Hot off the HELLO! press: Designers expanding in India, global awards and more

The world of luxury and lifestyle is buzzing with fresh energy, and India is right at the centre of it—emerging as one of the most exciting playgrounds for both global icons and homegrown talent. From couture to cosmetics, the season has seen an influx of new store launches, international brand entries, and Indian designers expanding their presence, together shaping a luxury market that is more dynamic, inclusive, and experience-driven than ever before.

DELHI

Internationally, the luxury conversation extends itself with Polo Ralph Lauren's new store in Noida, Delhi NCR, reaffirming its position as one of fashion’s most enduring legacies, beloved for its blend of preppy elegance and timeless appeal.

Retail, too, is transforming India. The arrival of COS, with its architectural cuts and understated minimalism, introduces Indian consumers to a new wave of everyday luxury.

STRROT, founded by Sidhant Lamba, has arrived in Delhi and introduces globally-acclaimed luxury brands like Ebano, Seletti, and Lotus Arts de Vivre to the country.

Lifeyoga will be hosting a nine-day programme led by Dr. Tanu Singh from September 22 to 30, 2025, called Navami Detox 3.0, which will draw on the 5 elements of Indian cosmology, including pranayama, inversions and detox shots, to return the body to equilibrium.

Parisian jewellery house Messika entered the Indian market with its first Indian boutique at The Chanakya. With a stellar store in Delhi's posh shopping address, it blends French flair with India’s appreciation for fine artistry, truly elevating the jewellery experience.

Fashion remains at the heart of this movement. Celebrated Indian designers have opened new stores, each a reflection of their craft, beliefs and commitment to evolve Indian couture. Mrunalini, Gazal Gupta and Suneet Varma have taken over the Capital City to add to the ever-evolving couture landscape. These boutiques are more than shopping destinations; they're building immersive worlds of design offering clients true craftsmanship. 

Each store is a reflection of its craft, ethos, and commitment to evolving Indian couture. These boutiques are more than shopping destinations—they are immersive worlds of design, offering clients a chance to experience craftsmanship up close.

MUMBAI

Pilates is widely known as the trend du jour across the celebrity sphere, making it rise in popularity across maximum city as well. Boutique Pilates brand, MindFlex Pilates Hub has expanded to Andheri, which is its fourth location after Santacruz, Kandivali and Malad, since it launched in 2024.

Set in the cultural heart of Kala Ghoda, Rahul Mishra's new flagship store launch is proof that his fashion language goes beyond the Paris runways, which is a confluence of fashion, architecture, and artistry.

Jehangir Art Gallery transforms into ground zero of Indian Contemporary Art, as city's beloved Tao Art Gallery marks 25 years with Gateways and Pathways, an exhibition that takes patrons on an artistic pilgrimage through India's contemporary soul.

Foot Locker opens their flagship store in Mumbai, which offers a curated selection of sportswear from brands, including New Balance to Fila to New Era.

The St. Regis Mumbai will be hosting a weekend of fitness, art, and mindfulness; which will include Aqua Sound Healing and Moonlight Yoga, to recharge the body and soul this World Wellness Weekend from September 19 to 21, 2025.

LoveChild Masaba, fashion designer and entrepreneur Masaba Gupta's beauty venture, has launched its first flagship retail outlet, located at Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai.

BANGALORE

After entering India over 20 years ago, Royal China has cemented itself as an outpost for delicious Cantonese fare across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Pune. The restaurant now opens in Bengaluru at Vittal Mallya Road, marking its arrival in South India.

JAIPUR

Punit Balana marked 10 years of his label by unveiling the designer's India Flagship Store, a 3,000 sq. ft. space at Barwara House in Jaipur.

INDIA

Seiko India has unveiled a new limited-edition timepiece; the Seiko 5 Sports Forest Green Sunrise, India Limited Edition. It is inspired by the golden first light breaking through India’s forests, in partnership with award-winning wildlife photographer Varun Aditya. It is limited to 2,025 pieces at Rs 50,000 each.

Ugaoo announced the appointment of Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff as its brand ambassador; a perfect fit as Jackie has been famously photographed at celebrity events with his favourite companion i.e. a spider plant, in his hand.

This season marks the launch of Mèroh, a contemporary fine jewellery brand by Vinnie Ghatiwala. With a philosophy of believing that every woman deserves to feel extraordinary in her everyday moments, it celebrates everyday luxury with an intuitive design philosophy. 

Zoya, from the House of Tata, has unveiled its collection, Whispers from the Valley, with brand ambassador, Sonam Kapoor. Inspired by the ever-changing seasons of Kashmir, the collection celebrates nature’s poetry through art-like, fluid designs. From the warmth of autumn’s chinar leaves to the shimmer of snow-kissed green apples, it captures the spirit of renewal in every jewel.

SHIVAN & NARRESH with The Monk have unveiled a limited-edition eyewear collection, which imbues a vibrant design language with clean architectural lines and tactile integrity for a resulting collection that embodies the dialogue between vibrancy and restraint.

WORLD

Indian craft beer will be featured for the first time at the JD Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival 2025 in the UK with Effingut. In a collaboration with Hook Norton Brewery, their golden ale with a distinctly Indian twist will be poured across 900+ JD Wetherspoon pubs in the UK and simultaneously at Effingut’s outlets across India.

Atlantis The Royal collaborated with Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer to debut his composition Diamond in the Desert — inspired by his immersive journey through Dubai — as part of the renowned Skyblaze Fountain Show at the resort. Guests can experience the 4.5-minute Skyblaze Fountain Show featuring a multi-sensory experience of water, fire, and light choreographed in perfect harmony to Zimmer’s masterpiece.

Jimmy Choo announces the return of Sydney Sweeney for their Autumn 2025 campaign, which brings to life its multi-faceted characteristics and reinforces the power of shoes and accessories to transform.

CASHMIR, which is India’s first premium small-batch organic craft vodka by Piccadily Distilleries, won gold at The Vodka Masters 2025 by The Spirits Business, which marks the first-ever international gold medal for a premium Indian organic small-batch vodka brand.

PUMA global ambassador and collaborator, Rosé has unveiled her first full collection: PUMA x ROSÉ. The monochromatic drop looks at the world through Rosé-colored lenses, which is filled with personal references, to create a collection that is a creative embrace of Rosé’s personal taste and aesthetics.

ONLINE

If the lifestyle sphere is steadily innovating across the country this season, then its digital counterpart, the online world, is seeing progress quicker than lightning. Bobbi Brown launched its debut bridal campaign in India, fronted by brand ambassador Tara Sutaria, for brides to look and feel like the best version of themselves. 

After making headlines for her lead role in Saiyaara, Aneet Padda has been announced as the new face of the House of Lakmē, thus directly reaching out to its Gen Z consumer base. The brand has also launched their latest collection,Lakmē Be-Jewel, featuring her with Kareena Kapoor Khan, who returns to the homestead. The campaign blends Kareena’s timeless glamour with Aneet’s fresh perspective.

Indian beauty giant, Nykaa, welcomed the pinnacle of Swiss luxury skincare, La Prairie, through their online platforms. For over four decades, the luxury skincare label has redefined the art of beauty by blending scientific precision with artistic craftsmanship. Through Nykaa's partnership with LUXASIA, India continues to cement its footprint as one of the world's growing luxury beauty destinations.