Chivas Alchemy’s Chrysalis-themed edition reimagined art, fashion, and design

Held in Hyderabad, the fifth edition of Chivas Alchemy shone the spotlight on creativity as an ever-evolving concept 

What’s the most fascinating part of masterworks in fashion or art? Their journey from inspiration to inception—seeing a sketch come to life in the form of an exquisite silhouette or a fluid imagination transpiring into a work of art. Taking cues from this very metamorphosis that creativity is all about, Chivas Alchemy unveiled its fifth edition, with the Chrysalis theme at its heart.

Choosing Hyderabad as the destination for Chivas Alchemy doesn’t really come as a surprise, considering the momentum the City of Nizams has gained in the past two years when it comes to fashion, making it a hotspot for emerging and established designers alike. Chivas’ endeavour in the city only further cements Hyderabad's viability in the luxury landscape. 

With four Alchemists spanning art, design, and fashion, namely Anaita Shroff Adajania, Naga Chaitanya, Jayanti Reddy, and Aparajita Jain, Chivas Luxe Collective Alchemy—co-curated by Sunil Sethi, founder, Sunil Sethi Design Alliance, and designer Aashish Soni—celebrated the essence of craftsmanship and luxury through art installations, design-forward collaborations, and runway shows featuring ace designers. The event witnessed a footfall of about 850 attendees, including key opinion leaders from cinema and sport such as Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Zaheer Khan, Sagarika Ghatge, Abhay Deol, and Kunal Kapoor. 

“Chivas Luxe Collective Alchemy celebrates refined craftsmanship and luxury, echoing the ageless quality of our brand. This year, Chrysalis perfectly encapsulated our journey, inviting connoisseurs to experience luxury not merely as an end product, but as a profound narrative woven through imagination and emotion,” shares Kartik Mohindra, chief marketing officer, Pernod Ricard India.

Fashion-forward

From classic to contemporary, the fashion on display was as diverse as it was captivating. Hyderabad-based designer Jayanti Reddy took on the role of the ‘Alchemist of Craft’ showcasing textile pieces at Chivas Alchemy that seamlessly blend tradition and modern innovation. Her standout installation highlighted Bidri, a heritage craft form native to Karnataka. “As a designer, my pieces mirror the theme of Chrysalis; over the years, we’ve worked with raw ideas and developed them into something very exquisite,” says Reddy, about how deeply she resonates with the theme of this edition.

In Reddy’s world, tradition and luxury can be woven together beautifully. She reflects on her choice of Bidri, stating, “The reason behind this choice is the commonalities I, as a designer, share with this craft form. Bidri is all about intricate work on inlay, and even with our designs, I focus a lot on intricate embroidery and finer details.” Reddy was also behind  the design and construction of the bar at the event. 

“Enjoying fashion is a luxury,” says fashion curator and costume stylist and the ‘Alchemist of Glam,’ Anaita Shroff Adajania, who put together a fashion show that encapsulated the various stages of the Chrysalis journey—from conceptualisation to revelation. “Being able to choose what you wear, how you accessorise it, and what part of your personality you choose to bring out is the ultimate luxury,” she adds. Her immersive runway show underscored the colour golden, reflective of luxury. Actors Mouni Roy and Naga Chaitanya opened and closed the show respectively, while social media personalities Aashim Gulati, Sahil Salathia, Shibani Akhtar, and Saba Azad walked the runway. 

Art and Architecture Galore

Art was at the forefront at Chivas Alchemy with artist and gallerist Aparajita Jain helming as the ‘Alchemist of Art’. Merging effortlessly with the Taramati Baradari monument, where the event was held, Jain’s curation included pieces and installations that promised an abstract take on the theme of Chrysalis. In addition to Jain’s set-up, architect Martand Khosla and artist Ayesha Singh showcased their respective takes on the theme. While Khosla’s installations presented a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, Singh’s sculptures invited viewers into an alternate dimension, where diverse architectural styles coalesced, offering fresh perspectives on history and space. 

Beyond Linear Entertainment 

Trailblazers from the world of glamour intersected on the runway where fashion met music and art. As part of the band dubbed ‘The Bartender,’ Azad and Akhtar joined singer Anusha Mani during the fashion show and performed the closing act for the night. Chaitanya, the ‘Alchemist of Emotion,’ revealed the all-new Chivas Luxe Collective Perfumes towards the end of the night. Crafted in association with homegrown perfumery label Fragnote, the collection comprises four fragrances—Amber Noire, Night Voyage, Urban Oud, and Moon Flower. “An alchemist is someone who can turn something ordinary into something extraordinary,” says Chaitanya, when asked about the relationship between emotions, art, and luxury.  

Chivas Alchemy’s Chrysalis-themed fifth edition celebrated creativity’s transformative power. By reimagining heritage crafts and blending tradition with modernity, it redefined luxury while highlighting Hyderabad’s growing significance in the global luxury conversation. 

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