Brands
Sara Ali Khan to host exclusive wellness retreat on Airbnb in Goa
Mumbai: Bollywood actor and wellness enthusiast Sara Ali Khan is set to host her first-ever wellness and yoga retreat for up to four guests at a serene Airbnb in Goa. Nestled amidst the lush greenery of the sunshine state, this exclusive retreat promises a rejuvenating escape focused on holistic wellbeing, mindfulness, and relaxation.
For the retreat, Sara Ali Khan will curate and lead a bespoke yoga session, sharing her passion for fitness and wellness. Guests will experience yoga in a tranquil, nature-inspired sanctuary while gaining insights into Sara’s personal wellness rituals and practices.
“I’m really excited to welcome guests to this special wellness and yoga retreat in Goa, only on Airbnb. Surrounded by nature’s beauty, we’ll focus on nourishing the mind, body, and soul while creating meaningful memories together. It’s an opportunity to unwind, reconnect, and embrace life’s simple pleasures in an unforgettable setting,” Sara shared.
Bookings for this one-of-a-kind experience open on 27 November 2024, at 10 AM IST. The retreat, listed for Rs 0 on Airbnb, offers an unparalleled opportunity for wellness seekers and fans to connect with the star in an intimate and serene environment.
This collaboration aligns with Airbnb’s 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Goa tourism department, which promotes Goa as a destination that extends beyond its beaches, focusing on its hinterlands and homestay ecosystem. The initiative supports wellness tourism, an emerging trend among Indian and international travellers seeking cultural and tranquil getaways.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Sara as Airbnb’s latest host. With Indian travellers increasingly seeking unique, immersive experiences, combined with Bollywood’s influence as a cultural phenomenon, this retreat promises to be extraordinary,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Government of Goa, minister for tourism, Rohan Khaunte remarked, “Goa’s evolution as a wellness destination highlights the state’s incredible diversity. In partnership with Airbnb, we are committed to promoting Goa as a harbour for high-quality tourism and experiences that travellers can cherish.”
Embark on a Wellness Getaway with Sara Ali Khan by booking this retreat and experiencing an unforgettable journey of relaxation and mindfulness.
Brands
Malaika Arora launches accessories brand Maejoy
The Bollywood star’s lifestyle brand, built with Myntra and Exceed Entertainment, promises aspirational fashion without the high price tag
MUMBAI: Malaika Arora is not the first Bollywood star to put her name on a brand, and she will not be the last. But Maejoy, the accessories label she has launched in partnership with Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL) and talent outfit Exceed Entertainment, at least has a sharper pitch than most. The brand drops with 250-plus styles spanning handbags and lab-grown diamond jewellery, two categories that sit squarely in the sweet spot between aspiration and affordability, and lands on Myntra’s platform from day one, putting it in front of millions of shoppers without breaking a sweat.
The handbag range covers the full gamut: crossbody bags, structured shoulder bags, bucket bags, totes, workwear classics, backpacks and clutches, rendered in synthetic leather, raffia, braids, satin, rhinestone and metallic finishes. The jewellery line runs to rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and tennis bracelets in silver, gold and rose-gold tones, set in 925 sterling silver with IGI and GCI certified lab-grown diamonds. The brand’s guiding philosophy, “The Joy of Being Me,” stakes its claim on individuality and self-expression; its three brand pillars, Authentic, Empowering, Accessible, are the usual suspects, though the lab-grown diamond bet is savvier than it sounds. Lab-grown stones now sell at a fraction of the price of mined ones, and the category is growing fast in India as younger buyers wise up to the arbitrage.
“Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business, or through my personal style, I’ve championed the idea that fashion should be empowering yet effortless. The brand aims to democratise global fashion trends while offering women something that extends the feeling of luxury every day, be it a lab-grown diamond or a perfectly crafted handbag,” said Malaika Arora, founder of Maejoy
MJIPL, the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra, is putting its design and brand-building muscle behind the venture. Suman Saha, chief experience officer and head of house of brands at MJIPL, was bullish on the tie-up.
“Maejoy brings together Malaika Arora’s distinctive style perspective with a strong proposition in the accessible yet elevated accessories space. We believe the brand’s fashion-forward designs and thoughtful positioning will connect strongly with discerning consumers.”
Suman Saha, chief experience officer, head of house of brands, MJIPL
Afsar Zaidi, chief executive of Exceed Entertainment, the talent management firm that helped broker the deal, has worked with MJIPL before and was characteristically direct about what makes Arora an unusually bankable partner.
“Building celebrity-led brands requires a delicate balance of authenticity and market viability. Malaika is a rare talent who commands equal respect as a fashion icon and a savvy businesswoman. We are proud to facilitate this partnership that brings together her creative clout and Myntra’s brand-building excellence,” said Zaidi
Celebrity fashion brands live or die on one question: does the star actually wear it, or is the cheque the only thing they signed? Arora, who has spent three decades as one of Bollywood’s most-watched style references, has at least built a plausible case. Maejoy is live now on www.myntra.com and the Myntra app. The real test, whether shoppers buy the handbag or just the hype, starts today.
