Aparna Kaushik | Finely Crafted Journeys

Zoya honours the profound journey of a woman reconnecting with her feminine self through bespoke creations that celebrate her true essence. In our Finely Crafted Journeys column, we share insights from the lives of iconic women who have left an indelible mark on the world.

In this edition, our muse is Aparna Kaushik, the founding principal and design director of her eponymous architecture and interiors firm with a reputation for timeless designs and masterful attention to detail. Her exceptional portfolio includes residences, commercial and retail outlets, restaurants, spas and pubs.

Tell us about your journey.

As a teenager, my parents wanted me to study medicine. I loved period dramas like BBC classics, Anna Karenina, and would sneak into the TV room to watch these secretly even during exams, drawn to the beauty of the era, and the lovely estates. As a bright science student, the only logical solution to pursuing my passion was architecture, a subject where art meets science, and it has been fantastic.

What do you enjoy the most about your craft?

The day-to-day learning. There's never a dull day in my profession! Every single family that we meet is entirely different, so, there is always a new creative challenge every day.

How has your journey renewed your connection with your true self?

My journey has shaped me into being who I am today - what I think, I say: what I want, I do. What excites me most is the designing process, which allows me great personal expression, and shapes me as a human being. I interact with multiple people during the day, and there's so much to learn when meeting different people with different mindsets and cultures.

Zoya and you:

I'm wearing Pezzo D'Arte, the collection from Zoya which is inspired by ancient Roman architecture, which I like. The craftsmanship is beautiful and you can see the technical expertise that has gone into making this. It's a beautiful design inspired by that era of architecture and I love this connection..