My month in India

I’m back!

... from India where this vast and incredible country never ceases to engage and delight me.

 

This trip I concentrated on putting the finishing touches to our wonderful program of places and events for our ‘Magic of India‘ tour, scheduled from March 10th to 24th 2026. With the help and support of the team at TCI we have added some charming and little extra touches to delight our guests and give our tour a unique and personal feeling. I am very aware that this trip is the ‘trip of a lifetime’ for many of our guests and this visit will have a lasting impact full of delightful memories.

 

I whizzed around Delhi in the first week and popped in to see my wonderful friend Katherine Neumann, the owner and creator of House of Wandering Silk (we will visit her studio in March on one of the days in Delhi). 

                    The oldest perfume shop in Chandni Chowk                                                         Katherine and me in her studio 

Did a lot of investigation and discovery of new and desirable things for the shop – with Christmas in mind. The shop will be a treasure trove of exclusive and hand crafted gifts for everyone, even those tricky relatives who ‘have everything’! And…of course, did a little bit of personal shopping too!

Ekaa hotel

Next…. Agra. Staying at the charming and very stylish Ekaa boutique hotel. The food is so delicious with a very sophisticated and modern menu, perfect for me as I have to confess, I really can’t take too much hot spicy food. 

 

Other added attractions – Waldo the dog! I could happily smuggle him out of the country! He was a very adorable addition to my stay.

 

 

 

Although I have visited the Taj Mahal on several occasions (in fact my husband proposed at the Taj several years ago) I thought I would make an afternoon visit as usually we view it early in the morning to see the sun rise. 

It was throbbing with a mass of Indian tourists, dressed up for the occasion of a family outing and excited and delighted at the wonder of their beautiful heritage monument. Even with all the noise and jostling that magnificent building remained graceful and dignified, standing out as a true wonder to behold. 


And on to Jaipur. Staying at the Alsisar Haveli, a small, intimate Haveli in the heart of the city where they also have Stella, a small dog of great style and sense of ownership. The hotel is ‘hers’. 

 


Jaipur is where I have many of my clothes made and this trip I was on a mission to get Autumn sewn up (literally) and made in time for delivery to the shop in October.

Success! I am making fabulous velvet dressing gowns, a variety of excellent quilted jackets, tote bags, pyjama sets and more plus having samples made for a Jaadu own label linen collection for next Spring.

So thrilled with everything! I had such an enjoyable and productive time. I do realise how lucky I am to visit India twice a year and work with so many talented and skilled artisans. Long may it last.








A mountain of vintage kantha!

 

Now, back to Bexhill and getting the shop up and running for a busy and fruitful period leading up to Christmas. Hurrah!

Delhi - ‘Magic of India’  team: Anurag, Janine, Aakriti and Anant.

 

PS. Everyone!  There are still a few places left on the ‘Magic of India‘ tour. If you only ever intend to visit India once, this is THE trip. Do take a look at the website, email me for more information: jdp@duplessis.co.uk or call me 07973 777878.

Namaste.

 

Back to blog