The Word. special series: 'Travel. Food. Design.'
- Fashion
6 Stylish Contributors Discuss Wanderlust, Food, and Personal Style
(Clockwise) Arjun Sagar Gupta, Praachi Raniwala, Dhruv Sehgal, Lisa Mishra, Chandni Sareen, and Urvashi Kaur
There is a certain joy in exploring the world through a fresh lens. The Word. Magazine’s ‘Travel. Food. Design.’ series, in collaboration with John Jacobs Eyewear, celebrates the thrill of wanderlust.
Urban Elegance, John Jacob’s new collection, features a special series of eyewear inspired by architectural wonders from around the world. In this editorial, six contributors discuss personal style, wanderlust, cuisines, and architecture, all while sporting John Jacobs’ new eyewear styles.
LISA MISHRA
Singer, Songwriter, and Actor
The Word.: What does travel do to your mind and soul?
Lisa Mishra: “Travel, for me, is a total reset of the mind. My life is very nonstop in Mumbai, so the moment I leave the city I try to completely zone out as much as possible from the hustle of work.”
TW.: Where did you travel to, last?
LM: “Recently, I took a month-long break, divided between London and Paris—two places I visit every year to see friends and enjoy the good summer weather.”
TW.: Name a food you fell in love with, during a trip?
LM: “I fell in love with a delicious pork congee in Bangkok at a place called Jok Prince. It was 40 Baht per bow, and maybe the tastiest thing I’ve ever had.”
TW.: The glasses you’re wearing are inspired by the Taj Mahal. Have you ever visited Agra?
LM: “I have never visited Agra… and I had the famous petha from the region for the first time on this shoot! I have no sweet tooth, but I was pleasantly surprised.”
TW.: What coloured glasses do you look at the world through?
LM: “I think I look through the world with fairly clear glasses as I am a through and through realist.”
TW.: How would you define your personal style?
LM: “My style is tomboyish…it has been that way my entire life. It’s referred to as ‘androgynous’ now, and I feel most comfortable in
that space.”
Lisa is wearing the Meran Eyeglasses from the Urban Elegance collection by John Jacobs Eyewear, inspired by Taj Mahal’s refined inlays and myriad surface details.
Dress and corset, both by @that.antiquepiece; earrings by @amamajewels.
ARJUN SAGAR GUPTA
Founder and CEO, The Piano Man Group
The Word.: What does travel do to your mind and soul?
Arjun Sagar Gupta:
“Travel, for me, has always been about expanding my exposure to new cultures and perspectives.
Interacting with people who grew up immersed in other languages, art forms, and experiences is a beautiful way to grow your own mind, enhance creativity, and appreciate diversity.”
TW.: The sunglasses you are wearing are inspired by Burj Khalifa. Have you ever been to Dubai?
ASG: “I have been to Dubai twice. And the food on my table [in the photograph], is a very important part of my day—I am quite fond of dates. I love food, and I love both the comfort of old flavours and the excitement from new ones.”
TW.: What kind of architecture excites you?
ASG: “I am particularly excited by architecture that combines the rich history and intricate details of old European styles with unique elements from around the world. I admire designs that thoughtfully incorporate natural elements like green spaces, wood, and metals, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. At home, I like to find ways to blend minimalist or modern ideas with classic warmth.”
TW.: Name a food you fell in love with, during a trip?
ASG: “That’s a really tough question. My wife and I love to explore the culinary side of the places we visit. I still recall the fantastic Maryland Blue Crab I had in Baltimore [Maryland, USA], and stark difference in the quality of a Bánh mì in Vietnam from even the best restaurants in Delhi. One of my fondest set of meals was in the Andamans at Barefoot resort, where my wife and I would walk up from the beach to the restaurant every day and ask the chef to surprise us with (several of) the fresh catch of the day. That was just fantastic!”
Arjun is wearing Khalifa Sunglasses from the Urban Elegance collection by John Jacobs. The Khalifa Sunglasses are inspired by Burj Khalia in Dubai, and the iconic structure itself features on the temples of sunglasses.
Shirt, Arjun’s own, and jacket by @linetribe_
CHANDNI SAREEN
Stylist and Designer
The Word.: How would you describe your personal style?
Chandni Sareen: “My personal style is eclectic, bohemian, playful, and expressive. And my eyewear style is quirky, vintage-inspired, colourful, and statement-making. In fact, you’ll find me wearing glasses almost all the time…”
TW.: Where did you travel to, last?
CS: “Recently, I have visited Amsterdam, Brussels, and Norway. Travel expands my mind, feeds my soul, sparks curiosity, and keeps my creative juices flowing at work and play.
TW.: Name a food you fell in love with, during a trip?
CS: “I tried fried aubergine in Norway and fell in love with it. Fun fact: I was allergic to aubergine before I consumed this preparation. But the one I had in Norway was something else…the flavour, the texture…it was perfection!”
TW.: What are your views on the worlds of fashion and design merging?
CS: “Fashion and design go hand in hand…each adds beauty to the other. If you look at it, fashion and design are two sides of the same coin—one is incomplete without the other. Pop culture, the world-over, is defined by graphic designs that became a part of fashion, whereas fashion itself is incomplete without an impeccable sense of design.”
TW.: What kind of architecture excites you?
CS: “Art Nouveau excites me. I find flowing lines and organic forms extremely beautiful. Also, the way the Red Light District is designed [in Amsterdam] is stunning. Their thought process around the legalisation of the district has always been super-progressive, but the sense of design and aesthetics with the iconic lightbulbs in the windows is something that stays with you.”
Chandni is wearing Willem Sunglasses from the Urban Elegance collection by John Jacobs, inspired by the perfectly symmetrical, Baroque gardens at Paleis Het Loo in The Netherlands.
Skirt (worn as dress) by @kanikagoyallabel; and rings and earrings by @zohra_india
PRAACHI RANIWALA
Fashion and Lifestyle Journalist, and Co-Founder, Bloom Barn
The Word.: What does travel do to your mind and soul?
Praachi Raniwala: “To travel is to really taste life. It feeds the mind and nourishes the soul. It’s the best way to satiate your curiosity about the world, step out of your comfort zone, and broaden your worldview.”
TW.: How would you define your personal style?
PR: “I would define my personal style as moody. On some days, I feel like wearing all the colours of the rainbow. On others, I prefer muted tones. What remains unchanged is my penchant for sharp cuts, tailored separates, and timeless pieces that I can wear on repeat. Blazers, pantsuits, statement shirts (even better if they are pinstriped!), and midi dresses are some of my preferred silhouettes.”
TW.: The sunglasses you are wearing are inspired by Obidos in Portugal. Have you been to Obidos?
PR: “Last year, I explored Lisbon, Porto, and Douro Valley in Portugal. And I did not expect to like Pastéis de Nata, Portugal’s famous tarts, as they’re not my typical dessert type. But I was pleasantly surprised! I had them at the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery, which claims to have invented these tarts in 1837.”
TW.: Name a food you fell in love with, during a trip.
PR: “Lángos—a Hungarian street food, which is a deep-fried flatbread with toppings of your choice—that I had in Budapest. The ‘Carbie’ in me still dreams about it! I also love South Indian food, so I always seek out rawa dosa every time I am in that part of the country.”
TW.: How would you define your eyewear style?
PR: “Eyewear is quite integral to my everyday dressing. I wear spectacles daily, and have one or two go-to pairs that are almost like an extension of me. When it comes to sunglasses, I prefer sleeker, classic styles. No oversized bug-eye sunglasses for me, please!”
Praachi is wearing Castillo Sunglasses from the Urban Elegance collection by @johnjacobseyewear , inspired by the signature, cobblestoned roads in Obidos, Portugal.
Blazer by @kanikagoyallabel, earrings by @shopeurumme, and bangles by @zohra_india
URVASHI KAUR
Designer
The Word.: How does travel make you feel?
Urvashi Kaur: “Travel is about discoveries and fulfilment. It allows me to breathe—it’s like a breath of fresh air. It energises and inspires me…it’s food for the soul.
Travel lets you experience new people, places, food, and cultures, expanding your horizons and offering new perspectives. It opens up your worldview and enriches your mind.”
TW.: Tell us about a food you fell in love with, during a trip…
UK: “I fell in love with Japanese fusion cuisine at Manhatta, a restaurant in New York, which overlooks the Manhattan skyline. The experience was scintillating, everything from the presentation to the taste and the views was exquisite.”
TW.: How would you describe your style?
UK: “My personal style is a blend of bold and minimal aesthetics, where I find balance through a monochromatic palette teamed with statement jewellery.
I also enjoy incorporating androgynous elements for a distinctive edge.
My eyewear style is quirky, fun, and bold, with a distinct ‘in-your-face’ appeal…I gravitate towards statement pieces.”
TW: The eyeglasses you are wearing are inspired by the Taj Mahal. Have you ever visited Agra?
UK: “I have visited Agra several times, and love the crafts and culture of the city. And jalebis are one of my favourite Indian desserts. On a winter evening in Delhi, a plate full of jalebis is irresistible.
At The Word. shoot, I had to bite into a jalebi repeatedly, and ended up eating so many that I lost count!”
TW.: What coloured glasses do you look at the world through?
UK: “I look at the world through ‘amber-coloured glasses’—with warmth, curiosity, and a sense of wonder.”
Urvashi is wearing Meran Eyeglasses from the Urban Elegance collection by @johnjacobseyewear . The Meran Eyeglasses are inspired from Taj Mahal’s myriad surface details and refined inlays.
Dress by @urvashikaur, and all jewellery, her own.
DHRUV SEHGAL
Writer and Actor
The Word.: What does travel do to your mind and soul?
Dhruv Sehgal: “Travel helps me escape my own mind. Travelling makes me realise how small I am and how big the world is (in a good way!). It helps me reconnect with the world by reconnecting with myself.”
TW.: Tell us about the place you travelled to recently.
DS: “The last city I travelled to was Tbilisi in Georgia, and I fell in love with the Georgian tomato salad with a walnut dressing.”
TW.: How would you define your personal style?
DS: “My personal style is
easy-going, and I love
classic styles. My eyewear style, on the other hand, is funky-meets-functional.”
TW.: The sunglasses you are wearing are inspired by China, have you ever visited the country?
DS: “I have never been to China, but my parents were posted there, and, in fact, my brother was born there. So I have always been fascinated by the country. And I absolutely love Chinese dim sums.”
TW: The eyeglasses you are wearing are inspired by the Taj Mahal. Have you ever visited Agra?
UK: “I look at the world through black- or bright, red-coloured glasses…”
TW.: What are your views on the world of fashion and design merging?
DS: “The world of fashion and design merging is almost like a necessity…”
Dhruv is wearing Linxia from the Urban Elegance collection by John Jacobs.
The detail on Linxia Sunglasses’ temples and hinge is inspired by the geometric pattern and classic proportions seen at the Linxia Grand Theater in China.
Shirt by @kanikagoyallabel and blazer by @_huemn
CREDITS
Editor-In-Chief: Nandini Bhalla
Photographer: Anubhav Sood
Styling: Zunaili Malik
Hair and Make-Up: Geet Sukhani and Neha Valecha Managing Editor: Meghna Sharma
Content Director: Radhika Bhalla
Styling Assistants: Naina Mehrotra and Shrishti Ganeriwala
Production: Augustine Production
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