“LuxeBook is a window into the world of luxury.” In the heart of Maheshwar—where looms have sung for centuries—Mira Sagar found not just a craft but her calling. The founder of VAYA, a label that lives its philosophy “Weaving Heritage”, Sagar blends passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship with storytelling. “Success in a business working with weavers and artisans,” she says, “comes from blending passion, authenticity, and quality with storytelling.” Her journey began in 1990, when she volunteered with a non-profit supporting Maheshwar’s weavers. What began as curiosity soon became commitment. Immersed in the rhythm of the looms and the grace of the women who wove beside her, Sagar learned every stage—from yarn selection to marketing—creating textiles that carried dignity and purpose. “True luxury,” Sagar reflects, “is the comfort of knowing every handwoven textile or handmade object I own carries a story within its threads.” While she admits, “there is most certainly a glass ceiling in the luxury industry,” she believes passion and purpose set true entrepreneurs apart. For Sagar, sustainability isn’t a passing trend—it’s a way of life. Her own treasures include heirloom jewellery passed down from her mother and grandmother. A lover of refinement, Sagar often unwinds with a glass of wine and the company of family and friends. Her most unforgettable travel memory is the beautiful Maasai Mara National Reserve, a region of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya. | 33 “I usually prefer a mimosa when I want something light and refreshing, but a glass of wine is always my go-to.” “Create heirlooms, not trends”. For designer Mrunalini Rao, this isn’t just a philosophy, it’s a promise stitched into every piece she creates. Choosing fashion over medicine, she followed her heart from NIFT to founding her eponymous label in 2014. Based in Hyderabad, label Mrunalini Rao celebrates India’s artistic legacy through lustrous silks, sculpted silhouettes, and embroidery so intricate it feels like poetry in thread. Each creation begins as a blank canvas, taking shape slowly under the skilled hands of artisans who preserve age-old crafts like zardozi, resham, and appliqué. Her designs breathe timelessness, deeply Indian yet effortlessly modern. The brand’s serene white stores in Hyderabad and Delhi reflect that same spirit: spaces where craftsmanship speaks louder than fashion’s fleeting noise. For Rao, true luxury lies not in excess, but in emotion; the kind that endures, generation after generation. | 32 Mira Sagar Founder, Vaya Weaving Heritage Mrunalini Rao Founder, Mrunalini Rao
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