Harper's Bazaar India

September marks that pivotal moment when everything starts to feel profoundly real. As we transition into the final stretch of the year, there’s an unmistakable sense of anticipation and significance in the air. With a crispness in the breeze and a flutter of both excitement and nervous energy, we, at Bazaar India, are busy gearing up for a major milestone: the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year event is coming to India next month, and preparations are in full swing. Simultaneously, we’ve been diligently crafting this special issue, The Icons Issue. When we convened to discuss the cover, the unanimous choice was Kareena Kapoor Khan—such is the magnetic power of our cover star. She embodies the essence of an icon for our generation. As a long-time fan of Kareena, getting…

KARISHMA JHALANI, WRITER “My maternal grandmother—impeccably dressed in pearls and a white coif. I’ve always called her my very own Karl Lagerfeld. Nani has a threshold for pain that is nothing short of awe-inspiring. She has little patience for small talk and diminished self-confidence. She does not know how to mince her words, brings her wild imagination, blue painted nails, and old Hindi songs to the conversation.” AKULA MADHU, PHOTOGRAPHER “Steven Meisel, one of the most influential photographers in the fashion industry, is my icon. I admire his ability to weave diverse cultural narratives into his work, and his unique storytelling style continues to inspire me.” ANAITA SHROFF ADAJANIA, STYLIST “For me, the true icon is, and always will be, the sari. It’s a recurring theme in my work—this year…

The last two years have been of prodigious success for designer and couturier Rahul Mishra. From the commendatory Haute Couture outings at every Paris Fashion Week edition resulting in global acclaims, to creative collaborations, and being the brand of choice for A-listers, Mishra is clearly in the spotlight for all the right reasons. Those who have closely followed his growth, will vouch for the designer’s craft-centered and community-driven philosophies, that more often than not transcend into his way of life. Mishra is busy, yet takes time out to meet me at his Noida atelier days ahead of his store launch in Hyderabad. I find him content yet excited. He shows me a quote from a 2014 article and chuckles, where the journalist describes Mishra as “the poster boy of handloom…”…

CARTIER, PANTHÈRE In 1913, painter George Barbier was commissioned to draw an image to reflect a modern, worldly, and alluring woman for an invitation card for a Cartier jewellery event. The result? Dame à la Panthère—an image of an elegant model, adorned with sautoir necklaces and pearls with a sleek black cat at her feet. This was the first connection between Cartier and its iconic animal: the panther. Legend has it the fine jewellery director of Cartier, Jeanne Toussaint (known to have famously worn a full-length coat made of panther fur), and Louis Cartier were inspired after spotting a panther on a safari. Over the years, Cartier’s history has become spotted with references to the majestic feline. From The first three-dimensional Cartier Panthère created in 1948 for the Duchess of…

After independence, India was understandably in the middle of an existential crisis. Years of British rule had established a new reputation for India, it had become a well-known exporter of raw materials. Born out of a subcontinent that was so deeply rooted in its crafts that were systematically targeted by colonial powers, the traditional and folk arts of the country were suffering and vanishing. The partition-induced violence resulted in the displacement of craftspeople, leaving them as refugees and torn away from their homes and livelihoods. But Indian crafts were ready to make a comeback. Over the years, Indian textiles would go on to significantly impact global fashion trends and inspire iconic collections. With a rich heritage dating back millennia, India’s intricate designs, luxurious fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen, and…

Popularly known as @databutmakeitfashion on Instagram, Madé Lapuerta is the fashion and beauty oracle we all look to for what’s trending in culture. While the concept of wardrobe icons has shifted with the advent of platforms like TikTok and the worlds of pop culture reigning supreme, for the next generation, new fashion and beauty must-haves are an interesting mix of ironic, vintage, modern, and hype. You only have to look at Lapuerta’s Instagram account to understand how social media is driving the contents of our shopping carts. With a little help from her elaborate analysis method (she is after all a Harvard engineering grad) on the intersection of pop culture and commerce, we round up what the new fashion and beauty closet icons look like today. Trigger warning: A lot…