The new Ravi Bajaj

Over the past two decades, Ravi Bajaj has rightfully earned the tag of being India’s finest menswear designer. His suits, simply put, are a class apart. But if there was one complaint, if it could be called that, it was that his creations were often “too formal”—while the cuts and the tailoring were superb, the colours and the designs weren’t too adventurous. But at 43, India’s coolest menswear designer is reinventing himself.

We spent a week at his workshop, checked out his wine collection at home, had a shot of espresso in his signature café and even followed him to the gym, to find out more about this shorn Sikh who doesn’t smile unless he’s sipping sparkling wine. And for the first time, we coaxed the reclusive designer to talk about his soon-to-be-launched collection of formal menswear, which, while maintaining the standards of tailoring and cuts that we have come to expect of Bajaj, will usher in a revolution as far as colour, designs and themes are concerned. Read this issue’s cover story on The New Ravi Bajaj to know why Indian men will soon be lightening up and wearing nattier clothes to work.

Feel the wanderlust kicking in? In the Travel section, there’s a ready reckoner for all those travelling to different cities in Austria and Switzerland to watch the Euro 2008 football finals this June. Cut and keep this article in your bag so that you know where to go and what to do when you’re not cheering your team.

In other sections, check out the new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti as we drive it across Maharashtra and find out more about exotic Japanese liqueur as you dance your way to a healthier life.