Brands
Scent and Sensibility as Issey Miyake Fetes Le Sel d’Issey in Mumbai
MUMBAI: Mumbai smelt a celebration coming long before the doors opened, as Issey Miyake Parfums hosted an intimate evening in honour of Le Sel d’Issey, the fragrance that has quietly slipped into the spotlight as one of the brand’s fastest-rising successes in India. And adding fresh charisma to the night was actor Rohit Saraf, Issey Miyake’s brand friend in India, whose easy, sunlit charm has helped the perfume find its place among younger, design-forward audiences.
For a scent inspired by the meeting of sea and land, Le Sel d’Issey has travelled surprisingly swiftly through India’s fragrance culture. Its signature contrast, a salty burst leading into warm, spicy depth creates a sensorial journey that feels at once crisp, modern and quietly confident, a take on masculinity that’s more breeze than brawn.
At the celebration Baccarose Perfumes & Beauty Products ltd director and CEO Kadambari Lakhani captured why the pairing works. “Rohit embodies the modern, effortless spirit of Issey Miyake, making him a truly inspiring brand friend. His contemporary energy and natural charm reflect the values of purity, simplicity, and thoughtful design that define Issey Miyake Parfums,” she said, adding that Le Sel d’Issey exemplifies this ethos with its balance of invigorating freshness and mineral warmth.
The evening drew an eclectic mix of OTT talent, HNIs, cultural tastemakers and personalities from across Mumbai’s entertainment circuit. Conversations drifted smoothly from minimalism to modernity as guests explored the fragrance’s early traction, a marker of its growing relevance in an India that increasingly embraces global perfumery codes with a signature local twist.
Baccarose, which has been instrumental in bringing international luxury beauty houses into the country, continues to shape the Issey Miyake fragrance portfolio in India. With Le Sel d’Issey gaining momentum and a new generation gravitating toward its clean yet character-rich profile, the night wasn’t just a celebration; it was an indicator that India’s perfume sensibilities are evolving one fresh, mineral note at a time.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
