In January while working on our next collection, I took a few side trips in India.

Here are some of the highlights:

Highlights from Bombay:

A visit to Jhaveri Contemporary gallery- that was featuring an exhibit by Rana Begum.

I walked around the Kala Ghoda neighborhood that is so vibrant and stopped in to admire the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue. Did you know this one of nine synagogues in Bombay?

Other Highlights:

Kishmish Clothing: one of my fave clothing brands in India. Not that I’m partial because it is founded by my dearest friend- Rekha Bhatia.

Food: some of my ‘musts’ in Bombay

Kala Ghoda Cafe The Table. Swati Snacks Panipuri at Elco Arcade

I made a trip to Agra- with my mom and daughter. It had been atleast 20 years since I was last there!

Visiting the Taj Mahal is always astounding. The magnificence of the details and the artistry is incredible and not overrated.

We also visited the Agra Fort- built of red sandstone, in 1565, by Mughal emperor Akbar- it was a major residence of the Mughals until 1638- and provides a historical insight into their life.

While in Agra:

We visited Kohinoor Jewelers run by the fifth generation of the Mathur family and have a private museum of the most incredible hand embroidered tapestries by late Indian embroidery artist Padmashri Shams- their pieces have been borrowed by the Met in NYC. Their jewelry is spectacular too and they showed us emerald pieces from their private collection that date back to being owned by the queen Mumtaz Mahal- whose mausoleum is the Taj Mahal.
Stay in Agra at the luxurious Amar Vilas– where every room has a view of the Taj.

Eat at Peshawri which serves delectable northwest frontier tandoori cuisine.

Planning a trip to India? Reach out & I’d be happy to share my tips.