MAM
Phanimohan Kalagara named new CTO at Pine Labs
Mumbai: Merchant commerce platform Pine Labs on Wednesday announced the appointment of Phanimohan Kalagara as its new CTO.
Kalagara is an MS in computer science from Utah State University and has over two decades of experience working with companies in the United States and India. He has extensive experience in the field of technology having worked in e-commerce, financial technology, and the CAD/CAM industries. He also brings expertise in emerging technologies like virtual reality.
“We have made several new appointments in the past one year to bolster our technology capabilities. I am delighted to welcome Phanimohan as the new CTO,” stated Pine Labs CEO B Amrish Rau. “Phani comes with a wealth of experience in product and engineering and is the right man to lead our technology team during this exciting phase of growth for the company. I would also like to acknowledge the role of his predecessor Sanjeev Kumar who will now move into a new role within the company and head the R&D vertical.”
Prior to joining Pine Labs, Kalagara was with e-commerce company Flipkart where he was the SVP of product and engineering. He has also spent 12 years with global fintech company PayPal where he was leading product and engineering and spent nearly eight years in the United States working on several key assignments for the company.
“It is not often that we get an opportunity to play a key role in a company that gets to shift the industry landscape. I have been blessed a couple of times earlier in my career to make a meaningful difference in such companies,” said Kalagara. “With Pine Labs, I see a massive opportunity to make a substantial difference to the future of merchant commerce in Asia. Looking forward to being part of this team that is set to shift the fintech landscape in Asia.”
MAM
L’Atelier 1664 returns to Lakmé Fashion Week with Abraham & Thakore
Design platform showcases ‘The Sari’torial’ blending tailoring and drapes.
MUMBAI: When couture meets craft, even a sari can learn a few new tricks. L’Atelier 1664 is returning to Lakmé Fashion Week 2026 in Mumbai, continuing its design led partnership with one of India’s most influential fashion platforms. The cultural platform will once again spotlight the intersection of fashion, craftsmanship and contemporary lifestyle, this time through a special runway collaboration with design house Abraham & Thakore.
Titled “The Sari’torial,” the curated showcase reimagines the sari through a conversation between structured tailoring and fluid draping. Drawing inspiration from the relaxed elegance of French style and the rich heritage of Indian textiles, the collection explores everyday silhouettes refined with signature fabrics, subtle detailing and a restrained colour palette highlighted by L’Atelier 1664’s distinctive house blue.
The collaboration marks a continuation of L’Atelier 1664’s presence at Lakmé Fashion Week after its debut association last year, reinforcing the platform’s growing engagement with India’s creative and fashion ecosystem.
Beyond the runway, the brand will also host its signature lounge at the fashion week venue, creating an immersive experiential space designed to bring together design, culture and contemporary lifestyle in one setting.
Carlsberg India vice president for marketing Partha Sarathi Jha said the association reflects the brand’s interest in supporting creative expression. “Lakmé Fashion Week is one of the most important platforms for fashion and creative expression in India. Through L’Atelier 1664, we aim to celebrate this intersection of culture, design and contemporary lifestyle. We are excited to continue our association with Lakmé Fashion Week and collaborate with Abraham & Thakore to bring this vision to life on the runway,” he said.
Designers David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore added that the collection explores a cross cultural design dialogue. “With Sari’torial, we wanted to explore a conversation between French ease and Indian craftsmanship. Our collaboration with L’Atelier 1664 blends a relaxed French sensibility with the richness of Indian textiles, reinterpreting traditional crafts through a modern lens,” they said.
L’Atelier 1664 is part of the portfolio of Carlsberg Group, the Denmark headquartered beverages company whose Indian arm has operated in the country since 2007. Today, Carlsberg India runs 14 breweries across the country, including eight company owned facilities and six contract manufacturers, supporting a portfolio that includes brands such as Carlsberg Smooth, Carlsberg Elephant, Tuborg Green, Tuborg Strong, Tuborg Ice Draft, Tuborg Classic and 1664 Blanc.
Through its continued presence at Lakmé Fashion Week, L’Atelier 1664 is positioning itself not just as a sponsor but as a cultural platform connecting fashion, design and lifestyle conversations in India’s evolving creative landscape.
