< PreviousW H A T M A K E S A H O U S E A H O M E ? “ O H , I T ’ S T H E W O M A N O F T H E H O U S E F O R S U R E ! ” Roshni Shewakramani 208 HarpersBazaarArabia.com October 2024 Gold Twin Set, POA, AMPM, Horse Bag, POA, AMPM; Shoes, POA, SJP. Opposite page: Top, POA, Anamika Khanna from Aza Fashions; Jeans, POA, Chanel; Shoes, POA, Saint Laurent; Gold Earrings, POA, Sabyasachi; Clutch, POA, Judith Leiber HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 20803/10/2024 17:16Grand Designs HARI AND MAKE-UP: SHRUTI CHOPRA Photography by AASIYA JAGADEESH Styling and Words by NATASHA FARUQUE ROSHNI SHEWAKRAMANI’s Emirates Hills home showcases her heritage, eye for detail and love of the finer things in life HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 20903/10/2024 17:16he’s known for her trademark megawatt smile, and that’s what everyone fi rst notices when Roshni Shewalramani greets us as she opens the door to her spectacular Emirates Hills mansion, set amid the lush boulevards of this exclusive gated community overlooking the golf course. Famous throughout the city for throwing the best parties, it’s immediately clear that she has the perfect place to host them. “I don’t think three weeks go by without a get together – small or large – we love having people over,” she tells Bazaar while plying the team with hot cups of masala chai and treats. “Ours is a largeish family so from fam-jam Sunday lunches to kiddie birthday parties and December dinners, our entertaining comes in diff erent shapes and sizes. My husband and I adore inviting friends, eating home-made Sindhi desi food. Many a sunrise has been witnessed from our garden especially in the winters.” Roshni explains, “Nilesh [her husband] and I have been in this house for the past six years. We moved here from our previous JLT apartment with our older daughter Saesha (now 16) and our son Shivraj (almost 15). Th en came our Toy Poodle, Dude and fi nally our daughter Siya joined the household in 2019,” she says. “Th is home previously belonged to a lovely family of four. It was important for me that the previous owners were happy and prosperous… I strongly believe in the energy of land, what we call bhoomi, what a home is built on.” What drew the duo to the area? “My immediate family are a 10-minute walk away. Th at’s true quality of life. And my closest of girlfriends also stay in the same neighbourhood.” Although the couple loved the vibe of the original abode, they decided to redo it into a four-bedroom space – with an additional guest bedroom (coined ‘Th e Sleepover Den’) on the ground fl oor – to ensure the style was entirely their own. “We gutted and refurbished the entire villa with an amazing team from BW Interiors – we love Vaishali Khanna – and Ellen Søhoel who heads XBD Collective.” Th e brief was “glamorous, spacious, and cosy at the same time,” with art curation an integral part of the design. “Malini Gulrajani who owns 1x1 Art Gallery in AlSerkal Avenue was a blessing. We’ve selected Indian, Iranian, and even some local art from her over the years,” Roshni says, pointing at a Sunil Gawde Butterfl y piece. “Isn’t this epic with the dagger hanging between emerald wings?” Even though the clan are known for their spectacular soirees, Roshni’s fi rst and foremost objective was to make the sprawling mansion a sanctuary for the family. “Primarily it should feel like a home,” she insists. “I like our kids to feel free and hang out in any part of the house. I want everyone to see our place as the playhouse with all generations of children and teens roaming around.” And when pressed as to whether things have changed décor wise since they fi rst took possession of the house, Roshni laughs, “Our baby came a year after we moved in so the cool games room became a toddler’s play area. Besides that, much remains the same, perhaps a slightly busier and more cluttered version, because… well, life! I think the 10 year gap between my two older kids and Siya is going to keep things fun. Life is super sweet between teenage woes and toddler tantrums. I always say that I am going to stay relevant for a long time.” A curator of high-end luxury pop-ups throughout Dubai, the Dubai College and London College of Fashion alum recently expanded her horizons to India, putting the spotlight on fashion brands that she loves from the subcontinent, under Th e Goddess Project label which she founded alongside friend Tanya Chhabria. “We pair high end jewellers with fashion brands,” she elaborates about the successful venture she’s co-helmed for the past fi ve years. And although she’s lived in Dubai all her life (“I’m a Dubai OG. My parents moved here from Bombay, newly married in the ’80s”), the infl uence of her native country is clear both in her own wardrobe and in her home. Sentimental touches that hark to her heritage include a marble temple. “It is very dear to my heart,” she says. “My mum and I made multiple trips to Jaipur to get it the way we envisioned.” Her sense of style is also refl ected in her perfectly colour-coded, highly organised walk-in wardrobes. “I have all my garments in an area within my bedroom. But when [interior designer] Ellen saw this spare room on the fi rst fl oor, she had a brilliant idea and immediately decided to give me a special shoe and hanging bag space. Getting dressed and coming into the accessory room makes life easy and effi cient.” Th e only thing she’d potentially change in her home? “I’d like more wardrobe space. No one doesn’t want more of that! And somewhere for daily Amazon and Ounass deliveries…” For this shoot, Roshni was keen to showcase her own personal style. “I dress according to my mood. I’m obsessed with mixing Asian brands with European pieces. My work introduces me to the most cutting- edge talent coming out of South East Asia, so I enjoy creating this unique cocktail of brands to come up with a look that is uniquely my own.” She reels off names she has on speed dial: “I love going shopping to Aza Fashions. Th ey carry brands like Anamika Khanna, Jayanti Reddy and Payal Singhal. Another favourite is Roseroom by Isha Jajodia, Monisha Jaising, and I buy beautiful casual kurtas from Anokhi Jaipur and Avidii. A kurta with jeans is my signature. Shivan & Narresh’s resortwear is ideal for this city – we are working with them this festive season too!” Gesturing to a kaftan that she wears for a shot on the staircase, Roshni says, “Th is is by my mother Pungu Awtani. She’s a perfectionist with fl awless taste. A designer extraordinaire who indulges me daily!” Her enthusiasm is infectious as she reaches for her earrings. “Everyone who knows me, knows about my love for jewels. When it comes to fi ne jewellery, I collect from Renu Oberoi, Farah Khan, Estaa and KAJ Fine Jewellery by Kajal Fabiani; the ladies behind the brands are all dear friends. I have started gathering costume jewellery too. Deepa Gurnani, Valliyan by Nitya Arora, Flowerchild by Shaheen, Simran Chhabra Jewels, Isharya,” the list goes on and on! Given she is known for being the hostess with the mostest, what are the magic ingredients that conjure up a special aff air? Roshni muses over this, then answers, “Anticipating needs. I fi nd most of my circle are super healthy so I off er yummy yet clean food. Having food cooked at home is always an added bonus. Catering is easy, but creating a dining table laden with scrumptious home food is golden. Above all, you need to spend time with all your guests. It’s easy to stick your close friends but they don’t need you... newer members of the crowd need to feel welcomed and that happens only with personal attention.” Before signing off , we ask Roshni what makes a house a home? Another megawatt smile, “Oh, it’s the woman of the house for sure! Harmony in the family. Happy genuine smiles from all the members that live within those walls... it builds the fabric of the household!” “M Y I M M E D I A T E F A M I L Y A R E A 10 - M I N UT E W A L K AW A Y . T H A T ’ S TR UE Q U A L IT Y OF L I F E ” Roshni Shewakramani 210 HarpersBazaarArabia.com October 2024 HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 21003/10/2024 17:17 Your LIFE Blazer, Anamika Khanna for H&M; Dhoti Trousers, POA, Anamika Khanna, Mules, POA, Saint Laurent. Roshni sits under her Sunil Gawde Butterfl y drinking coff ee from her favourite Good Earth mug HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 21103/10/2024 17:17“ I DO N’ T T H I N K T H R E E W E E K S G O B Y W I T H O U T A GET T O GET H E R – W E L O V E H A V I N G PE O P L E O V E R ” Roshni Shewakramani UK-based lighting experts John Cullen and Rebecca Crawford helped source all the lights. “Mood fi xtures took some time but we got it right in the end,” Roshni tells us HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 21203/10/2024 17:17 Your LIFE Kaftan, POA, Pungu Awtani; Turquoise Studs, POA, Estaa Jewels; Bag, POA, Judith Leiber 213 HarpersBazaarArabia.com October 2024 HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 21303/10/2024 17:18214 HarpersBazaarArabia.com October 2024 Your LIFE HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 21403/10/2024 17:18M Y H U S B A N D A N D I A D O R E I N V I TI N G F R I E ND S , E A TI N G HOM E - M A DE S I NDH I DE S I F O OD ” Roshni Shewakramani 215 HarpersBazaarArabia.com October 2024 HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 21503/10/2024 17:19216 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Winter 2022 216 HarpersBazaarArabia.com October 2024 Your LIFE Crystal Sweater, POA, Pungu Awtani; Jeans, POA, Chanel; Baby pendant, POA, Pooja Javeri Shah; Kolaphuri Chappals, POA, Joy Shoes Taj Palace Bombay HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 21603/10/2024 17:19“I’D L I K E M O R E WA R D R O B E S P A C E ... N O O N E DO E S N’ T W A N T M O R E O F T H A T ! ” Roshni Shewakramani Your LIFE 217 HarpersBazaarArabia.com October 2024 Much of the furniture was shipped from Italy, but Roshni’s favourite pieces were manufactured locally by BW Interiors. The family’s living quarters are on the fi rst fl oor, where her accessories walk-in closet takes pride of place too HBA-194_OCT-24_208-215_AFL_10pp_13400914.indd 21703/10/2024 17:19Next >