The Gift of Love: Best V-Day Gifts
Originally a day dedicated to martyrs, the feast of St.Valentine’s is now commemorated the world over to celebrate romantic love. Love it or leave it, whatever your preference, there is no escaping the significance of February the 14th and the frenzy of restaurant reservations and jewelry shopping! But what are the most desirable gifts from partners? This Valentine’s Day we ask a few famous faces in the city of Chennai what gifts they would love to receive from their special someone…
Rock Star
Jeweler designer and tastemaker Minnie Menon tells us, “My husband Mohan and I have passed the stage of ‘a two people and one candle’ on Valentine’s Day. But we do try and do something together like go to a theatre and watch a movie on the big screen which we seldom find the time to do.” Together for over 30 years with a talented TV-personality daughter – Anu Menon, marvelous Minnie and her advertising hotshot husband shared a hearty laugh over her ‘perfect gift’. “The perfect gift for me on Valentine’s day would be a ‘Silent night’….yes sweet slumber uninterrupted by my dearest husband’s snoring which reaches new decibel levels with each passing year!”
Minnie Menon’s coveted line of statement jewelry is available in boutiques in Chennai, Bangalore and online. Hand-crafted from unique gemstones sourced by the jewelry aficionado on her travels across the world, the necklaces, earrings and more are marked by exuberance and versatility.
The Couture Queen
Newly-wed Bandana Narula confesses, “The most priceless gift on Valentines’ for me would be his time and presence; and most importantly, undivided attention (digital detox mode I must say) which becomes most precious for me as we work in two different cities.” Bandana and her IIT-grad husband, Sailesh also enjoy just spending time together unwinding which could be a romantic long drive with a quiet dinner followed by a late-night movie ‘which would do as much wonder as a trip to an exotic location exploring new things together’. Even watching the sunrise together is a treat for this young couple.
Bandana who has dressed several TV-personalities including Parvati Nair and Kiki Vijay is known for her dramatic silhouettes and intricate workmanship.
Designing Woman
The busy parents of two lovely kids, designer Navya Niranajan of Blueprint and her husband, Venu confess the perfect gift would be to: “Book a stay in a hotel, enjoy hors d’ oeuvres and a gourmet dinner in bed, making most of room service and get ample together time, just the two of us.” She described her ideal Valentine’s Day as being one where the clandestine parents “Crash a wedding and dance in the perfect date-like setting till our feet hurt, then take off for a spin in a big lit Ferris wheel.”
Navya and her sister Divya are the creative force behind Blueprint, one of Chennai’s hottest fashion labels. Dressing stars like Vidhya Balan and Sonam Kapoor the brand translates ethnic weaves and embroidery into striking contemporary cuts.
