Posts in category: Life Style

LV: Simi is known as the Lady in White, and Karleo is a Brand that specialises in White Wedding Gowns. This was a match made in Heaven. We have discussed different shades of white for hours, ranging from eggshells, ivory, bone white, cream and champagne, etc. We also love to discuss different kinds of shines. Shines like Diamonds, Shines like Metal and Shines like Mirror. We vividly remember that the outfits created for her were dyed in different shades of coffee to get a natural shade of cream for Simi. She wore it for a red carpet event in Australia. We have always been fans of her sense of style and elegance.

VI: Simi Garewal is known for her style and candid conversations. She has been rebellious in some ways and does not hesitate to experiment. Tell us about your approach when you are designing something for her. Has her onscreen boldness translated to her fashion choices?

LV: The best part about Simi is her knowledge of fabrics and her references to the old world charm. Which, for designers like us, is a dream come true. We love a good story to complement the fashion. And there is plenty of that when working with Simi. Also, being generations apart makes things more interesting. It’s the contrast of the classic with the modern that keeps things fresh and bold in many ways when it comes to fashion. We have experimented with construction styles, different kinds of corsets, shoulder pads, etc, and many fabric textures to enhance the lack of colour. All these elements have been an important part of our design process for Simi Garewal.

VI: Simi Garewal is set to make her debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. What was the first thought that came to your mind for her ensemble?

LV: This was a true honour. In spite of knowing her, we knew this one had to be different. Hence, this is the first time Simi translated from a client into a celebrity whom we are so eager to collaborate with. So we invited Simi to our Studio and showed her all our design processes right from our artwork sketches to our embroidery swatches to our construction techniques. This gave her even more confidence that our aesthetics will match her specific vision for this particular event, which she is going to for the first time. Immediately, she took the sketching pad and drew out a very rough sketch of what she wanted. After explaining it in detail to us, both Karan and Leon took it upon ourselves to let Simi lead this one, while it became our duty to bring her vision to life in the best possible way.

Parisian jewellery house Messika has officially arrived in India. Known for its modern take on diamonds and French glamour, the brand introduces its signature style—clean lines, fluid movement, and everyday wearability—to a new market.

Messika’s designs are sleek and striking. Diamonds move freely within their settings, and the versatile pieces carry one from morning to night—think layered diamond chains under a leather jacket or bold rings with denim.

Vogue India

Founder Valérie Messika’s connection with diamonds began early on. “I’ve had a special relationship with diamonds since I was little,” she says. “I grew up playing with my father’s stones—running them through my fingers, watching them sparkle.”

After studying marketing and working in fashion, Messika returned to diamonds with a fresh perspective. She wanted to break the mould of traditional jewellery. She defines her aesthetic as “casual chic, rock-n-roll Parisian style.” It’s this spirit, she says, that aligns naturally with the confidence of Indian women.

“India has such a rich relationship with jewellery—it’s part of their heritage and everyday life,” she says. “I felt it was the right moment to bring Messika here, to connect with a new generation that appreciates both tradition and modernity. I believe our creations will offer something fresh and exciting.”

There’s a reason beauty entrepreneur and makeup artist Sandhya Shekar is the go-to for everything from red-carpet radiance to the perfect brown smoky eye on Bollywood’s most photographed faces. Having created some of the most memorable beauty looks for Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif, among others, Shekar’s approach is equal parts technique and intuition, rooted in the belief that makeup should enhance, not overpower.

At a masterclass hosted as part of the Vogue Beauty & Wellness Honours 2025, in partnership with Tira, Shekar chose to spotlight one of the most deceptively difficult eye looks: the brown smoky eye. Often reduced to muddy pigments or overly graphic shapes, it’s a technique that demands subtlety, smart layering and a deep understanding of face structure—skills Shekar brings in spades.

The founder of Mokae Beauty doesn’t believe in black smoky eyes, at least not for real life. “Stop doing black smoky eyes,” she said, to a roomful of knowing laughs. “Unless it’s for a theme shoot or fashion editorial, it’s very easy to get wrong.” Black eyeshadow is hard to blend, easy to overdo, and often ends up looking too harsh. “It can be ageing and make the eye look smaller. Browns are more flattering on Indian skin; they give you warmth, richness and so many ways to build drama without overpowering your face.”

What followed wasn’t just a step-by-step tutorial, but a beauty philosophy in motion: one that favours softness over drama, richness over contrast and skin that still looks like skin. Below, her most essential tips on how to nail the brown smokey eye, and make it look expensive, wearable, and completely your own.

#1 Start with a primer and skip the concealer

Most of us reach for concealer when priming our lids, but Shekar takes a different approach. “When I’m working on Indian skin, I love using a colourless primer. It helps keep the makeup looking as natural as possible,” she explains.

“With concealer, the skin gets very dry, the moisture gets sucked out, and it adds five years,” she says. A sheer primer that grips pigment without dulling the skin’s natural undertone is the way to go, according to Shekar. “We don’t have to do what we did 10 years ago. Makeup tech has advanced. We don’t need to use concealer everywhere anymore.”

#2 Pencil first, powder next, cream to finish

A rich, brown smoky eye isn’t about pigment, it’s about layers. Shekar begins with a dark brown pencil smudged across the lid to create depth. Then comes a soft, earthy powder to diffuse the lines, followed by a tap of cream or liquid pigment to add sheen.

Panday’s choice reinforced that the sari isn’t just a nostalgic nod but a go-to silhouette she continues to evolve. Think of her floral Torani sari worn at the musical Rajadhiraaj at NMACC in Mumbai. Called the Dil Nawaz Mahasti, the sari was plucked from Karan Torani’s Juloos collection. She accessorised it with chandbali earrings and a bun adorned with fresh flowers. Or consider her recent purple sari from Punita Balana’s SS25 collection, worn at the premiere of her film, Kesari Chapter 2. Paired with a richly embroidered blouse, the sari showcased intricate marodi and mirror work along the border. Vintage earrings from Jay Sagar added oomph to the look.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“Ananya looks angelic or carved by a Greek sculptor. To recreate Ananya’s ethereal look, start with a soft, dull white sari, or any muted colour of a hue, for example, a soft mauve or dull eggshell. The key here is to tone down the hues, opting for muted metallic accents like brushed gold or silver that won’t overpower the outfit. Choosing fabrics with a delicate drape, such as chiffon or silk georgette, adds an airy feel. To complete the look, add a statement piece like a pearl choker, which balances the softness of the sari with just the right amount of contrast. A crescent moon-shaped bag (Chand bag) is a trendy finishing touch that ties the whole look together. Keep the overall vibe understated and let one or two key accessories shine,” says Vogue India’s Associate Fashion Editor, Divya Balakrishnan.

Much like ‘sleep’ and ‘eating protein’, having an active social life has become one of those things that we’re told is integral to our health, happiness and longevity. All the stats back it up: according to research, having good friends means that you’re more likely to live longer, retain better physical health and are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Loneliness, on the other hand—which is distinct from being alone, but still—is apparently as harmful to our bodies as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. That’s, like, nearly a whole pack. Every day!

This isn’t ideal news for me, who, despite having approximately one million acquaintances and plenty of ‘outer circle’ friends, has very few genuinely close friends. I could probably count those who are close to me—as in, those who’ve been to my house, who’ve seen me cry, who know me intimately—on one hand. And the older I get, the more I realise that it’s always been this way, and will probably remain this way into the future. And before you feel bad for me (or maybe you relate?), this is actually how I like it.

When I was younger, I used to push against my natural loner inclinations. I’d go on long weekends away with friends, sharing beds and agreeing to a group itinerary. I’d go to parties, and then join those same people for brunch the next day, even though my social battery had long gone flat. Alcohol often helped: I found socialising easy if I’d been drinking, and closeness easier too. But you shouldn’t have to drink to ‘get through’ an interaction. The whole point of socialising is that it’s supposed to be fun, good for you and happen naturally. Being around loads of people isn’t supposed to be an endurance test.

I also felt as though I should be making new friends as an adult nearly constantly and then doing whatever I could to keep them. I, too, grew up with Sex And The City, Friends and, later, Girls. I had assumed that having a big friendship group was normal and expected. I’d be in constant touch with the group chat, or making sure I had at least three social plans that week, or showing up to someone’s birthday drinks so that I would be well-liked. Obviously, I often enjoyed these plans, and of course, I like meeting new people, but this constant pursuit of friendship for the sake of it was also quite draining. Sometimes, I felt lonelier around others than when I was alone. Not always, but sometimes.

Once the domain of dermatologists and sterile clinics, microneedling has moved onto bathroom shelves. Beauty brands are now bottling the logic of the procedure, using micro-spicules that promise similar skin benefits, without the downtime. These tiny, marine-derived crystals are designed to create micro-channels in the skin’s surface, enhancing product absorption, improving texture, and nudging the skin into renewal mode.

But is the sting worth the science? And can a topical product really recreate what’s traditionally done with needles and numbing cream? I spoke to dermatologists while doing a trial of my own.

What are micro-spicules?

“Micro-spicules are microscopic needle-like structures that create micro-channels in the skin,” explains Dr Prachi Bodkhe, dermatologist at Envi Aesthetics. “They help to increase the absorption of active ingredients and stimulate collagen production by initiating a controlled inflammatory response.”

While they sound futuristic, these spicules aren’t a new innovation. They’ve been extracted from marine sponges like Haliclona sp. for decades in traditional medicine and their sharp, porous texture has found renewed popularity in skincare. “Unlike dermarollers or microneedling devices that pierce the skin, spicules are more like microscopic projections that exfoliate and stimulate,” says Dr Bodkhe. “It’s important to follow up with calming agents and hydrating ingredients after use, as the skin barrier has been temporarily disrupted.”

Are they safe?

That depends on who you ask and how you use them. “Micro-spicules are primarily physical exfoliants. They can be abrasive and may cause irritation or microtears in sensitive skin,” cautions Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic. “They can also lead to a compromised barrier function and inflammation if overused.”

She draws a parallel to aggressive scrubs from the early 2000s: “These products remind me of the physical exfoliants we used in the past, those gritty walnut shell scrubs that caused more harm than good. We moved away from them for a reason.”

While many brands market spicule-based serums as needle-free alternatives to microneedling, Dr Agarwal is sceptical. “Micro-spicules cannot and should not replace professional microneedling,” she says firmly. “The delivery mechanism and the actives used in a dermatologist’s clinic are far more controlled and effective.”

My experience with micro-spicule skincare

The first time I used a micro-spicule product, I didn’t even know what it was. My sister had passed along a trending serum—bought on impulse—and I followed it up with a copper peptide serum, hoping to maximise absorption. The prickly sensation was novel at first. A few days later, my rosacea-prone skin was in full rebellion. It flared up, angry and inflamed, and I shelved the product. Bad timing, I told myself. It was summer, my skin was already irritated, and I hadn’t consulted a derm.

In this coming-of-age drama, the rust-belt town of Ironwood, Pennsylvania, becomes the backdrop for a high-octane tale of teenage rebellion, family secrets and the redemptive power of speed. At its heart is Logan Maddox (Ryan Phillippe), a former NASCAR mechanic grappling with his past and the legacy of his infamous brother, Christian. When his niece and nephew, Caitlyn (Melissa Collazo) and Zac (Michael Cimino), move into town, they’re drawn into Ironwood’s underground street racing scene, seeking to uncover the truth about their father’s mysterious disappearance. As they team up with local misfits, the group forms an unlikely bond over their shared love for cars and the thrill of the race.

Streaming on Prime Video

Landman (May 21)

Cosmic tip: Align yourself with effort, not outcome.

What you show up for, shows up for you, Sag. So in life, whatever you choose, choose wisely. Stand in integrity, make choices that are a reflection of who you are, irrespective of the short-term goals they bring or chase. Look back at today as if it were the last day of your life and ask yourself if your current choices would make you happy – you will find your answers there. Connect with nature, make peace your priority and learn to love yourself as you are.

Cosmic tip: Allow your feminine energy of creativity and innocence to take the front seat.

Healing is rarely living through a flatline, it is the ability to learn to hold your calm (at least at most times) even amidst chaotic times, bravely inquiring with the cosmos – What your task at hand currently is! Capricorn, only the courageous choose the path of purpose and passion – and if there is one zodiac on the wheel that is brave enough to climb a steep cliff, it is you! Ask yourself how you can fully live out the wonders of the world you are born in – how you can make it more yours and less others’? And then walk on it with grit and determination.

Cosmic tip: Choose freedom and choose life.

When you take things at face value, minus the attachment or judgement, you realise that there is a lot that you detangle yourself from, Aquarius. Action becomes good or bad based on the intentions it is fused with. So, what are your intentions for whatever you are choosing from this point on? You can dream your wildest dreams while still coming from a place of integrity. Keep your heart open, your mind pure, and your actions committed to reap brilliant cosmic rewards.

Cosmic tip: All aspects of you are divine, even your rage is here to guide you to correct what feels deeply wrong. Accept it as such.

Nothing is entirely good or bad, Pisces; the good exists in the bad and the bad exists in the good. It’s time to test your mettle and push yourself beyond your limits to wholly understand what you can really achieve or create. You may be venturing into something you have not ventured into before, and that is the beauty of life – nothing ventured, nothing gained. To create a new life, you must be more willing to embrace new ways of being.

Cosmic tip: What do you really believe you are capable of?

The winds are shifting, Scorpio. What once felt stuck may begin to stir again. Life is quietly rearranging itself in your favour, even if you can’t yet see the full pattern. Cycles are closing, doors turning, new seasons waiting to be let in. But while the universe spins its golden thread, it gently asks you to do your part. This is not a time to drift—it is a time to root. To show up. To refine your craft, your dreams, and your dedication. There is magic in your routine now. There is transformation in the quiet, focused work.

Cosmic tip: Align yourself with effort, not outcome.

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