PEAKLIFE

By Neha Mehrotra

1. Ananya Birla Launches a New Fragrance Brand: Contraband

Breaking the mould of conventional perfumery, Contraband is a fearless new fragrance brand by Ananya Birla that celebrates individuality and unapologetic self-expression. Designed for those who refuse to blend in, its debut collection introduces three captivating scents—each an ode to confidence. You Again evokes a familiar yet elusive memory with crisp green apples and deep cedarwood. Have It All is a sensual escape into Mandarin, Vanilla, and Lily, urging indulgence. Hands Off is unapologetically bold, layering rich oud and patchouli to command attention. Crafted in Switzerland, these scents are more than perfumes—they’re declarations of identity.

2. Vivienne Westwood Makes Historic India Debut at the Gateway of India

The British fashion house unveiled its Spring/Summer 2025 collection alongside a specially curated capsule line crafted from India’s finest handwoven textiles at the Gateway of India. The landmark event, presented by HSBC in collaboration with Vivz Fashion School and the Ministry of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, showcased the beauty of timeless fabrics like Khadi cotton, Chanderi silk, Muga silk, and Pashmina wool. The show drew an elite gathering of royalty, Bollywood icons, and fashion industry leaders. The evening’s partners HSBC, Porsche Centre Mumbai and Tira Beauty further elevated the experience of the night. Guests were treated to a grand after-party at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, hosted in partnership with Johnnie Walker Refreshing Mixer Non-Alcohol.

3. Panerai Unveils a Bold New Era for the Luminor Marina

At Watches & Wonders 2025, Panerai reaffirms its legacy of precision, resilience, and bold aesthetics with the launch of an all-new Luminor Marina series. The latest iterations stay true to the brand’s unmistakable DNA while introducing cutting-edge advancements in design and performance. With cases available in titanium and stainless steel, the new Luminor Marina models feature a slimmer, lighter profile, enhanced ergonomics, and a redefined aesthetic. The introduction of Super-LumiNova® X2 ensures exceptional visibility, while the P.980 calibre movement delivers a 3-day power reserve with enhanced accuracy. In a milestone for the collection, water resistance has been increased to 50 BAR (~500m), reinforcing Panerai’s heritage in crafting robust, adventure-ready timepieces. The Luminor Marina Titanio PAM003325 stands out with a Grade 5 titanium case and an olive-green dial, embodying the Maison’s military-inspired roots. Meanwhile, the Luminor Marina steel models introduce a V-shaped bracelet with Quick Length Adjustment, offering contemporary versatility.

4. Sources Unlimited Introduces ‘Dali’ Inspired by Salvador Dalí

Sources Unlimited, India’s leading luxury furniture and lighting destination, unveils Dali, a mesmerising thermoformed glass suspension inspired by Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory. Echoing the fluidity of Dalí’s iconic melting clocks, this sculptural lighting piece transforms glass into a gravity-defying form, creating an illusion of movement and ethereal luminosity. Designed by renowned Italian designers Luca Maria Arosio and Paolo Emanuele Nava, Dali blends artistic expression with expert craftsmanship.

5. Celebrate The Spirit of Harvest at JW MARRIOTT PUNE

Spice Kitchen at JW Marriott Pune is hosting the Baisakhi Food Festival to celebrate the joyous festival of Baisakhi with an indulgent Punjabi feast. The celebration helmed by Chef Sweety Singh, from 4th to 14th April 2025, will bring forth a specially curated menu featuring a delectable selection of regional specialities, prepared with authentic flavours and time-honoured techniques. The menu includes Punjabi delicacies, including Pindi Chole and creamy and smoky Paneer Tikka Masala. For meat lovers, the menu boasts the Mutton Barrah and the Amritsari Macchi, and no Punjabi feast is complete without the classic Butter Chicken.

6. Aspri Spirits Introduces Silk & Spice Wines

Aspri Spirits, a key player in South Asia’s alco-bev industry, introduces Silk & Spice Wines to India, inspired by the legendary Silk & Spice Route and the voyages of Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama. These wines embody adventure, craftsmanship, and history. Silk & Spice—Spice Road is a bold, intensely spiced red blend, rich and full-bodied, perfect for those who seek depth and complexity. Silk & Spice—Red Blend offers a smooth, well-balanced expression of Portugal’s winemaking heritage, ideal for any occasion. Already present in markets like the USA, Canada, and the UK (Waitrose), Silk & Spice now invites Indian wine lovers to embark on a journey of flavour and discovery.

7. Cobbler & Crew Invites you to Experience Pinchos & Tapas Brunch

Curated by three passionate chefs, the Pinchos & Tapas Brunch menu is built around light yet satisfying plates, featuring a mix of tapas, Neapolitan pizzettas, handcrafted desserts, and brunch classics. Each dish is made using fresh, seasonal ingredients, highlighting local summer produce in vibrant, flavour-packed bites. Featured delights include Patatas Bravas, Tuna Tostadas, Char-grilled Brassicas, Truffle Seabass, Hand-rolled Tagliatelle, Buffalo Wings, and a luscious Tomato Strawberry Cobbler. Of course, no brunch is complete without comforting classics like Eggs Bennie with Chorizo, Flaky Egg Puffs, Pancakes, and Waffles. To complement the food, you can also sip on a selection of mini cocktails, freshly squeezed juices and speciality coffee.

8. Florian Hurel Expands its Salon Chain to Dubai and Ahmedabad

Renowned celebrity hairstylist and entrepreneur Florian Hurel continues to grow his salon empire with the launch of Florian Hurel Hair Couture & Spa in Dubai and Ahmedabad. This expansion follows the success of his Mumbai salons and his premium haircare brand, fHair by Florian Hurel. The salons will offer a full range of premium services, including precision haircuts, bespoke colouring, advanced hair treatments, and personalised consultations, ensuring that every client receives a transformative and luxurious experience. Additionally, the Dubai salon aims to cater to an international clientele, merging global hair trends with his signature techniques, while the Ahmedabad location strengthens his brand’s presence in India, offering advanced hairstyling expertise.

9. Noise Strengthens Its Global Presence

India’s leading smartwatch and connected lifestyle brand, Noise, continues its global expansion with launches in Selfridges in London and Printemps in Paris. Following its successful debut in Virgin Megastores, UAE, this marks Noise’s entry into the UK and EU markets, enhancing the accessibility of its Made in India smart wearables. By partnering with renowned retailers, Noise offers consumers a premium experience through the Smartech experience zone. With wearables evolving into lifestyle essentials, the market in these regions is projected to grow significantly. Noise is poised to meet this demand with smartwatches, smart rings, and audio devices.

10. Hyatt Signs Grand Hyatt Shiwalik Hills, a Luxurious Himalayan Retreat

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, in partnership with Asia Resorts Limited, has announced the signing of Grand Hyatt Shiwalik Hills, set to open in early 2028 in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. Nestled on a scenic 12-acre hilltop, the resort will offer 220 elegantly designed rooms and suites, blending modern luxury with the region’s architectural heritage. Strategically located along the route to Shimla, just 1.5 hours from Chandigarh, the resort will provide panoramic views and a tranquil retreat. Hyatt’s Dhruva Rathore emphasised its commitment to redefining hospitality, while Asia Resorts Limited’s Akash Garg highlighted this collaboration as a milestone in India’s luxury hospitality sector.

11. 12 at Kala Ghoda: The Affordable Art Show

From April 3rd to 6th, Method Art Space in Kala Ghoda will host 12 at Kala Ghoda, a thoughtfully curated Affordable Art Show by Srila Chatterjee. Showcasing a diverse range of artworks, the exhibition features floral compositions, expressive watercolours, striking ink illustrations, and evocative photographs, blending heritage with contemporary styles. Participating artists include Deval Ambani’s innovative florals, Anwar Chitrakar’s wonderful Kalighat and Bengal Pattachitra works, Kalyan Joshi’s quirky Phad vehicle series, Kaushal Parikh’s intricate ink works, and Bengal Pattachitra by Laltu & Tagar Chitrakar. Also on display are Ruby Ram’s emotive portraits, Sanjay Chitara’s Mata ni Pachedi art, and Shahid Datawala’s botanical photography.

Cover Credits : pexels