New Delhi / Mumbai
With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of our dearest Meher Castelino. She breathed her last on 16 December 2025.
Meher was family to The Luxury Chronicle —as a mentor, a trusted friend, a guiding force, and our much-admired fashion columnist. But beyond all her titles, she was a beautiful human being: kind, generous, unassuming, humble, and immensely brave. She faced life’s many challenges, including prolonged health struggles, with quiet strength and grace, staying engaged, curious, and professionally active until her very last days.
Her absence leaves a deep void.
Meher’s long and illustrious career began when she was crowned the first Femina Miss India in 1964, representing the country at both the Miss Universe and Miss United Nations pageants. She went on to live many lives within one—model, designer, educator, juror, and above all, storyteller. She walked over 2,000 fashion shows, shaped design departments, guided institutions, and nurtured young talent with an instinct that could spot brilliance instantly.
A pioneer of fashion journalism in India, Meher wrote for nearly 160 national and international publications over a distinguished career spanning five decades. She was the official fashion writer for Lakmé Fashion Week from 2006, remaining devoted to the craft right up to the October 2025 edition. She was the founding voice of the India Fashion Forum, contributing insight, integrity, and foresight to the industry she loved so deeply.
Meher is survived by her daughter Christina, her son Karl, and her daughter-in-law Nisha.
She will live on in our memories—in her words, her wisdom, her generosity of spirit, and the quiet courage with which she lived her life. She will be deeply missed, and always lovingly remembered.
