Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2016 i Harper's Bazaar India

Vishesh Verms PHOTOGRAPHER One of the country’s leading fashion and advertising photographers, Verma has directed and shot fashion films and television commercials for Tarun Tahiliani, Ritu Kumar, Manish Arora, and Rohit Bal. He captures the ikat creations of 68 designers in the annual Bazaar Inspires project ‘Dyed in the Yarn’ (pg 254). What is one thing you would change about yourself? Be more of an outdoors person. Which famous character is your alter ego? The Joker from The Dark Knight as played by Heath Ledger—I think I’d enjoy blowing things up as much as him! What would your alternate profession be? An actor. Name a person with whom you would trades lives for a day. The President of the United States—same reason as the alter ego! Which is the one…

It's not called the Wave bag for nothing. When Alessandra Facchinetti joined Tod’s in 2013, she set about reinventing the Italian label’s leather signature. In came laser-cut inlaid pelts, and mosaics began to bloom in geometric tessellations. The small Wave bag from the Spring 2016 lineup is the high point of her love for mixing things up. Fully seven types of skins (we’re generously including the man-made suede-like alcantara used in the lining) come together in this functional bag that’s sure to... well, create waves.…

ALICE TEMPERLEY FASHION DESIGNER The British designer is famed for her quintessentially English style and witty aesthetic, coupled with sumptuous fabrics and expensive hand-worked finishes. Her secret luxury comes from the Hotel Costes on the Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, known to be the favourite hangout for the fashion pack during Paris Fashion Week. “The Hotel Costes has its own perfume, Number 2, which I discovered whilst staying there many years ago,” she reveals. Described as being sensual and hypnotic with balmy orange blossom spiced by essence of cinnamon and roses, the in-house range of scents was created by artistic director Rami Mekdachi in collaboration with master perfumer Olivia Giacobetti, who has also created perfumes for Dyptique and L’Artisan. Number 2 comes in architectural, jet-black bottles with sleek Bakelite or glass…

7:30 A.M. I wake up early, even after a late night. I don’t like to lie around in bed, even on the weekends. My partner, Rambert (Rigaud), will still be asleep. He’s the opposite of me; he likes to go to bed early and get up late. We have two Siamese cats, Tino and Minnie, who came with us to New York from Paris, so normally they need a little bit of attention. It was the one thing that was stressing me about the move. New job, new city, leaving Paris after 20 years—all of that I could handle. But getting the cats over was stressful. They sleep on the bed among the pillows. 7:45 A.M. I don’t really eat breakfast, not during the week, in any case. I drink…

1 Dainty Daisies Dior bag, price upon request. 2 Crop Tops Péro by Aneeth Arora top, price upon request. 3 Veiled Straps Pallavi Mohan dress, 28,200. 4 Pearl Affair Salvatore Ferragamo ring, price upon request. 5 Short Order Boutique Moschino skirt, 24,000 (approx). 6 Pure Blanc Rochas trousers at modaoperandi.com , 2,48,000 (approx). 7 Pop Purses Fendi bag, price upon request. 8 Smooth Suede Paul Andrew heel, 61,000 (approx). 9 Delicate Drops Carolina Herrera earrings, 21,000 (approx). 10 Fairytale Flares Burberry dress, price upon request.…

BIGGER IS BETTER. That was seemingly the mandate when it came to jewellery for spring. Take the shoulder-grazing earring: Minimal and metallic at Céline, bright and beaded at Gucci, feather-esque and fanciful at Proenza Schouler. Or the oversize pendant necklaces, seen at both Balenciaga and Givenchy, where Riccardo Tisci layered charms in the shapes of hearts and keys over a gauzy black lace dress. Or the twinkly tiaras atop the models’ heads at Saint Laurent, and the chunky anklets at Calvin Klein. Then there were the chokers. Spring’s styles included sculptural gold pieces at J.W. Anderson, brightly coloured nylon rope at Isabel Marant, and crystal-embellished chains at Chanel, making this the most choker-saturated season since the necklace’s heyday in the 1990s. These new versions brought structure to the forefront, as…

“The dreams I have for India, but more so for the people of India, are so big that I feel I have to, in some way, try and achieve some of them.” Shraysi Tandon walks through the Times Square studios of the NASDAQ as poised and as articulate as she is in her role as anchor and reporter for CCTV America. Under the studio lights, it’s easy to admire the Delhi native’s smooth, fair skin, sparkling brown eyes, and warm smile. “The audience needs to see your eyebrows and your eyes for reassurance,” she says. “They’ll never connect with you if they don’t see your eyes and your eyebrows.” The 29-year-old has mastered the art of connection, not only with her audience, but also with the high-profile people she interviews—Israeli…

IN HER LANDMARK ESSAY ON LITERATURE and gender, A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf believed the accomplished mind drew on both masculine and feminine qualities. In describing the androgynous mind, she wrote it was ‘resonant and porous; that it transmits emotion without impediment; that it is naturally creative, incandescent and undivided’. Woolf was bounding way ahead of the curve when it came to disregarding gender norms. If today she skulked at a bar in New York she might chance upon His Hotness, Jaden Smith, mega butch and real easy in a skirt (and on the eye), Designer Thom Browne correcting an errant lipstick mark off his martini glass. I suspect, also, she’d approved of fellow Brit Vivenne Westwood, whose gothic, puckish collections have long taken on what Author Michael…

COMING UP ROSES Put red lips away till fall, as a pink pout is spring’s favourite accessory. Be it the power fuchsia at Marchesa, or the dusty rose at Dolce & Gabanna, blush shades are blooming on the runways. Choose a matte, peachy pink if you're fair, go for a creamy bougainvillea if you’re medium toned, and try a dusty rose flecked with gold if you're dark skinned. TIME & PLACE It’s not just about using the right serum, it’s about using it at the right time. A brightening product such as the new Clarins White Plus Tri-Intensive Brightening Serum is best used in the day because of the high content of vitamin C that helps protect the skin against pollution and sun damage. Vichy’s Liftactiv Serum 10, ( 2,555),…

We caught up with Kanishk Tharoor, the New York-based author of Swimmer Among the Stars Where does an aspiring writer begin? It begins with an engagement with the world outside. You have to be open in a way that you’re constantly imbibing information, and challenging yourself and the bounds of your knowledge. You have to write every day to hone that muscle. You’ve said that part of being a good writer is being a critical reader. How do you get to that? When something strikes you as good or not working, you think about why. If you mentally edit pieces, it helps you figure out how best you can write. Authors or books you’ve particularly enjoyed reading? First, I’d say Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities. I don’t pretend it’s perfect, but…

Lineisy, Greta, & Ruth MARC JACOBS Lineisy Montero wears jacket, pants, and shoes, Marc Jacobs. Greta Varlese wears jacket, skirt, and shoes, Marc Jacobs. Ruth Bell wears sweater, skirt, shorts, pochette, and boots, Marc Jacobs. Lineisy, Greta & Ruth PRADA Lineisy wears jacket, earring, neckpiece, and bag, Prada. Jumpsuit, Dickies. Greta wears skirt, apron, neckpiece, and shoes, Prada. Ruth wears jacket, skirt, apron, earring, and shoes, Prada. Staz SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE Staz Lindes wears blazer, dress, and bag, Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane. Greta LOUIS VUITTON Coat, top, kilt, shorts, and straps, Louis Vuitton. Ruth DIOR Jacket, top, shorts, bag, and shoes, Dior. Camilla & Staz VIVIENNE WESTWOOD GOLD LABEL Camilla Venturini wears jacket and vest, Vivienne Westwood Gold Label. Staz wears jacket, vest, pants, and belt, Vivienne…

In the lives of most young designers, opening an independent flagship store with no support from sponsors or investors is a dream, let alone having a store in one of the most high-end areas in one of the most expensive cities in the world. But for London-based Canadian-Turkish designer Erdem Moralioglu, that dream came true a few months ago in London’s posh Mayfair, marking the tenth anniversary of his eponymous label. “Erdem has established a successful business, never compromising his vision or independence to create a brand that is equally commercial and creative,” says Sebastian Manes, buying and merchandising director at Selfridges, London. Moralioglu’s signature is a feminine yet modern take on womenswear, and he has been creating sartorial fairy tales for women like Michelle Obama, Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller,…

THE BIG REVEAL Goa’s A-listers gathered at Sunaparanta for author Siddhrath Dhanvant Shanghvi’s salon with Bharti Kher The cool, comfortable evening in January was quite the contrasting backdrop for Bharti Kher’s jolting, sometimes disturbing works of art. The artist took us through her body of work, which included her early bindi paintings, installations that she made out of old furniture, and the body casts of friends, yoga gurus, and prostitutes. It was a slideshow that could easily have become over-intellectual or mundane, but Kher’s easy delivery kept everyone captivated. Of course, Siddharth Shanghvi asked her a bunch of unexpected questions that were a lighthearted end to the session. The presentation was followed with glasses of champagne with the founders of Sunaparanta, Dipti and Ishita Salgaokar, mingling with the guests. The…

AT BAZAAR, THE ANNIVERSARY ISSUE IS ALWAYS A CELEBRATION. But this time, we’ve done it differently. Our seventh birthday—the number symbolises change in the Tarot and the Kabbalah—coincides with big shifts happening in the fashion industry. Designers Raf Simons, Alber Elbaz, and Alexander Wang quit their jobs, leading to viral speculation about the pace of fashion. Others like Jonathan Saunders (who shut down his label in December), along with Tom Ford, Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, and Paul Smith (all three plan to forego hallowed fashion week schedules) have sparked uncomfortable conversations in popular media. It is a time of palpable change. The gender debate is at an exciting stage, and it inspired beauty director Vasudha Rai to use a male model in Dude Looks Like A Lady (pg 163). You meet…

1 PEARLY GAITS “The Gucci pearl-heeled loafer is already in high demand,” says Natalie Kingham, buying director at matchesfashion.com. “Over the past few seasons, we’ve noticed a shift towards block heels. It started with boots, and now has moved onto other styles.” The shoe, worn with the back squished in, is just one of the retro touches that is beginning to define Gucci under Alessandro Michele. “I was most excited about him taking over the helm at Gucci,” adds Kingham. “He has brought an eclectic edge to the luxury house. I love the cool, wearable aesthetic of the collection that can be easily mixed with your existing wardrobe. We really invested in the buy this season, and it is already selling out fast.” 2 SETTING THE MOOD A hill of…

IN 1855, when Monsieur Louis Vuitton opened his luggage shop in Paris, he drew a clientele that prized his innovative trunks. They were light, easy to stack, and featured drawers and slots that weren’t easy to find in other trunks available at the time. In 1901, responding to the changing travelling needs of his customers, his son Georges Vuittoncreated the Steamer Bag. At the time, it epitomised what Louis Vuitton would come to be in the following years: The go-to luggage maker for the privileged. Empress Eugénie of France (wife of Napoleon III), King Alfonso XII of Spain, and Czar Nicholas II had been some of LV's royal patrons. In the new century came designer Coco Chanel, the Aga Khan, and actor Mary Pickford. The spacious Steamer was designed to…

CHIARA'S CHOICE FOUNDER, THE BLONDE SALAD Chiara Ferragni, international style star and superblogger, gives you an edit of her three favourite trends for spring. 1 Clean Cut Acne bracelet, price upon request. 2 Lace-r Cut Burberry dress, price upon request. 3 Double Gilt Dior sunglasses, price upon request. 4 Graphic Take Valentino top at net-a-porter.com, 1,20,000 (approx). 5 Lean Waists Hermès belt, price upon request. 6 Sweet ’60s Rajesh Pratap Singh skirt, 8,500. 7 Chain Effect Louis Vuitton bag, price upon request. 8 Patched Up Etro coat at matchesfashion.com, 81,000 (approx). 9 Lustrous Steps Gucci heel, price upon request. 10 Feeling Blue Diane von Fürstenberg dress, price upon request.…

WHAT’S OUT 1. Lariats 2. Beaded blouses 3. Mary Janes 4. Miniature bags 5. Baroque prints 6. Charm earrings 7. Psychedelic patterns 8. Strappy shoes 9. Turtlenecks 10. Mod dresses 1 Tassel Necklaces Lanvin necklace, price upon request. 2 Cropped Shirts Bodice shirt, 4,200. 3 Peep-Toes Christian Louboutin shoe, price upon request. 4 Top-Hold Bags Anya Hindmarch bag, 1,60,000. 5 Graphic Patterns Dolce & Gabbana pants, 71,000 (approx). 6 Stones Marni earrings, 32,000. 7 Stripes Céline bag, 3,20,000. 8 Lace-Ups Gucci shoe, price upon request. 9 Camisoles Tibi top, 36,000. 10 Prairie Dresses Erdem dress, 3,10,000 (approx). SEE WHERE TO BUY FOR DETAILS…

Picture the Eden-like splendor of glacier-strewn prairies, ancient cultures, salmon-rich rivers, vivid cosmopolitan cities and utopic wildlife. On a luxury holiday to Canada, you'd only reaffirm why it's called God's Country ' As the world's second largest country, occupying a gigantic ten million square acres of land, Canada is all about outdoorsy pleasures. Unlimited outdoorsy pleasures, if we may add. You could witness the extraordinary northern lights dancing in the skies, encounter exotic wildlife, take scenic flights over breathtaking national parks or immerse yourself in the buzz of top-notch restaurants and sights. ONTARIO You cannot miss Ontario when in Canada. It has the rugged tranquility of Algonquin Park, as well as the cottage country charm of Muskoka, Georgian Bay, Blue Mountain, the Kawarthas, and the Thousand Islands where the opportunities…

NOVELTY DIALS 1. de Grisogono Lovivi Jewelry Watch S03, 4,906,960. 2. Blancpain Ladybird, price upon request. 3. Piaget Altiplano, price upon request. 4. Tissot Flamingo, price upon request. 5. Gucci G-Timeless Collection, price upon request. 6. Roger Dubuis Blossom Velvet, price upon request. 7. Van Cleef & Arpels Jour Nuit Fee Ondine, price upon request. 8. Calvin Klein Drift, price upon request. INTO THE WILD 1. Hermès Slim d’Hermès Mille Fleurs du Mexique, price upon request. 2. Chopard LUC XP Urushi, Year of the Monkey, price upon request 3. Hublot Classic Fusion Tourbillon Cruz Diez, price upon request. 4. Vacheron Constantin Métiers D’Art La Légende Du Zodiaque Chinois, Year Of The Monkey, price upon request. 5. Audemars Piguet Millenary, price upon request. 6. Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Merquetry, 63,48,000…

Salma Merchant Rahmathulla arrives at the chic West Village spot, Cafe Cluny, wearing a bright ear-to-ear smile with deep dimples, Mise En Dior earrings, and a pair of black, patent Ferragamo flats. While her beauty, style and grace are the first things one notices when meeting her, her noteworthy education, career, and business acumen are brimming just below the surface. She is a director at her family-owned leather goods business, Pelicans Group. In business for over thirty years, Pelicans is one of the foremost manufacturers of leather marketing and fashion goods in the world. The core of Pelicans is the automotive industry, as it creates the glove box packs that come with most vehicles—brands such as Aston Martin and Volvo. The business eventually grew to expand into industries that required…

CHIC REDONE Blancpain celebrates 60 years with a 60 piece limited-edition watch in its most popular style for women, the Ladybird. This new edition features a dial with luminous contrasts and an elaborate guilloche, a bezel set with 32 diamonds, and a strap in pink crocodile leather for a bold yet distinctly feminine look. For more information, visit www.blancpain.com. UNTANGLED EASE Looking for something that keeps your hair smooth and in place? The Toni & Guy Classic Shine Gloss Serum is just what you need. Its lightweight formula helps control frizz and gives ultra-smooth shine and alignment, and is the ideal finishing touch for your tresses. Then use the Toni & Guy Medium Hold Hairspray to keep your style intact without restricting movement. For more information, visit www.toniandguy.com. NEW BEGINNINGS…

An iconic Marcel Breuer-designed Manhattan building will reopen its doors this month as The Met Breuer—an outpost of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The former home of the Whitney Museum of American Art will, for at least eight years, house The Met’s contemporary collections. And it starts with two Indian names: A major retrospective of Nasreen Mohamedi’s work, and a series of performances by resident artist Vijay Iyer.…

Gender politics is no laughing matter... until, well, it is. Alok Vaid-Menon and Janani Balasubramanian of DarkMatter, a spoken word duo based in New York City, use slam poetry and LOL performances to address everything from the awkwardness of online dating to a racist and classist LGBT movement. A pop culture bonus: An open letter from Parvati and Padma Patil to the ‘basic white bitches’ of Hogwarts. It’s a way to make their community recognise its power—the two identify as trans and queer. Simply put, they reject gender. “Choosing to be queer is about choosing to confront and critique a system that assumes that everyone is born heterosexual and cisgender [the opposite of transgender]. It’s about committing ourselves to a long struggle of ensuring that everyone in our communities has…

Manjula Padmanabhan WRITER AND CARTOONIST  ANTI-GRAVITY DEVICES: Pallets for lifting heavy luggage off the floor; floating seats; and personal conveyors that would glide a few inches off the surface of the road or floor. Cars or vehicles that no longer need tarred roads could mean that millions of acres of land would be freed for growing plants, grass, and other living things. BATTERY CHARGERS POWERED BY HUMAN ENERGY: Wouldn’t it be great to be free of plug points, cables, and bulky transformers? Batteries of the future could be made sensitive to their owner’s vital energy and remain charged as long as they’re within range. PAIN CONVERSION: If we think of pain as a form of nervous energy, then perhaps converting it to positive uses might provide relief as well. I…

“I’m the girliest girl but I’m a complete feminist. It doesn’t mean that I’m not wearing my dresses or my lipsticks, and I’m definitely not burning my bra. I don’t need to prove a point.” SONAM KAPOOR BREAKS INTO A LITTLE JIG to the music playing at a Mumbai studio, paying less attention to her images than most people do to their selfies. She doesn’t look at the mirror during hair and makeup, instead focuses on her cellphone. And she’s happier with her pictures even before the photographer. In a matter of hours, one thing is clear: Vanity is not her virtue. “I’m the hardest on myself where my craft is concerned, but not when it comes to my looks. I have always been very comfortable with who I am,”…

MACHINE-MADE HAS BECOME A BAD WORD in fashion of late. But why? In India, more than anywhere else in the world, hand-embroideries coexist—often in the same designer’s factory—with machine-done embellishments. Machined threadwork is highlighted with centuries-old zardozi techniques. And when an old garment can no longer be worn, its precious dabka-pitta patches are cut off and machine-appliquéd to a new couture anarkali. This is not new. But over the last few years, the anti-machine sentiment in fashion has risen to such an extent that ‘handmade’, ‘organic’, and ‘eco friendly’ have become marketing buzzwords. Even fast-fashion giants like H&M now offer ecology-conscious lines. Which is ironic, since this abhorrence of machine made fashion stems from a reaction to mass-produced, harmful-chemical-using high-street brands in general. In India, though, designers are doing what…

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THE RESURGENCE OF BENARASI BROCADES over the last year is not by coincidence. Seen on runways, celebrities, and in the media, it’s the result of a concerted effort to ‘revive’ a truly dwindling textile. But amongst its trellises and motifs, there is a quieter resurgence of a different kind taking place, one that has been growing for a few years and might be defining fashion more than the peacock colours of Benares weaves. This season sees an independent voice reaching closer to critical mass—one that is freeing India’s much-loved textiles from their past. Today’s fast, evolving, and experimental pace is changing the way designers are using so-called traditional fabrics. Gaurav Jai Gupta of Akaaro is currently exploring the waffle weaves of Panipat, traditionally used for carpets and towels. In his…

Even at 81, Giorgio Armani is “searching for a new kind of seduction”. And what better way to seduce than with rouge, the red of reds, that made its big debut on the Giorgio Armani ramp for spring. Lacquer, flame, blood, all versions of red—a colour never associated with Armani—were present. Mixed in with his staple blue, black, and grey, they were in jacquard patterns on jackets, on ribbon-like embellishments on skirts, on oversized hats, and as 3D sequins, as jumpsuits, dresses, bags, and shoes. “In this collection, I explored the use of texture, choosing transparent yet stifffabrics to make perfectly tailored pieces with an almost ethereal appearance...” says Armani. “The lines of garments have been maintained, but their surface has lost weight and opacity.” The use of red, he…

1 Floral Hints Coach bracelet, 10,000 (approx). 2 Threaded Chalets Rahul Mishra top, price upon request. 3 Soft Noir Zimmermann dress, price upon request. 4 Dancing Hoops Isabel Marant earrings, 14,000 (approx). 5 Fluid Feel Chloé dress, 1,62,000 (approx). 6 Trippy Swirls Christian Louboutin heel, price upon request. 7 Knotty Accents Balenciaga belt, 30,000 (approx). 8 Cascading Hems J.W. Anderson skirt at modaoperandi.com, 42,900 (approx). 9 Crimson Taps Gianvito Rossi heel, 87,500. 10 Tiered Ruffles No.21 dress, price upon request.…

“The function of my office is about impact, launching and delivering programmes, policies, and initiatives that will improve and change the lives of New Yorkers.” New York City is home to the largest number of foreign-born immigrants in the world, and Nisha Agarwal, the commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, has been tasked with ensuring their success in the city. Since her appointment by mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014, the 37-year-old Punjabi-American has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of immigrant families across the city. She has created inter-city alliances for national immigration reform, partnered with countless community organisations, and in a first-of-its-kind citywide drive, launched an identification programme that’s helping make easier the lives of over three million immigrants. Agarwal’s first move after she joined the…

HIGH SHINE 20s Summer shimmer and all-over sparkle turns around dressing for day this season PAJAMA DRESSING 30s A refreshing take on classic nightwear brings a roomy and relaxed vibe to your look CHECKS 40s Bolder and better, the traditional pattern comes in many avatars this season—gingham, abstract, and all over WHITE OUT 50s Synonymous with the summer, white talks of sophistication—wear it in minimal pieces alongside pretty pastels SEE WHERE TO BUY FOR DETAILS…

DR NIGMA TALIB COUNTS THE WHO’S-WHO of Hollywood’s A-list as her clients. “Nigma’s plan will change your life,” gushes Penelope Cruz on her website. “Nigma’s plans have completely transformed my skin, she is truly amazing,” touts Sienna Miller. The list goes on—Jeremy Piven, Kate Bosworth, and famed makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury are all part of Talib’s fan club. The London-based naturopathic doctor is taking the beauty world by storm with her book, Reverse the Signs of Ageing. Bucking the trends of superficial enhancements like botox and fillers or purely topical cosmetic agents like gizmos to zap your skin to clarity, the doctor instead promotes her 28-day programme to naturally achieve beautiful, clear skin. Having launched this month in the United States after successful releases in Canada and Britain—where it became…

Yann Martel took the world by storm when his wonderful novel, Life of Pi, won the Man Booker Prize in 2002. This tale, in which a boy, Pi Patel, is stranded on a lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan, and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, found a global audience thanks to the delicate balancing act between faith and reason: At its end, the reader must decide what is true and what is not. A confession: I was one of the panel, chaired by the late professor Lisa Jardine, to award that prize; coming across this unexpected treasure in our piles of books was an extraordinary moment. But we were not alone in our love for Martel. In the wake of the accolade, this hitherto little-known author found…

CHEF ALEX ATALA Alex Atala proves that it takes more than just delicious food and beautiful plating to be an influential chef. Today, it takes conscience as well. He goes deep into the Amazon to reinvent Brazilian cuisine, and the results are astounding. No wonder his São Paulo restaurant D.O.M consistently finds a place in the world’s top restaurants. This March, he launches Açougue Central, which specialises in steak. But the menu includes less ‘noble’ cuts, like the fried pig’s ear, and values hundred percent of the meat. “When we rediscover an ingredient and use it in gastronomy, the entire food chain ends up receiving benefits, from the researcher who developed its seed to the small producer to the final consumer,” says Atala, who wants to do for Brazilian food…

PISCES FEBRUARY 20–MARCH 20 Much as you might enjoy enhancing your private life, you’ll soon have to focus on something going on in the big wide world outside. You’ll earn respect by willingly making personal sacrifices for the sake of whatever needs doing. But you won’t want to do it too often. And you’ll have to know that the outcome will be worthwhile. MOTTO OF THE MONTH From the sweetest wine comes the sharpest vinegar. ARIES MARCH 21–APRIL 20 Others may challenge your optimistic take on commitments, which they find daunting. You will spurred on by the Sun challenging Jupiter and reminding you how you cannot bear to fail. That’s fine but make sure your hopes of success are realistic. As long as you are not bashing your head against…

MY FIRST MEMORY of ikat is of a beautiful cotton sari my mother had. It was peacock blue with gold borders, with small Pasapalli patterns that made it unique. To me, ikat is the perfect balance of science and art, where the yarns are individually dyed and woven together to bring out amazing patterns. I have seen artisans write poems in ikat, literally letter by letter. It is the couture of all weaving techniques. While researching on ikat in the past, I’ve come across some beautiful ones from Peru, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, and even Yemen. But the most incredible ikats are from Patan in Gujarat, and from Odisha, my home state. I have been working on a textile project there for the past three years, and it’s from that weavers’…

AKIRA BACK: BALI Chef I have many inspirational dishes that are derived from my travels, but one stands out from a trip to Bali in the summer of 2015. I was exploring the beach and stumbled upon a local hotspot that had a few restaurants that caught my eye due to the style of cuisines served. There was this one dish on the menu, sambal grilled octopus with grilled baby corn. I know it sounds so simple but it made me want to try something similar. Instead of having something that was known to my palate, I was in complete shock and awe due to the type of sauce and the smokey flavour of the baby corn. The octopus was cooked to perfection, and it reminded me of ika sumiyaki,…