Neeta Lulla Founder, House of Neeta Lulla From modest beginnings to becoming a powerful force in the industry, Neeta Lulla—a renowned fashion designer and four-time national award winner—has carved a niche for herself with her exceptional talent and distinctive design sensibilities. Married at a young age of 16, she was initially pressured to pursue a career in cooking or tailoring, but she chose to follow fashion by pursuing a Diploma in Pattern Making and Garment Manufacture at SNDT University’s Premlila Vithaldas Polytechnic, Juhu. Under her mentor Hemant Trivedi, she honed her skills in makeup, fashion choreography and styling shows. It was her successful association with the Indian film industry that got her immense recognition. Over the course of three decades, she has worked with several national and international directors, on over 380 films, including Chandni, Darr, Taal, Jodha Akbar, Devdas, and the recent Shaakuntalam, among others. In addition, Lulla has styled for Indian television programs, commercials, and musicals with historical themes. She has also showcased her couture and ready-to-wear collections at various fashion weeks. After achieving success in the film industry, Lulla established House of Neeta Lulla, with a focus on designing bridal wear and providing trousseau consultations for brides-to-be. She has received the Best Costume Designer award at Cannes 2023, IIFA Best Costume Design Award and the Fashion Designer of the Decade Award at Satya Brahma, among others. Lulla has been invited by the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to serve as a member of the jury for the Oscar awards. What’s one trend that will never go out of style for her? “Suits. I am a firm believer of power dressing.” “Stay true to your unique vision and goals. Embrace your path with courage and conviction, for in the pursuit of your unique vision, true style and success are forged..” Niyati R Rao Head Chef and Partner at Nisa Experience It’s not easy to carve a niche in a crowded industry like hospitality, which at the same time is ever-changing. Chef Niyati Rao seems to have cracked the code—her culinary creations are nothing short of edible stories that transcend boundaries. This philosophy extends to her craft at NISA Experience, one that houses the award-winning and critically acclaimed Ekaa and the beloved KMC*. A trailblazer in her field, she has gained attention, both on home ground and international stages. From being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 with her partner Sagar Neve to Ekaa making the debut at #93 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, to being named the Chef of the Year by Times Food and Nightlife Awards, she has been rewarded with many notable achievements. Rao’s love for cooking is rooted in her childhood — she would often stand on a kitchen counter as her mother prepared afternoon snacks. Alongside, her parents would embark on travels, which exposed her to diverse food cultures at a young age. In her journey as a chef, she has worked at some of the top handpicked restaurants in Mumbai, including The Zodiac Grill, Wasabi by Morimoto, A Reverie, and others. What also helped elevate her culinary artistry was a transformative stint at Noma in Copenhagen, often referred to as the ‘World’s Best Restaurant’. Having tasted tremendous success, what does it really mean to her? “My definition of success is about people believing in your capabilities, the power, your work, and everything that you’ve done.” “Luxebook is a one-way stop to everything luxury whether it is lifestyle, fashion or food.” | 40 | 41
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