Waris Ahluwalia Explained

Waris Ahluwalia
Birth Name:Waris Singh Ahluwalia
Birth Place:Amritsar, Punjab, India
Occupation:Designer, actor
Years Active:2004–present

Waris Singh Ahluwalia (born 1974) is an Indian-American designer and actor based in New York City. His company, House of Waris, has collaborated with a number of other designers and artists throughout the years.[1] House of Waris came into being after the owners of Maxfield's in Los Angeles noticed Ahluwalia's elaborate diamond rings and placed an order, which sold out.[2]

Early life

Waris Singh Ahluwalia was born in Amritsar, Punjab, India in 1974 into a Punjabi Sikh family of the Ahluwalia caste.[3] When he was only five years old, his family migrated to the United States from India and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He is based in New York City but has also lived in Los Angeles.[4]

Career

Designer

House of Waris, founded by Ahluwalia, is strongly influenced by ancient kingdoms.[5]

Ahluwalia isn't primarily a jewellery designer, but he has designed several pieces.[6] He is now based in New York City and travels frequently to Rome and Rajasthan, working with craftsmen in each city, from goldsmiths to diamond setters who once made the crests for royal families.[7] He was a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist in 2009, and in 2010 he was inducted as a member of the CFDA.[8] The same year, Ahluwalia was placed on Vanity Fair Best Dressed List, anointed British GQ's second best dressed man internationally and included in Vogue 10 Most Impactful People list.[9] [10] [11] He also pens the column "Love & Waris" on Style.com.[12]

The pavilion of the pop up space housed apparel and accessories, and jewellery by Ahluwalia.[13]

In February 2011, Ahluwalia held his first New York Fashion Week presentation at the Museum of Arts & Design, launching a line of scarves made in India: block printed, hand dyed, silk screened.[14]

Collaborations/special projects

Using House of Waris as a platform for collaborations, Waris has worked with A.P.C., Forevermark of the De Beers Group of Companies, and Tilda Swinton for Pringle of Scotland.[15] [16] [17] Ahluwalia has also collaborated with Benjami Cho, yoox.com, Lookmatic, the Webster Miami, Colette in Paris, Elliott Puckette for NewbarK, and the World Gold Council.[18] [19] [20]

In response to the Mumbai attack in November 2008, Ahluwalia, along with Mortimer Singer and Tina Bhojwani, created To India, with Love, a book aiming to raise funds, spirits, and awareness for the victims of the attacks.[21] All of the proceeds went to Taj Public Service Welfare Trust in conjunction with Mumbai: We Got Your Back! (WGYB!), an organization founded by the three editors.[22] [23]

In 2012, Ahluwalia contributed to the summer issue of The Paris Review, writing an essay on art featuring the work of Walton Ford and Ryan McGinley.[24] Ahluwalia also collaborated with the world-renowned restaurant from New Delhi, BUKHARA.[25] The restaurant opened an exclusive pop up in London at the Sheraton Park Tower in which Ahluwalia served as Creative Director.[26] The pop up ran for two weeks and donated a portion of the proceeds obtained to support the Elephant Family non-profit organization.[27]

As a part of his role as Global Ambassador for Starwood, Ahluwalia wrote and produced the short film, "HERE: a Film" by Luca Guadagnino. The film's team included Tilda Swinton (co-writer), Heidi Bivens (stylist), Jason Schwartzman (music) and Agyness Deyn (actress).[28] [29]

In 2013, House of Waris launched a line for Valentine's Day, called 'Boo', referring to it as a term of endearment. To promote the line, Ahluwalia commissioned nine artists and filmmakers to make short films titled You're my Boo including Phillip Andelman, Casey Neistat, Brett Stabler, Ben Watts, Hailey Gates, John Forté, Mick Rock, and Matthew Frost.[30] [31]

Ahluwalia collaborated with Illesteva Eyewear on a line of sunglasses that were launched in April 2013.[32] The sunglasses are made in France and are available in four colors.[33]

In 2013, Ahluwalia started House of Waris Rare, a chain of boutiques, and celebrated its opening in the Gritti Palace in Venice.[34] [35]

As one of the most photographed men in the city, he modeled for GAP in 2013.[36] [37]

In 2019, he opened a pop up tea room House of Waris Botanicals under the High Line.[38] The tea house is located in Chelsea.[39]

Actor

Ahluwalia's first film was The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) by Wes Anderson, as Vikram Ray, with a cast that included Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Anjelica Huston, and Cate Blanchett.[40] He played a short role in Wes Anderson's critically acclaimed The Grand Budapest Hotel. His film Beeba Boys, directed by Deepa Mehta and starring Randeep Hooda, was released on October 16, 2015.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2004 America Brown Natasha Lyonne's friend
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Vikram Ray
2005 The F Word Republican Fundraiser
2006 Inside Man Vikram Walia
2007 High Falls Bud Short film
The Darjeeling Limited The Chief Steward
Hotel Chevalier Security Short film
Henry the Otter Store Clerk 1
2009 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead Hugo Pepper
2010 I Am Love Shai Kubelkian
2012 Missed Connections Pradeep
2014 The Grand Budapest Hotel M. Dino
2015 Beeba Boys Manny
2018 Ocean's 8 Himself

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Unusuals Customer Episode: "Pilot"
2013 The Carrie Diaries The Sikh Episodes: "Pilot"
"The Great Unknown"
2019Russian DollWardogEpisode: "The Great Escape"
2022Russian DollWardogEpisode: "Matryoshka"
2023ExtrapolationsDr. Harbaksh MannEpisode: "2059 Part II: Nightbirds"

Turban-related incident in Mexico City

In February 2016, Ahluwalia stated he was barred from boarding an Aeroméxico flight due to his turban and that therefore he was delayed from flying home to attend New York Fashion Week. He called for education and cultural sensitivity at the Mexico City International Airport with regard to Sikhism and other religious headwear.[41] [42]

Recognition

In 2010, Ahluwalia was listed among the International Best-Dressed List's honorees by Vanity Fair.[43]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: House of Waris. 2 August 2013.
  2. http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=47&cat=8 Interview, SicChic (2007)
  3. News: Traditional Jewelry Turned on Its Head. Pfeiffer. Alice. 20 March 2011. The New York Times. 9 March 2014.
  4. Web site: Waris Ahluwalia Sikh Entrepreneur. www.sikhentrepreneur.com. en-US. 2017-11-23.
  5. Web site: Waris Ahluwalia. Hall London. 20 July 2013.
  6. News: Morris. Bob. 2013-12-11. Waris Ahluwalia: A Ubiquitous Presence, However Unlikely. en-US. The New York Times. 2020-05-26. 0362-4331.
  7. Web site: CFDA Member Waris Ahluwalia. Council of Fashion Designers of America. 23 July 2013.
  8. Web site: Waris Ahluwalia. Showstudio. 28 July 2013.
  9. Web site: Little. Jaclyn. A Year in the Best Dressed Life of Waris Ahluwalia. August 3, 2010. Vanity Fair. 6 August 2013.
  10. Web site: Best Dressed International Men. British GQ. 6 August 2013.
  11. Web site: The Impact List of 2010. Vogue. 6 August 2013.
  12. Web site: Love and Waris. Style.com. 6 August 2013.
  13. News: House of Waris Opens Pop-Up Tea Shop. Huffington post. 6 August 2013. Grace. Green. 6 October 2010.
  14. News: Whitworth. Melissa. Waris Ahluwalia: jewellery designer, style icon and Hollywood actor. Fashion Telegraph. 6 August 2013. London. 11 February 2011.
  15. Web site: HOUSE of WARIS for Forevermark. 9 August 2013.
  16. Web site: Holgate. Mark. House of Waris and Tilda Swinton Work Together on a Pringle of Scotland Project.
  17. Web site: House of Waris Collaborations. 9 August 2013.
  18. News: Parr. Christopher. Waris Ahluwalia's House of Waris. The Pursuitist.
  19. News: Whitworth. Melissa. Waris Ahluwalia: jewellery designer, style icon and Hollywood actor. Fashion Telegraph. London. 11 February 2011.
  20. News: Sowray. Bibby. Moda Operandi unveil exclusive Punk collection. Fashion Telegraph. 9 August 2013. London. 2 May 2013.
  21. Book: To India with Love. 978-2759404216. Ahluwalia. Waris. Singer. Mortimer. Bhojwani. Tina. 2009.
  22. Web site: To India with Love. Assouline. 9 August 2013.
  23. Web site: Grieve. Cayte. Society Says: Mumbai, We Got Your Back. BlackBook Mag. 9 August 2013.
  24. Web site: Wunsch. Noah. Watch: Issue 201 in Action!. The Paris Review. 9 August 2013.
  25. Web site: BUKHARA Pop Up Restaurant in London. April 2, 2012 . Cherie City. 9 August 2013.
  26. The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts and ITC Hotels Bring BUKHARA, India's Most Coveted Culinary Experience, to London for Two Weeks . . May 17, 2012.
  27. Web site: Indian high cuisine restaurant Bukhara pops up in London for just two weeks. Eastwind. 9 August 2013.
  28. Web site: Mau. Dhani. Watch: Agyness Deyn Plays a Hitchcock Heroine in Waris Ahluwalia's New Short Film. Fashionista. 9 August 2013.
  29. The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Premieres 'HERE', an Original Short Film Capturing an Unexpected Journey Across America . . January 25, 2012.
  30. Web site: Hey Boo, Love Your New House of Waris Necklace. The Standard. 9 August 2013.
  31. Web site: House of Waris channel. Youtube. 9 August 2013.
  32. News: Hartman. Eviana. Shades On House of Waris and Illesteva. T Magazine. 9 August 2013. 2 April 2013.
  33. Web site: Don't Look Us in the Eye. Zoe Report. 9 August 2013.
  34. Web site: House of Waris RARE launch party. Tatler. November 6, 2013. 2020-05-26.
  35. Web site: Waris Ahluwalia with the Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Celebrates Bespoke Craftsmanship with the Debut of "House of Waris RARE". 2013-11-05. www.businesswire.com. en. 2020-05-26.
  36. Web site: Waris Ahluwalia on Indian Identity and That Viral Gap Ad. NBC News. en. 2020-05-26.
  37. Web site: The Inspiring Way Gap Responded To Racist Graffiti. Hafiz. Yasmine. 2013-11-26. HuffPost. en. 2020-05-26.
  38. Web site: Wes Anderson's Pal Waris Ahluwalia Pops Tea Room Under NYC Highline. Nerenberg. Jenara. October 14, 2010. Fast Company. 6 August 2013.
  39. Web site: Everything You Need to Know About House of Waris Botanicals. Crowley. Chris. 2019-11-26. Grub Street. en-us. 2020-05-26.
  40. Web site: Waris Ahluwalia. IMDB. 2 August 2013.
  41. News: Sikh actor Waris Ahluwalia: Aeromexico kicked me off flight for wearing turban. Darius. Johnson. Catherine E.. Shoichet. CNN. February 8, 2016. February 8, 2016.
  42. News: Islamophobia hurts people who aren't Muslim, too. The Daily Show takes a look.. Lopez. German. April 26, 2016. Vox.
  43. Photos: A Year in the Best-Dressed Life of Waris Ahluwalia. Little. Jaclyn. Vanity Fair. August 3, 2010. en. 2020-05-26.