Pandora's box of love and luxury

From customised sitar and tabla to a luxurious biker jacket embellished with 10,000 crystals from Swarovski… Justin Bieber will be receiving a huge super luxe basket of souvenirs —  “With Love From India” as soon as he sets foot in the country. Courtesy Indian designers and celebrities including Varun Bahl, Anamika Khanna, Amit Aggarwal, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Rohit Bal, and music legend Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, the basket of present will also include high-end gifts for the singer’s mother.

Customised tabla from Varun Bahl

A biker jacket in cotton velvet, is what design guru Rohit Bal, has in store for Justin. “The jacket is an amalgamation of Justin’s personal style, Indian music along with my vision of a cross-cultural fashion statement. I have tried to inculcate elements from the rich music lineage of our country in the form of beautiful classical string instruments like the sitar, sarangi, and veena, and finely embroidered and handcrafted them using over 10,000 crystals from Swarovski on the luxurious velvet base,” he says, adding, “Blending in with these instruments are my signature Indian lotus motifs.” The concept behind the jacket, he says, has been to create a versatile look suitable for an event or a stage performance.

(L-R) A sketch of Amit Aggarwal’s creation for Justin Bieber, Anamika Khanna’s design for Justin’s mother and a sketch of Varun Bahl’s creation

Designer Varun Bahl has personally curated and embellished two traditional Indian musical instruments — sitar and tabla. Bahl is decorating both these instruments with fine silk, floral artworks, and highlighted metallic works along with delicate beaded tassels for detailing. He states, “Adorned in my signature floral motifs and intricate embroidery, these instruments symbolise the interculture amalgamation of both worlds.”

Designer Amit Aggarwal is creating a jacket with khadi using metallic hints with malleable recycled polymer sheet used on the sleeves, fusing traditional weaves with industrial waste. Young bloods from the fashion fraternity are also not behind.  Designer Prasenjit Das is all set with his hand-painted denim jacket with graffiti design work for the artist. Designer Ragini Ahuja is working on a bomber jacket in destroyed denim with sheep leather shoulder, collar and pocket flaps, and witty tone graphic tee shirt by Balmedor.

Designer Ragini Ahuja is working on a bomber jacket in destroyed denim with sheep leather shoulder, collar and pocket flaps, and witty tone graphic tee shirt by Balmedor.

Mum’s the word
The Indian creative fraternity is extending their love by going a step further and including high-end presents for Justin’s mom, Pattie Mallette, as well.

“The idea is to give her a flavour of our craft, yet not overwhelm her with the silhouette,” says designer Anamika Khanna who is creating a special wardrobe for Justin’s mom. “A floor-length jacket in silk chanderi featuring embroidery inspired by tribal India is a timeless and versatile piece,” she says. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni will be gifting a bespoke wreath shaped necklace embellished in rubies and diamonds, encrusted in platinum and 18k gold to Justin’s mother. Music maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will be gifting an autographed sarod to the Grammy-winner.