All posts by : AyFa Collections

Returning for its highly anticipated third and final season, Harlem zeroes in on four ambitious women—Camille (Meagan Good), Tye (Jerrie Johnson), Quinn (Grace Byers) and Angie (Shoniqua Shandai)—navigating the complexities of love, career and friendship in the vibrant Harlem neighbourhood in New York City. In the concluding season, the show deepens its exploration of the characters’ personal and professional lives, tackling themes of motherhood, singlehood and the evolving dynamics of their friendships and families.

Streaming on Prime Video

The Night Agent season 2 (January 23)

“The ingredient of the year appears to be pickles, inspiring everything from pickle de gallo to pickle margaritas,” says Pinterest’s Stanback. She references Good Girl Snacks, which has jumped onto the internet’s pickle obsession with its Hot Girl Pickles (a riff on the internet’s ‘hot girl walk’) to viral success.

“What’s fascinating is how this trend goes beyond the flavour itself. Consumers are embracing the green hue associated with pickles as part of their aesthetic, blending bold, adventurous flavours with visual identity,” continues Stanback. The trend has celebrity backing: Bella Hadid’s pickle-infused cocktail aligns perfectly with the emerging pickle-fix craze, while Dua Lipa’s viral concoction of Diet Coke, jalapeños and pickles underscores this appetite for culinary experimentation.

Cherry-coded aesthetics are also on the rise, with searches up for “cherry vibe” (+325 per cent), “cherry bedroom” (+100 per cent), “cherry car” (+270 per cent), “cherry martini” (+80 per cent) and “dark cherry red” (+235 per cent) on Pinterest since this time last year. “Across categories, we’ve identified about 100 search terms that qualify for this trend,” says Stanback.

With these food trends ruling fashion, there are multiple ways for brands to tap in, from events to campaigns to product design. “Food and fashion collaborations thrive on multisensory storytelling that merges taste, touch and visual appeal,” says Riani Kenyon, anthropologist and behavioural analyst at consumer insights agency Canvas8. “This convergence allows brands to deepen emotional engagement by creating memorable and novel experiences.”

Dunkin’ Donuts-themed makeup by Elf, which sold out swiftly, showcases how humour and cultural aesthetics resonate deeply with younger audiences. “Beyond aesthetic synergy, food-inspired fashion appeals to a sense of nostalgia, humour and whimsy that Gen Z finds particularly engaging,” Kenyon adds, highlighting accessories like Oscar Mayer’s bacon-scented shoelaces or Mociun’s radish-inspired jewellery, which were particularly popular last year.

So whether it’s cherry-themed apparel, pickle-green beauty collections, introducing a health-focused supplement line, or even immersive experiential events with surreal, outlandish tablescaping, food trends offer endless potential for brands from all categories to engage consumers in new, imaginative ways.

Not all experts agree on whether eye creams are any more efficacious than, say, regular creams. But when it comes to the best retinol eye creams, the pros stand by their seemingly magical, age-defying claims. “Most eye creams are glorified moisturizers, but there is some agreement that those containing retinol can help stimulate collagen and limit the appearance and formation of fine lines and crepey skin,” says Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York.

Of course, the best retinol eye creams do more than just firm up the skin. Formulated with additional ingredients ranging from ceramides to caffeine, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, the creams below offer an eye-popping array of benefits for any skin type. Ahead, find dermatologist-approved eye creams to help you stand up to crow’s-feet, undereye bags, dark circles, puffiness, and more.

Best Drugstore: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream

Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: Made to depuff the eyes, brighten dark circles, and smooth out wrinkles, RoC’s drugstore gem has earned accolades from the pros. “It’s at an accessible price point with a formula of actives that are proven to work,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Alabama. “The formula comprises retinol, glycerin, vitamin E, and vitamin B5 to reduce dark circles and deliver an immediate boost to the skin by adding moisture. With continuous use, you should see improvement in fine lines and dark circles around the eye.”
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 0.5 fl oz.

Best for Fine Lines: Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream

Retinol Firming Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: At once brightening, firming, and hydrating, Kate Somerville’s featherweight eye cream comes recommended by Rachel Westbay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. With a mix of retinol and bio-retinol (a plant-based gentler alternative to regular retinol), the cream tames the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It’s also made with hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration. What’s more: It fits neatly into a self-care ritual. Its metal applicator bends to deliver a gentle eye massage each time the product is applied.
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 0.5 oz.

Best for Any Skin Type: Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye

Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye

• Why We Love It: Available in three concentrations of retinal (a fast-acting version of vitamin A), Medik8’s creamy salve caters to retinol rookies and regulars alike. Daniel Isaacs, the brand’s chief product officer and director of research, previously told Vogue that the cream was formulated with vitamin A sensitivity in mind. Promising more efficient beauty rest, the overnight cream plumps, smooths, and lifts, helping one wake up to firmer, brighter eyes. Its ultraslow retinal release helps stave off any irritation.
• Retinol Concentration: 0.03, 0.06, and 0.1%
• Size: 315 ml

Best Serum: Dr. Dennis Gross Triple Correction Eye Serum

Triple Correction Eye Serum

• Why We Love It: Another of Westbay’s top picks, Dr. Dennis Gross’s clinically tested cream can be used morning and night to treat fine lines and wrinkles. The formulation has the feel of a cushiony, lightweight gel, and it instantly hydrates the skin around the eyes. Its retinol is balanced with antioxidant-rich ferulic acid, which helps counter any irritation. It also has the plant-based retinol alternatives rambutan and bakuchiol to amplify its firming properties.
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 1.0 fl oz.

Best Applicator: StriVectin Advanced Retinol Multi-Correct Eye Cream

Advanced Retinol Multi-Correct Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: StriVectin’s peptide-powered eye creams are a Vogue editor’s secret for a tightening fix. This iteration, powered by time-released retinol, adds smoothness, luminosity, and elasticity to its list of benefits. Suitable for sensitive skin types, the formulation also contains the brand’s signature NIA-114, which strengthens the skin barrier and boosts the efficacy of other ingredients in the cream. What’s more: The contouring product moisturizes with hibiscus fruit extract, and its cooling metal applicator lends a soothing touch.
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 0.5 oz.

Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Retinol Eye Cream With Squalane + Ceramides

Retinol Eye Cream With Squalane + Ceramides

• Why We Love It: First Aid’s Retinol Eye Cream is another pick at the top of Dr Westbay’s list. Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, the cream was specifically designed for sensitive skin. It’s infused with moisturizing squalane and ceramides and powered by encapsulated retinol technology, which helps the ingredient release slowly over time. A gentle, smoothing solution for fine lines around the eyes, this cream can be used morning and night.
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 0.5 fl oz.

Best for Dark Circles: AziMD Skincare Eye Glow PM

• Why We Love It: Made with all-trans retinol, AziMD’s night cream is a go-to for Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California. “I love that this eye cream contains retinol along with powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C to help brighten any discolouration,” she says. “It also has caffeine to depuff the under eyes.” The eye-awakening formulation also contains green tea polyphenols, which soothe the skin and provide antioxidant protection.
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 0.5 fl oz.

Best Balm: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair

• Why We Love It: Allergy-tested and fragrance-free, Clinique’s creamy balm harnesses retinol and hyaluronic acid to target lines all over the face, including crow’s-feet. “This product contains 1% advanced retinoid and is formulated with hyaluronic acid to help visibly reduce wrinkles,” Dr Amin says. “The convenient balm makes it an easy and quick application.” The balm can be used day and night and also targets smile lines, forehead lines, and vertical lines above the lip.
• Retinol Concentration: 1%
• Size: 0.33 oz.

Best for Puffiness: Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum

A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum

• Why We Love It: Suited for daytime or nighttime use, Drunk Elephant’s creamy serum targets puffiness while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Formulated with vegan retinol and firming caffeine, the cream also has copper tripeptide-1 to boost collagen production, and it’s a top pick for Dr Amin. Pro tip: The cream can be stored in the fridge for a soothing, cooling feel when applied; it can also be mixed with another hydrating eye cream for added moisture.
• Retinol Concentration: 0.1 %
• Size: 0.5 fl oz.

Best Stick: Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick

• Why We Love It: Made with encapsulated retinol, Peace Out’s eye stick improves skin texture while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also infused with a firming peptide complex and moisturizing squalane, the easy-to-apply formulation caught the eye of British Vogue contributor Tracy Achonwa. “It soothes and smoothes the eyes with a comfortable blend of squalane and peptides, and the stick format is one I love for targeting precise areas as someone with weepy, sensitive eyes,” she wrote. “The slow-release retinol is as potent yet gentle as it claims, slowly but steadily lightening my dark circles without any irritation.”
• Retinol Concentration: 3%
• Size: 0.14 oz.

Best Gel: La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol

• Why We Love It: The French pharmacy classic harnesses pure retinol to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. It also has caffeine to make undereye bags and dark circles less visible. What’s more: The brand’s signature ingredient—antioxidant-rich thermal spring water—adds a soothing touch to the formulation. Designed for nighttime use, the product can be swept onto the skin under the eyes; its light, creamy-gel texture makes it ideal for a soothing bedtime ritual.
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 0.5 fl oz.

Best for Dryness: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream

Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: Glow Recipe’s thick and creamy formulation is like an energizing smoothie for tired under eyes. Whipped up with encapsulated retinol, avocado, and coffeeberry, the hydrating cream is one of Dr Hartman’s favourites. “I like how the Glow Recipe product feels on the skin,” he says. “It uses encapsulated retinol, which I like—it enables retinol to penetrate deeper into the skin for maximum results.”
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 15 ml

Best Clean: Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream

Bright Start Activated Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: Ilia’s Bright Start cream offers a plant-based alternative to a more traditional retinol eye cream. Infused with sea fennel extract, which works like retinol to brighten, firm, and smooth the skin, the cream also has avocado extract to treat dark circles and puffiness. Caffeine and peptides depuff the eyes even more, and the cream has a cooling ceramic applicator that doubles as an eye massager.
• Retinol Concentration: The cream does not contain retinol, but uses the plant-based sea fennel extract instead.
• Size: 0.5 fl oz.

Best Brightening: Ranavat Brightening Retinol Eye Creme

Brightening Retinol Eye Crème

• Why We Love It: Ranavat’s brightening cream melds scientific benefits with sensorial appeal. The Ayurveda-inspired salve has an irresistible jasmine scent, and its blood-orange bottle has a jewel-like glow. Designed to target dark circles and fine lines, the formulation combines microencapsulated retinol with bakuchi seed, a natural retinol alternative. It also contains saffron, which provides antioxidant protection for the delicate skin around the eyes.
• Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
• Size: 0.5 fl oz.

Best With Niacinamide: Sunday Riley 5 Star Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum

5 Star Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum

• Why We Love It: Designed for nighttime use, Sunday Riley’s vegan eye cream boosts collagen production with a 6% retinol complex fused with bioactive centella asiatica. The latter, a plant-based ingredient, can reduce inflammation and calm irritation—but it’s not the only soothing ingredient in the creamy serum. The brightening potion also contains poppy seed extract and ceramides to nourish the skin, while olive oil and shea butter provide overnight hydration.
• Retinol Concentration: 6%
• Size: 0.5 oz.

Best Exfoliating: SkinBetter EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream

EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream

• Why We Love It: Designed to tackle a multitude of common concerns, ranging from dryness to puffiness and wrinkles, SkinBetter’s clinically tested night cream has a stamp of approval from Dr Hartman. “This is one of my favourite eye creams, as it uses retinol, but it won’t cause irritation,” he says. The formulation is powered by the brand’s signature technology, which Dr Hartman also approves of. “I’m a big fan of SkinBetter’s AlphaRet technology, which combines retinol with alpha hydroxy acids,” he says. “The combination helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and texture—and it helps even out the skin tone.”
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Size: 0.5 fl oz.

Do retinol eye creams really work?

According to Dr Westbay, retinol eye creams can work effectively when formulated and used correctly. (Some of her go-to formulations, including Kate Somerville’s +Retinol Firming Eye Cream and Dr. Dennis Gross’s Triple Correction Eye Serum, are described above; for application tips, see below.) “The best retinol eye creams target common concerns around the delicate eye area, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and uneven skin texture,” she explains.

What are the benefits of retinol for the under eyes?

A derivative of vitamin A, retinol boosts collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, Westbay explains. “Retinol also encourages cell turnover, which helps fade pigmentation, including dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation, and smooths out uneven texture,” she says. Westbay adds that the ingredient also has antioxidant properties, which help combat oxidative stress that can accelerate signs of ageing. Finally, using a retinol undereye cream can help strengthen the skin barrier over time. “This can make the thin, delicate skin around the eyes less prone to crepiness and visible veins,” Westbay says.

What concentration of retinol is best for under eyes?

“For retinol eye creams, the ideal concentration ranges from 0.01-0.1%,” Dr Amin says. “The higher concentrations tend to be more effective at addressing fine lines and wrinkles.” Granted, some of the formulations listed above have significantly higher concentrations of retinol, including the Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick, which contains 3%. For those who have used retinol in the past—and seen that their skin tolerates it well—these higher concentrations are less likely to cause irritation. Sandwiching the retinol cream between layers of moisturizer may also help allay irritation.

How to apply retinol eye creams

Since retinol can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, dermatologists generally recommend using retinol eye creams as part of an evening routine. That said, some of the creams listed above—including the Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum—are specifically designed for daytime and nighttime use. If you do use a retinol eye cream in the morning, be sure to follow it with SPF. At night, the cream can be applied before or after moisturizer, Hartman says.

In terms of frequency, “you can use retinol eye cream daily if you’ve used retinol in the past,” says Hartman. “If you haven’t used retinol before, start by using the product one to two times per week and build up from there.” To apply the cream, Hartman recommends tapping a small amount under the eye area, then gently rubbing it in using the ring finger. “Using the ring finger is an easy way to ensure you apply your eye cream without pulling on the skin too hard,” he says.

Meet the experts

Bid adieu to the relentless grind of Capricorn season and say hello to the cushioned comfort of Aquarius season (Jan 20 to Feb 18). Gear up to nurture your ideas, dream up best-case scenarios and take inventory of your life in ways that restructure it for maximum impact, both personally and professionally. Embrace this wave of innovative, forward-thinking and out-of-the-box energy that focuses on your individuality and realigns your goals for the greater good. While all zodiacs will feel the shift, the zodiac signs below are more favoured this Capricorn season.

Cancer

Divine intervention and support from the celestial realms turn the mundane into the magical. Expect yourself to feel like you are brimming with joy, enchantment and charisma while you also calmly gaze into the future, carefully measuring your next steps. Your personal relationships thrive as does your need to find peace and liberation in your present. Responsibilities feel manageable and your goals seem attainable. Could you ask for more, Cancer?

Virgo

The utopian vibe of Aquarius season has got you willing to go down on one knee, holding a bunch of roses, ready to propose to life once again. Recognition, wish fulfilment, slowdowns replaced by breakthroughs and switching on the light on your finances fuel you with the fire to overcome past setbacks for a more hopeful future. Don’t think about the route that got you here, instead, gratefully jump into the pool of life with both feet swimming towards the victory line.

Leo

You are journeying from being a pauper to an emperor; not just in what you acquire but within your mindset—the way you perceive and process things, your outlook and the resulting lessons. Emotional connection, fulfilment and even material abundance surround you this season. Looking back, you may yearn for a certain time when security was never a worry, but this season will show you how capable you are of weaving your own safety net with those you love.

Sagittarius

A tug of war between your goals and emotions, your career and purpose, your work life and your personal connections, and your need for speed and the current sloth-like pace of things will help you master several things this season. Find reasons to celebrate the everyday, enjoy bursts of movement without worrying about the blank spaces too much, and balance your life in all its glory. It may feel like a lot to digest, but isn’t your current life all you wished for and more? Let the stress slide so that you can see what the cosmos is unveiling for you.

Scorpio

Allow your life to crumble and consciously take a backseat this season because you shall emerge victorious, safe and supported on the other side. Tough choices may have been on the menu for you, but it does get easier. In order to get rid of the cobwebs, you must be willing to chase the spiders away. This is your time to break free towards the light that shines just for you. Don’t bother about anything or anyone who feels less than supportive; simply stay focussed on building your fort with utmost integrity.

Gemini

The quote “The wound is the place where the light enters you” by Rumi is your theme this season. Your soul chose these exact experiences to expand and evolve, to alchemise gold through thin air. Yet, here you are, aching and grieving in the depths of your being. Whether you are nurturing a dream, a vision or a relationship, this season is about to bear blessed fruit.

Sartorial traditions from South India hold a rich cultural legacy, from wearing Kasavu weaves to draping in Kanjeevaram silks. Celebrities like Janhvi Kapoor, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Rashmika Mandanna have often eschewed modern sensibilities to proudly embrace their roots with their choices. And, Janhvi Kapoor’s recent look is proof. The actor celebrated 2025 in a traditional South Indian half-sari in jewel-harkening tones.

For her festive getaway, instead of defaulting to resort wear, she leaned on a half-sari, commonly known as pattu pavadai. The traditional two-piece outfit typically consists of a blouse and a long skirt, where the word ‘pattu’ translates to silk and ‘pavadai’ means long skirt. Often touted as a symbol of femininity, heritage, and tradition in native communities, a pattu pavadai is worn for special occasions and coming-of-age ceremonies.

Rather than a predictable monotone set, her ensemble, comprising a blue skirt, purple drape and a metallic-purple dual-toned blouse, serves as a masterclass in going the colour-blocked route with Indian wear. The Kanjeevaram skirt’s textile was also mirrored on the blouse and dupatta as a border, tying the entire aesthetic together.

Nothing is sexier than dancing in the rain and slowly realising you’re in love with your childhood best friend. Under a moonlit gazebo, Shah Rukh’s Rahul and Kajol’s Anjali dance despite the radio silence. Of course, Rahul is nuzzling Anjali’s neck, tracing her face with a finger, all while drenched in a skin-tight black shirt. There is much to think about here: Anjali is engaged, Rahul’s wife is dead and his kid is also named Anjali. Nothing salacious happens. The song ends with Anjali running into the forest out of guilt when she spots the engagement band on her hand given to her by Salman Khan’s Aman. Can’t say we’d have done the same thing in her place, but you do you, girl.

Kissing in Vegas in Anjaana Anjaani (2010)

What happens when two powerhouses sit down to challenge each other and their own hardbound ideas? A dialogue that sees tradition squaring off against transformation, shaped by individuality and a collective expression. We asked Sheetal Mallar and Subiksha Shivakumar to trade insights on the path to a successful—and sustainable—modelling career. Let their free-flowing conversations fuel your creative fire.

Making memories

Sheetal Mallar: I had a beautiful career and a great time. I learnt a lot about self-worth, confidence and how to handle fame. If you’re doing this for twenty years, it’s very important to remind yourself who you really are, where you come from and where you want to go.

Subiksha Shivakumar: Modelling takes work. There’s a lot when it comes to understanding emotions and understanding fashion, how a garment should flow and how you can make it look better with your expressions. You may be beautiful, but you still may not do justice to what an image could be.

Navigating a digital landscape

SS: Modelling felt exclusive and prestigious. It was harder to break into the industry back then. Now, with social media, I love how it’s brought in inclusivity and diversity, but it’s also made things feel more transactional. Decisions often seem to revolve around follower counts, which is smart marketing, but it sometimes takes away from the authenticity and artistry of fashion.

SM: I agree. Modelling used to be about the craft—the models, the clothes and the designers. You would have just one photo published in a newspaper the next day and that exclusivity made it special. Today, with instant uploads and live coverage, the magic is a bit diluted.

Handling criticism and preserving self-worth

SM: In the ’90s, the industry embraced different body types but stigmatised darker skin tones. I was dropped from major campaigns for being ‘too dark’. People often felt entitled to comment on everything right in front of you. Navigating and surviving the modelling business requires inner strength to still come out sane. I stayed grounded by separating my public persona from my true self, reminding myself that fame and appearances are fleeting. When faced with mean comments, I learnt to say, “If you don’t like it, don’t work with me.” That clarity helped me preserve my self-worth and stay true to myself.

Snowy scenery, moody florals and a nip in the air… there’s just something so romantic about winter. The tail end of the year in India is also synonymous with the wedding season. Just days ago, Ananya Panday, Khushi Kapoor, Vedang Raina, Orry, and a host of other stars made their way to the capital to celebrate a friend’s big day. In keeping with the frosty landscape, everyone pulled out their winter festive best. Panday stood out in an amber gold lehenga from the Rimple & Harpreet atelier.

Courtesy Rimple & Harpreet

For the occasion in New Delhi, Ananya Panday wore a rich, amber lehenga that celebrates suzani art. A centuries-old embroidery technique, ‘suzani’ translates to needle in Farsi. It emerged among the nomadic tribes of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, and carried blessings in each stitch. The motifs, too, had symbolism attached to it, illustrating elements of nature like the sun, moon, flowers, and vines, all representing luck, prosperity, and good health. Rimple & Harpreet has harnessed the ancient art for its ‘Firangi Mahal’ collection and transformed the artistry into lehengas, kurtas and saris.

Without her rebellious streak, Shaikh admits she would not have been half the player—or person—she is today. A trailblazing figure in women’s kho kho in India, in 2023, she became only the second player in the sport in the last 26 years to receive the Arjuna Award, one of the highest sporting honours in the country. For her successor, Ingle, the incumbent captain of the national team, the decision to stay the course with the game has blazed her path to self-actualisation. “When I started playing kho kho 15 years ago, the sport was far from a viable career option for women,” says the 24-year-old, an M.Com postgraduate by qualification. “Sports quotas for female kho kho players at governmental organisations and colleges and universities were next to non-existent.”

Like their sport itself, Ingle, Shaikh and Bhati have built their identities from the ground up. Besides socio-cultural taboos, they have battled economic adversities intrinsic to their modest backgrounds. Shaikh’s father sells utensils in the flea markets of New Delhi. Fellow Delhiite Bhati is the daughter of a truck driver. Ingle, who hails from Maharashtra, has seen her father do everything from farming to working odd jobs at factories. “Thanks to kho kho, all three of us now have jobs with the Indian government’s Income Tax Department,” says Shaikh, who recently bought her family their own brick-and-mortar house in Delhi with her earnings from kho kho. “Even the naysayers now take pride in us, our sport, and its practicalities… like shorts.”

Acutely aware of the race’s sexist history, Joshipura wanted, as a woman, to add another woman finisher’s name to the Boston Marathon’s history as much as enjoy it. “The Boston Marathon is truly a love story for me. I had turned 50, so it was a landmark year,” she recalls. Hospitalised in April 2021 for two months with long COVID, the designer left the hospital barely able to walk. “Boston is the Mecca for all running enthusiasts. It was the race I had started running for in the first place. So, I returned to training slowly and ran the pandemic-delayed Boston Marathon in October later that year,” Joshipura remembers with a smile. “For me to be running the same route that women fought to earn a place on the starting line holds a very special place in my heart. This is one race I’d definitely run again.”

The 54-year-old designer has also run plenty of races in India, including the half marathon at India’s oldest and biggest event, the Tata Mumbai Marathon, which she credits as the country’s flagbearer race that kicked off the running movement in India. “In the early days, there weren’t too many women running alongside me when I went out training. There are many more women running today but more work is needed to encourage women to take up running. From making women believe they can do it to ensuring better infrastructure and safety, steps should be taken to increase their participation,” Joshipura notes. Though she finds the running scene for women in India stronger today compared to when she started, women still make up only 19% of runners in India. But the statistics are not all discouraging. As per official numbers, the inaugural Tata Mumbai Marathon in 2004 had only 88 women register for the full marathon and 420 women for the half (21km). By contrast, for the 20th edition of the race on January 19, a whopping 15,711 women, including 1,203 for the 42.195km race and 2,631 for the 21km, have registered across various race distances and categories.