Sussanne Khan says modern luxury is built on warmth and intention

MUMBAI: Luxury is getting a quiet makeover, and it has little to do with price tags. At Network18’s Innovate & Evolve Privé, powered by Liebherr, designer and entrepreneur Sussanne Khan said the new definition of luxury rests on warmth, intention and emotional intelligence.

Khan explained that design has shaped her life from the beginning and that true luxury lies in beauty with purpose. She shared that her work at The Charcoal Project is less about furniture and more about crafting stories within spaces. According to her, today’s idea of luxury sits at the crossroads of technology and emotion. Homes must feel soulful yet smart, blending natural materials, rare textures and thoughtful automation without losing their human touch.

She stressed that sustainability can no longer be treated as a trend. It must sit at the centre of every design choice. She highlighted practices like transforming industrial waste, empowering local artisans and experimenting with new eco-friendly materials. Curiosity, she said, is a designer’s greatest strength, because evolution stops the moment certainty begins.

Jewellery designer Farah Ali Khan added her own spark to the discussion with a story that drew both laughs and admiration. She revealed that she first tried interior design because of her mother, then dabbled in television and film, still unsure of her path. A trip to Los Angeles for what she hoped would be a carefree adventure turned into an academic triumph when she unexpectedly fell in love with gemology. She joked that she arrived hoping to party and instead became the Indian nerd who topped her class.

Farah described her design philosophy as one rooted in purpose. She cited Steve Jobs, saying design is function before anything else. Her jewellery brings together modern tools and traditional craftsmanship, creating pieces that combine precision with heritage.

With voices like these shaping the conversation, Innovate & Evolve is shining a light on how India’s idea of luxury is shifting. The new blueprint is clear: luxury today is less about excess and more about meaning, mindful choices and the willingness to evolve with intention.