Hello December 2015

www.facebook.com/helloindia

A Times of indiA PublicATion

indiA

l

Vol 9 issue 9

l

decembeR 2015

l

150

INTRODUCING THE

Debutants

Zamir Abdullah

Nirvaan Birla

Shloka Birla

Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur

Yashasvini Jindal

InsIde Hello!

COVER imagE: aSHiSH CHaWLa, baCkdROp imagE: CORbiS, WaRdRObE COuRtESy - yaSHaSVini JindaL: gauRaV gupta and JEWELLERy by diaCOLOR, padmanabH SingH Of JaipuR: RagHaVEndRa RatHORE, ZamiR abduLLaH: ROHit baL, SHLOka biRLa: faLguni & SHanE pEaCOCk

COVER STORY

38

DEBUTANTS

BOLD, BEAUTIFUL AND BLUE-BLOODED!

INDIA IS KNOWN TO BE A YOUNG NATION, BRIMMING WITH UNCONTESTED POTENTIAL. HELLO! TURNS THE SPOTLIGHT ON A GENERATION OF BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS – SOME FROM ROYAL BACKGROUNDS, OTHERS FROM RENOWNED FAMILIES. FROM THE TEENAGE ‘MAHARAJA’ PADMANABH OF JAIPUR, TO THE NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN SCIONS OF THE JINDALS, ABDULLAHS, BIRLAS, SCINDIAS, JETHMALANIS AND JAIKISHANS... PRESENTING THE FUTURE OF INDIA, THROUGH THEIR VOICES

1) To subscribe sms HLOSUB to 58888 2) To subscribe online visit: mags.timesgroup.com/hello.html 3) Check out our exciting subscription offer in this issue 2 HELLO! december 2015

10

10 MATILDE BORROMEO Sister to Beatrice Borromeo, (who recently married into the royal family of Monaco) the young Matilde shows us around her home in the family palace in Milan 18 EVE-O-LUTION One of the most talked about events of the winter calendar, HELLO! captured elegant portraits of nine women of stellar backgrounds who walked the ramp in ensembles by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla in support of the Breakthrough Mission Hazaar fashion extravaganza. Here, they look at female evolution in their personal contexts 26 TOP TEN NEWSMAKERS From our energetic PM Narendra Modi’s multitudinous foreign jaunts, to the recent terror attacks on Paris and Malli, to the Great Indian Beef Ban... HELLO! reviews the year that was 30 SONALI BENDRE BEHL The actress, TV personality and now, author, waxes eloquently about her journey as a mother in her debut publication, The Modern Gurukool, My Experiments with Parenthood 35 A LITTLE PRINCE ARRIVES! Yuvraj Shivraj and his lovely wife, Gayatri Raje, just celebrated the birth of their son. HELLO! presents an exclusive peek 74 ZEENIA AND ADITI SINGH HELLO! meets Zeenia, designer and wife of Ranbaxy scion Vikramjit Singh and her muse, Aditi, wife of Fortis healthcare Co-Founder, Shivinder Singh. The sisters-in-law also double up as each other’s friends and aesthetic soulmates

18 30

80 JESSICA SIMON The scion of the fashion label, Monsoon, is joined by her sister and son in order to welcome HELLO! into her stunning home in Ibiza 86 HAUTE TO TROT Girls about town, Mehryn Zafar, Natasha Kamal and Noor Mahmood, are Lahore’s hautest new designers on the block. They share their style diaries with HELLO! 93 WRITER’S BLOC The recent Tata Literature Live! festival had moments of revelation and timely discussions. Sangeeta Wadhwani presents highlights

CHECK OUT THE HELLO! E-MAG Visit

http://in.zinio.com/helloindia

35

http://www.magzter.com/in/ worldwide-media/hello!/celebrity HELLO! december 2015 3

InsIde Hello! 74

80 94 HELLO! FASHION HELLO! visits globally acclaimed Indian designer, Bibhu Mohapatra for a rapidfire tête-à-tête on everything ‘Bibhu.’ Also, HELLO! decodes the hautest style trends of the season and more... 102 HELLO! BEAUTY HELLO! spotlights the hautest beauty trends of the season and more...

86

112 SPARKLERS & MORE In keeping with the festive spirit, Nirav Modi hosts a special lunch get-together for the capital’s swishest ladies 114 BAUBLE TRENDS Acclaimed jewellers from across the nation decode the hottest jewellery trends of the season 118 CRACKER OF A FESTIVE FEAST Famed Chef, Gordon Ramsay, whips up a festive feast filled with Christmas cheer 128 THE KASHMIR POLO CUP A bright spark on the capital’s social calendar, the Kashmir Polo Cup saw the who’s who assemble as guests of hosts Vikramaditya Singh and his wife, Chitrangada Raje REGULARS 36 INSIDE STORY 134 HOROSCOPE 135 DRINKS WITH CHRISTIANO RONALDO LIFESTYLE 126 LUXE NEWS

Like us on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/helloindia

w w w.alivear.com

4 HELLO! december 2015

Letters to the editor [email protected] her ‘Diwali Dreamscape.’ Anju Khetarpal, Ghaziabad

Hello! Nuptials

Wedding of the year 2

1

3 5

4

A TALE OF CROSS-CONTINENTAL LOVE REACHED ITS ZENITH OVER GLITTERING CELEBRATIONS AS TANYA MADHVANI (SCION OF THE MADHVANI GROUP OF COMPANIES) WED MARCO CILIA, A GLOBAL BUSINESSMAN AND HOTELIER 1) Tanya Madhvani Cilia and her sister, Natasha Madhvani Khan, share a tender moment in the suite of the Connaught Hotel, Mayfair, London 2) Marco’s shoes are bespoke by Arthur’s Sleepers, London and are embossed with the wedding logo 3) Tanya’s magnificent wedding band is a pearshaped six carat diamond set in a halo design 4) Marco Cilia is captured in an ungaurded moment at the private family residence on Green Street, Mayfair, London. Marco is the global hotelier behind some of the most successful lifestyle hotels in London and New York and will soon be launching his own hotel chain in Italy. He wears a tuxedo by Dolce & Gabbana and shirt by Tom Ford 5) Tanya Madhvani Cilia arrives at One Mayfair, London 170 HELLO! NOVEMBER 2015

24/10/15 7:42 PM

LA DOLCE VITA!

www.facebook.com/helloindia

A TIMES Of INDIA PUBLIcATION

INDIA l VOL 9 ISSUE 8 l NOVEMBER 2015 l 150

tHe KAPOORS Anil, sonam and Rhea

HELLO! NOVEMBER 2015 winner for the best letter: Captain Oscar Louis, Mumbai

Incredible! Your November issue was definitely the bomb! The festive spirit was ushered in spectacularly and was exemplified by a memorable family portrait of the Kapoors at their opulent best. Their bond was very evident and it really touched a chord. Anil must be really proud of his two daughters, who have been brought up with the right values, culture and tradition. From the tantalising cover to the most explosive content, you had me salivating for more! HELLO! redefines luxury in more ways than one; nothing is off limits. Being an art aficionado myself, I was delighted to get a ringside view of the Pundole art auction preview soirée (Indian Art In London). Truly an eclectic collection. Thank you for the outstanding coverage of the two biggest wedding events of the year (the Monaco and Madhvani wedding), they were truly exemplary. HELLO! has metamorphosed over the years. It has become more dynamic and fluid, adapting all the time... a veritable chameleon, what with the introduction of new sections such as beauty and the many gift guides. Well done, HELLO! This issue definitely took it to another level. Captain Oscar Louis, Mumbai

DIWALI DHAMAKA

celebRAting WitH

Turn to our Contents page for details

One of the reasons HELLO! continues to be my favourite magazine is because you entrance your readers and take them to a different world… a magical one that’s filled with glitter and gold. While no celebrity’s life is private anymore, what with 24x7 access to the internet, HELLO! covers events in great depth and with a warmth that is not seen elsewhere, case in point, the Monaco Nuptials. You truly care about the people you feature and that shines through more than you realise. Thank you for being kind and highlighting only the good things in people, rather than viciously cutting them down – as seen everywhere else. You provide a feel good factor to your many readers and I hope that never changes! Malti Bhatia, Mumbai

HELLO! NOVEMBER 2015 171

058-060-HE103 TANYA MADHVANI_kaushik R1.indd 170-171

HE103 COVER Final.indd 1

TANTALISING TALES

24/10/15 5:14 PM

The three vivacious Kapoors on your cover set up the ambience of Diwali’s ethos perfectly. Though I love my kitchen and cuisine very much, Casa Fabulosity gave me a glimpse into the dining style of the most sought-after people of society, which added quite a bit of taste to the season. Fiesty, Festive, Fun! brought me an inch closer to the people who I could only dream of meeting. Their sharing of special memories felt like I was part

of their families. But the perfect Diwali blast was hands-down created by Anil, Sonam and Rhea. The trio, through their elegance proved that just affluence is not enough; one should be able to carry it gracefully. Since no Diwali pooja is complete without beautiful company, Akanksha Aggarwal completed that too by inviting some of the loveliest ladies to

PICTURE PERFECT

The cover of HELLO!’s November edition was picture perfect! Diwali is such a uniting yet intimate time of year, one that is spent with those closest to you, while also spreading love and good cheer to the community as a whole. The Kapoor clan was an apt choice to lead the festivities. They come across as a close-knit and humble family and looked so genuinely happy while decorating your glossy pages. With its themed issues, HELLO! always sends out such positive vibes and energy, really engaging with its readers. You respect Indian culture and are happy to shout it from the rooftops – or rather, from magazine stands. You unify people this way, bringing them together in a traditional and festive celebration of all we have to be thankful for. May the new year be exciting and blissful for HELLO! Jayanti K, Delhi

FESTIVE FEVER

Nuit d’issey Parfum by issey Miyake is a classic men’s fragrance that is intense, crisp and magnetic – for the best letter to the editor in the next issue!

To win a perfume, send in your letter to [email protected] or mail us at The editor, HeLLO!, WWM, 4 floor, Times of India building, dr dN Road, Mumbai 400 001 th

Bright, colourful, festive. That was what you gave your readers – a whole lot of sparkle! I loved the features titled, Diwali Dreamscape, Casa Fabulosity and Fun, Feisty, Festive!. It was such an accurate essence of the festival that brings so many together. The celebrations didn’t stop there – the Monaco and Madhvani weddings, along with Khushi Singh’s bridal diary, added to the fun, as did the pretty Diwali Gift Guide. HELLO! really went all out this time and each page was like a bright firework. What sealed it all together and what seemed like a natural fit, were the stars on your cover. Anil, Sonam and Rhea Kapoor all looked great in their festive gear. Though that much-awaited festive week has now come to an end, the spirit and celebrations live on in your pages. Madhavi Merchant, Mumbai HELLO! deceMBeR 2015 5

Editor’s NotE

J

These scions/inheritors from some of the country’s top families will be soon graduating with fancy degrees and springing out, carrying forward the legacy of their families

Ruchika Mehta Editor

ust when I got down to penning this note, I did not realise this would be the year-ender sign off. This year has literally flown by; probably keeping pace with our dear Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s, non-stop foreign trips. The year 2015 has been eventful not just for India, but the world. The various political developments and upheavals in our country have thrown up new equations. We are happy to learn the voter is using his mind and NOT crumbling under vested influences. Indians abroad have done us proud. A standing ovation to Sundar Pichai to head one of the most powerful software giants in the world. Our brain drain is Google’s big Brain Gain. We also saw the rise and fall of many business leaders who rule the corporate world. The unprecedented rise of the ISIS has been alarming and extremely disturbing. At a time when the world was just about getting rid of terrorism by almost eliminating al-Qaeda, a new demon has emerged to pull us back into the dark ages of brutality and violence. The recent Paris attacks are a testimony to this. As we surge ahead in life with everything digitalised, we need to bridge this contrast between the 12th century and 21st century conundrum we have been thrust into. Amidst many more happenings around the globe, and trying to put behind all the not-so-pleasant things, HELLO! welcomes and introduces a fresh breed of new kids on the block in our cover story on Debutants. These scions/inheritors from some of the country’s top families will be soon graduating with fancy degrees and springing out, carrying forward the legacy of their families. Their voices touch upon several issues and occupations close to their hearts and from what we see, this is a generation that understands the global village, it’s mounting needs and challenges. They are aware of their privileged positions and their potential to bring about positive changes, to build on existing visions of India. Once again, HELLO! takes the first bold step to introduce them to our readers and to the world at large.

COnTribuTOrs

AsHisH CHAWLA Noted lensman, Ashish Chawla’s acclaimed repertoire ranges from fashion and beauty to travel and portraits. For HELLO!’s final cover of 2015, Ashish captures bright young debutants of illustrious Indian families – Zamir Abdullah, Padmanabh Singh and Yashasvini Jindal in a rich tableau of youth and beauty.

We also have some very rich features still reveling in the festive spirit. In an exclusive, Aditi Singh, wife of Shivinder Singh of Ranbaxy and Fortis Hospitals, who just renounced the world to seek solace at his guru’s feet in Beas, speaks to us about what life can be after they step out of the gilded doors. She plays a beautiful muse to her sister-in-law and friend, Zeenia Singh. We also take you through some arresting portraits from the Breakthrough Mission Hazaar fund-raiser for gender equality, where a host of society moms and daughters speak on female evolution and support the cause by investing in gorgeous ensembles by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla. As this year draws to a close, let us bow our heads in silence and think about all those innocents who lost their lives to some mindless reckless fanaticism and pledge ourselves to working towards a more sane milieu, for our generations to come. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you next year!

Popularly known as Pacho, Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur is seen striking a pose at HELLO!’s exclusive shoot 6 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

AbHisHEK KHAnDELWAL Faces and places fascinate ace photographer, Abhishek Khandelwal, who credits people and travelling as his inspirations for setting off on his path as a photographer. For HELLO! this month, Abhishek captures the charming designermuse duo – Zeenia and Aditi Singh of the renowned house of Ranbaxy. “HELLO! offers me a great platform on which to explore new places and to connect with people.”

Editor’s LoungE

The Editor’s choice for the best of the month in people, products, parties, places, fashion and style

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE While Diwali may be over, Swarovski is still lighting up lives with a stunning installation in Mumbai. Inspired by lanterns, this alluring installation has been conceptualised by leading artist-designer and scenographer, Sumant Jayakrishnan. The multitiered 3D abstraction is representative of the quintessential 1,000 petalled Indian Lotus Mandala. The lower tip of the Lantern installation and upper tip of the lotus floor standing installation are perfectly aligned with a small gap in between to create the dynamic of the future unknown. This installation has been specially crafted to complement the art and deco at The Palladium, Mumbai, while also redefining the finesse and uniqueness of crystals from Swarovski. So try and make time for a look at this for sure!

KATY PERRY HIGHEST PAID Although Taylor Swift has been hitting the headlines for being the world’s highest-earning celebrity couple along with Calvin Harris and topping Maxim’s Hot 100 list of 2015, it is Katy Perry who is playing music at the top slot of Forbes’s 2015 list of the highest earning women in the music industry. The Celebrity 100 cover star is 2015’s highestpaid woman in music, thanks to her Prismatic World Tour as well as deals with Coty, Claire’s and Cover Girl. Perry has garnered US$135 million this year and grossed more than US$2 million per city over the course of 126 shows. Singing her

CELEBRITY PATRONS

NAOMI ENDORSES LINGERIE LINE Top model, Naomi Campbell, has partnered with Italian company, Yamamay, to launch a limitededition lingerie collection for the holidays, titled ‘I am Naomi Campbell.’ The range features seven collections of bras, panties, slips, camisoles, bodysuits and robes. The colour palette boasts of nocturnal hues like black and purple and surprises with a sultry red. And for those wondering about how much cash you’ll have to shell out for the ‘I am Naomi Campbell’ collection, Campbell kept things fairly affordable with prices ranging form US$32 for bras and US$65 for a kimono-inspired robe. The British supermodel also appears in the brand’s advertising campaign, shot by photographer Mario Testino.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the UK’s Graduate Fashion Week has commissioned two British fashion icons to help raise the profile of the event. Christopher Bailey and Victoria Beckham have been appointed as the first patrons of the Graduate Fashion Week. Burberry Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer and the English businesswoman and fashion designer, are delighted to be a part of the world’s leading event celebrating the creativity of students and graduates within fashion. In 1991, Bailey had showcased his own work for the first time at Graduate Fashion Week. Bailey was also the first winner of the prestigious

Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award 20 years ago. Victoria also believes that it is very important to support and mentor young people and GFW provides an essential platform for the same. She said she was delighted to be joining Christopher Bailey, working together on such a worthwhile project. Since the past 25 years, Graduate Fashion Week has become one of the most significant, international events on the fashion calendar. Additional alumni of the annual event include Stella McCartney, Antonio Berardi, Marchesa, Julien MacDonald, Christopher Raeburn, Agi and Sam and Sophie Hulme.

way to the second position is 25-yearold Taylor Swift, with an estimated earning of US$80 million. The Shake It Off singer’s launch of her widely successful pop album, 1989 in October 2014 helped to propel her to this slot. The album has sold more than 3.6 million copies and with her 1989 Tour grossing some US$4 million per city, she is sure to capture the top position in the coming year. The third highest earning position in the music industry is held by Fleetwood Mac, with an annual earning of US$59.5 million. While Lady Gaga ranks fourth with US$59 million, Beyoncé rounded out the top five with US$54.5 million.

NEW YORKER DINER After capturing the pulse of Mumbai’s night life with his popular joints – Tryst and Exo at the St. Regis, boy about town, Rishi Acharya, is all set to woo Breach Candy with his new diner, Doppio Bar and Basserie. Keeping it Boho chic, he has tried to give it a New York Soho feel. Spread across 2,500 square feet, the 90-seater eatery will have a vintage feel with a sizeable bar. This all-day trendy diner will offer European cuisine and probably be a refreshing change for Breach Candy, which currently doesn’t really have a good dining place. If Rishi’s private soirées are anything to go by – this place is going to be the new home for SoBo’s elite.

HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 7

spain UK aRGEnTina BULGaRia Canada CHiLE COLOMBia dOMiniCan REpUBLiC dUBai ECUadOR GREECE india indOnEsia MaLaYsia MEXiCO MOROCCO paKisTan pERU pUERTO RiCO RUssia sERBia THaiLand TURKEY VEnEZUELa CEO

Deepak Lamba

Chief Community Officer & Editor

Ruchika Mehta

Executive Editor Fashion Director Assistant Editor Fashion Features & Beauty Editor Copy Editor Photo Editor Editorial Coordinator

Sangeeta Wadhwani Avantikka Kilachand Vishwaveer Singh Farah Palia Jeena J Billimoria Kirthika Prasad Anita Nair

Associate Editor Fashion Editor Special Correspondent Editorial Trainee

(Delhi) (Delhi) (Delhi) (Delhi)

Sanghita Singh Amber Tikari Neeva Jain Radha Jetley

Senior Stylist Junior Stylist

Sonam Poladia Richa Mehta

SuBSCriPTiOnS Generel Manager Product Strategy Priyadarshi Banerjee [email protected] Assistant General Manager (rMD Magazines) Suparna Sheth [email protected] centres North 011 - 39898090 East 033 - 39898090 West 022 - 39898090 South 080 - 39898090 SMS: HLOSUB to 58888 BrAnD SOLuTiOnS Director Jyoti Verma [email protected]

Art Director Senior Graphic Designer

Suresh Bhandary Dattatray Jadhav

WEST Vice President Armaity S. Amaria [email protected]

Brand Publisher Senior Brand Manager

Anupama Bhalla Jaymin Dalal

MUMBAI Anita Anand, [email protected] Salman Shaikh, [email protected]

Chief Financial Officer

S. Subramaniam

PUNE Ekta Dang, [email protected]

Publisher, Print & Production Controller

Joji Varghese

AHMEDABAD Jahnavi Bhojani, [email protected] nOrTh Vice President Anjali Rathor [email protected]

Printed and published by Joji Varghese for and on behalf of Worldwide Media Private Limited, The Times of India Building, Dr DN Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001 and printed at Rajhans Enterprises, 134, 4th Main Road, Industrial Town, Rajajinagar, Bangalore 560 044. Editor: Ruchika Mehta. Hello! magazine and Hello! logo are the property of Hola, S.A. Worldwide Media Private Limited is the exclusive authorised user under License Agreement in India. © Hola, S.A. (1988) © Worldwide Media Private Limited (2007) Registration number: MAHENG/2007/21672 Corporate Identification number: U22120MH2003PTC142239 All rights reserved. Republishing in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. This issue also contains editorial text originally published in Hello! magazine of Hello! Limited (Licensor) and such editorial matter is being used by Worldwide Media Private Limited (Licensee) with the permission of the Licensor. HELLO! Indian Edition takes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ARE USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY The national edition of HELLO! Indian Edition is not for sale outside India

8 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

NOIDA, DELHI General Manager Shikha Sinha Suri [email protected] Pooja Sharma, [email protected] Manoj Sharma, [email protected] JAIPUR

Pushpesh Sood, [email protected] SOuTh Assistant Vice President Vikram Singh [email protected] EAST Assistant Vice President Alka Kakar, [email protected] KOLKATA Bijoy Choudhury, [email protected]

December calenDar

HEllo! SCanS UpCoMing EvEntS in inDia anD aBRoaD Sunburn Festival

ART & CULTURE JACQUELINE DE RIBES: THE ART OF STYLE WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York WHEN: Until 21 February, 2016 The Costume Institute’s fall 2015 exhibition will focus on the internationally renowned style icon, Countess Jacqueline de Ribes, whose originality and elegance established her as one of the most celebrated fashion personas of the 20th century. The thematic show will feature about 60 ensembles of haute couture and ready-to-wear primarily from de Ribes’s personal archive, dating from 1959 to the present.

SHOES: PLEASURE AND PAIN WHERE: Regent’s Park, London WHEN: Until 28 February, 2016 The V&A’s blockbuster exhibition is all about shoes – but not ballet flats, cosy boots or crocs. Shoes: Pleasure and Pain, focuses on the transformative power of extreme footwear, exploring the agony and ecstasy that a shoe might inspire. Over 200 pairs of shoes, past and present, have been gathered from all over the world.

THEATRE LA BOHÈME WHERE: Opernhaus Zürich, Switzerland WHEN: 1-8 An opera in four acts, composed by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, La Bohème is based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger. This is Ole Anders Tandberg, one of Scandinavia’s most widely recognised directors’, first production for Zurich Opera House. Giampaolo Bisanti will be at the rostrum of the Philharmonia Zurich and American highflier, Michael Fabiano, will début in Zurich as the lead, Rodolfo. FILTER THEATRE’S TWELFTH NIGHT WHERE: High Street Phoenix, Mumbai WHEN: 17 High Street Phoenix will set the stage for a Broadway-style

Anoushka Shankar

performance by international theatre artists of Filter Theatre’s acclaimed, Twelfth Night. Directed by celebrated director, Sean Holmes and re-directed by Oliver Dimsdale and Ferdy Roberts, this adaptation is a fast and furious reworking of Shakespeare’s well-known work: fresh, unconventional and interactive with the feel of an intimate, dishevelled rock gig. MUSIC ANOUSHKA SHANKAR INDIA TOUR WHERE: Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur and Bengaluru WHEN: 12-18 The sitar virtuoso and four-time Grammy nominee, returns to India this winter for a four-city tour of the sub-continent, in support of her new album, Home. After several stunning non-classical albums, including the Grammy-nominated recordings Rise, Traveller and Traces Of You, Anoushka returns to her solo roots, paying homage to the teachings of her late father, Shri Ravi Shankar. SUNBURN FESTIVAL WHERE: Goa, India WHEN: 27-30 La Bohème

The electronic dance music (EDM) festival is held across various locations throughout the world with the biggest event taking place just after the Christmas celebrations and just before the New Year in Goa every year. The festival, which is a combination of music, food, shopping and entertainment, is spread over three days and the line-up of artists is hand-picked and showcases some of the most renowned DJs from around the globe alongside local Indian talent. SPORTS DUBAI WORLD SUPERSERIES FINALS WHERE: Dubai WHEN: 9-13 Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai World Superseries Finals returns to the Hamdan Sports Complex, as the world’s badminton heroes compete for the most prestigious prize on the BWF badminton calendar. KRAMPUSNACHT FESTIVAL WHERE: Klagenfurt, Austria WHEN: 5 Krampus, Saint Nicholas’s horned mythical companion of Alpine folklore, was said to punish naughty children during the Christmas season. The mysterious Krampusnacht Festival is celebrated on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day and sees people dressed as devils and demons capering through the streets in celebration of the holiday season. This raucous party also has a number of Christmas markets to keep you entertained. HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 9

Hello! Homes

SISTER OF MONACO ROYAL bRIdE bEATRICE

MATILdE bORROMEO SHOWS US AROUNd HER HOME IN THE FAMILY PALACE IN MILAN

eautiful, chic, dynamic b and determined, Matilde Borromeo is very much the modern muse as she poses for our shoot at the family palace in Milan, stunning in Giambattista Valli couture. A keen horsewoman, talented at sport and as much at home in the country as she is in town, the

10 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

mother of two divides her time between her parents’ estate and her husband, Prince Antonius von Fürstenberg’s city base. The couple’s apartment in the palazzo is airy and painted in pastel shades, with scenes from nature sketched on some walls, giving a fresh but sophisticated feel. And, after showing us

around, Matilde – whose sister Beatrice recently married into Monaco’s royal family – sits down to explain how she created this beautiful family home and how she’s bringing up the couple’s two sons, Karl-Egon, four, and Alexander, three. Does daily life still revolve around the children?

‘Living inside the family palace means it’s easy to catch up with relatives based in other cities, because when they’re in town, they’re all under one roof’

Behind the plain façade of the palazzo in Milan (left) hides a charming apartment, home to Countess Matilde – whose halfsister, Beatrice Borromeo, married Monegasque royal Pierre Casiraghi in the summer – and her husband Prince Antonius von Fürstenberg with their young sons, Karl-Egon and Alexander HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 11

Hello! Homes ‘both my husband and I like a style that’s classic in essence but bold enough to include a modern touch… we love colour and contemporary art, textiles and antiques’

“Last month, the boys started at pre-school, so our routine is a mixture of relaxed and fastpaced. It feels incredible that they’re now busy for half the day. In the morning, the house is very quiet, something we’ve missed over the last few years; come afternoon, it’s full of shouts of happiness and games, mixed in with the odd argument and a touch of rebelliousness – a reminder that being strong and independent runs in the family.” So you have a bit more time for your job and your horses now? “Quite often during the week I get out of the city to check on our 12 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

cattle at the estate, but also on the horses – my great passion. Having had two sons, I jokingly call the fillies my daughters, as they’re all girls. They’re growing quickly, too: the eldest is now eight. “My mares can all jump heights of 1.4 metres. I get a lot of compliments from equestrian and farming people, which is really satisfying.” So this house is part of the Borromeo ancestral home? “That’s right, we’re inside the family palace. That means it’s easy to catch up with relatives who live in other cities, because when they’re in Milan, they’re all under one roof.

“Thankfully, the building work in the square in front is finally finished and my children can chase each other in and out of the house as if they were in the country. And that’s great because, as they’re at school here, they can only get to the Costarossa estate with me at weekends.” What decorative feel did you want to give your home? “It reflects the style that both my husband and I like: classic in essence but bold enough to include a modern touch. We love colour and contemporary art; we also love textiles and antiques. “Interior designer, Flavia de Giorgi, recommended the marble

floor. Until now, the kind of stone we chose had never been worked in the way that we wanted. The brushed effect, which highlights the veins in the marble created by millions of years of layering, is incredible.” You’ve paid a lot of attention to detail: the floors, wall colours, ceilings… “(Interior designer) Orsola Clerici did an exquisite job with the walls. We studied the colours, and especially the motifs, together. I love a fresh décor, a feeling of freedom, hence the ceiling in my bathroom sketched with grass and the odd insect fluttering around. I also love the oak in the children’s

‘In the mornings, with the boys at school, the house is very quiet. Come afternoon, it’s full of shouts of happiness and games, mixed in with the odd argument!’

A couple of rocking sheep can be found at one end of the living room while splashes of purple (left) add colour to the otherwise neutral tones. “We’re generous parents,” says Matilde, “with toys in each room for the boys to enjoy”

HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 13

Hello! Homes

The TV room (top) features Art Deco chairs – and a cuddly seal. Family meals or more boisterous play (above) take place in the dining room (left) though Matilde makes sure her boys eat, play and sleep to a strict schedule. It seems to work: “They are always happy and full of energy,” she says 14 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

room and the arches of sky in the landing near the bedrooms. The pale colours in the dining room are also Orsola’s work. I asked for a more nuanced look, to give a feeling of depth and I wanted the blue to evoke the tiles you find in a fountain. And everything turned out perfectly.

‘We need to be firm with the children: with just 14 months between them, they’re very lively boys, competing to win battles dreamt up every five minutes!’

My guests think there really was a fountain in the original house that was uncovered during restoration work.” Tell us about some of your paintings… “The one in the dining room is by a very talented young Italian artist called Pietro Ruffo. It was our first

buy and we adore it. We’ve made it work in three houses before this one… but there’ll be no more moving now! “For the entrance hall, we were also lucky and have a piece by Sofia Cacciapaglia… My husband commissioned Embrace, where you can see our faces gently

touching, welcoming guests and family into our home.” How is married life going? “Antonius and I try to be very hands-on parents. We’re lucky because we can manage our schedules to allow lots of time with the children. We need to be firm though, because with just 14

months between them, they’re very lively boys who compete to win battles dreamt up every five minutes. “We’re generous parents, too, though, with toys in each room for them to enjoy. We make sure we keep to timetables for playing, eating and sleeping; HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 15

Hello! Homes

The bedspread in the main bedroom is by Fortuny (above), while the bathroom, which features a standalone bath, is flooded with natural light (below). Interior designer Orsola Clerici helped Matilde with the decor. “She did an exquisite job,” says Matilde, adding, “We studied the colours, and especially the motifs, together.”

I’m convinced that if you adhere to schedules, the kids don’t get overly tired or hungry. Often people say to me that I’m more ‘German’ than my husband, because I’m not very flexible but, I have to say, our children are always happy and full of energy.” How do you and Antonius organise things? “My husband makes sure I have everything I need. I get a lot of help on the domestic front and with the children. Without that it would be difficult to manage our busy life, split between town and country. “I like to take charge of everything and do all the family shopping. There are certain tasks I don’t like to delegate to anyone, except, occasionally, to Antonius. I enjoy seeing him indignant on some occasions and honoured on others for the confidence shown in his domestic skills.” How do you dress for a life between town and country? “People have two completely 16 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

‘People have two completely different images of me. In the city I love elegant looks. In the country it’s combat gear: jodhpurs, shirt and boots’ different images of me. In the city, when I’m not working, I love being feminine again, with elegant outfits, hats and bags. In the country, it’s combat gear: jodhpurs, shirt or T-shirt and boots. I remember my younger sister (Beatrice) never liked me looking like that when we were girls… and I haven’t changed in 20 years. “I love the Giambattista Valli clothes I’m wearing for this shoot. He is a friend of all my sisters. I met him in Paris a few years ago and was so impressed, and these pieces fit well with the style I like: modern, but with classic details that, for me, make them classy. “Even in my city guise, though, you can spot a nod to the country girl: slim trousers worn with a shirt. I’m lucky it’s a fashionable look right now!” H

text & COORDINAtION: NANA BOttAZZI POSeD PHOtOS: FeRNANDO LOMBARDI HOUSe PHOtOS: MAttIA BettINeLLI HAIR & MAKe-UP: PABLO ARDIZZONe HOUSe StYLING: FABRIZIO COCCHI CLOtHeS: GIAMBAttIStA VALLI COUtURe; JeWeLLeRY: CHANteCLeR; SHOeS: VALLI, CAOVILLA, GIUSePPe ZANOttI CHILDReN’S CLOtHeS: LA StUPeNDeRIA CARPetS: PASHA VICeNZA

Despite being a busy mother of two, Matilde still finds time for fashion. “I love the Giambattista Valli clothes I’m wearing for this shoot,” she says. “He is a friend of all my sisters” HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 17

Hello! Portraits

EVE-O-LUTION THEy may HaIL frOm gOLd-gILdEd UNIVErsEs, bUT THE ETErNaL fEmaLE qUEsT fOr LIbErTy aNd sHarE-Of-VOIcE, ExIsTs EVEN IN THEIr warm fILIaL wOrLds. HELLO! TaLks TO wOmEN Of dIVErsE backgrOUNds acrOss gENEraTIONs, LOOkINg fOr THE ‘EVE’OLUTIONary TraIL, aT THE brEakTHrOUgHmIssION Hazaar fasHION ExTraVagaNza, wITH abU JaNI aNd saNdEEp kHOsLa’s dazzLINg crEaTIONs adOrNINg 40 pOwEr wOmEN ver walked into a room filled with E 40 women from India’s most respected corporate families, getting

dressed for a cause? There is an electric current that runs around the elegant spaces annexing the Crystal Room of The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, where the elegantsia are getting their hair coaxed into sculptural perfection, cheeks are being contoured, eyes are getting highlighted, and smiles are acquiring a rich, glossy sheen. Tripping over make-up filled drawers, the hum of hair driers, one is amused to see the designer partners to this spectacular fundraiser – the alwaysenthused Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla – gently announcing that a dry run will be essential for a show of this scale. The ladies did do a dry run in the am, but there is a different cadence perhaps that will occur once they are in far weightier lehengas, sarees, gowns and dresses, moving on lean, mean stilettoes. From the outset, one senses a super-successful endeavour and a brilliant idea. Which woman would not want to purchase an Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla garment, knowing part of her spends go to empower her own gender? Which Indian woman does not know the gentle surpression of gender, in whichever rung of the social hierarchy she has taken birth? Over to their voices.

18 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

sUssaNNE kHaN ussanne is the first to confess that the radical s streak in her can be traced to the wisdom of her super-creative mum and a privileged journey

that allowed her to taste a new way of living as a design student in Long Beach, California. “I have always marvelled at the grace and beauty with which my mum balanced her life. My attraction to the world of design felt inborn, as at just age five or six, I would go with her for site supervision on her interior design projects. On these visits, she would ask me to help her make choices from different colour palettes and almost always, she would go along with my choices. That gave me a lot of confidence; she made me feel I was thinking in the right direction. Then, as I started developing my own views, she never imposed her ideas on me. All this made me feel confident as a woman, an individual and an entrepreneur.” Of course, while she admitted to HELLO! that technical training was not so much a part of her mother’s world, “today, if you aren’t constantly updating your knowledge, you can become redundant! I want to go and study some more myself, sign up for new courses. I sincerely believe you can never be too old to grow, change and learn. It’s so essential.”

sImONE arOra nurtured and brought up in a “Iwas progressive and cosmopolitan home,

Sussanne Khan and sister, Simone Arora are both aesthetes, reinventing spaces but each with her unique style and worldview

where I was constantly exposed to beautiful art and objects, fine living and extensive travel. I came in contact with many interesting and influential people very early in my life. My parents are both artistically inclined and they exposed me to a great number of things that lead to my heightened sensibility and I believe, were the major source of my design influence. I was brought up to be an individual with a mind of my own and to have ambitions and dreams, without ever feeling differentiated because of my gender. Sussanne and I are different personalities and our work is an expression of our individuality. Sussanne is innovative and eclectic in her décor style. She combines the traditional with the contemporary and creates cozy, warm and lived in, yet opulent spaces. My style is a nature-inspired, décor look. It is contemporary, soothing and tranquil in feel with a luxe appeal. We are both fortunate to have been raised in a liberal home that encouraged us to follow our dreams, personal or professional.” HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 19

Hello! Portraits

aLpaNa aNd aLIka kIrLOskar THEy say THE appLE NEVEr faLLs far frOm THE TrEE. THE ELUsIVE kIrLOskar LadIEs prOVE THIs TO bE TrUE, as THEy rEfLEcT ON THEIr mOTHErdaUgHTEr EqUaTION

20 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

he Kirloskars are a renowned family T hailing from Pune. While Alpana Kirloskar was born and educated in Delhi, where she

Alika sits across from her mother, Alpana, quite symbolically, like a mirror reflection. The mother and daughter have similar interests as lovers of the outdoors, and in the fields of architecture and interiors

qualified at Delhi’s School of Planning and Architecture, her daughter, Alika, is in many ways following in her mom’s footsteps, with perhaps greater global exposure. As Alika finds her own feet in her chosen vocation, (very harmoniously allied to her mom’s), we listen in between the lines, as they touch upon the difference between their generations. ALPANA KIRLOSKAR “I greatly appreciate Alika’s sensitivity, her creativity; she just graduated from the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago, specialising in interior architecture. We can actually collaborate professionally now, if we wish to! When I look at Alika, I feel she is quite a tomboy – just like I have been. She is fond of sports, outdoor activities and swimming. Both of us love the beach, we love Goa, we are both scuba divers. That sporty outdoor spirit, I think, has actually been imbibed from me, and not so much her father! When I look back on my life’s journey, I do feel my life choices were kind of limited by gender. I was a good student, but we were told by our parents that if you score well, you have to either do medicine, or engineering, or architecture. My father was in the field of construction; when he heard I wanted to do medicine, he said, ‘no no, as a doctor you’ll see blood and bodies and won’t be able to handle it! Do architecture!’ Back then, we were obedient kids and I saw the wisdom of choosing a profession more in sync with my dad’s. However, then came marriage and once again, one had to defer to the family’s wish that ideally, women shouldn’t go out and work.” ALIKA KIRLOSKAR “It was different for me, because my parents said ‘do whatever you are interested in doing’. So I had a lot more options, but I was always interested in architecture. It was either that, or something creative, like graphic design. Having said that, I definitely reflect my mom’s personality and interests in many ways. Mom is an architect and I am qualified in Interior Architecture. The difference between us, is I have more patience (laughs). I think I was all over the place at first, but I have now found my way. The qualities I most admire in my mom? Her sense of humour, and creativity as well. She’s a joy to be around.” ALPANA “In totality, though I qualified in a ‘viable’ profession, even within it, I couldn’t reach my full potential because women have always been compelled to put other priorities first. It’s also one reason we support all these initiatives because we would like to empower a girl child, let her grow to her fullest potential. I feel women are actually more capable because – and I speak for myself too – we can multitask.” ALIKA “We definitely have more freedom today than in mom’s day. But I still feel I had fewer options than my brother did. I was looked down upon a little bit. Not so much in the home environment but definitely from the way one is looked at, from the outside world! So though things are looking easier, our generation has to tackle the more subtle, unconscious limitations we learn to impose on ourselves and perhaps other women too.” HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 21

Hello! Portraits

UrmILa kaNOrIa, saNgITa JINdaL aNd aNUsHrEE JasaNI a pOrTraIT Of a mOTHEr, daUgHTEr aNd daUgHTEr-IN-Law TO bE, aNd THE cOmmON THrEads THaT UNITE THEIr JOUrNEys URMILLA KANORIA In a time women were vilified for having interests beyond their domestic worlds, she established the foundation stone for the Kanoria Centre for Arts, Ahmedabad, in 1984, with artist MF Husain. Urmilla, (mother of Sangita Jindal), envisioned this as an incubation space for budding art talent, framed around the philosophy of Tagore’s Shantiniketan, as a non-profit, self-funded art institution. Situated amongst the foliage within the KL Campus, KCA provides scholarships and studio spaces to graduate artists from India and all over the world and teaches art courses to over 300 children. Her connect to the cause of the evening and work being done by Breakthrough, comes from a lifetime of observing the odds stacked against the girl child. “I think in India, we should have more fundraisers like this. Even at my arts centre, I tend to help girls more readily; they are from underprivileged backgrounds anyway. At any level, women have to work twice as hard as men to find any success. As adults, they have to pander to their partner, their kids, their in-laws and then they get into their own work. And after all that, they go home knowing fully well nobody will pamper them, give them a cup of tea. Even if a woman is successful, she may avoid showing it or talking about it, as she knows the man of the house wants to be in control,” she explains. In her own way, she has never been very vocal about her art centre, preferring to keep it low profile so “nobody will create issues.” The institution completed 30 years in January of this year, with a beautiful panoramic exhibition featuring renowned and nouveau artists at Mumbai’s Jehangir Art Gallery. “I feel now, things are changing. Women have more freedom and work with a sense of pride. Their husbands also take pride in what they do.” SANGITA JINDAL Sangita Jindal and her future daughter-in-law, the realty heiress, Anushree Jasani, affirm that yes, things have changed with the times, but the grand matriarch, Urmilla Kanoria will always be an inspiration. “She’s very positive and a go-getter,” says Sangita about her mom. “Even if times are hard, she will be positive. She’s very young at heart. In my growing years, as a family, we were always interested in jewellery. My mother alone took us for literary events, so her interests shaped our character

22 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

and our outlook. We do enjoy a lot of lighter, fun things too – like shopping together. Being around her, I have learned that businesses grow, they fall, but one must always enjoy life and be a peoples’ person. If you step back and think you are superior, you will only isolate yourself and be cut off from the flow of life.” ANUSHREE JASANI Anushree Jasani, who has known fiancé Parth Jindal since her years at Cathedral and John Connon School and more especially through the YPO, shares that she has an immense comfort level with her future mom-in-law and grandmom-in-law. A graduate from the London School of Economics who has majored in Finance and Accounting, she confesses, “I have known the family for a long time, but obviously after you get engaged it’s different, it’s more formalised. I am very comfortable with my future mom-in-law, (Sangita), we talk almost everyday. I love the fact that she is so energetic, always full of beans, much like her own mom. She pushes herself, she works out, takes a keen interest in her office and is also very family-oriented at the same time. She finds a way to balance everything. My grandmom-in-law, (Urmilla) is like a pillar of strength and support to the whole family and I think her bubbly, vivacious nature, always brings a smile to everyone’s face.” SANGITA JINDAL ON BREAKTHROUGH’S EFFORTS ON CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AND THE FEMALE GENDER

“The girl child situation needs addressing in India. Yes, there is a difference between my generation and my daughter’s generation. Even though we are privileged, most of us are not financially independent. We defer to a big family structure. But women of the younger generation are definitely on their way to more independence and we hope it happens through the rest of our country. Mallika Dutt of Breakthrough is a childhood friend. Her work has been stellar and I have always felt if I can help, I will feel blessed. So I was happy to be on the H board of this fundraiser and contribute!” TEXT: SANGEETA WADHWANI PHOTOS: RYAN MARTIS STYLE DIRECTOR: AVANTIKKA KILACHAND STYLING : SONAM POLADIA WARDROBE COURTESY: ABU JANI SANDEEP KHOSLA LOCATION COURTESY: JADE ROOM, TAJ MAHAL PALACE, MUMBAI

It’s all about creativity and self-belief, say these three cross-generational voices - Urmila Kanoria, daughter Sangita Jindal and to-be daughter-inlaw, Anushree Jasani HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 23

Hello! Portraits

sHwETa aNd gaUrI bHOsaLE THE ELEgaNT LadIEs Of THE EpIc bHOsaLE famILy Of pUNE, rEVEaL a sEamLEss EqUaTION THaT cHaLLENgEs TradITIONaL NOTIONs Of a mOm-IN-Law aNd daUgHTEr-IN-Law bONd auri Bhosale, matriarch to one of Pune’s g first families and her daughter-in-law, Shweta, make a fetching portrait not just as

family, but as each other’s best friends. Shweta hails from Ludhiana and was working for a textile company, before she was introduced to her husband, Amit Bhosale. She was married five years ago and had her first baby – a little girl – “very soon,” as she puts it. “In some ways, I am still learning about Maharastrian culture!” she says, with a twinkle in her eye.

SHWETA BHOSALE “I think it’s a privilege to be a part of Breakthrough; I am glad all of us have chosen this platform to show our concern for a cause that I feel is rooted deep in our nation; the gender bias, the violence against girls. We are proud to be women and I have a baby girl, so these dialogues about gender and cultural ecosystems are all very real to me. I would say to girls and women today, ‘enjoy the equal status, the ability to do what you most want to do, having access to everything in life, be it a career, or running a nation, but be responsible. Do not misuse the freedom.’” On her cross-generational connect with her mom-in-law, she says, “I find my mom-inlaw very innocent, very straightforward, very loving. I don’t think I could do without her. Which is why, even when I was asked to walk the ramp, I wanted to be with her. A lot of mother-daughters are walking, but in my case, I need her more than my own mom! We generally see things in a similar way, and we have similar habits as well.” GAURI BHOSALE “Shweta’s very calm, very loving and a good mother to her little girl. Our nature is quite similar, we understand each other pretty easily. We share our exercise time in the morning, then read the newspapers together. I have my milk, Shweta has her tea and even our diets are similar! When I am asked about tonight’s cause, I say I am proud to be a part of the show. We bought these outfits just for tonight; it’s our first time walking the ramp for any cause... but I am happy to see that a new thought process is being born. That women have the freedoms they have today.”

The graceful Shweta makes a portrait of elegance with her mom-in-law, Gauri Bhosale 24 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

Hello! Profile

brEakINg THrOUgH wITH

maLLIka dUTT

THE cHarITy THaT LOOks TO LEVEL THE fIELd Of gENdEr INTErpLay – by addrEssINg mEN as mUcH as wOmEN – was THE THrEad THaT LINkEd THE gLamOUrOUs EVENT TO EmpOwEr wOmaNHOOd, EVEN IN a pOsT-fEmINIsT wOrLd

M

allika, what incident or observation set you on the path to addressing inequalities and human rights violations against women? “My own experience of growing up in Kolkata in a joint family with three boys was the spark for my path to advocating for gender equality and women’s human rights. I was a tomboy and played cricket with my brothers while my grandmother would exhort me to come inside and learn how to make rajma or learn how to knit. The three boys inherited the family home and the business and I was expected to get married and go away to my ‘own house.’ I never felt like I had a home of my own growing up, so as a teenager, I made a decision that I would forge my own path and create my own home. This led me to a women’s college in the United States – Mt. Holyoke College – which enabled me to articulate the unfairness of what I experienced and led to a path in human rights. I had another experience in 1985 that is seared in my memory. A friend of mine was in a car accident and ended up in the women’s ward of JJ Hospital in Mumbai. We were taking turns at night to provide her with the care she needed. The ward was full of young women who had been burnt by their husband or their families for dowries. They were screaming in pain through the night. Several of them were on mattresses on the floor and had big rats nibbling at them. I spent the night chasing rats away and trying to comfort the ones in pain. The pain and abuse we inflict on women doesn’t need us to invent new technology or a vaccine. It requires us to change our behaviour and to respect the feminine and to respect women. That’s why I believe that cultural change is so critical for creating the world we want to live in.” In a Women’s Media Centre interview, you said something very interesting like, “We are at this moment in history, where I can feel this energy out there... all of this work we’ve done is finally at the level of this tipping point.” Can you narrate specific incidents where you have seen this, from Africa and India to Nepal and the US? “Breakthrough’s work in India has engaged men from the outset. When I created Mann ke Manjeere with men like Prasoon Joshi, Shantanu Moitra and Shoojit Sircar in 2000 that led to the emergence of the organisation, I was struck by their immediate commitment to gender equality. With Bell Bajao, we have seen hundreds of men stepping up and taking accountability for domestic violence to such an extent that it became a global Ring the Bell campaign with men from all around the world making commitments to take action in their own spheres. Last year, we honoured Ajay Banga, CEO of MasterCard, who has

ensured that women form part of his senior executive team. Other companies are already implementing other cutting-edge measures such as pay revisions for gender parity.” You use new age platforms to create thought-change – like your transmedia Facebook game, focusing on racial justice, human rights and migration. How does this particular game do this? “These games reach people where they are and some who may not already consider themselves activists. Games are known to immerse people in new and different experiences and make them willing to try out new ideas and identities. That’s how we create empathy and action around human rights issues. That’s how all our games work – America 2049 did it by sending people into an imaginary and terrible future and offering them the chance to change it. A review of America 2049 and also of our game called ICED, about immigrants’ rights, showed that after playing the games people understood more about racial justice and immigrant rights and were more willing to take action.” You said very beautifully that the burden to reduce the abuse of women

is not on women alone – it should be borne by the entire ecosystem – the social ecosystem, which includes men. Can you tell us if your videos, like What Kind of a Man Are You, or Be That Guy (the one who stops his buddy from violence against a woman), have been shown around Asia, and in particular India? “That’s right. We believe that men – and everyone – must also be part of the solution. In fact, most of our programming since What Kind of Man Are You? has involved and engaged men as a matter of course. As I mentioned, our best-known and most internationally lauded campaign, Bell Bajao, launched in India in 2009, called on men to interrupt overheard situations of domestic violence, making it not a ‘private matter’ but a community responsibility. That campaign went global, and viral, first through adaptations in China, Vietnam and more, and then officially in 2013, when we called on men worldwide to take concrete action against violence against women in all its forms. What Kind of Man Are You was created in partnership with McCann Erickson and was spread throughout India using multiple kinds of media, reaching millions in eight languages. Be That Guy was not specifically shown in Asia, but of course the internet is everywhere and it was covered in The Guardian.” Does today’s urban Indian woman have a more evolved social ecosystem? “A great deal has changed in India for the better and women are certainly taking a more public role in society. However, much remains to be done in urban India as well. Gender-biased sex selection is not just a rural issue. People in cities use technology to determine the sex of their child and continue to prefer sons. When it comes to issues like family inheritance and businesses, boys certainly benefit more than girls. I think it’s really important for men to stand up for their daughters’ rights in a comprehensive manner.” What new tools of cultural transformation are you working on? “What’s important is to use the tools that will reach people where they are. For our #Selfies4School campaign challenging early marriage, we went to urban malls (Delhi, Mumbai, and more) and asked people in person to upload their selfies and join the cause. Where people don’t have smart phones or Internet, we might, as with our work challenging early marriage, use interactive voice response to allow them to collaborate for action. We take ‘video vans’ into villages to jump-start lasting, conversations about challenging domestic violence. We also use puppetry and interactive street theater. It’s all about using culture – the right culture, in the right place – to change culture.” H HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 25

Hello! Round-up

top 10NEWSMAKERS HELLO! TAKES A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE HIGHS AND THE LOWS OF THE YEAR THAT WAS

1

TERROR STRIKES AGAIN!

rock music concert in Paris’ legendary Bataclan Theatre A interrupted by bullets; restaurants and café’s in the highly refined city turning into guerilla warzones. In a matter

of minutes, the anger of ISIS was unleashed on innocent civilians, killing 130 people, (89 at the rock show) and injuring 368, (80 to 99 sustained near fatal injuries) across four locations in the city on 13/11. Terror brought Paris to a standstill, like it had brought New York, Bali, Mumbai and at last call Mali in Africa, to a halt. The ISIS’s stated motive was retaliation for French involvement in the Syrian Civil War and the Iraqi Civil War. On 15 November, France launched its largest single airstrike of Opération Chammal, its contribution to the anti-ISIS bombing campaign, by striking targets in AlRaqqah. On 18 November, the suspected lead operative of the attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was killed in a raid by the French police. As November plodded on, another terror attack was unleashed at a luxury hotel in the Mali capital Bamako – a former French colony, where Islamist gunmen stormed the Radisson and took 170 people hostage. Some were reportedly released after reciting verses of the Koran. French, Turkish and Chinese nationals, ‘tourists and business chiefs of numerous nationalities’ were among those caught up in the attack. While the Mahatma famously said “an eye for an eye will make the world blind,” we don’t see anybody looking for deeper solutions to the psychological wounds creating this conflict. We do live in frightened and frightening times...

READY, JET-SET, GO!

ur dynamic PM has made about O 31 odd trips to nations outside of India since he became the 15 Prime th

2

Minister of the Indian republic in 26 May, 2014. He has visited Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Fiji, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Uzbekistan at least once and made two visits each to Nepal and the United States. Modi’s first foreign policy outlook was revealed during the run up for the Prime Ministerial candidature in his party in 2013 when in a Network 18 program called Think India, Dialogue Forum, he had outlined the following points: Improving relations with immediate neighbours would be his priority as peace and tranquillity in South Asia was essential for realising his development agenda. Secondly, he introduced the concept of paradiplomacy in India where each state and city would have the liberty to forge special relations with countries or federal states or even cities of their interest. Thirdly, he hoped

26 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

for bilateral trade to dominate relationships with most countries, (except a few important global powers with which India shares a strategic partnership). Certainly India has been foisted back on the global supermarket

hierarchy, and hopefully with a stable currency and stable government, she will once again be the prized nation for trading and play a key role in rapidly evolving IT (info-tech) village.

3

THE GREAT INDIAN BEEF BAN

anning beef has been on the periphery of the B Indian government’s agenda ever since Indian Independence in 1947. While the ban never surfaced

at the central government level, due to a secular constitutional tradition, (the Muslim and Christian minorities consume beef extensively), cow slaughter and beef consumption has never sat easy. Some states, however, have succeeded in implementing local legislation banning cow slaughter. While this does not automatically translate into a beef consumption ban, it makes it difficult to legitimately source beef and beef products. The recent lynching and killing of a Muslim resident in Dadri, the 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq Saifi, took the ‘beef debate’ to a new level. The leading question is whether we are witnessing a Nazi-style expunging of choices? Interestingly, India is the world’s second largest beef exporter, though most of the beef exported is buffalo meat! While Goa, Daman and Diu ban the slaughter of young cows, they allow the slaughter of old and sick cows. In yet other states such as Assam and West Bengal, slaughter houses need to obtain a “fit for slaughter” certificate for each cow before it is slaughtered. States such as Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura allow for slaughter of cows without the need for any certificate. Consumption of beef is highest among the North Eastern states of India.

4

INDIANS ON TIME’S MAN OF THE YEAR LIST

M Narendra Modi, Reliance P Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and Google CEO Sundar Pichai

are among over 50 global leaders, business chiefs and pop icons named as contenders by Time magazine for its ‘Person of the Year’ honour to be announced on December 9. The title goes to a person who “most influenced the news this year for better or worse.” “The Prime Minister of India has encouraged foreign direct investment in India and is trying to modernise the world’s largest democracy. He has also faced controversy over what some see as right-wing extremism,” the magazine said. “The chairman of RIL – which owns everything from telecommunications properties to the world’s largest crude oil refinery – is the richest person in India.” Mukesh Ambani has been able to garner 0.3 per cent of the vote share and is ahead of Michael Dell who has 0.2 per cent. As for the Chennai-born Sundar Pichai, the magazine noted, “After 11 years at Google, most recently as CoFounder, Larry Page’s right hand, Pichai assumed the tech giant’s top job. Amid a wave of change, he will oversee core businesses, including search, ads, Android and YouTube.” With three of our top achievers on this covetable and exclusive list, it’s a proud moment for Indians indeed.

5

THE SHEENA SAGA – WHO DUNNIT?

heena Bohra’s murder case has taken more turns than S a Bold and the Beautiful plotline. Theories have flown all around the media and in the gossip circles of Mumbai, Delhi

and Kolkata. Some say Sheena’s parentage was the cause of her murder, some believe it was the hand of some big wigs that contributed to the expulsion of top cop Rakesh Maria and now that Peter Mukerjea himself has been arrested by the CBI, it’s all a giant maze of deceit, murder, sex, lies and oodles of money. To sum up the case in one quick go, 24-year-old Sheena was strangled in April 2012 allegedly by Indrani Mukerjea, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyam Rai. Her body was set on fire and dumped in the forest in Raigad, 80km from Mumbai. Indrani Mukerjea told friends and family that Sheena had gone to the US. The crime remained hidden for three years until the remains were found in August. Peter Mukerjea was arrested reportedly after Indrani’s conflicting statements led the CBI to believe that he was aware of the plot to kill his step-daughter. The CBI said in court that Mr Mukerjea was in touch with Indrani at the time of the killing. “He was abroad but telephone conversations in the two-three days around the crime lasted 20-25 minutes each,” it said. From the looks of things, it looks like only time and trial will tell who the real mastermind behind Sheena’s murder was… until then, the nation stays hooked to the crime of the decade.

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 27

Hello! Round-up

7

ANOTHER ROYAL – PRINCESS CHARLOTTE

his year saw the birth of Princess T Charlotte of Cambridge on May 2. The second child of Prince William,

the Duke of Cambridge and his wife, Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge, she is now 4th in line to the British throne after her grandfather Prince Charles, her father and her elder brother, Prince George. Since her birth, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana (her full name) has become a favourite of the British press and paparazzi, who don’t miss out any opportunity to photograph the royal infant whenever the rare opportunity arises.

6 V

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE KING OF GOOD TIMES

ijay Mallya, the erstwhile King of Good Times, has been under the financial scanner for long enough now. Just when everyone was assuming he had bitten the bullet and survived to tell the tale, the SBI along with a list of other banks, declared Mallya a wilful defaulter, meaning he didn’t pay debts even when he had the funds to do so. Mallya’s personal private jet was sold off earlier this year for Rs 22 lakhs and was torn apart for scrap, this apart from his homes in Mumbai and Bengaluru being raided and his personal supercar collection confiscated by debtors, if rumours are to be believed.

8 D

POONAWALLA’S PALATIAL PAD

r Cyrus Poonawalla is known for many things, his pharma empire, his horses, his collection of Rolls-Royces, his enviable art collection and his va-va-voom private jets. Records were broken however when the 74-year-old paid out close to Rs 750 crores for Lincoln House, an iconic property in Breach Candy, Mumbai recently. Sold by the US Consulate, for Rs 100 crores less than their initial asking price, the property is a heritage structure that isn’t allowed to be architecturally changed or modified. That doesn’t affect Poonawalla much though, since he intends to use the 2-acre Grade-III property with a built-up area of around 50,000 square feet, for his personal home and has no plans to develop it further.

28 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

9

THE BIG FAT HINDUJA WEDDING

nu Mahtani and Sanjay Hinduja A tied the knot earlier this year in a dream wedding in Udaipur, which had the crème of India descend in throngs to the Rajasthani city, where they were entertained by the likes of such international celebs such as JLo and Nicole Scherzinger. He’s the scion of the acclaimed Hinduja family, which has diversified interests in the automotive industry, oil and gas, finance, telecom and media among several others. Many estimate the family’s combined networth at US$ 20 billion. She’s a fashion designer who has made a mark for herself in London over the years. The perfect match? Well we seem to think so for sure!

10

THE BURNING MIDDLE-EAST

The war in Syria has spilled over to the rest of the immediate world and with the emergence of ISIS in the region, it’s pretty sad that 2015 has to come to end with one of the bloodiest battles we’ve known till date being waged. Russia joined in after a hiatus of several decades of being out of international politics, the US embarrassed itself having financed some of the world’s most confused terrorists and the Saudis backed some pretty dodgy rebels who eventually confused everyone to the extent of almost backing out of the entire war. Terrorist attacks in the name of ISIS around the world made things only worse! The Syrian war, is one mess that world powers now wish they had never gotten involved in, let’s hope and pray it somehow, miraculously, comes to a decisive end. H TEXT: SANGEETA WADHWANI & VISHWAVEER SINGH

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 29

Hello! Books

SONALI BENDRE BEHL THE ACTRESS AND AUTHOR WELCOMES HELLO! INTO HER BEAUTIFUL HOME ALONG WITH HER SON, RANVEER, FOR A FREEWHEELING TÊTE-À-TÊTE ON FAMILY AND HER LATEST LITERARY ENDEAVOUR – THE MODERN GURUKUL, MY EXPERIMENTS WITH PARENTING

he svelte young mother and her high-on-energy son, welcome T HELLO! into their grandly appointed home… floor to ceiling urns, strikingly printed arm chairs and intricately shaped glass

doors fill the home and large windows overlook beautiful vistas. The home is burrowed deeply within a private lane of a Mumbai suburb, which is densely populated with the residences of the Hindi film industry’s greatest luminaries. Mother and son share an amiable and love-filled rapport as she readies herself once again for the arc lights and he plays with the family’s much-loved golden retrievers, Neo and Isis. Effortlessly at ease in front of the camera like his mother, Ranveer charms with his easy confidence and gregarious demeanor as he strikes a pose with Sonali’s

30 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

Actress and author, Sonali Bendre, is captured with her dapper young son, Ranveer at home. Sonali is gorgeous in a one-shoulder layered gown from JADE by Monica and Karishma, paired with a diamond and ruby flower ring and diamond and ruby drop earrings, both from ESTAA HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 31

Hello! Books

32 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

‘Raising a child is solely a family’s responsibility and duty. Your child gradually absorbs certain principles and morals, which eventually shapes his or her mind’ stunning silhouette whilst seated in the family’s living room. HELLO! indulges in a delightful tête-à-tête… You have a beautiful home… “I have to thank Sussanne (Roshan) for decorating my home beautifully. The entire house has been completed while keeping my personal style (and that of my husband’s, film director, Goldie) in mind. One of my favourite spaces in the house is a wall, which has multiple metal plates placed across it. In front of these metal sheets we have placed our silver mandir. I love the juxtaposition of the elements.” Why is family of primary importance? “Every child initially imbibes values from the environment he grows up in and family plays a crucial role in ensuring that the right kind of environment is provided. If we don’t value relationships within the family, it can reflect on the child’s behavior. My family has always been my top priority, even if it meant canceling social events and/or work.” Ranveer was born in 2005, immediately after which you took a professional hiatus… “I wanted to focus on Ranveer’s upbringing. His childhood is the most important stage during which to build a mother-son bond… it is also a precious time, filled with memorable and magical moments.” How do you and your husband, Goldie, co-parent? “As two working parents, the responsibility of raising Ranveer has always been a joint effort. I have been extremely fortunate to have Goldie by my side since the very beginning. He has made many alterations in his life in order to be the best father he can be to his son.” What is the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever been given?

Sonali strikes a pose in a pleated kaftan and palazzo pants, both by Payal Khandwala. She accessorises with a stunning blue stone and diamond flower ring and earrings with marquise, pear and princess cut diamonds, all from ESTAA HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 33

Hello! Books ‘Everyone has a different style of parenting. There are no right or wrong ways of raising a child. The book explores my personal journey as a first time mother. It’s a journal on how I evolved as a parent’

Beautiful Sonali poses in a silk embellished jumpsuit by Priyanka Parekh, paired with beautiful diamond drop earrings, a marquise and princess cut diamond bracelet and a ring with baguettes, princess and pear shaped diamonds and yellow diamonds, all from ESTAA 34 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

“Listen to your children.” How did the title, The Modern Gurukul, My Experiments With Parenting, come about? “Everyone has a different style of parenting. There are no right or wrong ways of raising a child. The book explores my personal journey as a first time mother. It’s a journal on how I evolved as a parent and for that reason it’s titled, My Experiments with Parenting.” The foreword to your book is by Dr Indu Shahani, a noted educator… “For the foreword, I wanted someone who has been involved with educating children in an impactful manner and for her to endorse my book was very meaningful for me. We both really identified with the fact that the world is changing rapidly and that we need to adapt our parenting styles to today’s world.” You’ve highlighted the importance of raising a compassionate child… “Raising a child is solely a family’s responsibility and duty. Your child gradually absorbs certain principles and morals, which eventually shapes his or her mind.” What are the three most important principles to keep in mind, in your opinion, whilst raising a child in the digital age? “I learnt to be savvy on digital platforms in order to learn the pros and cons of the digital age for myself. It’s important to interact with your child digitally rather than impose a blanket ban.” After Ranveer started to attend school, you returned to the arc lights successfully with Indian Idol, India’s Got Talent, Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz and India’s Best Dramebaaz… “When I was offered the opportunity to judge Indian Idol, I had suffered a personal loss. Goldie encouraged me to take this opportunity… to step out and meet new people in order to get my mind off things. It helped me to enter into a positive space. From there on, gradually, it went from one show to another.” What is the next step in your journey? “As a book lover, it’s surreal to see my own book in a store. Life has been wonderful, so far, without any in depth planning… for now, I would like to just go with the flow.” H

TEXT: FARAH PALIA PHOTOS: RYAN MARTIS HAIR AND MAKE-UP: RECINDA MARTIS STYLING: SONAM POLADIA ASSISTED BY: RICHA MEHTA

Hello! exclusive

A LittLE PrincE ArrivEs

tHE BLuE city Of JOdHPur is ABuzz witH tHE nEws Of its GEnErAtiOn nExt PrincE’s ArrivAL. HELLO! BrinGs yOu An ExcLusivE PHOtO And rEPOrt On tHE LittLE PrincE, tHE nEwEst kid On tHE rOyAL BLOck! ayatri Rajye, wife of Shivraj Singh G of Jodhpur, couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift. A day before the

"I am happy; and happy too, that everyone in my family and clan, and the people of Jodhpur are also so happy," shared the proud father, Yuvraj Shivraj Singh

young Yuvrani of Jodhpur could ring in her birthday, she was greeted with the loud wails of her son and second child born on November 16, at Delhi’s Sitaram Bhartiya hospital. Three years after the birth of the couple’s first child, Princess Vaara Rajye, Jodhpur’s new prince’s birth was celebrated with expected fanfare. As soon as news from Delhi poured into Jodhpur, the entire blue city was roused from its everyday humdrum as 101 Cannons boomed from Jodhpur’s magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in honour of the newly arrived Prince, who will bear the title of Raj Bhanwar.’ It was a special day indeed as Jodhpur’s royal history turned a new leaf – for almost 250 years, no Maharaja of Jodhpur had had the privilege of seeing a grandson! This boy, as he breaks a 250-year-old spell, is a blessing for his grandparents, who have been delighted with the news. The baby when he grows up, is all set to be the 43rd Chief of the Warrior Rathore clan. With the loud booms conveying to people about the birth of the royal Prince, people from all parts of the city, the erstwhile Kingdom of the Rathores, began to congregate at the Royal Residence, The Umaid Bhawan Palace. At 11am, the proud father, Shivraj Singh and the delighted grandfather, Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur, appeared to a rapturous and emotional applause by people that had assembled at the palace with their greetings. There was an atmosphere of unbridled celebration and jubilation as the famous Jodhpuri ladoos were distributed across the city in tons! Every ‘mohalla’ in the city sent its representative with fire-works and soon the Palace lit up with sparkles and echoed with resounding laughter! A Palace Spokesman revealed later in the day that, “The baby will be named after the Royal Family returns to Jodhpur.” H HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 35

The InsIde sTory WELcOmE tO tHE WOrLd! Another couple who have recently become first-time parents to baby Cianna, are Faarah Mehta (daughter of Rita and Karl Mehta, former publishers of Cine Blitz) and Sagar Shewakramani, a Dubaibased entrepreneur. We hear that the tiny tot, who is just a month old, is absolutely adorable. Our heartiest congratulations to the new mommy and daddy!

AndrEA BOcELLi tO cOmE tO indiA?

World-renowned maestro, Zubin Mehta, will turn 80-years-old next April. And this news is good news for us because we’re in for a treat! When asked whether he will be coming to Mumbai for the milestone birthday, Mehta revealed that on the day itself, he will be in Vienna but a week before that, in Mumbai! Now during that time, three concerts are being planned – “Pinchas Zukerman (violinist) will be the soloist for the first. Then a fine young Russian pianist will be for the second. His name is Denis Matsuev. And the third, which is at the planning stage, will be at the CCI stadium with Andrea Bocelli,” said Mehta. Yes, THE Andrea Bocelli, the classical tenor who sounds like an angel! If we had to define what fantastic news is, this would most certainly be it! We know without a doubt, that tickets for this show will be sold out before the box office even has a chance to fully open its shutters.

sAy, ‘i dO!’

Saharsh Parekh, the coowner of Atletico de Kolkata (son of Utsav Parekh) and Devangi Nishar, (daughter of Atul Nishar, Founder of Aptech computers and Alka Nishar, owner of designer boutique chain, AZA fashions) are tying the knot in February next year. While details are still under wraps, we’ve caught wind that the nuptials will take place in Abu Dhabi.

A rigHt rOyAL visit

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge will embark on a tour of India in Spring 2016, Kensington Palace has confirmed. While this news is generating waves of excitement, we can’t quite shake of a slight feeling of disappointment that the royal couple won’t be travelling with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. This marks the couple’s first official overseas tour together since their three-day tour of New York in December 2014. It will also be the first time William and Kate have visited the region and therefore, plan to undertake a broad range of engagements during their time in our great nation. 36 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

Shashwat Goenka, the strapping son of Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman of RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, is marrying his lovely fiancé, Shivika Jhunjhunwala (who hails from Singapore) between 2729 January in Kolkata. Join us in wishing both these couples a splendid happily ever after!

mAdAmE tussAud’s cOming tO indiA!

Madame Tussaud’s, the world famous Wax Museum, will open its new venture in New Delhi for Bollywood stars, as part of the IndiaUK Year of Culture in 2017. The news was officially announced in London coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK recently. According to the announcement by British Prime Minister David Cameron, a Shakespeare First Folio, treasures from the British Museum and a copy of the Magna Carta will go on touring displays in India for the cultural exchange. A festival of India will also be staged in the UK during the year. The British Library will be digitising 200,000 pages of their South Asian archives, making books from 1714 to 1914 accessible around the globe. This year-long programme is in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Indian independence and UK cultural ties, and is something we look forward to.

A stOry tO tELL…

‘Live a story worth telling!’ That’s the mantra of Tanmay Puri, a 25-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of the newly launched, And More Stories, a luxury furniture and design store in Mumbai. Tanmay has partnered with Arti Gandhi, a dynamic entrepreneur with 20 years of corporate experience, for this new and exciting venture. Nestled in the plush furniture hub of Raghuvanshi Mills in Mumbai, the store features an unrivalled selection of luxury furniture, exclusive lightings and exceptional artifacts from choicest brands like Ligne Roset from France, Cattelan Italia from Italy, Himolla from Germany and the in-house brand ‘And more,’ showcasing handpicked pieces of artefacts exclusively designed by artisans across the globe.

A stAr fOr A stAr

British actor, Daniel Radcliffe, has been honoured with a Star on iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Earning the 2,565th star was “an incredible honour,” said the 26-year-old, who has been in the spotlight since the age of 11, when he bagged the title role of JK Rowling’s mega successful, Harry Potter series. Kudos, Dan!

A ‘cAusE’ fOr fAsHiOn

The ANGEL! Foundation was founded in India in 2008 by Angeli Kapoor Puri to fight the cause of female feticide and other crimes against women. The Charity was started as a family trust with personal funds to empower the Girl Child in India. Then in 2012, The ANGEL! Foundation was launched in London to generate awareness within the South Asian Community, which now has a significant presence as an established charity in New Delhi and London. In aid of this charity, Puri has partnered with Lucy Choi, the niece of legendary shoe designer, Jimmy Choo (who founded his business with Tamara Mellon and sold his stake in the luxury goods brand in 2001). Lucy, said to possess a real talent for designing – even more so than her uncle, founded her own boutique shoe label, Lucy Choi London, in 2012. The collection is sold at over 80 high-end boutiques and stores in the UK as well as internationally. The launch of her flagship boutique in Central London has also been a huge success, marking the start of a Lucy Choi London expansion worldwide. The Angeli Foundation hosted an exclusive event at the Baglioni Hotel in London recently with a special guest appearance from Jimmy Choo himself, with the proceeds from the evening going towards The Angeli Foundation.

HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 37

Hello! Debutants

DEBUTANTs BOLD, BEAUTIFUL AND BLUE-BLOODED!

HELLO! SURVEYS OUR MILLENNIAL PRINCES AND PRINCESSES WHO STAND TO INHERIT AGE-OLD VALUES IN A JET-SETTING, MUTABLE WORLD. HERE, WE CAPTURE THEIR UNIQUE ALCHEMY WITH PAST AND PRESENT, ALONG WITH A HOST OF GEN-NEXT YOUNG MAVENS FROM SOCIETY AND CORPORATE FAMILIES WITHIN INDIA AND THE DIASPORA 38 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

The young Maharaja looks dapper in a velvet bandhgala by Raghavendra Rathore and stands alongside a Bentley Flying Spur V8, courtesy Exclusive Motors, New Delhi

PADMANABH sINGH A LEGAcy cONTINUEs

ANNOUNCED THE MAHARAJA OF JAIPUR AT 12, THE TEENAGE ‘PACHO’ OF TODAY IS A STELLAR POLO PLAYER, REVEALING HIS REGAL GENES. HELLO! DISCOVERS A YOUNG MAN CARRYING A WEIGHTY TITLE WITH THE SAME GRACE EXUDED BY YESTERYEAR PRINCES

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 39

Hello! Debutants ‘At university I want to study politics. And hopefully in the future, contribute to people’s welfare through a political role’

Popularly known as Pacho, Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur enjoys playing polo like his father and grandfather. A thorough gentleman with a hint of a polished, British accent, courtesy his education at Millfield, he also has customised polo gear displaying the grand Jaipur emblem

40 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

O

n his steed he goes with the speed of lightening till he is ahead of the rest, chasing the ball with his mallet like a lone ranger in a battle field… he goes after it riding tempestuously as the crowds egg him on…. and it’s a goal! The audience roars to a loud encore and Padmanabh Singh gallops away raising himself slightly from the horse in a gesture of gratitude. Padmanabh, the young titular head of the Jaipur royal family has the natural form of a polo player and the demeanour of a true-blue sophisticate. “My great grandfather won us the World Cup and the current World Cup in circulation is called the Jaipur World Cup. My grandfather, Col Bhawani Singh, was a four handicap player and a huge promoter of the game. He never missed a polo match in Jaipur,” says 17-year-old Padmanabh talking about the family’s long-standing association with the game. But in all honesty he confesses, it wasn’t something he intrinsically gravitated towards. “As a child, I was scared of horses. But when I joined Mayo, some of my friends used to go riding. Once a close friend of mine at school asked me to join him and that day I really enjoyed riding. Gradually my interest grew and I started attending riding lessons diligently. And riding gradually transformed into polo,” he shares, adding on the side, that he is a proud owner of 21 horses – 14 in India and seven in England! At school in London’s Millfield, he is busy getting used to the English way of life and also getting ready to go from being the young school boy that he has been, to a man ready for future responsibilities. “I chose Millfield on my own. It was my decision. It’s more casual and there is a good environment for sports there,” he says purposefully, about giving Harrow a miss, where his grandfather was educated. “My family has been very kind to me. There have been no pressures whatsoever. In fact, they did not have any words of advice or caution when I left India. They have been confident about me and the way I would conduct myself. I have started thinking about University too and I would like to stay on in England for it, especially Oxford. I have travelled to America and other parts of the world and I somehow think I prefer England,” says Padmanabh, reiterating his preferences and the freedom of taking decisions on his own. The weight of regal responsibilities came early onto his shoulders. He was adopted as the legal heir to the Jaipur throne way back in 2002 when he was all of five! That was followed by a formal coronation ceremony bestowing the title, Maharaja of Jaipur, at the age of 12. Did he quite understand what he was in for? “At my adoption I was too young. But that set the ball rolling for

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 41

Hello! Debutants ‘I had an awareness that I came from a different background from an early age. But with the privilege that I was born with, I was also given lessons in humility. My grandmother told me I should be grateful to God for what I have been born with’ my future responsibilities. I would say I was subtly being groomed into my role within the family, especially by my grandmother (Rajmata Padmini Devi),” he explains. The Rajmata and he, apparently, make a great team together. “I speak to my grandmother about everything. She tells me about her experiences in England where she attended finishing school. We always have a lot to catch up on,” he says with a smile. Padmanabh has fond memories of his grandfather after whose demise he was crowned Maharaja of Jaipur. “I had an awareness that I came from a different background from an early age. But with the privilege that I was born with, I was also given lessons in humility. My grandmother told me I should be grateful to God for what I have been born with. My grandfather was a perfect example of a royal in a democratic set-up. People looked up to him,” he says, reminiscing about the close bond they shared. “He would take me to Moti store on MI road every day. He doted on me,” adds Padmanabh. While his grandparents have clearly inspired his regal role, for Padmanabh his parents have been friends that he’s looked up to. His father, Narendra Singh, picked up polo a few years ago and started his own team. “That is incredible. To play at my age is easy but I know how tough it is to start playing when one is older. But he’s done a fantastic job at polo,” says Padmanabh. The young royal is fairly impressed that his mother Diya Kumari, now an MLA from Sawai Madhopur, has completely transformed with her new political role. “When she was contesting some people had doubts about what she would do and whether she would even turn up at her constituency, giving her privileged background. But she’s at Sawai Madhopur every other day and we call her the guest at the house when she’s in Jaipur! She doesn’t have as much time at home but I am very happy to see her work hard and contribute to people’s lives,” says the proud son. Padmnabh went campaigning for his mother’s maiden election and came back overwhelmed with the love and support he got from the people of Rajasthan. “People love her for who she is. And I received a lot of love and affection from them as well. It was amazing. And it makes me happy

42 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

to see that my mother is being able to change the lives of the people there – their demands are so basic! They just want food, water and electricity – how can we not provide these basics to them?” he questions passionately, adding, “In so many years, basics were denied to them. But I can already see signs of change with my mother taking her job seriously.” One sees mild strains of political idealism in Padmanabh and he doesn’t rule out eventually walking into his mother’s shoes. “At university I want to study politics. And hopefully in the future, contribute to people’s welfare through a political role,” says Padmanabh. Time spent at Millfield and London have already started showing on his personality. There is independence of thought and confidence in his disposition as he speaks softly with a mild British accent. “I am enjoying myself there. In England, some of my friends know about my background but I don’t think they really understand monarchy in India as they tend to equate it with monarchy in England. This year, being my final year in school, is also crucial, academically. I also spend a lot of time playing professional polo there. It’s very tough getting into the polo circuit there – I have joined the Guards Polo Club and hope I can take my game to the next level,” says Padmanabh. He also travels a lot between India and England, keeping commitments at home in mind. “One of the things about going to school there was the fact that they knew I would have to return home for family responsibilities. I’ve been coming to India for festivals and for the polo season,” he explains, touching upon the delicate balance he maintains living between two countries. But other than responsibilities does he get to have fun? “Of course there is a lot of socialising and partying as well. But it’s different in England and different when I am in Jaipur. In Jaipur, when I am out, people often try to figure me out and recognise me,” he elaborates. Padmanabh is aware of his roots and even while he lives the global life, he is at ease with the idea of coming back to Jaipur and belonging where his H ancestors ruled and reigned. TEXT: SANGHITA SINGH PHOTOS: ABHISHEK KHANDELWAL STYLING: AMBER TIKARI

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 43

Hello! Debutants

YASHASVINI JINDAL THE DANCE OF LIFE

StEEL magnatE, fOrmEr mP and POLO PLayEr, navEEn JindaL and HiS wifE, kucHiPudi ExPOnEnt, SHaLLu JindaL’S daugHtEr, iS aLrEady a PrOmiSing taLEnt in indian cLaSSicaL dancE and HaS bEEn HOnOurEd fOr HEr PErfOrmancES

The Balinese-inspired sit out in the garden is done up with floral arrangements in white - a perfect getaway amidst the urban chaos and traffic of Delhi. Yashasvini looks ethereal in a mirror work, thread and lehenga from the Divine Collection by Dabiri. A yellow and white diamond necklace set in 18K two-tone gold, with matching earrings by DIACOLOR, completes the look

44 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 45

Hello! Debutants EDUCATION: Vasant Valley School, New Delhi INSPIRATION: “My family really inspires me – my brother Venkatesh (who works immensely hard in any endeavour he takes up), my dad (who never fails to chase his dreams) and my mom (who has always been my pillar of strength are all people I look up to).” PASSION: “Passion is a feeling that drives our life. It moves us forward towards our goal, keeps us focused, helps overcome obstacles and feel contented with life. Dance is definitely a huge part of who I am today and it has taught me more than anything or anyone ever has. It has taught me discipline, courage, strength and grace and most importantly never to give up. Dance has taught me that no matter how hard things get, no matter how exhausted you are, you have to keep moving. You have to keep dancing on the stage; the stage of life. You have to push yourself till the finish line. It’s about mind over body. It’s about determination and strength.” STRENGHTS: “Strength for me refers to being strong emotionally and physically. I think one of my strengths is that I’m a friendly person. I love getting to know people, making new friends and making people feel comfortable.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “The values I treasure the most would be kindness, perseverance and determination. I feel that all these qualities are crucial for an individual to be successful in life.” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “To be honest, I don’t have any heroes as such. But I really love and admire my grandparents for who they are. I genuinely feel that they’re always up and about, doing something for the welfare of society and truly making a difference in their own ways.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “Unfortunately, the younger generation has been greatly influenced by the technologically advanced world and I too am a victim of this. My iPhone is definitely my constant companion and I wouldn’t be able to part from it for too long.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “I don’t know what I want to do in the future as of now, however, I’m certain that I definitely want to give back to society in as many ways as I can along with promoting Indian art forms.” IDEA OF LOVE: “I’ve never really been in love so I don’t think I can define my idea of love. But I’m sure when I do fall in love someday (hopefully), I’ll know.” (smiles) YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT: “Through the past few years, there have been several ‘coming of age’ moments wherein I have felt all ‘grown up.’ Receiving the ‘ICUNR Award’ in dance along with the Hindustan Times ‘Stylish Youth Icon’ have been two extremely memorable moments.”

46 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED: “The best compliment I receive is that I look like Alia Bhatt.” TEXT: SANGHITA SINGH PHOTOS: ABHISHEK KHANDELWAL STYLING: AMBER TIKARI MAKE-UP & HAIR: PRIYANKA KAPOOR

H

Yashu, as she’s fondly called, looks radiant and svelte in a gown by a local designer from Turkey. Diamond earrings set in 18K white gold and a bangle in rose-cut diamonds by DIACOLOR, completes the ensemble

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 47

Hello! Debutants

48 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

NIRVAAN BIRLA TO THE BIRLA MANOR BORN

SON OF INDUSTRIALIST, YASH BIRLA, AND HIS WIFE, AVANTI, NIRVAAN IS ALL SET TO MAKE A MARK FOR HIMSELF IN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS. HELLO! GOT TO CHAT WITH THE 21-YEAR-OLD IN LONDON AS HE GAVE US AN INSIGHT INTO HIS LIFE AS ONE OF THE NEXT-GEN SCIONS OF THE ACCLAIMED BIRLA DYNASTY

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 49

Hello! Debutants

THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED: “One of my dad’s partners once told him that I’d go on to become someone big and do wonders for the company. He felt I was sharper than my age.” INSPIRATIONS: “My biggest inspirations would have to be a gentleman called Nirmal Sethia, who I had the opportunity of interning with here in London for a short while. What I like about him is that he’s come from nothing and has been able to make so much for himself, yet maintaining his humility and crediting God for everything he has got. The other inspiration in my life would equally be my dad, who has had to go through so many hardships in his life at a very young age. His strength inspires me to get motivated and do what it takes to make something of myself.” PASSIONS/INTERESTS: “I love playing football and watching the matches when I get a chance. The gym is another obsession of mine. There’s no better alternative to working out as far as keeping your mind and body fit goes. Movies are a passion for me and I can watch tonnes of them without getting bored. They add to one’s imagination and creativity. Though I used to read a lot of fiction before, I’ve now started getting into non-fiction. I’m reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell nowadays. Progressive House music is another interest of mine. Just listening to it puts me in a good mood automatically.” STRENGHTS: “I’d like to think that I’m a quick learner and someone who is creative with problem solving. I’m also a pretty positive person with a generally positive outlook on life and everything around me.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “Positivity and humility.” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “My heroes in real life would have to be my dad and Christiano Ronaldo, for the amount of hard work he puts into being such a legendary footballer. Salman Khan is another real life hero for me, for the number of movies he’s done and how he’s managed to stay on the top of his game for so many years.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “My PS4, a new pair of MGM Beats headphones and my two-wheel electric hoverboard which is great for moving around when you’re being lazy.” ON YOUR iPOD: “A lot of Wiz Khalifa, Maceo Plex and Tyga.”

EDUCATION: University of Westminster, Masters in Management PERSONALITY TRAITS: “I think I’m an outstander who loves venturing to places where no one usually goes.” YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT: “When I moved to London and had to live independently. I had to get out of the whole South Bombay laad saab culture with maids and staff around and fend for myself. When I was 18-19, it was all about being the popular cool kid who knew all the girls, but coming to London changed me completely. I had to stop being a procrastinator, learned about punctuality and timing, in general just got a little bit more mature. I’m still transforming though, and can’t confess to completely becoming an adult yet, but I can definitely say that I’m on the right track.”

50 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “This might sound weird but it would have to be the comic book hero, The Flash. I feel he’s the only character who is willing to learn and look for knowledge. He’s not met his full potential, but when he does he’ll surely be at a place where no one can stop him.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “To build a business conglomerate around steel and textile that will last for generations, maybe hopefully get known as the next JD Rockefeller (laughs).” IDEA OF LOVE: “I think kids nowadays at 19 or 20 don’t think twice before telling someone that they love them, which is pretty foolish. Until one isn’t old enough to be self-sufficient and until both the boy and the girl aren’t living the same life, they can’t really fall in love. You have to know someone for at least a few years before realising that you are in love with them. It’s a very mature, deep and intense emotion, and should be treated that way.” H TEXT: VISHWAVEER SINGH PHOTOS: CHLOE CHUDASAMA LOCATION COURTESY: THE LEONARD HOTEL, LONDON

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 51

Hello! Debutants

MAHANAARYAMAN J SCINDIA THE SON RISES

CONGRESSMAN AND GWALIOR ROYAL, JYOTIRADITYA SCINDIA, AND HIS WIFE, PRIYADARSHINI RAJE SCINDIA’S FIRST BORN, MAHANAARYAMAN J SCINDIA, OPENS UP TO HELLO! IN HIS FIRST BIG INTERVIEW ON LEGACY, POLITICS AND CREATING HIS OWN IDENTITY

52 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

The young and confident Mahanaaryaman Jyotiraditya Scindia is dapper and very well put together when HELLO! catches up with him in his Delhi home, just before he begins college in the US

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 53

Hello! Debutants gum-chewing 21-year-old, clad in a loose kurta pyjama, A forehead smeared with red vermillion, takes on the political turf in the hinterland. The city buff in him

may find comfort in the gum lodged in the small of his mouth. But Mahanaaryaman Jyotiraditya Scindia draws his strength from the multitudes that surround him – the look of admiration in their eyes. Their hope in him as the Gen-Next Scindia clearly fuels his fire, as he belts out a feisty speech in chaste Hindi. Just like his father Jyotiraditya and grandfather, the charismatic Madhav Rao Scindia, Mahanaaryaman is confident, good-looking and a natural magnet tor the people of Gwalior. “I like going to Gwalior and to my father’s constituency. I often go there alone. I have to build my own relationship with the place,” he shares. In Gwalior, being Mahanaryaman Scindia is a big deal. He calls the splendid and vast Jai Vilas Palace home. In a hub where his ancestors once ruled as the great Maratha Kings of Gwalior, his father, Jyotiraditya Scindia’s huge political influence (he has won all elections he’s contested) doesn’t take much to impress the masses. He could just win over the hoi-polloi with his last name. But the flipside to taking one’s legacy for granted has its pit falls. At an age where the follies of youth can mislead, it is remarkable to see the eagerness with which Aryaman wants to slip into his role as the son of Gwalior’s soil and the prince of people’s hearts. He recently formed a team and approached a solar power company to pitch a plant in one of the villages in the area which now supplies electricity to the entire village. “I am very passionate about Gwalior. I want to take it to the next level as a destination for art and culture. There is huge potential which we have to explore,” he adds talking about how he plans to gradually widen his portfolio. A recent training at the international auction house Christie’s, has already exposed him to the dynamics of valuing and preserving artefacts and made him more aware of how best to sustain and showcase the treasures of his own legacy; the Jai Vilas Palace is a centre for rare works of art from the Maharaja era. “We have a strong heritage and we need to market it,” he reiterates. Mahanaaryaman is the 12th descendent of the illustrious Scindia clan and from the looks of it could be taking on the political mantle from his father, making it a fourth generation profession whose roots were formed when his great-grandmother, Vijaya Raje Scindia, contested elections way back in 1957. Of course, Madhav Rao famously joined the Congress party and became Railway Minister in Rajiv Gandhi’s government while his mother continued to wield influence as a BJP veteran right till the end. Despite having the makings of a politician, Mahanaaryaman is not ready to commit to a future role yet. “I don’t even know whether I will pursue politics. I just campaigned for my father last year. I was very clear that it was not about a political party but a family that I was representing,” he talks about his maiden brush with politics. He holds his own. Whether it is at platforms from where he gives short yet lofty speeches urging women to come out and vote or at home sitting in a living room surrounded by trophies and memories, all reminiscent of the majestic days of the Raj. He’s at ease in a pair of blue jeans and white tee, his favourite attire, but when he speaks, he does with the responsible wisdom of a boy who is all ready to take on the world as a man ready to carve his own identity. His mother, Priyadarshini Raje, watches her young son talk about making decisions of his own and the glint in her eyes convey her obvious pride. As he interviews with HELLO!, he is comfortable and relaxed and often looks at his mother, more to include her in the conversation and affirm his own answers. He explains about the confidence he drew from

54 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

Quite a natty dresser, Aryaman matches a checkered jacket with a printed t-shirt over a pair of jeans

making his first crucial decision. “I think one of the most crucial decisions I took was to take time off after school. My parents were not very sure about my decision but I think that one year has been the best year of my life so far,” he says about his gap year after Doon School. In between he travelled to Japan, Cambodia and Vietnam and threw himself into the deep end, courting new adventures. “I had got through to Cornell University but my first choice was Yale. I reasoned with my parents but they did not agree with me initially. I didn’t want to settle for anything less than my first choice,” explains the young Scindia. He took advantage of that time and pursued other avenues, training himself widely in different fields. First amongst those was an internship with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, also a family friend. “I spent a lot of time with his Majesty and travelled around Bhutan with him. We stayed in pitch dark jungles with a cavalcade of military trucks around us. It was a different experience. At work the king was business-like but we had fun moments too, as he has a great sense of humour. He was extremely generous to take me along and teach me. One of the biggest lessons I came back with, was a lesson in humility. Despite being the King, he has an immense capacity to make people feel at home and comes down to their level to interact with them,” he says about the Bhutanese experience. When Mahanaaryaman’s parents came visiting Bhutan at the end of the training, he says it was the first time that he felt people knew his parents through his name! “I had worked quite hard during the internship and made some lasting friendships there. I felt extremely good as people kept referring to them as ‘Mahanaaryaman’s parents.’ I made all their arrangements and planned their itinerary. Every morning we would wake up and my father would ask me what the plan was,” he recalls, realising he was slowly growing out of his parents’ shadow as he took charge. Next followed an internship with the Ministry of Finance under Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, where he learnt about economic frameworks and policy-making. “These are experiences I would have never encountered had I not taken that gap year,” he reiterates. While he’s out there charting his own professional course, family is still his basic support system. He says his relationship with his father is cross-generational. “Although if you asked my father he would say we are more like brothers,” he says chuckling about the easy relationship the duo shares. His mother is surely his fashion icon and the person he’s perhaps closest to; “I trust her when it comes to clothes and fashion,” he says, acknowledging her innate elegance. While the Scindias public life is riddled with responsibilities and expectations, at home they have fun bonding over food and watching movies. “I love getting recipes off the internet and experimenting with them. When I was younger, I wanted to become a chef. Now of course it is just a hobby and the interesting thing is that we all like to cook – my sister Ananya enjoys cooking and in my mother’s family they all like to cook. When I go to Mumbai for vacations to spend time with my maternal grandparents, uncle and aunt, we end up spending so much time cooking together that we hardly step out to eat outside. In fact, I am a lot like my uncle, Pratap Gaekwad. We also get along like a house on fire,” he says. Pratap, incidentally was also the first person to hold Aryaman when he was born. From the time that he was born, time seems to have flown by; his mother is now readying to send him to the US where he will operate on his own terms. A year has gone by since his big decision and he’s finally off to Yale, making it to the list this time. Following his dreams. And only settling for H the best. TEXT: SANGHITA SINGH PHOTOS: ANIL CHAWLA STYLING: AMBER TIKARI

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 55

Hello! Debutants

SHLOKA BIRLA LE PARFAIT PRINCESS

THE TEENAGE DAUGHTER OF YASH AND AVANTI BIRLA TALKS TO HELLO! ABOUT HER PLANS FOR THE FUTURE, HER STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES AND INSPIRATIONS

56 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

EDUCATION: Currently studying at the German School, Mumbai PERSONALITY TRAITS: “I feel I’m an outgoing type of person, but at the same time can still be shy. It all depends on the people I’m with. If I vibe with them easily I’ll be gregarious and talkative, otherwise I tend to hold back and be less talkative.” COMING OF AGE MOMENT: “Watching my brothers grow up and becoming adults was a coming of age moment for me. They are the perfect role models and seeing them go from adolescents to mature individuals was what made me think about how I myself should change as the years move on. At the end of the day it’s all about being the best person you can be.” BEST COMPLIMENT: “Whenever my dad compliments me on the way I look, how I do at school or on my values, those are the compliments that stay with me the most. He is the most genuine person I know, so his compliments are the most treasured.” INSPIRATIONS: “I don’t really have one thing that inspires me. I believe that everyone in the world can be inspiring in some way or the other. But having said that, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is one book that I thought was pretty inspirational.”

The pretty scion shoots with HELLO! for the very first time. She is garbed in a mini sequin and feather dress by Nadine Dhody paired with a necklace, worn here as a hair accessory, and a ring, both from her personal collection

PASSIONS/INTERESTS: “Since I was eight-years-old, I have been acting in plays so I’d have to say that theatre and acting in general is a passion of mine. I was part of the play The Journey Home, where I had to act in front of 2,000 people, this was when I was 12-years-old.” STRENGHTS: “I’m very independent in thought and generally don’t listen to other people’s views. Instead I make up my own mind. Persistence is another

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 57

Hello! Debutants quality I swear to live by. And I love to prove my detractors wrong.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “Those would have to be love and hard work. Anyone can go to any heights in the world by imbibing either of these values.” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “Those would have to be the three men in my life – my dad, my elder brother Vedant for his determination to do well in life and my other brother Nirvaan.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “That would have to be my iPhone. It lets me socialise and see what everyone is upto.” ON YOUR iPOD: “Right Now by Party Next Door and tracks by Lil Wayne.” A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “That would have to be Olivia Pope from Scandal, because she gets what she wants and is an empowered woman who uses her own strengths to do that.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “I’ve not figured that one out yet. I believe in just doing what makes me happy. As far as my future goes, it could be in acting or in business… though I feel it most probably will be in business.” IDEA OF LOVE: “When I hear the word love, the first person that comes to my mind is my father. He’s someone who believes in nurturing everyone around him and growing with selflessness.” H TEXT: VISHWAVEER SINGH PHOTOS: RYAN MARTIS MAKE-UP: RECINDA MARTIS HAIR: DIANA TAMANG CREATIVE DIRECTION: AVANTIKKA KILACHAND STYLING: SONAM POLADIA ASSISTED BY: RICHA MEHTA

58 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 59

Hello! Debutants

The young Zamir Abdullah, all of 17, looks dapper as he casually strikes a pose at the entrance of their New Delhi home, dressed in a polywool bandhgala with a detachable collar, over an an eye-catching knit t-shirt both by Lecoanet Hemant

60 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

ZAMIR ABDULLAH

cHILD of pARADIse THE sOn Of fOrmEr J&K CHiEf minisTEr, Omar abduLLaH and PayaL abduLLaH, is an avid fOOTbaLLEr wHO Has rEPrEsEnTEd dELHi in THE naTiOnaLs and PLayEd PrOfEssiOnaL fOOTbaLL in sPain, finLand and swEdEn. HE OPEns uP TO HELLO! in His firsT inTErviEw TaLKing abOuT KasHmir, CHariTy and His LOvE fOr animaLs

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 61

Hello! Debutants

62 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

EDUCATION: Sanskriti School, Delhi INSPIRATION: “One of my biggest inspirations today is the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. He is an African American who came from a humble background, yet became one of the most powerful men in the world.” PASSIONS/INTERESTS: “I spend most of my time in the day outside playing sports – whether it’s football, basketball or badminton – soccer being my forte. I am very passionate about nature and spend most of my time in the summer going for treks in the mountains. I also help with my mother’s NGO, Rahat, in charity work. Whether it’s helping animals who are injured and need medical care or contributing my pocket money to educate a poor child, I do whatever best I can. I love animals and have two Saint Bernards – I spend a lot of my time playing with them.” STRENGTHS: “The values I’ve been brought up with are my strengths. My upbringing gives me the confidence to stand up for myself and yet be humble.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “Respecting fellow human beings irrespective of caste, creed or class, is a vital lesson both my brother and I have grown up with. We’ve also been taught to love animals selflessly and all our pets are part of the family. These are some lessons that can help anyone get by in life with dignity.” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “Sheikh Abdullah, my great-grandfather who was also known as the Lion of Kashmir for his relentless fight against the hierarchy of the Maharaja. In sports, Pele is one of my biggest heroes for being the greatest football player ever. He hailed from a poor background in Brazil and eventually rose to the top. His determination and willingness to succeed inspires me.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “My iPhone 5s. I watch football matches on it – I also keep checking football scores on it. I don’t really play games on my phone though.” ON YOUR iPOD: “I listen to 30 Seconds to Mars and a lot of Major Lazer.” A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “I haven’t come across any such character yet.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “My ultimate vision would be, become a good human being with the correct values. I would like to contribute to India becoming a great power and at the same time, do everything I can to solve the problems of Jammu and Kashmir.” IDEA OF LOVE: “Love can be experienced in various ways – it could be love for your parents, devotion towards your country or even pure affection for your pets. For me the concept of love goes beyond just romance.” YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT? “Once, while helping my mom with her NGO work, I met some underprivileged kids in Gurgaon. Seeing them made me realise how grateful we should be for what we have. I decided on the spot to help them – and every month I sign a cheque that goes from my personal account for their food and education. For the first time, I felt responsible and it also gave me a sense of fulfilment.” THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? “I don’t know about compliments, but I feel grateful for being born into the family that I am in H and I hope I can live up to people’s expectations of me.” TEXT: SANGHITA SINGH PHOTOS: ABHISHEK KHANDELWAL STYLING: AMBER TIKARI

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 63

Hello! Debutants EDUCATION: The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst INSPIRATIONS: “My grandfather, famed lawyer and politician, Ram Jethmalani, for his zest and courage of conviction. He is physically and mentally agile at 92. Till today, he argues regularly in court, teaches law with dedication and plays a solid game of badminton. He also always has time for his family and is undeniably the most loving grandfather I know.” PASSIONS/INTERESTS: “I’m passionate about sports. I swim, ski and run but am equally interested in social issues. I enjoy social work, particularly with underprivileged children. I worked with Teach for India this summer and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” STRENGHTS: “For me, strength is the ability to believe in yourself and your ideals. My core strength is my resilience and positive attitude as I use my setbacks as a springboard to make a successful comeback.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “Integrity towards all, compassion and honesty. These values serve as a filter through which I make the choices that define who I am. Although I love the good times, a work ethic is important so that I can bring out the best I am capable of.” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “My father, simply for who he is and what he stands for. He is a self-made man and his ambition to be greater everyday is something I hope to achieve. I look up to him as he defines the role of a lawyer by focusing on the person in need, rather than the money he will earn.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “My iPhone. It keeps me connected to the outside world through Instagram and Facebook. I’m also able to check the news and play an occasional game of Candy Crush!” (smiles) ON YOUR iPOD: “Fetty Wap, Drake, Beyoncé and Justin Bieber.”

SERENA JETHMALANI

A LEGACY CoNTINuES ACCLAIMED LAwyEr, MAHEsH JETHMALANI AND HIs gLObAL sTyLIsTA wIFE, HAsEENA’s DAugHTEr, CArrIEs AN IMprEssIvE FAMILIAL LEgACy ON HEr yOuNg sHOuLDErs As sHE MAkEs pOwErFuL sTrIDEs INTO THE wOrLD

A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “My father’s late sister, Rani. Not only did she raise my father to be the man he is today but she was also a strong, working feminist amidst highly patriarchal surroundings. Today, just like her, I have tried to raise my nine-year-old twin brothers and in the future, I hope to be a successful woman, one who is not dependent on a surname.” YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT? “Definitely the transition from school in Mumbai to university in America. It has allowed me to become an independent person in many aspects as I entered a world that was completely different from what I was used to.” THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED: “I have been told that I look exactly like my mother. I don’t think any 19-year-old girl could receive a better compliment especially since her mother is so beautiful.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “Born into a four-generation family of lawyers, I have grown up hearing legal arguments as dinner table conversation. I hope to continue the legacy in my family… a lawyer who is concerned less with monetary success and more with pro-bono cases for disadvantaged women. I hope to someday work at the United Nations as a volunteer.” IDEA OF LOVE: “I think love needs to be both selfless yet balanced. My brothers, Amartya and Agastya, are the perfect definition of love.” TEXT: FARAH PALIA

64 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

H

TAHIRA TARA CHAWLA DESIGNS ON THE WORLD

THE EffErvEscEnT daugHTEr Of KaLyani cHawLa, vP MarKETing and cOMMunicaTiOns Of cHrisTian diOr and businEssMan, visHaL cHawLa Has inHEriTEd HEr MOTHEr’s Très cHic sEnsE Of fLair and HEr faTHEr’s sPOrTy sPiriT. HELLO! sHinEs a sPOTLigHT On THE budding yOung bEauTy HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 65

Cover Story

her book, I Am Malala, humbled me. She made me realise how much we take for granted every single day, it is a sobering thought.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “My favourite gadget is my phone because it has everything I need – from my class assignments and school calendar to social media. It’s convenient and easy to use.” ON YOUR iPOD: “I am currently listening to The Weekend, Drake, Kanye West and some of the greats, such as Bob Marley.” A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “I admire Emma Watson for all the work she has done for the ‘He for She’ campaign. I also think she is a really good actress and an inspiring figure for all young girls.” YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT: “I don’t know if my mother will ever think I am of age.” (smiles) THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED: “You are starting to look a lot like your mother.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “In the future, I see myself being in the spheres of law, architecture or marketing. They are all very different paths but I’m interested in them all. I will decide upon a field by the end of my GCSE exams. I envision living in New York or London.” discipline and focus, which is essential if you want to excel in life. I also enjoy acting and have participated in school plays and performed in musicals.” STRENGHTS: “Strength, in my opinion, is being able to voice your own beliefs and not be influenced by the judgement of others.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “I value people with honesty

66 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

and a good sense of humour because honesty is essential in order to build a trusting relationship and it is important to surround yourself with people who can make you laugh as I believe – ‘never trust anyone who can’t make you laugh!’” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “My real life hero is undoubtedly, Malala Yousafzai. For such a brave young woman to make such a meaningful impact on the world is absolutely outstanding. Reading

IDEA OF LOVE: “Love is being able to trust somebody with your life and knowing that they feel the same about you. Love to me involves being able to spend limitless time with my family and friends – surrounded by their love for me and mine of them.” H

TEXT: FARAH PALIA PHOTO: MAnOj KEsHARwAnI

Hello! Debutants

tIANA tARApORVALA A LYRICAL pAth

PHOTO COURTESY: ELIZAVETA MYAKSHEVA

THE cHarming daugHTEr Of LOndOnbasEd fasHiOnisTa, anju cHuLani, and OrTHOpEdic surgEOn, dr farHad TarapOrvaLa is a passiOnaTE music LOvEr wiTH a quirky, quick-wiTTEd sEnsE Of HumOur EDUCATION: The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai, Heathfield School, Ascot and is currently a third year Economics student at the University of Edinburgh INSPIRATIONS: “People who are passionate about what they do and love their jobs, inspire me to work harder to achieve my goals.” PASSIONS/ INTERESTS: “Music is my biggest passion. It never fails to lift my mood. I’ve always been singing for as far back as I can remember – from school choirs and musicals to operas and currently with an A capella group at university. I think it’s because I’ve grown up around music as both my parents and both sides of grandparents are musically inclined… it’s such a fulfilling passion to have.” STRENGHTS: “In my opinion, strength is a person’s ability to pick themselves up after enduring a bad situation and moving on. I’d like to think that one of my greatest strengths is loyalty. I’ve had the same set of close friends since I was about 12-years-old and it’s such a great support system to have.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “The values I treasure the most in a person are kindness, intelligence, humility and a warped sense of humour – just like myself ! (smiles) Weird, funny, clever people who don’t necessarily know how great they are, are the best kind!” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “My heroes in real life are undoubtedly my parents and grandparents who have been my backbone and have always guided me through the decisions I’ve made… helping to shape the person I’ve become and loving me unconditionally. I am so grateful for the values they have instilled in me and consider myself lucky to call them family.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “I’d have to say my phone because it’s how I keep in contact with everyone and has all my music, but I do sometimes feel like the pressure to constantly be on social networks and social media can be overwhelming and annoying.” ON YOUR iPOD: “This is probably the most difficult question for me but I’d have to say the artists I’m obsessed with, and constantly have on repeat, are Amy Winehouse, Ed Sheeran, Jeff Buckley, Paolo Nutini, Kodaline and Mumford & Sons.”

A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “A character I identify with the most would probably be a cross between Chandler Bing from the TV show Friends, for his sarcastic sense of humour, Phoebe Buffay, also from Friends, for her weird quirkiness and Winney the Pooh, because I’m such a ‘foodie’ and love to day dream.” YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT: “My coming of age moment was probably the first time I had to cook a proper meal for myself at college and managed to grate my finger and set the fire alarm off – all in one fell swoop! It made me realise how much I took home-made food for granted.” THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED: “The best compliment I have ever received is that I’m witty. I love making people laugh.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “Although I’m currently studying Economics at university, my true passion is music and I hope to be able to do something with that in the future – I just want to be really happy with whatever I choose to pursue.” IDEA OF LOVE: “This is difficult for me to answer because I haven’t really ever been in love but in my head it’s somewhere between being a crazy, romantic, ‘Cinderella-happily-ever-after’ believer and a rationalist. Love is being able to be completely selfless towards someone and not want or expect anything in return.”

H

TEXT: FARAH PALIA

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 67

Hello! Debutants

AMAAN JAIKISHAN

A GENTLEMAN RISES

PHOTO COURTESY: CHETAN JAIKISHAN

THE dappEr yOung sciOn Of cOrpOraTE mavEn, cHETan JaikisHan, Of ExprEss fOOds pvT LTd, and gLObaL fasHiOnisTa, rOOHi OOmErbHOy JaikisHan, Of rrO pvT LTd, is a gEnTLEman inTELLEcTuaL in THE making

68 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

EDUCATION: The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai. Currently at Bryant University studying International Business, Rhode Island INSPIRATIONS: “I am extremely lucky to have several inspiring people around me. My late grandmother being the first, her courage and determination taught me never to give up in the most difficult of situations. Every family member of mine inspires me in their own way… right from my youngest cousin, Inaara, to my great-grandmother, Khadija Sattar Oomerbhoy. Seeing people like my grandfather, grandmother, my uncle and parents working hard every day inspires me to do the same and improve as an individual.” PASSIONS/INTERESTS: “Football has been my passion since the day I started playing. The sport taught me so much throughout my childhood and teen years. I learned about discipline, team spirit and competition in a way that no other experience would have taught me. The game has become a huge part of my life. Gyming and training are an important part of my life outside of academics. I believe that keeping fit helps, not only physically but mentally too, as it is a great stress reliever.” STRENGHTS: “To me, strength is not just something that you may be good at and that sets you apart from others, but something that is beneficial to others, it may be even just a personality trait that you hold, it doesn’t always have to be a skill. My core strengths would be perseverance, because throughout school, even though I wasn’t exceptional at academics, I always worked hard because, to me, failure is unacceptable. I have to keep going until I achieve what I’m aiming for. It served me well in my final examinations. People find me easy going and amiable by nature.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “Honesty is the one value I need to see in every single person I choose to assosciate with because it’s also an important part of my personality. I believe in telling people things as they are and not beating around the bush or being deceptive. Trust and loyalty are also extremely important to me. When you can trust the people around you and they can trust you, there is no doubt that those relationships are life long and more often than not, these people will help you on your journey to success. It may result in you having a small circle, but your circle definitely has more value.” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “My mum and dad are my heroes. No one can compare to them. They’ve been the best parents anyone could ask for. I look up to them, not only for the successful businesses they both run but also for the fact that even with all their hard work they never failed to remind me that family comes first. They’ve always been there for me and their lives inspire me. I hope that I can be even half as amazing as they are when I become a parent.”

A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “The character I identify most with is Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. It sounds strange but at a core level, Atticus is a man who has his own methods of going about life but he is still successful. He has a strong value base and anyone who doesn’t uphold the values he believes in are cut off from his views. Most of all though, he would do anything for the people he cared about, even if he didn’t always show it.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “My iPhone, laptop and Playstation 4. My phone simply because it has everything I need and it is easily accessible. My laptop is mainly used for work and to watch my favourite TV shows. My Playstation is the ultimate stress reliever, playing FIFA after a stressful day helps me relax and is a daily routine of mine.” ON YOUR iPOD: “My music mainly comprises of rap, deep house and tropical house music. My favourite artists are Kanye West, Drake, Future, Kygo, Robin Shulz and The Weekend.” YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT? Undoubtedly, when I reached college. The comfort and luxury of home vanishes in a matter of seconds. For the first time in my life I wasn’t dependent on anyone. It really brought about a positive change in my development as an individual.” THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? “The best compliment I have ever received is was not mentioned directly to me but to my parents. Their friends told them that I was ‘well brought up’ and to me that is the most important compliment as it serves as a reflection off my parents’ kindness whilst nurturing me and helping me become the individual I am today.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM “My immediate future at Bryant where I want to study really hard, but still have a great time and make lots of memories. After that I want to follow in my parents’ footsteps and have a successful business of my own. Not only do I want the business to be successful but I will strive to make sure that it incorporates all the values I hold close. The most important thing, however, is that I want to be happy. No matter what else happens, I want to keep the people I cherish close. My success won’t mean anything to me unless certain people aren’t with me on that same successful journey.” IDEA OF LOVE: “I feel that love is a term that is severely misused by everyone these days. Love, according to me, is a feeling of comfort, security, happiness and an undying passion for H someone regardless of any obstacles.”

TEXT: FARAH PALIA

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 69

Hello! Debutants

the allrounder

THE sTriking daugHTEr Of TasnEEm Zakaria mEHTa, managing TrusTEE and HOnOrary dirEcTOr, BHau daji Lad musEum and Vikram singH mEHTa, cHairman Of BrOOkings, india is a spiriTEd wOmEn’s EmpOwErmEnT acTiVisT aT HEarT EDUCATION: Currently, Ahilya is a sophomore at Wellesley College and is considering a double major in Political Science and Economics. She is a part of several different organisations including the Student Justice for Palestine and Mock Trial. She is also a Senior Student Ambassador at the Wellesley Center of Women. Before coming to Wellesley, Ahilya studied at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai. During her time in the Ambani high school, she was interested in pursuing History and Economics. Additionally, the school let her pursue her love for sports and while at the school, she was Sports Captain and represented her school and state at the Judo Junior Nationals Tournament. INSPIRATIONS: “My inspiration is my mother – it’s that simple. I’ve seen my mother fight through thick and thin to continue what she loves. She has taken on more than I could ever actually imagine taking on and has still managed to commit herself to everything equally. She has achieved so much and everytime I mention it to her, her eyes sparkle because she always says that she is doing exactly what she loves. I think that’s the main reason she inspires me – she has never sacrificed her passion for anyone or anything and has become so successful following it.” PASSIONS/INTERESTS: “I’ve always wanted to study law. At Wellesley, I’m pursuing my interest in law as a member of the Mock Trial team. I am also incredibly interested in women’s empowerment. As a senior student ambassador for the Wellesley Center of Women, it is my job to try to communicate to the college the work the Center does to promote women empowerment. During my year off, I worked and lived in villages on the outskirts of Udaipur, Rajasthan, helping domestically abused women as a volunteer for the NGO, Seva Mandir.” STRENGTHS: “I’d like to believe that my biggest strength is that I’m a very independent and strong-willed person. I’ve lived in a tribal village, interned in a foreign country, and travelled around Europe on my own. During my gap year and for my summer after my first year at Wellesley, I was studying and interning in Spain. While studying there, I lived with a host family for months and

70 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

travelled to different parts of Europe on my own. It taught me the value and importance of independence and has become something I’ve prided myself on ever since.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “Honesty and respect are two values that are of the utmost importance to me. I know that it isn’t easy to control how others behave but I’ve always believed that it is necessary to treat others with the respect you would want them to treat you with. Additionally, honesty is important to me because the truth is something that eventually comes out. I’ve always believed that honesty and respect are very closely linked.” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “My real life hero is my dada, Jagat Singh Mehta. No matter how old he got, his brain never aged. He never let his age affect his work or his passion. He always had people visiting and would always tell stories of his days as Foreign Secretary.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “I only really use my iPhone and my laptop. I have all my work, my notes, my music, pictures, etc on my laptop.” ON YOUR iPOD: “I love Bollywood music and Bollywood movies. I love working out to this music because there’s so much energy or emotion in each song. I have always listened to Bach or Vivaldi but after actually learning how to play the piano last year, I enjoy it so much more.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “I’ve tried planning my life and realised that things are constantly changing. I’m not prepared to think about what happens next.” IDEA OF LOVE: “All my friends say I’m a hopeless romantic. Regardless, if I were to define love, for me at this time in my life it would entail spending time with my friends and laughing endlessly.” H TEXT: FARAH PALIA

Hello! Debutants EDUCATION: Millfield School, London INSPIRATIONS: “One person that inspires me tremendously is my mother… watching this strong, successful, kindhearted and supportive woman is inspirational.” PASSIONS/INTERESTS: “Philanthropy is a passionate pursuit for me… especially working with charities that promote education for underprivileged children because I believe that an education can change people’s lives dramatically. As a part of the privileged class – it is our duty to help others who need our help in order to better their lives.” STRENGHTS: “Strength is the power to believe in yourself and your dreams without needing anyone else’s validation.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “One value I treasure above all, is kindness… and compassion, because the world can never have too much of either.” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “My hero is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie because of her self-confidence and individuality.”

AKANKSHA GOEL

A PASSIONATE ACTIVIST

THE bEguiLing yOung DAugHTER Of cORpORATE HOncHO, AsHisH gOEL, THE MD Of AMEyALOgisTics AnD AccLAiMED sOciETy bEAuTy, pRERnA MALHOTRA, On HER inspiRATiOns, cHARiTAbLE puRsuiTs AnD MORE...

PHOTO COURTESY: JUSTIN PIPERGER

FAVOURITE GADGETS: “My favourite gadget is a kindle as I love to read biographies, such as Daughters of Arabia by Jean Sasson.” ON YOUR iPOD: “I love to listen to Hello by Adele, What Do You Mean by Justin Bieber and Summer by Calvin Harris.” A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “Someone I truly idolise is the First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama, for her sense of intellect and grace.” YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT? “My coming of age moment was when I went to boarding school.” THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED: “Beauty and brains.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “My vision for the future is to open my own NGO for women’s empowerment and to be a successful business woman.” IDEA OF LOVE: “My definition of love is two people who accept one another for who they are – with all their perfections and imperfections.”

H

TEXT: FARAH PALIA

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 71

Hello! Debutants EDUCATION: The J.B. Petit High School for Girls, Mumbai, École Mondiale World School, Mumbai and Wellesley College, Massachusetts INSPIRATIONS: “Nichiren Daishonin’s writings inspire me. I quote, ‘By chanting nam–myoho–renge– kyo, the fundamental law of the universe – you can change an adverse wind into a tailwind.’ I’m a strong believer in the Lotus Sutra and my mission is to strive alongside my Mentor, President Daisaku Ikeda, in order to spread Buddhism to every corner of the world and I plan to do so by setting up SGI centers across the globe through the revenue I generate from my lingerie start-up, Veremente Enterprises.” PASSIONS/INTERESTS: “I’m passionate about the Arts, I am a trained kathak dancer and have been so since the age of seven. I also take a keen interest in badminton and yoga.” STRENGHTS: “I have a quest for utter perfection – I’ll keep at it until I am satisfied with the end result.” THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: “The values I treasure the most are ones that I learnt from my nani, Asha Golcha, (who lives in Jaipur). She has always reiterated that ‘a woman’s beauty lies solely in her simplicity’ and that ‘hard work always pays off, no matter what the sacrifices.’” YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: “My real world heroes include Mahatma Gandhi and my father. Mahatma Gandhi had a great soul, which captured the attention of the entire world. He was armed with non-violence – a quality that embodies courage greater than any sword-bearing warrior. My father personifies resolute determination… he has a ‘never give up’ and ‘achieve the impossible,’ die-hard attitude.” FAVOURITE GADGETS: “My iPhone and my MacBook – I can’t do without either of them!”

RADHIKA B GOENKA A SPIRITED DREAmER

THE daugHTEr Of BaLkrisHan (‘Bk’), CHairman Of THE WELspun grOup – a us$3 BiLLiOn muLTinaTiOnaL COngLOmEraTE and dipaLi gOEnka, managing dirECTOr Of WELspun gLOBaL Brands LimiTEd (WgBL) is a spiriTuaL EnTrEprEnEur WiTH a quEsT fOr aBsOLuTE pErfECTiOn in aLL spHErEs 72 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

ON YOUR iPOD: “Drake is always on repeat! Currently it’s all about his new single – Hotline Bling.” A CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST: “Surprising as this may be to some – Tony Stark. The character’s quirky attitude in taking on challenges reminds me of aspects of my own personality.” YOUR ‘COMING OF AGE’ MOMENT? “When I earned my first ever salary as an intern with ELLE, India in 2007.” THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED: “I’ve been told I am a loyal and reliable friend.” ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: “Ultimately, I would wish for Veremente Enterprises to be a huge success story and a legacy I can leave behind. At Welspun, we are all very excited about new challenges and innovations such as 3D printing.” IDEA OF LOVE: “Love is nothing more than a sense of being, and feeling, complete and happy with yourself.” TEXT: FARAH PALIA PHOTO: gAuRAv sAwn PHOTOgRAPHy HAIR & mAkE-uP: bIAncA bEE

H

Hello! Debutants Can you tell us a bit about your childhood in Mumbai? “I’ve lived in Mumbai all my life, I’ve been born and brought up here. My childhood however, was super hectic. My parents had enrolled me into way too many classes. So I was always at tennis, swimming, calligraphy, dance or elocution whenever I had any free time.” How did you choose the university you wanted to attend? What’s the experience there been like? “USC (University of Southern California) was always super high on my list, and when it came down to choosing, it was East Coast vs the West Coast, and as much as I liked the appeal of studying in that environment on the East of the US, for me, picking USC was a very obvious choice.” When it comes to fashion and your personal style, who would you say is your biggest inspiration? “I don’t really have any inspirations. Inspirations always come and go and change with the times. I just wear what I’m comfortable in and that’s been my mantra for as long as I can remember.” If there was one place in the world where you could settle down, where would that be? “Exactly where I am now. But if for some reason I was not allowed to be in Mumbai, it would probably be London. I love that city.” Has your family played an important role in your career and education choices? “Yes of course. They’ve played an important role but they’ve at the same time always let me make my own decisions and have guided and supported me with whatever I wanted to do.” Who are you closer to, your mom or your dad? “That’s a tough one. It’s like asking a parent which child is their favourite. I’d say I’m equally close to the both of them.” Who are the designers you patronise the most? “Funnily enough, I don’t really have a favourite designer or shop. I pick up my clothes from all over, on holidays.”

SIMRAN ADVANI FASHIONISTA AND gIRl AbOuT TOwN

tHE daugHtEr Of EntrEprEnEurs, dInEsH and pOOnaM adVanI, taLKs tO HELLO! aBOut HEr pLans fOr tHE futurE and MOrE...

What are your favourite restaurants/clubs in the world? “Wasabi at the Taj is definitely at the top of my list, I also like Hakkasan and Nobu, and this really cute Korean BBQ place called Gogi, in California.” Are you a reader? If so, which books and authors do you prefer? “I read sometimes. JK Rowling definitely, but Khaled Hosseini and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, those are my favourites.” Would you ever think about joining your family business? “Sure. That’s something that I have had on my mind for a long time.” What are the five must-have items in your handbag that you can’t do without? “That’s easy, my wallet, my sunglasses, spare rubber bands, my phone and some chewing gum.”

H

TEXT: VishwaVEEr singh PhoTo: ryan marTis hair & makE-uP: rEcinda marTis HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 73

Designer Muse

ON fASHION, fAmILy ANd frIENdSHIp

ZEENIA ANd AdITI SINGH HELLO! mEETS ZEENIA, dESIGNEr ANd wIfE Of rANbAxy ScION, VIkrAmjIT SINGH ANd HEr muSE, AdITI, wIfE Of fOrTIS HEALTHcArE cOfOuNdEr, SHIVINdEr SINGH. THE LAdIES, wHO ArE SISTErS-IN-LAw, ALSO dOubLE up AS EAcH OTHEr’S frIENdS. THEy SHArE SOmE ExcLuSIVE bONdING mOmENTS TOGETHEr bEfOrE AdITI SETS Off TO A NEw wAy Of LIfE AwAy IN bEAS 74 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

Petite and talented designer Zeenia Singh and sister-in-law and muse, Aditi Singh, pose at the back lawn of her Delhi home dressed in Zeenia’s latest collection of Indian wear HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 75

Designer Muse ot many have seen Aditi Singh, the mediaN shy wife of Fortis Head Shivinder Singh. No search engines will offer a glimpse of her. Not

even Google! This is her media debut, ironically at a time when her husband has announced a life of sewa to the Radha Soami sect in Beas, renouncing their cosmopolitan life in Delhi – a choice that has taken the business world by surprise. Despite the buzz, Aditi is unperturbed. As Zeenia puts finishing touches to Aditi’s look, their chemistry as friends and sisters-in-law that get along famously, is quite evident. Laughter and good vibes set the ball rolling for a memorable shoot. “Our grandmother-in-law would’ve been proud to see us. She loved dressing up and was an extremely stylish woman,” says Zeenia. “Dadiji loved her French chiffons and enjoyed life – she celebrated every aspect of it,” recalls Aditi about Tari Mohan Singh, wife of Ranbaxy Founder, Bhai Mohan Singh, who has had an obvious influence on the women. Taking a leaf out of the past, the third-generation women indulge in some joie-de-vivre as Zeenia compliments Aditi and Shivinder for taking this giant ‘leap of faith,’ literally. “I think it’s beautiful that they can start this journey together,” says Zeenia about the couple’s move to Beas, to offer sewa at the Radha Soami establishment. “I am very happy that we are doing this at 40 – we never thought we would move there so early but feel blessed that it has happened now,” says Aditi as she poses for HELLO! The essence of the life that the couple has chosen is reflected in small gestures. Aditi is doing this photoshoot as an exception – as a symbol of her love and appreciation for her designer and sister-in-law, revelling in the joy of giving, which a truly spiritual life bestows. The women, whose husbands are first cousins, are quite similar in their ways – both dignified and refreshingly old-world as they talk of family values and creating strong bonds between their children. Zeenia is innately creative. She exudes a tangible savoir-faire. Aditi combines style and substance together – holding the two in a delicate balance. As a designer, it is Zeenia’s celebratory moment as she watches Aditi exult in clothes designed by her. “I’ve always felt that people should not just look beautiful but also feel beautiful in my clothes,” offers Zeenia, sounding creatively fulfilled. As Zeenia’s muse, Aditi is flattered. She wants to do justice to ‘Zeenia bhabhi’ and despite the imminent drastic change awaiting her, she makes time for this. Her spirituality shines through in her good-naturedness and eagerness to celebrate every moment. Aditi cannot stop raving about Zeenia’s talent. “Whenever I’ve gone to Zeenia bhabhi, she’s always been there. And as a designer she truly understands me. She brings out my personality through her clothes – there is an understated elegance about her clothes that resonates with my personality,” explains Aditi. As they pose for HELLO!, they represent the spirit of feminine friendships and blissful bonds. “I am going to a place of love,” reminds Aditi. But seeing the two women revel in a creative process as Zeenia crafts and Aditi dons, one is reminded of Amir Khusro’s famous Farsi lines used later by Emperor Jehangir, when he fell for the beauty of Kashmir: Agar Firdaus Bar Roo E Zaminasto Zaminast, Haminasto Haminasto Haminast. If there is paradise on Earth, it is here. It is here. It is here. Human beings can indeed create heavens when they think and act in beauty.” Presenting Zeenia and Aditi at their beautiful best: 76 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

Zeenia wears a Benarsi kurta with zari border, with a silk velvet Patiala salwar and a net dupatta with heavy sequence and thread jaal work, all from her collection while Aditi poses beside her in all her festive glory (seen here). Aditi, beaming happily (opposite page), shares that “for her (Zeenia) to think I would be her muse, is very flattering” HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 77

Designer Muse AdITI SINGH

What do you like about Zeenia’s designs? “The reason why I love her clothes is the fact that her taste is very similar to mine. I love dressing up. She understands what works for me. Every woman wants to look beautiful and Zeenia allows me to do that – even with my regular clothes. For festivals and weddings, she’s able to do rich clothes for me without making them too weighty or ostentatious. There is an element of simplicity in what she does for me – her clothes are elegant and yet flashy enough if one wants to make a statement.” What part of your personality do her designs bring out or enhance? “I am a delicate woman – and want to be perceived as one. Zeenia recognises who I am in essence and brings out the human being that I am through her clothes. I love border sarees with blouses that are heavy and she improvises for me depending upon the occasion. If it’s a regular dinner she will do a simpler blouse and for a wedding saree, she will do a heavier blouse. Sometimes, she just plays with colour for a dramatic effect and it’s the colour that changes the entire design equation.” How do you feel about playing muse to Zeenia and inspiring her designs? “I am absolutely flattered. She’s beautiful inside and outside. For her to think I would be her muse, is very flattering. She’s a wonderful human being. I honestly didn’t think I would be anyone’s muse.” Your favourite outfit designed by her? “A green sharara which she did for me. A neon pink and yellow leheriya saree is also one of my favourites. It’s just the colours in the saree that makes it vibrant. That’s the special thing she does for me… she’s able to bring out the woman in me through her colours.” How do you view Zeenia as a human being? “She’s beautiful; physically and inside. She does justice to all roles she plays – as a mother, friend, daughter-inlaw, designer and friend. There have been times I need something done in three days and she will do it for me without ever refusing. Both she and I got married about 17 years ago. Our kids went to the same school. We’ve had lots to share in life – family and experiences; and it’s been a great journey for both of us. Going through matrimony and motherhood together has made our friendship even stronger. When we got married we decided we would be great friends… luckily it has been that way. It’s been wonderful. To share our taste and experiences as daughters-in-law. Both our mothers-in-law love dressing up. It makes it more fun. Her mother-in-law has complimented me on wearing Zeenia’s sarees without even knowing they were designed by her and those little moments make it more special.” Your favourite time spent with Zeenia? “Every time that I meet her becomes my favourite time with her. It’s always a great friendship and we giggle like little girls. We don’t go out for lunches and dinners. I liked spending more time with the kids at home… I knew my nest would be empty sooner than later and I didn’t want to leave them alone. We’ve sent our kids and my husband’s brother’s kids to Sanawar, which was a conscious decision to choose a co-ed boarding school as we wanted the next generation to grow up together.” The most precious gift you’ve received from Zeenia? “The most precious gift that I’ve received is the love and respect I’ve got from her. Material things get used and thrown away. The moments spent with her have been priceless. She is a very loving person. It’s great between sisters-in-law. We have no competition to outdo each other in any way.” What you would truly wish for Zeenia “Happiness and fulfillment in all the roles that she plays.” 78 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

Aditi looks radiant in a shaded chiffon saree with a delicate pearl and beadwork border

Zeenia is evidently passionate about her work, “I feel happy… probably the happiest when I am creating,” she tells HELLO!

ZEENIA SINGH

How did your design journey begin? “It’s been almost eight-nine years since I started designing clothes. The journey started with creating spun cotton salwar kameezes. Whenever I would look in the market, I would either find stuff that was too dressy or too simple. Not really satisfied with what I saw in stores, I started making my own clothes and got compliments whenever I wore them. Slowly, people started requesting me to make salwar kameezes for them. I started with simple cottons – that people could wear to work – and gradually moved onto the heavier stuff – wedding wear lehengas and shararas with salma and gota work. Every year, I do a huge exhibition and other times I meet people by appointment.” How does Aditi inspire you as a muse? “She looks beautiful in my clothes. She got married six months before me and we had our babies together. We lived in a family compound. Over the years we’ve become friends. It’s not so much of just being sistersin-law. But there is an obvious bond between us that comes from being family.” What are the qualities in Aditi that you admire?

“I just find she’s genuinely very warm – there is an inner radiance that she reflects – always smiling! She also carries herself very elegantly.” Can you describe an outfit you designed keeping her in mind? “The green sharara (in the photo) was designed with her in mind. She loves dressing up and wearing jewellery – in that sense we are both quite similar and yet simple at the core. We are both traditional at heart and our sensibilities exude an old-world charm. When I design, I like to create classic pieces – it’s not something that you wear one season and forget about in the next. And Aditi does complete justice to my designs – she’s classic and timeless. There is an instant synergy between my designs and Aditi as a muse.” Creativity is also a spiritual experience. Do you feel that way? “I feel happy… probably the happiest when I am creating. When I see people looking lovely in my clothes, it gives me a sense of satisfaction and joy. I also only do customised clothing for people – so no two people will have the same clothes. Also, it’s my effort to make every client feel good and provide for them what really suits them.”

Do you share common ground with Aditi? “Our family comes first for both of us – husband and kids come before everything else.” Your favourite time spent with her? “When we were newly married, we had a great time enjoying a new phase in our lives. I have lovely memories of those times – she has four boys and I have a boy and girl. Rakhi was a special occasion for the entire family – my husband and his two first cousins (Shivinder and Malvinder Singh) and their families would celebrate together. And all the kids being together – 10 of them – was amazing! We used to have a fairly hectic time trying to get the kids to tie rakhis.” What do you think is the best version of Aditi? “It’s very difficult to point out as she’s good at all her roles – she’s a great mother and wife. It’s not easy bringing up four boys but she’s done a fantastic job. She’s a perfect wife who has stood by her husband and been a constant H support to the entire family.” TEXT: SANGHITA SINGH PHOTOS: ABHISHEK KHANDELWAL STYLING: AMBER TIKARI

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 79

Hello! Profile

WITH HER SON AND SISTER AT HOME IN IBIZA

JESSICA SIMON

TELLS HOW SHE’S BRINGING HER OWN STYLE TO THE FAMILY FASHION LABEL, MONSOON

Peter Simon is the founder of the high-street label, Monsoon, never set out to be a fashion designer. Had she followed her heart during her foundation course during her first year at art school, she would have happily carved out a career as a ceramicist. “I still keep my hand in,” she says as she guides us through a series of her own beautifully hand-crafted and painted pots and vases, which line a shelf in her family’s home in Ibiza. Today, they have been filled with blooms and greenery from the villa’s garden. “It’s always been a passion of mine, but there was a point at art school when I had to decide what to specialise in and I did have to question where that was going to lead, ‘Could I really make a living out of this, or should I move in another direction?’ I suppose fashion was the obvious choice, given my background.” Jessica might be passionate about ceramics, but fashion is very much in her blood. During the early stages of Monsoon’s set-up, her father’s then wife – Jessica’s mother – Kate, was responsible for introducing a line of accessories into its stores, a venture that would lead in time to the birth of the equally successful Accessorize chain of shops. Jessica’s sister Zara, is an acclaimed jewellery designer in her own right. Growing up in London and later in the country, the sisters remember playing not with toys, but with the piles of fabrics, swatches of silks, hand-block prints, beads and design samples for Monsoon that filled their household. “I think that’s where my obsession with print began,” says Jessica. “That’s why I say my career path was almost inevitable.” IN THE FAMILY We are sitting with Jessica, 36, and Zara, 35, drinking a much-needed cup of coffee, on a terrace of the Ibiza house, which looks down over the sea and has views of the island’s old town. We’re poring over a look book of Jessica’s designs, which make up her first, eponymous collection for their father’s company. Being just a year apart, the sisters have an incredibly close bond. They have also both been up since the early hours: Jessica with her 80 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

SHIRT: JESSICA SIMON FOR MONSOON. JEWELLERY THROUGHOUT: Z FOR MONSOON

espite the fact that she has recently launched D her first clothing collection, by her own admission, Jessica Starr Simon, whose father

‘There is a vibe here in Ibiza – laid-back yet always stylish and chic’

Jessica relaxes with her son Luca at the family villa in Ibiza. The island’s relaxed atmosphere – away from the party hotspots – helped inspire not just her new collection for her dad’s label Monsoon, but also the whole company. “My father came here in the late 1960s and it’s where Monsoon really came about,” she says. “He set about the idea of bringing the Ibiza look back to London” HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 81

Hello! Profile ‘I have always loved clothes, but I have never been into high-end fashion’ son Luca, who’s three-and-a-half, and Zara – who married last year – with her baby River, born three months ago. Both women, understandably, are feeling a little weary. “I have always loved clothes, but I have never been into high-end fashion,” says Jessica as she talks about her collection. “What I wanted to create here was a line of easy-to-wear pieces that you can wear at home, on a night out or on holiday. It’s all about the silhouette, the prints and the textures.” Jessica’s capsule collection of 15 pieces includes panelled star-printed shirts – which can be easily matched with shorts, or jeans for the “less brave,” as she advises – plus smocked dresses, blouses and batik printed tops. She takes her inspiration from India – where she has travelled extensively over the years studying print techniques – the 1970s and glam rock, as well as her mother’s innate sense of style, which she describes as “effortless, understated but feminine.” Jessica’s aim was to produce a line that was stylish but relaxed; a look that was easy to pull together, fashionable but timeless – and also affordable. When thinking about her collection, Jessica also looked to Ibiza, which is very much a second home for her. “My father came here in the late ’60s and it’s where Monsoon really came about,” she explains. “He was a hippie, living on Formentera (island, to Ibiza’s south) in a nudist colony, of all things, and he set about the idea of bringing the Ibiza look, as he saw it, back to London – which he did, selling from a stall on the Portobello Road – and that would eventually become the company. It was so successful that by his late 20s, he already had seven shops.”

Jessica and her sister Zara, who designs jewellery for Monsoon’s sister label, Accessorize. While it’s easy to assume their family connections make their jobs easy, the sisters see things differently. “You are always having to prove your worth – probably more so than if you worked anywhere else,” says Zara 82 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

FANTASY ISLAND “He’d always warned us off Ibiza, saying it wasn’t for us, that it was full of freaks,” says Zara. “But when we were in our teens on a sailing trip round the Balearics, he brought us here for the night. We were only 14, 15 at the time and our eyes were out on stalks. “It seemed like so much fun and on a trip round the old town that day we were approached by a guy who asked us to come to a club that night. We’d have free entry, free drinks, you name it; all we had to do was take part in a beauty contest. “So that night we jumped ship, when our parents had gone to bed, and went to the club and had a brilliant time. We snuck back onto the boat in the early hours of the morning thinking no one would know any better, but unfortunately we were rumbled.” “I don’t think it helped that we were photographed by the local press, standing on a catwalk with sashes round us that read ‘Summer Ibiza Girl’ – and that Dad saw it in the paper,” laughs Jessica. “Or the fact that he found vodka in our bags,” adds Zara. “Dad was pretty furious, to say the least,” Jessica continues. “When we woke up late that afternoon and emerged from our cabin, we found ourselves no longer in Ibiza but in Majorca. In the intervening hours, having seen the piece, Dad promptly raised the anchor and took us to safer shores.” Their father might not have approved of his children’s antics then, but in the 1990s he relented

Floral cushions on outdoor sofas (above) and indoor daybeds (below right) are a nod not just to the nature that surrounds the villa, but also to the family company, with many items in the house coming from current or past Monsoon home ranges. The simple staircase (below left), meanwhile, is pure rustic Ibiza

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 83

Hello! Profile ‘It makes sense to work with Monsoon. It’s always been a family business’ and bought a second home on the island for the family. It’s here that Jessica and Zara like to spend as much time as they can with their own families, catching up with their younger sister Camilla and her brood, who are based there, as well as their brother George and Peter’s younger children. “It’s very much a home from home for us,” says Jessica. “We have a lot of friends here but it’s not all about going wild. Of course, I like to go out, but for us now that’s more about late dinners with friends we have grown up with, or lazy lunches on Formentera with the children. We both spend a lot of time there off season, away from the crowds. “We both love it because of the inspiration it gives us as designers. There is a vibe here – laid-back yet always stylish and chic – that appeals to us.” The fact that Jessica and Zara are employed within their father’s firm could perhaps raise eyebrows, as they are more than aware. Jessica’s new collection falls under the Monsoon label, as does Zara’s jewellery line, Z, for Accessorize. However, the sisters have earned their stripes. They both completed foundation

Jessica models a dress from her own range (above), which was designed with stylish relaxation in mind. Just the thing, then, for an alfresco meal (right), something she and Zara are keen on when in Ibiza. “It’s very much a home from home for us,” says Jessica. “That’s more about late dinners with friends we have grown up with, or lazy lunches with the children” 84 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

‘There are people I’m working with who I literally grew up with’ courses at art school and both were awarded much-coveted places at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (whose alumni include Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Céline’s Phoebe Philo). They also worked elsewhere long before joining the family fold. Jessica had many placements in the world of fashion, including time at Clements Ribeiro. Zara trained for a time under celebrated jeweller, Stephen Webster, before she set up on her own. “I suppose people will and can have their views on that,” muses Jessica. “But to be honest it really makes sense for both of us to work with Monsoon. “It’s always been very much a family business. My father set it up, my mother was a great influence in the early years and we grew up within this world and understand the ethic and the ethos of the fashion brand that is within us all, really. “My brother works in the Far East for the company, Camilla looks after the franchise in Ibiza – even my uncle works for the firm. “I’ve had opportunities to work elsewhere – some of which I’ve taken – but I suppose it was only natural that I would gravitate back here eventually. There are people I’m working with today who I literally grew up with – no one seems to leave.” Adds Zara: “Because of that, you are always having to prove your worth – probably more so than if you worked anywhere else. I’m working on a jewellery line for Accessorize with a team of people who really know their stuff, so you can’t afford to make mistakes – even if you want to push the boundaries at times.” SHORTS STORY With that in mind, what did their father really think of Jessica’s first collection for the company? She pauses for a moment, then laughs. “He’s someone who comes straight to the point. I think he likes the look of it, the fact that it stayed true to the heritage and look of Monsoon, that I’ve worked with the right materials. “He liked the prints, he approved of the designs for the shirts and dresses – but when I showed him a pair of shorts, I’m not sure that registered so well with him. His response was, ‘Shorts? For the autumn? Are you serious?’” She was, and was right to be: the shorts are proving a hit. But that’s fathers H for you… text: NAtASHA GARNett PHOtOS: tIM BeDDOW HAIR & MAKe-UP: LOUISe MAxWeLL USING CHARLOtte tILBURy

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 85

Hello! Designers

GIRLS ABOUT TOWN

HAUTE TO TROT MEET LAHORE’S fRESHEST cROp Of dESIGNERS - MEHRyN ZAfAR, NATASHA KAMAL ANd NOOR MAHMOOd

‘Being the youngest in the family and starting my own business at the age of 23 transformed me immensely – from being a socially awkward kid and the spoiled youngest family member to independent and hardworking’ - Mehryn

MEHRyN ZAfAR

“I did my BA from BNU in Mass Communication and always wondered why I wasn’t in a fashion institute. I decided I wanted to be a part of the fashion industry as soon as I moved back to Lahore because I learnt about the culture and tradition here. My parents wanted us to move back, so we could grow up in Pakistan surrounded by family! I have three older sisters, who have helped me out a lot in starting my own business, but all the credit goes to my parents, especially my father, who has been my rock and I am where I am only because of him! Being the youngest in the family and starting my own business at the age of 23 transformed me immensely – from

86 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

being a socially awkward kid and the spoiled youngest family member to independent and hardworking.” When did you know you wanted to become a fashion designer? “I knew when I first went to Liberty, near Khussa Mehal side and saw an altogether new use for colours; in embellishments and embroideries. Additionally, I also visited designer Bunto Kazmi’s house with my mother, growing up. Naturally, the energy and vibrancy of her studio drew me in like a magnet! From then on, I knew one day I want to do what she does.” What was the first article of clothing you designed?

The endearing girls about town wear fall-friendly hues in their inimitable and refreshing signature styles. All three are pictured in latest ensembles from their own labels (below and opposite page)

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 87

Hello! Designers ‘I never thought that I would be a part of the fashion industry, but then again, I never saw myself as a chartered accountant either’ - Natasha

Natasha Your style icon? “Queen Rania of Jordan – not only is she a style icon but a role model as well.” Your favourite place(s) to shop? “Quaint boutiques on Kings Road – and a personal favourite is BCBG.” A fashion/style rule you never break? “Less is more!” Staples in your wardrobe? “A LBD is a famous acronym for a reason! Neutral tops, carry-all tote bag and nude strappy heels.” Your favourite current trend? “High-waisted pants! The illusion of longer legs and a teeny waist – what more could a girl want?” Your daily beauty and fitness regime? “This is just a reminder that I need to get back to the gym!” (laughs) Your go-to stylist? “Nabila’s.” Your favourite lipstick? “I swear by bene-tint by Benefit! (lip-stain).” An all-time favourite movie? “Scent of a Woman.” A place that makes you happy? “Streets of London during fall.” Necessary extravagance? “Travelling and blow-dries to tame my curls!” Guilty pleasure? “Chocolate decadence!” Book on your bedside table? “Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is literally just on the bedside table, waiting to be read.” Favourite local and international designers? “Currently, just to name a few, Max Azria, Valentino, Zuhair Murad and Altuzarra. Locally Sana Safinaz’s luxury pret.”

88 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

“It was for myself, during the popular basant era in Pakistan when it was common to decide your outfit months before. It was a teal blue short kameez with multi-coloured embroidery with a patiala shalwar.” Describe your aesthetic sense in three words? “Unique, vivid and traditional.” What are the biggest myths about your profession? “There are so many like your bag should match your shoes, navy and black don’t go together, you have to be model tall to wear long dresses or wideleg trousers, it all comes down to perfect fit! And last but not the least, no mixing gold and silver.” Who is your muse/inspiration? “Nature plays a huge role in my daily dose of inspiration – I love earthy tones and florals. As far as a muse goes, I can only think of my best friend, Hira Hashmi. She would make even a paper bag trendy!” What, in your opinion, are the benefits of starting your own business? “There are so many benefits of having your own business. Firstly, since my family sees me working hard day and night, there’s no pressure to settle down. Living in Lahore where there’s not much to do, I feel it’s so important for girls to work. You learn so much about life and people. You understand how important it is for a woman to be independent on her own. And the best part about is it keeps you so busy you don’t realise where your day went.” What are the top five fashion must-haves? “Flared pants/jeans, a black crop top but not too cropped (half sleeves), a small sized bag (I feel massive in-your-face bags are so 2013), MAC ‘Candy Yum Yum’ lipstick and a nice watch to accessorise any outfit.” How do you plan to expand your label? “I have no plans at the moment to expand my label as I’ve, MashAllah, been so busy with work I haven’t even thought of expanding it yet. I do plan to take part in one of the fashion weeks, but I would say on top of my list would be the new studio I’m working on these days, as that is going to be walk-in and appointments. It will have my ready-to-wear, formals and bridals.”

NATASHA KAMAL

“Anyone who has known me for a long time would never have thought I would have started my own clothing brand. It was never a part of the plan – but things change and in this case, for the better. Growing up I had two options, accounting or law – it ended up being a bit of both. I completed my undergraduate degree from Royal Holloway University of London, in Management with Accounting, followed by a Diploma of Law from BPP Law School. I carried on with an internship at a law firm (Thompson & Co) and then pursuing my articles at A.F Ferguson. It was almost two years ago that I went into work for two weeks straight, only to quit everyday and be convinced otherwise. Everyone thought I was crazy for quitting on

Noor Your style icon? “Olivia Palermo.” Your favourite place(s) to shop? “Sephora for make-up and for clothes I like exploring local boutique stores wherever I travel.” A fashion/style rule you never break? “Breaking the rules sets you apart.” Staples in your wardrobe? “Nude shoes, jeans and a white shirt for every occasion!” Your daily beauty and fitness regime? “Workout, lots of sun block and vitamin water.” Your go-to stylist? “I’m my own stylist.” Your favourite lipstick? “Kat Von D is by far my favourite liquid lipstick of all! My favourite summer shade is ‘a go-go.’” An all-time favourite movie? “From the recent past, I would have to say The Great Gatsby.” A place that makes you happy? “Santorini.” Necessary extravagance? “Shoes and stationery.” Guilty pleasure? “Green curry.” Book on your bedside table? “The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia.” Favourite local and international designers? “Kamiar Rokni and Narciso Rodriguez for his cuts.”

Natasha is the picture of sophisticated elegance in a ruffled top and skirt (opposite page). Noor displays her chic sense of style (above) and Mehryn is striking in neon, off-setting the look with bright lips

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 89

Hello! Designers ‘It’s about creating the persona of an NK woman. The idea is to revamp vintage techniques and silhouettes, which are a part of our culture, and infuse them with an understated Western sensibility’ - Natasha

90 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

Mehryn Your style icon? “Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.” Your favorite place(s) to shop? “Zara, Topshop and Sapphire in Lahore.” A fashion/style rule you never break? “I don’t really believe in fashion rules. Something that evolves so quickly can’t have boundaries.” Staples in your wardrobe? “Crop tops, high-wasted pants and of course, my shoe collection.” Your favourite current trend? “Skinny jeans with a loose t-shirt tucked in with pretty flats, mascara and a bright lip shade!” Your daily beauty and fitness regime? “Water and a cup of green tea as soon as I wake up and swimming every other day!” Your go-to stylist? “My sister Sahar Zafar – I have learnt a lot about fashion from her.” Your favourite lipstick? “‘Candy Yum Yum’ by MAC.” An all-time favourite movie? “The Notebook.” A place that makes you happy? “My family home in Khanispur with my whole family there with me and being around kids.” Necessary extravagance? “My cell phone.” Guilty pleasure? “Nutella crêpe from The Deli!” Book on your bedside table? “Vintage Patterns and Flower Power from The Last Word.” Favourite local and international designers? “Local designer, Bunto Kazmi and Élan and international is definitely Zuhair Murad.” Noor is flawless in a monochromatic gown, striking a pose with Mehryn and Natasha (opposite page). Mehryn amps it up in an embellished top and subtle smokey eyes (above). Natasha has some serious sartorial game! She nailed the edgy monochrome look with well tailored separates combined with statement earrings and a messy top knot (left)

the best accounting firm in Pakistan. Finally, the day came when I decided that it would be my last. I still remember getting into the car as my brother shouted out ‘darna mat!’ I took cupcakes as a peace offering for my whole office – it felt more like a celebration than anything else. After that, there was no looking back!” When did you know you wanted to become a fashion designer? “To be completely honest, I never thought that I would be a part of the fashion industry, but then again, I never saw myself as a chartered accountant either. I enjoy the creative process of building a piece of fashion – an iterative evolutionary process that brings my idea to life. What started off as an experiment when I moved back to Pakistan just blossomed and took on a life of its own.” What was the first article of clothing you designed? “That would be a pair of black pants! As simple as it sounds, it is one of the

hardest things to find and even harder to make because of the nuances involved in cutting the perfect pair of trousers.” Describe your aesthetic sense in three words? “Avant-craft, contemporary and considered.” What are the biggest myths about your profession? “That this business is easy.” Who is your muse/inspiration? “I don’t have a particular muse – it’s about creating the persona of an NK woman. The idea is to revamp vintage techniques and silhouettes, which are a part of our culture and infuse them with an understated western sensibility – resulting in a modern appeal without breaking too far away from convention.” What, in your opinion, are the benefits of starting your own business? “You are in control of your own creative vision.” HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 91

Hello! Designers ‘The desire to set up my own label definitely arose at the time of my wedding while looking for a unique piece for my mehendi’ - Noor

What are the top five fashion must-haves? “A floor-duster coat, lace-up pumps, over-sized statement jewellery, belts and high-waisted pants!” How do you plan to expand your label? “We are planning on expanding our product categories to include a luxury day-wear line – iconic separates, which we hope will become wardrobe essentials – something I am very excited about! Simultaneously, we are increasing our distribution and accessibility to Karachi and Islamabad and internationally, via our website, which will be launching in a few months.”

NOOR MAHMOOd

She went to Lacas for her former education and later was enrolled in the Bachelors of Jewellery design program at BNU. She’s an artist with a fearless and vivid imagination. Whether its the clothes she designs, jewellery she handcrafts or paintings she creates, she does it with an uncompromising desire to surprise her audience. When did you know you wanted to become a fashion designer? “As an artist, I’ve always loved experimenting with mixed media, from painting to designing my upcoming jewellery line, but the desire to set up my own label definitely arose at the time of my wedding while looking for a unique piece for my mehendi. I ended up creating a piece that truly reflected who I am and that’s exactly how I wish to serve my clients.” What was the first article of clothing you designed? “I had something very specific in mind about what I wanted to wear on my mehendi. I could not find it anywhere, so I decided to take it upon myself to create something unique from scratch.” Describe your aesthetic sense in three words? “I feel my sense of style is eclectic and it also evolves, as does the fashion world.” What are the biggest myths about your profession? “That it’s a left handed job and it doesn’t require much hard work or effort to have it running successfully.” What, in your opinion, are the benefits of starting your own business? “The hardest thing to do is practicing self-discipline while at the same time the flexible hours, creative freedom and being my own boss is always a plus!” What are the top five fashion must-haves? “Shorter hemlines, flared pants, culottes replacing lehenga cholis and cropped tops paired with sleeveless jackets.” How do you plan to expand your label? “My partner Hirah and I, will soon be starting H Mannequins luxury prêt line.” Cute as a button, Natasha is all smiles in a top from her own label. She pairs it with pants, chunky jewellery and voluminous beach waves; Mehryn brightens things up in a feminine, neon dress with a nod to drama. Her favourite lipstick (‘Candy Yum Yum’ by MAC), adds further to the playful girly vibe; Noor is fashion forward in a top and wide-legged pants, accessorising with chunky rings 92 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

TexT & coordinaTion: Mehek raza rizvi PhoTos: ashna khan hair & Make-uP: alina Faizan locaTion courTesy: designers guild

Culture lounge

WRITER’S BLOC THIS yEaR’S TaTa LITERaTuRE LIvE! HIT upOn majOR fauLTLInES THaT aRE SuBTLy and InSIdIOuSLy REdEfInIng mOdERn IndIa. SangEETa WadHWanI REvIEWS THE TEmpESTuOuS LOng WEEkEnd

ver 120 celebrated writers O and thinkers from over 14 countries congregated at

the NCPA complex, Mumbai, creating a four-day buzz at the city’s epicenter that matched any world class festival. What made this a truly international literature event? The diversity. If women’s writing and worldviews were of interest, then perhaps the most riveting sessions involved the voices of megafeminist Germain Greer (whose path-breaking book, The Female Eunuch, launched in 1970 and whose The Whole Woman she said, was subsequently a far better book, but launched in an era far less given to reading). EgyptianAmerican Mona Eltahawy’s Headscarves and Hymens, featured as a topic of discussion across two sessions, one with Barkha Dutt and another featuring perhaps the strongest combination of female voices possible (Chaired by Shobhaa Dé, Germain Greer and Mona Eltahaway) called Will Women Always Be the Second Sex? While the three-woman powwow was a bit remote at The Prithvi Theatre, one got a glimpse into Madam Greer’s spunk when she mentioned supporting a society for invertebrae – “the cockroach is more useful to the ecosystem than the snow leopard,” she asserted. She was struggling to assemble an anthology of the finest poems inspired by insects, but was facing major bottlenecks with copyright fees “even though my own book is not for profit,” she shared. While freedom of expression seems to be a global preoccupation, the vantage she offered was uniquely British – “Writers dread being sued. Because they know that in court of law, truth is no defense. It will be the richer party that wins!” On the homefront, the major faultline (are we free to speak or write as we wish?) became a leitmotif across several sessions and a resounding debate. In the session Chacha Pe Charcha, (on Pandit Nehru’s contributions),

featuring Vir Sanghvi, Anil Dharkar, Nayantara Sahgal, chaired by Arun Maira, a few fascinating points were raised by Sanghvi, like “There is a provision in the Indian Constitution against beef consumption from the Pandit’s time, and few may know that he banned a version of the Ramayana which he thought may create a riot!” Fascinating! The eloquent Nayantara Sahgal reminded us that Pandit Nehru had a daunting task in front of him – a nation impoverished by 150 years of colonialism, needed to find her spirit. He had to be judicious.” Things along this touchy faultline reached a crescendo at the big debate, with the motion, ‘Freedom of Expression Is In Imminent Danger’. (Ouch and how!) Much tweeting and sharing of social media posts ensured that this session went viral, underscoring how little a BJP voice like Anupam Kher (who stood against the motion, along with Nalin Kohli) understood the power of reason and fact. “Of course, we have freedom of speech, we are sitting right here in the middle of Mumbai at the Tata Theatre and having this debate... and there is wine and cheese circulating backstage!” Ms Dé memorably thundered, “DON’T, DON’T, DON’T! Are we juvenile delinquents who need to be told how to live, what to say, what to watch, and for Chrissake what to eat?” It was the theatrical and political nerve centre of the festival, and one felt much faith in the future hearing under 30-year- old attendees telling Mr Kher,

A rousing debate on whether dangers to freedom of expression are imminent, featured Anupam Kher and Nalin Kohli opposing the motion (topmost). Iconic women writers Germaine Greer, Mona Elthaway and Shobhaa Dé in a powerful session at the Prithvi Theatre (above) Kalki Koechlin and Festival Director Anil Dharkar take a moment to pose (below)

“Sir, we are fatally disappointed. We don’t know what you are doing here.” He of course, in true politico style, accused the audience of being ‘bought,’ essayed a host of attacks on the festival director Anil Dharkar, and Ms Dé (for editing a gossip magazine once upon a time), and so on. The team for the motion won hands down, as blue placards were unanimously waved across the theatre. Nik Davies, celebrated British crime investigator of The Guardian, whispered the next day over chai that he was ‘worried’ about the opposition’s outlook. On a lighter and very refreshing note, was the session, Asli Desi Kaun? The surprise element here was French actor Kalki Koechlin, who confessed she was a product of two French people – a hippie dad and a prim and proper French mom – who met on a sojourn to India, married and raised her in Pondicherry. “I grew up speaking Tamil, nodded my head in this funny way and had to learn English in school. In Britain, nobody believed I was Indian and thought I was lying or just mental.” Even today, sans make-up and carrying her back pack, Kalki delights in the speculation her presence calls for – “they think I can’t be Kalki because Kalki is this movie star!” she laughed. Historian Johnathan Gil Harris (whose book, The First Firangis of India, sold out in record time) shared how he chanced upon golden archival material

left out behind this cabinet, “on the floor of this archival library. It was purely accidental, and it blew my mind how many treasures will vanish forever unless saved like this!” Interestingly, he shared that the warrior Rajputs (a favourite clan in HELLO! given their royal heritage) were actually from Central Asia! One wishes one could have attended more sessions, but the cup overflowed and the harried human condition is such... but thank you Mr Dharkar... looking forward to your H literary carnival in 2016! BRAVISSIMO! H ARThink South Asia (ATSA) and the Piramal Art Foundation presented a two-day event on Arts Management in India. ATSA also offers a two week training programme teaching ‘artpreneurs’ how to grow an endeavour or organisation using marketing-friendly tools. After training, the programme sends its fellows on sponsored internships with foreign cultural bodies. Also, look out for the recently launched new Piramal Museum, (at Peninsula Corporate Park, Lower Parel, Mumbai). View the history of modern Indian art as encompassed in the private collection of Ajay and Swati Piramal! HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 93

HAUTE IN HELLO!

l

TRENDS

l

FROM THE DESK OF

l

GET THE LOOK

Haute in Hello!

This elegant statement piece is an arresting combination of fancy shape diamonds (marquises, princess cut, rounds and drops) and emeralds, set in 18K gold, GEHNA Jewellers

94 HELLO! NOVEMBER 2015

l

DESIGNER-MUSE

Hello! Trends 5

3

6

4

7

1

2

13

Back to Black 14

Classic, beguiling and sophisticated... allblack effortlessly dominates

1. Ruffle lace and net dress, RODARTE 2. Embellished pansuit, H&M X BALMAIN 3. Off-shoulder pencil dress, HUGO BOSS 4. Off-shoulder tweed top, PROENZA SCHOULER 5. Tasseled multi-stone earrings, KENNETH JAY LANE 6. Rectangle estate crystal bracelet, EDDIE BORGO 7. Round acetate sunglasses, ILLESTEVA LEONARD 8. Acrylic and crystal choker, MARNI 9. Asymmetric stretch-jersey gown, HANEY 10. Studded crepe mini dress, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 11. Suede pumps, ACNE STUDIOS 12. Embellished patent-leather pumps, ROCHAS 13. Circle leather clutch, 3.1 PHILLIP LIM 14. No Mobile imperial box clutch, ANYA HINDMARCH

8

Gigi Hadid in Atelier Versace

9

10

11 12 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 95

Hello! Trends

All That Glitters

Sparkle, shimmer and shine this season with unfettered glamour

3

1

4

2

12

7

10 8

11

9 Kate Hudson in a chic striped gown, Balmain

96 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

6

5 1. Sequined mini dress, ASHISH 2. Acrylic shoulder bag, EDIE PARKER 3. Chain bracelet, CHLOÉ 4. Embellished tulle clutch, DOLCE & GABBANA 5. Slit embellished dress, ANTHONY VACCARELLO 6. Metallic layered dress, EMILIO PUCCI 7. Shimmer cape, SONIA RYKIEL 8. Embellished chiffon mini, NEEDLE & THREAD 9. Crystal satin sandals, RENE CAOVILLA 10. Striped Aztec mini dress, ALICE + OLIVIA 11. Fringe gunmetal bracelet, ERICKSON BEAMON 12. Pearl and crystal necklace, ROSANTICA

Hello! Trends 10

Ravishing Resort

1

HELLO! shines a spotlight on the top styles from Gionee India Beach Fashion Week 1) Rina Dhaka 2) Babita Malkani 3) Dev R Nil 4) James Ferreira 5) Aditi Rao Hydari in Sukriti & Aakriti 6) Neha Dhupia in Sangeeta Sharma 7) Richa Chadda in Mayyur R Girotra Couture 8) Anusha Dandekar in Rocky S 9) Ken Ferns 10) Deme by Gabriella

2

3

9

6

5

8 4 7

HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 97

Fashion Trends

Model alert PHOTO COURTESY: ANIMA CREATIVES

PHOTO COURTESY: ANIMA CREATIVES

Indian origin models are storming catwalks across the globe with their arresting visages and lithe walks. HELLO! brings you the hautest faces of the year

RASIKA NAVARE Rasika’s incredible bone structure enabled her to land a Smashbox Cosmetics campaign as soon as she landed in Paris. She has since dominated the global fashion landscape with shoots for Givenchy, Koovs London, Sephora Canada and Asos.

98 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

POOJA MOR

NEELAM GILL

In her early 20s, the British-Indian model made fashion history by becoming the first Indianorigin model to be signed on as the face of global brand, Burberry.

Neelam starred alongside Romeo Beckham in the brand’s Christmas campaign and was hand-picked for Kanye West’s Adidas show at New York Fashion Week.

A break out face at the Louis Vuitton resort show in Palm Springs (she made her international debut by walking for Nicolas Ghesquière’s Cruise ‘16 show), Pooja was discovered via Instagram. She has gone on to appear in editorials of esteemed publications such as The Gentlewoman, i-D and Another magazine and work for illustrious design houses such as Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Calvin Klein, Elie Saab, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.

KEISHA LALL

The London-born, Rajasthani beauty has made waves globally – she’s been the face of a Rimmel campaign and appeared on noted fashion blogger and photographer, Garance Dore’s site, several times. Keisha has been in demand worldwide with the likes of Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Kohl’s, Macy’s, L’Oréal, Venus Gillette and Salvatore Ferragamo jewellery. She has also essayed the leading role in Duran Duran’s Thing Called Love and appeared along side Professor Green in Never Be a Right Time.

TARUN NIJJER The 27-year-old runway model from Karnal has walked the runways of New York, London and Milan recently. She has landed some big gigs including Dries Van Noten in Paris, Alexander Wang (he gave her the opportunity to debut in the New York Fashion Week with his show) and Marc Jacobs in New York, Gareth Pugh in London as well as Bottega Veneta and Salvatore Ferragamo in Milan. She has also walked for DAKS, Emilio Pucci, Cavalli and Fendi – a true modelling superstar.

PHOTO COURTESY: ANIMA CREATIVES

BHUMIKA ARORA

Born to an English mother and Punjabi father, Tarun has opened and closed the Burberry Prorsum show, ‘A Painterly Journey,’ for Christopher Bailey. He also appeared in the label’s A/W 14 campaign alongside supermodels Cara Delevingne and Suki Waterhouse. His latest accomplishment – a spot in Tom Ford’s path-breaking video with Lady Gaga to launch his latest collection.

TEXT: FARAH PALIA HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 99

From the Desk oF

Your idea of perfect happiness… “When I see the students I mentor, go out into the world, work hard, flourish and prosper.”

PHOTO COURTESY: STEWART SHINING

A style icon for all ages… “Françoise Hardy and Rekha.”

Bibhu Mohapatra THE INDIAN-AMERICAN FASHION DESIGNER ON GLOBAL SUCCESS AND THE JOURNEY SO FAR As you look back on the journey so far, which have been some of the greatest highlights and some of the hardest challenges? “Being a part of the CFDA Incubator program and when the First Lady of the US, Michelle Obama, arrived in India in one of my outfits and was received by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.” The Bibhu Mohapatra success story continues to grow from strength to strength, what do you believe lies at the core of the brand’s success? “Thank you. For me the focus has always been on our ultimate clientele and the product we come up with.”

100 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

Who is the Bibhu Mohapatra woman? “A woman with passion, with a purpose, educated, well-travelled… someone who loves beautifully crafted clothes.” The greatest love of your life… “My nieces, both of whom are growing up in India.”

PHOTO COURTESY: KEVIN STURMAN

What is a talent that you admire the most in others? “Kindness, accompanied by humility.”

Where do you prefer to retreat to for rest and rejuvenation? “I am very blessed to have a little house in the countryside, in upstate NY, where I spend every weekend in order to recharge and rejuvenate.”

What are some of the standout pieces from the current collection? “From the Spring ‘16 collection, my personal stand outs include the beige and ivory crepe tennis dress, the hand woven leather and silk jacket with an ivory chiffon tux shirt and ivory crepe trousers, the Bauhaus print crepe dress with pleated underskirt, the black and white silk and cotton jacquard dress with leather harness and the pale grey silk barathea embroidered ball dress.”

What presently inspires you? “My recent trip to the Forbidden City in Beijing was very inspiring… all its walls have thousands of stories to tell.”

Your current state of mind… “Is entirely devoted to my muse for the Fall ‘16 collection.”

Notable personalities such as the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, Frieda Pinto, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, just to name a few… “It means a lot to me to have the acknowledgement and support from these amazing personalities, who are talented, driven and inspirational. Above all, they are all incredible human beings and I am very fortunate to have crossed paths with them. I will never forget the moving conversation I had with the First Lady when I met her for the first time at the White House.”

Which great creative minds do you derive maximum inspiration from? “Ellsworth Kelly and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe… amazing artists and brilliant poets.”

What are the top 5 essentials on your desk? “My drafting pencil, my parents picture, my little Ganesh icon, my colour markers and my stylebook with all the lists of all styles we have created under Bibhu Mohapatra label over the last six years.” TEXT: FARAH PALIA PHOTOS COURTESY: BIBHU MOHAPATRA

Hello! FasHion

Get the look!

1

Recreate the most talked about collaboration of the season – H&M X Balmain

2

3

5

6

vest, hord HI c d n D a GAN quin 1. Se Y ROHIT ANNA B H OZO CUE UL K RAH DELP t, l AND ini skirt, b ist e epe m ather wa r Y C E . 2 ux le ARTN 3. Fa LA MCC URLA L E ST ch, F her i clut at 4. Ziz e-high le e O n D K 5. s, AL ollared boot c d ere RA broid MISH 6. Em RAHUL t, jacke

4

Models of the moment, Jourdan Dunn and Kendell Jenner in H&M X Balmain

HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 101

Beauty l

In HEr BaG

l

EXPErT SPEaK

l

TrEnDS

JATIN KAMPANI/FEMINA

GET THE LOOK

Get the look!

1

3

7

Capture Lisa Haydon’s fun and fearless beauty with bold and bright eyes and lips

6 4 2 5 102 HELLO! NOVEMBER 2015

1) Dream touch blush, MAYBELLINE 2) Star bronzer, LANCÔME 3) Noir mascara, COLORBAR 4) Perfect refining foundation, SHISEIDO 5) Heat protection serum, KÉRASTASE 6) Velvet matte lip colour, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN 7) Shimmer eye pallette, SEPHORA

In Her Bag

Shilpa Shetty

PHOTO COURTESY: VICKRAM SINGH BAWA

The silver screen actress, businesswoman and mother of one, shares her beauty secrets with HELLO!

N

ame your top beauty products? “My go-to beauty products are Cetaphil cream, Natura Bisse eye cream, Rodial snake venom face mask, Kiehl’s lip balm and MAC Lust lip gloss… all of them help to keep my skin soft and supple.” What are your must-have beauty essentials? “A good moisturiser and eye cream (preferably Paraben free) is a must. A foot scrubber and moisturising foot scrub, non-smudge eyeliner for beautiful eyes all day and Jo Malone or Laura Mercier bath products and creams that smell divine.” Describe your usual make-up look for the day? “A tinted moisturiser to start off with, liner, a soft pink lipstick and an under eye concealer, if I’ve had a late night.” Describe your usual make-up look for the night? “It would depend on the outfit and occasion – for a casual dinner or a red carpet event, I love dramatising my eyes and if I use a bright lip colour then I keep the rest of my face understated as I like to accentuate just one feature on my face at a time.” Which are your favourite fragrances? “Tom Ford Santal Blush for nights and Pleasures by Estée Lauder or Tamdao by Diptique during the day.” Top make-up secrets… “Wash your hair with a good shampoo and alternate your choice of shampoo every month so product residue on the scalp is avoided. I deep condition my hair thrice a week and I’ve never used soap on my face. I just take off my make-up with baby oil and a Bioderma water cleanser and finish off with lots of moisturiser.” Beauty tips… “I believe it is important to keep your beauty routine simple and natural. Apply a face pack of yogurt, honey and a touch of turmeric at least thrice a week, it’s cooling and acts as an antiseptic.” Which bag do you prefer to carry during the day as well as for cocktail soirées? “I like light bags, so just a simple tote (that fits a lot) is important to store everything – from wet wipes for Viaan to dry fruits and organic fruit lollipops! For the evenings, I carry my Gucci bag of the moment.” What are your in-bag essentials? “If you look into my bag at any time, you will find my phone, wet wipes, perfume, lipstick and sunglasses.” TEXT: FARAH PALIA HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 103

Beauty expert Speak

Face the Music HELLO! DECODES THE PARTY SEASON’S HOTTEST MAKE-UP TRENDS WITH ABHILASHA SINGH, THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MAKE-UP OF JEAN-CAUDE BIGUINE SALON AND SPA

The purple smokey eye STEP 1: Prep skin with a primer and moisturiser. Use a skin appropriate foundation along with a concealer. Finish off with a loose powder to seal in the foundation and concealer STEP 2: Apply an eye primer followed by MAC’s Bare Study paint pot all over the eyes. Use a purple smokey eye pencil all over half the eyelid and then smudge it with a powder purple eye shadow. Use a light brown shimmer powder to blend in with the purple and to give the eye a soft smokey feel STEP 3: Finish off the eyes with kohl and lashings of blue mascara STEP 4: Apply an illuminator in the inner corners of the eyes

104 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

Winged liner

STEP 1: Prep skin with a primer and moisturiser. Use a skin appropriate foundation along with a concealer. Finish off with a loose powder to seal in the foundation and concealer STEP 2: Apply a light shimmer eye shadow all over the eye lid STEP 3: Use a smudge proof pencil to create a winged shape. Once the shape is defined, make it more prominent by going over the line with a cream liner and sharpen the line STEP 4: Set the line with a black eyeshadow powder to give it its black depth STEP 5: Apply an illuminator in the inner corners of the eyes

Rimmed black smokey eye STEP 1: Prep skin with a primer and moisturiser. Use a skin appropriate foundation along with a concealer. Finish off with a loose powder to seal in the foundation and concealer STEP 2: Using a smolder pencil from MAC to create a line shaping the rim of the eyes STEP 3: Smudge the line with a black eye shadow, just over the eye pencil rim. Then apply a thin line of liquid liner on the lash line STEP 4: Apply coats of mascara STEP 5: Apply an illuminator in the inner corners of the eyes

The light brown smokey eye STEP 1: Prep skin with a primer and moisturiser. Use a skin appropriate foundation along with a concealer. Finish off with a loose powder to seal in the foundation and concealer STEP 2: Apply a light shimmer eye shadow all over the eye lid in a light brown colour. STEP 3: Use MAC’s Teddy eye pencil cover the entire eyelid followed by a matt brown eye shadow to smoke out the edges STEP 4: Draw a thin black line on the lash line with a black eyeliner and apply lots of mascara STEP 5: Apply an illuminator in the inner corners of the eyes

COMPILED BY: FARAH PALIA MODEL PHOTOS: JEAN-CAUDE BIGUINE SALON AND SPA HELLO! NOVEMBER 2015 105

Hello! Trends

Face Time!

From perfectly coiffed hair to bold eyes, rosy lips and flawless skin, HELLO! follows the latest make-up trends that will make you the cynosure of all eyes... anywhere, anytime!

BEAUTIFUL BRAIDS

106 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

teMperley lonDon

cHanel

Focus on an artfully crafted dramatic eye

Dior

anna sui

asHisH

Marissa Webb

DRAMATIC EYES bibHu MoHapatra

elie saab

nanette lepore

HougHton

Whether cornrow-thin, French plaited or Mohawks; dynamic braids can be both – demure or avant-garde

carolina Herrera

burberry prorsuM

lanvin Hussein cHalayan

MAKE UNDER

roDarte

vera Wang

praDa

Sublimely tinted colours add a flawless shine to pouts

cHloÉ

LIP STAINED

ralpH lauren

Marni

Swap dark swashes of colour for au naturel lips, eyes and cheeks

HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 107

Hello! Trends 1) Sculpting chubby stick, CLINIQUE 2) Double wear glow, ESTÉE LAUDER 3) Shadow photofinish, SMASHBOX 4) Strobe cream, MAC 5) Photoready illuminator, REVLON 6) Illuminating base, CHANEL 7) Radiant highlighter, THE BODY SHOP 8) Pen illuminator, COLORBAR available at www.nykaa.com 9) Strobing brushes, BOBBI BROWN

101

Strobing

1

Meet ‘strobing’ – the anti-contouring beauty craze that is sweeping the globe. HELLO! brings you the crème de la crème must-haves

2

9

3 4

8

5

6

108 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

7

HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 109

Hello! Travel

FROM

THAILAND WITH

Love

Thailand has long been considered one the world’s most romantic destionations. HELLO! shares some truly ‘lovely’ reasons to visit the Asian paradise

P

icture a setting sun, candles lit on the beach, white cotton curtains flail in the wind from a gazebo set only for two. The smell of the sea, the sand beneath your feet, orchids in bloom nearby and food that will make all aphrodisiacs in the world pale in comparison, it doesn’t get more romantic than this! Whether it is a quick getaway you have planned, a honeymoon or popping the big question, Thailand’s pristine backdrops make for some of Asia’s most romantic spots where love blooms without the humdrum of traffic or the blinding lights of neon signs. This is the place to head to if romance is in the air and you want to make an impact on your loved one. While the beaches are ideal getaways, Thailand’s other smaller towns in the hills act as great destinations for couples who want to get away from the throngs of tourists and lounge in luxury with a healthy dose of love thrown in for good measure. If you’d like to visit some exotic islands on your honeymoon

110 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

or romantic getaway, check out Thailand’s south. Once a backpacker’s dream, Koh Samui, in the southeast, is now a haven for honeymooners and couples seeking romance and luxury. The resorts range from nature-based and family-run five star retreats to international luxury hotel brands. The beaches are incredibly beautiful. And the restaurants? You will be surprised at the range of world-class cuisine that is available on Koh Samui. Visit waterfalls, see the Big Buddha, chill out at beach clubs, or stretch out and relax on one of Koh Samui’s tranquil beaches. The pace of your honeymoon or romantic holiday will be completely decided by you and your lover when staying on Koh Samui. Just a 25-minute boat ride away from Samui is Koh Pha Ngan, originally made famous by its hedonistic full moon parties. Although still a Mecca for backpackers, you will find the occasional high-end, boutique

resort on Koh Pha Ngan now, generally pitched at couples and honeymooners looking for a truly quiet Thai island escape. Why not combine a top luxury hotel on Koh Samui with a few nights on Koh Pha Ngan, where you will find the perfect combination of isolation and relaxation? Krabi, Phuket and Phi Phi lie in Thailand’s southwest, next to the Andaman Sea, and attract honeymooners and couples from all over the world, too. These islands are the quintessential Thai island destinations that have appeared in many a brochure over the years and offer great snorkelling and diving options to couples who prefer adventures and discovery on their honeymoon or romantic getaway. Although, if you are a beach-loving couple who just want to chill out and relax, you’ll be equally at home at Krabi, Phuket or Phi Phi. Phuket is one of the country’s largest islands, and it is a hundred destinations in one! Regardless of whether you’re seeking serenity,

indulgence, romance or just the simple pleasures that island life offers, you will find it on a Phuket honeymoon or romantic getaway. If you are the sort of couple who love to club and shop and always need something to do, head to Patong. But be prepared for nonstop action here! Those who are planning a honeymoon or couple’s holiday that has a combination of partying and shopping, but want to retreat to a luxury hideaway when the feeling strikes have plenty of options – there are quite a few up-market locations within 10 or 20 minute drive from happening Patong! Some of Phuket’s regions that are popular with honeymooners and couples seeking romance on their holiday include the chic enclaves of Surin and Kamala. Here you will find beautiful luxury resorts, sweeping bays, beach clubs, restaurants and a vibe that is very international, but equally as chilled. Alternatively, stay at the natureinspired, fully-integrated resort

area of Laguna, where you will find myriad resorts, all connected by courtesy bus (you can charge from any of the restaurants at any of the resorts back to your room if you are holidaying or honeymooning at one of the Laguna Phuket resorts). Laguna even boasts one of the most lovely wedding chapels in all of Asia! Koh Yao Noi, Koh Naga and Koh Raya are ideal island destinations in this region, that let one truly experience the natural beauty of the land without the usual trappings of tourist hubs and big crowds. There are plenty of options for premium and cozy hotels on these exotic islands, letting one make the best use of their natural beauty while being able to stay in the relative lap of luxury. Simmilar beach destionations include Trang, Khao Lak, Koh Lan Ta (near Krabi) and Koh Samet, while Sukhothai is the place you want to head to if you want to experience a bit of Thailand’s rich history, along with temple ruins and giant

Buddha statues that would leave anyone spellbound. For adventure-seeking couples or honeymooners, or just those who prefer a faster pace to their getaways, a dose of adrenaline can be found trekking through the jungles of Thailand’s northern regions of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, or getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the capital, Bangkok. If you ask us, the perfect Thailand honeymoon or romantic holiday includes visiting a few of the country’s gorgeous regions – start in Bangkok, head up to Chiang Mai and then finish with a week of some of the world’s best islands and beaches on one of the more southern Thai islands (or if you are honeymooning you might want to reverse it as you could just want to just hit the beaches ASAP after the hectic lead up to your wedding). Flights are cheap within Thailand, so why are you waiting? Go ahead, start planning your ultimate romantic Thailand holiday or honeymoon! HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 111

Hello! Soirée

SPARKLERS AND MORE AT THE NIRAV MODI AND DABIRI DIWALI LUNCH

IRAV MODI, in association N with Ambika Jain and Divya Kapur of Dabiri, hosted a Diwali lunch at the Lodhi Hotel in New Delhi. Guests at the intimate event were taken through an exclusive showcase of jewellery by NIRAV MODI paired with beautifully designed Indian wear by Dabiri – truly an afternoon that presented a luxe tableau of festive finery. Jeweller extraordinaire, Nirav Modi, believes, “Beauty does not reside in any one place, object or person; inspiration comes from so many sources – nature, art, poetry, architecture – and is sometimes found in the most unexpected of places. NIRAV MODI has launched new lines in the Embrace Collection, featuring new designs of bangles, limited edition styles and for the first time, a selection of rings – for him and her.” At the heart of his inspiration for this collection 112 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

is curiosity and playfulness. Nirav saw this in his daughter as she played with an elastic bangle, enjoying every minute of it. Inspired by this, he decided to recreate this delight in jewellery for the woman of today. The result was the NIRAV MODI Embrace mechanism that allows the jewel to stretch in a gentle, interlocking pattern. Dabiri, derived from poetic Arabic phraseology, symbolises the golden thread that holds the power to weave and create extraordinary works of fashion. Specialising in Indian traditional outfits, Dabiri, fabricates rich, formal, intricately detailed embroideries and also highlights the renowned chikankari from Lucknow. The essence of Dabiri’s creations lies in the innovative cuts and distinctive styles that are coupled with fine embroidery and zardozi work. The event commenced with a

NIRAV MODI’s Embrace Collection, is worn by stunning models garbed in gorgeous ensembles by Dabiri (above)

showcase, where statuesque models presented stunning jewels from the latest Embrace Collection. The jewels from NIRAV MODI, known for their use of minimal metal to promise maximum sparkle, glittered glamorously against Dabiri’s pastel palette. Earrings floated, necklaces caressed and bangles embraced as they were beautifully complemented by the cream-hued and mirror-worked collection from Dabiri. The lovely winter afternoon saw the capital’s jewellery and luxury lovers, including Sara Pilot, Rama Pilot, Bina Ramani, Raakhe Kapoor Tandon, Kavita Singh, Neeva Jain, Shalu Jindal, Meenu Bakshi, Dilshad Sheikh, Surita Tandon, Sheetal Ansal, Neelima Dalmia and Saba Sheikh, enjoy a decadent spread amidst a picturesque setting of the waterfront.

1

6

4

7

5

2

8

3 9 10

1) Ambika Jain and Divya Kapur 2) Aparna Chudasama 3) Shobhana Bhartia 4) Shallu Jindal and Surita Tandon 5) Sara Pilot 6) Sadhana Jain and Neelima Dalmia 7) Pooja Jain 8) Raakhe Kapoor Tandon 9) Meenu Bakshi 10) Saba Sheikh HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 113

Hello! Jewellery

Bauble

Trends HELLO! chats with the top jewellers of the country, for the hottest trends this festive season

Samir Sagar Director, Manubhai Jewellers “Every design, print and technique always completes its life cycle and comes around. Traditional and vintage designs have flooded the retail jewellery market. Jadau jewellery especially, has become the taste of the season amongst brides-to-be. Today’s jewellery designs are inspired by ancient art, but do not emulate it entirely. The most important trend today, is the ability to re-create these royal baubles, using the technique and handiwork of the Mughal era. A piece of jewellery today has intricate craftsmanship and engraving. The center pendant in a gold set would have a traditional look but the remaining portion of the piece would have a more modern and artistic look. Filigree is another addition within the design, lending a contemporary look to the piece. Using geometric designs in sets is another way to create a modern twist. Designers work towards balancing the design; crafting a contemporary piece while maintaining the aesthetics of traditions.”

114 HELLO! dEcEMBER 2015

Rupak Sen Regional Marketing Director, Asia - Gemfields “The latest and biggest trend this season is the Boho Bride look with chunky cocktail rings and exquisite forehead and head jewellery. Hand cuffs with harnesses are picking up with the Boho chic look this season. Also, emerald and ruby statement pieces with delicate work with diamonds and pearls in necklaces and earrings are must-haves for the festive season. To conclude, mismatched earrings and quirky hand accessories are picking up as well.”

Biren Vaidya Managing Director and Creative Soul, The House of Rose “The younger generation is looking at design and brand aspiration, something that makes a statement. People prefer important gemstones and larger sized gems. The trends I’m focusing on are unusual gemstones like tanzanites, Colombian emeralds, Siberian emeralds, tourmalines etc. Colours and their combinations are also an important trend. For example, tanzanite and emerald or emerald and tourmalines.”

Gaurav Khanna, Leshna Shah Founder and Creative Head, AURELLE “Ready-to-wear, versatile and light jewellery is trending in the international fashion scene. Pearls and slice diamonds are being extensively used to create designs. With a team of international designers and the latest technology, each piece created at Aurelle is inimitable and a statement by itself. Our jewellery designs are ideal for any occasion and ensure a stunning fit for a casual lunch or a cocktail party. Having lived in New York, I was exposed to international design aesthetics and sensibilities and recognised the need and the market for chic, ready-to-wear, well-crafted fine jewellery that is similar to the trends in the international scene than the Indian.”

Director, Kanjimull & Sons – Saket “The jewellery trend this year is oversized earrings, rings, brooches, cuffs and neckpieces. Glorious and fluid cuffs of gold chains, dressed with coloured diamonds, sway to the rhythm of what women want. Stack your bangles, necklaces and rings with fiery red rubies, everlasting emeralds, fine blue sapphires and canary diamonds because layering is here to stay this season too. Feminine and oversized hoops and chandelier dangle earrings with fine gemstones add a touch of zing and élan to an ensemble and you can flashback to the 80s with statement collar gem-set neckpieces. Brooches are back with a bang too and a rainbow of gems spanning the spectrum from powdery to super-sizzling, are the rage. An offset to all the fun is an all black palette. Varied shades of black in diamonds, pearls et al, provides bling and sparkle to sombre clothing.”

Shibani Aggarwal Owner, Maharani Jewels “Bold, vibrant, inescapable! The juxtaposition of traditional colours like red and green along with unusually cut diamonds, make this bracelet quite the pièce de résistance!”

Vandana Jagwani Creative Head, Mahesh Notandass Fine Jewellery “This season, the trend is inclined towards delicate pieces such as tennis bracelets, cluster bangles, knuckle rings and palm and ear cuffs, among others. The need is for jewellery to be understated and minimalistic, while emulating fashion and exclusivity. Our latest collection, ‘Belle by Vandana,’ is the perfect example of this trend.”

HELLO! dEcEMBER 2015 115

Hello! Jewellery

Shehzad Zaveri Creative Director, Minawala “Fine jewellery, unlike fashion, is not defined from season to season. It is imperative to cater to patrons with high-on-design and never-beforeseen jewels. Currently, a lot of skinny cuffs, pretty pink-gold jewellery and bridal sets in canary diamonds have dominated the jewellery trend, which is garnering a lot of attention. Versatile necklaces and earrings are the talk of the town, which gives a sophisticated and elegant or minimalist look as and when desired. Precious coloured stones are going to add a lot of glitz and glamour to the style. Statement jewels, vintage-inspired designs and animal motifs have marked their presence in the jewellery category. Jewellery with diamonds set in the bright metal, gold, has won the hearts of jewellery lovers, due to its drop in price.”

Sachin Ved Director, MAIA Fine Jewellery “Relatively light, wearable sets are more sought-after, compared to the typical bridal designs that spend more time in the locker than on the lady. Customers have become much more aware about all aspects of jewellery making, be it design, workmanship or stones. Statement pieces inspired by nature are always a winner. One clear trend that is emerging is an affinity for unique diamonds like fancy colours (pink, canary) and fancy shapes (emerald cut, hearts). This creates an impact even when the design is minimal – less is more!”

Pranay Mehta Managing Director, Thakorlal Hiralal “Statement pieces have always been a hot jewellery trend and more sought-after this season as collectors look for that unique piece to set their collection apart from the others. It could be that ultimate solitaire which was on your wish list, an irreplaceable pair of large emeralds or a rare collection of natural Basra pearls. Statement pieces are a perennial hot trend for collectors.”

116 HELLO! dEcEMBER 2015

Varuna D Jani Adornologist, Varuna D Jani “Jewellery which can go from formal to semi-formal to casual, from the same piece, so that one can get maximum use out of it, is key. Jewellery which is more versatile and can be teamed up with Western as well as Indian outfits and classic jewellery with a hint of glamour.” Biren Vaidya

Mira Gulati Founder and Principal Designer, Mirari “This novel collection is the celebration of modern art amalgamated into classic beauty. The exclusivity of this segment is the mirage we have incorporated in stylising complexity into simple work of art. I was inspired after looking at various Persian masterpieces of how intricately detailed designs they have included in their work. We have tried to work on the similar lines by persevering the chic-look with the variant flavours of architectural designs.”

Varda Goenka, Owner and Designer, Diagold “The latest jewellery trends focus on bigger stones, be it solitaires or coloured gems such as emeralds and rubies. Fancy shaped diamonds like the pear marquis emerald, rule the roost. Tennis bracelets, broad cuffs, chunky rings and statement earrings are a few items that are ‘in.’ Since they are light weight and create subtle statements, connoisseurs are sporting this jewellery with panache. South Sea Baroque pearls in long strands with diamonds have become the talk of the town – they being rare and exquisite. Different shapes like drops, marquee and baguette have been used in three-dimensional settings, which make them eclectic. At the same time, they stand out from monochrome designs and patterns, which are garnering a lot of patrons.”

Balram Garg, Managing Director, PC Jeweller “As one of India’s leading and distinguished jewellers, we are known for contemporary and magnificent jewellery designs and pieces. We oversee the manufacturing, wholesale and retail of 100 per cent Hallmark Gold and Certified Diamond Jewellery. Our ‘Princess Grace’ necklace is the swansong from PCJ’s brimming ethereal collection. It is made from Princess cut, pear-cut and small round cut diamonds. It symbolises the traditional and inordinate era of grandeur embraced by royalty. This one-of-a-kind necklace is an aristocratic charm that augments the inner beauty of the woman who wears it. Beauty no more lies in the eyes of the beholder; it lies in this stunning piece from PCJ.”

HELLO! dEcEMBER 2015 117

Hello! Gourmet

Cracker of a FESTIVE FEAST

Gordon Ramsay’s menu for roast goose with all the trimmings, followed by a seasonal dessert with a twist, is the perfect recipe for a stress-free yet stylish family Christmas

ROAST GOOSE WITH FIVE SPICE AND HONEY “This is the ultimate way to roast a goose – the aromatic five spice powder really lifts the flavour of the rich, gamey meat. Unlike turkey, you want to cook goose to medium rare for the best texture. It’s important to check the bird half an hour before the end of the cooking time, as size, density and fat ratio make a difference. Thereafter, keep checking about every 15 minutes” Serves 6–8 INGREDIENTS • 5.5–6.5kg/12-14lb ovenready goose • 2 oranges, the zest finely grated and the fruit cut into wedges • 2 lemons, the zest finely grated and the fruit cut into wedges • 2 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder • 1 tbsp good-quality sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 4-5 tbsp runny honey, to drizzle 1. Preheat the oven to 220°C, 425°F, Gas 7 and place a deep roasting pan fitted with a rack in the oven to heat. If the goose is trussed, remove the string and gently tug and loosen the legs and wings a little, to help the bird cook more evenly. If it’s not already been done, remove the giblets and trim off any excess fat from the neck and cavity. 2. In a small bowl, mix the orange and lemon zests with the five spice powder, salt and pepper. With a sharp knife, lightly score the skin in a criss-cross pattern, taking care not to cut into the flesh. Rub the seasoning all over the skin and inside the cavity. Put the orange and lemon wedges into the cavity. (You can prepare to this stage a day ahead and refrigerate the goose.) 3. Place the goose breast-side up on the rack in the preheated pan and roast for 15 minutes. Turn down the heat to 170°C, 325°F, Gas 3 and roast for another 30 minutes. 4. Take the pan out of the oven and pour off some of the fat (save to roast the potatoes). Drizzle the honey over the goose then return to the oven and roast for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, basting once or twice until cooked. (If the bird is browning too much, cover loosely with foil.) For medium-rare meat, the flesh should feel firm with a slight spring when lightly pressed; a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh – but not touching a bone – should register 70°C. Remember that the bird will continue to cook in its own heat while it is resting. 5. Remove the goose from the oven and cover loosely with foil. Leave to rest for 30 minutes before carving and serving.

118 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

HONEY-GLAZED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS Serves 6-8 INGREDIENTS • 500g/1lb 2oz parsnips • 500g/1lb 2oz carrots • 2-3 tbsp olive oil • Few fresh thyme sprigs • 1 cinnamon stick, broken in 2 • 3 star anise • Sea salt and freshly ground

black pepper • 1-2 tbsp clear honey • Splash water • Few knobs butter 1. Peel and halve or quarter the parsnips and carrots so the pieces are of a similar size. 2. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan then add the vegetables and toss to coat in the oil. Add the thyme, cinnamon and

star anise. Season then cover and cook over a medium heat for 15-20 minutes, turning the vegetables frequently, until golden brown and almost cooked through. 3. Drizzle over the honey and cook until the vegetables start to caramelise. Deglaze the pan with the water then increase the heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the liquid has evaporated and the carrots and parsnips are cooked through. Stir through a few knobs of butter to glaze. HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 119

Hello! Gourmet ROAST POTATOES WITH CHILLI AND TURMERIC Serves 8-10 INGREDIENTS • 2.5kg/5½lb potatoes, such as Maris Piper • 1½ tsp ground turmeric • Pinch chilli flakes, to taste • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • 4-5 tbsp olive oil (or goose or duck fat) 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, 400°F, Gas 6. Peel and quarter the potatoes then place in a large pan of lightly salted cold water. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 8 minutes. 2. Drain the potatoes in a colander and sprinkle with the turmeric, chilli flakes and some salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss in the colander to coat evenly, then drizzle with a little of the olive oil and toss again. Leave in the colander for 5 minutes. 3. Put the rest of the olive oil in a roasting tray and put in the oven for a few minutes to heat up. Carefully add the potatoes and toss to coat in the oil. Roast for 40-45 minutes, turning a few times, until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper and transfer to a warmed dish to serve.

SPROUTS WITH PANCETTA AND CHESTNUTS Serves 8-10 INGREDIENTS • 1kg/2¼lb Brussels sprouts, outer leaves removed • 1-2 tsp olive oil • 200g/7oz pancetta, cut into lardons • 200g/7oz vacuum-

packed chestnuts • 2 small lemons • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Trim the bases of the sprouts and cut them in half lengthways. Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the sprouts and blanch for 2-3 minutes then drain well. 2. Heat the olive oil in a wide frying

pan and fry the pancetta for a few minutes until golden and crisp. Add the sprouts and cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing occasionally. 3. Roughly chop the chestnuts and add to the pan. Zest the lemons over the sprouts then halve 1 of the lemons and squeeze its juice into the pan. Check the seasoning then transfer to a warmed serving dish.

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH TRUFFLE OIL AND CROUTONS “This is a comforting, creamy soup. As a starter to a Christmas menu, you’ll only need to serve a small portion, but it is also a great warming dish to have on a wintry day” Serves 8 INGREDIENTS • 25g/1oz butter • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 large or 2 medium cauliflowers (about 1.1kg/2½lb), stalks removed and cut into florets • 1 large potato, about 250g/9oz, peeled and roughly chopped • 1 onion, peeled and chopped • 1.2ltr/2pt chicken or vegetable stock • 400ml/14fl oz whole milk • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper •100ml/4fl oz double cream • Truffle-infused oil, to drizzle For the croutons • 2 tbsp olive oil or goose fat 120 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

• 2 slices day-old country-style bread, cut into cubes 1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan then tip in the cauliflower florets, potato and onion. Cover and sweat for about 10 minutes over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened but not coloured. 2. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Add the milk with some seasoning and return to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until all the vegetables are soft. Add the cream and remove from the heat. Purée the soup using a free-standing or hand-held blender until smooth. 3. For the croutons, heat the olive oil or goose fat in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the bread cubes and fry until golden and crisp, turning frequently. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Sprinkle with a little sea salt. 4. Return the soup to a clean pan, check the seasoning and reheat gently. Ladle into warmed bowls, drizzle over a little truffle oil and scatter a few croutons on top. Serve immediately.

MINT CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

“A golden rule for Christmas is to delegate – and my children are always willing to help with any recipe that involves chocolate. Instead of mint, you might like to flavour the truffles with a splash of brandy or grated orange zest and a little Grand Marnier” Makes 80–90 INGREDIENTS • 250ml/9fl oz double cream • 250ml/9fl oz single cream • Small bunch fresh mint • 500g/1lb 2oz goodquality dark chocolate (at least 70 per cent cocoa solids) • 125g/4½oz butter, diced • 125g/4½oz clear honey For the coating • 1 or more of the following: cocoa powder, crushed chocolate flake bars, crushed amaretti

biscuits, finely chopped pistachios or almonds 1. Pour both creams into a medium saucepan. Lightly bash the mint sprigs with a wooden spoon to release their fragrance then add them to the pan. Heat very gently for 5-6 minutes to infuse the cream with the mint. 2. Meanwhile, break up the chocolate and place in a heatproof bowl with the diced butter and clear honey. 3. Strain the hot cream through a sieve onto the chocolate, butter and honey, stirring as you do so. Discard the mint sprigs. Continue to stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. 4. Pour the mixture into a wide, shallow dish, cover and chill in the

fridge for an hour, or until firm. 5. Scatter your chosen coatings on separate plates. Take the truffle mix from the fridge and, using a teaspoon, scoop out a portion and shape into a sphere by quickly rolling it in your hands – do this speedily to avoid the truffle

melting in the warmth of your hands. Toss the truffle in your preferred coating and arrange on a plate. Repeat with the rest. 6. Place the truffles in a shallow plastic container, seal and refrigerate until firm and ready to serve. Eat within 3-4 days.

MULLED WINE

“These are ideal nibbles to serve with drinks. You can vary the nuts as you wish, or use a pack of unsalted ready-mixed ones” Makes A small bowlful INGREDIENTS • 250g/9oz mixed nuts, such as Brazils, almonds, walnuts and pistachios • Pinch sea salt • 1 tbsp groundnut or other neutral-flavoured oil (optional) • ½ tsp cayenne pepper • ½ tsp sweet paprika • Leaves from 1

rosemary sprig 1. Heat a large frying pan, add the nuts and toast gently over a medium heat for a few minutes, shaking the pan constantly to ensure they colour evenly. Once they start to release their natural oils, add the salt and toss well. If you find that the salt isn’t sticking to the nuts, add 1 tbsp oil and toss again. 2. Once the nuts start to colour, add the cayenne pepper, paprika and rosemary leaves. Toss to ensure the nuts are thoroughly coated. Continue to heat, tossing frequently

for a few minutes, until the nuts and spices are aromatic. Do not leave the pan unattended as the nuts can burn very quickly at this stage. 3. Tip the nuts into a wide bowl, sprinkle with a little more salt. If not serving immediately, leave to cool completely and store in an airtight container. 4. When ready to serve, warm the nuts by tossing them in a frying pan over a medium heat or toasting in a preheated oven at 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4 for about 10 minutes.

Season’s eatings

Our recipes are taken from Christmas with Gordon, in which Gordon Ramsay presents his favourite festive recipes. Whether you are looking for crowdpleasing ideas for Christmas entertaining, or fresh ways to cook leftover turkey, ham or Stilton, you’ll find lots of inspiration.

COORDINATED BY SARAH HAMILTON-WALKER

DRY-ROASTED SPICED NUTS

“There’s no better way to welcome friends and family at Christmas than with warming glasses of aromatic mulled wine. My version infuses the wine with traditional and modern flavours. To serve about 4-5 people, pour a bottle of red wine into a large saucepan and place over a gentle heat. Place 7 cardamom pods, 5 cloves, 2 star anise, 1 halved cinnamon stick and 1 snipped lemongrass stalk in a piece of muslin then tie to form a bag. Add to the saucepan with the pared zest of 1 orange and the segmented orange flesh, 1 tbsp demerara sugar and 2 chopped preserved stem ginger pieces with 2 tbsp syrup from the jar. Heat gently for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally – do not allow it to boil. Ladle into cups or glasses.”

HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 121

Hello! SpaceS et amidst Mumbai’s historical locale, S Havana Café & Bar brings Cuba to Colaba. At Havana, you can experiencs

and explore a wide array of all things Cuban… from its décor and aesthetics to its rum and cigars.

HAVANA CAFÉ AND BAR tHE BAy CIty’S FIRSt EVER LAtINAMERICAN LOUNGE BAR AND REStAURANt IS tHE PREFERRED DEStINAtION FOR MUSIC AND MOJItOS

122 HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015

Live the Cuban free spirit... Havana offers a relaxed and spontaneous buzz with its antique leather cub chairs and cushioned couches filling one side of the room and candle lit cafe tables spilling into the courtyard with a central fountain on the other side. The rich culture of Cuba is encountered in the deep pink walls with iconic artworks and retro posters that show a glimpse of the past. Join the authentic Cuban drinking culture... One can experience the incredible Cuban spirit with an extensive drinks menu comprising of more than 150 drinks. As rum originated from Cuba, Havana is a rum lover’s paradise with signature cocktails and prides itself on offering over 18 different rums. Drinking is an experience at Havana... At Havana, the music is the perfect accompaniment to the speak-easy drinking culture; one can dance the night away with some foot-tapping music, which epitomises retro-fusion cool – the perfect accompaniment to a fantastic Daiquiri. Havana Fiesta... Havana whips up a delicious and varied menu of Latin American dishes, including the classic Cubano. Continue to celebrate the revolutionary spirit of Cuba whilst in the heart of Mumbai…

The famed Cubano sandwhich, paired with beers (above). The striking Cuban-inspired interiors (below, left). Walls with iconic artworks and retro posters (below, right)

HELLO! DECEMbEr 2015 123

Hello! Vineyard

Time to un-wine-d

Grover Zampa Vineyards has emerged steadily as one of the leading producers of wine in India

Views of the fabulous vineyard, where some of the best wine in the country is produced (above and bottom). The wine is stored in barrels to mature before being bottled (seen below, left)

A

remarkable combination formed as a result of a merger between Grover Vineyards Ltd and Vallée De Vin Pvt Ltd, Grover Zampa Vineyards boasts the most impressive pedigree in the Indian wine industry today and owns brands that are widely recognised in the Indian wine market. Grover Vineyards was incepted in the late 70s and was the brainchild of Kanwal Grover, who was joined by George Vesselle, the Technical Director of Vineyards of Champagne Mumm at the time. Together, they began the journey of analysing and studying Indian soils and finding a suitable place to grow French Varietals. In 1992, the dream materialised into reality when the First Vintage was born. Since 1995, Michel Rolland has been advising Grover Vineyards for grape growing, harvesting and winemaking techniques. It is also the most awarded wine producer and also leading exporter of fine wines from India. Extracting the collective best from the international grape varietals and Indian terroir at Nandi Hills and Nashik Valley, Grover Zampa exhibits the extraordinary lineage in the Indian wine industry and endeavours to offer top quality wines that cross boundaries. Their twin locations also gives them an opportunity to benefit from the best of India. The natural 124 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

protection of the Nandi Hills and the terraced slopes of Nashik offer fresh climate and fertile soil – which are perfect conditions for vine growing. Maintaining quality all along the winemaking process is a key element. Their grapes are processed in temperature-controlled cellars equipped with modern materials, as well as their own bottling lines. The combination of winemaking techniques, perfect terroir conditions for vine growing and the magical touch of world famous wine expert Michel Rolland bestows a distinguishing style, complex aroma and a delicate flavour to the wines. With Grover Zampa winning 48 grand awards in the last two years, it is proof of their true craftsmanship and unwavering fortitude. One of the most venerable institutions in Paris, L’Arpège is now serving two of the most delectable offerings by Grover Zampa Vineyards, making it the first time for an Indian wine to be served at the 3 Michelin star restaurant. Grover Zampa’s Sauvignon Blanc and La Reserve Red have now become a new addition to the restaurant’s menu and will be served by the glass. As the largest exporter of wines with exports to over 20 countries, Grover Zampa, has carved a place in the world of wines and continues H to deliver art in every bottle.

Hello! PamPering

Grooming Sanctuaries If you take your appearance seriously enough to make a good impression, waltz into the thoroughly enterprising, Worship Salon and Gentlemen’s Tonic in Delhi

The façade of the sleek grooming salons

The spacious interior of Worship Salon and the spa room (below)

L

ocated at the capital’s snazzy Emporio Mall, Worship Salon as well as Gentlemen’s Tonic, is the go-to spot for every man and woman for a variety of pampering and grooming rituals. The salon is the perfect spot for all you fashionistas to get perfectly manicured nails and a blow-dry, while all the dapper chaps can emerge from Gentlemen’s Tonic looking even more suave and irresistible. Taking the typical salon experience to a whole new level, Worship is the celebration of the raw glamour in each woman. Offering a luxurious range of signature styles and personalised treatments, Worship defies uniformity in style and services. Led by best-in-class international stylists, Worship

An interior shot of Gentlemen’s Tonic

salon unfolds a fresh approach to how hair, beauty and lifestyle are understood, with a strong focus on technique. The spa services are some of the best in the city at pampering and making you feel truly relaxed; and their packages are some of the most compelling for those who are looking for proper and deep rejuvenation. Pick from a host of massages, facials, skin treatments, bridal packages and hair and beauty services. Moreover, the salon’s location allows them to work with designer stores in the mall, to customise up-do’s and do make-up for special occasions. Gentlemen’s Tonic is one of the first International grooming establishments exclusively for men to come to Delhi. Founded in the heart of Mayfair, London, Gentlemen’s Tonic at Emporio offers a variety of services such as wet shaves, haircuts, massages and facials – all done in the tradition of the high-end British barbershop, while fusing elements of old with new technology. Moreover, this particular outlet recognises their patron’s need for privacy and so, each station has its own separate room, complete with a personal Bose docking station and HDTV Tata Sky; just to make the experience all the more enjoyable. If you’re wondering what makes this grooming haven the best choice, it’s the fact that the team is led by Creative Director, Rudolph Wilfrid Hequet and Colour Expert, Elham Samiee and furthermore, the entire staff has been trained by experts globally – from London, Dubai and Canada. You can rest assured that you are met by experts here, because no treatment is rendered without a thorough consultation and an in-depth understanding of your needs and skin and hair type. Such attention to detail has been given, that even the infrastructure has been kept in mind to give you the best results. How? Worship Salon has been fitted with both yellow and white lights in order to get as real a perspective on the treatments being rendered. This, teamed with their extensive product ranges (they have carefully sourced the best possible products from across the globe, using Daniel Hersheson’s 100 per cent human hair extensions, braided headbands, brushes, styling tools, clip-in ponytail extensions etc), ensures that the goddess within reflects on the outside once you leave. And with their product lines also including Epicuren, Kérastase, Bio Sculpture, Repechage, and Sea Soul, it definitely entices you to H keep coming back for more! HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 125

LifestyLe Buzz

Haute flash

HELLO! gives you the low-down on what’s making headlines in the fashion and luxury hemisphere FIRST KARL LAGERFELD HOTEL TO OPEN IN MACAU BY 2017 Macau beat the Las Vegas Strip seven-times hollow with its gambling revenue of uS$45 billion in 2013. It’s no wonder then, that designer Karl Lagerfeld couldn’t resist an offer to brand stamp the landscape with his own hotel address. Partnering with established casino operator, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM), Lagerfeld will have his designs across a 270-room namesake property in the gambler’s paradise, all set to open doors by 2017. The luxe hotel will be part of the Lisboa Palace complex, housed in a 20-storey tower that will be reminiscent of all things Lagerfeld, which makes this an interesting check-in, no doubt. How are we so sure that this will bring as much success? This isn’t the first time the chanel and Fendi designer has worked his charm on a luxury space; from the pool at Hotel Métropole Monte-carlo in Monaco to the suites at the Hotel de crillon, Lagerfeld’s proved his interior designing skills already.

DECORATIVE ARTWORKS FROM 1860S AT BONHAMS Luxury auction house, Bonhams, held an auction of some mesmerising decorative arts from the past. It was organised by the 20th century Decorative arts department of the house, which put on sale a rich array of glass, metalware, sculptures and furniture from 1860 till today. The pieces included Les Pins, a wrought iron and alabaster roof light, also known as ‘Plaffonier’ in French, designed by Edgar Brandt; Les Girls, a sculpture cast and carved as show girls wearing Diaghilevinspired skin-tight costumes with accessories, by Demetre chiparus with the main highlight of the showpiece, their heads, which were inspired by Leon Bakst, a russian painter; and Barr, a set of 12 champagne stirrers, designed by French glass designer rené Lalique in 1932, made from frosted and polished glass.

126 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA AND HAVAIANAS jOIN HANDS cHarLoTTE olympia and Havaianas are coming together to present their new capsule of three flipflop styles, alongside a vibrant retro design beach towel. The collection embraces the brand’s signature colour palette of gold, blush, red and leopard print and celebrates charlotte olympia’s much-loved iconic

features; Kitty, ‘Bruce’ the leopard and charlotte’s Web. although the collection will not make an appearance in the Indian subcontinent, it till be available to buy in the Havaianas space, charlotte olympia stores and online and selected retailers worldwide, starting Febuary 2016, following its launch at Milan Fashion Week.

GUCCI COLLABORATES WITH ARTISTS ON AN INSTAGRAM INITIATIVE A vast majority of the fashion flock spends time facedown, immersed in the pictorial world of Instagram. The mix of content is addictive – a selfie of a friend, the latest Gucci shoe, or a photo of an Impressionist painting, are just a sampling of things a girl might find in her daily scroll through the app. It’s not too surprising then, that Instagram is of particular interest to Gucci’s alessandro Michele; the man who manages to blend fictional 17thcentury maps with ’70s trompe l’oeil sequins in a visual feast on the Gucci runway. Inspired by the mix of the old and the new, the familiar and the strange, the house is launching an Instagram initiative in which artists have been invited to rework iconic Gucci patterns in any way they see fit. “#GucciGram is a starting point to tell different stories, which are all united by a great freedom,” said Michele.

“Today, creativity is often born and finds its voice in digital media, a vital source of visual culture,” he added. With Gucci’s floral #GGBlooms and geometric #GGCaleido patterns as a jumping-off point, a slew of Instagrammers, ranging from the internationally popular to the up-and-coming, crafted pieces inspired by the house’s prints. among the submissions, you’ll find everything from short, flickering movies that imagine Gucci models as weather girls and TV psychics, courtesy of Spanish illustrator Ignasi Monreal, to a near-nude selfie in an airplane bathroom with a Gucci clutch hanging from the door by amalia ulman. The full selection of entries will be on display on a new section of the Gucci site, as well as on the brand’s social channels over the coming months.

THE AL THANI COLLECTION ON DISPLAY AT THE V&A

CHRISTIE’S AUCTIONED THE LARGEST PINK DIAMOND cHrISTIE’S International offered the largest cushion-shaped Fancy Vivid Pink diamond at their Magnificent Jewels auction early last month in Geneva. The 16.08 carat, beautiful blush-toned diamond is set in a ring with a double row of pavéset white diamonds. In addition, the ring has a third row of small pink diamonds underneath. The band comprises small circular-cut white diamonds set in platinum. When it comes to natural-coloured diamonds, the pink hue is highly popular across the world and it finds a prime place in the collection of connoisseurs. This particular stone has no undershade of purple or orange and is clear, making it exceedingly rare. additionally, the Fancy Vivid Pink diamond classifies as a Type IIa diamond, which accounts for less than two per cent of all gem diamonds. It has been graded from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and it holds the one in one hundred thousand title of ‘Fancy’ colour. The stone was estimated between uS$23-28 million and sold for a staggering uS$28,523,925.

SPEcTacuLar objects, drawn from a single private collection, will explore the broad themes of tradition and modernity in Indian jewellery till 28 March, 2016 at the Victoria & albert Museum. Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection, includes Mughal jades, a rare jewelled gold finial from the throne of Tipu Sultan and pieces that reveal the dramatic changes

that took place in Indian jewellery design during the early 20th century. The exhibition will examine the influence that India had on European jewellery made by cartier and other leading houses and will conclude with contemporary pieces made by Jar and Bhagat, which are inspired by a creative fusion of Mughal motifs and art Deco ‘Indian’ designs.

SATYA PAUL ANNOUNCES THE DEBUT OF SATYA PAUL HOME In celebration of three opulent decades in the India Fashion Industry, Satya Paul announces yet another milestone to this landmark journey. The House of Satya Paul, for the very first time, forays into the burgeoning home décor and furnishings segment with the launch of its capsule line, SaTya PauL Home. Home is a celebration of some of the most iconic, timeless and eclectic prints that have been a part of the brand’s Dna and heritage. The autumn/Winter 2015 collection is an extension of the brand’s nuances of colour and design, translated into a unique assortment of vibrant, quirky and flamboyant bed throws and cushion covers to take your home from simple to simply divine. With the festive season in tow, the inaugural collection pays homage to the classic leopard and paisley motifs, along with contemporary elements like rose petal prints, colourful brush strokes and colour blocking. The collection is a juxtaposition of classics with a contemporary interpretation of the signature patterns and techniques, reflecting the brand ethos of attention-to-detail and avant-garde designs. H compiled by: farah palia & JeeNa J billimoria HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 127

Hello! Special event

THE KASHMIR POLO CUP eld in association with H HELLO!, The Maharaja Hari Singh Memorial Cup

concluded on a crisp November Sunday afternoon in the capital. It was one of the most coveted and well-attended events on Delhi’s social calendar, with the who’s who in attendance. The finals of the The Cup were hosted by the Kashmir Royal Family, Vikramaditya Singh and his wife, Chitrangada Raje, along with their children, Mriganka and Martand Singh. The haute attendees, which included the

Chief Guest MP and BCCI General Secretary, Anurag Singh Thakur as well as former model, Sangeeta Bijlani, MP Jyotiraditya Scindia and his wife, Priyadarshini Raje, polo players Sameer Suhag and Bhavani Singh Kalvi amongst others, watched the Jindal Panthers team clash with the Mundota Fort and Palace team in a match that was won by the Mundota Fort and Palace. It was a smashing day for player, Angad Kalan, who literally clinched the title for the winning team all by himself !

2 5

1 3

4 128 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

6

9

7

8 11

10

12

1. Martand, Chitrangada, Mriganka and Vikramaditya Singh 2. The match in progress 3. Alkesh and Raakhe Tandon 4. Shallu Jindal 5. Naveen Jindal 6. Jyotiraditya Scindia with Rajiv Wazir 7. Komal Wazir and Madhavi Raje Scindia 8. Sangeeta Bijlani 9. Rimple and Harpreet Narula 10. Anurag Thakur 11. Ruchika Mehta, HELLO! Editor, with Pavan, Tarun and Shiv Kapoor 12. Raseel and Naveen Ansal 13. Neeva Jain and Sanghita Singh 14. Chandni Nath 15. Stuti Dixit 16. Aprajta Kumari 17. Bhavani Kalvi

14

13

15

16

17 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 129

Diary of the Month Fashion Forward WHAT: Christian Louboutin recently hosted a royal soirée with Princess Diya Kumari in Jaipur. The regal Mounbatten Suite at Sujan Raj Mahal Palace was stamped red with Christian Louboutin’s Fall/ Winter collection of shoes and handbags. BUZZ: Exotic flowers, macaroons and music distinctively characterised the Parisian signature style of the brand in a luxurious setting. Royalty from Rajasthan and other guests viewed the Fall/ Winter ‘15 collection up close over afternoon tea and indulged in a special Louboutin manicure that was introduced especially for the afternoon.

Anjali Gaekwar, Gauri Kohli and Sarah Smith

Thakurani Nisha Singh, Kanwarani Pallavi Naila and Kanwarani Devyani Singh

Kanwarani Angelique Singh, Kanwarani Usha Singh, Savitri Kunadi and Kiran Sen

Vijay Lakshmi Bishnoi 130 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

Meera Kataria

Princess Diya Kumari

Manjusha Maheshwari, Thakur Vikram Singh and Raj Kumar Vijit Singh

Diary of the Month

Hafeez Contractor

Deluxe debut

Salman Khan

WHAT: The St. Regis Mumbai, part of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, celebrated its grand opening with a swing and jazz concert, exquisite culinary offerings, an exclusive art tour and its unique ritual of champagne sabering. BUZZ: The elegant evening welcomed a host of influencers and tastemakers from around the world, as well as Pune and Mumbai’s movers and shakers.

Avinash Bhosale with Shweta and Amit Bhosale

Alison Kanuga, Deanne Pandey and Penny Patel

Malavika Sangghvi with Dr Cyrus Poonawalla

Atul and Gayatri Ruia

Ekta Kapoor

Mandira Bedi HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 131

Diary of the Month

Kiran Bawa

Anjori Alagh, Laila Motwane, Twinkle Khanna, Smriti Mehra and Deval Sanghvi

Anu Dewan

Festive Finesse

Bhavna Pandey

Maheep Kapoor

WHAT: The White Window, a home décor store by Twinkle Khanna, showcased a fun day for festive shopping featuring home décor, fashion apparel, gifting essentials and sweet treats at the store in Mumbai. BUZZ: A line of exquisite home accents titled ‘Le Cirque,’ was also unveiled, inspired by vintage circus posters for the festive season, of which guests couldn’t get enough.

Mahesh Jagwani with the ladies adorned with jewels from the ‘Heritage Collection’ by Mahesh Notandass Fine Jewellery

Gayatri Oberoi and Pinky Reddy

Vidya Malvade

Yasmin Karachiwala

Jewels Gallore

Yasmin Morani 132 HELLO! DECEMBER 2015

WHAT: Brand ambassador, Gauri Khan, unveiled the much-awaited and scintillating festive collection at the Mahesh Notandass Fine Jewellery store in Mumbai and was seen in exquisite pieces from the ‘Heritage Collection.’ BUZZ: Owner, Deepa Jagwani and entrepreneur, Kunika Singh, played gracious hosts to select guests. Women of substance and celebrated achievers extended their support by wearing statement pieces by the talented jeweller.

Mahesh and Deepa Jagwani with Brand Ambassador, Gauri Khan

Diary of the Month JewelleD liFe

Kamu Vachani and Simran Shroff

Divina Shroff and Rumana Nazeer

WHAT: Dubai’s Asian fashion set attended luxury style curator’s Simran Shroff and Kamu Vachani’s exclusive presentation of stunning fine jewellery by renowned label, KAJ Fine Jewellery and Delhi’s first luxury multi-designer store, Carma boutique at Emirates Hills. BUZZ: Ladies enjoyed browsing through collections from Carma’s eclectic portfolio of designers that included Sabyasachi and Anamika Khanna.

Antoinette Ellis and Edith Sarrocero

Nikhita Samnani, Karieshma Hira, Samara Punjabi and Aneesa Punjani

Nippa Bhatia and Mala Varma

Charitable CharM WHAT: Designer, Maheka Mirpuri’s, MCan Foundation, hosted the third instalment of its charity gala and fundraiser at The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. MCan, which has been able to raise 70 lakhs from the two previous fundraisers, raised 78 lakhs at this year’s fundraiser. BUZZ: The fundraiser was in aid of the underprivileged patients fighting cancer at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH). While Bollywood superstar, Anil Kapoor, was the Chief Guest for the evening, actor Vivek Oberoi was the showstopper. Maheka Mirpuri with Anil Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi

Rohit and Ronit Roy

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

Manasi Scott HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 133

Horoscope December Sagittarius: Stay away from those who disappointed you in the past. Cancer: You have been through a period of deep self-realisation in the last few years.

Ofer Cohen Aries 21

mar

- 20

Leo 24

apr

You have a lot to expect from the coming year. In the months to come, you will consider making new investments and exploring new career opportunities. If you recently started a business partnership, it is important to be involved in every important decision. As the year ends, you will be surrounded by family and enjoy socialising with old friends. You can improve relationships at home by being more patient and understanding. You often like to do things without sharing it with your partner first.

Taurus 21

apr

- 21

may

This period brings new beginnings and sudden change. It is never easy for you to accept a new reality but rest assured that this time everything is happening for the best. Problems with work colleagues and issues regarding your work schedule will continue to disturb you. If you recently lost your job, you can expect to find another with better earnings and work environment. In your personal life, you choose to stick to those you can trust rather than those whom you feel can’t be trusted. This time you are correct.

Gemini 22

may

- 22

jun

You want to change the current situation of a business partnership or a family property and your horoscope shows that you yourself might need to change things, if you want to make progress. Your financial future is becoming important now – you feel this is the right time to take long-term decisions. You want to change the way you work, but it might take time for plans to materialise. If you recently got married, spend more quality time with your loved one. This will be the best way to deepen your new relationship.

Cancer 23

jun

- 23

jul

This is a good period for work and finance. You seem to be overconfident regarding your ability to succeed and show good leadership; try to be more sensitive to your surrounding however. If you are in the middle of a legal battle, try and offer a compromising solution as it can save money and time. If single, you are ready now to find a good relationship. There are three things that Cancerians need in a relationship in order to be happy – stability, money and family support. Now, you can get all this without much effort. 134 HELLO! DecemBeR 2015

jul

- 23

Sagittarius 23

aug

You can feel that something in your life is about to change. Your career is looking good and will continue to bring good news in 2016. Financially, you are still dealing with high expenses but in the coming months, this won’t be much of a problem as you will have several opportunities to improve your income. In your personal relationship, there is a lot happening. Give your loved one sincere attention and avoid being dominating. You can reach the heart of your special someone only by showing the kind and gentle side of your personality.

Virgo 24

aug

- 23

Libra 24

sep

- 23

Capricorn 22

Scorpio 24

Actress Amanda Seyfried turns 30 on December 3

oct

You will continue to focus on property and finance. Travelling can recharge you and improve relationships with family members. Expenses are still high and you need to find better ways to manage budgets. In your personal life, you are confused and are doubting yourself. Your horoscope shows that your loved one is hiding things from you, which is what is continues to keep you insecure. If you recently started a new relationship, it’s better to not to take any major decisions and just let things happen naturally. oct

- 22

nov

Your career is moving forward although you often feel that things are moving too slow. For many of you, it is not an easy financial period; your horoscope shows that it is only a matter of time before things fall into place. You will be able to reduce growing expenses by changing your list of priorities and avoid taking financial risks. Your personal life has suffered from instability for a long time. It seems as though there is some mystery that needs to be revealed or something that you must discover before taking your relationship to the next level.

- 21

dec

Although the coming months are a challenging period, your career will continue to make positive progress. An opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds can bring success. You are trying to solve a partnership or family problem that is waiting to be solved. Jupiter is on your side this year and you will be lucky in finding a way out of a bad partnership. Stay away from those who disappointed you in the past. A very emotional person whom you rejected early this year, is still hoping to get you but you have already moved on.

sep

The last few months have been focused on work and finance and in the coming months, this trend will continue. Some of you will expand your current business while others will work on new projects. Something in your personal life is about to change. Do not regret making mistakes as the universe has its own way of challenging you emotionally and bring you to maturity. Relationships that suffered from infidelity will not survive unless both of you are willing to forgive and sincerely communicate.

nov

Ofer Cohen, a renowned tarot card reader, was born in Israel, into a family deeply rooted in Kaballah and mysticism. His grandfather was an expert in the secrets of Kaballah, match-making, herbs and their recipes. It was he who predicted that Ofer would carry on his legacy. Ofer divides his time between Mumbai and Tel Aviv. He can be reached at www.ofercohen. info or +919820571003 (mob)

dec

- 20

jan

After a long period of financial worry, you will be able to progress and feel more secure about the future. Those in creative fields will find it easier to progress this year. In your personal life, there might be some confusion regarding someone you recently met. You appreciate honesty and stability; do your best to avoid going back to someone who has disappointed you in the past. If married, being generous and warm to your spouse will help improve the atmosphere at home.

Aquarius 21

jan

- 19

feb

Your financial situation is predicted to improve after a slow period. Your approach to life has greatly changed and you are now ready to face career challenges like never before. The year is about to end and a family vacation by the sea will help you feel recharged and give you and your family quality time to relax. In your personal life, you are in a very emotional period. You will feel tired of adventure and want to be close to your spouse again. Your family and kids will have a lot of impact on your romantic decisions.

Pisces 20

feb

- 20

mar

A short vacation can help you to rejuvenate. It will be wise to consult with professionals before starting a new business venture. Different expectations between you and business partners can end up in a dispute. If so, don’t sit back; you must communicate and express your feelings regarding things that keep disturbing you. Boredom can lead you to do things you never did before; you will find yourself getting attracted to foreigners and people from different backgrounds. Being involved in a secret relationship may lead you to feel guilty and eventually get you into trouble.

Drinks With

Cristiano Ronaldo The hunky footballer and style icon talks family values, heroes and working with the Sacoor Brothers

C

ristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer, captain of Portugal’s football team and has also surpassed the 500 mark for career goals for club and country. But Cristiano’s fame extends far beyond the football pitch as he’s a brand ambassador for major international companies including Nike, Armani and Coca- Cola and also has his own underwear and T-shirt line, CR7. He’s a cover star whose toned physique has graced the cover of countless magazines and his endorsement deals have made him an international superstar. Here, the 30-year-old father to mini-me son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, talks dreams, celebrity and what he considers to be the meaning of life. As a world renowned footballer and father, do you hope that your five-year-old son, Cristiano Jr, will follow in your legendary footsteps? “I must admit that I’d love for him to follow in my footsteps and become a footballer. But that’s his decision, I won’t force him, so only time will tell.” Would you say that you’ve raised your son to have strong family values? “I try, the most important thing for me is his upbringing and installing the family values that I grew up with. His upbringing is the only thing I can control and that’s what I’ve been focusing on as a father. I’ve had a lot of training with my nieces and nephews and if I have more kids, I’d raise them the exact same way.” Do you rely on your family for support? “Of course. Mainly at the beginning of my career, I would often ask them for advice with decision-making. But with time, experience and especially with being a father, I’ve become more independent. To be honest, I never thought that having a child could change everything in my life at an emotional level.” Are there any celebrities you’d like to meet? “Denzel Washington, I like him a lot. I’d also love to meet Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Jodie Foster.” You’re a hero for millions… how would you define a hero? “I associate heroes with people I admire, people in other professions, in other areas. Like film actors,

basketball players, golfers and Formula 1 drivers. For me, a hero isn’t someone whose autograph I want, but a person whose opinion interests me.” You’ve landed several ad campaigns and have won the ‘World’s Sexiest Footballer’ several times... do you consider yourself good looking? “A little. I think we should all be a little vain. I feel like this generation takes a lot more care of itself. As least that’s what I’ve noticed, especially when I look at my own family… my parents, my aunts and uncles. I think this new generation is more careful with image, but not too much so. A little care has never hurt anybody.” Can you tell us about your partnership with the Sacoor Brothers? “It’s a privilege working with them; I love the team and the product speaks for itself. I truly hope that our partnership continues for many years.” You’re known for being a d r e a m e r, do you have any dreams t h a t you still wish to achieve? “It’s true, I’m a man of dreams but I dream with my eyes open which means that I think everything in life is possible. It just depends on what your aims are and how you hope to achieve them. I’m lucky that all of my dreams have come true.” How would you define the meaning of life? “The meaning of life is simple, it’s living as intensely as possible. Leaving my mark on my profession. I think I’ve already done that and I’m going to keep on doing it. At a personal level, it’s being happy, having a decent life and being H a role model.” TEXT: KATE-LYNNE WOLMARANS HELLO! DECEMBER 2015 135