Rahul Khanna is far more than a thoughtful dresser. Impeccably mannered, he acknowledges our handwritten interview notes and apologises for Mumbai traffic. He then speaks softly, so much that we edge the recorder closer to cut through the music at Galeries Lafayette, Mumbai. He’s here for a masterclass on styling and gifting for a select audience at the luxury store.

Culturally fluent, Khanna bypasses small talk in favour of observations: a reference to author Fran Lebowitz and her allegiance to traditional menswear; a quick, generous appreciation of our pinstriped blazer-and-shirt pairing. This discernment makes him a reliable guide to style and gifting — especially in a space dense with brands. Khanna shares notes from his style diary.