Kalyani Chawla the haute stepper!

Mumbai society may not see as much of her as they’d like to, but her name draws instant recognition across uber-snobby drawing rooms of the swish set here, in the capital, in her hometown, Kolkata. Kalyani Chawla wears many hats — entrepreneur, business woman, face of an ultra-luxury brand — but it is ‘mother’ that this feisty single parent most resonates to. “My daughter is my strength,” she tells DNA, without mincing words.

As VP marketing and communication, Dior, her job is almost all-consuming, but her life is full. “I hardly get weekends, I travel incessantly.  And I am a full-time single parent.” So how does she manage the fine balance between career and raising a child?

“Very difficult. You can shout from the rooftops saying ‘quality time’ but I feel constantly guilty of being an inadequate mom. People tell me I’m an obsessive mom — but my daughter’s my only priority. It’s a huge responsibility, bringing up a child, she gives me the strength, makes me feel rooted, grounded, inspired, motivated. I want her to have the best.”

Kalyani is in the unique position of witnessing, up close and personal, haute society across cities — what are some unique points? “In Delhi, the quality of life is fantastic — big homes, gardens, greenery, parks. People have big houses, so entertaining is done at home,” she elaborates.

“Meanwhile, in Mumbai,” she continues, “there is a lot of entertaining outside. Very few people have the space to entertain at home.” Then suddenly, Kalyani’s eyes light up: “The work ethos in Mumbai is fantastic! What I really like about this city is that people have such value for time. There’s a great sense of professionalism!” Kolkata, of course, evokes a fondness that cannot be feigned. “I’m a very traditional Bengali girl at heart,” she stresses. “I grew up in a typical joint family, my grandparents were the biggest source of inspiration in my life — my grandfather was a journalist, and a freedom fighter, my dada was a pioneer battery manufacturer in India: some say I inherited my business sense from him!”A business sense that has stood her in good stead as she traipses through the maze of the maverick beau monde in her job and life. 

Having deciphered some characteristics of key cities for us, which is her favourite city? A surprising answer: “Benares. And Jaipur. Jaipur because Rajasthan is the inspiration for fashion all over the world.”

And Benares? The lady who has watched synchronised fashion shows  all over the world tells us a simple truth: “I told you I’m a very traditional person at heart. Sitting on a boat in Benares, watching the aarti…it’s the most synchronised, most choreographed show I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s mesmerising.

You float your hopes and dreams on the little diya, in the water which miraculously get dodged by the oars…”