My personal style is: Effortless and eclectic. When I'm too 'put together’, I can’t walk or talk. I like easy, I can’t do the best shoes, best brands, and a blowdry.
My personal style icon: Gayatri Devi was just so sophisticated. I am a Rajput, and I find her pictures so iconic. She brought pearls back into fashion, she smoked, wore high-waist pants, she really broke stereotypes of Rajput women. Most Rajput women wore laal-peela (red and yellow) colours, and she wore pastels.
An item in my wardrobe that means a lot to me: An old chunky woollen jacket that has fit me almost through half and more of my life. And an almost threadbare woollen shawl.
Rina Singh wearing her favourite antique woollen shawl.
My favourite souvenirs from my travels is: Local pottery stuff or interesting books for the library.
A collection of books.
The best gift I have received: A handmade half-coloured card from my son, and a ring stack from my husband from Rosa Maria Jewellery.
The ring stack from Rosa Maria
The best gift I have given: An antique 200-year-old pair of the divine goddess Tara and a prayer script, carved on wood from Ladakh.
The wood carved goddess Tara and prayer script from Ladakh.
The last thing I bought: Spicy rice crackers from Kyoto.
The last book I read: I’m still reading Brene Brown’s 'Atlas of the Heart'. It's about living with grace.
The last film I loved: 'Women Talking’, starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy and Frances McDormand. And 'Laapataa Ladies' directed by Kiran Rao. I love Kiran, she’s so graceful and powerful. She carries herself lightly but is a real pataka.
My Spotify list would include these songs: 'Lovely' by Billie Eilish and Khalid, its voices and music become one.
My beauty/ wellness routine is: Curd and aloe vera for the face, and ashwagandha and shilajit supplements.
My favourite holiday destination: Ladakh and Japan. Ladakh is just so serene, it’s beyond me. I have to go there once a year because it’s so humbling. Japan is everything at once – quiet, quirky, digital, herbal, technological – it surprises me.
I love to collect: Quotes and old pictures. It's lovely to experience life through another’s experiences. Old pictures show you your journey of life.
My fridge always has: Ghee, turmeric, honey, veggies, dips and almond butter.
Minimalism or maximalism: Minimalism. I like one thing at a time. One thought, one idea to grow with it. Or else, it’s like being lost in a buffet.
My home looks like: An old one from some book somewhere.
Rina Singh's home (dining room pic)
My favourite mix of traditional and contemporary is: It’s my work at Eka. I use traditional textiles and take them forward to the future.
My best ideas come when: Walking around alone early mornings or late at night. Or sometimes when I wake up at 3 am. Or when I travel alone.
The best way to spend Rs 20,000 is: Travel to anywhere.
My idea of happiness is: Family and good health.
