Kunzum's Founder Ajay Jain Shares His Favourite Things

For picking the perfect mug for coffee, cushions for the library den, or suitable attire for a book launch over wine, my go-to place is Good Earth in Khan Market. If you like the look of something in the store, you can trust its quality and craftsmanship without a second thought. And no shopping trip there is complete without coffee and tiramisu at Latitude 28, the café on the top floor run by Ritu Dalmia of Diva fame.

Diva would be my pick. It took me a few years to appreciate the food there, but once I did, it became my platinum standard— and has stayed that way for over 15 years. I feel bad for any other Italian eatery I visit because I can’t help comparing it to Diva. So far, none has been able to surpass the affection I have for Diva. I might feel a tad unfaithful if any alternative ever does, though.

Fabindia rules all! Fabindia can be called the OG of ethnic wear, with a look that distinguishes the thinkers, the creators, and the altruists from others. They seemed to have lost their way when the (furious) expansion bug bit them after the IPO windfall, but the current crop of designers has taken them to where they’ve always belonged: the top.

Pro Tip: This guide will help you surf through more ethnic wear brands for men! 

Home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas, Uganda is often overlooked by wildlife lovers. A land traversed by undulating roads, its mountainous landscape is richly green on the ground and misty blue above. Its wildlife parks will strengthen your connection with nature, and you’ll never want to return to your concrete jungles.

Arunachal Pradesh would be my pick. It is not easy to get to, and that could be why it remains pristine and not overrun by tourists. Once it is, its tribes with tattoos, forests filled with birds, lakes and rivers with crystal-clear waters, and mountains with the clearest skies will be lost, as has happened with other popular destinations.

Pro Tip: Planning to visit this land of the dawn-lit mountains? This guide should help you! 

LEICA: Model SL3 with a 24-90mm f/2.8-4 lens. The photographer in me can never have enough cameras, and the latest LEICA SL3 is an absolute beauty. Its raw power and design make it the perfect camera to have in your backpack for shooting on the go.

Tommy Hilfiger would be my pick. I’m not one to dress stiffly formal, but I prefer smart attire that borders on casual. Tommy Hilfiger has introduced a new range of shirts and trousers made from materials that drape well, feel good in all weathers, and can be worn in any social or business setting.

There is nothing that beats the style and fit of custom-tailored suits and blazers, even though endless racks of ready-to-wear options are available in malls. Four generations of a family is a legacy to boast of at M. Ram in Connaught Place, especially since many have apprenticed at Savile Row in London. Proprietor: Pavan Vaish. You can contact him at 98103 52780.

Marshall: Woburn III model. I waited almost a year before picking up the new release of Marshall’s top-line model. Give me the retro look any time, with the brains and heart inside the machine to do justice to the creativity of musicians.

Hatchard’s in London. On Piccadilly in London since 1797, they are an oasis from the tech infestation that has taken the joy out of the simple things in life. A building full of books on multiple floors, with teak-panelled bookshelves—this is where you go—and don’t want to come out of.

LBB Tip: Know the store timings, collections, and more here. 

The Kunzum store in Greater Kailash II. Of all our stores, our customers love the one in GK 2 the most. Four floors of books, two theaters for events, and an art gallery—always to be savored over coffee, which is always served on the house. It's also a place to meet creative and intelligent people at the dozens of events we host every week.

Those who know me know that I go weak in the knees when I see a good bag. I’m teased that I practically own a bag shop. But at the top of the list is my TUMI leather rucksack—perfect for being slung over the shoulder when needed and also stylish enough to carry to formal business meetings.