The Stories Shaping Luxury This Week
From Indian couturiers rewriting the rules of fashion steeped in culture to big moves across aviation, trade and travel, this week’s luxury headlines capture how heritage, innovation and identity quietly reshaped the global conversation. Read on.
Jacquemus Names His Grandmother as the Brand’s First Ambassador
French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus has named his grandmother, Liline Jacquemus as the brand’s first-ever brand ambassador. Born in 1946 and raised in the sun-soaked village of Alleins in the South of France, Liline has long been woven into the fabric of Jacquemus’s creative universe; she’s appeared in campaign imagery before and is widely credited by the designer as a formative influence on his vision of strength, simplicity and Mediterranean elegance. By elevating her to ambassadorial status, Jacquemus deliberately shifts the narrative from curated fame to lived legacy, anchoring his label’s identity in family, memory and origin rather than celebrity endorsement.
Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta Shine at Paris Haute Couture Week 2026
At Paris Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026, Indian fashion took on a distinctly philosophical hue as Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta emerged as two of the most talked-about designers amid a constellation of global maisons. Mishra’s ‘Alchemy’, a collection inspired by the five natural elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether) translated ancient Indian thought and scientific wonder into couture through meticulous hand embroidery, dynamic textures and colour narratives that mimicked cosmic forces.
Meanwhile, Gaurav Gupta’s ‘The Divine Androgyne’ confronted the notions of duality, unity and transformation with his signature architectural, gender-fluid silhouettes. Drawing on spiritual concepts like Ardhanarishvara – the half-male, half-female form symbolising completeness in Indian mythology, Gupta’s collection married sculptural draping with futuristic metallic palettes, halos and cocoon-like forms that felt both ethereal and earthy.
Margot Robbie Wears Cartier’s Taj Mahal Necklace Worth $8 Million
At the Los Angeles world premiere of Wuthering Heights on January 28, 2026, Margot Robbie made headlines not just for her dramatic Schiaparelli couture gown, but for wearing Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary Taj Mahal diamond necklace, set on a Cartier gold, ruby, and diamond chain. The heart-shaped pendant, valued at around $8 million (about ₹74 crore), carries a layered history that predates Hollywood. The heart-cut diamond bears a Parsi inscription reading “Love is Everlasting” and is believed to have originated in the Mughal era, first given by Emperor Shah Jahāngīr to his wife Nur Jahan and later associated with Mumtāz Mahal.
Cartier acquired and redesigned the gem in the early 1970s, and it was famously gifted to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton on her 40th birthday in 1972, becoming one of the most iconic pieces from her legendary jewellery collection.
Air India Introduces Its New-Generation Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Air India has unveiled its first line-fit Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a wide-body aircraft designed and built specifically for the airline. Marking a pivotal milestone in the Tata Group-led carrier’s Vihaan.AI modernisation programme, the new 787-9 will begin commercial service on the Mumbai–Frankfurt route from 1 February 2026. Unlike retrofitted jets, where cabins are refurbished after production, this ‘made-for-Air India’ aircraft features custom-designed cabin interiors installed on Boeing’s production line, 30 Business Class suites with Premium Economy and Economy seats, enhanced mood lighting inspired by wellness concepts, and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment with 4K touchscreens and fast-charging connectivity.
India and the EU Sign Landmark Trade Pact After Two Decades
In a milestone moment for global commerce, India and the European Union finalised a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 27 January 2026, capping nearly two decades of intermittent negotiations and drawing plaudits from leaders around the world as the “mother of all deals.” This pact which together account for roughly 25 % of global gross domestic product and around one-third of world trade, aims to slash or eliminate tariffs on an overwhelming majority of goods and services exchanged between the two economic giants.
Under the agreement, India will cut import duties on most European exports, including machinery, chemicals, electrical equipment, cars and wines, while EU tariffs on Indian marine products, textiles, chemicals, base metals, gems and jewellery will be progressively eliminated. By creating a shared economic space that spans nearly two billion consumers, the deal is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade, with European exports to India projected to potentially double by 2032 and Indian industries gaining easier access to the lucrative EU market.
Yamuna River Cruise Set to Launch in Delhi by February 2026
Delhi is gearing up to add a new chapter to its tourism story with the launch of an eco-friendly river cruise on the Yamuna, expected to begin operations in February 2026 as part of the city’s larger riverfront recreation and tourism plan. The 40-seater luxury vessel, currently nearing completion will ply a 6–7 km stretch of the river between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, offering hour-long scenic round trips with onboard amenities like music, food and entertainment, and designed to meet international safety standards.
The project is developed at an estimated cost of around ₹20 crore, and is being rolled out through a joint effort by the Central Government, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi government. Beyond leisure cruising, the initiative aligns with efforts to enhance public engagement with the river and activate the waterfront with future recreational amenities, water sports and riverfront infrastructure.
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