Luxury Newswrap of the Week Featuring Fashion, Hospitality & more
- Business Featured
Arushi Sakhuja- 12 minutes read
This week saw major launches and celebrations across diverse industries, from fashion and luxury to sports and innovation. Iconic brands made waves with their latest offerings, while high-profile events brought together notable figures from various sectors. Here’s a look at the standout moments shaping the season.
Dior introduces the D-Journey bag
Dior’s latest accessory, the D-Journey bag, debuted at the Spring-Summer 2025 ready-to-wear show. Designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, the bag features sleek, adaptable lines paired with a practical central compartment. It is equipped with a detachable strap adorned with the “CD” initials, allowing it to be worn crossbody or on the shoulder. Available in various sizes and finishes, the D-Journey is crafted in leather or canvas, including Dior Oblique jacquard and Dior Graphic variations. Every piece is assembled by Dior artisans, with intricate detailing like gilt finishes and the “Christian Dior Paris” seal applied by hand. The bag will be available in boutiques starting January 2025.
Abu Dhabi hosts the Formula 1 2025 season finale
Abu Dhabi concluded the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship with a grand finale at Yas Marina Circuit on December 8. The event drew Bollywood stars Shraddha Kapoor and Disha Patani, alongside global icons like Brad Pitt and Adriana Lima. Kapoor also visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi, while Patani joined the celebrity-packed crowd to witness the high-octane race. The finale featured 58 laps on a 5.281 km circuit, followed by electrifying performances from Maroon 5, Muse, and Eminem. As F1 concluded, the city transitioned to the LIWA International Festival, running from December 2024 to January 2025. Hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism, the festival includes motorsport events, traditional crafts, and attractions like the Hollywood Circus and Shams Liwa Ferris Wheel, offering a vibrant winter escape in the Al Dhafra region.
Taj Bengaluru celebrates 120 years this festive season
Celebrating 120 years, Taj hotels in Bengaluru—Taj West End, Taj MG Road, Taj Bangalore, and Taj Yeshwantpur—hosted Grand Cake Mixing Ceremonies to kick off the festive season. Inspired by 17th-century European traditions, the events invited guests, patrons, and chefs to mix ingredients like raisins, prunes, and almonds, symbolising the start of Christmas preparations. Donned in aprons and hats, participants enjoyed the lively atmosphere, complete with a holiday-themed setup and a menu of ginger biscuits, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. The batter will be baked into cakes to be served during Christmas, continuing Taj’s long-standing celebration of community.
Tom Brady’s auction showcases timepieces from his personal collection
NFL legend Tom Brady, known for his seven Super Bowl victories, recently added a new chapter to his storied legacy by hosting a luxury auction on December 10. Featuring 41 prized possessions, the auction included everything from rare NFL memorabilia to exquisite timepieces. Notably, Brady’s watch collection was the standout, with several pieces fetching impressive prices. The Rolex Daytona Paul Newman ‘John Player Special’ led the auction with a final bid of $1.1 million. This yellow gold chronograph was famously worn by Brady during his retirement ceremony in September 2023. Other notable pieces included the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘The Roast,’ which sold for $720,000, and two Richard Mille watches— the RM35-03 ‘Baby Nadal’ for $384,000 and the Carbon TPT Flyback Chronograph for $336,000. Each item in the auction reflected Brady’s refined taste and his journey from the football field to the world of luxury.
Zoya opens its first boutique in Kolkata
Zoya, the luxury jewellery brand from the House of Tata, has opened its first boutique in East India, located in a heritage bungalow on Shakespeare Sarani Road, Kolkata. The launch was graced by Twinkle Khanna, who inaugurated the store alongside Ajoy Chawla, CEO of Titan’s Jewellery Division. Twinkle Khanna, wearing the striking Autumn’s Breath Necklace from Zoya’s Alive Collection, highlighted the brand’s ethos of blending bold design with bright gemstones. The necklace, featuring a 9-carat Lemon Quartz in Zoya’s signature Bloom Cut™, was paired with diamonds, rhodolite garnets, and citrines, exemplifying the collection’s theme of dynamic colour. The boutique aims to bring Zoya’s creations closer to the brand’s clientele in Kolkata.
Fizzy Goblet launches its first sneaker collection
Fizzy Goblet has launched its first sneaker collection, marking a new chapter in the brand’s evolution from hand-painted footwear. Designed for a modern, versatile lifestyle, the collection combines materials like suede, raffia, and custom soles with bold aesthetics and functional design. Fizzy Goblet’s signature craftsmanship is evident in every pair, including a playful twist on the logo split between the left (‘F’) and right (‘G’) sneakers. Founder Laksheeta Govil expressed her excitement, stating the collection celebrates creativity and versatility, crafted entirely by hand for comfort and style. Handmade by Indian artisans, the sneakers blend timeless artistry with contemporary appeal and are available in sizes EU 35 to 41.
Mumbai celebrates fashion and entrepreneurship at FEF Gala
On December 8, Mumbai’s Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF), founded by Sanjay Nigam, hosted a star-studded gala celebrating fashion and innovation. Bollywood icons like Akshay Kumar, Manish Malhotra, Malaika Arora, Tiger Shroff, and Janhvi Kapoor joined industry leaders such as Gautam Singhania and Darpan Sanghvi to honour the future of fashion. Sanjay Nigam expressed his excitement at bringing together diverse sectors to support new talent. Akshay Kumar, an FEF investor, praised the fund’s role in transforming the industry, while Manish Malhotra highlighted its support for emerging designers. The evening also marked the start of FEF’s collaboration with Dharmatic Entertainment, promising new projects for the fashion world.
Titan marks its 40th anniversary with a tribute timepiece to Rakesh Sharma
Titan Watches celebrated its 40th anniversary by paying heed to Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space. In 1984, aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11, Sharma famously declared, “Saare Jahaan Se Achha” while gazing at Earth. To commemorate this moment, Titan launched the ‘Unity Watch,’ a limited-edition timepiece inspired by Sharma’s perspective of Earth and the spirit of unity. At a ceremony in Bengaluru, Titan presented the first Unity Watch to Sharma. He shared memories of his space journey, while Titan’s design team showcased the craftsmanship behind the watch, highlighting the parallels between space exploration and watchmaking.
