Posts in category: Life Style

You didn’t sign up for this, or so you think, Taurus. At a soul level, this is exactly what you need. It will stretch you beyond your limiting beliefs and help you unlock new levels to your being. You wanted to learn boundaries, so the cosmos gave you constriction. You wanted to learn about finances, so the cosmos placed you in a situation that would force you to do this. As you soar above your daily woes, you see something in the far distance and nope, this is not a mirage. This is you really seeing the full potential of what you could be and what your life could feel like. Your relationships are healing, perhaps even on the work front partnerships and bonds might be strengthening and this is all for the better, Scorpio. Douse yourself in the entire spectrum of who you are and where you’re at in life—without guilt or shame attached. You’ve been working hard to get here, Sag, and now that you are here, are you wondering where to go next? Too many options on the table? Too many ideas? Is it getting too confusing? Shed old skin, slither away from obligatory engagements so that you have the headspace to pick what you feel drawn to. Soul searching is great, but at some point the search leads you to remember that you are already a soul that is alive, existing and perfect. It is at this point in time that you must remember to pause and simply enjoy what you hold in your hands, Aquarius. With this remembrance pick up your wand once again and ask yourself what it is that you’re capable of but scared to embark on.

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.

The moon affects your energy, Aries. Believe it or not, it does. So the recent full moon may have left you feeling like you are in a state of overflow—be it in nurturing yourself or others. Perhaps you feel a tad emotional and your relationship sector has become activated—social, community, personal, intimate—the entire spectrum. Now that you have accepted that you love being a squishball, will you finally please allow love to pour in? The Universe has a long term plan for you—-set it in motion already, please.

Cosmic tip: Create music when you are given things that can make noise. The same applies to life.

You didn’t sign up for this, or so you think, Taurus. At a soul level, this is exactly what you need. It will stretch you beyond your limiting beliefs and help you unlock new levels to your being. You wanted to learn boundaries, so the cosmos gave you constriction. You wanted to learn about finances, so the cosmos placed you in a situation that would force you to do this. You wanted to experience deep gratitude for your body and hence, the cosmos gave you a challenge that made you focus on it. Pick up your staff and take on life now. You are equipped to transform this into what you want to create.

It began in the autumn of 2021, at a dinner in Manhattan that was meant to be an ordinary evening among friends and family. By the end of it, Ankur Patel was certain this was the start of something lasting. Sagiri Gidwani, thoughtful and measured, took a little longer. What followed were evenings at her favourite restaurants, long walks through Central Park and puppy playdates with Patel’s dog. The rhythm between them built steadily. In the summer of 2022, at a small Italian restaurant in the West Village, they made their relationship official.

Two years later, Patel proposed on the Côte d’Azur. Gidwani had flown directly from a work trip in Milan and wasn’t expecting anything more than a holiday. On a terrace at Château de La Chèvre d’Or in Èze–the sea stretched across the horizon, a brief shower passing through–Patel went down on one knee.

When they began planning their wedding, they knew they wanted a celebration rooted in Indian tradition yet shaped by the life they had built in New York. Istanbul emerged as the place where all of it could coexist. Once they saw Çırağan Palace Kempinski, with its Bosphorus views and blend of heritage and modernity, the decision to have their wedding in Istanbul was made.

They took on the planning themselves. Gidwani shaped the design and visual language with an instinct sharpened by years in luxury communications. Patel built the musical structure of the weekend, curating playlists that blended afrohouse, alternative RnB, garba and Punjabi drill. Their families shaped the menus, and their event designer, Sebnem Mardini, translated every detail on-ground.

Before Istanbul, they each had their own haldi ceremonies. The wedding in Istanbul opened with an intimate mehndi. Guests received Jaipur block-print totes filled with Turkish snacks and small travel essentials. For the welcome dinner the next evening at Madhu’s Istanbul, they kept the tone warm and familiar. There was a live pani puri station, a Darbuka performance, a belly dancer and a room full of people ready to start the weekend. Gidwani wore a mint-green Tamanna Punjabi Kapoor cape sharara with heirloom jewellery. Patel’s Tarun Tahiliani bandi set picked up the same palette.

The Sangeet took place the following night at the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus. Guests arrived by boat after a slow sail along the water. The terrace had been transformed with draped fabrics, lanterns, terracotta details and canopied lounges. The dress code, “Colours of Istanbul”, filled the night with saturated tones. The menu drew from Turkish and Mediterranean flavours with Asian touches. Gidwani wore an ivory Anushree Reddy organza lehenga with pearl work. Patel chose a midnight-navy velvet Varun Bahl bandhgala with embroidered detailing. Bollywood music moved the evening along, with performances from family and friends.

In 2020, out of nowhere, I suddenly stopped being able to sleep. Not sleeping for one night is irritating. Not sleeping for months on end is an entirely different psychological horror. It’s a bone-deep exhaustion that wears you down in ways you didn’t know were possible. If you’ve been struggling with insomnia, you know the specific kind of madness it creates.

It cost me far more than just rest. I couldn’t go out, couldn’t focus, couldn’t function. If one more person had suggested “that I just go to the gym and tire myself out,” I would’ve thrown a dumbbell at them.

Out of desperation, I began trying every sleep aid, therapy, treatment and supplement I could find. Melatonin did absolutely nothing for me, so I had no choice but to look beyond the usual recommendations. And out of the 20 (or 30) things I experimented with over the years, these were the few that genuinely made a difference, especially when paired with basic sleep hygiene (limiting screen time, a consistent bedtime and a daily wind-down routine.)

1. Magnesium

Magnesium has become extremely popular in recent months. While magnesium supplements have now become very accessible, they come in several forms that all have different absorption rates and purposes. I tried out a few forms like glycinate, citrate and L-threonate. While glycinate was great, my favourite by far has been topical application through magnesium lotions and best of all, Epsom salt foot soaks. This way, I don’t face the risk of an unhappy stomach and the soak works well right before bed. A 2017 study claims that magnesium is best absorbed through the skin and I’ve experienced that firsthand. My muscles were noticeably relaxed and I felt soothed and calm after long days.

2. Reishi mushrooms

When I first read about Reishi, I wasn’t sure what to expect. A mushroom didn’t sound like a sleep aid, but out of everything I tried, this was one of the most reliable in improving the quality of my sleep. Reishi is an adaptogen, which means it helps regulate the stress response rather than making you drowsy. It won’t put you to sleep on the spot. What it does is help you stay asleep longer and cycle into deeper rest once you actually fall asleep. When paired with magnesium, it made my nights feel less erratic.

3. Craniosacral therapy

Deep in my search for alternative therapies, I came across Craniosacral Therapy (CST). It is a gentle, hands-on practice that uses very light touch around the skull, spine and pelvis to relieve tension. It works by focusing on the rhythmic pulse of the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord to release blockages and stress. It sounds odd when you first hear about it but man, does it work like magic.

CST helped release deep physical tension I didn’t even know I was carrying. It does take 6-7 sessions to really feel the difference, but each session left my body feeling more regulated. For someone whose insomnia was tied to chronic stress, this therapy made a significant difference in how settled I felt before bedtime.

4. Acupuncture

This is probably the treatment that created the biggest shift for me. By the time I tried acupuncture, I was far beyond being afraid of needles. I just wanted to sleep. So, I found an experienced acupuncturist and after about 4-6 sessions, I started experiencing really big changes. My sleep went up to three or four hours a night (which, given where I had started, felt like a major breakthrough.) On top of that, my migraines and vertigo that had been worsening during my insomnia, started improving too. Acupuncture helped regulate my system in a way nothing else had. I still go in for a session every now and then and always come away feeling healed in a way.

5. Meditation and breathwork

No one wants to hear this and I understand why. We all want a simple pill or supplement that solves everything. But the reality is that chronic sleep issues often point toward a dysregulated nervous system and no supplement alone can permanently fix that.

There’s no one way to dress well. We arrive at it through instinct, experiments, the pull of heritage and the urge to push back. Clothes can hint at how you want to be read and sometimes reveal more than planned.

Fashion doesn’t live only on runways, in magazines or on racks. It’s expressed by icons whose style markers have become cultural landmarks; originals who have built a recognisable vocabulary by trusting their impulses over trends; tastemakers who shift whole groups towards new ways of dressing; people who create red-carpet moments that influence more than any algorithm; people whose street style stands out even when the setting is casual; families who show that style can be a shared language; and global voices who remind us that Indian style is not confined by any border.

The Vogue Best Dressed 2025 list gathers people whose style leaves a trace, whether the moment is formal or fleeting.

Family

Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor

Sisters Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor’s collaboration has given us some of fashion’s most memorable looks. Together, they work with an instinct for textiles and storytelling, treating every appearance as a study in how Indian craft can hold its own regardless of the stage. The ensembles may reference archives, ateliers and family heirlooms, but the styling is never static and the past year marked a natural evolution of that. Sonam’s appointment as a Dior ambassador in 2024 placed her front and centre at some of the maison’s biggest moments, and Rhea shaped those appearances with a steady hand. They experiment with silhouettes, local and global, often championing homegrown designers and craft techniques. The Sonam-Rhea partnership continues to raise the bar for how Indian style moves across the world.

In July this year, Gurinder Chadha revealed that a sequel to her 2002 smash hit, Bend It Like Beckham, is in the works. The internet went wild. Major news outlets picked up the story, fans gushed across online chats and social media platforms lit up with excitement. The UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport weighed in as well, calling the announcement “a brilliant moment for British film.”

Then came November. Chadha’s latest film, Christmas Karma, a Bollywood-inspired, star-studded musical twist on Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, opened in UK cinemas to a mixed reception. The Guardian gave it one star. The Telegraph gave it none. It’s only the second film ever to receive such a low rating from the paper. The last one was Cats.

Alia Bhatt walked the red carpet at the Red Sea Film Festival in a ready-made couture gown from Pierre Balmain’s Florilège line, a collection dating back to 1952. Dressed in classic black, the gown cinches at the waist, while her flowing hair added just the right touch of drama. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, the gown featured a gentle scoop neckline with a close-fitting bodice that trails into a voluminous midi-length skirt.

Her makeup further highlighted the dreaminess of her look as she opted for a soft, dewy finish with a subtle blush and soft pink lips.

For the accessories, she kept it subtle: a diamond choker, minimal stud earrings, pointed black pumps and chic black sunglasses, yet effortlessly remaining within Balmain’s high-end vocabulary.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“Channeling Holly Golightly with a modern romantic twist, rethink Alia’s look with a black lace off-shoulder constructed corset top paired with black pedal-pusher cigarette capris for an edgier, flirtier take on the classic little black dress. Add thin-framed black sunglasses and black kitten heels to keep the vibe effortlessly refined, then finish with sleek hair pulled into a low bun with a soft front curl for a touch of vintage charm,” says Vogue India fashion associate Divya Balakrishnan.

^{Also read:}

Alia Bhatt turns to the archives in a gilded Ritu Kumar ensemble

From Alia Bhatt to Janhvi Kapoor, everyone leaned into bronzed glam in this week’s best beauty looks

Kajol brought dewy skin and Ananya Panday made a case for smokey eyeliner in this week’s best beauty looks

How much can you possibly take on, Scorpio? How much can you handle all at once? You have a promising road ahead, however, this road must be tread upon with diligence and discipline. Laser sharp focus on whatever it is that you are working on. There will be a million things demanding your attention and time, however, darling, it is you who must choose what you allow to engage with your precious energy and focus. You have recently entered an abundant time that not only feels easeful and restful but also very rewarding and promising. It is almost as though the scales are tipping in your favour and you are finally standing up for yourself, Pisces. Your desire to move on to greener pastures, more fulfilling times lie ahead. Keep your eyes focussed. Libra, every wizard has their time to create but then they must also retreat to master new skills, replenish their energy and even their resources to come back stronger and perhaps get a better sense of things. This is your time to look at the situation at hand from multiple viewpoints and perspectives. Happy outcomes are forecast, you simply need to step out into the sun, Leo.

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 went all out, kept moving, hustling and grinding, and here you are Aries, tired, depleted and even a tad bit unsure of where you are moving next. What is the best possible way from here? Take a break and just be present. Enjoy your standing in life, celebrate your relationships and make self care an absolute necessity—even a daily 10 minute meditation works just fine. Soon you will be scurrying about once again. Until then, try breathing.

Cosmic tip: Watch your words. Allow them to reflect your well thought out ideas and plans instead of impulse driven reactions.

Money and security may have been a pressing and persistent challenge for you. Taurus, as ironic as it may sound, free yourself from this lack by forgiving those who could not provide for you mentally, emotionally or physically, even during your childhood. And if you cannot let go, at least accept the possibility that this was simply the best they thought they could do at that point in time. Now return to where you are now and ask yourself—where next?

Cosmic tip: You know you’re not who the world once thought you were. You are much more, in all the good ways.

Partnerships may have not previously worked out for you, Gemini. And you may have decided to go solo or begin something new. This moment of uncertainty and unsteadiness is only here showing you what you’re capable of. Sometimes the Universe doesn’t give you signs because it wants you to believe in yourself and trust your own path. This is one of those moments for you. So instead of looking around you waiting for momentum and guidance from the cosmos, take charge and assert your desires in the most nonchalant manner.

Genelia Deshmukh’s latest Indianwear moment leans into old-Bollywood glamour, built around a deep rose Anavila sari crafted in organza and mulberry silk. The drape carries a baroque rose pattern in a single colour family, with subtle pink sequins adding small flickers across the surface. A slim silk border outlines the sari, giving the fluid fabric a defined edge.

Cut in a fitted silhouette with a quilted embroidered pattern, the blouse plays against the lightness of the sari. For jewellery, a statement multi-layered kundan necklace, complemented with classic kundan studs, played into the timelessness of the sari.

Her beauty stayed true to the cinematic theme with soft, defined eyes, a deep lip and a small bindi. The hair, set in loose brushed-out waves and a deep side-part, completed the cinematic, old-school look.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“Swap the studs for long Art Deco earrings to echo the sheen of the fabric. And if you must do a necklace, switch the multi-strand pearls for a single, longer diamond lariat to open up the neckline and modernise the silhouette. Add a metallic clutch in antique silver to break the pink-on-pink and bring contrast,” says Vogue India fashion associate Manglien Gangte.

Also read:

7 standout looks from Genelia Deshmukh’s Indianwear closet

Genelia Deshmukh’s olive Manish Malhotra set featured gota work and floral appliqués

Tamannaah Bhatia’s rani pink sari by Torani was an ode to old Bollywood glamour

On a feature wall in the couple’s shared office is a string of framed pictures: snippets of global press coverage, photos of the team behind the brand and the couple who started it all. Seema and Sunny’s wedding portraits from 2018 are also on display, as are some pictures with close friends. “We want our office to be full of doers, dreamers and the people who inspire us,” they say.

Even though Seema heads branding and­ marketing, and Sunny oversees finance and operations—both pulling different threads of the business—they often gravitate to each other for advice and comfort. “We really like being in the same room and working together because we bounce ideas off each other. If one of us is overwhelmed, the other takes over,” Sunny smiles.

The couple is acutely aware of people’s ­ curiosity about how a husband and­ wife make a business work. They are inadvertently in each other’s company most of the time, but against popular opinion, that proximity pushes them to thrive. Seema also believes that it’s easier for them because Venus et Fleur is a dream they built together; it wasn’t one partner adopting another’s vision. “Being an entrepreneur can get very lonely at times because you can’t share every single moment with others; you just have to be there for it,” Seema explains. “You can only talk to someone who’s going through it, and we are that for one another. At the end of the day, we have each other’s back and that safety really drives us.”

This story appears in Vogue India’s November-December 2025 issue. Subscribe here.

Also read:

Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju’s wedding florist says they had approximately 10 lakh flowers

I visited the French town where the morning air smells like jasmine

From forest rituals to skincare labs, the mahua tree’s renaissance is here