Leaders

Some of history’s finest narratives are etched in stone and threaded through the tapestry of craftsmanship. In the hands of a new generation of innovators, these stories are finding an exalted second life. One such innovator, Anou Lunia Singhvi embodies this fusion, masterfully blending the soul of heritage luxury art with the precision of design-led thinking.

For her, innovation is a medium, a distinct language that allows for tradition to engage in a fluent dialogue with metamorphosis. This collaboration transcends simple preservation; it revitalizes the past, combining cultural memory with new-fashioned imagination to drive meaningful, lasting influence.

Anou Lunia Singhvi is the living embodiment of this ethos. For her, the convergence of art and business is not a learned skill, but woven in her DNA: a powerful lineage where luxury art, jewelry, and design have flourished for over 300 years.

Drawing inspiration from her father the late P.C.Lunia, revered as the “Fabergé of the East” for his visionary, precious gem-encrusted tapestry, sculpture, and chandelier masterpieces, Anou serves as the custodian of an uncompromising legacy, upholding a benchmark of artistry that has endured for generations.

She has refined this artistic background with academic rigor, studying Applied Arts at the University of Rajasthan and Interior Design at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York. This global education cemented her foundation in design thinking, a discipline she now applies across creative and corporate spectrums.

Today, as an artist, entrepreneur, and Independent Director at Praxis Home Retail (NSE: PRAXIS), Anou bridges the gap between heritage and innovation. She is dedicated to empowering artisans and reimagining how India experiences the art of living, proving that the principles of high design are as vital in the boardroom as they are in the studio.

Having worked across diverse domains, what key areas of expertise have you developed over the years?

My career has been defined by the interplay between legacy and leadership.

It began with the privilege of managing our family’s heritage brand, where I developed a niche expertise in jewelled textiles. This is not just a business interest but an artistic and curatorial one; my recent fieldwork at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna uncovered hitherto ob­scure but strong ties between Austrian trade and Indian luxury textiles, and I'm looking forward to sharing these insights at the South Asian Curators Collective Biennial 2026.

I have been driven by the pursuit of holistic growth throughout my life and to this end I have cultivated a strong foundation in corporate stewardship to comple­ment my creative focus. My work as an Independent Di­rector on audit, remuneration, and CSR committees has helped bridge the gap between imagination and regula­tion, enabling me to lead with a clear understanding of both the art of creation and the business of execution.

Introduce us to Praxis Home Retail. What are your primary roles and responsibilities as an Independent Director?

Praxis Home Retail, and its flagship brand HomeTown, are a major force driving India’s dynamic home and life­style sector. As a market leader, the company provides a comprehensive portfolio of furniture and décor. They offer everything from furniture and home decor to mod­ular kitchens and smart living solutions, helping people create homes that truly reflect their style.

This vision resonates deeply with me, and it aligns with my philos­ophy of innovative thinking as well as heritage luxury, creating spaces that are inspired, personal, and experi­ential.

In my role on the audit, nomination, and remuner­ation committees, and as head of the CSR committee, I have collaborated closely with the Chairman, CEO, and other board members.

Working alongside such highly regarded and experienced professionals has broadened my perspective, allowing me to contribute to strategies that balance profitability with purpose. Our collective goal is to ensure that Praxis’s growth is not just finan­cial, but also meaningful and impactful for the commu­nity.

Every leadership role brings its own set of challenges. What are some challenges you encounter in your current role? How do you navigate through them successfully?

Every leadership role comes with its set of challenges, and my position as Independent Director is no different. Transitioning from the creative world of design and her­itage luxury to the corporate board has brought unique hurdles, like the need for bridging the gap between my design expertise and the data-driven world of corporate governance. Boards speak the language of finance, le­gal compliance, and operational efficiency, while my in­sights often focus on aesthetics, consumer sentiment, and design trends.

I was able to navigate this by applying principles of design thinking to align innovation with business prin­ciples. In this regard, the education I received from IICA was transformative, for it equipped me with practical knowledge in corporate governance, financial acumen, risk management, as well as compliance. This founda­tion has allowed me to translate my vision into action­able strategies, whether it’s evaluating new furniture lines, optimizing storage solutions, or finding creative, cost-effective approaches to balance business goals with aesthetics.

Looking back at your multidimensional journey, which key milestones or achievements stand out for you?

My 25-year journey has been defined by the dynamic dialogue between heritage and innovation. My career was launched by assuming the immense privilege of the family legacy. As a ninth-generation jeweller of a three-century-old luxury brand, I was steadfast in en­suring its evolution while faithfully honoring the con­tinuity of our artisanal legacy.

At the same time, I ded­icated myself to the revitalization of jewelled textiles, reimagining this rare art form to ensure its contempo­rary relevance. I also recognized the need for art to be sustainable, which has led to co-founding the Srishti Art and Craft Society, an NGO focused on establishing financial sustainability as integral to creative satisfac­tion for artists and craftspeople.

The depth and breadth of experience I built over decades of managing an elaborate legacy, championing the revival of rare crafts, and supporting social enterprise, created the foundation for leaping into corporate governance. Being an Independent Director at Praxis Home Retail means I can apply unique, design-led strategies across a huge commercial horizon.

How do you foresee India’s retail and lifestyle sector evolving? Which major shifts in consumer behavior or market trends will shape the industry’s future?

India’s retail and lifestyle sector is undergoing a rapid evolution, with the female consumer at its epicentre. Today's women are more than just buyers; they are powerful decision-makers, influencers, and value-set­ters who actively curate family lifestyles and shape the broader market. Their preferences now drive prod­uct design, brand strategy, and buying trends, a clear departure from the male-centric retail models of the past.

I believe that the future of Indian retail is robust and the industry is projected to soar to $1.5 trillion by 2030. This growth is fuelled by consumers who demand authenticity and purpose. For example, two-thirds of urban Indian consumers prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing.

The aspirational middle class is in­creasingly prepared to pay a premium for high-quality, unique, and meaningful products, driving retail luxury expansion from metro cities in India into non-metro cities by G.O.A.T.'s like Dior and Louis Vuitton.

Growth is equally explosive in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cit­ies, powered by digitally savvy Gen Z and beyond con­sumers, who value both online discovery and physi­cal, sensory experiences. This demand has sparked a surge in omnichannel strategies, where e-commerce convenience seamlessly blends with in-store pres­ence, a model even global giants like Amazon are adopting.

In this dynamic environment, native Indian brands are perfectly positioned to thrive; while mul­tinationals offer scale, local brands provide cultural resonance that will define the next era of Indian retail. All in all, the golden period of retail is yet to arrive!

Anou Lunia Singhvi, Independent Director, Praxis Home Retail

Anou Singhvi is a visionary leader whose career seamlessly bridges heritage luxury, creative design, and corporate governance. A ninth-generation jeweller, she carries forward her family’s 300-year-old legacy, managing the renowned luxury brand P.C. Lunia, celebrated for bejewelled textiles, gemstone-studded chandeliers, and fine silver sculptures. Trained in Applied Arts at the University of Rajasthan and Interior Design at Parsons School of Design, New York, Anou blends formal design thinking with a deep appreciation for classical artistry.

Success Mantra: Evolution is the highest form of preservation. Honor the values and meticulous craftsmanship of the past, but always retain the courage to innovate and stay irresistibly relevant to the consumer of today.