It isn’t often that you meet people and instantly know you will be forever friends I had that wonderful occurrence when I met Jay and Deepa Lakhani Deepa Gurnaniat a reception at Neiman Marcus, Chicago, for, another new friend, Kobi Halperin , and his Erte inspired collection with embellishment by these extraordinary creators. At a fabulously delicious dinner at Margaux Brasserieorchestrated by our hostess, Shelley Rosen, Founder of Luxe Bloom, I was seated between the couple and I’m afraid I monopolized them for the entire evening, they are amazing. Here is their story.
I AM OBSESSED WITH YOUR PARTNERSHIP TELL ME HOW YOU COLLABORATE AND, OF COURSE, THE STORY OF HOW YOU MET AND MARRIED…IT IS A WONDERFULLY ROMANTIC STORY THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH MY READERS YOU CAN BOTH ANSWER PLEASE PUT YOUR INITIALS IN FRONT OF YOUR ANSWERS
Jay Lakhani: It is funny that Deepa and I didn’t meet until much later in our lives even though our families have known each other for generations – we have been family friends since our great grandparents. The younger kids lost touch with each other because we were not living in India. I met Deepa in New York while her sister and I were roommates in College. We hit it off instantly because we were both in fashion school at the time – she at Central Saint Martins, London and I in the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.
Deepa Lakhani: We fell in love and decided to get married pretty soon after that. From the beginning we understood that we also wanted to merge our fashion lines together. We felt that it was possible because we were in sync creatively and on the same page about our design philosophy.
The Wedding
WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST JOBS
JL: I am a Jewelry Designer by profession, but also passionate about sales and marketing. My first job in the industry was in 2001 with Andin International, wholesale Jewelry manufacturers supplying to department stores and retailers in the United States. Here I received training in design as well as sales and marketing.
DL: You can say I have been a designer-entrepreneur from the get go. I worked as an assistant buyer for Browns in London for a short while and that gave me an insight into fashion retail and the everyday needs of a girl. I always wanted to start my own embroidery factory and I did that in India in 2002.
Some of my, Nena’s, favorite earrings, examples of Deepa’s creativity
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT OCCUPATION
JL: We are both designers by education and occupation. At our company I handle all of sales, marketing and PR while Deepa handles all of logistics, accounting, and production. We only meet when we design.
Jay working one-on-one with one of their artisans in their factory in Mumbai, India
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF YOUR TALENT
JL: As far as I can recall I have always had an interest in fashion, focused on clothing, silhouette and style. I would always diligently follow runway shows of my favorite designers and had a strong point of view since the beginning.
DL: I think we both always knew this is what we wanted to do. Fashion school is what helped me further discover my talent and gave me the confidence to pursue my love for design.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU HAD “MADE IT” EXPLAIN
DL: When we launched on 5th Avenue in New York City at the store Henri Bendel in November 2006. We made it at the ‘open see’ that has about 500 designers showcasing, and only 15 out of those finally make it. It was our first store launch and things really took off from there.
Below photos from The Accessories Council Excellence Awards, August 2017
Jay and Deepa with New York team at the Awards dinner
At same dinner with Anthropologie buyers and Betsey Johnson and Eva Longoria
HOW DID YOUR ORIGINAL PASSION BRING YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW
JL: My parents are Jewelers by trade. I have always had a keen interest in fashion and an eye for Jewelry. We saw a need in the market for handmade products and the necessity of preserving traditional arts and crafts. That is true luxury to us. We feel strongly about this and that is why we started this initiative and have taken it on for years to come.
WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR ALTERNATE CHOICE AS A CAREER….WAS THERE ONE
JL: Nothing but fashion for me.
DL: It was either fashion or medical school for me. My father understood my passion for design and nudged me in that direction.
Deepa’s April 2018 Birthday lunch
YOUR FAVORITE BOOK, MOVIE, LIST THE FOLLOWING,IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE…THEATER (LEGIT, MUSICALS), BALLET, TYPE OF MUSIC YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO, LOCAL RESTAURANT
Book: Devil Wears Prada
Theatre: Kinky Boots
Music: Spiritual and meditational music, Buddha Bar
Local Restaurants: Mr. Chow and Bareburger in NYC, Pali Village Café and Bastian in Mumbai,
HOBBIES….
JL: I love to dance. I am a trained Bollywood dancer and used to teach classes in New York.
DL: I enjoy sketching and cooking in my free time. Both of us love yoga, traveling and watching movies together.
HOME….MODERN, TRADITIONAL, ANTIQUES (WHAT ERA) ECLECTIC DESCRIBE
JL: Our home can be described as minimal, modern, and our zen, cozy refuge at the end of a hectic day
WHO WOULD YOU HAVE AT YOUR FANTASY DINNER (LIVING OR DEAD AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOURSELF!) AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE (10-12 GUESTS)
JL and DL: Anna Wintour, Oprah Winfrey, Anne Hathaway, Gautam Buddha, Dalai Lama, Karl Lagerfeld, Coco Chanel, Erte, Beyonce & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
JL: We would serve a full Indian spread because I love Indian food. A traditional Indian Thali would be so much fun. It would of course be organic, nutritious and mostly vegetarian because that’s how Deepa likes it.
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT VISITED AND/OR ON YOUR GO TO LIST (HERE IS A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO IN INDIA!)
JL: We are in love with Bali and could go there again and again. Greece is a place on our list that we haven’t been to yet. Hopefully Summer 2018!
DL: We also go to India often, especially to Mumbai and love it there. Otherwise the most beautiful, colorful side to India is in Rajasthan with its beautiful forts, luxuriouspalace hotels, rich textile heritage and fantastic food.
FAVORITE WORK OF ART
JL: Mona Lisa
DL: I love Leon Bakst and Erte’s portraits of Marchesa Luisa Casati
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED
JL: We would like to be remembered for our humanitarian contributions to society. We believe in giving back and building up people around us who are in need.
A FAVORITE, OR TWO, RECIPE
Both Deepa and I hail from the Sindhi community in India, and our favorite Sunday indulgence is Koki, a whole wheat, spiced pancake. You could eat that with some chilled yoghurt or mango pickle or some Dum Aloo (potato dish) famously from the region of Kashmir. I follow British-Indian chef and author Maunika Gowardhan @cookinacurry and these recipes are from her blog.
Sindhi Koki
Ingredients
(Serves 4)
150gms whole wheat flour
1 medium red onion finely chopped
2 green chillies (or less if you prefer it mild)
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp pomegranate powder
80gms coriander leaves finely chopped
1 tbsp softened butter
Salt to taste
125mls water
Vegetable oil for frying
Method
In a bowl mix the flour, chopped onions, chillies, cumin seeds, pomegranate powder and coriander leaves. Add the softened butter and salt. Mix well and add the water little at a time to make a soft and slightly sticky dough. Knead well and divide into equal portions.
The koki should be still thick so roll the dough out to no more 8cm in diameter. Heat the pan. Add the koki to the warm pan. Cook for 5-7 seconds over medium heat and turn over to cook the underside. Add a tsp of oil on the top side and flip over again. Cook for a further minute on each side as it begins to change colour and has a few brown speckles on the bread. Keep warm wrapped in a cloth or foil while you make the rest. Serve warm with a pickle & some yoghurt or a curry.
Kashmiri Dum Aloo
Ingredients
(Serves 4)
60gms cashew nuts
18-20 small new potatoes peeled
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium white onion finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1” piece of ginger finely chopped
200gms greek yoghurt lightly whisked
1 ½ tsp kashmiri chilli powder (or mild paprika)
1 tsp fennel powder
½ tsp cumin powder
2 tbsp tomato puree
150mls water
½ tsp ground cardamom powder
Salt to taste
1 tsp crushed dried fenugreek leaves (optional)
1 tbsp coriander leaves for garnish
Slivers of ginger for garnish
Method
Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for 20 mins. Prick the new potatoes with a fork lightly (this helps them cook all the way through). Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a wok or kadhai. Add the potatoes and fry for 3-4 minutes until they turn crisp and golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper & set aside.
Whisk the yoghurt and mix in the chilli powder, fennel powder and cumin powder. Stir the spiced yoghurt and set aside.
Drain most of the water from the cashew nuts; blend the cashew nuts to a fine puree. Set aside.
Heat the remaining oil in the kadhai. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they begin to soften for 4-5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and ginger and fry for a couple of minutes as it cooks. Turn the heat to a low setting and add the spiced yoghurt. Stir well for a minute and add the cashew nut paste. Stir for 2-3 mins. Tip in the tomato puree and stir for a further 2 minutes.
As the curry starts to leave oil from the sides of the pan add the fried potatoes, water and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 mins stirring ever so often until the potatoes have soaked in the flavours and cooked all the way through. Add the cardamom powder, crushed methi/fenugreek leaves if using, fresh coriander and ginger. Stir and serve warm.
BLOGS/ INSTAGRAM/ WEBSITES YOU FOLLOW
WWD, Business of Fashion, Vogue India, Man Repeller, Chiara Ferragni, Alessandro Michele, Priyanka Chopra, Deliciously Ella and many more
All photos courtesy of Jay and Deepa Lakhani.
When I was a little girl I wanted to either be a ballerina or a figure skater. I took lessons in both and loved every minute of them. Today let’s talk about figure skating.
A couple of programs I found on Pinterest.
I have never heard of this film, now a must-see on my list…..and she skated in it….amazing!
From the book Vintage Cocktails 
How in the world they skated on so tiny an area is still a puzzlement to me. It was truly amazing and wonderful, so glamorous!
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park (you can, of course, rent skates) It is wonderful any time of the day but what can be more fairytale-like than at night!
Also in Millennium Park in Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon, to be enjoyed by all, again the views are part of the experience. An ariel view of the rink.
The newest kid on the block The Rink at Wrigley, how fun is this!
Could there be a more romantic spot…no, there couldn’t!
Ready for Hot Buttered Rum…..
By now you are well aware that I am a major Anglophile and I become totally English at Christmas (it is in my DNA, my Mom was English and German), I adore all the tradition of an English Christmas and had the opportunity, several years, ago to spend Christmas with a family in the English countryside. It was a glorious week….roasts every day and major celebrations with presents and extraordinary meals for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
I found these last year, obviously for the ladies in attendance got others for the gentlemen.
Christmas Crackers covered in Liberty of London prints, charming.
I found this advertisement quite delightful.
Start now and you will be all set for Christmas 2018!
Covers of the boxes
Of course, a book recommendation for further research and enjoyment!
And another one for fun!
I know there isn’t time to make your own plum pudding (I do have a super recipe that I will share next year in plenty of time!) you can get really good ones from Crosse and Blackwell or you can make a mincemeat pie (my most favorite, I can eat an entire one myself, not all at one sitting….well maybe!) and serve the following hard sauce (which, by the way goes beautifully with poached pears or just by the spoonful!!! Bad Nena!) It is by far the best hard sauce ever, it was given to me by one of my Saks Store Managers, Bob Pike, along with the Plum Pudding recipe. Enjoy!!!!
The first three volumes in the series of designers for the House of Dior, the first, of course, Christian Dior. Absolutely magnificent and our very own Costume Collection at the Chicago History Museum is represented!
I have been an admirer of Siriano’s work since he appeared on Project Runway! His “fierce” style has just gotten better and better. It was my pleasure to welcome him to Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago on November 13, 2009, with one of his first Collections and I interviewed him later for a President’s Club event at Columbia College Chicago. He was my last personal appearance at Saks, that is the day I retired! When I have seen him over the years, he always says, “I was your last designer!”
By now you probably know I am obsessed with anything Dries Van Noten…here a two-volume set of his collections, it must be brilliant! Can’t wait to add them to my library.
One of several books that accompanied museum exhibitions…this one at the Met, as always exquisitely done!
The book that accompanies the exhibition that is currently at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. Several of my friends have seen it and say it is a superb exhibition. I can’t find it on Amazon, only on the Museum’s website if you are interested in it.
From the Museum of Modern Art in New York featuring their first fashion exhibition (I swear I have seen fashion exhibits there in years gone by, I guess not!)
A wonderful anthology on the long-running Bazaar.
This looks amazing…a must add to your fashion library….
And speaking of DV, the man who worked with her at Bazaar and Vogue and who we immediately think of when we think fashion photography…Richard Avedon, he, of course, did much more than fashion (as did most of the “fashion” photographers) and the second book, Avedon Something Personal, goes deep into his life. There was a fascinating review in last week’s weekend Wall Street Journal…does not paint a pretty picture, well let’s judge for ourselves, shall we!
There has been so much type re this scathing “diary” that it has put it on the New York Times Best Seller List and every other book list out there. Brown, known for not pulling punches, has done it again and it is another I can’t wait to get my hands on. Probably shouldn’t be on my fashion book list, but most certainly a book that chronicles social mores.
Another one out in left field but sounds fascinating….
The Joffrey Ballet Chicago’s Nutcracker comes to the Auditorium Theater on December 1 and performs through December 30.
Christine Rocas and Dylan Gutierrez
The Joffrey Ballet Chicago Corps de Ballet
Scenes from The Nutcracker
Milan proved to be a mix of straightforward elegance and dramatic presentations such as the Fellini inspired spectacular of Antonio Marras, shown above!
Stripes, shine, pink, orange and black and white.
Stripes, knit…be sure to notice the handbags and shoes…more socks!
Denim, leather, pattern.
Leather bomber jacket, layers.
The power suit in pink….a color seen in all collections so far.
The black dress, sexy, a must have, again seen in all collections….a major classic looking new, note the colored textured leg.
Stage
Pink tutu with black leather very Katy Perry
Floral finale
Stripes, leather and I know you all hate the socks with sandals, but they are most certainly a trend!
Love the silk trench over the embroidered gown.
The scale of the finale.
Stripes and pink.
Looks more like fall to me but animal print always a good thing no matter the season!
Look familiar…very Versace but Fendi…a trend in the making!!!??? Let’s watch it!
Petal pink
Denim and Versace signature prints with a touch of lace…love these!
THE FINALE TO END ALL FINALES!!!!
House of Cards set, a show produced for and attended by Millenials…interesting concept, and we know all the Millenials like to wear tiaras or flowers in their hair…they have come to the right place!
Print mix always a D&G signature…
Stripes…yes…
Blush pink, okay….
Black check….
And mass model finale, double check!
I had the pleasure of working with Judith Leiber on several occasions, each visit was a total joy. In addition, she always invited me to visit her showroom/workrooms when I was in New York. They were like a museum truly something to behold. The pride level of the talented craftsmen quite frankly was something I have only seen duplicated in the Ateliers of Paris Haute Couture. I think everyone only thinks of her beaded bags, which are exquisite works of art, but she also did skin bags, leathers and suede as well as fabric bags for day in addition to her overwhelmingly prolific collection of minaudière. She would open a cabinet in her showroom that revealed a wondrous collection of very special pieces and always say, “choose whatever you like!” If only, it was totally against store policy (Saks Fifth Avenue) to accept gifts from designers or vendors. Unless the designer asked me to wear something from the collection we were featuring at a show (I was a sample size in those long ago days!!!), I bought what I wore at all times. I do own several Judith Leiber bags both day and evening and treasure each of them.
Judith Leiber in her workrooms in the early years. The following is an excerpt from the Museum of Arts and Design and the Leiber exhibition that is closing this weekend.
I love this photo of Mrs. Leiber surrounded by a few of her creations. On one of her visits she was invited to attend a dinner in her honor at the home of one of our very good clients who collected Leiber bags…did I just say the Leiber showroom was like a museum, well I stand corrected, this client’s home was Leiber everywhere in specially designed museum quality cases, it was something out a movie and by the way quite tasteful. Mrs. Leiber was overwhelmed. The client, I might add, supplemented her collection, after that dinner, with Mrs. Leiber’s guidance.
Another book to add to your fashion library, lucky me, mine is autographed by the wonderful creator herself!
Karl Lagerfeld with his ever present fan with his then friend Yves Saint Laurent (whose 81st birthday we would have celebrated this week)
Another photo of Karl Lagerfeld with his fan
So much a part of his aesthetic that his fragrance bottle is fan shaped.
Two looks from a John Galliano Dior Haute Couture collection. As you can see fans are every where in every culture and in every era.
I adore color samples, here one of Pantone’s green palettes, these are the greens that are the most attractive to me, however, I do love all greens!
From Carolyne Roehm 
Another tablescape from Carolyne Roehm
I not only love this photo but want everything in it!!!! It is so me!
Beautifully detailed tiles.
A magnificent garden path leading to a secluded nook.
The entrance to Monet’s home in Giverny
A fantastically beautiful solarium….
Ivy on a brick wall from a weekend in Harbor Country my photo
A wood in Indiana my photo
I am mad for this capture….an exquisite bird sitting on a fern frond
Ferns in a Blue Island garden my photo
I know I have posted this but it is a beauty with the gold embellished embossed leather binding, you might find something similar at the 
My all time favorite tree, a weeping redbud in full leaf, also in a Blue Island garden my photo
Can you believe this is a cabbage! It is amazing and HUGE, the shades of an almost metallic green are extraordinary, another shot from my Harbor Country weekend.
I know I did this in another post but had to feature it again, John Galliano for Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall 2006 (the Collection I was fortunate to witness!!!!) Vogue photograph
A truly spectacular conifer in Harbor Country, my photo.
The Gown
I just don’t get this outfit on Halsey….did she forget her top…the skirt and sandals I quite like but if we are going in our bra let’s make it an interesting one!!!!
I really liked this by Giambattista Valli (I did a show with him with him several years ago with his ready-to-wear collection, he was a delight to work with, very shy and OMG so very talented) The gown is young, very fashion forward and, in my opinion right on trend to attract a new Couture client or for that matter any fashionista. How one is going to handle the trains (lots of them on every red carpet this season) heaven only knows.
Pure movie star glamour by Gucci.
And wearing Vivianne Westwood’s handpainted “Unicorn” gown. We have seen Elle grow up on screen now we are seeing her make the red carpet her own with great aplomb!
I don’t know the actress nor the designer, but interesting none the less, obviously making a MAJOR statement, how does one sit in this!!!
And we end with this and why not…Fun or Freaky. I tend to Fun…from Maison Margiela and worn by Li Yuchun.
Balenciaga evening dress with cape in silk gazar 1961 a gift of Mrs. George Connor, 1985.
An iconic piece, evening coat in wool gabardine and silk taffeta, 1950. Gift of Mrs. Kathleen Catlin (Fashion Director at Marshall Field’s) in 1985. Both photos above courtesy of the Chicago History Museum Costume Collection.
As photographed by Irving Penn for Vogue. Be sure to see the Irving Penn Exhibition to celebrate his Centennial at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York through July 30 (you can visit it and the Rei Kawakubo Exhibition at the same time….you will definitely need wine and a sit down after!!! And, of course, get books on both exhibitions, you know I will!!!)