Harper’s Bazaar LuXperiences 2026: The evolving language of luxury and collaboration

Through LuXperiences 2026, Harper’s Bazaar India opens up and continues the conversation between timeless craft and contemporary storytelling. Through each of the carefully curated sessions, audiences are invited to listen to experts in the field who share their thoughts on relevance in fields that are as dynamic as they are creative. 

For the second session, Art of Reimagining: Design, Craft, Influence, the panel comprised interior designer and architect Ashiesh Shah, artist Ayesha Singh, and interior designer Renu Garware, with art curator Noelle Kadar as the moderator. 

The discussion started with interesting insights into how the definition of luxury has a classical and a more contemporary perspective, simultaneously. “It’s become less rigid,” said Garware, “and really, the essence is, what does it mean to you?" 

“The larger definition of it would be understood,” Singh shared, “I think for us, a lot of it’s been about having that space to have the conversations we want to have as an artist.”

“I have a slightly different perspective about luxury,” Shah confided, “it oscillates between two major points. One is time sensitivity, and the second is aesthetic relevance.” 

Reflecting on the impact of heritage and tradition, Garware reflected on how it’s more important than ever to ensure that it’s adapted faithfully so that it’s not just superficial. Shah agreed, noting how India has its own presence in the world at this point: “People are looking at India not just for the techniques, but also for the minds.”

Singh mentioned, “I make a lot of work with metal, and would work with metal specialists who may have generational knowledge that I don’t have, even though I know how to weld, and have learnt how to weld in school.” 

To Kadar's question about how collaborations and cross-pollinations expand their worlds, the answer was unanimous. Garware reflected, “It always existed; when Indian motifs travelled, textiles travelled, it’s just a new age way, and things are coming backwards.”

For Shah, collaboration is ingrained in his practice, delightfully giving a personal example with both the artists on the panel. He said, “Contemporary practices today without collaboration are very stunted… in today’s generation, the idea is to cross-pollinate ideas.”

“Every collaboration is a bit of a marriage,” chuckled Singh, “sometimes, it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.” Both agreed that when it does work, it’s magic. 

The conversation was filled with more such fascinating insights into some of the best creative minds giving shape to art today.

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