My Life My Style: Shahab Durazi

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Best work moment
The moment your idea moves from the mind to the muse.

Workout regime
Forty minutes cardio and 40 minutes weight-training, four times a week.

Designs that caught your eye recently
Every unveiling of the Armani Prive Couture Line. Simply remarkable. Clever, sophisticated and absolutely distinctive!!

Favourite spirit
Teetotaller

Your sleeping ritual
I tuck my daughters into bed every day at 10 pm, and hit the sack soon after. I am up at 5.30 am for my prayers after which I get my kids ready and see them off to school.

Favourite TV show
Everybody Loves Raymond, Master Chef Australia, and any travel/wildlife documentary on Animal Planet and National Geographic.

Best gift received
A well-rounded education gifted to me by my wonderful parents.

Best gift given
Undivided time to my two beautiful daughters, Amaesha and Aashyan.

Favourite Cuisine
Persian/ west Asian. Mom hailed from Bushehr, Iran, and we grew up on a rich diet of Persian pilafs and exotic meat dishes.

Newspaper, TV channels and websites you prefer
I enjoy Animal Planet, National Geographic. I also spend considerable time on the websites of Architectural Digest and Vogue.

Where do you like to sit when being driven?
In front, in the passenger's seat always!

Fancy coffee or masala tea?
Honestly both. I enjoy beverages and so enjoy all kinds of coffee and tea. My favourite is our interpretation of Persian tea - light, no milk, no sugar, with a dash of lime - served in an istikaan or a small mug-like cup used extensively by Persians . I also enjoy kahva and Arabic coffee -black, strong without milk or sugar - again served in a kahvadaan or small mug without a handle or saucer.

What do you cook on your day off?
One of three regrets I have in life is not being able to cook, swim or play the piano. However, on Sunday I can rustle up some great egg preparations.

Do you fill up customer feedback forms? If so, why?
Yes I do. I would like others' feedback, so I should give mine too. Besides, nothing can help more than constructive feedback.

A beach or a mountain person?
Mountains any day! And if there is a lake in the mountains, I could be lost forever.

Your favourite city
New York

What's your fragrance?
Issey Miyake-Bleu

Shoemakers that you trust your sole with?
Cole Haan, Aldo, Johnston & Murphy

Your favourite evening wear
A classic Giorgio Armani wool suit, Canali cotton shirt and Cole Haan footwear.

What's your weekday and weekend breakfast like?
On weekdays I have a cup of tea, a bowl of mixed fruit and toast with honey. On weekends it's my special egg preparations with chicken sausages and fruit juice or pancakes, waffles and porridge.

Your current set of wheels
The Skoda Laura, but anxiously awaiting the soon-to-be-launched Octavia. The only thing I love more than good clothing is great cars.

God for you is
The greatest leveller.

Favourite cafe
The Sea Lounge at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Although it's not a cafe in the real sense of the word, it's my favourite place for beverages.

Favourite restaurant
The Golden Dragon, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai.

A few of your goddesses are
Julianne Moore, Coco Chanel, Maharani Gayatri Devi, Kate Hudson, Katherine Hepburn and Mother Teresa - all for various reasons.

Your favourite motto
Be kind, the rest will follow.

Shahab Durazi

Couture designer