All posts by : AyFa Collections

In a season dominated by primaries, pastels and gilded embellishments, Ananya Panday is making a compelling argument for the power of black. The actor turned heads in a Gaurav Gupta creation that challenges every preconceived notion about festive dressing. Her pick was a sari-gown that proves the shade can look just as celebratory, high-impact and modern as any bright hue.

“This piece is from our latest 2025 couture collection, ‘Quantum Entanglement’, and it is my way of reimagining the sari through our evolving design language,” says Gupta. His reinterpretation begins with the silhouette: a fluid, side-slit silk-chiffon drape that forms the base of the ensemble. On Panday, it translates into a skirt that hugs her frame, while the pleats on it are an unmistakable Gaurav Gupta signature, sculpted to fall with precision. He continues, “The cascading tassels bring back an old GG code in a more contemporary way.” Those tassels become the defining texture of the look.

Karmic lessons are behind you and thank Saturn for it. As it moves directly, it is ready to let the sun shine down on you in more ways than one. Love and life may both feel more vibrant today and there is a chance a lighthearted feeling that makes everything better, washes over you, Taurus.  Find workarounds to your present scenario, as a persisting one may help you choose how to tackle things instead of resigning from them, Scorpio. String a beautiful necklace from the scattered pearls lying around, instead of worrying about how little you have at hand. You may feel like you’ve seen it all, Gemini, but have you? No. There is more to explore, experience and definitely to learn. Now Leo, pretending like there is no problem will solve nothing. Address them, talk about them and decide to find solutions for them. Your ability to handle this in a practical and adaptable manner and the cosmos will resolve it for you.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you, and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

A major day lies ahead, Aries. Work, money, love or anything else that you’ve been manifesting, there is a breakthrough coming forward at lightning speed. Slow down to receive it, and receive it well. Allow it to come through before you decide to shoot it down. Your intuition and instincts will speak only once, but with clarity. Listen to it, sleep over it and then gear up to get the ball rolling.

Cosmic tip: It will soon be the time to get things done. For today, receive the messages and blessings from the cosmos.

Karmic lessons are behind you and thank Saturn for it. As it moves directly, it is ready to let the sun shine down on you in more ways than one. Love and life may both feel more vibrant today and there is a chance a lighthearted feeling that makes everything better, washes over you. Now what will you complain about, Taurus? Nothing. Expect that you’ve gotten so used to expecting something bad that you might feel that you’ll jinx this day. Only focus on enjoying each moment and you won’t.

Cosmic tip: Have a little faith in yourself and the cosmos. Things are working out for you.

You may feel like you’ve seen it all, Gemini, have you? No. There is more to explore, experience and definitely to learn. Your childhood and history may be resurfacing in your mind lately. You could have blamed it on the Mercury and Saturn retrograde, but now that they are both in direct motion, expect these past ghosts to dissolve. As an addition ask what lessons they brought for you. That way you might not have to revisit them for a long time, unless they have something more to offer.

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Now Mody lives with Ari, the walls are decked out in pastels and there is pug art everywhere. The plates, cutlery, rugs, lamps—even the wall sockets—are all cute. The apartment reflects her own taste—there are no grey sofas. “The whole idea was that I was separating from a 10-year marriage. And that’s a loss, right? So I just wanted to be in a space that made me happy.” She is currently working on a book about dopamine decor with Ten Speed Press. “In it, there are checklists on how to do everything. If I had to paint a wall in my sleep, I know exactly the supplies I’ll need. I’ve painted so many walls on my own. The first time you try to put up wallpaper, you’re in tears—I was in tears. My wallpaper kept sticking back on itself, but now I can probably do that in my sleep too. I’m exaggerating, but I’m good at it.”

Mody’s kitchen before renovations.

Mody’s kitchen after renovations.

And Mody is good at it. Since 2020, her income has grown fivefold, and her current Portland house is owned solely by her. “The next plan is to buy a car, and once I start driving, travelling and exploring, I think I’m going to feel even more empowered.” In the meantime, she’s excited for her book release in August, taking on more interior design projects, potentially working with brands like Anthropologie, and even creating her own home decor line. That said, she has no plans to pause content creation. “It helps me be with Ari. I don’t have to leave home. It’s the perfect scenario.” This is a woman whose money is spent intentionally—on joy, independence and a life that’s her own. Her home, her rules, her happiness. And that’s what adulting looks like, according to Maitri Mody.

This week’s beauty looks clearly swung across a spectrum of moods. The lineup felt like a study in how different interpretations of glamour can coexist, pared back or lit up with colour. A refreshing reminder that beauty doesn’t have to move in one direction.

Sushmita Sen leaned into warmth and natural glow. Gold lids, glossy yet muted rose lips and ever-so-slightly sculpted skin lit with a golden highlight created a look that was glamorous, but evergreen. Her high ponytail tied everything together, giving the whole moment a neat finish.

Malaika Arora went with drama this week. Golden lids paired with a bold maroon lip and strong eyeliner brought in that unmistakable, high-impact glamour she wears so well. Subtle bangs softened the look.

Vaani Kapoor’s beauty moment was all about that lit-from-within radiance. Her hair in waves, ultra-dewy base, lots of blush mixed in with a liquid highlighter and a pink lip stain worked together to create that beachy flush. It was understated and wearable.

Kriti Sanon let a bolder, perfectly executed smoky lid play against a softer lip. Her half-up hairdo framed her face neatly, highlighting her cheekbones and giving the otherwise traditional look a modern feel. It had edge and elegance.

Tamannaah Bhatia embraced colour and whimsy. The sky blue shimmery eye (which felt like a classier take on the infamous Y2K blue eyeshadow), paired with nude lips and super natural pink blush delivered a high-impact contrast. A sleek bun grounded the look, keeping it contemporary and chic without losing the sense of fun.

Ananya Panday went for sultry and precise. Smudged eyeliner, nude lips and contoured-to-the-gods skin created a smouldering aesthetic. It moves easily from day to night, without needing adjustments.

Below, a closer look at the standout beauty moments from the week.

Janhvi Kapoor’s latest Manish Malhotra look goes straight for impact. In Indian couture, some of the most prized possessions, once reserved for royalty and heirloom-worthy bridal trousseau, were garments embroidered with real gold and silver threads or encrusted with gemstones. Kapoor’s ensemble follows squarely in that lineage, toeing the line between couture and ornamentation.

The actor’s cream lehenga consisted of a voluminous skirt, dupatta and blouse. The neutral base comes alive with floral thread embroidery in leaf motifs, further elevated with clusters of pearls and tonal stones. “Janhvi Kapoor in a cream lehenga with stone and thread leaf embroidery, finished with a nude blouse embellished with pearls and stones—celebrating the soft radiance of pearls,” the designer shares, and the thought process is realised in her blouse. Layers upon layers of pearl strings drape across the yoke in elaborate swags, creating the illusion of a sculptural neckpiece that sits directly on the skin. The sleeves, too, are composed entirely of pearl strands, delicate ropes that frame the arms. Even the dupatta abandons traditional drape conventions, instead presenting itself as a bunch of pearl strings.

You worked for something, so why are you pushing it away? Aries, this may not be the time to get calculative or purely logical. Turn your gaze towards what still remains and is available. It may not be the biggest or the brightest nugget, but it still is something. Have you learnt to fall in love with your life once again? Capricorn, whatever shook you up has also made you stronger and wiser. You love being there for and doing things for others, but remember to keep your boundaries and ideas in place. Assert yourself where necessary and trust your intuition. Remember to feed your body, mind, soul and relationships only what is good for you. You cannot be everywhere, so Cancer, it is better to decide where you choose to be. Yes, you can build everything you want to build, but can you really do it all together, or is it time to readjust your focus on things that are more urgent? Defend your beliefs but choose your battles with care. It is a time to continue to be compassionate and driven at the same time. Quite a task, but not impossible for you, Scorpio.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you, and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

You worked hard for something, so why push it away? Aries, this may not be the time to get calculative or purely logical. Turn your gaze towards what still remains and is available. It may not be the biggest or the brightest nugget, but it still is something. Your guides ask you—why not allow your angels and the cosmos to help you? Share your ideas, love, and resources within reciprocal relationships. For some, engage in random acts of charity to really open yourself to the balanced flow in life.

Cosmic tip: When you focus on doing, remember to also focus on being.

How much longer will you cry over spilled milk, Taurus? There is no doubt about what you’ve brought to the table and what you’ve let go. But perhaps you could also look at what has remained in your life up until now. They may not be many, but they are still blessings you hold in your hands. Allow these to fuel you forward and help you decide your path. Take charge and move forward in the most non-linear, creative manner possible.

Cosmic tip: Protect what you have created, but also learn to stand on your feet and welcome the good and necessary changes.

You can bury yourself under workload and commitments forever, but what are you really running from? Gemini, your past hasn’t been easy, and for some, the loss of a loved one continues to haunt the waking life. But is this why you fear love entering your life? Is this hyperindependence and subconscious unwillingness to schedule space a defence mechanism that prevents vulnerability and love in your life? As Saturn exits in retrograde today, these patterns are surfacing. Think it over, but don’t get lost in it.

You’ve been working hard and endlessly. It is almost as though you are breezing through a never ending checklist and Pisces, aren’t you exhausted, even mentally? Take a moment to gasp in wonder at all the amazing things you have built around you. You’re exactly where you once wished to be. Doesn’t this feel exhilarating? Confidently accept all that has been laid out on the table for you—you are exactly where you need to be.

Cosmic tip: Take a moment to enjoy your life.

Also read:

Aries November 29, 2025

Taurus November 29, 2025

Gemini November 29, 2025

Cancer November 29, 2025

Leo November 29, 2025

Virgo November 29, 2025

Libra November 29, 2025

Scorpio November 29, 2025

Sagittarius November 29, 2025

Capricorn November 29, 2025

Aquarius November 29, 2025

For ages, the feminine olfactory landscape has been dominated by the predictable: floral, fruity, or sensual. So much so that we have been culturally coded to believe that femininity smells exclusively of crushed petals or sugary gourmands. But in a world where beauty has embraced the chaotic and the uncomfortable, our olfactory appetites are craving something with more grit. Enter leather fragrances: the subversive, second-skin scent that is currently dominating the niche market.

In a rather technical term, leather is a base note, formulated to cling to the skin long after the lighter top notes have evaporated. Leather is the antithesis of “pretty.” It is deep, it is textural and it is undeniably commanding. It reminds you of what understated luxury truly aims to be, like the smell of crisp leather car seats or new handbags. A scent that is sharp, tannic and expressive.

A great leather fragrance warms with your body heat, evolving from a distinct campfire smokiness, opening into something rustic and intimate; a true “skin scent” that smells of amber and salt.

Below, a lineup of leather fragrances that best capture the tactile beauty of this note.

Hermès Barnéia is a study in tactile luxury – a scent that blends the duality of sensual strength and softness. The fragrance blends the sticky, sensual heat of patchouli with the unexpected zest of butterfly lily and berry. Oak wood takes the centre stage to reveal a captivating scent – which is significantly softened to reveal the sanctious leathery note.

Tom Ford’s Ombré Leather is wild, dusty, and delightfully unrefined. Opening with a punch of cardamom to the back of the throat, it settles into a hyper-realistic accord of black leather that’s softened only somewhat by jasmine sambac. It’s tactile, it’s textured, and it has this raw “dust-on-wind” quality that makes it arguably one of the most popular leather fragrances.

Not all leather needs to be rugged; sometimes it should be intellectual. Byredo’s Bibliothèque captures the hushed atmosphere of an old-world library, but just as you expect it to be dusty, it surprises you with a jammy sweetness. The leather here is soft and worn, layered under a heavy dose of peach, plum, and violet. It could be your best bet if you’re just starting to experiment with this scent note.

Alessandro Gualtieri created this scent based on the concept of a “beautiful mistake,” choosing ingredients blindfolded. The result is a chaotic, artistic triumph that defies easy categorisation but lands firmly in the territory of woody-leather. Nasomatto’s Blamage is synthetic in the most chic way possible. This is not a perfume for the people-pleaser; and is definitely an acquired smell.

Giorgio Armani’s Privé Cuir Noir leather dipped in gold. Inspired by the art of leather tanning, it leans heavily into the oriental side of the spectrum, using saffron and vanilla to turn the leather note into something creamy and narcotic. It lacks the harsh, tar-like bite of others, replacing it with a fluid, resinous warmth that feels like molten honey. It is shadow and light, opulent and reserved.

If you want to explore the regal side of this note, Chopard’s Leather Malaki is your best bet. This is not a subtle skin scent; it is a power move. It opens with a sharp crack of black pepper and bergamot before descending into a dry, woody leather fortified with cedar and slate-like mineral notes. It feels architectural, structured, and incredibly commanding.

Guerlain’s Cuir Intense takes a potent, almost animalic leather note and softens it with the apricot fuzz of osmanthus and the tropical creaminess of ylang-ylang. The result is a leather that feels thick and chewy, almost edible, but with a dark, woody backbone that keeps it from becoming a gourmand. It is heavy, intoxicating, and lingers on the skin for days.

If there was a theme running through the best fashion looks of the week, it was embroidery—intricate, shimmering and meticulously crafted. Mindy Kaling’s Anita Dongre jacket showed just how striking dense hand-beading can be, while Sonam Kapoor’s Rahul Mishra dupatta highlighted the beauty of threadwork through architectural motifs.

Nita Ambani wore custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Her off-white sari featured Phulwari hand-embroidery, intricate Resham work, touches of Zardozi and a pearl-encrusted chevron border. She paired it with a matching double-layered blouse. Her hair was in an updo, adorned with a gajra.