Table of contents for April/May 2025 in Harper's Bazaar India

Most of the times, I’m the first to turn in my editor’s letter—a fact my copy chief has reminded me of more than once this time, as I lingered over drafts longer than usual. I’ve written and rewritten this letter, searching for the right words. There’s so much I feel the need to express, and yet, there are also moments when silence feels more fitting. As we try to hold on to some sense of normalcy, it’s clear these aren’t normal times. And navigating that tension—between reflection and resilience—has shaped this issue in unexpected ways. When we began working on this Beauty issue, we knew we wanted to challenge the conventional ideas. At Bazaar India, our aim was to peel back the layers of what beauty has come to mean—especially…

There’s something inherently attractive yet intimidating about passionate people. Then, there are the rare ones who can hold your attention for hours talking about their dreams without actually gloating about their triumphs, but passively inspiring you to strive harder. Textile designer Riddhi Jain Satija and her partner, filmmaker Dhruv Satija, have made a case for pushing creativity boundaries at Studio Medium without losing sight of ingenuity since 2017. I had first met them in 2022 at their previous workshop in Neb Sarai, Delhi. It was around the time when their interplay of surface manipulation, textiles, and vibrant hues imagined through the classic six yards of timeless elegance, made the fashion fraternity take notice of Studio Medium. The hands-free sari, in question, has since become the brand’s signature, along with their…

Antique watch faces find new homes in diamond encrusted sculptural necklaces, while old-world mechanisms are enveloped in contemporary silhouettes, dressed up with bold stones, rich enamel, and experimental textures. The result? A new kind of heirloom—part jewel, part timekeeper—that blurs the line between utility and ornament.…

Rooted in the rhythms of nature, ayurveda is more than just medicine—it’s a way of life. It encourages living in harmony with our environment by following Dinacharya, the ayurvedic daily routine. This involves aligning daily practices such as waking up early, hygiene, exercise, and healthy eating. The ayurvedic lifestyle revolves around three core pillars: Ahaar (what we eat), Vihaar (how we live), and Aushadhi (how we heal). You are what you eat Ayurveda emphasises Ahaar, the importance of eating balanced, seasonal food tailored to your dosha (body type) to maintain internal balance and promote overall well-being. Eleved integrates these principles into modern living by using traditional cooking methods, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, and ayurvedic staples such as turmeric, ashwagandha, and potent heirloom seeds. It’s not just about what’s on the…

Did you know that reading before bedtime, even for half an hour, can ease stress and improve sleep quality? Ergo, we’ve compiled a list of new releases that should find space on your desk, or shelves. I have to begin with the most significant new release—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dream Count. Set amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the narrative follows four African women, exploring their aspirations, challenges, and experiences of love. Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer in America, confronts loneliness and past love, while her lawyer friend Zikora copes with betrayal and seeks comfort. In Nigeria, cousin Omelogor, an entrepreneur, confronts her waning self-worth. Meanwhile, Kadiatou, a devoted Senegalese housekeeper, faces trials while raising her daughter in America. The novel is an unflinching observation on the human heart, in language that soars…

Once upon a time, the bridal trousseau was a treasure chest brimming with silk saris, delicate polki jewellery, and exquisitely embroidered shawls. These items, that were not only treasured but passed down through generations, became symbolic of love and tradition. However, today’s brides are breaking away from these age-old norms, creating trousseaus that tell a new story. The emerging trend of heirloom home décor is now at the forefront of modern weddings, as couples seek to add a personal touch to their lives and weave heritage into their new beginnings. The newlyweds are now looking for meaningful, timeless pieces that go beyond the wardrobe. From hand-woven tapestries to vintage silverware, couples are investing in décor items that carry cultural significance. These artisanal treasures not only tell a unique story but…

Not long ago, while watching a trailer on YouTube, my father squinted at the screen and asked, “Is this the same woman from the last movie we saw?” It wasn’t. In fact, the last movie had a completely different actress, but I understood the confusion. However, his question made me wonder if Bollywood is staring down the barrel of an identity crisis stemming from aesthetic monotony. After all, beauty does have a blueprint now: Poreless skin, symmetrical features, and curated looks. So when we sat down to zero in on the cover star for our Beauty issue, we had a simple agenda: To put a personality who expands its very definition to include depth, complexity, and truth. And unanimously, we had not one but two names—Nandita Das and Kalki Koechlin,…

I was walking along the river in Rome one afternoon last fall when a woman rounded a corner in an outfit that made me gasp. She was wearing a black visor upside down on her head like a crown (which made her look like a Goth pope), plus a matching black top and wide-leg black pants with slits down the side, and she was carrying a black Pleats Please Issey Miyake tote bag. Her lips were a shade of Nebbiolo purple, and covering her eyes were small silver sunglasses resembling those shutter shades Kanye West used to wear in the 2000s, only a more artful version. I was so taken aback that I paused, turned around, and began following her. Not too far—I didn’t want to be a creep—but I…

What could be more unforgettable than jet-setting to mon chéri Paris in early April and joining Chanel Beauty for the launch of Chance Eau de Splendide? I would say the fact that the new Chance perfume is the fifth addition to the iconic line-up—a number sacred to the world of Chanel. Developed by in-house perfumer-creator Olivier Polge, the latest creation is described as a fruity-floral fragrance that holds on to its captivating mystique and intricate notes. It embodies the adventurous trail of life; think chance encounters in a splendid style. The first Chance perfume, Chance Eau, was created in 2003 by Jacques Polge, then in-house perfumer-creator. Over the years, the house introduced Chance Eau Fraiche in spirited green colour, Chance Eau Tendre in soft and tender pink, and Chance Eau…

A mid the modern-day hustle culture, the constant effort to get eight hours of sleep and drink eight glasses of water every day, living a stress-free life in the 21st century can feel like a Herculean task. And where there’s stress, there’s cortisol—the villainous sidekick that shows up at the drop of a hat. So it’s no surprise that the internet is buzzing with all things cortisol, particularly its role in weight gain and loss. But is it really an arch-nemesis worth all the hate? “Cortisol is the steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, and it’s the body’s response to stress and low blood glucose levels,” explains Dr Sonali Kagne, consultant endocrinologist at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai. It plays a crucial role in managing the body’s fight-or-flight…

As the clock strikes summer, we’re all in dire need of ‘vitamin Sea’, and so is our skin. The vast scapes and the mysteries of the marine world have more than what meets the eye. When we thought scientific ingredients were taking over, nature called—marine ingredients are here to seas the day. If all the rave reviews are believed, the beauty underwater is enough to revamp your skincare regime this summer. THE MAESTROS ‘Less gloss, more grit’ is the reigning memo in skincare lately, and something tells me marine extracts resonate well with it. “Marine skincare brings natural ingredients with truly potent effects and combines them with the latest advancements in skincare science. Ingredients like seaweed, algae, and marine collagen, antioxidants, and amino acids deeply hydrate, effectively repair, and strongly…

SAMAR RAJPUT, STYLIST On a ‘flaw’ I now flaunt: “Beauty is a construct—shaped by time, culture, and gaze. What one sees as a flaw, another might find exquisite. If I had to choose one, I’d say my stretch marks. They never bothered me, but I have grown to really love them—they look pretty cool.” One beauty step I would do away with, if no one sees me: “My routine is my own ritual—part self-care, part hygiene. Even if no one ever looked, I’d still do it for myself.” TATIANA DIAS, WRITER On a ‘flaw’ I now flaunt: “My wavy hair. After years of straightening it, I eventually learnt that keeping it natural looked so much better—and required less time and effort too.” One beauty step I would do away with,…

London Fashion Week has always been fashion’s unruly brat—raw, electric, and gleefully indifferent to convention. While New York, Milan, and Paris may dominate in Earned Media Value, London thrives on an insatiable hunger for reinvention. And, this season tested its rebellious streak like never before. International tariffs and supply chain upheavals saw regulars like 16Arlington, JW Anderson, and Ahluwalia absent from the schedule, leaving a palpable void. But if there’s one thing London does best, it’s turning adversity into audacity—proving, once again, that rules were made to be broken. DAY 1: OF REIGNING STARS AND THOSE TO BE BORN Kick-starting the festivities was a startling runway show by Harris Reed, with the designer’s long-time muse and friend Florence Pugh opening the runway. Draped in bold layers of black fabric, Pugh…

The Polish ready-to-wear designer Magda Butrym has crafted a unique identity of romanticism in fashion. Working on her eponymous label for a decade, the designer’s creative vocabulary rides high on effortless elegance mixed with minimalism and sexiness. Think delicate corsages, fancy laces, dreamy ruffles, sensual silhouettes, tailored precisions, and eclectic proportions. Her signature blend of femininity, boldness, and intricate craftsmanship take centre stage in the upcoming partnership with H&M. Known for pioneering global designer collaborations for two decades, including Karl Lagerfeld, Simone Rocha, Isabel Marant, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Anamika Khanna, H&M announces a special collection of womenswear, accessories, and jewellery with Butrym to explore her ethereal world of Slavic style. “Whenever we collaborate with someone, we tend to look for individuals with a strong design DNA, and that was the…

In an evolving visual landscape, four South Asian photographers—Avani Rai, Bikramjit Bose, Rid Burman, and Simrah Farrukh—offer distinct ways of seeing. Their work spans continents and generations, shaped by legacy, instinct, and a shared resistance to the spectacle of perfection. Whether capturing intimacy in stillness, energy in chaos, or identity in flux, each photographer reclaims beauty on their own terms. Together, they sketch a powerful, plural portrait of contemporary South Asian image-making—one that refuses singular narratives, and instead invites us to pause, reflect, and truly see. Avani Rai For Avani Rai, photography was never a pursuit—it was an instinct. Received her first camera as a gift when she was a child, Rai began capturing fragments of life long before she considered the act an art form. The daughter of acclaimed…

You may not have gravelly sand under the feet, patterned tan lines along the body, and fingers curled around an Aperol spritz, but you can still channel the spirit of summer without a beach or holiday in sight. Look (and feel) the part by mimicking the glazed glow that comes with a lazy beach day. SK INCARE Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum, Clinique, ₹5,500 Radiant skin is a summer must-have, and the Clinique Glow Serum ensures that just in a few drops. Formulated with potent actives, it exfoliates, smoothens, hydrates, and instantly brightens the skin for a fresh glow. UV Daily Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA+++, Sulwhasoo, ₹3,800 There’s a reason Korean sunscreens are beloved—they’re lightweight, don’t leave a white cast, and provide ample protection. This new sunscreen by Sulwhasoo ticks…

GET, SET, GO: Huda Beauty has just made your travel plans easier, courtesy their latest drop. This long-lasting setting spray offers a natural and soft focus finish, and locks in make-up for 16 hours! CAFFEINE CORE: Your daily shot of espresso, but with a dewy texture that also comes with the nourishing properties of shea butter, ghee, peptides, and more. SOOTHING STAR: A mask a day keeps acne away. Rich in cica and hyaluronic acid, this daily mask gives you the luxury of a glowing skin while you’re on the go. MATTE MAGIC: The D&G matte liquid lipstick is all you want while you hunt for long lasting make-up products in these summer months. BREATHER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: Travelling with toner pads in summers is your starter pack in smart travels.…

…BUCKLE UP WITH BELTS Amongst all the whispers from the fashion weeks, the sound of the belts is heard louder than before—a telltale sign that they are back (did they ever leave?). What started as a wardrobe essential for denim is now climbing the ladder of couture in fashion—the Paris Haute Couture Week dropped the memo. Style them with your denim, spruce up your blazers, or simply layer them to elevate any look. …UPGRADE WITH THE NEW MACBOOK The existing roster of Apple marks the advent of the brand new MacBook Air, featuring the M4 chip and comes in an all-new colour—sky blue. Available in sizes, 13 and 15-inch, this latest drop is here to upgrade your performance and the ability to multitask. The M4 chip features a powerful 10-core…

A NEW ERA AT DIOR Jonathan Anderson has been named the new artistic director of Dior menswear, taking over from Kim Jones, who stepped down in January. Known for redefining menswear at Loewe and through his own eponymous label, Anderson brings a bold creative vision rooted in craftsmanship. His debut Dior Men collection will be showcased at Paris Fashion Week in June. With Dior navigating a challenging luxury market, all eyes are on Anderson to usher in a new era for the storied house. As the designer shuffle continues, his appointment signals both continuity and evolution for Dior’s menswear legacy. GLOBAL GRANDEUR On April 1, the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai was decked up in a Vivienne Westwood-coded mood board, as the brand presented their first-ever fashion show in…

Born in the chaos and thrill of the 1920s, Deco was the jewellery equivalent of a jazz solo: Graphic, rule-breaking, a little hedonistic. Today, its legacy is everywhere—from vintage Cartier on auction blocks to fresh reinterpretations by indie designers who’ve traded frills for clean edges and bold symmetry. It continues to shape the design language of contemporary collections with its timeless elegance and architectural clarity.…

It was the summer of 1980s in Strasbourg, France when Elif Shafak’s parents separated. Only a child then, she remembers fragments of those formative years: A small flat in a banlieue along with books, cigarette smoke, and noisy university students who’d have heated debates. Shafak’s parents, now no longer tethered to each other, went their separate ways. Her father stayed back in the country and remarried while her mother, with nowhere else to go, took young Shafak to her maternal grandmother’s home in the city of Ankara, Turkey. Shafak recalls struggling to understand her father’s absence. “I grew up without seeing him…and I don’t have any memories or pictures of my father,” she confesses. Yet, it wasn’t only his physical absence that left a mark, she later discovered that her…

There are two worlds that an Emily Henry book effortlessly straddles: General fiction and romance. This distinction may not bother some—after all, categorisation in novels is often a construct shaped by the publishing industry’s commercial interests. But in a 2024 interview with The New York Times, Henry acknowledged the nature of her books that tend to sway in a direction that is more grounded and less whimsical, perhaps, than what we would expect of the genre with heaving bosoms and gargantuan amount of tropes. She still claims them to be romance novels. This categorisation matters—it’s a stance. The romance genre has long carried a reputation for intellectual frivolity, reinforcing the idea that a woman’s social life must revolve around romance, the very dynamic from which her societal oppression can also…

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 20 Professionally, your efforts are paying off—recognition and rewards are within reach. In love, a sense of fulfillment and closure allows for deeper connections or new beginnings. Karmic tip: Celebrate how far you’ve come—and prepare for what’s next. TAURUS APRIL 21-MAY 21 Fresh starts are lighting up your path. A new career project or creative spark reignites your passion. In love, chemistry sizzles—single or committed, you’re being invited to follow your heart’s desires. Karmic tip: Say yes to inspiration and act on what excites you. CANCER JUNE 22-JULY 23 It’s a month of reassessment. Long-term investments in your career or love life are starting to show promise, but require continued patience. Have faith that everything is working out in your favour. Karmic tip: Your seeds are sprouting—nurture,…

Welome to the Ozempic era. It’s hard to believe it has been only two years since Elon Musk made headlines attributing his startling weight loss to “fasting and Wegovy”, referring to the injectable medication semaglutide. Other boldfaces now also on the record about using Ozempic and similar drugs indude Kathy Bates, Tori Spelling, Rebel Wilson, Oprah Winfrey and Boy George. But such has been the uptake of the drugs beyond Hollywood and Silicon Valley, economists have coined the term the “Ozempic Economy”. In 2023, global sales of branded obesity drugs amounted to US$6 billion. Earlier this year, however, the investment bank Morgan Stanley projected that, by 2030, the market will blow out to at least $105 billion and as much as $144 billion—dramatically revising its forecast of $77 billion. In…

Cleopatra bathed in milk and honey. Geishas double-cleansed. And, turmeric was an Indian bridal staple long before its international claim to fame. Beauty rituals have existed across the globe for centuries. Rooted in history and culture, and often region-specific, these regimes found solace in medicinal ingredients available locally. From conventional herbs, roots, and foliage, to unconventional animal secretions—necessity was evidently the mother of invention back then. Decades later, these skin saviours have found a place in expert-backed formulations. While popular ingredients like ashwagandha, rice water, and shea butter continue to hone their place in contemporary skincare, make way for these lesser-known potent ingredients worth your top-shelf too. FRANKINCENSE + MYRRH The pairing of frankincense and myrrh has been documented in ancient Egyptian scriptures as a treatment for skin ulcers and…

Only an insightful conversation on beauty, or an urgent skincare need could get me to rise and shine, all straightened up and sun-kissed at 7am! In this case it is the former, courtesy my session with beauty mogul Miranda Kerr on celebrating the advent of her brand, KORA Organics, in India. Five minutes into the conversation, nostalgia kicks in as Kerr recalls her journey from a being a model to an entrepreneur. As she started perceiving beauty beyond the mirror and the runway, a passion-driven brand was in the making. Every passion project is usually either backed by an epiphany, or an experience, or a gap that needs bridging—KORA Organics is the result of a bit of all. “Modelling gave me the opportunity to work with some of the world’s…

There has never been a more opportune moment, than now, to talk about being authentic. In an age of filters and curated feeds, to be yourself is to be brave. Harper’s Bazaar has always encouraged its readers to look inward and find their own rhythm, whether it is through in-depth profiles, avant-garde editorials, or fearless fashion shoots. For instance, this 1959 cover of Harper’s Bazaar US embodied the magazine’s timeless commitment to celebrating individuality—raw, real, and rare. True beauty has never been about blending in, but standing tall in your truth and letting the world adjust to it. Let this cover remind you that beauty begins in your mind, not in the mirror—an ethos that Harper’s Bazaar has always upheld.…