My personal style icon: My grandmother.
An item in my wardrobe that means a lot to me: I have a necklace that belonged to my great-grandmother's mother. I love that I get to have a piece of the family history. I also have a turquoise mul saree that used to be my grandmother's. I wore it a few years ago to a wedding and dropped red wine all over it. When I called my grandmother to apologise she told me she'd dropped whiskey on it years ago too and the stains of that were still there! I love that piece, I still wear it, stains and all -- a reminder of the super fun life we have both lived.
Devika Narain in turquoise mul saree that belonged to her grandmother
My favourite souvenir from my travels is: A hot pink wooden cow I picked up from Madagascar.
The hot pink wooden cow Narain picked from Madagascar
The best gift I have received: My grandmother gifted me her earrings, they are so precious because I grew up watching her wear them. I always wanted to be her.
The best gift I have given: The time to raise my puppy.
Narain with her dog
The last thing I bought: Two books for my niece by the visual artist and author Oliver Jeffers.
The last book I read: 'The Heart and the Bottle', by Oliver Jeffers ( I always read the books I give). Currently reading: 'Who Cooked the Last Supper: The Women's History of the World' by Rosalind Miles.
The last film I loved: The Michael B Jordan starrer 'Sinners'.
My Spotify list would include these songs: "Come Undone" by Duran Duran, Farida Khanum's "Aaj jaane ki zid n karo" and a lot of Coldplay and Maroon 5.
My beauty/ wellness routine is: Simple and fuss-free. I believe in using my mother's and grandmother's home remedies and keeping myself clean, hydrated and moisturised. All natural things I eat, go on my face -- from papayas to besan and mustard.
My favourite holiday destination: So tough, but Italy, Mexico and Udaipur.
I love to collect: Interesting things. From curious objects like my animal chessboard from Tanzania to art and vintage fabrics.
My fridge always has: Cheese and Coke.
Minimalism or maximalism: Maximal, always.
My home looks like: An amalgamation of things I love – books, plants, art and puppies.
Narain loves her books and plants
My favourite mix of traditional and contemporary is: I love the current design scene in India which beautifully blends tradition with the modern, via art, architecture and fashion.
My best ideas come when: My mind is entirely at peace or superbly bored. Late night, early morning or while I'm reading a book.
Devika at work
The best way to spend Rs 20,000 is: Is to invest it – in the market or in something that gives you joy. Like books or flowers.
My idea of happiness is: To be with people you love, doing things you enjoy.
