"Fashion is a deeply personal ritual, it’s almost therapeutic."
The maverick shoemaker on all things curious and curated
URBANITY
Aprajita Toor
What is your personal style?
I dress the way memories linger; part Maharani, part nomad, adorned with heirlooms, curiosity, and a refusal to belong to a single era. The truth is, my style depends on which of my 1,000 personalities wakes up that morning. Some days it’s a vintage tapestry jacket paired with classic brogues; on others, it’s antique jewellery against bare skin and the simplest toe-loop flats. Fashion, for me, is a deeply personal ritual, it’s almost therapeutic.
What is the most special item in your wardrobe?
My Nani’s floral chiffon sari. I grew up watching her prepare for the day as though it were an occasion in itself, with grace, intention, and a quiet sense of joy. She paired it with long gemstone beads or delicate gold chains that seemed to catch the light wherever she went. That sari has travelled through decades, cities, and chapters of my life. Then there are my Dadi’s gold jhumkis; pure heirlooms in every sense of the word. Both pieces have travelled through generations, carrying with them stories, memories, and the women who wore them before me.
Who are your fashion heroes?
The first and perhaps most important fashion icon in my life was my Nani. Long before I understood fashion, I understood her. Beyond her, I have always admired women who dress as an extension of who they are, not who the world expects them to be. Iris Apfel, because she proved that style should never lose its sense of playfulness, curiosity, or joy. And then, if I’m allowed a slightly cheeky answer…myself. Not because I think I’ve mastered style, but because I have finally become comfortable dressing for my own delight.
What are your most favourite holiday destinations?
Jaipur, without a doubt. Beauty exists in every detail here: the faded frescoes, the carved doorways, the colours, the craftsmanship, the stories hidden in every corner.
Wall fresco at Amer Fort, Jaipur
What do you like to collect?
I’m a collector of stories disguised as objects and a hoarder of anything that smells like nostalgia. Anything and everything old, a weathered wooden block, a hand-carved ring, aged brass, forgotten textiles, vintage jewellery – I can spend hours wandering through flea markets and antique stores, completely mesmerised by the possibility that every object has a past. Who wore that necklace? Who held that brass box? What journeys did that textile make before arriving in my hands?
What is the most significant gift you have given someone?
The most significant gift I have ever given someone is trust. Gifts are deeply subjective. Their value is rarely measured by what they cost, but by what they mean.
What was the last thing you bought for yourself?
A beautiful crescent moon pendant studded with polki stones. It sits somewhere between nostalgia and whimsy, which is probably where most of my favourite possessions live.
Do you remember a time when you were happiest?
A happy day is simply one where I wake up grateful for tomorrow. It’ s laughing with my family over nothing in particular, seeing a customer light up in something we’ve created, sharing a joke with my team, stumbling upon a beautiful piece of jewellery I absolutely didn’t need but somehow couldn’t leave behind, or discovering a hidden café in a city I’ve never visited before. The more attention I pay, the more I realise that joy rarely arrives with fanfare.
Iris Apfel is a fashion hero
What is your greatest achievement?
One of my greatest achievements is having the support of people who believe in my dreams as fiercely as I do. There is something incredibly special about building a life surrounded by people who celebrate your wins, carry you through your difficult days, and quietly help you become the person you aspire to be.
What does sustainability mean to you?
Creating things that outlive trends. Pieces that are loved, repaired, passed down, and woven into someone’s story. To me, sustainability is not about making more; it’s about making things worthy of a longer life.
Are you a minimalist or maximalist?
Both, I don’t believe style needs to pick a side. Some days I crave the quiet confidence of a perfectly cut white shirt and a pair of classic flats; other days I want antique jewellery, layered textures, and enough detail to tell a story.
Toor says she has the soul of a truckdriver
What is on your Spotify list?
I often joke that I have the soul of a truck driver with a hand-painted jukebox living inside me; which is probably why I created Maharani of Mixtapes. Music, for me, is therapy, memory, and time travel all at once. My playlists can move from old Hindi classics and soulful ghazals to indie folk, Sufi music, 1990s Bollywood, jazz, Punjabi beats, and the occasional song that leaves everyone around me wondering how it got there.
What are you reading at the moment?
I tend to raise a few eyebrows when I tell people I’m usually reading three or more books at the same time. At the moment, my bedside table is occupied by ‘Can’t Hurt Me’ by David Goggins, ‘Behave’ by Robert Sapolsky, and ‘The Metamorphosis’ by Franz Kafka.
What do you dream of at night?
Missed exams. It’s funny how some anxieties never quite leave us.
What does your home look like?
Collected rather than decorated. My home is a mix of old and new, much like my wardrobe. Vintage furniture sits comfortably beside contemporary pieces, heirlooms coexist with unexpected finds, and every corner holds something that has been gathered rather than bought to match. There are always fresh flowers, stacks of books, objects collected from travels, and little treasures that probably make sense only to me.
What are the phrases you use most?
“It’s all in the details.” The other phrase I return to often is “This too shall pass”. One keeps me grounded in my work. The other keeps me grounded in life.
What are your favourite foods?
Oh, food is love. Food is comfort and memory. Food never asks questions; it simply shows up for you. I can be just as happy eating a simple home-cooked meal as I am discovering a hidden café in a new city or ordering something I can’t even pronounce properly.
Where do your best ideas come from?
Travel inspires me. But the truth is, inspiration rarely arrives at my desk. It finds me while I’m busy living life. The best ideas don’t come from looking for them. They come from paying attention.
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