By Neha Mehrotra

1. TUDOR Powers the 2025 Dakar Rally as Official Timekeeper

TUDOR has been named as the Official Timekeeper for the 2025 Dakar Rally, one of the most challenging motorsport events in the world. Spanning 14 days and thousands of kilometers across Saudi Arabia’s harshest terrains, including the Empty Quarter, the race tests both speed and endurance. TUDOR’s role ensures every second counts, particularly during the high-stakes special stages, where precision timing is critical. Known for its legacy in motorsports, TUDOR’s “Born To Dare” philosophy aligns perfectly with the grit and determination required in the Dakar Rally, a race inspired by extreme adventure and survival in unforgiving environments.

2. Emirates Elevates Travel Experience with the Launch of Its First A350 Aircraft

Emirates recently launched its first Airbus A350-900, marking a milestone in the airline’s growth journey. With 312 seats, including 32 lie-flat Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 259 Economy Class seats, this aircraft is set to redefine travel. The Economy Class features new, luxurious seats with adjustable headrests, offering enhanced comfort for long flights. Business Class boasts ‘S Lounge seats’ inspired by the Mercedes S-Class, equipped with wireless charging, improved storage, and high-end amenities, while Premium Economy offers additional space, reclining seats, and exclusive culinary experiences. Passengers will enjoy next-generation inflight entertainment on the upgraded ice system, with 4K content, improved search functionality, and family-friendly features. The A350 is celebrated for its fuel efficiency and reduced noise, making it the quietest twin-aisle cabin aircraft in the sky. Emirates is also including a more sustainable dining experience and improved onboard technologies to enhance the overall customer experience. Emirates will begin its commercial A350 flights to Edinburgh on January 3, 2025, with additional routes to Bahrain, Muscat, Lyon, and West Asia soon after.

3. Vietjet Thailand Launches Mumbai-Bangkok Flights

Vietjet Thailand is set to expand its India operations with the launch of its inaugural Mumbai-Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) flight service starting December 23, 2024. This new daily connection aims to enhance tourism, business, and cultural exchange between the two bustling cities. Flight VZ761 will depart Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 12:45 AM, arriving in Bangkok at 6:25 AM. The return flight, VZ760, will depart Bangkok at 8:45 PM, landing in Mumbai at 11:50 PM. Travelers can enjoy Vietjet’s signature services, including hot meals and premium seating options.

4. Transform Your Living Space with Antica Ceramica’s Innovative Tile Collections

To give a luxurious and upgraded look to the heart of the home, i.e., your living room, Antica Ceramica has launched an exciting new collection that pushes the boundaries of design. The brand has introduced three standout tile ranges—Flute Tiles, CNC Stone Tiles, and Moroccan Tiles—each catering to unique design preferences and requirements. The collection features a diverse range of patterns, styles, and colours designed to elevate your living room into a sophisticated and functional space.

5. Innovative Design Studio Launches the Tempetation Chandelier by Multiforme

Innovative Design Studio (IDS) by IDG has unveiled a luminous marvel that redefines contemporary lighting—the Temptation chandelier from Multiforme’s Progressive Collection. This exquisite creation is a modern reinterpretation of the classic Rezzonico model, blending Murano glass artistry with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Crafted from smoked Murano glass with delicate white accents and a brushed nickel structure, the chandelier’s 18 arms unfurl like sculptural plant forms, adorned with radiant glass cups and swirling corollas.

6. Celebrate the Holiday Season with Frazer and Haws’ Winter Collection

Frazer and Haws has unveiled its Winter Collection, capturing the serene beauty and festive spirit of the season. This elegant collection features meticulously crafted polar bears, inspired by the majestic Arctic, and vibrant red accents that embody the warmth of winter celebrations. Designed to bring a touch of luxury and artistry to your home, each piece reflects Frazer and Haws’ commitment to timeless craftsmanship. Perfect for both gifting and decorating, this collection offers a refined way to celebrate winter’s magic and share its joy with loved ones.

7. The Iconic Le Bristol Paris’ Epicure Restaurant Enters an Exciting New Era

For over a decade, Le Bristol Paris’ Epicure has epitomised French culinary excellence, earning and retaining its three Michelin stars since 2009. Now, with the arrival of Chef Arnaud Faye, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France and Michelin-starred visionary, the iconic restaurant enters an exciting new era. Chef Faye’s approach reimagines traditional French gastronomy, placing seasonally harvested plant-based ingredients at the heart of his creations. Fish and meat take a supporting role, amplifying the natural richness of fruits and vegetables at their peak of flavour.

8. Savor Elegance with the Gugelhupf & Madeleines Box at The Imperial Patisserie

The Imperial Patisserie’s new Gugelhupf & Madeleines Box is a refined homage to the dessert traditions of Vienna and Paris. Inside this beautifully curated box, you’ll find a luscious Gugelhupf and twelve delicate Madeleines, available in ten indulgent flavors, from Premium Chocolate Sacher to Apricot Confit & Carraway. Inspired by the grandeur of 19th-century European patisserie, the collection is a celebration of luxury and craftsmanship.

9. The Westin Gurgaon Introduces Exclusive 5-Star Teppanyaki Dining Experience

The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi, has launched its first-ever Teppanyaki experience, Teppan by EEST, marking a new milestone in the city’s fine dining scene. Guests can enjoy a front-row seat to witness the artistry of Teppanyaki cooking, where master chefs use premium meats, seafood, and seasonal vegetables to create flavourful masterpieces on a sizzling iron grill. EEST offers a curated 5- and 7-course Teppanyaki menu for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Signature dishes include seared cottage cheese, salmon sashimi, black tiger prawns, tenderloin suteki, and indulgent desserts like rum-flambéed chocolate tart.

10. Novotel Goa Candolim Spreads Smiles and Strength with ‘Joyful Journeys’

Novotel Goa Candolim recently hosted Joyful Journeys: A Day of Smiles and Strength, a heartfelt event dedicated to children battling cancer. Organized in collaboration with Goa University’s Social Work Program and the Oncology Department of Goa Medical College, the event welcomed 35 young fighters and their families for a day of joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. The hotel transformed into a vibrant space with games, performances, and engaging activities, ensuring every child felt celebrated.

11. Tanieya Khanuja Unveils New Concept Store at The Dhan Mill, New Delhi

Acclaimed fashion designer Tanieya Khanuja recently launched her latest concept store at The Dhan Mill, New Delhi, marking a major expansion of her brand. This 1,200-square-foot space offers a curated shopping experience, showcasing Tanieya’s modern vision for the contemporary woman’s wardrobe. Celebrities Nushrratt Bharucha and Tisca Chopra were among the prominent guests who attended the launch, dressed in her latest collection. The store’s design combines The Dhan Mill’s rustic charm with sleek, nature-inspired elements, creating an immersive ambiance. The launch also featured the ‘Power Play’ collection, recently showcased at Paris Fashion Week, along with an archival display of Tanieya’s iconic designs.

12. AP Moller Maersk and Shikhar Dhawan Foundation Champion Accessibility and Inclusion

AP Moller Maersk and Shikhar Dhawan Foundation have launched the “Livelihood on Wheels” initiative to empower individuals with physical disabilities. The project equips beneficiaries in Jaipur and Gurugram with NeoMotion’s state-of-the-art Neobolt and Neofly wheelchairs, enabling them to work as delivery riders with brands like Zomato. Starting with 30 beneficiaries, the program offers training and onboarding, fostering self-reliance and inclusion. This collaboration aims to transform lives, bridge gaps, and uplift communities through innovative mobility solutions.

13. A Mesmerizing Blend of Bharatnatyam and Flamenco at Baithak, The Art House, Bhopal

Baithak—The Art House, Bhopal—will host Nritya Duende, a spellbinding fusion of Bharatnatyam and Flamenco. Renowned Bharatnatyam artist Apeksha Niranjan, founder of Nrityanjali Performing Arts, will team up with acclaimed Flamenco musician Sanjeev Shri, trained in Seville, Spain. This innovative performance marries Apeksha’s intricate classical movements with Sanjeev’s dynamic Flamenco rhythms, creating an enchanting celebration of two timeless art forms. Known for her inventive collaborations, Apeksha previously fused Bharatnatyam with Polish folk music.

When: December 7, 2024, 6:30 PM

Where: Baithak, The Art House, Bhopal

14. Jayesh Sachdev Unveils Mythology-Inspired Masterpieces at Madras Art Weekend

National award-winning artist Jayesh Sachdev will present an enthralling solo exhibition at Madras Art Weekend, held at Park Hyatt, Chennai, from December 12 to 15, 2024. Showcasing a blend of paintings and sculptures, the collection reinterprets mythology with contemporary artistry. Highlights include “Create Preserve Destroy,” a vivid portrayal of life’s cycles, and “Tidal Surge: Kaali & Dawon,” a commanding depiction of divine energy. Sachdev’s work fuses bold visuals with rich narratives, exploring themes of identity and transformation.

When: 12th – 15th December 2024

Where: Park Hyatt, Chennai

15. The National Gallery of Victoria to Unveil World’s Largest Yayoi Kusama Exhibition This December

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) will present a world-first blockbuster exhibition of Yayoi Kusama, showcasing ten of her iconic immersive environments—the largest assembly of her works ever, including the global premiere of the artist’s most recent, never-before-seen infinity mirror room, which will be unveiled on 15 December 2024 exclusively in Melbourne, Australia Spanning her eight-decade career, the exhibition features everything from her groundbreaking infinity mirror rooms to the vibrant polka-dot sculptures. Highlights include the global premiere of Infinity Mirrored Room—My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light 2024, and participatory installations like Flower Obsession. Running until April 21, 2025, this dazzling showcase cements NGV’s reputation as a global art destination.

16. A Powerful Exploration of Displacement and Identity at Exhibit 320

Exhibit 320 announces the opening of Unhoming: Fragile Belonging, a poignant exhibition curated by Deeksha Nath, addressing displacement, violence, and the concept of home. Featuring works by renowned artists like Zarina Hashmi, Nilima Sheikh, B.V. Suresh, and more, the exhibition explores the loss of physical and emotional security, delving into themes of memory, resilience, and identity. On view from December 9, 2024, the exhibition offers a critical commentary on the crisis in Gaza and the global migrant experience, inviting reflection on socio-political marginalization and the shared human struggle for belonging.

Cover Image Credits: Le Bristol, Paris