The Epitome of Luxury

Luxury in India is coming of age, with the growing multitudes understanding what it’s about. Spending what you earn to lead “the good life” is the mantra that everyone is following. GITANJALI SINGH speaks to six individuals about their earliest experiences with luxury and what it means to them today.

KUNAL DASGUPTA
CEO, Sony Entertainment Ltd
My definition of luxury: Luxury is exclusive, indulgent and very unique in design. Everyone has different choices so luxury could mean different things to different people.

My first luxurious purchase: A Ulysse Nardin watch.

My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: I like fast cars. A Porsche or an Alfa Romeo would best describe luxury automobiles.
Watch: I used to be very fond of designer watches, but I’ve grown out of that phase now.
Perfume: I don’t have too many preferences in perfumes and colognes. Creed is one of my favourites.
Holiday Destination: An ideal holiday would be on a beach resort like the Banyan Tree Resort in Phuket. Otherwise, in terms of destinations, it has to be Goa.
Gift that you've given or received: The most luxurious gift I’ve ever given is jewellery to my wife.
Couture designer or label: Like watches, I used to be very fond of luxury labels and designers. In fact, I quite like Salvatore Ferragamo.

ANJANI KASLIWAL
General Manager, Luxury Brands, Brandhouse Retails Limited, A retail venture of SKNL
My definition of luxury: Silks and diamonds. I look out for class, style, heritage and comfort. Loius Vuitton, Dunhill, Hermès and ESCADA.
My first luxurious purchase: A Louis Vuitton bag that I bought when I was 14. It gave me a sense of confidence and made me feel unique.

My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: The comfort and stability of a BMW and the style and statement of a Rolls Royce is luxury to me.
Watch: Patek Philippe — it’s a luxury piece that has heritage value. My grandfather had one and that went to my dad. Now I have one as well.
Perfume: I use Dunhill and ESCADA for myself.
Holiday Destination: St. Moritz in Switzerland. I particularly like the place because I've lived there as well.
Gift that you've given or received: The gift that I cherish the most is a Rolex that I received recently.
Couture designer or label: I like ESCADA, Hermès, Alexander McQueen and PRADA.

DEVANG TRIVEDI
Managing Director, Progressive Group
My definition of luxury: When it comes to luxury, I truly believe the adage, “to each his own”. By and large, luxury has to do with something that’s lavish. It could mean a great apartment, a fast car or even a fancy pen. For me, luxury is one step above necessity.
My first luxurious purchase: My car — a Škoda, which I acquired a few years ago. It’s much more than just a requirement.

My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: The Mercedes S-class is the ideal luxury car. Even the E-class category is luxurious.
Perfume: I’m not too fond of colognes and perfumes.
Holiday Destination: Any waterfront property. I love Austria and Venice.
Gift that you've given or received: I don’t choose gifts for others because I think that’s not very personal. When my friends or family need any kind of help, I try to be there for them.
Couture designer or label: I really admire Armani.

DINESH THAKKAR
Chairman & Managing Director, Angel Broking
My definition of luxury: Luxury to me means comfort to body, mind and soul beyond one's expectation. According to me, luxury is a state of mind, which imparts happiness and satisfaction, spiritually, materially, or emotionally.

My first luxurious purchase: My first luxurious purchases were Montblanc belts, cufflinks and Bally shoes. I continue buying products from Montblanc. I admire their adherence to high-quality standards and their knack for achieving a perfect finish.

My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: The Mercedes S-class because of its safety features and roomy interiors.
Watch: For the casual look, I prefer Chopard watches because of their blend of novel design and ruggedness. For the office, I like Cartier or Montblanc because of their contours and innovative designs.
Perfume: I only like the Angel Star collection from Thierry Mugler-Paris.
Holiday Destination: Rome, because of the sheer imperial feel, well-carved city design and architecture. I also like Paris: apart from its museums and other historic monuments, I admire the innate fashion sense of the Parisians and their ability to set global trends.
Couture designer or label: Loewe, Salvatore Ferragamo and Ermenegildo Zegna — their trendsetting ways, choice in fabrics and cuts, and devotion to quality promise the perfect feel and look.

POONAM CHANDEL
COO, Cobra India
My definition of luxury: Luxury is more than just brands; it’s a desire to live a comfortable life where everything comes to you easily.

My first luxurious purchase: I’m very fond of jewellery and watches. My first purchase was a solitaire ring from Tanishq. Once I started working, I saved up for it for three years.

My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: I come from the old school of thought and believe that when you grow up, you should ride in a Mercedes.
Watch: Omega watches are the most understated and dependable watches for everyday wear.
Perfume: I don’t like feminine fragrances because most of them are too floral. I use a lot of perfumes but my favourite is from Bvlgari.
Holiday Destination: Scotland — it’s the perfect combination of old and new, and not so much of a tourist destination. It’s more for people who want to explore.
Gift that you've given or received:A Chopard watch with floating diamonds that a friend gifted me.
Couture designer or label: I really like Roberto Cavalli. His designs are sensual and unique and bring out the person in you.

SUNIL GAUTAM
Managing Director, Hanmer & Partners Communications Pvt. Ltd.
My definition of luxury: Anything that makes me comfortable and possesses an aspirational value is luxury. A good holiday can also be deemed luxurious.

My first luxurious purchase: An Omega wristwatch that I bought many years back. It was my first aspirational purchase.

My favourite choices in luxury:
Car: As long as it’s operational, convenient and takes me from one place to another, it serves its purpose. In fact, I am very pleased with my Honda V-TEC.
Watch: Personally, a Rolex watch is true luxury..
Perfume: I have a wide variety of colognes that I pick up on my trips abroad. Currently, my favourites are Prada and Ralph Lauren Black.
Holiday Destination: The world is really big — there are so many places to visit that I like going to new places every time I travel. My favourite place would be anywhere with a beach. Recently I went on a cruise to the Greek islands and had the best trip ever.
Gift that you've given or received: I think the best gift I could receive are the ones that have been God sent — my wife and son.
Couture designer or label: I don’t have a particular favourite though I am very fond of labels. My wardrobe is scattered with names like Versace, Valentino and Ralph Lauren among others.