Journals

The Samode Palace, located in the village of Samode, near Jaipur, Rajasthan has a rich history that dates back several centuries. A testament to the architectural and cultural heritage of Rajasthan, the 300 year old palace was home to the ruling family of Samode, when it was built as a fortified mansion by the noble Rawals of Amber. Samode was granted as a fiefdom to the Rawals, making it their ancestral home. The palace has served as a residence for the royal family and a symbol of their prestige ever since.

Always a pursuer of the arts, artist and illustrator Jaya Charan is best known for her aesthetically pleasing digital artworks. She enjoys working on illustrations where she effortlessly transforms her vision and beliefs into visual pieces. She also works on graphic and branding initiatives that highlight brand identity through aesthetics and visual recall. Having portrayed her skills in various industries like advertisement, technology, travel and ed-tech companies, she has mastered the art of brand identity through visual communication. A lot of her work is inspired by nature, seasons, and the happenings around; her renowned illustrations are just a journaling of her myriad experiences.

We got to collaborate with the cutting-edge artist on our latest campaign, to co-create a beautiful print synonymous with a beautiful creative. Read through our interview to learn how this illustrator got to be where she is now, why she does what she does, and her inspiration

FLORA RESORTS, WAYANAD

All images courtesy Humming Tree Studio. Photographs courtesy Syam Sreesylam. Text excerpts Lavanya Chopra.
A winding driveway laden with Bougainvillaea trees on both sides lead to the stone-walled façade of Flora Resorts, a boutique stay ensconced in the lush plantation landscape of Vythiri, in Wayanad, Kerala. Sloping terracotta-hued roofs and rubble masonry give way to a softly curved entrance of the retreat, enveloped in lush Biophilic elements that make it one with nature. Tour the calming retreat in our latest story.

AN INTRODUCTION
This eco-luxe experience in the heart of Cambodia is unlike any you have ever seen. Designed by co-owner and sustainability sage Bill Bensley, Shinta Mani Wild is a pioneer in sustainable hotel design with nature beckoning at every corner. Perched over 1.5 kms of natural river and waterfalls, the 15 tents in the camp have been meticulously designed to evoke Bensley’s vision of what it might have been like to be on a luxury safari in the jungles of Cambodia with Jackie O’, who travelled throughout this kingdom with King Sihanouk in 1967.

Psychoanalyst Eric Fromm and biologist E.O. Wilson both independently coined the term “Biophilia” in the second half of the 21st century. Incorporating nature into a space can be literal, like adding plants and introducing natural elements into a space, or more indirect, like organic shapes and ambient lighting. It is becoming increasingly clear that introducing biophilic elements in a space can have real, measurable benefits, like increased productivity, emotional well-being, stress reduction, and more learning and healing, both physically and mentally.

WHAT IS BIOPHILIC DESIGN?
“How we design our spaces and how we connect to the natural world are critical to human health and

ABOUT JAIPUR RUGS
Built on the fundamental principle of conserving ancestral knowledge and connecting rural craftsmanship with global consumers, Jaipur Rugs was established as a revolutionary rug company in the carpet industry by NK Chaudhary in 1978.

As the world continues to evolve, so must the designs that contribute to it. Design must be capable of borrowing from, and providing to the environment. Indian designer Namit Khanna is a prime example of this - pulling inspiration from the natural world and designing pieces that reflect human needs.

STEP INSIDE A PLACID VACATION HOME IN THE HEART OF PUGLIA

Nestled in the mystical environs of Contrada Belvedere, Carovigno, Masseria Belvedere is a characteristic Puglian retreat, a place to unwind and soak up the ancient essence of the historic region. Concealed by majestic foliage and centuries-old olive trees, this ensemble of stone offering beatific views of the Adriatic coast has been designed in harmony with the surrounding nature to create a peaceful haven in the heart of Puglia.

ABOUT SONAM KHETAN

“Fashion is more art than art is.”

- Andy Warhol

Some think of fashion as an industry, whereas others think of it as art, like a painting or sculpture. Coco Chanel famously said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening around us.” When it comes to fashion, it’s fair to say that designers draw ideas, materials, and patterns from other artistic crafts, as well as the environment.

Shaping the future of fashion, Paris and New Delhi-based Sonam Khetan is an Indian fashion designer with a unique and innovative approach to designing ecologically responsible creations that stand out. Her work is deeply rooted in nature; it is als