Brands
Mishra’s Silk Route hits high gear, Janhvi Kapoor revs up the runway
MUMBAI: Lakmé Fashion Week’s grand finale saw AFEW Rahul Mishra unveil his Fall Winter 2025 Silk Route collection, a sartorial odyssey that blended ancient trade routes with modern swagger. And what a ride it was. Janhvi Kapoor, channeling her inner Bond girl, rolled onto the runway in a gleaming Vitara, swathed in a figure-hugging, thigh-high slit willpower gown that could stop traffic – both vehicular and pedestrian.
Mishra’s collection, a sumptuous tapestry of cultural cross-pollination, drew inspiration from the historic Silk Road, a conduit for goods, ideas, and, crucially, style. Think Indian bandhani flirting with Japanese shibori, and Henri Rousseau’s lush jungles mingling with miniature Indian paintings. It was a visual feast, a global mash-up for the discerning fashionista, whether they’re sipping chai in Mumbai or champagne in Paris.
The runway itself, a clever nod to Nexa’s e-Vitara, featured blind-spot mirror installations, a wink to the future of automotive design and, perhaps, fashion itself. Mishra, ever the alchemist, transformed traditional Indian textiles into contemporary silhouettes, a fusion of old-world craft and new-wave innovation that felt both timeless and tantalisingly modern.
Maruti Suzuki senior executive officer of marketing and sales Partho Banerjee chimed in, extolling the “seamless alignment” of the e-Vitara with Mishra’s vision. “We’re not just selling cars, we’re selling experiences,” he declared, hinting at a future where automotive elegance and haute couture are bedfellows.
Mishra’s collection, with its focus on nowness and sustainable chic, delivered versatile separates that were as practical as they were breathtaking. It was a masterclass in modern couture, a reminder that fashion, like the Silk Road itself, is a journey, not a destination.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
