather than momentary impact.

Why Shine Is Losing Its Allure

Highly reflective finishes once symbolised refinement. Today, they often feel visually restless—particularly in Indian interiors, where abundant natural light reveals their glare throughout the day. What once felt opulent can now feel overwhelming.

Subtler textures, warmer tones, and solid materials offer a more composed alternative. They allow proportion, scale, and architectural intent to lead, creating spaces that feel considered rather than performative.

Stone and the Language of Quiet Luxury

Natural stone has become central to this evolving aesthetic. Its weight, permanence, and tactile presence introduce a sense of reassurance that trend-driven materials struggle to replicate. Rather than dominating a space, stone establishes a steady visual rhythm—one that supports rather than competes with design.

This philosophy is reflected in the approach of Tilak Marbles, where collections are curated with architectural longevity in mind. Warm-toned marbles, restrained veining, and balanced surfaces are designed to integrate seamlessly into spaces instead of defining them overtly.

Commenting on this shift, Mr. Praveen Gangwal, Founder of Tilak Marbles, notes:

“Luxury today is less about immediate impact and more about how a space feels over time. Solid, understated materials bring a sense of calm that shiny surfaces often cannot sustain.”

He adds:

“When materials are honest and well chosen, they don’t need embellishment. They allow design to mature naturally, alongside the people who live with it.”

Silence as a Design Value

Silence in interiors is not emptiness—it is clarity. It reflects the intentional removal of excess so that material quality, light, and proportion can be fully experienced. Quiet luxury favours coherence over contrast, and depth over display.

Warm, grounded palettes support this philosophy by creating environments that feel emotionally steady. They invite touch, respond gently to light, and remain visually calm even as the space evolves over time.

A More Enduring Definition of Luxury

The new Indian luxury is defined not by shine, but by confidence. It values materials that endure, spaces that feel settled, and design decisions that do not demand constant reinforcement.

Subtle.
Solid.
Silent.

In this emerging design language, luxury is no longer something that announces itself. It is something that stays.

Gaurav Gupta Opens First Dedicated Menswear Flagship at DLF Emporio

Gaurav Gupta Unveils First-Ever Menswear Flagship, Marking a New Chapter for the Gaurav Gupta Man

New Delhi ,  Jan 20 :  Gaurav Gupta marks a defining milestone for the house with the launch of its first-ever dedicated menswear flagship boutique at DLF Emporio, New Delhi. Spanning approximately 2,300 sq. ft., the store signals a long-term commitment to menswear as a core pillar of the brand, offering the Gaurav Gupta Man a permanent architectural home for the first time.

Conceived as more than a retail destination, the flagship represents a strategic evolution for the house strengthening its presence within India’s luxury retail landscape while catering to a rapidly growing national and global menswear clientele. The opening reinforces the brand’s belief in menswear not as a secondary offering, but as a fully realised design universe.

Reflecting on the intent behind the space, Gaurav Gupta shares,

“This space reflects how I think about menswear today. It is fluid, sculptural and introspective. The store becomes an extension of the Gaurav Gupta Man, where architecture and clothing exist in quiet conversation with one another.”

A Sculptural Retail Experience

Designed by architect Karanbir Duggal in close collaboration with Gaurav Gupta, the boutique departs from conventional retail formats, unfolding as a sculptural, immersive environment. Curved architectural volumes, controlled sightlines and layered spatial transitions guide visitors through the store, encouraging exploration and discovery rather than linear browsing.

Rooted in the designer’s philosophy of Shunya emptiness understood as potential rather than absence the space balances openness with intentional pauses. The result is a calm, gallery-like experience where architecture frames the garments without overpowering them, allowing craftsmanship, silhouette and materiality to take centre stage.

Expanding on this approach, Karanbir Duggal notes,

“The concept of Shunya informed the way we shaped the space. Emptiness was treated as an active element, allowing the architecture to feel calm, intentional and deeply immersive rather than visually dense.”

The Evolution of the Gaurav Gupta Man

The Gaurav Gupta Man was first introduced in 2017 with the brand’s menswear debut at GQ Fashion Nights, where Shahid Kapoor served as the inaugural showstopper—marking the beginning of the house’s menswear journey. Since then, menswear has grown into a significant vertical for the brand, gaining strong national and international recognition.

Over the years, prominent figures across film, culture and global platforms have embraced Gaurav Gupta’s menswear. Notable moments include Ranveer Singh at Vantara and Jr NTR at the Oscars, helping shape a contemporary global image of Indian menswear.

A Complete Menswear Universe

The flagship brings this evolution together under one roof. While signature offerings such as tuxedos, bandhgalas and ceremonial tailoring remain central, the boutique also reflects a conscious expansion into new verticals, including kurtas and Nehru jackets, marking a deeper engagement with Indian menswear traditions.

The store’s offering now spans structured jackets, draped silhouettes, shirts, accessories, bow ties, footwear and finishing pieces, positioning it as a complete, design-led menswear destination.

Rather than functioning as a seasonal retail space, the flagship represents the full breadth of the Gaurav Gupta menswear universe past, present and future delivering a refined, immersive experience for the modern, globally minded man.

Sansaar, India’s First Home Furnishings Brand to Go Global, Launches in the GCC

Dubai / India, Jan 13: Sansaar, the premium home furnishings brand from the house of D’Décor Exports, has officially made its international debut in the GCC through a strategic partnership with Bru Textiles’ Fabric Library. The Dubai launch marks Sansaar’s first step in bringing India’s design excellence to luxury buyers abroad.

Built on principles of thoughtful design, timeless aesthetics, and conscious craftsmanship, Sansaar reflects a modern, globally informed approach to interiors. Founded by sisters Sanjana and Sarah Arora, the brand combines refined textures, contemporary color palettes, and understated design sensibilities with the manufacturing expertise and legacy of D’Décor Exports.

Gary Neiman, Director at Bru Textiles, said:
“At Bru Textiles, we have always believed that the most powerful businesses are built not just on scale or longevity, but on vision, integrity, and an instinctive understanding of people. Sansaar’s story of two sisters building a brand together, with trust, clarity, and shared purpose, is exceptional. Their approach to design-led, culturally aware, and thoughtful leadership aligns perfectly with our values. Partnering with Sansaar is not just a business collaboration, it is an alignment of vision, creativity, and long-term purpose.”

The Dubai rollout, completed in early December 2025, follows a B2B-led distribution model, with Sansaar’s fabric collections now available across select retail and trade counters in the GCC. The partnership leverages Fabric Library’s strong regional presence and expertise in the Middle East’s interior and design ecosystem.

Sarah Arora, Co-founder of Sansaar, commented:

“We are grateful to Gary and the team at Fabric Library for recognising Sansaar’s potential and supporting our entry into the GCC market. Their deep understanding of the region, strong distribution capabilities, and long-standing relationships make them ideal partners for our international expansion. We share a commitment to quality, design integrity, and long-term value creation, making this collaboration especially meaningful.”

Sanjana Arora, Co-founder of Sansaar, added:

“Working alongside Fabric Library is a significant milestone for Sansaar as we take our first step beyond India. We are proud to be the first Indian home furnishings brand to go global. The legacy of craftsmanship and quality that made D’Décor a trusted name continues in Sansaar’s entrepreneurial spirit, which strives for excellence while upholding family values and business ethics.”

With this launch, Sansaar sets the foundation for a phased global expansion into selective markets through strategic distribution partnerships, bringing India’s rich design heritage to discerning international audiences.

Beige Is No Longer Background. It Is the New Language of Sophisticated Interiors

Kishangarh, Jan 13:  For decades, beige quietly occupied interior spaces—dependable, neutral, and often overlooked. Today, it has undergone a meaningful transformation. In contemporary architecture and design, beige is no longer a supporting element or safe fallback. It has emerged as a deliberate design language, expressing calm, permanence, and understated sophistication.

This evolution reflects a broader shift in how luxury is perceived. Where opulence once defined status, today’s most refined spaces prioritise restraint, tactility, and emotional clarity. Beige especially in natural stone has become the medium through which this modern sensibility is articulated.

From Neutral to Structural

In modern interiors, beige no longer fades into the background; it anchors space. It shapes light, softens architectural volumes, and allows form and proportion to take centre stage without visual disruption. Warm-toned palettes create environments that feel composed rather than curated—spaces that reveal depth and character over time.

Designers are increasingly gravitating towards materials that do not demand attention, yet reward sustained engagement. Beige marble, with its gentle veining and mineral warmth, achieves this balance—offering richness without excess and elegance without overt display.

When Stone Becomes the Language

This shift is particularly evident in The Sands of Serenity collection by Tilak Marbles. Conceived as a cohesive palette rather than a statement piece, the collection brings together warm-toned marbles that emphasise continuity, softness, and architectural relevance.

Stones such as Pale Muse, Nude Horizon, Calm Matter, Ivory Trace, Linen Vein, Ecru Mist, Tuscan Earth, Honey Dune, Sand Muse, and Desert Whisper are defined by restraint. Their appeal lies in subtle tonal variations and nuanced textures surfaces that respond gently to light and integrate seamlessly with wood, metal, and natural textiles.

Rather than functioning as mere backdrops, these marbles form the quiet framework around which interiors are thoughtfully composed.

Designed for How Spaces Are Lived In

Beige’s renewed relevance also stems from its adaptability. Warm-toned stone surfaces transition effortlessly across residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces. They allow furniture, art, and human movement to coexist harmoniously an increasingly vital consideration in long-term, sustainable design.

In Indian interiors especially, where natural daylight is abundant and spaces are experienced throughout the day, beige marble softens light without diminishing it. The result is environments that remain visually calm while retaining architectural precision.

Reflecting on this material evolution, Praveen Gangwal, Founder of Tilak Marbles, said:

“Beige today is not about playing it safe. It is about making a conscious design decision—choosing materials that bring balance, warmth, and permanence to a space.”

He added:  “With The Sands of Serenity, we focused on stones that support architecture rather than overpower it. These are marbles that allow interiors to feel lived-in, calm, and relevant—not just today, but for years to come.”

The New Definition of Sophistication

Sophistication in contemporary design is no longer about immediacy; it is about endurance. Spaces are not created to impress at first glance, but to hold attention quietly, age gracefully, and remain emotionally resonant over time.

In this context, beige marble has moved far beyond neutrality. It has become structure, atmosphere, and intent—a material that reflects a deeper understanding of luxury as something experienced, not displayed.

House Of Makeup’s Most Viral Skin Tint, Loved For Its Glow, Introduces 3 New Shades Designed Solely For Indian Skin

Jan 7: Everyday beauty should begin with products that feel effortless, intuitive, and made for real skin. Building on the same philosophy and the success of its bestselling and viral ‘Face Anything Luminous Skin Tint’, House Of Makeup is expanding its skin tint shade range with three new additions, bringing it now to a total of 12 shades, tailor-made for Indian skin tones.

Thoughtfully developed to offer a more flexible match, the new shades include F02 for fair skin tones, M07 for medium skin tones, and D15 for deep skin tones. Infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and goji berry extract, the skincare-forward formula nourishes with every wear. Non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, it also offers everyday protection with SPF 25. The formulation remains unchanged, delivering a lightweight, luminous finish with a fresh, juicy glow that stays breathable on the skin. Priced at INR 799, it is available on the brand’s website.

“At House Of Makeup, inclusivity is embedded in every formula, designed to suit all Indian skin tones,” says Harlin Sachdeva, Founder and CEO, House Of Makeup. “We see tinted formulas as an extension of skincare, created to deliver instant radiance while genuinely working for Indian skin across different skin types, undertones and lifestyles. Today’s skin tints and tinted moisturisers go beyond sheer coverage, and are made to suit a range of skin concerns including sensitive skin and skin prone to breakouts or inflammation, often with added SPF for extra protection. Face Anything Luminous Skin Tint was always envisioned to sit at this intersection of skincare and makeup, and the introduction of new shades makes that vision both deeper and more relevant.”

A flexible formulation designed to melt seamlessly into the skin, Face Anything Luminous Skin Tint adapts across tones for a natural, skin-like finish that feels lighter than traditional foundations. Each shade has been refined through months of testing across varied undertones and real-life wear conditions, ensuring an adaptable, effortless match. Designed for everyday ease and long-term wear, Face Anything Luminous Skin Tint stays true to its core promise, skin that looks like your own, only more luminous.

Celebrate the Magic of Christmas Gifting with Avon’s Thoughtful & Festive Combo Sets

Make gifting magical this Christmas with Avon’s combo sets designed to delight. Wrapped in elegance and infused with irresistible fragrances and self-care essentials, these curated sets make the perfect holiday surprise for everyone on your list. Celebrate the season with beauty, joy and a touch of Avon glamour.

Make This Christmas Feel Seductive with Avon Imari Seduction Body Fragrance Combo

This festive season, unwrap the magic of allure with Avon’s Imari Seduction Body Fragrance Combo, the perfect gift for someone who loves sensorial beauty rituals. Featuring a Perfumed Skin Softener infused with an oriental fruity scent and a Roll-On Deodorant for all-day freshness, this duo layers comfort with irresistible fragrance. Notes of wild berries, patchouli and vanilla bean create a captivating trail making every moment feel luxury-wrapped and unforgettable. The perfect holiday indulgence for someone who deserves to feel confident, sensual and unforgettable.

Give the Gift of Timeless Elegance with Avon’s Little Black Dress Combo Set

This Christmas, celebrate sophistication with the iconic Avon’s Little Black Dress Combo, crafted for the woman who defines effortless glam. Infused with enchanting floral and oriental notes of honeysuckle, ylang-ylang and milkwood, this set delivers lasting freshness and a soft, lingering scent. With a non-greasy body lotion for silky hydration and a smooth roll-on deodorant offering 24-hour protection, it’s the perfect beauty essential for every occasion from holiday brunches to midnight soirees. A gift that feels classic, confident and beautifully unforgettable.

Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Crafts Fashion’s New Revolution

Kolkata, Dec 24: Blenders Pride Fashion Tour brought the curtains down on this year’s edition, with a breakthrough fashion narrative that shattered moulds of fashion craft as it is known. Set against the dramatic backdrop of iconic Howrah Bridge and transforming the city’s historic Hooghly River into a spectacular runway, the finale edition presented an experimental collection by designer Anamika Khanna AK, OK, with the charismatic Ishaan Khatter as the showstopper, that pushed design beyond convention and made fashion move into the next era.

In collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the showcase challenged long-held notions of craftsmanship, treating it not as a static tradition but as a living, evolving force. Anamika Khanna’s AK, OK dismantled familiar craft vocabularies  zardozi, chikankari and mirror work pulling them apart and reassembling them through futuristic tailoring, metallic interventions and cosmic-inspired graphics.

The show unfolded on a Barge, anchored in the midst of the Hoogly river, transforming it into a floating theatre of fashion. It opened with divers emerging onto the barge and scaffolding brought alive through light, smoke, and sound. Models appeared from within the structure to a high-energy score, as responsive lasers shifted with each step, amplifying the tension and momentum of the show. The narrative peaked with powerful chainmail looks presented as a unified statement, followed by sculptural silhouettes in motion. The finale delivered a dramatic crescendo with the Ishaan’s arrival in a speedboat, culminating in a collective closing moment set against the iconic Howrah bridge.

Adding a touch of gravitas to the evening was The Bengal Paddle vessel, with its museum-like interiors and historic detailing, that hosted the who’s who of the city before they were brought onboard the barge. The Riverine Museum within its former boiler room, that houses rare marine artefacts and curated installations tracing the Hooghly’s legacy, created an immersive cultural backdrop that complemented the sophistication of the showcase.

Debasree Dasgupta, CMO, Pernod Ricard India said,

“Blenders Pride Fashion Tour has always been at the forefront of shaping fashion and cultural conversations. As the final chapter of this edition, Kolkata delivered the very essence of what makes fashion truly transformative. ‘Future Is Crafted’ was not just a showcase—it was a powerful statement on how heritage and innovation converge to create something extraordinary.”

Designer Anamika Khanna, sharing her thoughts on the show, said,

“Together with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, I was delighted to showcase how Indian craftsmanship can be deconstructed and reimagined for the modern world. Witnessing the audience embrace this bold reinterpretation of heritage was truly exhilarating.”

Showstopper Ishaan Khatter said,

“Being part of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour felt completely in sync with my own instinct to experiment and move beyond the expected. Watching craftsmanship break out of its traditional mould and take on a sharper, more expressive form made the experience incredibly exciting. Set against such an iconic backdrop, it felt like being part of a moment where fashion wasn’t just shown, but actively shaped.”

Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI expressed,

“ FDCI was delighted to collaborate with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, uniting two powerhouses of fashion to shape its future. The Kolkata edition celebrated creativity, culture, and set the pace for what’s next in Indian fashion.“

Chirag Sogani on the Discipline That Modern Menswear Desperately Needs

Jaipur: Menswear today moves fast – too fast. Trends flare up, vanish, and return in louder shades. Somewhere in that frenzy, subtlety began losing its seat at the table. Pleyne steps in right there. Founder Chirag Sogani has a clear point of view: the future doesn’t belong to excess, but to clarity.

“We’re interested in the pause,” Sogani says. “A quiet detail will always outlast a loud one.”

In a moment where Indian menswear leans toward quiet luxury, Pleyne doesn’t follow the wave – it tightens it. Here, minimalism isn’t aesthetic; it’s discipline.

A New Language of Luxury

Pleyne treats restraint as a craft. Every shirt, tee, and layer is shaped with a kind of architectural calm – collars with posture, seams that fall without pulling, silhouettes that don’t fight for attention but refuse to disappear.

There are no logos, no flashy signifiers. Identity is cut into the pattern itself. It’s a deliberate step away from the maximalist mood sweeping through the market. Pleyne isn’t trying to dress the trend-chaser; it’s speaking to the man who sets his own rhythm.

Craft That Serves the Man, Not the Moment
A glance at Pleyne’s latest capsule says enough.

A sand-beige overshirt – sharp lines, long-staple cotton, a structure that holds its own from morning meetings to late flights. A navy structured tee – zero embellishment, engineered to keep its shape long after softer fabrics would give up.

These aren’t pieces designed for a single context. They’re built for the man whose life moves in straight lines, diagonals, and unexpected turns.

“Our clients don’t dress to perform,” Sogani says. “They dress to reflect who they already are.”

That clarity is why intentional dressing is gaining ground in India – and why Pleyne fits the moment perfectly.

Timelessness Over Trends

While the industry drops new collections every few weeks, Pleyne does the opposite. Their releases are limited, considered, and designed to grow into the wearer’s life rather than cycle out of it. With time, the fabric softens, the shape settles, and the piece becomes part of a man’s personal rhythm.

Clothing with memory – not expiry dates.
This is not fast fashion. This is continuity.

The Power of Stillness

Fashion often competes for attention. Pleyne doesn’t. It introduces a quieter idea – stillness. Authority, in Sogani’s eyes, isn’t loud. It’s measured. It’s selective. It’s the confidence of a man who doesn’t need his clothes to speak on his behalf.

“Menswear doesn’t need more noise,” he says. “It needs discipline. And discipline creates presence.” In India’s evolving menswear landscape, Pleyne isn’t just another brand. It’s a point of view. One that treats subtlety as strength, quality as character, and restraint as a kind of luxury far more enduring than trends.

Lara Dutta Showcases ARIAS Eyewear and Shisenfox in Exclusive Mumbai Retail Event

Lara Dutta Led ARIAS Eyewear and Shisenfox Make a Statement With Exclusive Mumbai Retail Showcase

ARIAS Eyewear by Lara Dutta, in collaboration with premium eyewear brand Shisenfox, marked a significant step in its retail journey with an exclusive in-store showcase across two of Mumbai’s leading optical destinations  Classic Vision, and EyeWorld Optics.

While ARIAS Eyewear debuted in October, this curated retail walkthrough offered a deeper, immersive introduction to the collection bringing its design philosophy, craftsmanship, and everyday wearability to life in a real consumer setting.

The ARIAS × Shisenfox Eyewear Collection is anchored in a shared commitment to thoughtful design, comfort-led engineering, and modern aesthetics. Featuring refined silhouettes, lightweight construction, and Japanese-inspired geometry, the collection balances expressive style with functional elegance designed for everyday confidence.

Speaking during the showcase, Lara Dutta shared the personal connection she holds with the category:

“Eyewear is a powerful extension of one’s personality; it reflects mood, confidence, and individuality. With ARIAS Eyewear, I wanted frames that feel elegant yet effortless, something you reach for every day. Shisenfox understood this vision instinctively and translated it with remarkable precision.”

For Shisenfox, the collaboration represents a strategic alignment with a lifestyle-forward brand and a growing premium consumer base.

Samarjeet Singh, CEO, Shisenfox, commented:

“At Shisenfox, eyewear is built on clarity, balance, and engineering excellence. The ARIAS collaboration brings together Lara’s refined aesthetic sensibility with our precision-led craftsmanship. This collection reflects modern sophistication frames that are stylish, durable, and designed for real-life wear.”

The retail showcase also reinforces ARIAS’ evolution into a holistic lifestyle brand.

Vishal Sinha, CEO, SWAG Fashions Hub, the company behind ARIAS, added:

“Eyewear sits at the intersection of design, identity, and lifestyle making it a natural extension of the ARIAS universe. Partnering with Shisenfox allows us to deliver a category that is design-led, consumer-first, and premium in both form and function. The Mumbai showcase marks an important milestone in scaling ARIAS Eyewear nationally.”

The Mumbai retail visit signals the next phase of growth for ARIAS Eyewear, as the brand continues to expand its footprint across India. With Lara Dutta’s personal design sensibility and Shisenfox’s technical expertise at its core, the collection aims to redefine everyday eyewear for the modern Indian consumer where elegance meets engineered precision.

GROHE Strengthens Its Bathroom Portfolio with the Launch of Essence Ceramics

“We are committed to delivering bathroom spaces that offer reliability, design harmony, and long-term value. With our strengthened ceramics portfolio, GROHE now approaches the bathroom as a complete ecosystem- from sanitaryware and ceramics to basins, fittings, and intelligent water technologies designed for real Indian homes. As a priority market, India shapes the way we innovate and invest. Local manufacturing of the Essence wall-hung toilet is a testament to this focus—enhancing accessibility for Indian consumers while maintaining the superior quality GROHE stands for.”