THE FINE LIFE

Six successful executives, who’ve mastered the art of striking the right chord between their work and familial Responsibilities, tell Viren Naidu how they indulge in their Quiet moments of luxury when they are not busy ideating Business strategies

CHETAN SHAH MD, Synygy India

MY DEFINITION OF LUXURY: Luxury to me signifies three aspects—exclusivity, detail orientation and comfort. Each element of the product should lay special emphasis on detailing and finesse. The product must be an exclusive piece, something that cannot be owned by everyone. However, while it might promise exclusivity, it may not necessarily guarantee comfort.

MY FIRST LUXURIOUS PURCHASE: My first luxury purchase was an Omega watch, which I still treasure.

MY FAVOURITE CHOICES IN LUXURY:

CAR: Ferrari. To merely sit in this work of finesse, artistry and craftsmanship is an exhilarating experience. Combine that with the excitement of driving this fast machine; it’s every man’s dream come true.

PERFUME: Drakkar Noir. I have been a Noir loyalist for the longest time and switching my perfume brand would be unthinkable. WATCH: Omega. Although I have many other watches, for some reason, I love my Omega the most. Maybe, I have an emotional association with it because it was my first purchase, but I like to think of it as more than just that. I love it for its simplistic yet elegant design, for the comfort it offers, and now with the more recent models, I see them being more adaptable to current trends.

HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Egypt. It is an amazing country with a lot of culture, history and excitement to it. However, I am eagerly looking forward to my first visit to South Africa in December and I expect that Cape Town might also become a favourite holiday spot.

GIFT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN OR RECEIVED: A Montblanc pen. I never thought of writing instruments as true luxury items, but when I received this as a gift, my perception changed. FASHION DESIGNER/ LABEL: Ralph Lauren. He’s someone who has been in the business for a long time and has adapted very well to the changing times. The label has clothes for every occasion.

ANIL CHANDHOK CEO & President, Chenab Impex Pvt. Ltd.

MY DEFINITION OF LUXURY: Enjoying the finer things in life can offer a much more luxurious experience that many big brands fail to offer.

MY FIRST LUXURIOUS PURCHASE: My apartment in Mumbai. It was located opposite the Khar Gymkhana where I used to play tennis. Though this was larger than my immediate needs as a bachelor, it met all my explicit as well as implicit requirements.

MY FAVOURITE CHOICES IN LUXURY:

CAR: Mercedes Benz E class. Mercedes is undoubtedly a world class brand, and the car is recognized across the globe as a luxury car.

PERFUME: I am using Burberry Brit at present. It has a sophisticated, sharp aroma that is masculine yet not overbearing.

WATCH: Rolex is the luxury watch brand to own; it’s every owner’s pride.

HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Hotel Cipriani in Venice. It has a great location on Giudecca Island facing San Marco, amid a sea of quiet streets, sprawling gardens and a giant saltwater pool. The full glory of Venice is suddenly yours. Every edifice is steeped in heritage and history. I prefer the sights and sounds of the concrete jungles, and living in Hotel Cyprian, just a short boat ride from the city, offers the best combination of luxurious relaxation and Venetian arts.

GIFT THAT YOU’VE GIVEN OR RECEIVED: A Mont blanc pen, of course. I like gifting it to young people, because the product offers them their first brush with luxury.

FASHION DESIGNER/ LABEL: Versace and Giorgio Armani are my international favorites. Amongst the Indian designers, I like JJ Valaya; his creations are wonderful.

AJAY CHANDWANI Executive Director & Member of Board, Percept/H

MY DEFINITION OF LUXURY: Luxury is a state of mind and is highly relative. The definition varies from person to person. For example, some people feel that owning a set of diamond earrings is a luxurious possession whereas for some, travelling first class is a luxurious indulgence.

MY FIRST LUXURIOUS PURCHASE: A Montblanc pen.

MY FAVOURITE CHOICES IN LUXURY:

CAR: Mercedes Benz because it represents a tranquil state of mind.

PERFUME: Montblanc—for its very classy and distinguishable fragrance.<

WATCH: Piaget, as it effortlessly captures timeless elegance.

HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Montreux in Switzerland. It’s the place that inspired the song ‘Smoke on the water’!

GIFT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN OR RECEIVED: I presented my daughter with a set of Time Life books.

FASHION DESIGNER/ LABEL: Tarun Tahiliani—he has a good mix of Indian and Western designs.

TARUN JOUKANI VIOLET D'SOUZA Director Finance, Mojo Eyegear

MY DEFINITION OF LUXURY: For me, the term luxury is synonymous with aspirations. When you aspire to own a product, be it a watch or a car, and if it is beyond your current means, it represents luxury.

MY FIRST LUXURIOUS PURCHASE: A Hummer bicycle. I love cycling on rocky roads and I started with a Raleigh but I’ve recently bought a state-of-the-art Hummer, which is convenient to carry along on trips. We often visit friends’ farmhouses, from where we go mountain biking.

MY FAVOURITE CHOICES IN LUXURY:

CAR: BMW 7 series, for its superior German engineering and design. PERFUME: Safari by Armani. I love the outdoors and there is something about Safari that gives me a sense of being outside, while seated in my office.

WATCH: I like Hublot for the statement it makes about me.

HOLIDAY DESTINATION: I like visiting New Zealand as it offers a host of adventure activities, which the adventure enthusiast in me loves exploring.

GIFT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN OR RECEIVED: A Montblanc pen. I have a collection of them and my wife recently added to it.

FASHION DESIGNER/ LABEL: I’m a huge fan of Ralph Lauren, Valentino and Armani. Among the Indian designers, I am an Arjun Khanna loyalist.

VIOLET D'SOUZA Terroir India Wineries, Indus Wines

MY DEFINITION OF LUXURY: Being on the secluded Smith Island with loved ones and a refreshing bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a swim in the clear blue waters, spells luxury to me. That and an impromptu dinner of barbequed fresh catch, coupled with a bottle of ’99 Dom Perignon on the silver sands.

MY FIRST LUXURIOUS PURCHASE: My first pair of diamond earrings—they epitomise beauty and simplicity.

MY FAVOURITE CHOICES IN LUXURY:

CAR: A black Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolets. A symbol of style and power, it would be just the right car for a carefree drive along the countryside.

PERFUME: I like feminine fragrances, especially L'Air du temps by Nina Ricci. WATCH: I have a Rolex Lady Datejust. I love it for its precision and classic beauty.

HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Bhutan! The unexplored Himalayan kingdom enthralls you with its scenic beauty and natural grandeur, particularly the Tiger’s Nest—a tranquil monastery that is simply divine.

GIFT THAT YOU’VE GIVEN OR RECEIVED: I guess it has to be my first bottle of Indus Moksha.

FASHION DESIGNER/ LABEL: Shaahid Amir, for his perfect cuts. I am a huge fan of his clothes.

SANJAY KAPOOR Managing Director, Genesis Luxury

MY DEFINITION OF LUXURY: Luxury for me is an experience that is not easily replicated. It could be garments that make you feel special, a car that is a cut above the rest, or a holiday destination that is different from the usual. MY

FIRST LUXURIOUS PURCHASE: A Kenzo pullover. Its design, quality and fit ensured that the buy was worthwhile.

MY FAVOURITE CHOICES IN LUXURY:

CAR: BMW—the ultimate car for its urban yet sporty character. It is technologically sound and comfortable.

PERFUME: Paul Smith—a classy Brit brand with a funky twist.

WATCH: Rolex—an understated yet luxurious product.

HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Italy has some of the most picturesque locations, an amazing history, beautiful landscapes and a very comfortable Mediterranean climate.

GIFT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN OR RECEIVED: I recently received a beautifully handcrafted Bottega Veneta briefcase that reflects excellent quality and craftsmanship. It is one of my favourite brands for leather accessories owing to its high standards of discreet luxury.

FASHION DESIGNER/ LABEL: Canali. It’s the best in its class—a luxury brand that stands for fine tailoring and good taste, with ultimate comfort and quality.