Celebrity
Verve
Sole Sisters
Ever since the American sneakerhead subculture was co-opted by the mainstream and luxury fashion industries, global Instagram feeds have been filled with images of Nikes, Yeezys, Balenciagas, or whichever brand has dropped the season’s It shoe. But to sneakerheads, they are more than the latest fad. A number of women are in the vanguard of the burgeoning movement here in India, and Rushmika Banerjee speaks with five of them to get some diverse viewpoints on what makes this footwear staple an aspirational commodity.
10+ min |
August - September 2019
Verve
Social Butterfly
Her Instagram captions — wittily concise or an expertly selected emoji — present an intriguing combination of millennial insouciance with profundity that is beyond her years. The enigmatic yet instantly relatable Sobhita Dhulipala’s inner self emerges as Richa Kaul Padte peels back the layers of everyone’s new favourite ‘webtertainment’ celebrity, on the heels of the actor’s upcoming Netflix release, Bard of Blood
10+ min |
August - September 2019
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Watch This Space
The internet, especially its various gateways to self-empowerment, has proven to be a boon for a country as diverse and socially stratified as India, but its work is far from done.
7 min |
August - September 2019
Verve
The Story Of Us
In popular culture, adopted offspring are often represented as being burdened by the debt of gratitude. Emphasising that, in actuality, it was her adopted twin daughters who gave her a life to look forward to, Lakshmi Iyer feels that mainstream entertainment should be more sensitive about reflecting the lived experiences of adoptees to ensure that they do not trigger trauma or perpetuate inaccurate narratives.
6 min |
August - September 2019
Verve
Power Up
Living up to their moniker, smartwatches can track your heart rate and travel plans or pay for a cup of coffee while, of course, perfectly keeping time. Verve zooms in on a few of these up-to-the-minute multitaskers
2 min |
August - September 2019
Verve
Under The Influence
The perks of cyber popularity can undoubtably be intoxicating, but they are exponentially rewarding when you leverage the web to engage in constructive social criticism and open up dialogues. Verve’s follow list includes these eight prolific posters who are leaving a legacy that goes beyond the likes…
10+ min |
August - September 2019
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Petal Pushers
Event designers Amit Lata and Karan Singh Parmar, the duo behind the company Twelve Tomatoes, have successfully transformed many clients’ fantasies into reality with their imaginative floral decor. A curious Zaral Shah gets some answers about how their profession has been altered by the ever-present influence, pressure even, of social media
4 min |
August - September 2019
Verve
Staying In Character
What’s it like for authors to grow with protagonists that they write about over multiple books? Acclaimed writer Kalpana Swaminathan talks to Huzan Tata about the joys of living with her favourite leading lady, Lalli the detective, from her series of crime mysteries
4 min |
September 2018
Verve
The Big Fan Theory
The early versions of comic conventions mainly attracted people who were looking to swoop up limited-edition comic and sci-fi merchandise. Today, they have become less about the products and more about an immersive, interactive experience, expanding to include the entire gamut of pop culture entertainment. Cosplayer Sana Saha Khan reveals the finer details of this upcoming art form while Comic Con India founder Jatin Varma breaks down the evolution of the fandom subculture in India.
6 min |
September 2018
Verve
Reading Between The Lines
Facing bullying, confusion and loneliness as a young gay man in India had become a routine occurrence for him. But Vivek Tejuja found comfort in the pages of books — many of which formed the foundation of his relationships. He looks back at the literature that gave him the courage to embrace his identity.
6 min |
October 2018
Verve
I'm Not Mrs Funny Bones!
Three years ago she rose unexpectedly from the ashes of an unsuccessful acting career and has since forced her critics into silence. Fresh off the release of another best-seller Pyjamas are Forgiving, Twinkle Khanna proves that she is in control of the narrative – pen in hand and tongue in cheek. Meghna Pant spends an invigorating morning with the outspoken author.
10+ min |
October 2018
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Quite A Spectacle!
What accessory on men makes many women go weak in the knees? Look no further than the bridge of his nose….
2 min |
Verve Man 2019
Verve
Between Action And Cut
She’s a conventional beauty, one who has been quite unconventional in her real-life choices and her reel roles. An actor who doesn’t shy away from challenging herself, Aditi Rao Hydari — who’s already worked with industry stalwarts like Mani Ratnam, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali — is a self-confessed dreamer who loves chasing her aspirations in the “magical” world of cinema. On the eve of the release of the much-awaited Padmaavat, the petite performer gets up close and personal with Huzan Tata
5 min |
February 2018
Verve
Unplug And Recharge
Arianna Huffington, media mogul and co-founder of the Pulitzer-Prize-winning Huffington Post is on a mission to root out work-life imbalances from society. As the luminary gears up for her latest venture, the expansion of Thrive Global to India, a start-up that offers corporate wellness programmes, Saumya Sinha catches up with her to discuss the burnout epidemic that is spreading across the globe and how to solve the problem
4 min |
February 2018
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The NY Look
How do you get the right look when in New York? Michael Paterson takes you through, step by careful step….
3 min |
April 2018
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High On Heels
No ordinary flats can produce the seductive gait achieved by a pair of gravity-defying stilettos. Viseshika Sharma traces the history of our most-loved footwear.
5 min |
April 2017
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Roads and Romances
Head from the noisy streets of Mumbai to the arresting vistas of Kashmir with our pick of reads.
2 min |
Verve March 2017
Verve
Going Solo
Is travelling alone a growing trend among women? Madhu Jain asserts that it is best leftto those who are self-reliant, who relish their own company and are not uncomfortable eating alone in a restaurant.
4 min |
Verve March 2017
Verve
Two's Company
They make as charming a pair off-stage as on the rare occasions when they share the limelight. Actors Shruti Vyas and Namit Das, known for their comic timing and command of the craft, speak to Nittal Chandarana about their journey.
3 min |
Verve February 2017
Verve
A Stylish Upgrade
Following recent innovations in its ambience and amenities, the Phoenix Marketcity mall is the place to go-to for an unmatched shopping and recreational spectrum.
1 min |
Verve Phoenix Marketcity Supplement 2017
Verve
Rendezvous With Sir Ian Mckellen
Parmesh Shahani recounts the four days that he spent with the Shakespearean actor and Hollywood superstar.
7 min |
July 2016
Verve
Pointing Towards A Star
Art is a life form; it must adapt or die. Affirming that the contemporary miniature might be a compass that shows the way, Waswo X. Waswo hopes that artists nevertheless remain tuned to the breezes, the scents, and the stars that shine.
2 min |
July 2016
Verve
Dialogue With Drapes
From the organic shapes in her oil paintings to her asymmetrical garments on the ramp, abstraction is integral to Payal Khandwala. Her sartorial language remains unique, discovers Saumya Sinha
4 min |
July 2016
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LSD In India!
Parmesh Shahani ruminates on tech-mediated love, sex and desire in today's society.
6 min |
August 2016
Verve
Tel Aviv the Ultimate Nightlife Destination
A Nightlife scene that competes with New York, paris & amsterdam. Dozens of parties, night clubs, stylish restaurants & bars, amazing beach parties, nonstop art and music festivals. All this fabulous nightlife awaits you in tel aviv, branded as the ‘party capital’ of the Middle East.
2 min |
September 2016
Verve
Regal Panache
A paean to Empress Josephine, Breguet’se Perles Impériales Haute Joalleri watch combines the allure of jewellery with the technological expertise of watchmaking.
1 min |
September 2016
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Bespoke Blends
British master perfumer John Stephen, who makes scents for the British aristocracy — including the Queen of England — talks about his olfactory journey and the power of smell.
2 min |
November 2017
Verve
Guarding the Galaxy
She possesses the rare quality of altruism in an otherwise cutthroat world of politics. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women, speaks to Nittal Chandarana about gender-based discrimination
3 min |
January 2017
Verve
Scapes
A tasteful amalgam of opulence and relaxed panache, Swati and Digvijay Sinh Kathiwada’s Mumbai home is an art lover’s haven. Simone Louis engages in a tête-à-tête with the charismatic royal couple
4 min |
January 2017
Verve
Where Fairy Tales Come Alive
Step into a romantic time gone by, when you visit Germany’s numerous castles, their turrets and towers seemingly scraping the sky. Imagine the knights and ladies of yore as you walk through ancient halls and rooms, as did Apeksha Harihar, who describes a few of them
3 min |