Luxury Special 2016

VARUN BERRY, MD, Britannia Industries (Photo: Nilotpal Baruah)

Updated : Jan 13, 2018

Enlarging the Pie

Varun Berry aims to make Britannia Industries a total foods company in another three years.

Lodha's World One Tower at Parel in Mumbai (Courtesy: Lodha's World One)

Updated : Feb 15, 2017

The high-ceilinged baroque mansions surrounded by acres of manicured lawns shaded by leafy oak trees, which spelt luxury in the colonial era, have given way to a more modern, urban culture of smaller functional spaces defined by gadgets and speed.

THE LONDON TOUCH: I am going to miss the London weather and my rose garden. I would like to have a garden in my bedroom. Is that possible? (Illustration: Ajay Thakuri)

Updated : Jan 19, 2017

The Rich and Their Uncommon Desires...

Luxury hotels capture the minutest of details about guests. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, for instance, records each detail of guests, including food/beverage preferences, allergies, housekeeping needs and preferred room temperature. Still, there are demands that leave them stumped.

SANJAY GHODAWAT with his Eurocopter chopper and three of the 100-plus luxury cars that he owns (Photo: Outlook Business)

Updated : Dec 8, 2016

No Small Matter

The future of luxury in India depends on how fast it can penetrate the hinterland. The good news is that small-town consumers are no longer afraid to flaunt their dough

THE BENTLEY SHOWROOM IN DELHI A buyer asked for a clock that was as expensive as the car he had bought (Photo: Vivan Mehra)

Updated : Sep 16, 2016

That Personal Touch

Indians, say remodelling experts, are the most conscious about their vehicle's interiors. Also, almost every buyer wants a height-adjustable suspension so that he can have a smooth ride while off-roading.

IN THE FAST LANE Around 10,000 superbikes have been sold in India so far, with the market growing at 25 per cent (Photo: Vivan Mehra)

Updated : Sep 15, 2016

Super Ride!

Almost all the leading global superbike makers sell in India as well: Ducati, Triumph, Indian, BMW, Moto Guzzi and Harley-Davidson. Indeed there are more brands of luxury bikes available in the country than the run-of-the-mill commuter ones.

The Kaya Kalp Spa at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai (Photo: Vivan Mehra)

Updated : Sep 12, 2016

A Touch of Decadence

Spa therapy has become the big trend in the wellness industry for a few years now. What distinguishes a true luxury spa from plain vanilla ones are the special ingredients, trained masseurs and exotic detox packages sourced and offered from around the world.

Updated : Sep 12, 2016

From Utility to Art

Chandeliers are an interesting example of luxury in the original sense of the term. They went through a phase of becoming common and even old fashioned, but which, in the past 10 years, have regained their artistic and timeless features.

Updated : Sep 11, 2016

The Global Challenge

While PM Modi's attempt to build a global luxury brand so far has been bang on, and he is confident of being profitable by the end of year three, the big question, however, is, whether the global connoisseurs of luxury take him as seriously. Will they prefer a Nirav Modi jewel to a Cartier or a Tiffany?

DLF EMPORIO MALL: High-end luxury malls may not be a viable proposition in India

Updated : Sep 11, 2016

Dismal Affair

How long will it take for India to create a luxury high-street like Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue in New York? It is definitely a distant dream at the moment. The country has just two luxury malls - DLF Emporio in Delhi and The Collection (UB City) in Bangalore.

The Khosrovani-Diba collection, London, October 19, 2016 Radha consoled by Krishna in a forest at night, an illustration from the Lambagraon Gita Govinda series, attributed to Purkhu, Kangra, circa 1820 (Estimate: £50,000-80,000)

Updated : Sep 10, 2016

The Regional Connection

In the world of auctions, prices for works are dependent on what a collector is willing to pay for them and how far they are driven to bid when competing against other bidders, with new world records broken as a result and benchmark prices established.