NorBlack NorWhite x Bhavya Ramesh had to happen

Keep nazar at bay

If there were two brands destined to collaborate, it’d be NorBlack NorWhite and Bhavya Ramesh. While Amrit Kumar and Mriga Kapadiya’s Delhi-based label is known for its riotous prints and textile work, the independent jewellery designer has built a cult following for her sculptural, conversation-starting pieces that refuse to play safe. The results—Evil Eye jewellery, lemon-and-chilli charms hanging on the sides of sunglasses, horn-shaped hair clips, socks embellished with tiny ghungroos—are basically your nazar battus in an edgy, wearable avatar. The collection also features a vegan-leather crossbody bag with a crimson tongue emblazoned on it and tusk earrings inspired by horns and fangs of the protective mask. —Anushka

Available in-store and online on norblacknorwhite.in and bhavyaramesh.com

The hottest LV drop fits in your pocket

Lip liners have gone from a makeup bag afterthought to an essential, thanks to the return of the ’90s lip combo and our collective obsession with perfectly sculpted lips. Louis Vuitton is joining the trend with its first-ever lip crayon, expanding La Beauté Louis Vuitton’s growing universe. Available in 10 shades, the LV Crayon boasts a unique shape that nods to the maison’s iconic Monogram flower and a long-lasting formula infused with peptides. The hydrating finish makes it ideal for everything from softly blurred lips to a defined semi-matte look. —Diya Bakhle

Available at Louis Vuitton, ground floor, Jio World Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai

Monsoon blues with a side of pastels

Are the monsoon blues invoking your melancholic inner artist? Here’s your chance to stare at a painting in a space that feels less like an art gallery and more like a tastefully done-up home. Situated on the ground floor of the 80-year-old Somnath Hall on buzzy Southern Avenue, Trace Gallery is Kolkata’s newest art space. And its inaugural solo exhibition, Where Do I Pause?, is also artist Raj Chowdhury’s first solo exhibition. Conceptualised by Anissa Sonthalia, the multi-purpose space aims to promote emerging Bengali artists. Each painting uses a neo pop language that offers a peek inside Chowdhury’s mind from during his time spent in the ICU, navigating paradoxical thoughts about fear and hope, memory and oblivion, and chaos and clarity. —Nandini Sanghvi

Two new pins on Delhi’s fashion map

Delhi has two new fashion destinations worth checking out. Tarun Tahiliani’s ready-to-wear label OTT has opened its second store in the capital in Khan Market, where muted stone interiors and sleek open displays create a gallery-like backdrop for a curation of apparel and accessories. Shoppers can expect everything from breezy kaftans to embroidered separates from the brand’s new spring/summer 2026 collection, all rooted in its signature Indian Modern aesthetic.

Meanwhile, Rhea and Showik Chakraborty’s Chapter2Drip has opened its first Delhi store in Vasant Vihar. In addition to the brand’s signature oversized T-shirts, graphic tees, and co-ord sets, the minimalist grey space also doubles up as a venue for hosting community-led experiences like coffee raves, yoga, and Pilates sessions. —Diya Bakhle

OTT: Ground Floor, Khan Market, Rabindra Nagar, New Delhi - 110003

Chapter2Drip: Ground floor, Priya Complex, Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi - 110057

Lipstick on your mirror

Ever since Seletti opened its studio doors, the Italian house has made a name out of talking design enthusiasts out of taking themselves too seriously. Now, that irreverence has landed in New Delhi. This month, Strrot, the city’s outpost for collectible design, introduced Seletti’s iconic Lipsticks Toiletpaper mirror to India—a piece born from the brand’s popular collaboration with Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari’s magazine, Toiletpaper. The mirror’s pear-shaped silhouette, rimmed in a gold frame, features hands holding out red lipstick, the kind of image you’d expect in a bizarre Surrealist collage, and a selfie most art goers in Mumbai are likely to have taken when Toiletpaper brought their exhibition ‘Run As Slow As You Can’ to India in 2023. Sidhant Lamba, who founded Strrot as a hub for brands like Driade and Moreau Paris, sees pieces like this as evidence that Indian buyers are now turning to interiors with a sense of humour built in. Hung in an entryway, a dressing room, or a powder bath, the mirror does double duty: a quick fit check with a side of eccentricity. —Nandini Sanghvi

Available at Strrot, Continental, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Sector C, Gole Market, New Delhi

Payal Singhal arrives in NYC

Payal Singhal has arrived on one of the world’s most storied streets. The designer recently unveiled her latest collection, ‘Shahnameh’, at the new Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio flagship on Madison Avenue in New York City—a major milestone in the brand’s journey.

“It feels significant because it places Indian fashion exactly where it belongs—within the global luxury landscape rather than on its periphery,” says Singhal. “Having a 20,000 sq ft Indian multi-brand store on Madison Avenue, opposite Dior, is an iconic moment for the Indian fashion industry.”

Inspired by the Persian epic with the same name, ‘Shahnameh’ stays true to the Mumbai-based designer’s OG design language, pairing intricate embroideries with regal silhouettes and thoughtful details like detachable necklaces—outfits that can be styled up or down, depending on the occasion. “While curating a collection for the US market, it’s about choosing pieces that align with the south Asian diaspora. It’s not about designing differently but presenting the most relevant expression of the brand for that audience,” she explains.

Naturally, we had to ask Singhal her New York food stops. Her current favourites include Ravagh Persian Grill on the Upper East Side, Chinese Tuxedo in Chinatown, a steak at BLT Prime or grabbing her ultimate comfort food—chicken and rice—from the legendary Adel’s halal food cart opposite Radio City Music Hall. —Nandini Gulati

Available at Pernia’s Pop-up Studio on 601-603 Madison Avenue, New York

Converse meets Chanderi

As part of Converse’s artist collabs, Nomad has cooked up some craft-led sneakers. Nomad’s newest drop, ‘Slightly Mad’, features bags and accessories covered in their interpretation of couching using handwoven Chanderi strips. The Converse collab now sees shoes wrapped in the same fabric. One sneaker has black and white stripes, another is a red-and-yellow combo, and a third, my personal favourite, a teal and pink variant with fern-green laces. —Ruhi Gilder

Another reason to love Lovebirds

If getting dressed each morning feels like solving an equation before your morning coffee, Lovebirds has a solution. Co-founders Gursi Singh and Amrita Khanna have launched Another Love, a new sub-label that distils the beloved brand’s aesthetic into an edit of everyday essentials you’ll reach for on repeat. Think easy-breezy dresses that work hard, tailored separates you can mix and match without having to think too much, and versatile pieces that’ll slot effortlessly into your daily rotation—all with the Lovebirds DNA but at a friendlier price point. —Chloe Chou

Available on lovebirds-studio.in

A minimalist’s ideal home decor collection

Not a room in the literal sense, ‘The Still Room’ is No-Mad’s latest home decor collection in warm neutrals and earthy designs. For founder Anuj Kothari, the collection is inspired by quiet spaces and thoughtful routines. Think cushion covers and high-thread-count bedding. Plus, contemporary decor accents, like a simple sculptural wooden coffee table made with natural materials. —Ara Mishra

Address: 11, Varma Chambers, next to Christian Louboutin, Horniman Circle, Fort, Mumbai

The Delhi-Mumbai collab we didn’t see coming

Mumbai’s Seefah and Delhi’s Inja are joining forces and sharing a kitchen at Inja to put their spin on Indian, Japanese, and Thai food. Chefs Seefah and Adwait will create an experience inspired by the food they grew up with and the culinary techniques they’ve perfected. Savour an intentionally curated à la carte menu featuring 10 standout dishes, which include five by Seefah, three by Inja, and two collaborative creations. —Ara Mishra

The pop-up is slated for July 30 and 31 at Inja, Friends Colony West, New Delhi. Bookings on District by Zomato

This art gallery wants you to come out and play

If you’ve been having an existential crisis and are in need of a dose of childhood nostalgia, Method Delhi’s latest show, Holiday Homework, which brings together 20 artists, is sure to bring a smile to your face. From Harshita Sharma’s sculptural kites to toy maker and 3D illustrator Amrit Pal Singh’s series ‘Toy Faces’, it’s art that will stir not just nostalgia but also reflection. For a merrier dive into the show’s theme, there are also play areas for audiences to bring their kids, including ‘Ulta Pulta – Playscape’ by Bharat Raj Thukral and Roshni Gera. —Nandini Sanghvi

Holiday Homework is on from July 19 to August 23 at Method Delhi

What’s fermenting?

Did you know our favourite sourdough, kombucha, or even idlis are technically controlled rot? Fermentation has been right under our nose in our kitchens for years now. Desi Cultures is only celebrating it with a dedicated fermentation festival for food nerds who want to know where their vadas are coming from. This year’s edition will cover everything you might be curious about—south Asia’s fermentation cultures, the everyday politics of the process, or simply conversations around flavour and gut health. Head to their website to buy an online pass and let some fermentation knowledge come your way. —Anushka

The festival is on from July 18 to 26. The passes are priced at ₹1,500. Available on desicultures.in