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Gaurav Bhatia is part of the first generation of luxury marketers in India and now runs his own luxe and lifestyle advisory cell. He comes from strong luxury pedigree having helmed LVMH and Sotheby’s in India for two decades. He runs Maison, a luxury and lifestyle marketing advisory cell. From business development, brand strategy to events and recruitment of HNWIs, he offers a gamut of highly specialized services.
Wiki/Biography
Gaurav is born and raised in Mumbai and went to the esteemed Cathedral & John Connon School. He then went to study Economics and Film-making at Middlebury College in the U.S.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5 feet 10 inches
Weight: 78 kgs
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Family
Gaurav lives with his wife Pratima their two sons and their Shih Tzu Dolce.
Career
Gaurav began his career as an ad man at Young & Rubicam Advertising spending a decade in New York on brands such as Kraft, Sony, Heinz, Taj Hotels, Singapore Tourism, AT&T among others. He then moved to LVMH working with MoëtHennessy India for a decade leading their champagne and spirits category, making Moët&Chandon and Hennessy market leaders. He also launched Chandon, a sparkling wine targeting young Indian millennial.
He went on to head South Asia for Sotheby’s, one of the world’s most prestigious auction houses and was the driving force behind their inaugural India auction. Responsible for setting up, developing a growth strategy and sustaining the vitality of the business, he provided advice and served in a business development capacity to the company’s highest echelon of collectors.
Named on the Power List of the Luxury industry, he serves on numerous industry and not-for-profit boards including the Confederation of Indian Industry for Art and Culture. As part of the first generation of luxury marketers in India, Gaurav is as an opinion leader and has contributed across media including The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, CNN, Mint, Economic Times, Times of India, The Hindu, Forbes, Vogue and Architectural Digest among others. He lectures on how to build luxury brands and the ‘art of collecting’.
Gaurav has been on India’s list of Cultural Evangelists and is “his city’s best ambassador.” (CNN). He has hosted artists, designers, literati and international VIPs in his home which has been featured in Architectural Digest. Gaurav collects contemporary art, furniture and jewellery. He is the “go-to guy” for his little black book of luxe hideouts across India. His Instagram handles @champagneboy75 was Architectural Digest’s pick of “a tastemaker with an exquisitely edited point-of-view on art, architecture, décor, design, luxury, travel and style.”
Gaurav Bhatia in an Event.
Gaurav Bhatia recently launched ‘MAISON’, a luxury, bridge-to-luxury and lifestyle advisory cell that intends to share the magic of domestic and international luxury brands with India. Offer a number of services to the clients, MAISON believes in a long-term vision that builds on the legacy of brands, encouraging creativity and business excellence. Some of the services offered by MAISON include marketing solutions, business development ideas, branding and rebranding solutions, communication and content creation, PR, digital strategy, etc.
Art Collection:
He began collecting art when he was sixteen years old and sacrificed a trip to the Bahamas for his first painting. Gaurav collects cross-category from South Asian contemporary art to classical art and antiquities, colonial and mid-century modern furniture and textiles. He has a passion for decorative arts.
Quotes:
- “True luxury is culture. It enriches your life.”
- “Zara or Sari? And you can have both. Just weigh in what ratio you want fast fashion to slow luxury. And know how far your rupee can go in saving a tradition, in recognizing and uplifting our indigenous textiles. It’s really in your hands.”
- “Luxury is a serious business. In times of slowdown, people may spend less, but true luxury brands always stand the test of time and cycles.”
- “Multiculturalism, sustainability and individualism have never been more au courant than it is today, in a world burgeoning in political, social and economic upheaval. With blurring lines around traditional gender, diversity, and identity politics, the definition of the good life is changing as we know it. Responsible luxury is trending as the new code and careless consumerism may soon be passé. The world is not the same anymore. Thankfully neither is luxury.”
- “Art is the ultimate luxury.”
- “Virtual collecting was my best orientation.”
Facts/Trivia
- Gaurav has a keen sense of style what he hopes is “intelligent with a bit of fun.” He has been featured on several Best Dressed Lists including GQ India, Hello, Mens XP among others. He is best known for his collection of shawls and his crisp suits from Italy. He has a fondness for Hermès ties and Charvet shirts.
- Gaurav lived and worked in New York City for a decade, a city he fondly calls his first home. He is a world traveller and on his bucket list are Beirut, Marrakesh and Samarkand. His heart, however, pines for India and he is a complete Indophile. Kashmir is a destination closest to his heart.
- Gaurav enjoys collecting art, jewellery and enjoys travelling, global gastronomy and collecting wine. His Instagram handle@champagneboy75reflects his eclectic taste and his passion for slow luxury.