Luxury
The Romancing Yachts
Yachts, the ultimate symbol of luxury are sailing into Cochinite lifestyle
There was a time when Indians thought only rich boys could afford bikes; a private car was beyond our wildest dreams and we knew only the Queen of England had a yacht. But today, the queen probably doesn’t have one, but many Indians do have. After Mumbai and Goa, the direction of the wind is turning to Kochi where sailing is getting popular rapidly.
Its not surprising that Kochi owns India’s first Marina, because the best boating opportunities are in Kerala, with amazing back waters and unspoiled marine landscape. The marine landscape of Kochi, known for its Chinese fishnets and slow-moving barges, is on an image makeover with the luxury yachts doting the marina.
“Indians are expanding their lifestyle to the seas and now many Keralites are exploring this beautiful leisure. The growth is being fuelled by an upbeat economy with disposable income and reduction in import duties” says Capt. Mathew Cherian, President, Nautilus Yachts, the pioneers in yachting business. “Moreover, Kochi is less expensive than Goa or Mumbai when it comes to leisure and water sports.” he continues.
“We are getting a number of queries from individuals as well as corporate,” says George Pottamkulam, who runs Indmerc, a marine solutions company. “The old-fashioned holidays and business meetings are giving way to more innovative ones. While the rich in the state are eyeing to own the pleasurable experiences, the hospitality tycoons see new business potentials with yachts,” he continues.
One of the reasons for the surge in yachting is that it is in tune with the Gen-Y’s attitude towards life: “Get on and have fun.” The mushrooming of waterfront properties in Kochi also fuels the trend as the luxury lovers who own them will naturally think of owning a yacht. And, interestingly, a few have explored yachts as a mode of transport to beat the horrible traffic jams. In the peak hours, a 10-kilometre drive from Kochi to his waterfront villa in the suburb of Maradu would take more than 45 minutes for George. But his speedboat transports him to his office in seven minutes!
Industry estimates say that the increasing popularity of leisure boating will make India one of the favorite market of yacht makers soon. So the business goes on and for those who love the waters, these are splashing times!!!
Here’s a pick of what’s available in yachts this season:
“From jet skis, sports boats and speed boats it can be a luxury personal villa on the water” says Capt. Mathew. A luxury yacht is perfect private space with your family, friends or build business relationships. “We slowly guide them in understanding the brands and what they represent,” he continues.
Luxury yachts from USA, Italy and Spain dominate the market. The price of models moving in India ranges from 0.5mn to 4bn.
Every model is fully customizable to the owner’s need with choice of furniture, fixtures, fittings, premium material and cutting edge technology to offer up to a 7 star experience on board. Though not popular in Kerala, there are Hotel Yachts, from USA and Europe which has great scope in the hospitality industry.
Yacht Owners
It’s no longer just the Mittals, Mallyas and Singhanias. Estimates of yacht dealers say that there are more than 20 yacht owners in Kochi alone. Yacht dealers refuse to disclose the names of their clients as the yacht owners do not wish to be spoken about, for fear of attracting undue (the taxmen’s) attention.
To mention a few, a former MP owns a 32-foot Bayliner, a seafood exporter has a 42-foot Sea Ray, a tyre tycoon keeps a 32-foot Bayliner and the Taj Malabar at Fort Kochi owns a 55-foot Gulf Craft Ambassador, a famous group in the hospitality industry owns a 36-footer…the list goes on. Capt. Mathew reveals that they have a Non-Resident Keralite customer who had booked one tagged 50million dollars!!
Tips for Buyers
•Yacht buying is a very personal and important decision which requires professional advice and reliable support.
•Yachts come in various sizes from 18 feet sport boats costing around Rs.15 lacs to super yachts of over 200 feet costing millions of dollar. For a true yacht experience it is advised to consider yachts in 40-55 feet, enough to spend time with family and friends.
•For the super-yacht and mega-yacht models, it is better to experience a factory tour for customizing and personalising. This ensures that you are not just picking up something ready made.
Lesser Costlier Options
• You can recoup the costs by hiring out the yachts when they are not being used.
• Pre-owned vessels can be bought with a considerable lower price compared to a new one.
• Hassles of private owning can be reduced with fractional owning option, which means a group of people collectively own a yacht and share the expenses.
• There are options to own a yacht by paying an EMI as low as Rs.3000/-
• At an even lesser cost, you can enjoy yachting by joining a yacht club or simply book a yacht for a day or two just like booking a room in a hotel!!
Leisure Yachting in Kochi:
Malabar Yacht Club,
12/167, Kannamaly P.O. Kochi.
Tel: 91-484-2282899, 2228389, Mob: +91 984 739 7735
Vivanta by Taj – Malabar
Willingdon Island, Kochi.
Tel: 91 484 664 3000. Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.vivantabytaj.com/
Taj Gateway
Marine drive, Kochi682 036
Tel: 91-484-6673300. Email: [email protected].
Website: www.tajhotels.com/
Cochin Yacht Club
Konthuruthy, Thevara, Kochi
Tel: 91-484-2310293. Email: [email protected].
Website: http://www.cochinyachtclub.com
The Kerala Yachting Association
D 3103, JNI Stadium, Kaloor, Kochi
Tel: 91-484-3233933, Email: [email protected],
Website: www.keralayachting.com
Luxury Yachts of the Super Rich
Tne Tian Yacht
Owner: Anil Ambani
Price: approx $ 80 million
Pic
This luxury yacht which has been gifted by Anil Ambani to his wife is nicknamed as the ‘Rolls Royce on waters’ for its interior décor and design. Amenities aboard include a classical formal dining area and 5 cabins occupying 2 berths each, and 6 pristine bathrooms. ‘Tian’ stands for ‘Tina’ and ‘Anil’
Indian Empress Yacht
Owner: Dr. Vijay Mallaya
Price: $ 942,681
Pic
This 311 footer has several luxuries on board like a Jacuzzi, sea scooters, water sport equipments, extensive dining area, sun-bathing area, satellite television and wi-fi. Its power generation capacity is 15000 HP.
Did you know?
• The Kochi Marina is set to break a new ground in the worldwide marina market with the Bolghatty Island Project. This is the only marina in the world to house its own golf course.
• A place to see hundreds of yachts all at one time is Cannes during the film festival.
Luxury
Cartier’s New High Jewellery Collection is a Love For The Wild
In 2021, the American Museum of Natural History in New York presented Beautiful Creatures, an exhibition showcasing some of the most eccentric jewellery designs of the past century. One standout piece was the iconic crocodile necklace of Mexican actress María Félix, a loyal Cartier patron. Félix, renowned for her bold sense of style, famously strolled into Cartier’s Paris store in 1975 with her pet crocodile, requesting a necklace in its likeness. Cartier delivered, crafting two intertwined crocodiles encrusted with over a thousand emeralds and yellow diamonds. For Félix, crocodiles symbolized freedom, an embodiment of the spirit she associated with Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema.
Fast forward to today, and Félix’s wildest dreams seem to have come to life at Cartier’s latest high jewellery collection, Nature Sauvage, previewed at the historic Kursalon Hübner gallery in Vienna. Among the star pieces is the Koaga necklace, a masterful creation where a zebra clasps an emerald-cut diamond and a 6.25-carat pear-shaped rubellite in its mouth. The zebra’s form is exquisitely rendered in alternating onyx stripes and pavé diamonds, making the creature feel almost lifelike.
The relationship between animals and jewellery has deep mythological roots, often glorified through rituals and symbolism. In ancient Egypt, scarab beetles were worn as earrings to signify respect for life’s cyclical nature. Meanwhile, in Hellenistic Greece, gods and goddesses took on the forms of winged creatures in adornment. So, what is it about animal-themed jewellery that continues to captivate us? According to Amanda Triossi, a jewellery historian based in Rome, the allure lies in our primal instincts: “Wearing wild animals like panthers or tigers gives one the sense of having conquered them. It’s empowering, as if you inherit the animal’s strength and attributes.”
Cartier captures this essence beautifully in its Amphista necklace. Featuring two intertwined snakes with diamond scales set with emeralds, their heads adorned with kite-shaped diamonds, the necklace echoes ancient Chinese philosophy’s yin-yang balance. The pièce de résistance? Nine octagonal Colombian emeralds, weighing a total of 14.72 carats.
Triossi also notes that many historical heroes are often depicted draped in the skins of animals they’ve vanquished, a symbol of triumph. Today, jewellery transforms that symbol into something precious and eternal—animal skins reimagined in imperishable materials.
Later that evening, at a celebration held at Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest in Austria, the enchantment of Cartier’s collection was heightened. The museum’s octagonal domes featured paintings of animals dancing with angels, setting the stage for a magical night. Guests were greeted by masterpieces such as Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait and Caravaggio’s Madonna of the Rosary, alongside Cartier page boys in their signature red hats. The evening’s soundtrack, a seamless blend of Bach and Kygo, was curated by DJ Gillian Sagansky, lending a modern twist to the classical ambiance.
The following day brought another cultural adventure—a visit to Otto Wagner’s Villa, a stunning summer palace designed by the famed architect. The paintings adorning the villa’s walls depicted animals in various forms—some caught in purgatory, others wandering the biblical bardo, with alligators restlessly emerging from swampy landscapes.
Luxury
Indian Craftsmanship Meets Italian Savoir Faire : Rahul Mishra x Tod’s
Quiet luxury was expected to dominate for a while, with many predicting that the return of bold, extravagant fashion would take its time. However, maximalism seems to be making a swift comeback, especially in the realm of designer collaborations. Hot on the heels of the vibrant, print-heavy H&M x Anamika Khanna collection, another limited-edition line has arrived, celebrating opulent luxury: Rahul Mishra x Tod’s.
As part of Tod’s T-Factory project, which features exclusive collaborations with creative innovators, this marks Indian couturier Rahul Mishra’s debut in the international accessories space.
Mishra is a true ambassador of Indian design. Along with his wife Divya Mishra, he leads his eponymous label, which has brought the essence of India to the global stage in remarkable ways. A regular at Paris Fashion Week and the first Indian designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week, his creations have adorned celebrities like Zendaya and Mark Zuckerberg, and have graced magazine covers in South Korea, China, and Europe. With such a path-defining legacy, it’s no surprise that Mishra and his visionary label were Tod’s natural choice for their first-ever Indian collaboration.
Mishra describes this collaboration as a beautiful fusion of “Italian craftsmanship serving as the canvas for Indian vision.” Tod’s iconic Gommino loafers and mules, along with the Di Bag and T Timeless shoulder bag, have been reimagined with intricate resham embroidery, crystals, and sequins—all meticulously hand-embroidered at Mishra’s atelier in Noida. “It was a technically challenging process that took time to perfect. I can confidently say these are some of the finest bags and shoes you’ll ever witness, in terms of craftsmanship and longevity. Such pieces are forever,” Mishra proudly shares.
Crafted entirely between India and Italy, the limited-edition pieces from this collection are a true love letter to the artisanal heritage of both nations. “There’s a beauty in the teamwork here,” Mishra explains. “We received raw materials from Italy and worked on integrating our embroideries seamlessly into their leather. The pieces were then sent back to Tod’s, where they transformed them into stunning, three-dimensional products. In that sense, it’s been a genuine collaboration between Italy and India.”
Mishra firmly believes that the future of global design will be shaped by a global Indian aesthetic. “Just as French, Italian, British, and Japanese designs are now seen as universal,” he explains. This collaboration marks a significant step in advancing that narrative. “When you push the boundaries of ‘handmade in India’ to be respected at the pinnacle of luxury, everything else will naturally follow,” he emphasizes.
Luxury
Timeless Jewelry Pieces to Invest in for a Lifetime
Yves Saint Laurent famously remarked, “Fashions fade, style is eternal,” and this sentiment perfectly encapsulates the essence of building a jewelry collection meant to last a lifetime. Certain classic pieces have transcended time, achieving iconic status and adding instant sophistication to any ensemble.
With the festive season approaching, it’s the perfect time to invest in jewelry that can be cherished for generations. These timeless creations, adored by Hollywood stars and royalty alike, are always a wise choice. From the instantly recognizable Cartier Love bangle to Chanel’s classic pearls, De Beer’s diamond studs, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ lucky Alhambra talisman, here are 10 truly special pieces to buy now and wear forever.
For those seeking more budget-friendly options, don’t forget to explore these affordable jewelry brands as well.
The Cartier Tank Watch
Introduced in 1919, the Cartier Tank Watch was inspired by the armored vehicles of World War I, with its sleek design reflecting the tracks of early tanks. Its timeless elegance has ensured a devoted following ever since.
The Tiffany & Co. Open Heart Pendant
Designed by Elsa Peretti, who joined Tiffany & Co. in 1974, the Open Heart pendant features a sleek, open-centered heart inspired by Henry Moore’s sculptures. Its modern yet classic design remains a favorite.
The Chanel Pearl Earrings
Pearls add an instant touch of sophistication, and Chanel’s pearl earrings are a perfect example. Coco Chanel famously adored pearls, and her fashion house continues to celebrate them with elegant designs that remain stylish.
The Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace
First launched in 1968, the Alhambra necklace is inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Spain. Its design, featuring clover-shaped motifs and vibrant semi-precious stones, remains a Van Cleef & Arpels signature.
The Bulgari Serpenti Watch
Since the 1940s, Bulgari’s Serpenti collection has embodied the allure of the serpent. Elizabeth Taylor’s famous appearance wearing the Serpenti watch in “Cleopatra” cemented its iconic status.
The Boodles Diamond Tennis Bracelet
Popularized by tennis player Chris Evert in the 1970s, this elegant bracelet features a continuous row of diamonds, making it a versatile piece that complements any outfit.
The Piaget Cuff Bracelet
Piaget, originally a watchmaker, began crafting exquisite gold jewelry in 1961. The stackable gold bangles, inspired by Mediterranean hues, offer a touch of sunny warmth.
The Harry Winston Cluster Earrings
Renowned for handling some of the world’s most famous diamonds, Harry Winston’s cluster earrings, with their dazzling pear and marquise-cut diamonds, continue to be a symbol of glamour.
The Cartier Love Bracelet
Created in 1969 by Aldo Cipullo, the Cartier Love bracelet is an iconic piece symbolizing eternal love. Its unique design, secured with tiny screws, has made it a beloved classic.
Investing in these pieces ensures you’ll have timeless, elegant additions to your jewelry collection that will continue to bring joy for years to come.
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