Neha Mehrotra
19-Aug-2025
Here’s your curated guide to what’s making waves right now.
August 2025 is shaping up to be a month where India’s cultural calendar overflows with creativity, flavour, and design brilliance. From a first-of-its-kind art-inspired brunch at The St. Regis Mumbai to milestone art exhibitions, innovative design unveilings, and a sustainability-led culinary movement, this week the scene is buzzing with experiences that feed both the senses and the soul.
Here are the best things to shop for, eat and explore this long weekend:
1. The St. Regis Mumbai Presents ‘CANVAS BY HER’, India’s First Art-Inspired Brunch
The St. Regis Mumbai is calling all food and art enthusiasts on Sunday, 24th August 2025, to experience the Canvas by Her brunch at the Seven Kitchens in collaboration with Urmi’s Art Forum. Curated by Chef Paul Kinny, Director of Culinary at The St. Regis Mumbai, the concept brings together seven distinguished female chefs and seven accomplished women artists from Urmi’s art forum, founded by the celebrated Komal Ullal. Each chef will interpret a distinct visual art form, from monochrome to pop art and cubism to surrealism.
Date: 24th August 2025
Time: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
2. Akina to Bring its Signature Asian Flavours to Ukiyo at The Ritz-Carlton, Pune
From 21 to 23 August 2025, Ukiyo at The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, will host a three-day pop-up by Mumbai’s acclaimed Akina, marking the restaurant’s Pune debut. Guests can savour Akina’s signature creations, from cold plates like Mango & Tofu Ceviche and Tuna Nikkei to sushi highlights such as 500 Degree Scallops and Furai Prawns. Appetisers, robata grills, and mains including Cremoso de Quinoa and Peruvian Udon complete the menu. Set against Ukiyo’s chic Japanese-inspired backdrop, this collaboration celebrates bold flavours, premium ingredients, and contemporary Asian culinary artistry. Reservations are open for this limited-time gastronomic experience.
3. SHIVAN & NARRESH x The Monk Launch Bold Limited-Edition Eyewear Collection
SHIVAN & NARRESH, in collaboration with The Monk, unveils a striking limited-edition eyewear collection. The unisex series features 52 frames across five sculptural silhouettes—Lola, Cecil, Zoe, Duma, and Kanzi—crafted from Italian Mazzucchelli acetate and treated metals. Inspired by animal muses, the designs translate resilience and elegance into colour, texture, and form. Nestled in bespoke Sylvan Green leather cases, the collection celebrates individuality and contemporary style. The collection is available at SHIVAN & NARRESH flagships, online, and select The Monk luxury partner opticians.
4. Sources Unlimited Unveils Musa by Vibia: A new refined lighting collection
Sources Unlimited introduces Musa by Vibia, a refined lighting collection by Note Design Studio. Featuring a concave aluminium dish and a hand-blown opal glass sphere, Musa casts a warm, intimate glow that adapts seamlessly to walls, floors, or tables. Available in plug-in and portable, battery-powered versions, it offers freedom of placement while blending easily into any setting.
5. Häuser Unveils its Raku Rocking Chair & Ottoman for Effortless Outdoor Living
Häuser introduces the Raku Rocking Chair and Ottoman, crafted for those seeking comfort and calm in outdoor spaces. With a gentle rocking motion, breathable woven design, and weather-resistant build, Raku offers lasting elegance and relaxation. Quick-dry cushioned seating enhances comfort, while colour options—from serene blue to vibrant orange—blend beautifully with nature. Perfect for patios, terraces, or gardens, Raku transforms any corner of your home into an aesthetic setting.
6. Studio by Agni Launches a New Hand-Tufted Rug Collection
Studio by Agni launches a capsule collection of four hand-tufted rugs that marry traditional motifs with a contemporary sensibility. Featuring earthy palettes, fluid patterns, and quiet elegance, the series includes the standout piece Ikat, with soft pinks, neutrals, and grounded tones that bring warmth and subtle sophistication to any space. Designed to anchor rooms and complement modern interiors, these rugs offer texture, contrast, and timeless appeal.
7. Poltrona Frau & Ceccotti Collezioni Extend its DUO Collection
Poltrona Frau and Ceccotti Collezioni unveil the next chapter of their acclaimed DUO collection by Roberto Lazzeroni, now reimagined for the bedroom. Fusing Poltrona Frau’s mastery of leather with Ceccotti’s woodworking finesse, the collection anchored by the DUO bed with a textured leather headboard and matelassé stitching includes a bedside table, chest of drawers, wall mirror, valet stand, and vanity table. With sinuous lines, refined proportions, and impeccable craftsmanship, DUO is here to transform your bedroom into a curated sanctuary.
8. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives and Patina Maldives unite for the first-ever Fari Islands Festival.
From 19 to 22 September 2025, the Maldives’ Fari Islands will host its first-ever Fari Islands Festival, a multi-sensory celebration uniting global icons and regional changemakers. Headlined by poet Rupi Kaur and French music virtuoso FKJ, the festival spans five pillars—Culinary Artistry, Sonic Immersion, Nature Amplified, Body, Mind & Soul, and Creative Artistry. Guests can expect wellness lunches with Rosemary Ferguson, marine excursions with Gibbs Kuguru and Olive Ridley Project, cocktail takeovers by Paris’s Danico Bar, and hands-on workshops with STPI. Evenings bring immersive performances beneath the stars, blending art, music, and storytelling. Set across The Ritz-Carlton Maldives and Patina Maldives, it’s an unmissable gathering of culture, creativity, and purpose.
9. Accor Champions Zero-Waste Kitchens with Nationwide Culinary Sustainability Drive
Accor is advancing its sustainability agenda in India through innovative zero-waste kitchen practices. Hotels like Novotel Guwahati GS Road and Novotel Kolkata use made-to-order counters, small portions, and real-time replenishment to curb overproduction. Pullman and Novotel New Delhi employ the Lumitics Smart Waste Tracker, while Novotel Hyderabad Airport uses Gaia for daily waste monitoring and engages guests via “Waste Not” boards. Goa properties repurpose surplus ingredients, and Pullman Chennai Anna Salai, a LEED Gold hotel, converts waste to compost on-site. Other initiatives include the RUCO programme, kitchen gardens, and staff engagement.
10. Arushi Arts Marks 25 Years with ‘Harvest 2025’ at Salarjung Museum
Arushi Arts Gallery, led by Payal Kapoor, marks its 25th anniversary with Harvest 2025, opening at the iconic Salarjung Museum, Hyderabad. The preview is on August 31, 2025, followed by public viewing from September 1 to 13, 12 pm to 4:30 pm. Featuring masterpieces by legends like F.N. Souza, M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, Tyeb Mehta, and more, alongside eminent contemporary names, the show celebrates India’s vibrant artistic heritage. Kapoor invites art lovers to “come, celebrate art, and fall in love with it.”
Cover Credits: Pullman Chennai
