Innholdsfortegnelse for October/November 2022 i Harper's Bazaar India

There is a quote by actor Helena Bonham Carter that has led to many a debate in the circles of artists, philosophers, and the creatively-inclined. Helena famously said, “I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk…What you believe in, and all your dreams…How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list…And the way you feel. Life is art.” I certainly agree with Helena. In the belief that art surrounds, envelopes us, not just on the walls in museums, but also in the song of birds, shape of clouds, and depths of human emotion… We only have to pay attention to appreciate all that is beautiful and inspiring. And so, it brings me immense joy to…

KEEP • Itty-bitty bags• Comfortable sandals• Onesies RECYCLE • Ripped jeans• Oversized shirts• Platform sandals…

Nandini Bhalla: How has your personal style evolved over the years? Chitrangda Singh: “When I was younger, I was still figuring out what does and doesn’t work for my body. And, over time, I realised that I am a minimalist dresser—in fact, I follow the ‘less is more’ approach even when it comes to make-up. I gravitate towards understated elegance.” NB: What do you like about trueBrowns? CS: “The modern Indian woman does not want to look like she’s influenced by the Western style of dressing. I like how the brand caters to that very school of thought—they do not tweak traditional Indian silhouettes to make them seem Western. The cut, prints, and hues represent our culture and are perfect for the modern woman. What I like about trueBrowns is…

The human experience is interesting, so there is no reason why your jewellery should be mundane. Some of the most creative bijoux brands have decided to let unleash their creative powers on gold, sterling silver, and other precious metals, with designs that are both unique and delightfully out-there. While Schiaparelli has always been inspired by the surreal, that homegrown brand Kichu wants you to dig your teeth into brass and 1 micron-plated sharktooth ear tops. Not sure about how to decorate your blazer this winter? No need to get in a pickle: consider Gucci’s radish brooch in gold-toned metal and enamel. Abstract pieces reign strong, too, courtesy Misho. But if tribal creations are your flavour, turn to labels like Dhora or MebyMegha.…

“Music entered my life through my mom’s singing,” says Svetha Yallapragada Rao, the American musician of Indian ancestry who’s famously known as Raja Kumari. “And because of my dance training in Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Bharatanatyam, I was surrounded by Carnatic and classical music, which helped me appreciate the power of rhythm.” The 36-year-old has collaborated with icons like Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, among others, and has made a name for herself with her foot-tapping rap tracks like Bindis and Bangles, Get It In, and more recently, Made In India (her take on Alisha Chinai’s 1995 hit of the same name). “My musical style is definitely fusion; it’s hip-hop with an Indian influence…that’s because I have one foot in America and one foot in India.” Raja Kumari considers Lauren…

Amrita Sher-Gil (1913 - 1941): Considered a National Treasure, the Hungarian-Indian Modern artist has been cited as one of the greatest avant-garde women painters of the early 20th century. She shone the spotlight on gender and sexuality. Mrinalini Mukherjee (1949 - 2015): The sensual sculptures, made from dyed hemp and fibre, speak of the woman’s body and an ownership of sexuality, while drawing from the forms of nature. Nasreen Mohamedi (1937—1990): Her delicate line drawings celebrated minimalism, with a singular purpose that embodied the spirit of modernism. B. Prabha (1933 - 2001): Through her distinct, elongated figures of women, the artist drew attention to the realities of rural life and the plight of female existence.…

Hair and Make-up: Mitesh Rajani. Hair and Make-up Assistants: Mansi Seth and Pinkey Kashid. Styling Assistant: Yvonne Monteiro. Production: P Productions.…

We caught a glimpse of her in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy [2019], where she shares the screen with actor Ranveer Singh and male rappers as they out-rap each other. Dee MC aka Deepa Unnikrishnan is one of India’s few female rappers, expressing her points of view in both English and Hindi. Inspired by hip-hop artists like Nicki Minaj, Mos Def, Jay Z, Mike Shinoda, Lil Wayne, Jhene Aiko, Dej Loaf, and Crooked, her aim is to blend poetic rap with soft jazz. Growing up in the small township of Lokgram, in Kalyan near Mumbai, with her sister and mother—Dee’s father was away working in Saudi Arabia for 25 years—young Dee always had big dreams. She would listen to Western pop music regularly and was able to memorise rap songs with…

Seldom has the purpose of art been simply to adorn walls. Female artists, in particular, have used the power of paint to speak up for human rights, striving for change with each brushstroke… Artists have, for centuries, used their art to redefine ideas and unravel the truth. And, by way of that, art has been fundamental in ushering in revolutions. One such concept that art has played a vital role in is redefining the ‘beauty’ of the human body. Bazaar India presents four artists who portray the female form not just to celebrate its incredible, inherent power, but to also ask important questions, tell poignant stories, and help pivot the discourse towards more empathy, acceptance, and inclusivity… SEEMA KOHLI “To me, the body is home to our soul. Just like…

Art Director: Gianmarco Chianese. Hair: Riccardo Morandin at W-MManagement. Make-up: Ana Rodriguez at Green Apple. Fashion Assistants: Christian Marchesi and Marialucia Matera.…

Model: Dorian Eller at Linden Staub. Hair: Keiron Lavine using Lavine Wigs, Oribe and Dyson. Nails: Veronica Butenko. Set Design: Carolina Mizrahi. Model Casting: Kat Perry. Assistant Photographer: Khourie Allen. Location Courtesy: Studio Photo Gallery.…

Harper’s Bazaar: You began acting at a very young age. Looking back, how has this shaped you as a person? Elle Fanning: “I get to ‘play pretend’ as a career, and because I have been doing it since I was so young, my profession has allowed me to live in my imagination. As a result, I am not afraid to dream and take risks.” HB: You have played a ghost, a Disney princess, an alien, a 19th-century author, an 18th-century empress… What is it like to slip into different characters? EF: “No matter what kind of character I am playing, I always try to find empathy for them. Also, I have noticed that I learn more about myself with each character that I play. I am currently filming Season 3…

IT’S TIME FOR A SCALP FACIAL Just like the skin on your face, your scalp, too, needs special attention to ensure grime and product build-up do not lead to irritation or inflammation. Scalp scrubs, exfoliating shampoos, and soothing treatments work wonders when it comes to restoring the scalp’s balance, in turn leading to healthier hair. We recommend a weekly at-home spa comprising either a scrub or an exfoliating shampoo, followed by a scalp treatment to keep dead skin cells and flakes at bay. OWN YOUR POWER It’s no secret that make-up can lift one’s spirits. Inspired by the same thought, Huda Beauty has created the Empowered Collection, which celebrates women and urges you to manifest your dreams. The collection comprises an 18-shade eyeshadow palette featuring pastel and bold hues in…

With 2022 almost nearing its end, the festive cheer and concomitant urge for wanderlust are building up more than ever. And living the fast-paced, city life has undoubtedly put in place new standards of luxury…making memories and spending quality time with your loved ones. Put simply, savouring the precious moments of life are now the greatest expression of indulgence. The many plush properties of The Oberoi Group resonate deeply with this spirit, and are just the escape the soul needs…old-world opulence, grandeur, and a holistic retreat. If you want to lounge in your own slice of heaven, consider The Oberoi in New Delhi. While the iconic property received a stylish modern upgrade in 2018, it still strongly holds onto its storied past. Fun fact: it was the first hotel in…

What is life if not art? For Harper’s Bazaar, art is everywhere, a belief that has been championed in every issue since its inception in 1867. Take this cover, for instance: a fine example of just how powerful an image can become in popular imagination. In April of 1965, legendary lensman Richard Avedon guest-edited the issue, and on its cover, he put a photograph of one of the world’s first supermodels, Jean Shrimpton, in a doughnut-shaped piece of pink paper. But that wasn’t enough. To complete it, Richard layered the image with another photograph of her eye. The result was truly special… A cover that captured the imagination, was replicated across the world, and proved that creative expression is the ultimate celebration.…

JAYASRI BURMAN Born in Kolkata, Jayasri pursued a Master of Arts in Painting from Kala Bhavan in Shantiniketan. Post her graduation, she went to learn print-making under Monsieur Ceizerzi in Paris. Well-known for her Kalighat and Patachitra paintings, in 1985, Jayasri was conferred with the Padma Shri Award. Also, to commemorate International Women’s Day in 2007, the Indian government issued a series of stamps that featured her artwork. For this issue, the contemporary Indian artist pens a heartfelt poem. Jayasri shares, “It is joyous and humbling to work with Harper’s Bazaar India. The team ensured my experience was very smooth.” RAJA KUMARI Svetha Rao, professionally known as Raja Kumari, is an American singer-rapper with Indian ancestry. Known for her collaborations with singers such as Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, and Gwen…

My most cherished memories of my late maternal grandmother, Thakurani Ratan Kumari, is of her sitting in a cane chair in her large patio, surrounded by her beloved Pomeranians, wearing a light chiffon sari with a long blouse that covered her entire midriff. In their heyday, women of my grandmother’s era, the 1950s—especially those from royal and aristocratic backgrounds—were known to wear blouses that went all the way down and below their petticoat, with two slits on either side from where the sari would easily drape over the shoulder, without crumpling the blouse. In fact, if you look at photos of Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, she always wore her trademark French chiffons with a long, demure blouse, much like most of the royal women of that era from the…

Y2K AT NYC Delhi-based designer Kanika Goyal took to the runways of New York Fashion Week (once again) with her Spring/Summer 2023 collection, Starseed, with a mix of hypnotic prints from the ’70s. Kanika has added bits of nature to the moodboard too—motifs of colourful poppies, sliced lotus stems, and exaggerated tropical leaves with the overarching theme of Y2K. There are slouchy co-ord sets and bomber jackets, crop tops and bermuda shorts to wear as separates, perfect to love all (and every) summer. Available on pre-order from kglabel.com INDIA PROUD Limited-edition watches are a stylish way to flaunt time. And luxury Swiss brand Franck Muller is commemorating its expertise in collectibles with two India-special watches from its hallmark Vanguard collection. With just 150 pieces on offer—100 in steel and gold,…

In the art of seduction, a certain air of mystery is considered to be the secret element in making a person—or a timepiece, in the case of the Cartier’s 2022 offerings—all the more exciting. For this year’s watches present fascinating shapes and technicalities to bemuse you, and innovations that will pave the way for many others in the near future. Cartier’s command over fine jewellery and watchmaking, it’s known, is one of its hallmarks. Take the Mystery Clocks, for instance: inspired by the French magician Houdin, the father of modern conjuring, these feats of horological and technical invention have captured the fancy of collectors’ since they were first created in 1912. At the turn of the 19th century, Louis Cartier (the founder’s grandson, 1875–1942) and horologist Maurice Coüet (1885–1963) created…

By recreating the personification of the nation—as mother and female icon—from a feminist perspective, photo and visual artist Pushpamala N has both subverted and redefined the narrative. But the Bengaluru-based artist doesn’t end her interrogation at that: in Motherland: Pushpamala N.’s Woman and Nation [Roli Books], scholars examine her elaborate photo-performances of women’s representation, “secular realism”, and more. In all, this book on the artist will draw you in, time and again, for her open act of reclaiming feminine agency.…

This anthology of stories, poems, and essays from Bihar by its most prolific authors offers perspective on important themes: hidden gems to explore. [HarperCollins India] You’re in for a treat with the 70 easy-to-make recipes in this book that cater to every occasion, season, and festival, peppered with historical accounts from different regions. [Roli Books] An account of the Anglo Indian community, its identity, heritage, way of life, and contributions to society…a comprehensive look spanning centuries. [Aleph Book Company] This book celebrates the Indian freedom fighters who were relegated to the footnotes: the Adivasis, Dalits, OBCs, Muslims, Sikhs, among others. [Penguin Random House India]…

I was first diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome when I was 14. At the time, it felt like an admonition, something that the doctor told me through gritted teeth. After reading every detail I could find about why it felt like an uncontrolled ricochet would fire through my digestive system like a hand grenade’s explosion, I found a naturopath who confirmed that my phantom illness might be IBS. It was the mid-2000s, and so my parents, having been shamed for the medicine of their South Asian roots, opted to get a second opinion from a Western doctor. And there I was, at 14, being told by said doctor that IBS was still a largely unproven phenomenon and that what I had was still a mystery to her—but, yes, my naturopath…

“I have always believed that art conveys itself immensely through fashion; putting together a set of clothes is an artistic choice of self-expression that we all make every day of our life. Not only did great painters like Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol design dresses, but many fashion designers also created fashion pieces that were directly inspired by well-known artists’ works. Whether the inspirations are from murals, temples, or abstract draping patterns in modern times, artists have inspired creators in textiles, corsetry, and draping for centuries. In the west, YSL and Celine have created clothing inspired by Yves Klien and Vincent Van Gogh, while Celine and Dior have collaborated with contemporary artists such as Rithika Merchant and Bharti Kher. Tarun Tahiliani made prints with the Singh Twins, and Sabyasachi is…

Indie artist Tribemama Marykali—also known as Anna Katharina Valayil—originally from Kerala, grew up in Nigeria, and now lives in Kochi. With a fresh voice, infused with afro-funk beats, she’s piquing interest amongst fans with her single Bless Ya Heels [2021] where she is seen gyrating in a traditional white and gold Kasuvu sari. Although trained in both Western and Carnatic styles, none of which lasted more than three months, Marykali credits MTV for being her biggest teacher. “The afro-funk influence is very much existent because of the way Fela Kuti (a Nigerian singer and activist) affected my upbringing,” she says. “My household raised me on Peter Tosh, Sister Nancy, and Bob Marley. My own nanny, Patience, and her African influence and style is something my home is strongly connected to.”…

As one listens to her pitch-perfect voice and the haunting lyrics ‘Welcome to the age of limbo/Welcome to the shifted paradigm/In the wrong place in the wrong time’, [from her Age of Limbo video], with drone shots of empty European streets—a reference to the pandemic—one can’t help but wonder why isn’t Mali an international phenomenon yet? The Chennai-born, Mumbai-bred Maalavika Manoj—professionally known as Mali—has been part of the music industry for over a decade, performing English pop songs as well as working in Tamil cinema. Her latest single Maange Manzooriyan from the Rajkummar Rao-starrer Badhaai Do, is a sweetly melodious track that capitalises on her pristine vocals. “I learnt my first song at the age of five. It was around the same time when I first heard Savage Garden, and…

Hair: Hiroshi Matsushita. Make-up: Andrew Gallimore at Agency of Substance, using Dior Forever Foundation and Capture Totale Serum. Manicure: Chisato Yamamoto at Caren, using Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina and La Crème Main. Fashion Assistant: Crystalle Cox. Set Design: Harriet Parry. Models: Eva Varlamova at Kult London, Iggy Jacobsen at Premier, Jasmijn Kok at Elite, and Yejin Sung at Select.…

Harper’s Bazaar: What inspired you to write Ritual? Vasudha Rai: “I have always been into rituals, because, for me, they work as an escape. After writing [my first book] Glow, I realised that it is not about how you eat, but more importantly, how you live. Especially post-Covid, all of us have realised the importance of daily routines. We now know that following the circadian rhythm is the best thing you can do for your health. With Ritual, I wanted to take away the banality of routine life and add some magic to it.” HB: What made you delve into the world of natural energies to maximise wellness? VR: “Everything is energy—whether it’s the energy you get from people or give back, what you put into a project, or the…

In a pristine white room—its only real adornment the large window that views out to the Place Vendôme—Schiaparelli’s Artistic Director Daniel Roseberry sits relaxed behind a minimalist white table. He looks to be still feeling the reverberations that his latest haute couture collection—which he presented the day before—sent through the fashion world. The show took place in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, surrounded by the new exhibition Shocking! The Surreal Worlds of Elsa Schiaparelli. It made quite an evocative backdrop to a show that featured music from the original Jurassic Park movie, along with ensembles that celebrated both the female form and the sculptural beauty of blooms. The exhibition, curated by Olivier Gabet and Marie-Sophie de la Carrière, is not just a look back at the inventive fashion…

SHIREEN GANDHY Director, Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai “I was all of four years old when I entered the exhibition of Homi Patel in our gallery—an abstract exhibition painted in hues of white. My dad always reminded me that I was least perturbed by the non-colour…I walked straight in and pointed at my favourite painting in the show. Mine is a legacy gallery that was started by my parents in 1963. I have walked and talked art all my life, and was brought up by art-obsessed parents whose friends painted or collected. I began working besides my parents in 1988. I have, fortunately, never faced any gender discrimination. My mother was a much stronger force than my father; we are a family of strong women. Most of all, I have always…

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23-DECEMBER 21 No-one could blame you for adding a new and inventive slant to on-going areas of responsibility. But be prepared to stand your ground if others insist you’re getting it wrong. You’ll notice that anything unorthodox will have to be defended, pretty vigorously. But it should be worth it in the end. CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 20 Laugh off any suggestion that your creativity is adding little to some mundane ideas. And tell yourself that your critics are struggling to admit you’re actually making a good job of it. In fact, there’ll be a good chance that this could lead to something exciting and beneficial in the not-too-distant future. Wait and see. AQUARIUS 21 JANUARY – 19 FEBRUARY Quite rightly, you’ll feel that friends or colleagues should adopt…

The term ‘multi-hyphenate’ is much in commission these days, but for Saba Azad, a more appropriate term may be ‘shape shifter’. For Saba has perfected the delicate art of being fluid and free: from taking on her grandmother’s pen name ‘Azad’ as her stage name (Saba’s actual surname is Grewal, but the idea of freedom seemed perfect to her), to the way she plays with her looks (wigs and vintage styles command equal presence), and, of course, the very engaging live performances with her band member Imaad Shah under their band Madboy/Mink. And Saba also recently completed filming for the second season of Rocket Boys [Sony Liv] where she essays the role of Parvana Irani, a close companion of the nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha… There’s much on Saba’s plate and…

Make-up: Krisann Figueiredo. Hair: Marcelo Pedrozo. Fashion Assistants: Shubham Jawanjal and Hargun Ahuja. Production: Gravity Grace Productions.…

Unlike the seasons past, the glamorous looks that the fashion Houses put forward during their Fall/Winter presentations were not focused on just one feature. There was an emphasis on creating an attractive package that starts at the crown. Chanel, for instance, came up with a romantic look featuring elegant, full eyebrows paired with natural eyelashes, combined with a lip stain that gives a subtle colour impression on the lips. Models at Dior had radiant, dewy skin with playful metallic accents at the inner corners of the eyes. We also noticed a pop of pink for that ‘healthy flush’ on the cheeks, while Saint Laurent and Valentino used this shade to make a powerful fashion statement, too. But the question on everyone’s minds seems to be: how do we achieve these…