Luxe 21 04 2016 pdf lowres by Partha Pratim Sharma-Portfolio

LUXE Chennai/ 1 Front_Pg User: cci

04-16-2016

14:53 Color: C K Y M

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2016

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Standing out in the crowd

Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire

This year’s Baselworld was somewhat calmer without the usual fanfare, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t any new horological masterpieces that caught our eye

nquire about the impact of smart watches on the Swiss watch industry at Baselworld every year, and you’re bound to leave some people feeling very ticked-off. Luxury watch brands at the biggest and most important watch fair in the world, held at Basel, Switzerland, are no longer interested in chatting about the possibility of building a competitor to Apple watch when the onus of carrying on the legacy of Swiss horology lies on them. This is the forum where most notable Swiss watch brands, including Omega, Rolex, Tag Heuer and others bring in novelties and make some of the most significant announcements of the year. Last year, Tag Heuer’s Connected watch in collaboration with Google and Intel, hogged headlines at Basel for being the first Swiss-smartwatch made by a dominant watch brand. This year, however, there was no such revelation. In fact, the overall atmosphere at Baselworld this year appeared less stimulating than before, and diminishing spectators and a less-than-savoury buzz about apparent poor sales did dampen the mood. However, none of this dissuaded watch brands from bringing forth innovative horological wonders. Here’s our list of the top five watches from Baselworld.

Luxury watch brands are no longer interested in considering the possibility of building a competitor to the Apple watch

HYT Skull Bad Boy HYT’s new watch at Baselworld 2016 is as unusual as the brand, which is known to make watches that do not use traditional ways of telling time. HYT watches use liquid that ﬂows around a reservoir to tell the passing hours. HYT’s newest is the Skull Bad Boy that does not use hands to tell time but uses black liquid instead. The watch looks pretty cool, but what isn’t cool is that it is very difficult to read time on it in the dark because the black liquid that runs around the capillary produces no luminosity. “It was a deliberate decision”, explains Vincent Perriard, CEO of HYT. “There were other solutions which would have made the piece visible at night. But if we wanted to play with the darkness inherent to the Skull Bad Boy, we had to go all the way. Night is part of the world of shadows and darkness. Perfectly in tune with its spirit.” The power reserve indicator sits in the right eye socket, which gets darker as the watch reaches the end of its 65-hour power reserve. The left eye socket houses the seconds disc.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire

CM YK

HYT's Skull Bad Boy

This one might appear like a stage-model for Beyonce’s next concert or even a star trek ship, but it is actually a table watch! MB&F has wisely used luminous work to highlight the ﬁne architecture of the Starﬂeet Machine Black Badger table watch. This complicated looking watch has a rather easy way of telling time. There are two domes that will attract your attention. The biggest dome indicates hours and minutes, while the smaller dome indicates power reserve. MB&F’s glowing little alien ship is not powered by battery. It is a hand wound beauty and a must have, if you’ve managed to save that $34,071 USD for a dream space machine that marks time.

There is a world of difference in the new Ulysse Nardin Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon and any other navy-inspired watch out there. Most marine watches will probably have a ship engraved or enamelled on the dial. What makes Grand Deck sail ahead of other marine watches is that it takes you on a subtle sailing trip while counting minutes on the dial. A closer glance at the watch reveals ﬁne wires that are connected to a sailing-pulley like mechanism. These wires work along with the retrograde or ﬂyback hand that tells time on the blue tainted strip. The Grand Deck is priced at a whopping $280,000. It is still less than the cost of a sail boat!

Even the most selective buyer will be awestruck by the mere sight of this watch. Jacob & Co has encompassed the magic of astronomy capturing stars, planets and the moon, in an ingenious wristwatch ‘Astronomia Sky’. Reading time on this intriguing three-dimensional machinery is like watching a celestial opera from a satellite and each part plays an important role in this opera. Most prominent on the watch are these four objects on their individual axis, surrounding the Earth. The orbital seconds indication, as the name suggests, completes a circle around its axis in 60 seconds and a ‘Gravitational Triple Axis Tourbillon’ follows this indicator. The orange sapphire crystal seen on the dial is a red moon, which also revolves around its axis in one minute. And last is the most useful object — an open dial that shows the hours and minutes passed. There are so many elements in the Astronomia Moon yet none that are just plain ornamental. The globe seen right on top completes a round on its axis in 24 hours inside a tinted half-domed sapphire, symbolising night and day. The next layer of this 3D marvel is a celestial dial, which is a carpet of zodiac signs. This dial rotates a full circle in the same time as the earth orbits the sun with respect to the zodiac signs. The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky will be produced in limited edition of 18 pieces. Jacob & Co. is a New York based Jewellery and Watch Company whose creations are sported by David and Victoria Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo to name a few connoisseurs.

Baselworld 2016.

MB&F Starﬂeet Black Badger

Ulysse Nardin Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon

Jacob & Co’s Astronomia Sky

The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire is a fully transparent watch but that’s not a ﬁrst! If you’re assuming it is easy to achieve absolute transparency with modern technology, try making it durable as well. What Hublot has managed

to achieve with the Unico Sapphire is a transparent sturdiness that comes from sapphire, which is almost as scratch resistant and hard as diamonds. Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire is carved out from big blocks of sapphire to deliver maximum transparent area. Even the dial machinery is made from transparent resin to maintain the sheerness. Only a few pieces including screws are made of metal on this watch.

Ulysse Nardin Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon

SHILPA DHAMIJA is the Editor of LuxuryVolt.com.

MB&F Starﬂeet Black Badger

Jacob & Co's Astronomia Sky

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LUXE Chennai/ 1 Inside_01 User: cci

04-16-2016

14:53 Color: C K Y M

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Fashion tour NYC: Off the luxe path The Garment District in the heart of Midtown Manhattan was the throbbing pulse of the city’s fashion industry. A walking tour through the popular District gives you a backstage ﬂavour of the fashion world.

Tug-of-war Most designers have to battle with social media to ensure their designs are not copied while the fashion week is still on

ifth Avenue Manhattan is the global fashion capital of the world. The glitz is unmistakable; the glamour palpable. But the real backbone of New York’s thriving fashion industry is not in the stylish facades of Fifth Av, but the Garment District off the glamour zone. Here, the biggest designers in the industry have their warehouses and studios, treasured safely in little nooks, with the most unsuspecting frontages. No wonder then, that a fashion tour of NYC is not a walk through the streets of Fifth Av but a historic stroll through Garment District.

TARUN CHAWLA

The shifting focus of fashion weeks

A walk to remember

With constant surveillance on social media by hawk-eyed bloggers and fashion enthusiasts, fashion weeks are becoming irrelevant in the couture world

ashion weeks are becoming less about the excitement surrounding the unveiling of the season’s new collection and more about the people who have come to witness it. It is hijacked by those who come to bask in its glow — to be seen on the front row or in the VIP Lounge, and to network with fellow fashion fraternity folks. The weeks appear a scam these days ; a sophisticated version of the emperor’s new clothes, where you wait in anticipation for some pageantry and nod along with the ﬁrst ‘expert’. This situation begs the question whether fashion weeks are still relevant, or have they become a victim of their own superﬁciality.

Style over substance “ No fashion week existed 20 years back. At the most, designers could participate in trunk shows; they could carry their product abroad and sell only what was available with them. There was no systematic way in which designers could show their collections. The whole process started in India when the Fashion and Design Council of India (FDCI) and its members decided to create a platform,” says Sunil Sethi, present chairman of the FDCI. Like any other trade fair, a fashion week is supposed to be a B2B event that ﬁlls the gap between makers and retailers. Currently, it seems as though the spectacle has taken over the story when it comes to fashion weeks. Journalists covering the beat don’t need to attend a show often; we can accurately gauge what the collection is going to be based on the press releases sent to us, before the show has taken place. The paucity of original thought has affected the way curators work as well. “Most designers we buy from don’t even feel the need for a show at these events. They call us, we do a preview and make a selection from that,” says Cecilia Parikh of Le Mill, one of the deﬁnitive curated fashion and lifestyle stores in the country. Brands like Burberry and Tom Ford have adjusted their shows to match the retail calendar, so that their goods will be available immediately after the showcase. With social media showing us the whole cycle from when something is being made till it is showcased, the product gets dated by the time it is available in stores. “Not only dated, it is also copied, even before it has had the time to come in to my own stores!” rues Tarun Tahiliani, one of the leading fashion designers of this country. In the end, it is the design that loses out. “If everyone has it, no one wants it and if everyone has a copy, you want it even less.” So in line with the international trend they have “already made the switch”. Tahiliani’s standalone store displays their Spring/ Summer collection at the store in February, but “you can’t expect the same sort of press coverage” as international brands.

A new relevance A lot of the focus has shifted from the buyer to the press. Aakanksha Jain, fashion editor at L’officiel India, believes this may not necessarily be a negative thing. “It is not only a fashion event. It’s a media event, a lifestyle event. Be it Amazon, Lakme or the many other showcases, you have everything from restaurants to a photo exhibit, make-up artists and models. There are more stakes involved than just those of the designer.” CM YK

Selﬁe time Fashion weeks have become an important place to be seen at for socialites

Burberry or Tom Ford have their own retail stores and are not dependent on the shows. A young designer does not have the luxury of opening standalone stores. This is where fashion weeks will ﬁnd new relevance.

TARUN CHAWLA

The presence of 24/7 media attention has democratised a business that was reserved for the elite. Now with a live broadcast via Periscope, and other apps, everyone has access. Social media has created an entirely new breed of inﬂuencers. Even buyers keep a keen watch on the social media pages of designers. Models are chosen on the basis of their social media popularity. If the show format must evolve, Parikh believes, “what is more interesting is the exciting events like Chanel going to Cuba for a show, or to Beijing (the Metiers d’Art shows). What we might see happening is that these fashion shows will cater to an audience that is not limited to the ones watching it in real time, but also those who are logged onto the digital world.” Tahiliani concurs “Rohit Bal, Sabyasachi, Anamika or I, none of us have done solo shows at the recent shows. The real growth will come from your own store because it speaks your design language”. Even Parikh believes that for a designer it becomes more important to be part of a designer showroom, to be discovered easily by retailers. Burberry or Tom Ford have their own retail stores and are not dependant on the shows. A young designer does not have the luxury of opening standalone stores. This is where fashion weeks will ﬁnd new relevance, not only resting on the heels of the old guard but, in fact, championing the new. Earlier, even prêt-a porter was being done by couture houses but now as designers evolve, so has the format of the fashion show as people recognise it. There is a separate couture week now which has made room for RTW (ready-to-wear collection) designers in the seasonal fashion weeks. They need the logistics, the branding and the infrastructure; this is where the institutional structures come in. What a fashion week does best now is act as the best branding exercise for your label and as Sethi says, “If a fashion week can do that, more power to it.”

I have strolled through the streets of Midtown Manhattan a zillion times but when I joined Michael Kaback’s Garment District tour, I saw things that I never noticed before. And so did the 20-odd others who gathered on a freezing winter morning for a slice of The Big Apple’s fashion story. The starting point of the tour was an obvious choice — the large needle threading a button sculpture is striking and makes for an ideal information kiosk for fashion buffs who want to know more about the bustling District. Right behind is the poignant statue of The Garment Worker by Judith Weller, working tirelessly on his sewing machine. All along the road is the Fashion Walk of Fame. A plaque for the who’s who of New York’s fashion people who have, through the decades, contributed to its style quotient. Kaback is a passionate guide whose association with the fashion industry is more personal than professional. His grandmother was one of the many thousands of immigrants from Eastern Europe who came to Manhattan looking for a livelihood. Their expertise in sewing made them ideal for the fashion industry and What you need to they soon became its pillar. As we know about the Garment District walked through the streets and The fashion hub is less building lobbies with historic that one square mile between 5th and 9th photographs of the garment Avenue from 34th to industry, Kaback regaled us with 42nd streets of Manhattan. anecdotes about everything from No other city is said to immigrant laws to real estate have a such a talented neighbourhood for issues, spotting fashionistas and fashion business. Its origin exciting new trends. and popularity dates back to the early 20th century. While New York rose as America’s fashion centre, the Garment District was its backbone. Cheap labour overseas has changed the face of the once thriving District. The city as well as fashion enthusiasts are doing their best to bring the glory and business back to the District with campaigns and tourism promotions. The walking tour is just one of them.

Up close with fashion

To give us a behind-the-scene glimpse, we were ushered into tiny elevators to the factory of Grinnell Designs who make costume jewellery and fashion accessories for big brands like Tommy Hilﬁger. What women in the tour loved the most was the jewellery room that was dotted with exclusive pieces at wholesale rate. We made a beeline to pocket the Tahitian pearl beauties. A tour through the Garment District was like reliving Manhattan’s fashion history. Save the Garment Center Campaign gets a thumbs up from me. ANUSHYA RAJAGOPALAN MAMTORA is a US-based writer and blogger

SHIGORIKA SINGH is a Delhi-based fashion writer

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LUXE Chennai/ 1 Inside_02 User: cci

04-16-2016

14:53 Color: C K Y M

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2016

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SCENT

Scent of the summer A mix of new and classic fragrances to help the fashionable man beat the heat

he turn of the season is at hand and it’s that time of the year when you are ready for all things summer. Just as your attire sees a whole new change, so must the fragrance that you choose. The ideal summer perfumes bring with them a welcoming freshness and light, sweet scent that lift the spirit and the mood. From the many masculine summer scents available today we’ve handpicked the ﬁnest perfumes to make it easier for you to pick what you’ll be wearing this summer.

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Forte The perfume collection from Tom Ford hosts 58 fragrances, each with a distinct and unique personality. The Neroli Portofino Forte fragrance captures the mysticism of Italian woods. The opening of this fragrance greets you with notes of citrus, bergamot and blood orange blended with lavender, and a dash of basil added to the mix for freshness. As you immerse yourself into its full-bodied smells, notice the strains of bitter orange tree and orange flower. The undertone of the scent hints at coastal wood, oakmoss and suede. The bottle that carries the perfume is deep aqua blue glass with the name inscribed in gold.

YSL La Nuit De L'Homme L'Intense Introduced in 2015, this cologne for men has made its mark as an Oriental fragrance. Bringing in a blend of rich and sexy in the mix of oriental elements makes for a fragrance that resonates with the wearer’s charm. A perfect pick for the fashionable male to sport everyday the YSL La Nuit De L'Homme L'Intense offers tones of iris, vanilla, tonka bean, patchouli, violet and sage leaf. The scent comes in the consistent cylindrical container bottle that is crowned with the hexagonal lid that puts a metallic black ﬁnish to the package.

Bvlgari Man in Black — All Blacks Limited Edition The All Blacks Limited Edition still reﬂects the impact made by the original Man In Black from Bvlgari. This tribute to the New Zealand rugby team offers a higher concentration and potency with raw ingredients. Ideal for the sophisticated man, the scent carries a heavy leather fragrance that characterises the full-bodied fragrance of masculinity. Blending together the combination of spicy tobacco and rum, the perfume precedes its wearer’s attributes of conﬁdence and masculinity. The fragrance trails off with a sweeter tone leaving a refreshing, yet lasting memory of the wearer and his personality.

Tom Ford Neroli Portoﬁno Forte Eau De Parfum, ₹20,500 for 100 ml

La Nuit De L’Homme L’Intense Eau De Parfum, ₹6,500 for 100 ml.

Bvlgari Man in Black — All Blacks Limited Edition Eau De Parfum, ₹7,500 for 100 ml

CM YK

Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto The ambassador of Italian perfumery to the world, Acqua di Parma’s fragrances have their distinct set of fans . The Blue Mediterraneo cologne brings with it the hints of a summer breeze and sunshine, drenching you in a splash of freshness that gracefully fades away. It touches the senses with a notable presence of pepper and bergamot and the underlying layer of cypress greens. This spicy tinge is followed by a sweet trail. While it does have some unisex potential, the Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto is masculine through and through. The middle notes of cedar and ﬂowers add a sweetened scent amid the bergamot and musk. Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto Di Calabria Eau de Toilette, ₹6,,800 for 75 ml.

Penhaligon’s Blasted Heath Those who have tried fragrances of Penhaligon’s are testimony to the perfumer’s unfailing exquisiteness. Their new summer fragrance is especially developed by Alberto Morias and is rightfully labelled as Blasted Heath. True to its name, this perfume entices the senses with a blast of freshness. This summer whiff is inspired by wild aquatic tinges surrounded by salty seaweed dashes of an oceanic spray. It resonates with the woodiness of clearwood, blended in well with the scent of tobacco and whisky. Blasted Heath is a great wear for a coastal holiday when you’ve got your sunshades on and the sand between your toes. Penhaligons Blasted Heath Eau De Parfum, ₹11,500 for 100 ml.

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LUXE Chennai/ 1 Inside_03 User: cci

04-16-2016

14:53 Color: C K Y M

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Vintage vogue Pearls, once a vintage novelty, have made a fashionable return to favour

SHUTTERSTOCK

50 shades of Pearl Pearls have made quite a comeback from retro-chic thanks to experimental jewellers

Colourscape Earlier, the whiter and rounder the pearl would be, the higher it would be valued, but that is not the valuation criteria anymore. With a whole new range of colours now available in the market from cream to gold to chocolate and from grey to black, pearls are also found with pink, blue and green hues. The Fire and Ice collection by Ganjam, for example, uses various shades of Tahitian pearls and incorporates them into contemporary jewellery. “When it comes to latest jewellery trends, the popularity of pearls has escalated to a whole new level. Pearls have always, and still continue to appeal to customers who have a penchant for delicate and meticulous ﬁne jewellery. The ‘Fire and Ice’ collection from Ganjam is delicate in its make. With pearls from the Tahitian Seas being the focus of this collection, they feature a subtle softness and femininity that adds to the whole look and feel of it”, says Juhee S Bolakhe, assistant design manager at Ganjam. Irregularly shaped pearls, also known as baroque pearls, are also hugely in demand and it is their misshapen nature that inspires creativity in designers. The gleaming pair of earrings by Aurelle jewellery with multi-coloured baroque pearls are unique and rare. Even the designer Leshna Shah cannot replicate the same pair ever again as no two baroque pearls are identical. The contemporary ring from The House of Rose has also been designed around a baroque South Sea pearl and accented with brilliant-cut diamonds, set in 18K White Gold.

Vibgyor love Fire and Ice collection by The House of Rose

ou can’t be blamed for assuming that pearls are for mothers, or even grandmothers. There is something very retro and vintage about these organic gemstones, but thanks to some new generation jewellers, you will ﬁnd yourself falling in love with them all over again. Pearls are perhaps the most famous gemstones that are produced by living organisms – oysters. Mostly viewed as traditional ornaments, they are often worn as single or double-strand necklaces with pearl studs or single drop earrings in white or cream shades. Rooted strongly in the history of jewellery, they were meant for the elite, and signiﬁed purity and being ‘classy’. But, the recent revolution of pearl jewellery has been the fastest and the most avant garde in the last decade. With technological innovation in pearl farming, pearls are now available in a variety of appealing colours, shapes, sizes and price tags, giving an opportunity to jewellery designers globally to experiment with this wonderful gemstone. CM YK

Earlier, the whiter and rounder the pearl would be, the higher it would be valued, but that is not the valuation criteria anymore

The organic gem Pendant from the Fire and Ice collection by Ganjam

New appeal With the changing culture of pearls, even traditional Indian jewellery is seeing revolutionary transformations. The House of Rose is famous among jewellery lovers for their modern avatars of India-inspired bling. The classic allure of pearls plays an important role in them. Their delicate pearl tassel and pearl string necklaces interspersed with diamond, gemstone studded beads and motifs make unique necklaces. “The millennials are different from the previous generation. For them, it’s all about an experience. And with today’s digital revolution, they can gain a lot of information and thus understand value of pearls as well as their varieties such as natural salt water pearls, fresh water pearls from China, Keshi pearls, Akoya pearls offered by Mikimoto, Tahitian pearls and the Conch pearls from the Caribbean, which are the rarest and the most expensive pearls in the world. Thus, when adorned, pearls become a part of the wearer’s beauty and enhance one’s complexion. Pearl has always stood for understated class and elegance, and

Shape shifters Baroque pearl and diamonds studded ring from The House of Rose

Gem love Pearl, diamond, emerald and blue sapphire necklace

its opacity attracts attention, as it does not reﬂect light like other gemstones. For people who do not appreciate overstated opulence, pearls offer a chance to stand out,” adds Biren Vaidya, MD and creative head behind The House of Rose. Today, pearls signify a contemporary and cutting edge fashion; they have re-invented the classic appeal and added subtle elegance. Next time you see pearl jewellery, don’t think it’s only meant for you mom. Go ahead and pair it with that summer dress or a gorgeous sari and watch heads turn! PREETA AGARWAL is a Delhi-based writer and photographer

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LUXE Chennai/ 1 Inside_04 User: cci

04-16-2016

14:53 Color: C K Y M

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2016

RPM

Head turner The third generation Audi TT coupe

Tech meets curves The third generation Audi TT ticks all the right boxes

‘R

adical and head turning’ was the general consensus of auto critics when it came to describing the Audi TT as it made its debut in ’98. About two decades later, we now have the third generation of the TT which has grown sharper, faster, lighter and sexier than its predecessors. Driving around Mumbai it did make heads turn but it was at night that the Matrix headlamps and the dynamic blinkers stole the show. Underneath the striking curves and lines is a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine which delivers 230 bhp. Although the numbers may not sound impressive, just press the throttle on an empty stretch and you will beg to differ. The speedometer touches 100 km/hr in a little over ﬁve seconds, and that is just the start. From 140 to 160 to 170 km/hr the speedometer effortlessly keeps climbing but it is the curved roads that you will crave. With Quattro all-wheel drive as standard, the coupe delivers excellent grip and lets you zip in and out of the tightest corners, with a big smile on your face. The TT comes with a six speed S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox which is lightning fast and so smooth that you won’t even realise kickdowns. The exhaust does not pop and crackle like the big boys but put the car in dynamic mode and rapid accelerations will give out a satisfying growl. Everything is perfect except for the steering which lacks meaningful feedback. Step inside and the ﬁrst thing you realise is that the pop-out or the centre information display has made way for the ‘virtual cockpit’. Everything that requires a display is handled by a high-resolution screen in front of the driver. The digital tacho and speedometer shrink in size to make way for the navigation, media, telephone, and vehicle settings. The passenger can use the central MMI knob and other buttons but can’t see the screen. Once used to it, the driver can effortlessly control the MMI using steering buttons and rollers or voice activation. Replacing the centre infotainment screen are the AC vents and they are just gorgeous. The AC controls are nested in the vents itself, in the centre of the vents is an OLED display. Turning and CM YK

Extremely driver focussed, the TT’s interior is minimalistic yet luxurious. The TT is a pure two-seater, the rear seats are best left for small children or a shopping bag or two.

Tech Specs ......................................................... Engine 1984 CC turbocharged petrol Power 230 HP, 370 Nm torque at 1600-4300 RPM Transmission Six speed dual clutch automatic Efficiency City – 6.5 kmpl, highway - 9 kmpl Safety Six airbags, ABS, ESC Price 78 lakh (ex-Mumbai)

Up close The Audi TT’s virtual cockpit ABDRUCK FUER PRESSEZWECKE HONORARFREI

Cockpit treasures The plush interiors of Audi TT

BDRUCK FUER PRESSEZWECKE HONORARFREI

pushing individual vents lets you control the temperature, air-ﬂow and modes. Extremely driver focussed, the TT’s interior is minimalistic yet luxurious; audiophiles do note that Bang and Olufsen sound is standard. The TT is a pure two-seater, the rear seats are best left for small children or a shopping bag or two. The new Audi TT ticks all the right boxes that car afficio-

nados need with its striking looks, chic interiors, effortless handling, satisfying performance, a lot of impressive technology at its disposal and most importantly a sub one-crore price tag (₹78 lakh — ex Mumbai ) that is going to appeal to many. DHIRAM SHAH is the Mumbai-based founder of Luxurylaunches.com

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LUXE Chennai/ 1 Inside_05 User: cci

04-16-2016

14:53 Color: C K Y M

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Happy as a baby Kids collection from German luxury tableware maker Villeroy & Boch

Of silver spoons and Gucci booties The only thing cuter than a Dior bag, is probably a Dior baby bag. Here’s how indulgent and brand-savvy parents are teaching their tiny-tots the ways of luxury

ia Mittal in Delhi boasts some of the top luxury brands in her wardrobe. Dior, Versace and Burberry, all find pride of place in her beautiful Belgian cupboard. While Sia’s mother has an equally enviable collection, there is one significant difference between the two — Sia is just a one-year-old. If you believe luxury was only for adults, think again. From Baby Dior dresses to Gucci booties, from Burberry coats to Armani Junior shirts and Young Versace pants, couture brands are ensuring they create enough options to dress up your little one. In fact, nothing is too much for the tiny tots born with the proverbial silver spoon. At Les Petits, a multi-brand children store at Delhi’s DLF Emporio — the Mecca for luxury shoppers in India — you can buy a Young Versace romper and bib set for your new born for ₹14,000 and a Fendi pram for a little over ₹1 lakh. And since your ‘princess’ will need something extra-special for her first birthday, how about a Baby Dior dress for around ₹45,000? “Parents are a lot more aware now. Since they themselves consume luxury, purchasing luxury items for their kids is just natural progression. It’s an extension of their lifestyle,” says Sudeep Chhabra, business head of Unique Eye Luxury, which owns the franchisee rights for Armani Junior. The brand opened its first store at DLF Emporio in 2012 and another store in Mumbai is on the cards. The store stocks clothes and accessories for children from the age of three months to 16 years. Prices vary from between ₹6,500 for a t-shirt to ₹15,000-18,000 for baby comforters and blankets. Romper sets are between ₹12,000-15,000.

Little kids, big business Globally, the luxury kidswear market is big business. While the market for children’s wear is pegged at $155 billion, the luxury baby and kidswear market is projected to be around $10-11 billion. Little wonder then that nearly all the big luxury houses have launched a kids range as an extension of their brand. While Dior and Ralph Lauren were early movers having launched Baby Dior in 1967 and Ralph Lauren children wear in 1978, respectively, it was only in the 2000s that other fashion designers decided to expand their reach. Little Marc Jacobs launched in 2005; Stella McCartney Kids in 2010; Lanvin, Marni, Gucci and Fendi Kids all arrived in 2011. Oscar de la Renta launched its range in 2012. Of all the brands, Burberry which launched its kids’ collection in the mid-1990s has been a big player in the market. In 2011-12, £66 million of its total revenue came from children’s wear. This increased to £79 million by 2013-14 — almost four per cent of the company’s total revenue. In India, Burberry’s children’s wear range is available only at its store in Delhi. You can buy dresses for girls in the four-14 year-old category for between ₹15,000-20,000. Tshirts for 3-year-old boys with the famous Burberry check collar costs around ₹6,000 while pants are for around CM YK

While the market for children's wear is pegged at $155 billion, the luxury baby and kidswear market is projected to be around $10-11 billion.

₹8,000. However, if you wish to buy the famous Burberry trench coats available in the four-14 year age group, you will have to make a trip abroad as they are not available in Indian stores. Gucci’s kids range is also available only at their store in Delhi. Pick up a pair of Gucci booties for ₹16,000 or a romper set comprising a romper, a bib and a cap for ₹18,000 for infants. A young girl’s Gucci dress will set you back by ₹18,000-20,000. In case of both Burberry and Gucci you can walk into their stores in other cities and if you like something from the Delhi store it will be brought for you. Brands such as Ralph Lauren are available online on multi-brand luxury websites such as Elitify. Order a dress with matching bloomers for your three month to twoyear-old daughter for ₹9,000 and have it delivered home. It’s not just clothes and accessories that are available for your little ones but even crockery. German luxury tableware maker Villeroy & Boch has a kids collection available at its stores in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. You can buy plates, mugs and cereal bowls, all made of hard paste porcelain decorated using lithography techniques. The collection has animals such as little bears, lions, monkeys, etc. in bright colours. Purchase a mug for ₹2,500 or a seven-piece baby set comprising two plates, a mug and cutlery for ₹9,900. And what happens when your little one drops the plate and it breaks? Villeroy & Boch will replace it free of cost for the ﬁrst two years.

Why should kids have all the fun For brand conscious and luxury consuming moms, an essential item is the diaper bag. Gone are the days when new moms carried cloth, plastic or faux leather bags with cheesy animal or cartoon prints. The new ‘with it’ moms have a range of diaper bags from nearly all the top luxury brands to choose from. “Diaper bags are one of the hottest

Designer baby Onesies from Armani

“Since they themselves consume luxury, purchasing luxury items for their kids is just a natural progression. It’s an extension of their lifestyle.”

selling items,” says Chhabra. At the Armani Junior store they are priced between ₹25,000-30,000. And they are in demand not only in the metros but also in smaller towns. Chhabra narrates the story of how a young mom-to-be called him from Kanpur and asked him to WhatsApp pictures of the diaper bags that he had in stock. She purchased one for ₹25,000 by transferring money to the store’s bank account and Chhabra couriered it to her. At Burberry’s Delhi store, diaper bags are priced at ₹97,000. Gucci diaper bags are available at its Delhi store for ₹78,000-80,000. And if you are not pleased with the collection in India, you can always order it online, just like Coimbatore-based Shalini Balaji who ordered a diaper bag on the Burberry website for ₹68,000 and got it shipped to a cousin in the US who brought it with him when he came to visit.

Luxury holidays There was a time when kids were the least wanted guests at hotels, and the staff would raise their eyebrows at those who made a ruckus. Well, not any more. Hoteliers have also realised that happy kids make happy guests, and that’s why high-end hotels are adding all kinds of children’s activities and amenities. At the Ritz Carlton in Berlin your kids can whizz around the lobby in a mini Mercedes Benz, at the St Regis Resorts and Hotels they are spoilt with surprises throughout their stay, Le Meridien Hotels have tied up with Lego and at check-in, each child gets a free Lego set. Even hotels in India have a variety of activities for kids and child-speciﬁc menus to make your and your little ones’ stay as comfortable as possible. While they may have had to grow up to experience real luxury, today’s parents are making sure that their kids are born with it. SMITA SINGH is a freelance writer

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04-16-2016

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THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2016

SAUNTER

A city within the City of Lights Beyond the landmarks and famous tourist spots, Marais is a piece of Paris tucked away for quiet discoveries

Cityscape At the heart of Le Marais is the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris SHUTTERSTOCK

Sights and tastes

n 2003, when I ﬁrst came to Paris, the one place I wanted to visit was Montmartre. Primed with visions of penniless painters and Moulin Rouge, tiny vineyards and Amelie, it was the one area that represented the City of Lights. Skip forward to 2015, when I moved bag and baggage to Paris and the only place on my agenda was the Marais. I had no movie references, and there was no nostalgia for the glory of things past. What drew me to the Marais was that it was Paris now — a place chock-a-block with cafes, boutiques, museums and galleries — but within a Paris older than that of Baron Haussmann’s broad avenues and tree lined streets.

Historically, the Marais was a swamp, now, its one of the few areas that still serves up a picture of the higgledy-piggledy old Paris

Finding hipsters and history Le Marais comprises the third and fourth arrondissements or districts of Paris. That puts it a hop, skip and jump from the historic heart, the ﬁrst arrondissment with the Louvre, the Ile Saint-Louis and the Notre Dame. Historically, the Marais was a swamp, now, it’s one of the few areas that still serves up a picture of the higgledy-piggledy old Paris, with narrow streets (full of pedestrians), gabled houses and hôtel particuliers or town houses of the French nobles dating back to the 14th century, as well as the oldest planned square. In 1965, after centuries of neglect, it became a protected area. And around half a dozen years ago, it started to come into fashion. Now it has everything from famous vintage shops to hipster cafés, designer boutiques as well as Jewish bakeries and many falafel restaurants that dot its map. At its heart is the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, and the city’s prettiest garden, bounded on four sides by warm brick buildings, whose arched colonnades house art galleries and restaurants. Inside the square, you can sit on the grass (which you can’t at the Jardin des Tuileries) or walk across the road to Carette, for its famous afternoon tea; there’s nothing like the presence of good food on demand to add to the appreciation of nature. To one corner is the Hotel de Sully with a gem of a

Savour a sip Marais has no shortage of places to eat: throw a stone and you’ll hit a restaurant, café or boulangerie NISHAT FATIMA garden and bookstore that puts the pleasure in browsing. In the 19th century the Marais became the Jewish area and there’s still a strong presence centred around rue des Rosiers, where three falafel restaurants attract queues and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with kosher Jewish bakeries such as the Boulangerie Patisserie Murciano selling apfelstrudel and challa. Eating falafel is an event here, and on Sundays, it’s best done at the Jardin des Rosiers, another secret little garden just off from the falafel hubs.

For shopping, rue des Francs Bourgeois is lined with pretty boutiques and branded stores. Rue de la Verrerrie is home to Free*p*star, one of the city’s best vintage stores. Next door is something to make every Indians’ heart sing — a kilo shop, where €30 will get you a kilo of clothes. There is no shortage of museums either. Centre Georges Pompidou (all pipes on the outside and one of the best views from its restaurant Georges), Musée Picasso, Musée des Arts et Metiers (with Foucault’s Pendulum and a bat plane!) Maison Européenne de Photographie, the place for the best photography exhibitions. The quirkiest is the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, a museum devoted to hunting and nature, where even the staircase iron work is wrought in the shape of animals. Art is serious business here and some great galleries abound: On Rue Debelleyme there is Galerie Karsten Greve and next door Gallerie Thaddaeus Ropac; on Rue de Turenne is Galerie Perrotin showing artists such as Terry Richardson and JR, and Polka Galerie on rue Saint-Gilles. Of course, no experience is complete without the accompaniment of good food, and the Marais has no shortage of choice. At Breizh café, you can sit at a community table and eat gourmet crêpes, at L’Improbable, you’re in a covered courtyard overrun by plants with a food truck parked in the centre, with vintage rocking chairs and organic food served on recycled plates. Café Pinson serves vegetarian food that makes you forget it’s vegetarian and Chez Julian dishes out some high French cuisine. But most often I ﬁnd myself at Cafeotheque, Paris’s best coffee shop. And after months of walking towards it and around it, I stumbled upon a whole new area in the Marais. A little village, just around the corner. Village SaintPaul is a little pedestrian enclosure full of designers and antique dealers, bordered on one side by a wall with towers that date back to the 11th century when it enclosed the whole of Paris. It’s things like this that make the Marais special — you discover something new each time you visit. NISHAT FATIMA is a photographer and journalist currently based in Paris. She is also the author of Seriously, Sitara?

A quick taste of Kyoto tions around the river include the Suiran and the Hoshinoya, considered a popular lodging option for tourists. Also, blending in the local flavour with its global appeal, is the Hyatt Regency Kyoto that boasts of an expansive garden on its premises. Freshen up and make your way to the Fushimi Inari Shrine that resembles a beautiful autumn day with orange walled walkways up the slopes that culminate with statues of foxes representing prosperity in business. (That’s where the orange comes from.) Given that Kyoto is called the city of 10,000 shrines, you can drop into another one — the Tofuku-ji Temple, which is one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto. It is truly a sight to behold as it contains 24 sub-temples within the temple structure. The Sanmon Gate inside the premises dates back to 1425. Not too far away is the Kyoto Station, where you can either catch a train ride in the bustling railway line or simply take in the sights and sounds of a normal day in Kyoto. Before it’s too late, make your way to Kiyomizu-Dera, a Buddhist temple that dates back to AD 798, whose construction didn’t involve the use of nails in most sections. If you’re hankering for a bite after all this walking, the Mizuki at the Ritz-Carlton, is a fantastic place to retire for dinner. Their serving of the Kaiseki is based on the five flavours, five colours and five cooking methods that are celebrated in Japanese tradition. The options for a delicious meal in Kyoto are endless — for a Michelin-star experience then it’s Gion Nanba, and for a great time head to the Giro Giro, a modern kaiseki restaurant. If you want a taste of Kyoto’s famous tofu then do try the Shoraian, in the Arashiyama area. While it is quite a distance away, it also offers you the opportunity to visit the Bamboo gardens there, and that makes it an ideal plan for a longer trip.

Catch a quick feel of the land of ten thousand shrines with this mini to-do list

Temple town Kyoto is often called the “land of ten thousand shrines”

Yin-and-yang The Tofuku-ji Temple is one of the ﬁve great Zen temples of Kyoto SHUTTERSTOCK

Post lunch, the area that ﬂanks the Imperial Palace, Teramachi (or temple town), is a colourful street to start shopping. Fresh green tea comes attractively packaged in turquoise and orange tins at Ippodo, which is easily among the oldest retail establishments in Kyoto. Also impressive are the books and clothing on sale. Once you’ve seen everything that Teramachi has to offer, you can amble down Shinkyogoku to discover the shopping arcades.

End with dessert

aking in the splendour of Japan’s 1000-year capital is hardly easy. However, Kyoto, with its easily navigable pathways and fantastic transportation facilities, makes it a lot less stressful, even if you’re short on time. The city welcomes you with warmth — whether it’s the expanse of the shrines or geishas shying away, there is deﬁnitely more soul to this ancient.

This tranquil yet lively city bridges the sharp contrast between the new and the old

For starters

The main course

From the moment you set foot on the winding streets of Gion , you will see old wooden teahouses, and if you’re in luck, even a geisha or two, making their way around inquisitive tourists. For lunch, pick a restaurant such as the Gion Karyo that is easily walkable from the station and has an English menu too.

If you’re looking to rest, The Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto is a natural suggestion as it offers a great view of the river along with other essential comforts in bamboo and metal interiors. The hotel also holds a number of attractions within its walls including a four-storey waterfall, stone and sand gardens and an in-house Zen garden. Other dwelling op-

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Nature’s retreat Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves are a popular tourist spot

On your way back from Arashiyama District you can visit the Ryoan-ji Temple and its beautiful rock garden. A little closer towards your destination you will ﬁnd the Kinkaku-ji or ‘Golden Pavilion’. Flanked by a number of scenic gardens, it is truly a sight to behold. Also well-known is the Nijo Castle, famous for its squeaky ﬂoors that warn you about approaching foes. If you have any shopping left then stroll through the bustling Nishiki. It’s a great place to purchase some of the choicest edibles from the land. Kyoto grows on you. After the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, this tranquil yet lively city bridges the sharp contrast between the new and the old, all that is preserved and all that continues to develop. DHIRAM SHAH is the Mumbai-based founder of Luxurylaunches.com

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04-16-2016

14:53 Color: C K Y M

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Sundowners for the season Longer sunsets can mean only one thing in the summer: extended happy hours. Kick back and relax with these cocktails — we have something for everyone! Rum

Whisky

If rum is your poison of choice, then welcome it into summer by giving your favourite mojito a strawberry twist. Add some berries to your lemon and mint mixture and crush nicely before adding it to the rum, lemon juice and sugar syrup. Garnish with a lime wedge if you’re feeling fancy. If summer’s got you feeling fruity, then try making a rum punch with your favourite dark rum by adding fresh juice from pineapple, lime, orange (feel free to improvise) and make it your new happy juice. (Recipe: www.foodandwine.com and www.liveinkitchen.com)

Summer’s heating up, but before you retire that bottle of Scotch till the hot loos blow away, here’s a way to enjoy your favourite drink. Instead of tinkling it over a tumbler full of ice, give a twist to that Old-Fashioned by putting in a floral touch of chamomile. For the chamomile syrup, take a quarter cup of sugar, and a tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers in quarter cup water and heat over a saucepan, until the sugar dissolves. Cool and strain the flowers. For the cocktail, mix a Speyside whisky, 15 ml syrup and three dashes of Angostura bitters in a cocktail mixer and shake. Garnish with edible flowers and a lemon twist. (Recipe: www.saveur.com)

Vodka Probably the easiest cocktail to put together is the classic vodka-lemonade, since lemonade is almost always at hand in this scorching heat. Give it a twist by adding a bit of rosemary syrup (a simple sugar, water and rosemary sprig concoction, strained) and add a sprig of the herb as garnish. Or trade in the rosemary for some fresh basil leaves for a fresher update. Mix the vodka, lime juice, sugar syrup and basil leaves in a cocktail shaker and strain into a chilled glass. Sip next to a beach while sunning yourself for maximum effect! (Recipe: www.winemag.com)

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Gin It ain’t summer if there’s no gin. Our favourite gin cocktail for the season is the cucumber gin lemonade. In a tall glass, combine lemon juice, cucumber juice, gin and some homemade syrup. Stir, add ice and top off with club soda. Add lemon wedges and cucumber slices to up the looks quotient. (Recipe: www.abeautifulmess.com)

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