INTEREST DE LUXE
When they’re not escalating their business to greater heights, six successful executives indulge in private moments of luxury. VIREN NAIDU discusses their luxurious interests
Vivek Mendonsa
Director, Lawrence & Mayo Group
My definition of luxury: The interpretation of the term, ‘luxury’ varies from person to person. For me, a luxurious possession is something that I will treasure and cherish for the rest of my life. Though luxury is not a necessity, it’s still special.
My first luxurious purchase: This might be an offbeat reply, but I vividly remember, years ago, a well-designed, technologically advanced computer that I purchased. It has to be one of my first luxurious purchases because back then, the prices of computers were really high and they were considered to be luxury items, unlike today.
My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: A Porsche as it’s youthful, trendy and synonymous with luxury.
Perfume: My choice in perfumes has never been a constant. It keeps changing time and again.
Holiday destination: Kashmir is truly breathtaking; unfortunately not many people have explored the place to its fullest. Venice is also one of my favourite destinations because it’s very romantic.
Gift that you’ve given/ received: My wife recently gifted me a Police watch and I quite like it.
Couture designer/ label: I am not brand conscious at all. I feel that India has a lot of potential as a fashion hub and more consumers should explore the Indian market for a change. When it comes to suits, I like Reid & Taylor and Raymonds for their unique creations.
Devraj Sanyal
Chief Executive Officer, Percept D’mark (I) Pvt. Ltd.
My definition of luxury: To me, luxury is best defined by a quote of Francis Quarles — “Luxury is an enticing pleasure, a mirth, which hath honey in her mouth, gall in her heart, and a sting in her tail.”
My first luxurious purchase: It was my Honda Accord that I bought four years ago.
My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: The BMW X5. I’ve always liked big cars and this is one car that beautifully marries an SUV and a brand that I’ve admired all my life.
Perfume: BLV by Bvlgari: It’s been my favourite fragrance for a while now and I love it because it best represents my personality and outlook, which is aggressive, yet suave and shrewd.
Watch: I have always wanted only two watches in my life — Franck Muller and Panerai. I am currently wearing the Franck Muller Casablanca, which I simply love. The only other watch that I aspire to own is the Panerai Luminor Base — Titanium.
Holiday destination: I love the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket and have lived it up there several times. However, the most luxurious destination would have to be Bali, where my family and I are going to spend a few weeks this year.
Gift that you’ve given/ received: The nicest gift will have to be a Bvlgari Cherchi diamond ring that I gave my wife, Nikita for our wedding anniversary a few years ago.
Couture designer/ label: Although the only Indian designer I patronise is Rajesh Pratap Singh who has a very unique style, I also like Narendra Kumar Ahmed. My favourite international designer is John Galliano.
Riyhad Kundanmal
Director, Ocean Crest Marine
My definition of luxury: Luxury is a state of mind, wherein matter becomes more meaningful than the sheer functionality. Luxury is a relative term, and differs from individual to individual. For me, luxury means spending moments alone or with the family away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
My first luxurious purchase:
Quite frankly, everything I own has been given to me by my family. I have never really spent on myself. Having said that, my very first luxury purchase was a 4X4 off-road vehicle I purchased, as a student in the US.
My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: Jaguar, it’s timeless, elegant and sophisticated.
Perfume: Terre D’Hermes Aftershave by Hermès; it’s woody, spicy, urbane, and lingers on for a long time.
Watch: I admire Audemars Piguet for its timeless appeal.
Holiday destination: Bali, it’s the ultimate place to unwind.
Gift that you’ve given/ received: The 50-foot yacht that my parents gifted me.
Couture designer/ label: Hemant Trivedi. I firmly follow the adage, “Clothes maketh a man; naked people have little or no influence in society.”
Dilip Mahapatra
CEO and Director, Agrim Cordell International Search
My definition of luxury:
Luxury to me is anything that makes me feel confident and comfortable. During college, I only wanted to drive the best cars. I had a Pajero that I considered as luxury then.
My first luxurious purchase:
It was a Volvo that I bought from Dubai a long time back.
My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: Since I love the outdoors, I enjoy BMW; it’s sportier than the Mercedes.
Watch: It would have to be an Omega. I think I fell for it the first time I saw an ad campaign that said, “If not now, when?”
Perfume: Since my skin is so sensitive, I don’t have any preferences in perfumes and colognes. However, I started using a mild Johnson’s cologne and I’m pretty used to it now.
Holiday destination: Though I like all of Europe, I think Spain is one of the most exotic places I’ve ever been to. I recently went to Mexico and that was a wonderful place too.
Gift that you’ve given/ received: My former boss from Germany had given me a pen painted with lapis lazuli, a precious stone found in the Himalayas.
Couture designer/ label: I like a number of labels including Gucci, Ray Ban and Guess.
Neha Lidder Ganju
Marketing Manager — India, Virgin Atlantic
My definition of luxury: Something that is simple, yet classic.
My first luxurious purchase: I was very young when I purchased a pair of fur boots by Manolo Blahnik.
My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: A red Ferrari! I love it because I can relate to it; it’s young, vibrant and very sexy!
Perfume: Chanel No. 5. Nothing personifies elegance and timelessness as well as Chanel.
Watch: TAG Heuer, as it exudes style without being too flashy.
Holiday destination: Undoubtedly, the Caribbean. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. It can be adventurous, luxurious, laidback — all at the same time. It is truly paradise.
Gift that you’ve given/ received: The jewellery sets gifted to me by both my grandmothers for my wedding are certainly some of my most cherished possessions. Another luxurious gift that I received was from my husband, Nikhil; it was our honeymoon in Cape Town. I also gifted my parents a holiday to the US and I got them to fly Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class.
Couture designer/ label: Nothing beats a classic black dress by Chanel. And a sari by Ritu Kumar would be the ideal choice for a traditional occasion.
Subhash Kamath
Chief Executive Officer, Bates David Enterprise
My definition of luxury: Luxury is something that you don’t really need, but would want desperately enough to pay a ridiculous amount for it!
My first luxurious purchase: A TAG Heuer watch.
My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: Personally, a Porsche 911 Carrerra is the best sports car on earth. It’s my ultimate dream machine.
Perfume: Dunhill Desire (Red); it’s very distinctive and masculine.
Watch: It has to be TAG Heuer. It’s got a lot of character: it’s rugged yet sophisticated, without trying too hard.
Holiday destination: New Zealand (South Island); it’s quiet, majestic and simply beautiful. The best part is that there’s no chance of running into anyone you know.
Gift that you’ve given/ received: I presented my wife with a pretty diamond solitaire.
Couture designer/ label: I simply adore Versace’s suits and jackets.
