Universal to the human experience is the language of dreams; they bring a sense of purpose and signify what we as individuals believe to be valuable.

Freedom.

A seven-letter word that means different things to different people.

Whether we dress and act in certain ways, travel to far-flung destinations, identify as a night owl or an early bird, freedom exists in every choice we make. The liberty to lead the life we want, to speak the language we choose.

As India’s 75th year of independence dawns, we dream on through art in its varied forms that celebrates freedom in its many splendoured manifestations

Whether daydreaming from home or seeking new experiences with the eased restrictions, we’re keeping our imaginations bright and alive. August begins with travel memories from Himêya’s CEO & Creative Director, Akanksha Himatsingka.

Through her literary, music, design recommendations and inspirations, we invite you for a mini trip across the world…

As an independent artist and urban ecologist, Ditty’s music is inspired by the natural world. Her insightful lyrics and sublime timbre are compelling enough, yet what resonates most with us is her coupling of sustainability with creative expression. Whether raising funds for water conservation or charting a conscious touring model for artists that offsets carbon emissions, she is pitch perfect and a girl after our own hearts.

As we adjust to the challenges of life during a pandemic, being in touch with dear friends is paramount.  

Rina Singh – the creative force behind Eka, an apparel label drawn to natural fibers and traditional techniques — collaborated with us last year on Himêya’s launch collection.

In Bed With… Annika Fernando

This month, we veer off India’s coastline to catch up with the lovely Annika Fernando, a multifaceted designer-entrepreneur from Colombo. One of Sri Lanka’s most sought after interior designers, she’s also the founder of concept store PR, and a director at the iconic Paradise Road Group of Companies:

What keeps you awake at night?
A busy mind planning. Occasionally, my husband’s snoring and our Bull Mastiff sleeping against our bedroom door!

What gets you out of bed every morning?
The next day; I’m a morning person. On weekends it’s my hungry son, wishing for waffles. 

Esther Perel’s Guide to Happy Relationships

This Valentine’s Day we’re focusing less on chocolates and roses, and instead, examining what makes relationships special – with our partners, and (perhaps more importantly) ourselves.   

Esther Perel, renowned relationship psychologist, author and therapist, firmly believes that “the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives”. We love her suggestions on how to create meaningful change and get the most out of our interactions. 

In Bed With… Samyukta Nair & Pooja Dhingra

January has us intimate with two powerful entrepreneurs… who happen to be great friends! 

Samyukta Nair’s upbringing in hospitality has prepared her well. She forges her own path with sleepwear label, Dandelion, a concept store in Mumbai called Clove, and London restaurants Jamavar and Bombay Bustle.

Pooja Dhingra, Founder and Head Chef of cult patisserie and cafe, Le15, has built a mini empire herself. It started with introducing macarons to Mumbai and now includes a flagship cafe, multiple patisserie stores, a studio workshop and a line of best-selling cookbooks. 

Here, they talk sleep, comfort and what’s exciting in 2020:

New Year’s Resolutions Worth Keeping

It’s those first sparkling days of the New Year, and our hearts are full with the endless possibilities that come with this fresh start. The turning of a New Year is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come, and how much we have yet to achieve. If you’re like us, you’ve probably set multiple resolutions over the years – some proudly accomplished and others long forgotten.

Most people set New Year’s resolutions, but the problem is – they don’t keep them. Psychologists say that resolutions have a shelf-life of only two weeks, and research shows that only 8% of people achieve the goal they’ve set. Despite the stats, we’re not ones to give up. Our belief for successful goal-setting is to keep it simple, measurable and meaningful. Choose a few that you really care about, and watch as the change moves from effort to habit. 

Below, some ideas we believe are worth sticking with, for 2020 and beyond: