Mona Patel might be best known for making a dramatic entrance at the Met Gala in a custom Iris van Herpen gown complete with kinetic butterflies, but there’s considerably more to her than a memorable red-carpet moment. The India-born, US-based entrepreneur has built businesses in real estate and healthcare technology; these include MonaLisa Properties, her real estate company, and radXai, a healthcare imaging venture she runs with her husband. She is also the founder of Couture for Cause, a philanthropic initiative that uses fashion to support girls’ education in India. Fashion, meanwhile, is another world she has made her own, with an enviable couture collection and a growing presence on the international fashion circuit.
Away from the cameras and the business of building companies, Patel describes herself as a total homebody. Her idea of a perfect evening is a quiet one with her husband, Dr Chintan Desi, preferably without a phone in sight. Having grown up in Vadodara, she has carried her Gujarati roots with her to the US, where she divides her time between New York, Palo Alto, and Tampa. We caught up with her to talk about the rituals, familiar comforts, and small pleasures that help her switch off.
You’re juggling multiple businesses, philanthropic initiatives, and an international schedule. Are you someone who can switch off easily, or does your mind keep ticking long after the workday ends?
My mind doesn’t really follow office hours. Some of my best ideas arrive in the quietest moments, but I’ve learnt that I don’t have to act on every thought immediately. Meditation helps me create that space and gives me a little distance from the constant stream of ideas.
What does your ideal evening at home look like?
I’m a total homebody. Give me my sweats, some Indian food ordered in, and time with my husband, and I’m happy. I’m also chronically offline. I’d much rather read a book than scroll through my phone. With how much I travel, an ordinary evening at home feels like a luxury.
After the glamour and intensity of fashion events, what’s the first thing you look forward to doing when you get home?
I’m very much an ‘un-get-ready-with-me’ person. I love the creativity that goes into putting a look together, but once I’m home I want to take everything off, kick off my shoes, and get into bed.
Walk us through your evening skincare routine.
I keep skincare quite simple. I’m more focused on nourishment and taking care of myself from within than on having an elaborate routine. I do have a disciplined supplement routine, which includes CoQ10. My husband is a doctor and a biohacker, so I’ve learned a lot from him.
Is there a beauty treatment or wellness ritual you swear by, especially after long-haul flights and back-to-back events?
I find infrared light and lymphatic drainage helpful as part of my recovery routine. More than anything, I need time to decompress and let my body recover.
You’re known for your extraordinary couture collection, but what does your off-duty wardrobe look like?
At home, it’s all about comfort. Think an old college hoodie, boxer shorts, and flip-flops. That’s my uniform when I’m off duty.
Are you particular about your sleep environment? What are your bedroom essentials?
I take sleep very seriously. I love my Eight Sleep mattress and try to get more than eight hours whenever I can. Along with exercise, sleep is one of my biggest priorities for long-term health. I suppose you could call it sleep-maxxing.
What book is currently on your bedside table?
I’m planning to revisit Socialite Evenings by Shobhaa Dé. I read her novels when I was younger and recently had the chance to meet her in Mumbai, which made me want to go back to the book.
Having grown up in Vadodara and built a life in the US, are there childhood rituals or food habits from India that you still hold on to?
Gujarati food is a big part of my life. My grandmother insisted on teaching me how to cook when I was young, even though I wasn’t particularly interested at the time. I’m so grateful she did. I live between New York, Palo Alto, and Tampa, and what I miss most when I’m away is proper regional Gujarati food. I still make thalis and have served my grandmother’s recipes to friends, including Thom Browne, Andrew Bolton, and Domenico Dolce.
What’s your ultimate comfort food?
I love Gujarati snacks: panki, Gujarati puran poli, pani puri, and sev puri. Whenever I’m in Mumbai, Swati Snacks is one of my first stops.
Do you have a preferred workout?
My husband is a doctor and a fitness enthusiast, so he’s also my accountability police. I enjoy Pilates and resistance training, including bench presses, squats, and deadlifts. I adjust the intensity depending on my energy levels and where I am in my cycle. I really encourage women to lift weights. You’re not going to turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger overnight—men are working very hard to achieve that!
