Posts in category: Life Style

Shaghayegh Shayankah, Bushehr

“Beauty is one of the essential dimensions of life in the world I inhabit. In all my endeavours, I have sought to showcase beauty, as it has a profound impact on my audience. When capturing subjects through my lens, attention to factors such as light, form and the essence of life itself enhance the beauty of the image. When I gaze through my camera’s viewfinder, I seek the depth and inner identity of myself.”

Menty Jamir, Mokokchung and Delhi

“It took a lot of unlearning to fully embrace beauty again. Growing up, I struggled to accept society’s definitions of beauty—the polished and curated versions—rather than appreciating authenticity, rawness and presence. Nothing moves me as intensely as nature does. It is in the simple quiet of the natural world that I truly feel alive. If a photograph evokes any kind of emotion, it becomes beautiful. This holds true, whether I am viewing a photograph I made or one made by someone else.”

Mikhailia Petersen, Cape Town

“Beauty is the courage to be vulnerable and authentic. It’s the honesty in a quiet moment or the resilience etched into someone’s face. Through the lens, I explore my duality—strength in survival and vulnerability in healing. In my work, I try to reflect beauty by focusing on the layers of my subjects, such as their histories, emotions and environments. Whether it’s a still life or a portrait, I seek to uncover beauty that’s less about perfection and more about presence.”

Zayira Ray, New York

“I have come to understand beauty through reflections: the way I observe myself in a mirror, how light bounces through the world around me and how I see others, our gazes intertwined. Some- times, beauty reveals itself immediately; other times, it must be discovered. Reflections can be elusive, appearing only with ample light or after shifting one’s viewpoint. I believe that beauty can be encountered anywhere, and in a single moment, it has the power to reflect our innermost longings, musings and sense of self.”

Tara Laure Clair Sood, London and Paris

“My idea of beauty is constantly changing, but I believe it’s an energy above all else. A beautiful picture is when I manage to find some symbiosis between the constructed, staged elements and the subject’s truth. I think beauty emerges in the moments a subject or scene reveals a quiet vulnerability, a lack of resistance. It looks like a little ‘glitch’ in behaviour. My work feels like a way to honour these revelations, which are ultimately the most human things about us.”

Tanima Mehrotra, New York and Los Angeles

“I look for beauty in everything— it’s everywhere, but not everyone sees it. Growing up, I would watch the women in my family get ready, especially my grandmother and the way she wore her bangles and big bindi. I remember looking at myself in her mirror and feeling like I was beautiful because she was. I have her eyes. I use my work to reflect people back to themselves.”

Ripped jeans have, by and large, been absent from the spotlight in recent times – which is thanks, in part, to the polished and pristine styles that flooded the market post “quiet luxury”. MM6 Maison Margiela has long championed manipulated fabrications and for spring, the design collective dipped into the expansive Margiela archive and reworked some of the brand’s greatest techniques. The result? Trousers that peeled with the label’s signature dried-paint effect and jeans with many, many vertical splices to reveal the material’s frays.

Distressed High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans

90s Loose High Rise Straight Jeans

Nico Mid-Rise Straight Jeans

Distressed Wide-Leg Jeans

Not your regular waistband

Schiaparelli spring/summer 2025.

Spotlight Launchmetrics

High-waisted, low-waisted, mid-rise – there are several waistband heights to choose from in the denim market, but what about the shape or cut of said waistband? Kendall Jenner walked the Schiaparelli runway in jeans with a U-shaped dip at the front and back, paired with a stretch-corset bodysuit. “Not your basic five-pocket style denim,” Nicole Phelps surmised in her review of Daniel Roseberry’s unique approach to ready-to-wear. See also: asymmetric jeans from Y/Project, JW Anderson and Agolde.

Asymmetric-Waist Cropped Jeans

Twisted Workwear Denim Jeans

This story first appeared on British Vogue.

Also read:

Has the democratisation of denim reached its peak?

How to wear skinny jeans, for those who don’t do skinny jeans

Gird your loins—bootcut jeans are back (and better than ever)

So what does that look like? Here are a few key factors that can mean the difference between a lifelong support system…and a horror story you’ll be trying to forget for years to come.

What are the secrets to a successful, drama-free trio?

1. Include everyone in group decisions—even for the small stuff

Whether it’s choosing a brunch spot or deciding where to watch The White Lotus, making sure all three voices are heard helps prevent that dreaded “pairing off” dynamic that can quickly derail a trio.

“It’s easy to assume that if one friend is on board, the majority is already settled,” Atkinson says. The problem, though, is this mindset treats the third pal more as an afterthought, which is why a simple extra step—explicitly checking in with them anyway—can make a sweet, subtle difference. If you and Friend #1 are both down to try a wine bar on Sunday, for instance, respond in the group chat with something like, “Cool! What about you, #3? Or would you rather do a different spot?”

It might seem like a small gesture, but “this intentional act inadvertently gives each person that sense of importance and value within the trio—that feeling that everybody matters equally,” Atkinson explains.

2. Invest in the individual relationships within the trio

According to Dr. Bradford, a trio should also consist of three separate duos. In other words, “every member should have their own relationships with each other,” she says—meaning, if one person isn’t around, the remaining two can still click without it feeling awkward or forced. Otherwise, the vibe can quickly turn inauthentic and imbalanced, resembling a “friendship” out of convenience rather than genuine connection.

While this isn’t to say you should secretly pair off all the time, it’s helpful to keep in mind that just because two people are getting along doesn’t mean you should take it personally—or assume you’re the weakest link. Of course, “there still needs to be instances when the entire group is coming together,” Dr. Bradford points out. “But you should be excited to be around each person individually while still having an equally great time all together.”

So even if you and Friend #1 have been inseparable since college and Friend #3 is a newer addition from work, it’s still worth carving out your own bond. You don’t have to be equally close, but maybe #3 is your go-to for dishing celebrity gossip or finding the best-hidden gem bars. The key is building separate connections that strengthen the crew as a whole—rather than relying on one person to hold it together.

3. Include everyone in group decisions—even for the small stuff

If there’s one skill that can make or break a trio friendship, it’s communication. “Everyone needs to be open with their feelings, emotions and needs,” Atkinson says. “And that involves addressing conflicts as a ‘we’”—which is a lot harder than it sounds. Compared to twosomes, “it’s more likely for someone to feel like the odd one out in trios, as if they’re being ganged up on or caught in the middle,” she explains.

Ananya Panday’s on-screen wardrobe in Call Me Bae caused a stir, with her Chanel pantsuits, tulle capes and luxurious satin outfits. Her off-screen wardrobe, too, puts a contemporary spin on traditional looks. Prioritising wearability and comfort, she often swaps a dupatta with a chic cape or does away with a typical blouse for a figure-accentuating corset. Bookmark these looks for the next wedding or occasion you attend.

Mirror-work corset with a chikankari sari

Itrh’s creation featured a gold corset top with a plunging neckline embellished in mirror work. The corset’s drape sleeves dangled with mirror tassels, adding drama to the look. The dust-pink chikankari sari featured dabka work, while the pallu and borders had mirror-work tassels. The actor’s bijoux included a colorful neckpiece and matching earrings of tourmalines, Zambian emeralds and round diamonds by jewellery designer Sunita Shekhawat. She stacked the look with polki bangles.

Mogra blouse

When one thinks of mogra flowers, one’s mind automatically drifts to gajras. But the actor wore a blouse crafted from the flower. Ananya Panday’s mogra ladi blouse was crafted by Doh Tak Keh and completed with a striped and checkered dull-gold-and-white silk drape by Raw Mango. Radhika Merchant also opted for a similar marigold and jasmine chaadar-like dupatta for her haldi ceremony earlier.

Scent, too, is a keeper of stories, a chemical testament to the deep link between olfactory senses and memory. On one of the shelves sits a gilded gift box with miniature pull-out drawers, a nostalgic nod to the vanities of another time. In it, sit perfumes from Naso Profumi, including Oud Mud, Pepper Wood, and Tabac, evoking the ritual of sifting through a drawer lined with glass bottles, each holding the trace of a bygone moment.

Jewellery, similarly, speaks in the language of history. Pieces from Jaipur-based jewellery label Kesya blend Art Deco influences with the jewelled traditions of Rajasthan, where crescent moons and birds in flight are delicately handcrafted in sterling silver and semi-precious stones. A Nappa Dori handbag, structured and compact with a kiss-lock clasp, finds itself at home in this narrative of refinement.

A commingling of the products available at Arzaani

On day two, the couple had a symbolic catholic wedding ceremony in the manor garden that was co-officiated by Rice’s sister and Ramaiah’s brother. “A string quartet from Kaleydo played “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as Brendan and the wedding party walked down the aisle. Alongside, one of my bridesmaids, Jordan, sang “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez, as I walked down the aisle,” she shares.

The bride wore a corseted, basque waist ball gown from Galia Lahav. Made with French guipure lace, it had a cat-eye plunging neckline. For the ceremony, she added a matching bolero jacket and a 10-foot, lace-trimmed veil with ‘Forever’s gotta start somewhere’ text embroidered on it. “The day I met Brendan, I was wearing a blue polka dot dress. So my maid of honour Lauren cut a piece of it and stitched it into a little heart, pinning it to the bottom of my gown as my ‘something blue’,” she adds. She completed the look with a messy updo and natural makeup, along with a tennis bracelet from Ring Concierge that Rice gifted her right before the ceremony. The groom wore a white tuxedo with black trousers and a bowtie paired with a gold Ferragamo watch with their wedding date engraved on it that Ramaiah gave him.

A sangeet ceremony followed later, where the amphitheatre was decorated in pink and floral arrangements by Giardino Delle Fate Flower Design, which did all the decor for the wedding. LetterInk designed custom bar fronts and tablecloths and guests relished an Indian buffet spread by Haveli Restaurant as they danced to dhol beats by Elite Drummers and peppy tracks by DJ Aman from Kudos Music. The couple wore a Seema Gujral peach fishtail lehenga and a custom blue sherwani.

The final day of festivities began early morning with Telugu rituals including a mangala snanam and gouri pooja for the bride, and kashi yatra for the groom. “I deeply understand the significance Hindu culture holds for my family. From the very beginning, it was important for me to honour and preserve these traditions,” says Ramaiah. She walked to the mandap wearing a traditional gold sari from Kanchipuram paired with a blouse with pink flowers that was designed and stitched by Bhuvi Kilpady. The highlight was a 60-foot-long veil held together by her cousins.

She picked sentimental family heirloom pieces like ruby and diamond-encrusted bangles and antique temple jewellery in remembrance of her late grandmothers. Rice opted for a custom-stitched dhoti-kurta for the occasion. A pandit performed rituals like vadhu pravesham, muhurtham, maala maarpidi, kanyadana, mangalsutra dhara and more, followed by a traditional sit-down lunch or yele oota where guests ate with their hands.

A reception dinner and their first dance marked the end of the couple’s wedding celebrations, where guests received handwritten thank you notes, traditional bomboniera, and Italian wedding cake.

Calling all fragrance lovers—have you added hair perfume to your shelf of favourite scents? I’d argue that aside from reformulated classics, reinterpretations of singular ingredients, and a recent push in clean compositions, you don’t see much buzz in the fragrance space. That is, until you consider the world of hair perfume—the lighter, less concentrated alternative to regular perfume, with the added benefits of the same conditioning ingredients you would find in your favourite nourishing hair products, like glycerin or aloe vera. Not to mention, hair perfumes are the perfect solution to keeping hair smelling fresh in between washes.

For a long time, I couldn’t stop hearing about Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Perfume after its 2021 launch—perhaps because I’ve long followed brand founder Negin Mirsalehi, whose family’s bee gardens inspired the sweet floral scent. “I made our signature fragrance into a hair perfume, because I wanted our community to be able to indulge in our iconic scent whenever they pleased to always feel fresh and confident—whether it be to finish off their look or to refresh in between washes,” Mirsalehi explains over email. Described as “playful, fresh, and feminine,” the OG hair perfume was so popular, Gisou debuted a second iteration this year—a Floral Edition, centred around a wild rose aroma.

For a beauty brand that plays in both the fragrance and hair care arena, a hair perfume feels like a natural extension—after all, what many users associate with their favourite hair care products is, of course, a scent. In Mirsalehi’s case, that’s her family’s bee garden in the Netherlands.

Dianna Cohen of Crown Affair, has another hair perfume that’s popular. The scent—a smooth balance of citrus and sandalwood—is the effortless, cool-girl vibe her brand is known for. “When I first started working on Crown Affair four years ago, the first thing I dove into was developing the perfect scent for the line,” she says. “I communicated to the team what I wanted the fragrance to feel like. I asked them to capture the ‘essence of Kate Moss but if she were in Japan in the 1970s.”

Linda Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation, describes hair perfume as a less expensive investment and a great entry into fragrance for new or younger customers. Plus, it’s an integral step in fragrance layering—the art of combining multiple scents to create a signature scent. “Hair fragrance is the next level of self expression and personalisation,” Levy adds.

Skincare is personal. What works for one person can leave another questioning their life choices under the unforgiving glow of the department store mirror. Somewhere between ‘hydration is key’ and ‘have you tried slugging?’ I’ve become an amateur chemist with strong opinions on sunscreen sprays. So when Tira announced The Skin Affair—its first-ever skincare and wellness festival—the question wasn’t ‘what’s new?’ but ‘what happens when beauty stops being about products and starts being about experiences?’

Held at the Jio World Drive in Mumbai on March 8 and 9, The Skin Affair is a sensory deep dive into beauty and self-care. The festival brings together expert-led workshops, hands-on creative stations and live performances; there is a curated lineup of global, homegrown and viral skincare brands. The goal? To turn beauty into something you immerse yourself in, not just consume.

This wasn’t a skincare aisle come to life, but a playground for beauty obsessives like myself. I learned about fermented skincare science with Mixsoon, the cult-favorite SPF formulas of Neutrogena and the glass-skin secrets of Laneige. Tried on the dewy minimalism of Beauty of Joseon and COSRX, and explored homegrown creations like Akind, Beauty by Bie, Minimalist, Plum and Foxtale. Whether you’re a curious novice or a self-proclaimed skincare sommelier, there’s something for every routine.

While skincare takes centre stage, Tira expands the idea of wellness with a lineup of immersive DIY activities. You can create your signature perfume blend, pour custom candles, create 3D resin art or try your hand at pottery and calligraphy. For those who find therapy in a brushstroke, there’s tote bag painting—just as soothing as a gua sha session but with a little more colour.

Some activities take interactivity up a notch. Never have I ever sat on a stationary bicycle peddling myself a smoothie. At the Youth to the People’s station, they hooked up the bike to a blender, and I cycled my way to a fresh green juice, literally. I ended up with a spinach-laden smoothie in hand which became my fuel for the festival. A refreshing respite after a little back and forth on their pickleball court, an unexpected addition at a beauty event. Rotating between face masks may be my usual sport of choice, but there was something delightful about bopping around, paddle in hand and breaking a sweat between sunscreen swatches.

The experience also includes culinary delights from women-led brands that approach wellness with flavour, not restriction. The festival spotlights over a dozen women-led culinary brands, proving that good food and good skincare often go hand in hand. Indulge in artisanal delights from Noa By The Nutcracker, MOTODO Pizzeria, Truefit Gourmet, The Gelato Bar, Wildflower Bakehouse and more. Because sometimes, self-care is a serum, but it could also be a dessert.

What would a festival be without a soundtrack? Tira delivers. Whether you’re vibing to an acoustic set between workshops or laughing through a comedy set with a green juice in hand, enjoy live performances curated by Arré: All About Her, a showcase of powerhouse female talent spanning music, comedy and spoken word. The lineup includes comedian Sumukhi Suresh’s razor-sharp, self-deprecating humour, Vasudha Sehgal’s soulful vocals, DJ Suggahunny’s high-energy beats and genre-blending acts like W.I.S.H and Wild Wild Women.

The Skin Affair signals a shift in how beauty is experienced—not just as a product category but as a space for creativity, community and joy. If the future of beauty is this immersive, this was the first, assertive step forward.

Also read:

Leading a skincare revolution: Augustinus Bader’s iconic products make a grand debut in India

How this beauty brand transformed its space into a luxury hotel of brands at the Ajio Luxe Weekend

Exclusive: Tira Beauty’s new flagship unveils an in-store spa, café, and more

The pandemic prompted many of us to take a more intentional approach to safeguarding our health. Whether taking better care of our gut, attempting to limit stress, or being more diligent about oral hygiene, many of us are much more proactive about the basics these days. One additional area you might not be thinking about but should be is eye health. Like other significant systems in the body, there is an innate connection between our vision and our health that shouldn’t be ignored (underlying this is research that demonstrates the existence of communication axes between gut microbiota and the eyes). “Your eyes are the windows to your overall health,” consultant ophthalmologist Alex Day says. “Many systemic conditions, from diabetes to hypertension, can appear first in the eyes, making eye health a crucial early indicator of your body’s wellbeing.”

Keep an eye on your eyes

“Our eye health is important because our vision plays a central role in how we interact with the world,” explains Day. “Poor eye health can lead to a range of problems which can reduce the quality of life.” It’s easy to dismiss some signs of poor eye health as tiredness or a sign of being overworked. Still, if you experience several symptoms together or for a prolonged period, it could mean an underlying condition that needs investigation. Common symptoms include blurred or double vision, frequent headaches, eye strain or discomfort. According to Day, other potential warning signs include redness, dryness or itching, sensitivity to light, issues with seeing at night, or a sudden decrease in vision or increase in floaters or shadows in your vision. If any of these occur frequently, it’s best to book an appointment with your local optician to rule out anything more serious.

Like your skin, the eyes can suffer from inflammatory conditions like ocular rosacea, which often react to environmental triggers like heat or alcohol. If you spend a long time at a computer or are menopausal, you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome, which is characterised by itchy, sore or gritty-feeling eyes. Although it sounds benign, in severe cases, if left untreated, it can lead to corneal damage and impaired vision.

Brain health begins with your eyes

Although it sounds a little gruesome, the eye is the only part of the brain that can be seen directly. “The retina is composed of neural tissue, therefore making the eyes an extension of the brain,” explains Day. “It can be visualised when an optician uses an ophthalmoscope or slit lamp as part of an eye examination. These clearly show the innermost layer of the eye (the retina), and also the optic nerve that carries the signals from the retina to the brain.” There’s also a clear link between the deterioration of eye health and declining cognitive function; according to a recent study by the University of Loughborough, a loss of visual sensitivity can predict dementia 12 years before it is diagnosed.

Changes in the eye can also highlight neurological conditions such as strokes and tumours, as well as chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. “In many neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or types of strokes, we can see changes in the optic nerve and retina that help make a direct diagnosis,” says Day. “If the pressure in the brain increases, for example, due to a brain tumour, we can see this as a swelling of the optic nerve.”

Protect your heart health

Eye exams can provide critical clues about other essential areas of health, including cardiovascular health, usually seen via changes to the retinal vessels. “The retina receives blood supply from small arteries and veins similar to those supplying the heart and brain,” says Day. “Fatty plaque deposits breaking off from the carotid artery can lodge in retinal arteries, signalling high stroke risk, [while] blocked retinal veins related to blood clots or high pressure may mean high cholesterol or hypertension.” Other markers that are visible during eye exams include fatty eyelid bumps, which can indicate the risk of high cholesterol, and leaking retinal vessels, which can point to an elevated cardiovascular mortality risk.

Understand your risks

Changes to our sight are a routine part of ageing. Presbyopia, the medical term for age-related farsightedness, is something we all experience and is a normal part of getting older. But while our eyesight may be routinely affected, it’s important to prevent the deterioration of our eye health as much as possible. Getting to know your family history of conditions like cataracts and glaucoma will help you understand your personal risks and allow you to take preventive steps to safeguard both your eye health and your general health.

How to make better eye health part of your lifestyle

Have regular check-ups

As you would with your teeth and moles, schedule regular check-ups with your local optician. It’s an important part of good overall health maintenance, even if your vision is perfect and you have no sinister symptoms. According to the College of Optometrists, everyone over 16 should have an eye test every two years, while younger children should be tested yearly. If you have a family history of eye conditions, you may be required to have a yearly test once you’re over 60.

Cover up and eat well

Consider making changes to your lifestyle. If you don’t regularly don sunglasses with strong UV protection when the sun is out, then you could be causing long-term damage. “Additionally, not smoking and following a healthy, balanced diet, rich in green leaf vegetables (such as spinach, cabbage, curly kale) and omega-3 oils can further support eye health,” says Day. “Staying well hydrated and getting enough sleep can prevent dry eyes, and removing make-up at the end of the day is also crucial.” To further minimise your risk of common eye conditions, consider targeted supplements to improve eye health. Vitamin A helps maintain clear corneas and improves low-light vision, while vitamin E is a protective antioxidant that can help mitigate damage to eye cells. Omega-3 fatty acids, meanwhile, have anti-inflammatory properties that may help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, and lutein provides critical protection from UV light.

Limit screen time

Limiting exposure to screen time isn’t just a good idea for wayward teenagers; the rest of us should be doing it, too. “We tend to blink less often when looking at screens, which can cause eyestrain and drying of the ocular surface,” says Day. To negate this, regular screen breaks are essential. “Follow the 20/20/20 rule,” he advises. “Take a 20-second break from your digital device every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away. Set a countdown alarm on your smartphone as a reminder.”