Brands
Harshita Gupta launches her clothing line – Chikankari Hues
Mumbai: Social media star and content creator Harshita Gupta, is on a mission to make every stride a style statement with the launch of her label Chikankari Hues in collaboration with her husband, Shrey Chhabra. Launched on 13 May, Chikankari Hues confirms a modern makeover to the traditional Mughal-era embroidery style from Lucknow, unveiling unique styles. The label has launched in forty-plus styles and is available in a wide variety of colours promising to entice women of all age groups.
Speaking about her newly launched venture, Chikankari Hues founder Harshita Gupta said, “There are two solid reasons why I founded the label: One is purely for my undying love for Chikankari since my roots belong to Lucknow. Fun fact – my husband and I wore an ensemble with Chikankari on the day of our wedding and so the craft certainly holds a special spot in our hearts. Secondly, to create a one-stop destination where true connoisseurs of Chikankari can make a purchase, as the label is experimenting with the craft like never before, keeping master craftsmen busy at work and ensuring the continuation of this rich legacy (supposedly dating back to Nur Jahan) in-lieu of justifiable wages for the beautiful work that they create.”
Born in Lucknow, Harshita began her career as an RJ at an established radio station. After the advent of digital media, she found solace in content creation, which eventually became a full-time career. Today, Harshita has garnered millions of followers across social media platforms. In 2023, she was featured in the Forbes list of the top 100 digital stars of India.
Chikankari has become an integral part of India’s heritage that was introduced by the Persian and Turkish rulers. However, the Nawabs of Awadh became the patrons of the craft, and today the embroidery has achieved a geographical indication (GI) tag, making it a globally renowned textile craft. All the products from ‘Chikankari Hues’ are now available on the website (https://chikankarihues.com/collections/all), along with an Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/chikankarihues/) and will be in the price range of Rs 25,00 to 10,000.
Brands
Samsung India mobile chief quits after 18 years
Raju Antony Pullan’s exit leaves a gaping hole at the top as Chinese rivals tighten their grip
GURGAON: Raju Antony Pullan has had enough. The senior vice-president and head of Samsung India’s mobile phone business has put in his papers after 18 years at the Korean giant, a tenure long enough to have watched the company stride to the top of India’s smartphone market and then stumble, badly, as Chinese upstarts muscled in.
Pullan, who ran sales, marketing and every last function of the smartphone business, tendered his resignation on Thursday and is currently serving out his notice period. Samsung has not named a successor. It has a second line of leadership waiting in the wings, Aditya Babbar and Hiren Rathod among them, but no decision has been made on who steps up.
The timing is awkward. Samsung has been haemorrhaging market share to Chinese brands and now clings to a top-two position only in the premium segment, where it scraps it out with Apple. Losing the man who stewarded the mobile business through its best and worst years hardly helps steady the ship.
A company that once owned India’s smartphone market is now fighting to stay relevant in it. Pullan’s departure is less a footnote than a flashing red light.
