HELLO! India Exclusive: Sonia Passi and her eye for aesthetics

She’s the very essence of a cultured beauty, a woman who has continually redefined and reinvented herself through every phase of her life. Elegant and demure, Sonia Passi is a culinary connoisseur, an exceptional hostess, a mother of two, and quite a fashion savant. In her fascinating world of all things discerning, she owns each role with grace and humility. For the first time ever, as Sonia opens the doors to her beautiful, tastefully done up home — designed by doyens Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla — in the tony neighbourhood of Lutyens Delhi, we take in the sheer sense of sophistication around us.

AN ASTUTE EPICURE

Sonia’s creative sensibility shines through in her artinfused home — though it’s her passion for gastronomical delights and presenting them with panache that drives her. Much of her interest in the culinary arts took shape from her devotion to her family — her husband Shah Rukh Passi and her children, Inaayat and Suveer.

“As a mother of two, I always found joy in experimenting with new dishes. Frankly, it was about seeing my children’s faces light up at the dinner table,” she shares. “Cooking, however, wasn’t just about nourishing them — it became my love language, my way of expressing care and creativity." “Gradually, my passion evolved into a talent. With this arrived a unique sense of purpose that, over time, gave me an identity, one that organically manifested into a new avatar… This evolution has been deeply personal and fulfilling for me.”

The gastronome in Sonia extends to her love for hosting. She leaves no stone unturned when entertaining — as is evident in this shoot. In fact, her close circle has fondly nicknamed her the “modern desi Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson.” She’s renowned among the Delhi elite for her marvellous soireés, with people vying for an invite to her parties, each of which is meticulously curated yet infused with effortless warmth and camaraderie. “For me, it’s about the joy of hosting — the laughter that lingers long after dinner, the compliments that come days later,” she smiles. “I realise I don’t just cook; I create experiences. To set a table, to host, to have that spark that defines an evening… That’s a skill. In my case, I suppose it’s in my DNA.”

THE NEXT CREATIVE VENTURE

Sonia’s kitchen marked the beginning of her other creative pursuits. Her zeal for interiors, for instance, comes through in the aesthetics of her spectacular home, which boasts a balanced blend of contemporary and traditional touches, with sleek furniture complementing the artwork she has up on her walls — from an A. Ramachandran and Laxma Goud, to Husains. Most recently, it was her interest in fashion styling that caught momentum.

Always known for her impeccable taste in fashion, and love for all things sartorially stylish, she’s spotted in the best of brands, dressed to the nines and ever exuding quiet luxury. Today, she hopes to take this personal interest down the professional road. “I’d love to work with someone who wants to elevate their personal style or get a complete makeover based on current trends,” says Sonia, who has always had a great eye for putting together attractive ensembles, craftily assembling accessories — bags, scarves, or jewellery — creating mood boards for vacations, and even helping brides-to-be with their wedding trousseau.

“I believe if something tastes good, it should look beautiful, too. Presentation is as important as the flavour. That same sensitivity to detail began to shape how I looked at clothes, colours, and textures.” What started as thoughtful touches at home soon grew into a full-fledged passion project.

“My transition has really been about discovering myself. I began paying more attention to detail in aesthetics. And every time I went out to shop, I’d try to put the full look together, from clothes and shoes to accessories. That instinct unfolded into styling, and I found myself wanting to take it to the next level.” Soon, Sonia found herself lending friends a hand, helping them curate the perfect wardrobe for various occasions, be it parties or other celebrations.

A FULFILLING LIFE

Her penchant for aesthetics and all things stylish aside, family always comes first for Sonia. “Being a homemaker was never just a role — it’s the foundation of who I am. It gives me purpose, joy, and an anchor for my identity.” Even with her children grown up — Inaayat is now a sophomore at Georgetown University in the US, and Suveer is in a boarding school at Wellington College in the UK — her bond with them remains unshakable. “I literally drop everything to fly out to them whenever they need me,” she smiles. “The bond doesn’t fade. It only deepens.”

Being an empty-nester has helped her reconfigure and re-energise the next chapter of her life. “Cooking taught me intuition, styling taught me expression, and being a mother gave me the foundation for both.” Her world is one where beauty and humility coexist, where detail and aesthetics walk hand in hand. It’s perhaps why she connects deeply with those around her. “Style, to me, is not just about clothes; it’s about how you carry yourself, how you treat others, and how you create beauty in everyday lives. That’s what I strive for,” she emphasises. 

To Sonia, this reinvention has never meant abandoning one identity for another — rather, it’s been all about layering them. Each role has been a natural evolution, building on the last. With grace, composure and allure, standing out in every realm of her choosing.

SINCERELY, SONIA

Brands worth tracking?

“Magda Butrym, Schiaparelli, and Khaite.”

My favourite labels?

“Chanel, Alaïa, Rag & Bone for jeans, and Saint Laurent for its gold accessories.”

My tablescaping essentials?

“A menu that’s adaptable to every guest, mood lighting, flowers, a theme (that usually depends on the food), candles, and unexpected touches.”

What completes a home?

“Home is where love lives — in the chaos, the quiet, and everything in between. It’s the sound of chitter-chatter around the dining table, the comfort of familiar smells from the kitchen, the feeling of warmth in every corner.”

On my styling wishlist?

“I dream of working with women at different crossroads in their lives — stepping into motherhood, businesswomen, brides etc. I want their clothes to reflect their personality, and maybe even remind them of the strength, grace, and individuality they carry.”

MAKEUP: GUNIKA TALWAR, HAIR: RAJU CHAUHAN

PHOTOGRAPHY: ABHISHEK VERMA, STYLING: AMBER TIKARI

This story was featured in the September '25 issue of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.