India Hicks, known for her work as an interior designer, former model for Ralph Lauren, and ambassador for her godfather, the King’s Trust, is actively overseeing the final touches of her newest endeavor—Naya, a patisserie that promises an exquisite experience in London. Set to offer an array of delectable treats such as cream buns, lobster rolls, champagne, and iced pistachio lattes, Naya’s interiors reflect Hicks’s vision as the creative director, featuring lush green velvet booths, exotic furnishings, and hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper with a striking banana tree at its center. Hicks expresses her aspiration to draw a diverse clientele to Naya, stating, “We want the international crowd to land in London and say, we’ve got to go to Naya,” emphasizing a desire to cultivate a community of fashion, culture, and international visitors.

In a collaboration with Can and Cengizhan Ayan—two young entrepreneurs from the Turkish chocolatier Pelit, which boasts a rich family heritage spanning four generations—Hicks found like-minded partners who share her vision. The partnership began after a family friend encountered Hicks’s engaging reading alongside her mother, Lady Pamela Hicks, a figure with her own storied lineage.

Hicks describes her immediate rapport with the Ayan brothers, who are eager to honor their legacy while carving out their independence in the culinary space. She reflects on her own journey, recalling how she sought to define her identity away from her eminent family background. Hicks’s father, the innovative designer David Hicks, was known for his remarkable contributions to interior design, having worked for high-profile clients and featured his creations in major films.

Raised in Oxfordshire, Hicks shares a familial connection to the royal family, having served as a bridesmaid at the wedding of her second cousin, Prince Charles, and Lady Diana Spencer. After studying photography in Boston, she explored various creative avenues, becoming an interior designer and author. Hicks divides her time between London and the Bahamas and actively participates in philanthropic efforts through the Global Empowerment Mission.

Interestingly, while Hicks excels in the realm of design, she candidly admits to lacking culinary skills, humorously stating, “I wouldn’t even know what the kitchen in my house looks like.” She entrusts cooking duties to her designer husband, David Flint Wood, focusing instead on creating an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere at gatherings, a philosophy she has applied to Naya’s design elements and seasonal packaging. Yet, she enjoys indulging in pastries.

Hicks embraces her love for desserts, which she balances with an active lifestyle, participating in yoga and paddleboarding. She delights in classic sweets and treasures family recipes. However, she acknowledges a contrast in dessert preferences within her family, including the King, who maintains a disciplined approach to health, especially after recent medical treatments.

Staying connected with her family, Hicks visited Highgrove recently, surrounded by personal touches from the royal estate amidst the preparations for Naya. The Ayan brothers are excited about adding a variety of traditional Turkish sweets to the menu, aiming to make an impact in the dessert scene.

Hicks envisions Naya as a place where visitors can immerse themselves in its artistic ambiance, surrounded by hand-painted details and thoughtful design elements alongside her longtime collaborator, interior designer Anna Goulandris. Hicks remains enthusiastic about her ongoing role in nurturing this project, stating, “I’ve been the creative force right from the beginning, and I hope to go all the way through, beyond the launch; I want this to be a significant part of my life.”

Naya is set to have its soft launch on April 24.