Labels are a construct, and Waris is not about that. He is, though, a true multi-hyphenate, having tried many things, seemingly succeeding at all, effortlessly. His entrance into the world of cinema was too casual, infuriating to those desperately attempting to break into the business. Adored by the fashion industry, he’s technically never trained to be a jewellery designer or retailer. A bespoke cultural tastemaker, he’s also modelled, wrote for The Paris Review, travelled with Tilda Swinton, and collaborated with conservationist organisations to protect elephant populations in Asia.

Most recently turning his enthusiasm for celebration and ritual into a Chelsea based tea salon, sourcing the highest quality botanicals and herbs like Shatavari root from India and rose petals from Egypt. In the existential debate between hard work and fortune, Henri Cartier-Bresson would claim, “Of course it’s all luck!” Not having a focus, saying yes to things, endless curiosity and appetite for life are what perhaps guides Waris to many marvellous adventures. Born in Amritsar, Punjab, India in 1974 to a Sikh family, Ahluwalia is instantly recognisable with his trademark black turban that he wears as part of his faith.

He doesn’t believe in guilty pleasures and views success simply as a tool that allows you to continue your work. His early influences – Marcus Aurelius, Rabindranath Tagore, Leonard Cohen, George Harrison, and Rumi – are a mix of history, romance and wisdom. Integrity over profit, love over fear, community over individualism are the mandates that Waris is passionately committed to in response to our collective unawareness of the human planetary crisis.