This Week in Luxury: Supreme Court’s EV Push, Balmain’s Creative Shift, D’YAVOL’s Global Win & More

From policy shifts steering India toward an electric tomorrow to creative reshuffles in Paris, global award wins, cross-industry alliances, and the revival of golden-age travel— this week in luxury traces a world in motion.

Whether it’s the Supreme Court’s push for cleaner mobility, Balmain’s new chapter, or Breitling’s unexpected dance with the NFL, the landscape is being redrawn with conviction and craft and it is hence clear that this week in luxury mapped a world unafraid of reinvention.

 Supreme Court Suggests a Ban on Luxury Petrol/Diesel Cars

In a significant push toward India’s electric future, the Supreme Court has proposed phasing out high-end petrol and diesel vehicles first as a way to accelerate EV adoption— arguing it impacts only a tiny fraction of the population. Justice Kant even subtly referred to the VIP and corporate fleets as “gas guzzlers,” signalling the judiciary’s growing impatience with high-emission privilege on Indian roads.

With the pollution levels surprising no one these days, the Centre agreeing in principle (and 13 ministries already involved), the court emphasised that EV growth will naturally push charging infrastructure to expand. A fresh review of India’s EV policy is now on the cards.

 Antonin Tron Named Creative Director of Balmain

Balmain has appointed Antonin Tron, founder of the cult-favourite label Atlein, as its new creative director— marking a major transition after Olivier Rousteing’s 14-year tenure.

Known for his mastery of draping and architectural silhouettes, Tron will pause operations at Atlein and debut his first Balmain collection in Paris this March. His appointment adds to the ongoing wave of creative-director reshuffles across European luxury houses amid cooling demand.

D’YAVOL Vortex Wins ‘Best New Scotch Whisky of the Year’

D’YAVOL Vortex— created by Shah Rukh Khan, Aryan Khan’s D’YAVOL Luxury Collective, Radico Khaitan, and Nikhil Kamath—has been crowned ‘Best New Scotch Whisky of the Year’ and awarded Double Gold at the 2025 San Francisco Spirits Competition.

The contemporary blended Scotch features notes of vanilla fudge, soft peat, orchard fruits, sherried depth, pecan pie, and smoky malt, with a non-chill-filtered body and gentle Islay influence. This win solidifies D’YAVOL’s growing reputation in the global luxury spirits landscape.

Luxury Watchmaking Meets Football Fandom

Breitling’s latest NFL collaboration deepens the bond between watch collectors and team loyalists, bringing Swiss precision to America’s favourite sport. With team-specific editions spanning the Super Chronomat B01 44 to the Endurance Pro, the capsule captures the drama of game day through bold colours, signature logos, and high-performance engineering— packaged in special NFL presentation boxes for fans who collect moments as much as memorabilia.

Belmond Revives the Golden Age of Travel for a New Generation

Belmond’s inaugural Paris-to-Amalfi voyage redefines slow travel, weaving Art Deco glamour with Italy’s sun-soaked splendour. The three-night itinerary pairs the historic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, offering curated experiences from Pompeii private tours to Mediterranean boat rides. It’s the kind of journey where heritage, haute hospitality, and heart-stopping scenery fold seamlessly into one cinematic escape (await next year).

Aman Group to develop a new hotel on Al Marjan Island

The arrival of Janu Al Marjan Island signals a new, almost spiritual chapter in Middle Eastern luxury hospitality— one where design, wellbeing, and high-touch hospitality converge to create more than a stay, but a state of mind. What’s striking is how Ras Al Khaimah is quietly but confidently positioning itself as the UAE’s next big luxury magnet, not with glitter or gimmicks, but with intentional collaborations like Wynn, Marjan, and Aman Group.

Janu’s promise of “soulful luxury” paired with Wynn’s integrated entertainment ecosystem creates a duality that Indian luxury travellers, increasingly gravitating toward restorative yet glamorous escapes, will find irresistible. It’s a strong reminder that the region’s travel narrative is shifting— from indulgence to immersion, from spectacle to sensorial depth. Aman Group expands its Middle East footprint with a wellness-led Janu resort on Al Marjan Island.

Taken together, these developments signal a luxury sector in flux yet firmly future-focused– where sustainability sits beside legacy, cross-cultural partnerships shape new audiences, and craftsmanship continues to anchor innovation.

From ateliers in Paris to distilleries, courtrooms, and luxury railcars, each story hints at a world that’s becoming more intentional, experiential, and interconnected. As brands, designers, and policymakers pivot toward fresh priorities, one thing is clear: the next chapter of luxury isn’t just about indulgence— it’s about influence, impact, and reinvention (since change is always inevitable).

You may also read: Step Inside Belmond’s First-Ever Paris to Amalfi Journey This May