My personal style is: I’m either pyjamas and workout clothes, or something androgynous with a touch of glamour.
My personal style icon: My mother. She is a strong woman with strong tastes and isn’t afraid to express herself.
An item in my wardrobe that means a lot to me: An Issey Miyake skirt-pant that I singed badly with a too-hot iron. My friend, the designer Arjun Saluja graciously repaired them by adding a pocket over the burnt area. They’re super stylish, they can be worn two ways. And I love that it has been repaired by Arjun, a dear friend and a favourite.
My favourite souvenir from my travels is: All my cosmetics. So, my souvenirs keep changing. These days I’m loving Ormonde Jayne Nawab of Oudh Intensivo perfume. It is such a beautiful fragrance. The Oudh is done so beautifully, it’s ultra light and powdery. I’m obsessed with it.
The best gift I have received: My dog Happy, he was my birthday gift.
Vasudha Rai with her dog Happy
The best gift I have given: A pair of diamond and pearl earrings for my mother. I scraped and saved for it for months. Unfortunately, she has lost them now which makes them even more precious.
Rai in her Issey Miyake skirt-pant
The last thing I bought: Two white t-shirts from Uniqlo.
The last book I read: ‘Butter’ by Asako Yuzuki, it’s a cult Japanese bestseller.
The last film I loved: I cant remember. But one that is my all-time favourite film is ‘Death Becomes Her’ with Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn.
My Spotify list would include these songs: Tun mera dil by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan; ‘Akhiyan nu’ by Shilpa Rao; ‘Shante ishta’ by Mose and Suyana.
My beauty/ wellness routine is: Retinol at night and massage in the day. Also long walks, 12-hour intermittent fasting, three litres of water a day. I also think gardening, sleeping around 10:30pm and staying away from toxic people works for me.
My favourite holiday destination: The city of Beppu in Japan for its 300 onsens (hot spring baths).
Vasudha Rai during a trip to Japan
I love to collect: Plants. It’s not like I have a huge garden, quite the opposite, but somehow I manage to squeeze them in.
Rai's collection of plants
My fridge always has: Fruits, nuts, vegetables, bread…the usual, nothing fancy.
Minimalism or maximalism: Minimalism in everyday rituals and friendships, maximalism in decor.
My home looks like: Lived in, messy, full of chaos, memories and love.
My favourite mix of traditional and contemporary is: Eating guacamole and dosa.
My best ideas come when: I’m curled up in my living room, on my couch with my spine bent in a C-shape. Something about the energy on that tiny couch and my ideas start flowing. Or when I don’t think about ideas at all is when they flow
The best way to spend Rs 20,000 is: Buy the Balzano 1800-watt professional high speed blender. It’s less expensive than Vitamix and does everything. You can churn fresh butter, make smoothies, make your own nut butter. I love it and you’ll still have money left from the 20,000.
My idea of happiness is: Being loved and having someone to love (not necessarily in a romantic way).
