ThursdayThe wonderful world of alchemy Sign up your children for Potions, powders and gold, a workshop by Nutty Scientists, where they will learn how ancient art inspired modern chemistry.TIME 11.30 am to 1 pmAT Baobab tree area, Children’s Museum, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sangrahalaya, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda. E-MAIL events@csmvs.inENTRY Museum entry ticket applicable FridayMarathi melodies Pic Courtesy/Instagram Listen to Marathi ghazals at Sobaticha Karar.TIME 7 pmAT Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 500 SaturdayFlick o’ clock A still from Under the Boardwalk. Pic Courtesy/Paramount movies on Youtube Attend a screening of the animated musical comedy, Under the Boardwalk. TIME 11 am onwardsAT Dosti House, US Consulate General, Bandra Kurla Complex. SundayLaugh till you drop Catch stand-up comedian Abhishek Upmanyu (below) unleash fresh jokes at his show, Toxic.TIME 8 pmAT Lata Mangeshkar NatyaGruha Auditorium, Mira Road East. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 2,499
22 May,2025 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaWhen the rains drenched Mumbai’s streets earlier this week, they might have also washed away many Mumbaikars’ daydreams of enjoying a calm, scenic monsoon in the city. While the rain gods are still in a mood, the wisest decision this monsoon, we believe, is to head straight to God’s own country. Earlier this month, this writer spent a weekend at an arts and crafts village tucked in Kerala’s Kotakkal town that has all the makings of a perfect rainy day retreat. Visitors at a live pottery session in the village Spread across 20 acres in Iringal village, Sargaalaya Kerala Arts and Crafts Village is home to local artisans practising age-old art forms in its spacious premises facing the calm backwaters of the Kuttiyadi river. Only a few of these practices will survive the test of time, we’re told. We’re right in time. Wandering in hallways marked by laterite walls, carved pillars and sloped terracotta roofs above us, we’re greeted by a young man beaming with joy, as if he’d seen an old friend in us. We’ve never met, but that doesn’t seem to matter around here. The young man is Arun AK, a speech and hearing impaired terracotta artist from Maniyur. He invites us into his workshop, one of the many that dot the village. Arun AK works on a hornbill sculpture. PICS/DEVASHISH KAMBLE (right) Sundaresan Payyanur’s recreation of St Angelo Fort Church, Kannur Inside, Arun is working on a life-sized model of a hornbill, surrounded by completed models of many more wild creatures. He’s most excited about the shiny rooster; it won him a State Award in 2021. In his outdoor warehouse, we spot an intricately carved terracotta Ganesha idol. If we had a tinge of trust in our airlines, it’d make for a timely gift to take home, given that our city has only recently imposed a ban on Plaster of Paris idols. Arun AK’s clay rooster won him the Kerala State Award Arun is not the only artist turning a new page at the village. Managed by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), a workers’ cooperative that was established in 1925 to uplift unemployed youth from the margins, nearly 60 artisans call the village home. “It wasn’t easy to convince these artists who were scattered all around Kerala to leave their hometowns and converge here. We sat down with them and explained how wider exposure will only help them thrive,” reveals Rajesh TK, senior general manager, Sargaalaya. Wood carver Sundaresan Payyanur, for instance, is content that his works now sell well enough to not worry about his household expenses. His piece de resistance is a detailed recreation of the St Angels Fort Church in Kannur. Next door, artist Rineesh NM’s Kerala mural showcase is an oasis of colours. A painting portraying Lord Krishna in a scene from the Mahabharata is hung right across a glass encased piece depicting The Last Supper. A subtle reminder that we’re still in Kerala. Rineesh NM’s Kerala Mural-style depiction of The Last Supper While we settle down for a chat with handloom weaver NC Ayappan, our fellow visitors seem to have realised the village is not just an art haven, but a shopper’s paradise too. Huts selling bamboo mats, hemp handbags, wooden toys and upcycled jewelry pull them in. Others are drawn in by the aroma of local delicacies that are ready to be served alongside Kerala-style sadhya at the establishment’s cafeteria. But Ayappan isn’t bothered. The frail 80-year-old is quietly working his ancestral handloom, weaving cora grass mats. ”This is all I have. I won’t stop until my body gives in,” he smiles. NC Ayappan works his handloom Over a chat with ULCCS chairman Remeshan Palery later, over piping hot pazhampori (banana fritters), we learn of the co-operative’s principles. “You cannot negate the importance of finances in today’s age. But at the end of the day, it is people, honest ones at that, which can cause change. Sargaalaya stands as a testament to that belief,” he shares. Remeshan Palery and Rajesh TK On the drive back, we do the mental math behind possibly building such a village in Mumbai. Our driver briefly pauses the dancey Mollywood tune playing on the radio to tell us about the new six-lane main road we’re almost gliding on. “Does Mumbai have even bigger, smoother roads, sir?” he enquires. We know better than to lie in God’s Own Country. NEED TO KNOWAT Sargaalaya, Vadakara, Kotakkal, Iringal, Kerala. HOW TO REACHArrive in Kannur via direct flight from Mumbai. Take Thalassery - Irikkur Road to NH 66. Follow NH 66 to Kottakkal Road in Iringal. Kannur is also well-connected by Indian Railways-run train routes. TO BOOK A VISIT sargaalaya.in; ulccsltd.com Around Iringal Head to these attractions to explore beyond Sargaalaya Kunjali Marakkar MuseumThis museum in Payyoli, nearly two kilometres from Iringal stands in memory of the Marakkar naval warriors of the 16th Century.AT Payyoli, Kotakkal.TIME 9 am to 5 am Kolavi BeachSpanning four kilometres, this pristine beach is dubbed Turtle Beach by locals for its occasional Olive Ridley sightings.AT Kolavipalam Road, Iringal.
22 May,2025 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleOne of the signs of growing older is noticing decor improvements when you visit friends. So, the catchy guitar-clock at my friend’s new 2BHK did not escape my attention. Upon prodding, he shared that it was bought on The June Shop. Rustic, bright, and creative in design, it is a nod to his musical passion. The clock has now found itself on my decor list for June. LOG ON TO thejuneshop.comCOST Rs 1,899
22 May,2025 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarMagical fireflies Experience the seasonal spectacle of firefly-spotting at a one-night camp in Sandhan Valley by Adventure Geek. Enjoy bonfires and delicious meals at the camp. ON Every Saturday till June 14; 10 am MEETING POINT Sanjay Gandhi National ParkLOG ON TO adventuregeek.inCALL 9004675388COST Rs 2,799 (transportation and food) Rooftop camping Rooftop camping at Wai, Mahabaleshwar Pic Courtesy/Sunny’s camp a van Make new friends at an expert-curated two-day stay in a unique rooftop tent at Wai, Mahabaleshwar, organised by Sunny’s Camp A Van. TILL June 5; 8 am MEETING POINT Hiranandani Lawns, PowaiLOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 4,000 onwards (transportation from the meeting point, rooftop tent and bedding) Escape the chaos A beachside camping at Alibaug. Pic Courtesy/Bhatakna Tours Away from the city’s noise, embrace the serene beauty of Alibaug with Bhatakna Tours by signing up for their upcoming camp. ON Every Saturday till June 7; 3 pm MEETING POINT Mandwa Jetty parking lot LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 1,399 (accomodation and food) Heights of calm This one-night camp offers a surreal view of Prabalmachi. ON May 23 onwards; 2 pmMEETING POINT Chandu Halwai, Dadar West. CALL 9987282746COST Rs 1,599 (transportation and food)
22 May,2025 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamIt’s bold. It’s dramatic. And it works just as well on both men and women. It’s not the ubiquitous suits we’re talking about but rather a dandy hair trend that was spotted time and again at the Met Gala. The style in question is kiss curls — a retro revival that is equal parts versatile, sleek and chic. Henry Golding sports a chic kiss curl hairdo. Pic courtesy/Henry Golding on Instagram (right) Taraji P Henson in tinted curls. Pic courtesy/Checkthetag on Instagram “Kiss curls can be traced back to the flapper style, when big-ticket stars, including Josephine Baker styled their hair with a single statement curl at the top of the forehead. The curls are bold, dramatic and spiral, and lay flat against the cheek or the forehead. They weave together baby hairs and sideburns, creating dramatic swoops that ‘kiss’ the face, giving rise to their name,” shares celebrity hair stylist Drishya Bhagyanath. Dua Lipa experiments with multiple curls. PIC COURTESY/DUA LIPA ON INSTAGRAM (right) Ayo Edebiri flaunts a large kiss curl. Pic courtesy/Ayodebiri Make it yours This style works with both curly and straight hair, although it is typically paired with slicked-back looks. To start, separate a small section of hair at the front of your head and saturate it with a high-hold gel. Wrap this section into a curl, using either your finger or a tail comb, and carefully lay down the curl against your forehead. You could also use a hairdryer with a diffuser to ensure that the curl holds its shape. Once the curl has dried, set it with a medium-hold hairspray. You could further define the curl by compressing it with a flatiron or using a curling iron. Drishya Bhagyanath Experiment with style For people with straight hair, a small curling tong would be most effective to create a sculpted curl. Section the hair and separate the section you wish to curl. The rest of the hair can be tied into a sleek bun or a ponytail. Apply a heat styling product or curl cream to protect the hair you wish to curl. Count to 10 while curling it to achieve a tighter curl. The curls can be brushed out for a softer look. For those with wavy or curly hair, create a kiss curl by wrapping a strand of hair around your finger and pinning it. Use a curl cream for even more definition, Bhagyanath clarifies. You could either wear one large kiss curl like Ayo Edebiri or frame your face with multiple curls like Dua Lipa or Sydney Sweeney. For an edgier look, tint the curls with a different hue or add sparkle gel for an unexpected twist.
22 May,2025 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulHow did you miss it, man?” is the gentle question coming across the phone. Rahul daCunha sounds a touch disappointed that yours truly gave the recent nostalgia of the Guns N’ Roses concert in Mumbai a miss. Hard not to be nostalgic when we are talking about the two-decade-old play that forms the basis for his upcoming film this week, Pune Highway. “It [2004] was a very different time. People had the time, energy and interest in true culture. It meant writing in all areas. Film, advertisements, cinema and theatre,” says daCunha, also a columnist with the Sunday edition of this paper. Having founded RAGE Productions in 1992 with Rajit Kapur and Shernaz Patel, daCunha was well on his way as a mainstay of the English theatre scene in Mumbai then. The early inroads It was also an era before quick flights. The completion of the Mumbai Pune Expressway in 2002 meant that travel between the two major metropolises was faster. This writer is old enough to remember the tinge of fear when relatives would take the new highway at night. It was the kernel to daCunha’s idea. Rajit Kapur and Bhargava Krishna (left) in moments from the play. Pic Courtesy/Rahul daCunha “Early in drama school, I learned to use the news for snippets of ideas. I remember reading about miscreants who’d lay a sack of rocks by the highway to look like a body, and rob people. One of these stories was about three boys, who were out on a trip. It stayed with me,” daCunha reveals. A co-writer on the film, Bhargava ‘Bugs’ Krishna was still in recovery in 2003. “I had just come out of hospital after a pulmonary embolism caused by severe diabetes, and years of overworking myself. So, I had taken a couple of months to recover when Rahul reached out about the play. People warned me not to go back on stage for I might die. But Rahul was adamant that this might help me live. And I did it,” Krishna reveals. Friendships on stage The first reading took place at Rachana Sansad in Prabhadevi. But rehearsals were often nomadic. “I remember we even travelled to Pune to get the flavour. We stayed in this downmarket hotel room for a few days,” daCunha laughs. “Lodge,” Krishna corrects as we mention it, “There is a sense of claustrophobia in the play. Amid the tension of the cops and the ganglord, there was also this very threatening waiter — not in the film — wonderfully played by Shankar Sachdev.” Rahul daCunha It was these friendships that made the adventure enjoyable. “I always used to wonder why [Martin] Scorsese worked with Robert DeNiro or Leonardo DiCaprio? It is comfort. I know exactly what they [Rajit/Bugs] can do,” daCunha shares. “Remember, we were still working in advertising. Every day after work, post 6 pm, we would show up somewhere to rehearse. Theatre was our social life,” Krishna adds. Back then, you could have found them at Ankur in Fort. “Or at On Toes, when around Prithvi Theatre. I used to be a big foodie in those days,” he recalls. Two decades on After 150 shows in the early 2000s, the duo finally turned their play into a film. “For what was essentially a Bombay story, I never expected it to travel to Germany, Holland, Seoul, Washington — nine cities. I suppose they all found that friendship familiar. It is the same familiarity we were looking for when I cast Anuvab Pal, Amit Sadh and Jim Sarbh,” daCunha shares. As a millennial, one definitely recognises the flavour, like a sip of Goldspot in the summer. On: May 23At: Screens across the city
21 May,2025 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarK-drama have influenced foodies as well as web series junkies with their cheesy romance and eclectic fare. Nowadays, while strolling around in a supermarket, you are bound to find different brands selling kimchi and instant ramyeon, which are some of the most common dishes in Korea. Urban Platter, a food platform, will conduct a special workshop where participants get hands-on experience in making Korean kimchi and bibimbap. Rahul Phalke, a culinary consultant and chef, will be conducting the workshop. He explains how kimchi is an important part of any Korean spread, “In Korea, people make kimchi once a year. Families get together and make kimchi from scratch for the entire year. They store it and let it ferment for a long time. It’s a very hearty and wholesome process.” Participants at a previous workshop. Pics courtesy/UrbanPlatter The chef will also guide participants on how to make vegetarian bibimbap, a one-bowl dish that is packed with all kinds of vegetables, and is served with rice. The dish is considered to be a comfort food, and is a staple in scenes from popular K-dramas. Phalke credits pop culture for the rising interest for Korean cuisine in Mumbai. He says, “In the past two to three years, K-drama and K-pop have been picking up a lot of popularity among younger as well as older generations.” To prepare Korean food as delectable as it looks in shows, he suggests, “Get the essentials — short-grain sticky rice (also known as sushi rice), a good quality soy sauce and sesame seed oil, gochujang, which is essentially a fermented chilli paste, and Korean chilli powder called gochugaru. With these stocked in your pantry, you can get the foundation right for almost any Korean recipe you want to try.” Rahul Phalke He adds, “Embrace fermentation. Korean food relies a lot on fermented foods like kimchi. You can use a variety of vegetables, which will taste better when fermented. Who knows, you might even fall in love with that vegetable you never liked!” Phalke encourages Korean food enthusiasts to be experimental, “Try out recipes to see what you like. Korean food is all about a balance of flavours, but you can always adjust the recipe according to your taste preferences. If you’re not a fan of spice, use less gochujang, and vice versa.” ON May 24; 11 amAT C7 basement, new Udyog Mandir, 2, Mogul Lane, Bethany Co-Operative Housing Society, Mahim West.LOG ON TO district.inCOST Rs 1,000 Stirring the K-drama pot Lee Jun-ho in Wok Of Love. Pic courtesy/@Koreandramadubbed >> Okay to Not Be OkayIts lead character, Moon Gang-tae, settles for bibimbap as his comfort food during emotional scenes. >> Let’s EatIn the first episode, the lead character Hua Hin enjoys a lovely spread of Korean dishes like fish soup, salt-based shrimp, snapper-topped fish sauce, and crab fried rice. >> Wok Of LoveThe lead character, Seo Poong, is seen gracefully showing off his cooking talent by preparing gourmet dishes like Peking duck and crab fried rice.
21 May,2025 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiMorning elixir With a gentle hint of citrus from bergamot and the deep flavours of black tea, this classic Earl Grey tea is the perfect beverage to start the day.AT Café Out of the Blue, Union Park Road Number 4, Khar.TIME 7 am to 1 amCALL 9930530510 COST Rs 135 Matcha magic Ice boba matcha latte. Pic courtesy/Donmai Yet to hop onto the matcha trend? This ice boba matcha latte is where you might want to start. Laced with the earthy notes of matcha with chewy boba pearls, this drink is a sweet surprise that might change your mind about this popular beverage.AT Donmai, G-03, Altimus, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli.TIME 12 pm to 1.30 am CALL 9730659776COST Rs 456 (inclusive of taxes) Hot sips This city favourite haunt is an iconic spot for all tea lovers. From special Darjeeling brews and cups of Assam tea, to Kashmiri saffron chai and spiced tea toddy style, this is the perfect spot to indulge in the goodness of tea.AT Taj Mahal Tea House, Sanatan Pereira Bungalow, 36/A, St John Baptist Road, Mount Mary, Bandra West. TIME 7.30 am to 11.30 pmCALL 8433953420 COST Rs 325 (Kashmiri saffron chai) Fresh cuppa Moroccan Tea. Pic courtesy/Brunch and Cake Aromatic and sweet, this Moroccan tea is a bold brew from North Africa that blends green tea leaves and fresh mint for a refreshing sip.AT Brunch and Cake, Dr GM Bhosale Marg, opposite Worli Mahindra Towers, B Wing, Worli. TIME 7.30am to 11 pm CALL 8657500061COST Rs 300 Soothing brew Chamomile tea. Pic courtesy/Yauatcha Chamomile tea has been a go-to for a lot of wellness enthusiasts and for the right reasons. Made from aromatic chamomile flowers, this caffeine-free Chamomile flowers tea is relaxation in a cup.AT Yauatcha, Raheja Tower, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex. TIME 12 pm to 1 amCALL 9222222800COST Rs 350 Calm in a cup A vibrant iced tea blending Japanese sencha, elderflower and kaffir lime, omiajacha is as flavourful as it is healthy. AT Mirai, Swami Vivekananda Road, Bandra West. TIME 12 pm to 12.30 amCALL 9004618229COST Rs 395 Sweet and simple If you are a true Mumbaikar, there is no way the Irani chai with buttery bun maska hasn’t left a sweet spot in your heart. Head here to soak in the charm of this ritual in an old-world tea shopAT Café De La Paix, Avantikabai Gokhale Marg, Girgaon.TIME 8 am to 9 pmCALL 223824384COST Rs 40 Kashmiri flavours Straight from Kashmir, kahwa tea is a delicately spiced tea infused with green leaves and fragrant saffron strands for a calming end to a hectic day.AT Pause, Vora House, Pali Mala Road, Bandra West.TIME 8 am to 11 pmCALL 9867580809COST Rs 255 Shop for your tea Sancha Tea Boutique, multiple locations (Kala Ghoda, Bandra West, Phoenix Palladium)CALL 02240020854 (Kala Ghoda) Girnar Tea, multiple locations (Andheri, Santacruz, Girgaon, Borivli)CALL 02243437000 (Borivli outlet)
21 May,2025 09:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: DOUGLAS Adams sneaks in his fascination for tea through an episode in the iconic book. Arthur Dent yearns for a cup of tea on the spaceship to take a moment of respite. Instead, he gets a liquid from the Nutri-Matic drink dispenser, which is nothing like tea. Douglas Adams. Pic courtesy/Open Culture There is humour in witnessing Dent try to reason with the machine, sitting it down and explaining how the leaves come from India, Ceylon, and China. All he ends up getting, despite his best efforts, is an undrinkable liquid from the machine that boasts of being able to produce any drink possible. Irrfan Khan and Tabu in a still from the movie, The Namesake The Namesake: Tea connects the Ganguli family in Jhumpa Lahiri’s classic to home. Ashima and Ashoke are immigrants in the US, and find comfort in sharing a thermos of tea on a bench outside the MIT campus. The two also bond with Bengali acquaintances abroad over shared cups of Lopchu tea, which makes friendships easy. While their son Gogol has no particular fondness for it earlier, he’s later found drinking tea with Moushumi, his wife. Gogol constantly struggles to find a sense of belongingness, and tea becomes a quiet symbol that reflects his wrestle with a hyphenated identity. Ambai Death of a Sarus Crane: Tamil writer Ambai’s detective Sudha Gupta begins her day with a cup of cinnamon tea. She drinks from a coffee mug with a picture of a magnifying glass, gifted to her by her daughter. No case is solved without her tea. Several exchanges and revelations take place over several cups. No matter how many Sudha Gupta stories you read, you will always encounter Ambai’s endearing indulgence in detailing her detective’s routine of bringing the kettle to a boil and adding a bag of cinnamon tea to it, before diving into the case. George Orwell. Pics courtesy/Wikimedia Commons A Nice Cup of Tea: George Orwell’s essay is a delightful read on what he considers to be his golden rules of making tea. He gives us 11 points, which include the tea leaves to be used, the ideal container to boil as well as to drink in, stirring or shaking the pot, milk and sugar quantities, among other things. This makes for an interesting read alongside the rules for Earl Grey Tea written by Douglas Adams. Read both to see which ones you find yourself nodding along to. Shona Patel Teatime for the Firefly: Drawing on her own experience of being raised on a remote tea plantation in Assam, Shona Patel gives us a story from the tea gardens of north India in the 1940s. The protagonist Layla marries the Oxford-educated Manik Deb, who has taken up a managerial role at one such plantation in Assam. He is one of the earliest Indians to have been assigned this role. Most others live the life of tea planters under colonial rule. Patel examines the economic exploitation and everyday challenges of the planters through the eyes of Layla and Manik. Couple this with Mulk Raj Anand’s Two Leaves and a Bud. Oscar Wilde The Importance of Being Earnest: Oscar Wilde is a master of writing scenes that navigate precarious situations over tea. During a tea service in the play, one of the characters, Cecily, makes a bad cup of tea for Gwendolen. She deliberately adds four lumps of sugar and cuts a big slice of cake despite Gwendolen’s refusal of the offer. The demeanour of the two characters remains poised, but there is tension in the air. Their jealousy towards each other does not go unnoticed. Tea service becomes an excellent tool that Wilde uses to portray appearances kept by folks of the Victorian era. Available: All titles at leading bookstores and e-storesAlso Watch: City-based writer Hussain Haidry’s performance of his poem Chai CoffeeLog on to: YouTube
21 May,2025 09:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaThere's hardly an item of clothing that doesn’t sell out within hours of being worn by Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. And her latest turn in a tailored olive green pantsuit is unlikely to prove any different. The sharp two-piece ensemble by Victoria Beckham joins the ever-growing list of solid-hued suits that the royal has recently been partial to — she has been spotted in several iterations of the look, including a pinstriped navy double-breasted blazer with matching trousers, a fiery red blazer with wide-legged trousers, and even a pale pink number broken up with a simple white tank. “Sharp, structured, and understated, Kate’s suits have become a global obsession, with this particular design out completely in every size and colour, within 24 hours! Kate’s pick signals the return of the iconic power suit, a fashion mainstay since the late 1970s. Today, it has evolved into something modern, versatile, and empowering, just like the women who wear it,” explains fashion designer Aanchal Bubber-Mehta. If you, like Kate, want your inner girl-boss to shine, here are a few simple dos and don’ts to keep you well-suited in Mumbai’s sultry weather. Pooja Hegde’s muted grey suit combines style and substance. Pic Courtesy/Tanghavri on Instagram; (right) Malavika Mohanan sports a suit with a fit-to-flare silhouette Do: Go bold A power suit is all about making a statement and colour plays a huge role, says Mehta. Pick a colour with pop cobalt blue, tangerine, a deep magenta, plum, bright navy or bottle green. These, she explains, are perfect for evening events, panels, or occasions when you want to stand out. When picking a suit for the office, opt for a smart but slightly muted palette, which includes blue-grey, deep olive, navy, charcoal, grey or khaki. These colours command respect without being too loud, Mehta notes. Blogger Dollie Solanki suggests block prints for a uniquely Indian touch, worn in rich jewel tones. Don’t: Wear pure cotton or linenFor a suit to survive an Indian summer, it has to keep you cool without compromising on structure. And this can be achieved with fabrics that have a good fall and are lightweight. Mehta suggests lightweight wools, crepes, linen blends (with viscose or wool), seersucker and fabrics with a slight stretch. “Fabrics with a two-three per cent of lycra are a game-changer as they offer ease and comfort, especially when seated. Avoid 100 per cent cotton or linen suits: although breathable, they wrinkle fast and lose the suit’s sleek, powerful silhouette. The fall of these materials is also stiffer,” she elaborates. Aanchal Bubber-Mehta Do: Focus on fitMuch of a suit’s impact lies in its fit, and tailoring can make or break a look. Mehta offers a few simple guidelines — in terms of your jacket, a slim fit with slight ease around the waist is the most flattering. The length should hit right at the hips or slightly below: a shorter length detracts from the power edge of the look. “Wide lapels, notched or peaked, a two-button closure, and patch pockets — ditch the flap for a sleeker look — are other elements that you should look for. Double back vents or a single centre slit both work to add ease, comfort and slickness to your jacket,” Mehta explains. In terms of your trousers, a fit-to-flare silhouette is flattering and dynamic. The hem should sit just an inch above the floor. Wear heels to elongate your legs and amplify presence. An ironed-down front pleat creates a razor-sharp line that adds authority. Unless you are very petite, avoid patch pockets on your pants as they add bulk to your hips. Instead, stick to cross pockets on the side seams. Don’t: Neglect the inner shirtWhile Kate wore a ruffled Chinese-collared blouse that softened the suit’s edge, an off-white or ivory shirt with pintucks, pleats, or soft ruffles can add feminine flair and visual interest, while letting the suit shine. “Stick to neutral tones for the shirt. Let one element — jacket or blouse — take the lead. When selecting the fabric, opt for either a satin-cotton blend or stretch cotton. The shirt should be fitted but comfortable,” says Mehta. Dollie Solanki sports block prints on her suit; Avoid heavy accessories while styling the suit. Pic Courtesy/Tanghavri on Instagram Do: Remember that less is moreWhile wearing a power suit, the suit itself should be the focal point of your look. Your accessories should be understated. For earrings, stick to classic studs or tiny hoops. Avoid chunky or statement pieces. Always wear your suit with high heels — pumps or block heels — that enhance your posture and elongate your frame,” advises Mehta. Finally, pick a neutral coloured, structured handbag or clutch that complements the outfit without overpowering it.
20 May,2025 01:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulSocial media platform, Instagram is the buzzword for most digitally-active Indians. Everyone is a content creator but only a few are successful making it a profitable money-making profession. Content creation on the platform is not just an art but also a business. Influencer Prajakta Koli’s recent episode from the Mostly Sane podcast offers insight into the market as she interviews the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri. In just a little over 16 minutes, the podcast provides useful information, while Koli also shares relevant anecdotes. It begins by discussing the scenario of the online market and social media. They discuss the effect on the growth of the social media market due to competition as well as the cheaper price of Internet services available in India. Mosseri points out the fact that the country has one of the lowest costs of data in the world. He also shares that it is one of the largest markets for Instagram. The podcast discusses how times have changed for the social media platform in India, as it has become an extremely important market. The conversation centres on the Instagram industry and market in the country. Koli goes on to mention how companies used to have smaller budgets for influencer marketing but this has also transformed over time where the same companies offer larger budgets for digital marketing. The show emphasises the big transition, as short-form content has now taken over long-form content. Koli shares how she struggled with the short format, but with changing times, it emerged to be her go-to format. In the course of the chat, Mosseri highlights the fact and also mentions that to stay relevant, they have to adapt. The concise podcast leaves you wanting to know more about the industry. Overall, the questions for Mosseri were relatable, while his replies offer a precise perspective, giving a bird’s-eye view of the market. LOG ON TO Mostly Sane on YouTube
20 May,2025 09:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiADVERTISEMENT
