All posts by : AyFa Collections

Your early twenties are strange years. You’ve just stepped out of the cocoon of adolescence but are expected to walk through adulthood like you know the map. You look at older adults and assume they’ve cracked it; you look at teenagers and miss the version of yourself that seemed lighter, freer. Somewhere between chasing jobs and chasing meaning in the ‘real world’, you start to lose your footing.

I used to think this stage was supposed to feel confusing and heavy. Strangely, I’m enjoying my twenties more than my teenage years or even childhood, and the reason is simple: learning the art of laughing at yourself.

For as long as I can remember, I wore perfectionism like a second skin. I was ‘the good one’: the diligent student, the model daughter, the girl who never got it wrong. It looked enviable, but it was exhausting. Every choice was weighed against reputation; every slip felt catastrophic. By the time I was a teenager, that pressure had hardened into anxiety. I cared too much about what people thought—especially what I thought of me. Looking into the mirror became an exercise in criticism: my posture, my skin, my tone, my words. Everything needed fixing.

The turning point came with one liberating thought: I’m not that important. The world wasn’t scrutinising me half as cruelly as I was scrutinising myself. Nobody was watching every move, and even if they were, they’d forget it by dinner. We scroll past hundreds of stories and reels a day; how many do we actually remember? Everyone’s caught up in their own loops, their own insecurities. So maybe it’s okay if my story isn’t perfectly edited.

Around that time, I stumbled on a reel that changed my perspective entirely. It referenced a scene from Friends: Ross stuck in Mona’s bathroom, frantically trying to pull on his pants. To him, it was mortifying. To the audience, hilarious. That contrast made me wonder, what if I could see myself the same way?

So I began treating my life like a sitcom. Spilled coffee on my shirt before an important meeting? Cue the laugh track. Sent an awkward text? Just another cringe episode. Missed a deadline? A clumsy subplot. What once felt catastrophic began to feel comical. I wasn’t the tragic protagonist anymore, just a character in a story worth smiling at.

According to psychotherapist and wellness coach Harleen Bagga, founder of Soul Therapy, Hyderabad, laughing at yourself can be both a healthy mechanism and a mirror for self-awareness. “It’s a way of embracing imperfections and finding room for growth,” she says. “When done with the right intent, it builds emotional resilience, helping the nervous system respond instead of react.”

Bagga adds that humour can also turn defensive: “Some people use it to mask inadequacy or avoid confrontation. Intent matters because while laughter boosts dopamine and lightens the mood, if it’s rooted in self-deprecation, it can reinforce low self-worth.”

The ’90s blowout has officially reached peak saturation. Scroll once through your feed and you’ll see her. She’s got the same glossy, chest-length curls that bounce just so and the soft middle part. It’s beautiful, but somewhere between the velcro rollers, high-tech hair tools and the army of Instagram tutorials, individuality got left behind.

When I walked into the salon last month, my stylist confidently stated, “The usual bouncy blowout?” That’s when I realised that I didn’t know what my hair could look like beyond this. So I decided to rebel against my algorithm with a one-month experiment. Each week, I’d try a completely different blowout and track how it changed the way I looked and felt. If you need hair inspiration, here are the blowouts to try:

Week 1: Sleek glass finish

Stick-straight and mirror-shiny, this look felt like a power suit for my head. Paired best with a centre part and a sharp outfit, it’s chic, but it does demand some maintenance (hello, frizz serum). I used a smoothing serum, a paddle brush and a flat iron section by section until my arms felt like the Hulk’s. Entirely worth the two-hour effort and arm workout.

Week 2: The French girl tousle

“I was dead against writing a memoir, to be very honest,” he adds. “I was made to by my American agents, who were like, ‘You’ve won an Emmy, now write a memoir.’ I said I would do it if they let me write a book about failure, about cluelessness.” Das doesn’t want you to read his book and imagine he’s a guy who has got it all figured out. He’s walking you through his life, his dizzying highs and his palpably scary lows to remind you that, even after selling out the NSCI Dome in 20 minutes, winning an Emmy, writing a memoir, being cancelled for sedition, writing jokes for Shah Rukh Khan, writing and directing a movie for Aamir Khan… he’s still the kid in the corner of the party, wondering “How the hell did I get invited to this thing?”

If there’s one thing I would envy Das for, it’s his conviction in his craft. Not everyone can sit on a film script for 12 years, believing—dare I say, knowing—that it’s ahead of its time, but that’s essentially the origin story of Happy Patel. Das wanted to write a Johnny English-esque Indian spy comedy, the sort of ridiculously silly movies that still take the action very seriously. In 2010, when he first went out to narrate the script for various producers and directors, he was met with blank stares. Then came Tiger, Pathaan and the Indian spy universe, and Happy Patel’s alternative edginess finally had a mainstream reference point. Aamir Khan, whom Das hadn’t spoken to since Delhi Belly, scooped it up and the film is teased to release in 2026. True to form, Das isn’t sitting with his legs up; he is still very much at the drawing board, figuring out his next big thing. There’s a YouTube series in the pipeline he can’t talk much about, except that “no platform would have the guts to greenlight it, so we went ahead and made it anyway. We know the audience is there, so we’re just taking it directly to them.”

Every chorus begins as a single melody. Then comes the layering of other voices, other instruments, a widening of sound. That’s what transformation looks like in craft: not a break from the past, but an expansion of it. When Karishma and Avantika Swali founded Moonray in 2021, they set out to create a brand rooted in responsibility and craftsmanship. Now, we have Chorus: a natural next chapter that carries the brand’s spirit while opening space for more voices, mediums and shared possibilities.

“When Avantika and I started Moonray, it was imagined as a joyful, welcoming space where craft and consciousness could meet naturally,” Karishma Swali tells Vogue India. “As we grew and looked deeper into our work at Chanakya—and its four decades of education and cultural preservation—we began asking broader questions. What began as Moonray was ready to evolve into something more expansive.”

SND

SND

That expansiveness takes tangible form at Chorus, the duo’s new flagship in Mumbai’s art district, Kala Ghoda. Spread across three levels, the space blurs the boundaries between art, design and daily ritual. The ground floor houses Chorus Edition, their couture arm; Chorus Concept, a platform for handcrafted textiles, ceramics and glassware; and Chorus Wellness, a line of soaps, candles and oils. Upstairs, Chorus Café extends the same craftsmanship to food, offering reflective moments like the Chorus High Tea, where sharing itself becomes part of the brand’s ethos.

Corseted dresses softened with diaphanous overlays; surfaces shimmering with handwork that bridges centuries; cotton cords wound with mathematical precision; metallic threads that catch and refract light; and natural raffia woven into lace-like lattices. The label’s signature denim remains central, made from organic raw cotton and dyed through traditional indigo processes that yield a colour only time can impart. From the rain-fed kala cotton weavers of Kutch to the heritage looms of Tamil Nadu, these partnerships root Chorus in a shared lineage of creation.

DRIU CRILLY & TIAGO MARTEL

DRIU CRILLY & TIAGO MARTEL

That continuum traces back to the Chanakya School of Craft, the Mumbai-based institution that Karishma Swali has led since 1988. As part of the larger Chanakya ecosystem, Chorus emerges as its creative extension by translating the school’s four-decade legacy of preservation, education and innovation into contemporary design. Established to safeguard traditional techniques while nurturing experimentation with modern forms and aesthetics, Chanakya’s philosophy of bridging heritage with invention continues to guide Chorus at every level.

Inside the store, embroidered artworks like “The Offering” honour the artisans behind each piece, while ceramic installations and handwoven panels turn the process into design. “For us, [Chorus] is a reminder that creativity is never a solitary act. Every person brings their own rhythm, and when those voices meet, something fuller and more alive takes shape,” says Karishma. In the end, Chorus feels less like a rebrand and more like a continuation.

Also read:

Every red carpet look from the 2025 LACMA Art + Film Gala

From Kutch to Tamil Nadu, these women are preserving their identity through embroidery

Forces of Fashion 2025: 39 of India’s best designers come together for a Vogue showcase like no other

Sushmita Sen’s latest outing balanced power and poise in equal measure. Styled by Theia Tekchandaney, she wore an ivory Malta silk jacket by Rohit Bal that was hand-embroidered with tonal florals that climbed delicately across the surface. The longline silhouette, marked by a high collar, fitted bodice and flared panels, spoke to the designer’s approach to tailoring, while the threadwork added dimensional richness. Beneath, a layer of black offered visual depth, underscoring the luminosity of the ivory base. It’s the kind of construction and surface detail that has long defined Bal’s vocabulary.

Her jewellery delivered a counterpoint: diamond and gold chains, cascading into a sculptural pendant set with rubies and aquamarines. The layered composition created movement and opulence without excess, the saturated stones cutting through the monochrome palette. A wavy updo with loose tendrils framed Sushmita Sen’s face, while makeup was defined by sculpted brows, smoky eyes and a bold, matte rose lip that completed the arresting look.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“When wearing an anarkali jacket/ coat as subtly decadent as this ivory Rohit Bal number, why not pair with a lace ivory sari inside to create layered opulence. Work with a tone-on-tone layering. Ditch any neck or wrist jewellery, instead don a subtle pearl or diamond earring. The coat ought to be your focal point and let the silhouette do all the talking,” says Vogue India fashion associate Divya Balakrishnan.

Some trends are more successful than others. Some do not last over time, and others, on the contrary, manage to be eternal, as is the case with low-heeled pumps. This accessory has positioned itself as a closet staple that, with an elegant touch, transforms any style.

Given its success in the midst of the Winter 2025 fashion trends, we started a tour through the street style and catwalks to gather ideas on how to wear them, just as the experts do, because they are a garment that transcends in terms of sophistication. Their classic design remains, and the height of their heel allows comfort to never be lost.

Low heels are at their best, and we should take advantage of them. We could talk about different ways to combine them. With pants, for example, they will be an essential element for formal occasions, while with dresses, they will give dynamism. New options appear, so we select the most appropriate for winter 2025.

Low heel pumps with midi skirt

Low heel pumps shoes to wear midi skirts in fall 2025.

Spotlight/Launchmetrics.

This is a fusion that transitions from office to street style seamlessly. The base of this one is a midi skirt in brown colour that exceeds the current trends, and a leather bomber jacket in the same shade is added, creating a total avant-garde look. The elegant touch is given by the fashionable shoes, pointed pumps with low heels that do not skimp on style and add comfort.

Low heel pumps with jeans

Low heel pumps with straight jeans for a formal look in fall 2025.

Christian Vierig

Don’t you give up just yet, Capricorn! Don’t you say bye now, don’t you walk out of that door now, and don’t you slump off now. You are 99% there—now that 1% may feel like a Herculean feat, but this is the life-changing moment you have been working on. Give it your all this month, and as Saturn, your ruling planet, turns direct at the end of the month, things will ease off. You will see daylight, and life will feel sprightly once again. Are you checking off what you need to first, and then are you also referring to your guidebook for your next steps? Aries, you’ve been up to some marvellous work, and while you are here feeling all zen today, you must remember that it is your back-end team that allows you the luxury of a brief moment of peace. If your life feels like it is drowning in sameness, then listen up, Leo—is it really? Your ideas are afloat, but are you drowning yourself in overthinking or conjuring the worst-case scenarios in your mind? Your creativity will come back online if you allow yourself to be, to see each situation with childlike curiosity and with a mind that questions everything as though it is the first time it has encountered things. You know you love working towards your goals, and you know, Cancer, very little excites you as much as your vision, goals and that inner landscape coming to life. What is my task, you ask? Your task is to allow your nouveau-ness, your excitement and your visions to mature and fuse with your wisdom.

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.

Are you checking off what you need to first, and then are you also referring to your guidebook for your next steps? Aries, you’ve been up to some marvellous work, and while you are here feeling all zen today, you must remember that it is your back-end team that allows you the luxury of a brief moment of peace. This is your time to not look at stillness as boredom, but rather an upgrade where you are left with more room to do what you really want to do while seeking support for all else that needs you to show up, but perhaps can have someone or something else deal with the nitty-gritties.

Cosmic tip: Be grateful that the cabbie takes you places while you look out of the window and soak all the scenic beauty in, or check that presentation off.

You got into this expecting fireworks, transitions and amazing changes lined up for you; however, is the royalty now wearing off, Taurus? Are you beginning to notice the routine and the work this takes to keep showing u, or the mundaneness of life that once felt calming is now getting robotic? You are not trapped, and this is your cosmic reminder. You are free to explore the world, but for that, you must be willing to explore your strengths and delegate your weaknesses. You must be willing to ensure that as you align with your heart, you are also taking a more sustainable route forward—one that you can outlast instead of burn out on.

At one point in my life, I found myself surrounded by eldest daughters. Each of us carried the same invisible burden: stress about managing expectations of family, friends, partners, larger ecosystems, and themselves. We were united by our soaring cortisol level, looming threat of diabetes and blood pressure, frequent fluctuations in weight, stress eating and the biggest of them all, a perpetual feeling of burnout due to hitting caregiving fatigue.

“Eldest daughters are almost wired to handle it all: from family responsibilities to emotional support, overachieving professional roles and looking after the siblings,” shares Dr Almas Fatma, a Mumbai-based family physician and a digital health AI expert. Fatigue starts to show up as headaches or body aches. We feel tired after resting, chronically drained. This leads to disruptions in the sleep cycle, impacting our hormones, gut health and our mental health.

“In my experience, the mental load of this role exacts a heavy toll: chronic stress, hypervigilance and self-sacrifice that result in both physical and mental health challenges. These women must model perfection for younger siblings, maintain the family’s reputation, fulfil domestic duties and carry the emotional labour of the entire family system,” adds Priya Rednam-Waldo, a US-based licensed clinical therapist, specialising in women’s and maternal mental health for South Asian women.

Eventually, the body forces rest through illness or impaired functioning, adds Rednam-Waldo, when women are unable to choose rest for themselves. Her words hit close. Eldest daughters are known for hyper-independence; the belief that asking for help is a weakness. I’ve been guilty of it too. The instinct to hold everything together can feel like a badge of honour, until it becomes a slow act of self-erasure.

A growing awareness of how birth order shapes well-being has prompted experts to look at the prevention of eldest daughter burnout, rather than recovery. “With my clients, healing for eldest daughter burnout starts with this recognition: being a ‘good daughter’ shouldn’t cost you your health, fulfilment or joy,” says Rednam-Waldo. “You can honour your family and care about others while still valuing your own identity and wellbeing.”

So what does healing eldest daughter burnout look like?

1. Reflect regularly. “Talk to yourself,” suggests Dr Fatma. “When you can name your emotions, you begin to understand what’s nourishing you and what’s pushing you towards burnout.”

2. Get your numbers checked. Dr Fatma recommends regular full-body check-ups, including thyroid, sugar parameters, vitamin D, B12, magnesium, B6, folic acid, liver profile and complete blood count. “It’s a way of keeping tabs on the internal stress your body might be carrying.”

3. Eat and move on time. “Running on small fuels will only push cortisol higher,” she explains. Prioritise balanced meals and daily movement—any form that sparks joy rather than guilt.

4. Ask for help. “Delegating is a survival skill,” says Rednam-Waldo. “Eldest daughters often wait until collapse to reach out. But seeking help before the breakdown is how you prevent it.”

Spoken-word artist Nayab Midha from Rajasthan and Delhi-based software development engineer Ayush Chandhok have written a love story that resists convention while embracing family, craft and care for the planet. After being crowned Mr and Miss Fresher 2014 at a college event, their story truly began in 2016, when they met again on a student exchange programme in Malaysia. Assigned to kitchen duty together while volunteering at an NGO for specially-abled children, they fell in love somewhere between the chop of a vegetable and the swipe of a dishcloth.

“We’re just two people who slowly built a life around love, friendship and respect,” says Midha. “I’ve always been driven, a bit of a dreamer who wants to change the world, and Ayush is the calm to that storm. He’s fun, grounded and sees life with so much lightness. I think that’s what made me fall for him.” Testament to that lightness was Chandhok’s surprise dance performance for her at the cocktail night. “This is a memory I will cherish for life,” she adds. “As a feminist, I often thought no man would be able to match my energy or understand my beliefs, but Ayush didn’t just understand me, he celebrated me.”

After eight years together, Midha decided to change the narrative and propose herself. “One day, when Ayush’s mom brought up marriage, I jokingly said that I’d only say yes if he proposed somewhere nice,” she recalls. “His immediate retort was, ‘Ab kahan gayi equality?’ That stuck with me, so after one of my shows in Delhi, in the presence of both our families, I got down on one knee.”

The couple knew they wanted to exchange vows surrounded by nature and chose Sayaji Resorts & Spa for their wedding in Udaipur, nestled between the Aravalli hills. With the help of Epoch Events, they planned a three-day celebration: an intimate dhol evening to welcome guests; a Phulkari-themed mehendi full of Punjabi colour and warmth; a classic Delhi-style cocktail night; a bright, joyful haldi; a pastel wedding under the open Udaipur sky; and a Sufi after-party to end the weekend on a melodic note honouring their shared love for the music.

Not ones to be boxed in by tradition, they found ways to make every detail their own. “The wedding rituals were conducted by women pandits and we exchanged custom vows. I walked in with a few lines that I’d written for Ayush playing in the background, so it felt completely ours,” says Midha. “I’ve always been uncomfortable with the term kanyadaan, as if I’m a thing to be given away to someone. The women pandits from Acharya Shruti’s team explained to me that there was no such thing as kanyadaan in our oldest rituals. It’s actually called Kanya Var Pani Grahan, where the boy and girl promise a lifetime of support to each other.”

Bhumi Pednekkar’s Diwali look offered a striking reinterpretation of Ritu Kumar’s design language. Styled by Manisha Melwani, her ensemble—complete with jewellery by Anu Merton and custom heels by Preet Kaur—bridged the designer’s archival craftsmanship with a contemporary silhouette.

The cropped jacket and flared skirt formed a dialogue of textures. The high-neck jacket, densely embroidered with zardozi, resham and metallic threadwork, featured diagonal motifs and floral butis across a burnished amber base. Its sleeves alternated between gold and navy embroidery, creating rhythm and contrast. Below, the skirt unfolded in rich panels of brocade and velvet, each carrying a distinct archival motif in shades of rust, ochre and sage. The surface shimmered softly with gota and zari detailing that caught the light without overpowering it. A gauzy dupatta quilted with gold thread and edged with tasselled corners tempered the structured silhouette.

Pednekkar’s accessories mirrored the outfit’s maximalist character. Around her neck sat a mix of layered pieces: a polki, ruby and pearl choker framing the collarbones, a sculpted torque-style necklace with interlinked plaques, and a longer polki strand glimpsed beneath the jacket. Tiered jhumkas and silver rings completed the look, while embroidered gold heels extended the craftsmanship narrative from head to toe.

Bhumi Pednekkar’s beauty look stayed close to earthy tones with softly contoured skin, a neutral peach lip and cat-eye wings, while hair was left open in loose waves, completing the craft-led look.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“This Ritu Kumar ensemble is sharp and opulent. Ditch the dupatta and heavy jewellery. Let the suit and skirt set be the focal point focusing on the textiles and richness of the colours and handwork. Pair with a structured mini bag and a ponytail to complete the look,” says Vogue India fashion associate Divya Balakrishnan.