Table of contents for December 2022 in Harper's Bazaar India

KEEP • Halter dresses • Strappy pumps • Bucket bags RECYCLE • Choker necklaces • Bomber jackets • Maxi dresses…

Set Design: Justine Ponthieux.…

Three Bavarian brothers embark on the greatest expedition across India in 1854, along with their translator, the orphaned Bartholomew—who secretly wants to build a museum…an adventure based on a true story. [HarperCollins India] Shining a spotlight on the dark underbelly of the British Empire, this riveting read by Andrew Otis draws on his five-year-long research in the archives of India, the UK, and Germany. [Penguin Random House India] The Raj was a time of chaos, rampant crime, and lawlessness. Sunil Nair’s engrossing tales offer insight into our colonial past, where criminals laid down the law and policing was in its infancy. [Hachette India] Historian Vinay Lal explores the Indian independence movement through the lens of artists whose works evoked their understanding of colonial oppression via etchings, paintings, woodblocks prints, and…

Bring out the champagne flutes and confetti poppers; we’re nearing the end of the year—making way for new beginnings. And is any celebration complete without sweet stuff? Certainly not. Ring in 2023 with a scrumptious slice served on a cake stand or platter, accompanied by a striking server that boasts intricate engravings to sweeten the deal.…

Model: Mona at Faze Management. Hair and Make-Up: Krisann Figueiredo. Hair and Make-up Assistant: Jennifer Nazareth. Fashion Assistants: Shubham Jawanjal and Hargun Ahuja. Production: Gravity Grace..…

ARJUN MARK Arjun is a photographer based in Mumbai, who has worked with acclaimed beauty and fashion brands, as well as editorial publications. As someone who is keen on scientific photography, Arjun is also an avid sport fishing enthusiast. In this issue of Bazaar India, the lensman captures actor Ananya Panday in All Grown Up. Arjun shares, “It’s been 10 years since I have been shooting with Bazaar India, and it’s always a pleasure working with the team.” SAHER A GANDHI Saher has been practicing the art of make-up and hair styling since 2014. Based out of Bengaluru, she has worked with leading beauty and fashion brands and is also a professional bridal make-up artist. For the latest issue of Bazaar India, Saher wields her brushes and creates a sharp…

If we jump over the historical axis of this piece of underwear spanning roughly four centuries and stop roughly in the 1980s, names like Thierry Mugler, Madonna, Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, or Dolce & Gabbana will certainly come to mind. We also remember the T-shirt from Alexander McQueen’s recent collection with a corset print. This year’s current version (the epicenter of Tik Tok) is not about physical discomfort, fainting, or burlesque. The new trend is riding on the rising wave of feminism, the return of “sexy” and the slogan, “Less fashion, more body”. This time, however, it is not so much about idealisation and ideals, but rather about strengthening femininity and also about fun. The creation of the rebellion of the nineties and Y2K is, of course, also part…

Just a SIGNIFICANT SHORTENING of the HAIR symbolised the raised MIDDLE FINGER to the ideals of FEMININITY of the previous decade. The end of the First World War brought a new wind into the sails; people wanted to forever forget the tragedies of the previous years and start anew. It was also connected with the desire and effort to build a completely new life, the foundations of which had already begun to take shape. Women in the west had proved their viability during the war, won the right to vote (at least in countries such as America, Britain, Canada, Poland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, etc.), and thus, became part of public and political life. The change gradually began to manifest itself on all continents: precisely in 1922, the first senator, Rebecca Felton…

ABOUT TIME Fossil India has roped in Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma as the fresh, new face of the Michael Kors timepieces collection. Speaking about the partnership, Anushka said, “The Michael Kors brand mirrors many of my principles, and their innovative creations are an authentic expression of individuality. I have long admired the standout nature and unique designs of Michael Kors watches, and am honoured to represent its global heritage in India.” The celebrity collaboration is slated to appear in the upcoming brand campaigns. IN SPADES Marrying the brand’s heritage prints—leopard and stripes—with the modern graphics of the spade flower monogram, Kate Spade New York has re-envisioned their signature design in partnership with Limonta Mill. The collection campaign features textile updated in rich Fall colourways and a durable fabrication. From shoulder…

There once would have been a time when you approached your career with passion and joy. But now, even the idea of facing another day at work fills you with dread. Sounds familiar? You’re not alone. Surveys have revealed that most professionals, especially women (a whopping 68 percent versus 50 percent men, according to one poll) let their jobs consume them completely … And the career they once cherished, ends up burning them out so deeply, their dream job turns into a nightmare! While some fleeting ennui or displeasure with the daily dealings of work is entirely normal, a sense of drudgery is not the same: one may experience overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, or a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment, according to research. The ultimate manifestation could…

Chandigarh has a new attraction—The Elsewhere Foundation—conceived in memory of the award-winning playwright and novelist, Swadesh Deepak, who left home one morning, never to return. Set up by art management expert Nagina Bains and the writer’s son, Sukant Deepak, the establishment aims to curate a host of interdisciplinary events and residencies to foster the arts. These will include performances, lectures, exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, and more, to facilitate the collaboration between varied art forms and artists from across India.…

Model: Beth Gomez at New Icon. Make-up and Hair: Israel Quiroz. Fashion Assistant: Michelle Bolaños. Location Courtesy: La Musa de las Flores’ Garden.…

FUTURISTIC EDGE Call attention to a chiselled jawline with a graphic metallic stroke that snakes its way around the ear and down along the jaw before tracing your pout. Precision is favoured here, so dampen a flat brush with your favourite face mist before picking up the silver tone, like Givenchy’s Le 9 De Eye Palette in N° 04 LE 9.04 (₹5,575), and get to work. SILVER LINING Neon brights aren’t the only game in town when it comes to captivating eye looks. A regular cat eye in a shiny greyishwhite, such as Sephora Collection’s Intense Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Metallic Royal Silver (₹1,320), is just as enthralling, opening up the eyes for a refreshingly energised look. SLOW BURN Rock a burnished gaze by setting the stage with a…

ACE THE BASE The clean skin movement is gaining momentum each passing season, and this time around, the make-up artists focused on a luminous finish that mimics healthy skin. Extremely easy to recreate, the key lies in prepping the skin in a fashion that it look and feels hydrated, ensuring you don’t have to layer it with heavy foundation or concealer. Start with a hydrating serum, followed by a collagen-rich cream that offers a plumping effect. Next, apply a pea-sized amount of an illuminating primer—this will blur pores and add glow. Cover up imperfections, if any, with a lightweight concealer, or you could use a sheer foundation to even out the skin tone. THE NEW PM RITUAL Forest Essentials is known for their iconic Soundarya range, and the new addition…

Make-up: Shang Roel. Hair: Krishna Badmal. Fashion Assistants: Sucheshtha Chaudhary and Lalit Bajaj. Model: Nisha Kumari at Inega.…

I grew up in Qazvin, Iran, which was a very religious and conservative city. I don’t know where I got it from, but I had this urge to be an artist. I left Iran in 1975 to study art at the University of California, Berkeley, where I received my Bachelor’s, Master of Arts, and Master of Fine Arts degrees. It was there that I realised my idea of being an artist was purely romantic; I was not good at art at all. After the revolution [in 1987], the United States and Iran severed diplomatic relations, so I didn’t see my family for more than a decade. In 1989, when the first supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini died and was replaced by the current supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, it was finally possible…

In the district of Moreno, a small town in Madhya Pradesh, fashion designer Dhruv Bandil has been harbouring big dreams. For with the help of deadstock, salvaged textiles, and a remarkable level of creativity, Dhruv has been creating saris, skirts, and tops that blur the lines between the sublime and style. “I’ve admired self-expression in small but well-thought-out forms since I was a child growing up in Morena,” Dhruv tells Bazaar India, when asked about the beginnings of his journey. “The way women drape their saris, the clothing in local tableaux, the way my mother used to put a black dot beneath her bindi, and the sculptures at temples have all been, and continue to be, a significant part of my creative consciousness. These recollections, I feel, are at the…

Photography Assistant: Henar de Torres. Producton: Beatriz Verra.…

Artist Viraj Khanna’s delightfuly vivid works are both animated and profound—the embroideries on cloth draw inspiration from his environment and the interplay of human interaction. Viraj’s figurative creations, titled In My Fever Dream, defy societal norms via mixed media… urging you to look at the multi-layered nature of humans. As the 27-year-old artist explains, “When I create, I think about the human condition, about people and their behaviours. Societal influences can change our personalities, and the way we perceive reality truly interests me,” he adds. Viraj encourages the viewer to dig deeper—not be just “a spectator to the masquerade”, but also see beyond its overtly flamboyant façade. His exaggerated figures and abstractions are threaded into tapestries, presenting an imaginative riot of colour and concept. The result: a transmuting quality, best…

While our minds may have been invaded by the West, we strive to retain our roots,” voices Nayanaa Kanodia, an economist-turned-artist who is set to exhibit her work, On The Inimitable Spirit of Life, at the Treasure Art Gallery in the capital. Nayanaa’s pieces address the cultural juxtaposition between the east and the west—charged with innocuous humour that highlight the ironies of our daily lives. “My paintings are infused with deceptive simplicity, mirthful lyricism, and a spirit of authenticity,” she adds. The colourist plays with satirical tones that reveal the hypocritical beliefs held by society in a light-hearted fashion. She makes a compelling social commentary on how we behave, perceive, and occupy space. Nayanaa’s exquisite artworks grace the walls of museums across the country—going beyond borders. Cited as an important…

“The female body is to be praised, worshipped, and idolised,” Bengaluru-based Shilo Shiv Suleman tells Bazaar India—the award-winning artist whose paintings, photographs, and gilded moulds of her own body celebrate sexuality, ownership, and feminism. At the intersection of archetypal imagery and modern narratives, Shilo’s arresting portrayal of herself has been celebrated for breaking the stereotype along with reclaiming the gaze—all with good reason. Turn to Shilo’s Instagram handle for better appreciation…photographs of her squatting with rows of jasmine flowers lining her head; standing naked in a river, her bosom covered by a large, metallic fish; and the wearable sculpture of a larger-than-life flower inspired by the Barongs and rituals of Bali… Each image speaks about the feminine spirit in her full power. “Wide-hipped goddesses line our walls as metaphors for…

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 20 Those assuming you’re largely practical rather than creative are about to be proven wrong. As soon as you let go, and find ways to express yourself through words, music, colour, or movement, you’ll tap into a part of you that has lain dormant for too long. AQUARIUS JANUARY 21-FEBRUARY 19 Having had to handle a crisis, you may feel that someone’s tried to take advantage of your weakened position. However, you’re about to gain new strength and confidence, which will let everyone see you at your very best. Just don’t expect everything to change overnight. Slow, steady growth is the answer. PISCES FEBRUARY 20-MARCH 20 You’ll feel inclined to try to bail out people falling on hard times. But take care, because you may just overestimate…

In a sea of similar faces and opinions, actor Akansha Ranjan Kapoor stands out with her takes on everything from fashion to propriety and why the term ‘feminism’ should be rephrased as ‘common sense’… And her Instagram presence is evident proof: sun-kissed snapshots of her bare-faced skin, confessions of a fraught relationship with her body while growing up, flexing effortless style in athleisure and midriff-baring outfits, and a defiance of gender expectations… All while she’s been busy with the release of her second film—Monica, O My Darling—that has caught the attention of critics and cinema-goers alike. Akansha is well on her way to paving a special path for herself. “I think everyone should know they are beautiful,” she tells Bazaar India, the 29-year-old’s ebullient confidence worn as a badge to…

Like many people, I had acne as a teen—small pimples that dotted my nose like freckles. But as I have grown older, my blemishes have changed too; they have become bigger and relocated to my chin. They also seem to flare with increased stress. I have tried a long list of treatments, but the most effective has been one not even prescribed for my acne: birth control pills. When I am on the Pill, my skin is clear. When I go off it (like I did in my 30s to get pregnant), the breakouts start up again. This pattern is how I came to understand that these flare-ups must be connected to my hormones. I am not alone. Studies have shown that more than half of women of ages 25…

It’s the end of the year, and Bazaar India closes 2022 with its resounding message in every issue—to celebrate the self in every which way. And this remarkable cover, created by the famous Russian-French artist Erté in 1923, is such a delightful way to wrap up what we’ve been championing all along—of loving oneself, in every form, every season. Created nearly a century ago, the striking painting feels as fresh as the snow that falls on the protagonist. Here she lays, eyes closed, mind inward, unaffected by the cold… where does she get the strength to withstand the chill? Is there a flame within that keeps her warm? Do the flowers blossoming above reach out as reminders that there is beauty still? Her answer lies in her own reach, and…