As we began planning our trip back to this beautiful city, nostalgia overwhelmed us. Last time, our visit was for yet another special reason. We received the prestigious NRI Shiromani Institute’s award and went on to give a speech at the House of Lords. This time too, it was special as we were to shoot two of our cover stars viz. one for The Peacock Magazine and the other for Travel Peacock Magazine. For this issue of our travel magazine, we shot with a true powerhouse of talent: Ananya Birla. We’ve known Ananya for some time now and we knew there was no one better than her to give you travel goals and help you make the most of the beautiful monsoon season. We spoke to her about her days in England and all her memorable trips while shooting her at some of the remarkable locations in London. As for the other shoot, we can only say—stay tuned!
 

 
All those who know us, know that our travels are planned around a work-and-play schedule. We love to work when we are vacationing because that’s when we get the best of ideas and creativity flows uninterrupted. Now that we have given you a glimpse of the work part, let us take you through the play bit as well. For our stay in London this time, we chose the iconic property The Lanesborough to stay at.

Staying at The Lanesborough, perched at the iconic corner of Hyde Park, Harvey Nichols, and London’s exclusive Sloane Street and Knightsbridge, was an experience of unparalleled luxury and grandeur. This neoclassical gem, once a historic hospital, has been meticulously renovated by famed designer Alberto Pinto, blending 200 years of regency-style character with modern elegance. The hotel staff was kind enough and offered us the best suite they had. Our suite was a haven of comfort, featuring luxurious interiors, responsive technology, and a hand-cut Italian marble bathroom. The attention to detail was impeccable. The Royal Suite, which we had the chance to tour, is the largest in London, boasting seven bedrooms and bathrooms, two living rooms, and a dining room wrapped in rich fabrics and mahogany.
 

 
Apart from the architecture and the interiors, it is the culinary scene of the hotel that piques our interest. Dining at The Lanesborough was equally impressive. The Lanesborough Grill served modern British cuisine amidst contemporary artwork, while the Garden Room’s heated cigar terrace offered fine cigars and centuries-old cognacs. Their exquisite afternoon tea and decadent breakfast classics were part of the highlights of our stay. As for us, we gorged on spread after spread of vegan delights that their chefs had thoughtfully put together.

After shooting a cover out on some of the famous London streets, we headed back to our hotel to shoot our next cover for The Peacock Magazine. The hotel crew ensured we had a seamless experience without a glitch whatsoever and were at our service within a minute of us needing anything. It is through this experience that we could envision why The Lanesborough is one of the coveted properties not only in London but the world.
 

 
After the shoot, we knew we had to unwind and enjoy the remainder of the vacation by keeping work aside. For relaxation, The Lanesborough Club & Spa—one of London’s most exclusive fitness and health clubs—offers premium facilities, including a hydrotherapy pool and sauna. We were tempted to take a dip in the pool but we decided to explore the property and take a stroll through the corridors for a closer look at the interiors that have stood the test of time. We were in awe of the regal elements that are still so intact and it certainly fuelled our inspiration. There are luxe properties and then there are luxe properties like The Lanesborough which is an eclectic mix of old-world charm and modern aesthetics. This, hands down, makes it the perfect destination for anyone seeking refined elegance and historical charm.

Our holiday in London is never complete till we take a stroll around the beautiful parks and streets there. We like ‘people watching’ as well and it is a wholesome experience to see city dwellers get by their day as we walk about. A coffee in our hands and the sight of beautiful London was just how we wanted our trip in the city to end. We headed back to our hotel and requested a private dining experience in our suite. The table was laid out with food that was not only a delight to our appetites but also a feast for our eyes. We ate to our heart’s content and then called it a day.

The next morning, we headed back home while promising to come back to London and The Lanesborough when our agenda isn’t just about ‘work-and-play’ but just a good, leisurely stay.

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Our journey commenced with a flight from India to Geneva, followed by a scenic cab ride to our accommodation, La Sivolière. This ski-in, ski-out chalet is the world’s most well-known ski resort that needs no introduction. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with warmth, a stark contrast to the chilly weather outside. With a seamless check-in process, we were escorted to our suite, where the moment we entered we stepped out onto the balcony and marvelled at the snow-covered landscape. As one of the world’s most renowned ski resorts, La Sivolière epitomises French excellence. After settling in and relaxing for a brief minute, we planned the rest of our day. That evening, we decided to indulge in a Michelin-starred dining experience at La Sylvestre, where we were joined by Alexia, the CEO of Courchevel Tourism, and Ariane, the head of the digital department. The meal wasn’t just a celebration of French cuisine; it was a luxurious gastronomic journey. The tailor-made culinary interlude is built around the chef’s signature dishes, which he reinterprets at this ski resort location according to his inspiration. Magnificent produce, premium ingredients, comforting sauces, expert seasoning, impeccable technical skill and emotion–the generous tasting menu showcases it all. After a delectable dinner and engaging conversations, we retired to our suite.
 

 
The following morning greeted us with pristine white snow, and we indulged in a lavish French breakfast at the hotel itself. From citrus fruit cups to our delicious homemade chocolate and pistachio cakes, their colourful selection offers plenty of reasons to get out of bed in the morning. After a delicious breakfast, we ventured to Cheval Blanc, a renowned luxury hospitality brand, for an invigorating 50-minute Guerlain spa session. The Maison with Palace distinction in the Trois Vallées is equipped with bold design, and modern art and is exclusive for those who like to holiday in the lap of luxury. At the Cheval Blanc spa, you are encouraged to slow down and set your clocks on mountain time by indulging in exclusive rituals inspired by cold temperatures and high altitudes. The experience left us rejuvenated and in a state of bliss. Following our spa session, we savoured the culinary delights at Cheval Blanc restaurant. The chic Alpine brasserie of the upscale Cheval Blanc hotel is known for brilliantly reinvented high-altitude dining, serving up a contemporary and uninhibited fine dining offering. We indulged in a host of organic delicacies and washed it down with a sublime list of top-of-the-range wines. Subsequently, we explored upscale boutiques such as Louis Vuitton and others, engaging in some therapeutic retail therapy. After a few rounds at the boutiques, we decided to go for a few rounds of mocktails at the Bar de Madame to refresh ourselves. We then headed to La Saulire for dinner where we delighted in signature French dishes, especially those laced with their signature black truffles. It is no wonder that the restaurant is frequented by epicures, celebrities and stars from show business, cinema, and fashion. We relished a special curated meal that was crafted out of the best and freshest ingredients.
 

 
The following day, we embarked on our most-awaited activity: skiing through the French Alps. After checking out of La Sivolière, we checked in at Hotel Annapurna, located closer to the Alps. We received our ski gear and instructions, stumbling a bit at first but eventually getting the hang of it. The snow-covered mountains added to the beauty of the experience. We paused for lunch at the Festin restaurant in Les Airelles palace, further indulging in authentic French cuisine. Afterwards, we embraced our second snow activity of the day: snowmobiling, which we both enjoyed immensely. In the evening, we returned to our new haven, Hotel Annapurna. Tired from our snowy adventures, we relaxed before a special dinner at Le Génépi, a decades-old restaurant serving wonderful, flavour-packed dishes with a modern twist. After a satisfying meal, we retired to our hotel.

The next morning, we began our day with a lavish breakfast spread at Hotel Annapurna. The exquisite French delicacies were absolutely delectable, even though they were all vegan. It’s a rare talent to create a flavorful vegan meal that doesn’t taste bland, and Hotel Annapurna excels in this regard. After enjoying a scrumptious breakfast, we set out to scout locations for a fashion shoot planned for The Peacock Magazine. Mixing work and play has always been our approach. During our leisure time, we’re often brimming with creative ideas, so we love to either conduct a shoot or hold meetings with relevant stakeholders to plan our next moves. When we decided on our Courchevel holiday, we were certain about organising at least one editorial shoot to showcase the beauty of the pristine French Alps alongside our bespoke couture pieces. Post-breakfast, we began searching for suitable locations that would highlight Courchevel in our editorial like no other. After scouting and finalising some spots, we drove to Aïnata, a Michelin-starred gastronomical delight at Le K Altitude, for a delicious lunch spread that awaited us. Here, we savoured the best of vegan Lebanese fare with a view of ski slopes and the mountains. It was truly a memorable meal! After our delightful lunch, we opted for a stroll around the restaurant before returning to the hotel for some free time to ourselves. Though we contemplated taking a quick nap, the sheer beauty of the place compelled us to take in every moment, especially since our departure was imminent. Therefore, we chose to indulge in some afternoon tea in our room while admiring the Alps from our balcony. We marvelled at how sheets of pure white ice could appear so stunning and almost surreal as if plucked straight from a fantasyland. We were presented with an assortment of teas to indulge as we gazed at the breathtaking views outside.
 

 
Following a refreshing tea session, we dressed up and took a cab to take us to the Palace Le Barrière des Neiges, where we intended to unwind at their Spa Diane Barrière. This spa, dedicated to beauty, tranquillity, and well-being, offered a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It featured five treatment rooms, a steam and sauna room, and an indoor pool. We indulged in a couple’s spa session that not only rejuvenated us but also provided a luxurious experience that one mustn’t miss in Courchevel. As we prepared for a busy day of shooting ahead, this was the perfect way to relax and unwind before the whirlwind of the shoot began.
 

 
After the revitalising spa session, we were escorted to the hotel’s exquisite restaurant, BFire by Mauro Colagreco. This restaurant, led by the namesake chef, embraced a concept inspired by his Argentinian roots within an Italian family. Most of the dishes here were cooked over a wood fire, staying true to their rustic origins. We indulged in Italian delicacies customised to suit our vegan dietary preferences, and yet, not once did we feel it lacked flavour. The dishes were impeccably delicious. They say a meal that induces slumber is a sign of a great meal, and our experience at BFire certainly lived up to that expectation. We returned to our hotel, where we fell fast asleep shortly after reaching our room.

The following morning proved to be even more chaotic than our recent mornings. The day commenced with the hustle and bustle of our editorial shoot, with models arriving in the early hours, followed by makeup and other preparations before venturing into the Alps to begin the shoot. We captured a diverse range of couture outfits, from bespoke gowns to coordinated sets. After a brief pause for a quick lunch, we resumed our work to finish the remaining part of the shoot. Subsequently, we returned to our hotel to unwind and enjoy some personal time as it marked our last day in Courchevel.

After a relaxed evening, we dressed our best for our final meal in Courchevel, which we savoured at La Guinguette restaurant by the talented Jean Rémi Cailon. A native of Rouen, Jean Rémi had been impressing diners in Courchevel for over a decade. Renowned for infusing each dish with a vegetal touch, it was a meal that both of us preferred and thoroughly enjoyed. Needless to say, we relished the exceptional food and polished off our plates in no time. It was indeed the perfect way to conclude our day and our vacation in Courchevel.

The next morning, we checked out of our hotel and caught a flight back to India from Geneva Airport. Our five days in Courchevel provided us with an absolutely luxurious experience amidst the charming French Alps. Often, we equate luxury with its monetary value. However, in Courchevel, you come to realise that true luxury lies in exclusivity, privacy, and the thrill of exploring uncharted territory!

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CREDITS-
Photographer – Vikram Pathak
Styling – Altorrin
Styling Assistant – Roderick Reyes
Jewellery & Belt – Coolook, Aayka Fashion, Saule Label
Bags – Sister Epic, Spice Bebe-ya, Bee In Style, SportsChic
Wardrobe – Falguni Shane Peacock

Bold prints splashed on evergreen silhouettes are taking over as the new stepping-out essentials. Breezy Falguni Shane Peacock dresses, boxy shirts, wrap skirts or even just a throw make for great looks the next time you’re set to go out and about. The plethora of cool and casual prêt wear will run you out of occasions and activities to sport them. The mélange of colours range from sunshine yellow to ocean blue, tangerine to sea green, along with hints of mustard yellow, light brown, lime punch and black. Spot the carefully placed monograms amidst the freshest prints of the season that are sure to jazz up the outfits. If ‘chic’ is what you seek, then Falguni Shane Peacock is your answer.

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While it’s safe to say that New York is our second home, it can come as quite a surprise that we’ve never visited Chicago — a city that is known for its architecture, food, parks and almost everything that we enjoy. So, when we set out to plan our maiden trip to the city, we were quite excited to finally go about exploring it. We clubbed our dates with our daughter’s as she prepared to start her music education from one of the top-rated schools that she had long aspired to make it to. Was it emotional? Yes. Did it take over our excitement? No. As parents, we were happy that she was pursuing her ultimate dream and, in fact, excited for her as well.

At the eleventh hour, as we neared our flying dates, our daughter decided to stay back for another two days and fly in later, which meant we had two days just for ourselves the way we wanted to before we got caught up with parental duties. We flew from Mumbai to Chicago and landed sometime during the evening. As soon as we stepped out of the airport, we were greeted by the sun-kissed city views. We knew the drive to our hotel would be a beautiful one. The setting sun shone bright on the skyscrapers that passed by. We were told the glorious skyline has many stories to tell; we knew we wanted to hear some of them if not all. We reached our hotel and checked into our hotel. After making ourselves comfortable at the hotel, which was our home for the next few days, we stepped out for dinner to this quaint vegan café for some delectable food. A long flight and some wholesome delicious dinner is good enough to induce one to sleep, and so we called it a day.

The next day we decided to do the Chicago shoreline sightseeing with one of the guided tour companies. There’s nothing quite like seeing the city’s world-famous architecture from all three branches of the Chicago River. The 75-minute river architectural tours show you more than 40 Chicago landmarks — from hidden treasures to the city’s most well-known sights. Both of us enjoyed the spectacular views as we heard the tour guides talk about how Chicago’s buildings, architecture, and planning made the city famous. Post the tour, we headed out for a quick lunch at another popular vegan cafe where we indulged in some delectable vegan food. Our jetlagged selves wanted to keep the rest of the day easy thereafter. We decided to take a stroll in the picturesque parks that are a sight on a sunny day. One can find a plethora of incredible parks and greenspaces in the city, some of them even iconic like the Chicago Botanical Garden. After walking a couple of miles in the park, we found ourselves back on some buzzing yet pretty streets admiring the architecture yet again. Did you know that the city is a birthplace of ‘skyscrapers’ and most of these that make it to the dotted skyline are historic? We neither. The evening went by stopping by some stores along the way and picking souvenirs for our friends and family before we headed back to our hotel to call it a day.

“On the following day, Falguni started her day by attending the trunk show that was hosted by our retailer Studio East. They had organised an exclusive meet-and-greet with her and that kept her occupied the entire day,” says Shane Peacock. “I stepped out and continued to explore the city on foot before heading to the airport to pick our daughter up. After receiving her at the airport, we headed back to the hotel to check her in where Falguni joined us. We soon headed out for dinner,” he added.

The next morning, we all prepared to go to school. Our daughter’s, of course! We went to the school to get her familiar with the campus and then the students’ dorm that was 10 minutes down the road from the school campus. The feeling was strange. After watching numerous movies where we’d seen parents sending their kids off to grad school, it was our moment now. On visiting the dorm, we figured that a trip to Target was much-needed to bag all the supplies that our daughter would need. By the time we finished our shopping, we were way past the timeline that was allocated to parents to be in the school premises and so we had to return the next day to fix everything. The following day, both of us were on our parental duties ensuring our daughter had everything that she needed to start her life at school. From fixing all the furniture to giving every possible advice that we could think of — we got all of it covered in that one day. When it was time for us to leave, we left with a happy heart wishing our girl nothing but the best. Needless to say, the strange feeling lingered.

On our last morning in Chicago, we realised that the world’s second most beautiful city would need a couple of trips to get to the depths of its beauty. Until then, it’s adios from us.

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“There’s something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.”

 
Simone de Beauvoir was right. New York is a place where every waking minute is a promise of an experience you’d probably never had before. No matter how many times you visit it, it still manages to surprise you and leave you mesmerised.
After a hiatus of two years owing to the pandemic, we decided to visit NYC–the city we call our second home and rightly so because we were made to feel at home soon after our first showcase at the New York Fashion Week almost a decade ago. While the trip was supposed to be a leisure one where we caught up with our family, we decided to make it a mix of work and play. Work, but only as long as it’s fun – was the memo and we did stick to it.
 

 
We arrived in NYC in the third week of April and just in time to catch the best of the spring season. The bloom welcomed us and the floral hues added to our cheerful spirits. We knew our 10-day long trip would be just as bright as the streets of the city that we lined with the likes of tulips, cherry blossoms, and many other flowers whose names we had to look up. After settling in and a brief catch up with our family, we visited the Ave India Design Collective for a trunk show that had commenced the same day. Meeting and interacting with the prospective brides who are nervous, excited and as joyous as they can be, is something we always look forward to. Not only because it gives us an insight into what the modern bride wanted, but also because it gives us a chance to co-create the outfit with her. We decided to invest the day meeting all our future brides and then called it a day.
 

 
The next day, we decided to take a stroll around the city to do a recce for the shoots that we’d lined up. New York, for the longest time, has been one of our most favourite places to shoot. During this trip, we had lined up three editorial shoots and our special cover shoot with Bollywood’s heartthrob Ishaan Khatter. Joining us for the recce was our dear friend and noted photographer Colston Julian, who even agreed to click a picture or two of us against the beautiful background of the city. “But before the shoots were scheduled, we celebrated a special day i.e. the 25th of April, which marks Shane’s birthday. While there wasn’t a birthday eve surprise, what made up for it was an off-Broadway show ‘Sleep No More’ that we watched with our family, before proceeding to a diner-style dinner just around the corner. This was the first time Shane was away from India on his birthday and in New York, but he isn’t complaining after a celebration in the most New York-esque way,” says Falguni Peacock.
The next day we were off to shoot our cover star of this issue, Ishaan Khatter. The young actor who is worth his salt has many stories to tell via his films and travel. It was his first time in New York and we found him basking in the experiences in true New York style. We got him to speak about all his travel experiences in between the shots that were taken by celebrated photographer, Toranj Kavyon. After a high-spirited shoot where the atmosphere was charged up to give nothing but the best, we called it a day. The next few days, we split up and shot two editorials at two prime locations in the Big Apple–one with Vikram Pathak and the other with Colston. We would’ve told you how fabulous the shoot turned out to be, but then we’ll let you take a look at the editorials in our next issue. As we proceeded to the third editorial shoot on the following day, we had to take a raincheck, thanks to the rains that paraded on our plans. That’s where we put a halt on our shooting and work spree and decided to spend the rest of the days with our friends, who were up to planning a special something that we’d go one to remember and cherish for a lifetime.
 

 
Our dearest friends Anjula Acharia and Maneesh Goyal are not just world-renowned entrepreneurs who have made a mark like no one else, they are also the warmest people with a heart of gold. The duo hosted a lavish dinner, along with the sweetest Alvina Patel Buxani to officially welcome us to New York at Mimi’s–a private dining space in SONA named after Priyanka Chopra’s nickname. We were joined by the best company we could’ve ever asked for that night. From Rebecca Suhrawardi, Rooshy Roy, Tony Goldwyn, Priya Shukla, Melanie Chandra, and Danielle McNally to Sakshi Khurana, Kinnari Gondi and others–it was a room full of people who loved and cherished fashion and success the way we did. A special mention to Chef Hari Nayak (of JHOL Bangkok and Alchemy Bangalore), who rustled up some lip-smacking dishes like Buckwheat Bhel, and Kofta Korma and washed them down with drinks like PCJ’s favourite Spicy Chili Margaritas. That night we also let out a little secret as an announcement of making a comeback to the New York Fashion Week circuit sooner than later. Toasts were raised and spirits were poured and soared.
As we were coming to the last few days of our vacation, we resolved to spend them doing rounds of our favourite cafes, meeting long lost friends and checking off some of the things on our bucket list like the visit to The MET museum. The sculptures and every piece in the frame were worth gawking at; and the history behind them was something that needed to be preserved, just the way it is in this museum. The last few days were slow and filled with soulful experiences, good laughs and delectable food. With our hearts and our bags full (from all the retail therapy we indulged in), we said goodbye to NYC, with a little promise that we’d come back sooner for something bigger! Stay tuned for that!
 

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As we neared our property for our three-day stay in the city, we were welcomed by the locals who wore a warm smile and lines and lines of the famous ‘Panchhi Petha’ shops that served the world-famous ‘Agre ka Petha’! We entered the gates of the royal, palatial property of the Oberoi Amarvilas. The dark of the dusk hour was contrasted by the brightly lit corridors, fountains and every nook and corner of the magical facade. We were floored by the beauty of the nine-acre wide property that houses grand gardens, an elaborate terraced lawn, lush fountains and a majestic pool like no other. We started exploring the hotel even before we could reach our rooms and settle in. Our quick hotel tour ended with a warm welcome extended by the staff who not only showed us around the interiors of the hotel but also escorted us to our rooms. While the exteriors of the hotel give a traditional palace-like vibe, the interiors are all about luxury. Taking inspiration from the refined aesthetics of the Mughal era, the local craftsmen have lent their finest skills in intricately carving the inlay work, the jaali (screens), embroideries and wood carvings. The hotel is a rich tribute to the legacy of Moorish and Mughal architecture and the poetic monument, Taj Mahal.

 

 
On entering the room, what caught our view immediately was India’s one and only wonder of the world — the Taj Mahal. We walked straight into our suites’ balcony that overlooked the elaborate garden terrace and then the dome of Taj Mahal. Our evening was made! We settled down into our suites and then headed to Bellevue — one of Oberoi Amarvilas’ premium restaurants that serves delectable continental and Mediterranean cuisine. As vegans, we didn’t have to worry much, because the server gave us a variety of options to dig in and eat our hearts out. A stroll by the pool in the great of our team was how we ended the day.

 

 
The next morning, we geared up before dawn to shoot the first part of our ‘Love Is,’ collection. A quick marking of shoot spots while the models were getting ready with makeup maven Mehak Oberoi and her team, and we were off to shoot some of the best shots by ace lensmen Errikos Andreou and Nirvair Rai and team that you can now find on our brand’s official Instagram page. India’s leading celebrity stylist Mohit Rai and choreographer Vahbiz Mehta ensured that the level of perfection was maintained right from the first outfit to the last one before the sun set. We wrapped up the long shoot day and headed back to our suites where we enjoyed some us time on the balcony with our green tea. There is nothing like sipping your favorite cuppa with a view to-die-for. What was now needed was a hearty dinner before we called it a day. This time round, we skipped our regular salads and experimented with the vegan pizza. The first bite of the pizza was enough for our hearts to melt and dig in. Even before we could finish the first one, we ordered a couple of more for ourselves and the team. That evening, we walked by the fountains at the entrance and soaked in the peaceful silence that engulfed the night.
 

 
The wee hours of the next day were filled with chaos and the green room shenanigans as we prepared for the shoot at Taj Mahal. The team and the sun reached the mausoleum at the same time and without wasting any time, we started the shooting by the walkway that leads up to Taj Mahal. The weather Gods had mercy on us and didn’t let rains ruin the shoot but the sun God shone way too bright and made the shoot a little difficult to progress with. But such was the determination of the entire team that we braved the sun and pulled off the shoot till afternoon. A lunch and rest break back to Oberoi Amarvilas was just what we needed to momentarily rest and gear up for the remaining part of the shoot, which was at the bountiful gardens of Mehtab Bagh. The evening shots were reserved for the colourful bunch of couture that looked resplendent against the garden greens and the ivory Taj Mahal. A quick round of clicks and some films by the filming team and we were done for the day. We found ourselves back to our hotel and suites, lazing around and unwinding. The first rumble of the stomach and we headed to the hotel restaurants for a scrumptious meal. We stuffed ourselves like a turkey and decided to head back to our suite to continue lazing around a bit.

 
On the final day, we slept in after waking up early in the morning for two days straight. A lavish breakfast spread awaited us before we checked out. As we were having our breakfast, we were longing to stay back for another couple of days and enjoying our time in the hotel. We’d heard so much about their hotel’s spa and the dining under the stars’ facility but we just couldn’t due to the time constraints. But we were glad that we could use this as an excuse to come back here again with no agenda and enjoy the other facilities that the hotel had to offer.

 
We packed our backs with our hearts full and a camera full of fashion films and memories that we will cherish until the next time.

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After wrapping up a three-day shoot in Udaipur, Rajasthan, for our fashion campaign ‘Mon Amour Jag Niwas,’ we were beyond tired; and huffed and puffed on our way back to Delhi to board the next flight. No, we weren’t scheduled to go back home but to a state we had been yearning to go to for a long time. A couple of months ago when we scheduled our shoot in Meghalaya — our first — we were ecstatic about visiting it not only for leisurely purposes but also for an extremely special cover shoot for our new magazine. But we were taken over by the lethargy and sleeplessness of three days and nights with our excitement waning with every passing hour. Once aboard, we decided to catch a wink till we reached our awaited destination.

We were woken up and welcomed by the lush greens of the mountainous state that has earned a reputation for being blanketed by vegetation like no other! Meghalaya truly felt like the ‘Scotland of the East.’ The setting sun shone over the valleys and we were in awe of it for it was like no other! Finally, the same zeal and enthusiasm that had gripped us while planning this trip filled our hearts. The honourable Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, invited us to the dinner party he had hosted to welcome us to his beautiful state. It was a welcome so warm that we felt we were catching up with old friends after a long time. The evening was engulfed in conversations and hearty laughter.

The next morning, we prepped up for our first editorial shoot in the state. While we were excited to be present at the shoot location, we ditched it to do something we’ve been longing to do — visit the textile units of Meghalaya. We had heard and read so much about it, especially after we scheduled this shoot, that we did not want to miss a single chance to live it as we read it. We were told about several such units in the adjoining villages that were managed and run by women mostly, and so we decided to travel there. The rest of our day encompassed studying how ingredients sourced straight from nature leave their colour on the fabric as natural dyes, how intricate designs that need utmost precision are boldly crafted on the yarn by the craftswomen without sketching or drawing it beforehand, and everything that goes in fabric creation. What amazed us was the fact that these units stand to be exemplary examples of women empowerment. The craft that we had witnessed dates back to 200 years, and like most of the crafts in the country, it too, is fading away. To revive its fate, the state government has started compensating people, especially women, to pursue it and carry forward the legacy. The tourism department also adds to this by finding the best markets and prices for these textile products. Looking at everyone’s persistent efforts in reviving the textile tradition, we too decided to do something about it rather than merely being spectators. But that’s an announcement for later! The day came to its closing and we headed back to the gorgeous Tripura castle where we were put up. Upon arrival, we were asked to dress up for another gala dinner that was hosted by Mr Conrad Sangma to give us a glimpse of the state’s culture. Numerous folk dancers showed us the traditional dance moves while the choir singers crooned in their melodious voices. The stage was then taken over by the guests one after the other till we all chimed in before calling it a night.

On the following day, we decided to thank Mr Sangma and the Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh for their warm welcome and their courtesy. The conversation extended to the state and its welfare, which further strengthened our determination to find opportunities for the state as part of our brand. Our afternoon was packed with plenty of packed bags that we brought back with us from the local markets. It was our moment of ‘shop till you drop’ as the marketplace had so much to offer and we couldn’t refuse. Souvenirs such as bamboo-weaved baskets, bags and other artefacts were packed for friends and family. In the evening, the courtesy was extended further by Mr Conrad Sangma’s brother who hosted an intimate dinner for us along with his family. Just like the previous two evenings, this one too, made us lose our status as ‘guests’ and gave us one that was ‘friends.’ We now think our sack bag of memories is heavier and richer than our travel bags.

On our last day, we bid adieu to Meghalaya and our newfound friends but resolved to come back more often and with more and better tourism prospects.

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