..FAShion.. Aktris Bollywood

KARISMA KAPOOR

BEST DRESSED HALL OF FAME 2008

Mombasa Masala Extravagance Curbed
Text by Anita Nair


In
sculptor Dimpy Menon’s world, there is no room for glut or even
immoderation. Excess is trimmed. Anita Nair finds herself fascinated by
the holy matrimony of content and form

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Some
years ago I wrote a novel set within the world of Kathakali titled
Mistress. The theme was art but when I am asked what my vision for the
book was, I think of a piece of sculpture that I was given to
commemorate its publication. A bronze woman standing on her toes,
reaching for the skies. It was a salute of camaraderie from one artist
to another. More importantly, it emphasised the essence of that book,
namely, artistic integrity. Ever since then, when I am troubled by
trying to define artistic peripheries or artistic limits, I look at that
sculpture. What speaks to me is that strength of striving that is so
inherent in that form. A sculpture created by Dimpy Menon.

To
enter Dimpy Menon’s world, there is no need for an introduction. There
is no ‘take my hand and I will lead you through what I see and how I
feel’. Here is an artist who shapes like the ancients did the literature
of the form.

In the beginning is a thought. A rogue thought that
shrugs off the commonplace and waits. There will arrive a moment when
it will be allowed to inhabit a form. Elsewhere there is a slow
amalgamation of copper, tin, zinc, phosphorus and sometimes small
amounts of other elements. Bronze too waits.

The thought finds
itself fashioned in clay. A flexible mould that captures every detail of
that vagrant thought. And yet, the thought isn’t complete. Wax shells
the thought. Now it is the turn of the wax to wait.

Call it
divine ordination that says every grain of bronze has the name of the
sculptor and the body of the thought cast into it. Call it sheer
coincidence that a thought and a mass of alloy come together. Such is
the nature of all creative process.

Molten bronze is poured into
the shell, displacing the wax. Later the shell is broken and the
sculptor now will not let the embodied thought alone. It is teased and
laboured over; it is coaxed and cajoled slowly until the thought has a
structure. A tautness. A dynamic energy. A heart. A story. A holy
matrimony of content and form.

This
then is Dimpy Menon’s world. And in Dimpy Menon’s world, there is no
room for glut or even immoderation. Excess is trimmed. Extravagance
curbed. It is a world that every artist hopes to create. A world of her
own. Peopled by thoughts and forms that mirror each other and some more.

A
mother and child stand by a gate. A bird perches at the edge of the
gate. Its head cocked. There is a story here. Of lessons from nature. Of
a first flight. Of a shedding. Of letting go.
Amongst Dimpy’s body
of work are some of my particular favourites. In ‘The Engagement
Picture’, a couple within individual frames face each other. There is
still a reining in. A holding back. As you look at it, you wonder if
this couple will ever lean into each other....
Then there is portrait
of a woman in a frame. Even in the first glimpse you see that this is a
woman of a certain age. Rectitude is cast into that face. The large
‘thodu’ earring echoes years and experience and you wonder how Dimpy
Menon does it. Say so much with the tilt of a head, the angle of an
earring; cast a vulnerability in an alloy that demands that it be heated
to at least 1,700 degrees F. Before it will even let itself melt.

Containing
emotions. Freezing the moment. A grounding. If these symbolise Dimpy
Menon’s earlier works, what we see now is an evolution. A passage that
only an artist of Dimpy’s calibre will dare take. In work after work, we
see how Dimpy Menon controls her art with a caution. There is passion.
And there is energy but as though Dimpy Menon is bound by the laws of
another of her artistic pursuits.

Then
you remember that in her line drawings, you have seen a hand that knows
no boundaries at work. And so you understand the point Dimpy Menon has
reached in her journey of self discovery. Of what she can do with her
art and metal.

From contained moments, we see a new volatility, a
flexing, a reaching out. An amalgamation of her twin prowess now
captured in bronze. Precision and fluidity. This is an artist who has
mastered her medium.

If there is tension cast into the muscle of a
dancer as he leaps in the air or in the stance of a couple as they
perform an arabesque in supreme co-ordination, so much so that one can
envision the years of rigorous training that must have gone into the
dancers’ movements, then you see how Dimpy Menon erases out all energy
and mettle in another sculpture of a man wrapped around a rock.

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Karisma
Kapoor may have given the silver screen a miss these last few years,
but she cannot escape the public gaze as she continues to redefine and
grow her sense of style. Here is up-to-the-moment dressing ensconced in a
gentle vibe from another era, discovers Shirin Mehta who probes the
reclusive fashion diva’s style depths

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Rewind
a decade, or more. To a time of celluloid innocence, a time of
histrionics and performance but little style. A time when a teenaged
Karisma Kapoor, daughter of the first family of stardom, broke through
familial taboos of girls joining the industry and stepped into roles
that belied her age. Albeit with the carelessness of the very young,
guided by the lack of aesthetics of directors and bushy eyebrows to
boot! This was not a time when Bollywood would score brownie points for
style! And remember, the girl who was churning out films then, had more
energy and gumption than pizzazz, being all of 16 years old.

Today,
I am looking at the picture perfect image in front of me, sitting
demurely in an armchair too large for her, and thinking, boy, has
Karisma come a long way. Like a sartorial shooting star, blazing a
fashion statement all her own. Earlier, she had bustled into the room,
immediately upping the energy quotient, her frail shoulders hung with a
huge Chanel day bag. Her Victoria Beckham jeans moulded a perfect
derriere while the black Gap T-shirt remained her statement against a
head-to-toe designer look. Fendi leather encircled her perfect waist.
She glanced at the brilliant Dior dresses laid out on the bed and stated
matter of factly, “Kalyani (Chawla) will be so happy if I wear Dior.
She wants me to wear a dress anywhere, to any event. But, their sizes
are too big for Bebo (sister and Bollywood star, Kareena Kapoor) and
me.” Kalyani has obviously recognized innate style.

Rewind half a
decade or so to Yash Chopra’s super-hit, Dil To Pagal Hai. “It all
started with that, where designerwear became the trend for films. And
with Raja Hindustani, the whole look became important.” While DTPH put
fitness inspired sports looks on the fashion radar, the commercially
successful, Raja Hindustani, had young moviegoers begging for the
straight hair look that Karisma sported. A look that, may we add, has
somehow remained in the audiences’ psyche even today. “Yes, Karisma has
been iconic in changing the look in Hindi films,” says designer, Manish
Malhotra, style Higgins to Karisma’s Eliza Doolittle. He recalls the
sincerity and hard work that the young actor put into her makeover.
“When we put the brown lenses on her for Raja Hindustani, her eyes had
gone completely red but she faced the camera with confidence. My whole
aggression she supported. Together, we completely changed the style of
Hindi cinema.”

Back to that oversized armchair. The straight hair
is momentarily dispelled by a wave of our stylist’s electric tongs. She
shudders in her black and white Moschino blouse with the big bow under
her chin and re-crosses her French manicured feet clad in impeccable
Louis Vuitton limited edition sandals with the big silver and black
butterflies. Her black Birkin bag will complete the look – all from her
own two-and-a-half cupboard large, wardrobe. (Though she does admit to a
Delhi wardrobe and a Mumbai wardrobe, with key pieces often flying up
and down with hubby, businessman, Sunjay Kapur). Oh yes, the shudder is
because she recalls the times she has had to wear outfits on screen that
she would not go near in real life. “I remember many instances where I
would be in a really heavy outfit and they would say, ‘gale mein kuch
lagao’. I would be cringing. Nobody understood then that less is more!”

While
the young actor endeavoured to bring fashion realism to Bollywood,
there have been roles that she completely enjoyed portraying. “For me it
was a gradual growth as an actor and my style growth and growth as a
woman all happened together. In Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, I liked my
clothes, in Haseena Maan Jaayegi, I had worn baggy jeans, which was
unheard of for an actress in those days.” Her favourite looks were in
Fiza and Zubeidaa which were perhaps also her finest performances,
meriting Best Actress Awards. “In Zubeidaa, my look was very ’50s,
glamorous and authentic. I wore real jewellery from Gem Palace and some
of the outfits were also genuine antique pieces. While, in Fiza, I was
in Lucknowi outfits off the road and no make-up.” While these real life
portrayals did not inspire her personal look in any way, bringing an
actual character to life took a toll of her emotionally, Karisma admits
now. “I was being myself and yet a character. It was very haunting,
emotional. By then, I had just had it. In Hollywood, you find this kind
of thing – like Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich but not in Bollywood.”

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Who
would have imagined that so many years after Karisma vanished from the
silver screen, a veteran of 75 films, almost as many looks and several
awards, she would continue to capture the imagination of the public and
an aggressive press. This, after all, is the era of communication,
knowledge and Karisma is a child, actually, of this digital generation,
as evident in the fact that she was on her phone, texting messages right
through this interview. This is the age of multi-taskers and she is one
of them. Her pictures waft around the elecronic highway, even as she
continues to make her private style statements. This works for her. The
images on line stand out. Karisma in designer denims with a
one-shouldered black top; Karisma in a white silver spangled one
shouldered white sari (both by designer and protégé, Karishma Trehan). A
neat black dress, avant-garde yet eternal. At a polo match, cheering
her husband on in designer glares and Gucci bag, her long hair held up
in a trademark high ponytail. These are potraits that are clean, clear,
sharp, in a Bollywood over-laden with bling and spangle. She has a
model’s figure that she puts down to good luck though she insists that
she has (and probably controls) the Kapoor trait of love of good food.
“The power yoga that Kareena goes, is too much for me. I prefer
Pilates.”

“I think she is a true style diva. Whatever she wears,
just comes across as class,” claims Bollywood star and younger sister,
Kareena Kapoor, whose own mien is definitely bolder, more in your face.
“She has always been very fashion conscious, even as a child she knew
exactly what she wanted. After all, she has been born in a blue-blooded
home.” The sisters share everything from confidences to clothes and shop
together whenever they travel. Karisma admits to being distressed by
the ‘size zero’ controversy that hung around her sister’s new trim
silhouette. “What is size zero? Does it even exist? We are the same size
and Bebo is not anorexic. She eats healthier than I do.” Their
demeanours differ and while Karisma tries to tone down her sibling,
Kareena jokes about adding more colour to Karisma’s wardrobe. And yet,
Kareena claims that the kind of dresses her sister wears today, “people
have a long way to go to understand that. But, she does it so
naturally.”

Kareena has understood her sister best of all, I
realise. Decoding Karisma’s dress sense has proved a bit of a problem
for style enthusiasts who claim that she had little or none of it. The
simple truth is that Karisma has been way ahead of her time. Her working
years encompassed a time in Bollywood when actresses were seen and
heard only on the screen. They did not make the appearances of today’s
brasher era. And when she did emerge from her cocoon, Karisma suddenly
appeared at a film premier in an Armani suit. Delicious, in today’s
terms. Disastrous, ten years ago! “You are a heroine,” people told her.
“You cannot dress like a guy!”

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I
am drawn yet again to that over-stuffed armchair with the sliver of
poise, ensconced within, sipping green tea. She describes her own style
as ‘classic chic’, stating that she loves to “dress very elegant with a
twist”. Her pedigreed style shows in her carriage, her quiet poise. She
loves black and white and disdains colour in her wardrobe. “Like me as a
person,” she quips. “I have no grey areas.” Her grandfather (Raj
Kapoor) “who made such classic movies”, loved white, she asserts, and so
does she. (If you are seeing clingy wet and wild saris on voluptuous
leading ladies here, you are on cue!) Chanel, YSL, Prada, Hermès, are
her first choice of designers but she has never been into trends. “I go
with what I like. The Birkin bag is so in today but I have had a Birkin
for 10 years.” She dresses up-to-the-moment but is ensconced in a vibe
that hails from another era. “I love the classic look and the elegance
that came out of the ’50s and ’60s. Kareena would be more ’70s.”

Cine
stylist, Rita Dhody can appreciate Karisma’s dress sense. “Of late, her
look has become extremely chic – not chic and old but chic and sharp,”
she maintains. “She is so toned and so fit, she can carry anything but
she keeps it simple.” Malhotra asserts, ”With each day, Karisma looks
better and better and better. Her style is simple and chic, like what a
celebrity should do…. Like a Catherine Zeta-Jones who I saw in a New
York boutique recently, shopping in blue jeans and a simple T-shirt.”

No
surprise then that she is inspired by the classical looks epitomised by
Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Onassis. In today’s timeframe, she veers
towards Jennifer Aniston’s clean silhouette, as well as the contemporary
chic of Carla Bruni and the toned down elegance of Princess Rania of
Jordan. And she looks to inspiration also within her own family. “My
co-ordination has come from my Mum (yesteryear actress, Babita) and my
mother’s mother who always said that we should be impeccable and
coordinated but never totally matched.” And the fashion legacy continues
as Karisma dresses her three-year-old daughter, Samaira, in look- alike
clothes. “She is already becoming fashion conscious.”

And so we
loop around to the question that must be asked. That everyone is asking.
Will Karisma return to films, and when? “She will always be
successful…. I keep telling her to come back to films,” Malhotra
asserts. But the actress demurs: “When other young girls and boys were
partying, I was making a life. There were days when I would do four
shifts a day, jumping from set to set. It has literally been my sweat
and blood in every film.” For her, it has been a much-needed break and
that too when she was at the very top! “I am just being lazy,” she
admits with a gleam in her eye, “I am looking for a great script. After
all, it is in my blood.” In the same way that style and pizzazz
unfailingly are!
Clothes maketh the woman? Wrong. Woman maketh the
clothes. ‘It is not what you wear, it is how you wear it’ - that is the
present fashion mantra. In the sea of designer luxury, the three Cs are
what set one apart. Comfort. Connect. Combination.
Before the above
words conjure hallucinatory visions, let us clarify. Comfort is not
tracksuits and sneakers (Juicy Couture is canned!). Connect is not just
tuning in to the latest trends. Combination is certainly not a wild
array of beads, colours and a general mad assortment. Not so superficial
anymore, this is deeper.
Some might find solace in their seven inch
heels, and bliss through bleeding toes. Others enjoy bondage-like
experiences with their second-skin dresses or waist-clincher belts.
There is joy in the burden of carats – the heavier they are, the bigger
the smiles get. But that is ‘comfort’ – to identify with elements, and
make them a part of you. Jeans or Jean Patou, flat sandals or skyscraper
stilettos – whatever makes you happy, makes you beautiful.
A
reflection of one’s personality through attire brings a special quality
to dressing. A relationship between the wearer and her pieces is the
‘connect’ that accentuates personal style, which in turn, connects with
others. It is less contrived, somewhat effortless and therefore, much
admired.
Imagination is the key to unpredictability. Salmon orange
with powder blue? Sure. Gladiator sandals with the LBD? Why not. A shirt
with a sari? Never imagined, but it works all the same. A combination
of unlikely elements are often impactful. And then there are the
classics – collaborations that never fail to work. It is an amalgamation
of experience, adventure and evolution that asserts itself in dressing –
time and again.
This year’s Verve list identifies the three Cs in
each of the ladies. They are varied in profession, personality, opinion
and attire. Yet they are threaded together by distinction, which sets
them apart. These fashion-forward women certainly deserve kudos for
being the nation’s style-guides in their own inimitable ways.

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Sonam Kapoor
VINTAGE VIXEN
Style
philosophy “Fashion is art to me. I like mixing vintage pieces with
current ones; I repeat my outfits often, but wear them differently each
time around.”
Accessory alert “I love antique jewellery, watches,
unique shoes and bags from Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Balenciaga and
Prada. And, I love my Loubs!” (Christian Louboutin).
Fashion
influences “Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe. I am inspired
by old Hollywood and old Bollywood, when dressing was feminine, sensual,
romantic and mysterious.”
Wardrobe peek “A David Brooke sequinned
vintage dress from Frock, New York. A green plaid Chantilly lace Chanel
dress. A Yves Saint Laurent blue and black dress from the ’80s. Anything
by Anamika Khanna!”
Fashion jaunts “Jeffrey and Bergdorf Goodman in
New York to Bombay Electric and Ogaan in Mumbai. From Anna Sui to
Sabyasachi, Comme des Garçons to Anuradha Vakil, from Karl Lagerfeld to
Manish Arora”, the list of coveted designers is almost endless.
Beauty
secrets “Sun block, moisturiser and some make-up, all of which act as
protective bases for the face. I am a spa addict; I go for hair
treatments at B:Blunt and body massages at Sva.”
Dressed for success
“Trousers and jeans in every cut and style possible – flares, bell
bottoms, skinnies.... I like a simple look with them – a white vest,
Dolce & Gabbana snakeskin belt and of course, my high, high heels.”
Big passion “Art and paintings. And books, loads of them. I reread The Unbearable Lightness of Being time and again.”

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Priyadarshini Raje Scindia
CONTEMPORARY PRINCESS
Trademark look Blue jeans and a black T-shirt.
Style
sensibility “Being a royal has not effected my sense of style. In
Gwalior I wear saris, anywhere else, it depends on the mood or
situation.”
Sartorial scales “Balance is not a conscious decision,
however it seems to have become second nature due to the various
environments one has to accommodate and be part of in today’s world.”
Style
mantra “I’m more confident in my own style...so I don’t really follow
the 'it' trends unless it’s something that I think suits and works for
me.”
Addictive accent Her Balenciaga clutch.
Big passion “My kids and working towards realising my dreams for Gwalior.”

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Sonia Gandhi
UNDERSTATED POWERHOUSE
Signature style Crisp, sharp and desi.
Has an affinity to ‘Paithani’ saris, white cotton kurta sets.
Style statement Pinned up hair, slightly retro-buffant style. Kohl eyes.
Textile trends Cotton, khadi, handloom silks. Various weaves in saris which are handpicked from different corners of India.
Design detail Temple and rudraksh borders in saris, ikat weaves, a touch of gold threadwork.
Colour code White, cream, earthy ochres and browns, indigo, deep maroon.
Addictive
accents Scarves, stoles, subtly printed dupattas and pashmina shawls.
Quality leather footwear and watches with leather straps.
Low-key dazzle Simple and elegant pearl strands and earrings.
Dramatic drape Teaming sharply tailored jackets with cravat-like sari pallus during her diplomatic visits abroad.
Big passion The study of art and historical monuments.

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Parmeshwar Godrej
ICONIC DIVA
Signature style Daring, unique, inimitable, forever young.
Sartorial asset An hourglass figure that slides into coutaure effortlessly.
Most stylish accessory Her phone book which is a roll call of the international who’s who.
Famous for Her legendary parties and international connections.
Feels an affinity to “I am partial to Hervé Léger’s couture.”
Big
passion “My passions are work related to diminishing the ignorance that
surrounds HIV/AIDS, and the development of design and aesthetic.”

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Priya Kishore
POLISHED PUNK
Haute
trail “I’ve taken the scenic route to retail and fashion – from
studying politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford, to working on
strategy for Harvey Nichols advertising. Bombay Electric is a
combination of my interest in anthropology, luxury retail and an
unbridled optimism about the future.”
Signature lip colour “M.A.C’s Russian Red.”
Fashion
forecast “Tahera, the designer that I have worn in the Best Dressed
shoot is one of my hot tips for the coming year. I was seduced by her
perfect and complex cuts. Who can resist classic vintage shapes in
unexpected hues?”
Trendsetting moment “When I wore jodhpurs two years
ago everyone thought I was pretty quirky, but I guess they’ve become
pretty mainstream now.”
Brands vs high street “I have to confess,
there is nothing like having a designer make pieces customised to your
size. What a luxury to have every dress fit like a dream!”
Individual
choice “I usually wake up in the morning feeling a certain colour
(whether accessories or dress), and take it from there. As long as you
go by how you feel, you can’t go wrong.”
Fashion with a conscience
“On 2nd October we will celebrate Gandhiji’s birthday with a week long
exhibition called ‘By Hand’, a concept that is very close to my heart.
We will celebrate the simple aesthetic, with pieces only made by hand,
featuring collaborations with several like-minded NGOs and designers.
Sustainable fashion is the responsible path forward; there is no reason
why clothes should not be beautiful, luxurious and eco conscious.”
Big
passion Music and dance. “I am lucky to have amazing friends who are
musicians, who play me new things, and teach me to listen differently.
Talvin (Singh) often plays me tracks and takes me on a musical journey,
and Sunali, Roop and Reewa Kumar Rathod have introduced me to a whole
new genre of music.”

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Pia Pauro
FREE SPIRIT
Signature
style Extremely experimental. “I am not fixated on any one look. I
dress according to my mood, expressing myself in what I wear.”
Sartorial
direction “I love being in sync with the seasons. In summer, I dress
casual, Bohemian, beachy. In winter, in Delhi, I am more formal – I love
wearing overcoats, boots and sweaters.”
Feels an affinity to “I like
unique aesthetics like a really nice T-shirt with embroidery or
accessories that are really different.”
Current look Bohemian.
Top
buys A bright yellow Fendi handbag for day for the summer and a pink
Gucci clutch. Turquoise Jimmy Choos, ballerinas from Prada, tan
gladiators from Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry wellingtons.
Sartorial confession “I love bags, I love shoes, I love everything…it’s a disease!”
Big
passion “To open up a really eclectic, cutting-edge fashion store
merchandising aesthetically cool products, fashion and lifestyle, from
around the globe.”

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ina Tahiliani Parikh
STYLE SETTER
Most stylish moment “It is about everything…. It is about your life.”
Fashion
philosophy “Be comfortable in your own space and with both your body
and mind. Never do something because it is in fashion. Do it if you love
it. A Rs 100 handloom sari is supremely stylish if you accessorise it
the right way.”
Fresh finds Vineet Bahl, Gaba on the Indian scene.
“Internationally, I have bought a lot of Donna Karan this year and have
really liked what I have been seeing on the catwalk at Ferragamo and
Marni.“
Wardrobe staples “Still white shirts and chiffon saris. I am
also swaying towards handloom saris which I used to wear 15 years ago. I
seem to have come full circle.”
Favourite silhouette “Drapey stuff.
Also, the royal, vintage look – colours like coral, aqua, jade green
with contrasting borders.”
Big passion Trekking, travelling, beautiful spaces....

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Rita Dhody
HOLISTIC FASHIONISTA
Fashion,
the movie “I can see myself in bits of the movie but it is never about
one style. You need to incorporate the style that the script demands. It
is a holistic project. My 20 years of experience in the fashion
business went into this project.”
Style effect “Fashion has been the
most challenging project of my life. How has it affected my style? I
have just been wearing jeans, shirts and chappals. I think I will need a
personal stylist soon!”
Best buy “Dolce & Gabbana is my
favourite and I pick up a lot from them, in terms of jackets, black
dresses, evening dresses…. For me the best buy is always something that I
can use through the year.”
Feels An Affinity To “A great fitted pair of jeans.”
Day
bag Balenciaga. “I tend to use the same bag all the time. I grow with
my bag. It’s like carrying a piece of yourself out of your house.”
Great
accessories “I love the current concept of beautiful belts. A vintage
belt on a pair of jeans is like a piece of jewellery.”
Signature look “I like mixing the old with the new. I don’t like anything to look too new.”
Designer
dream “I have developed an eye for things that are not easily
identifiable. Even with designer wear, I would rather choose something
where the craftsmanship comes out but does not scream the label. Things
that stay with you forever.”

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Kalyani Chawla
VERSATILE MODERNISTA
Dior Diva “Wearing something from the season’s collection along with comfortable shoes are a must during fashion week in Paris.”
Personal
stylist Daughter Tahira-Tara. “She has quite an aptitude for taking
things out of my wardrobe and putting them together and is someone whose
opinion I respect and follow.”
Fabulous 5 “The saddle bag and my
black velvet ‘Lady Dior’. The Dior ‘Karenina’ now from our winter
collection. I also love my Balenciaga and want to own an exotic skin
‘Birkin’ someday....”
Sentimental inheritance “My grandmother’s
solitaires and my great-grandmother’s gold bangles and chain which goes
down till my knees – I wear it in many different ways, knotted mostly!”
Travel gear Juicy track pants and Gap round neck t-shirts, Dior sneakers.
Multi-tasking
schedule “My 12-year- old export business of fashion accessories is my
mainstay. I work in my Dior office as well and help my mother with her
art gallery called Montage Arts.
Weekends are spent with my daughter
Tahira-Tara – she is my stress buster; the innocence and purity and
unadulterated love from her makes life beautiful!”
Primping routine
“The secret is to look effortless, which takes the maximum effort! I
can’t do without my black kohl pencil and eyeliner and a gloss during
the day, but I experiment when I am out at night.”
Big passion
“Travel and fine dining. I take a lot of trouble to find the right
hotels to stay in and always plan restaurants to eat at in advance which
I refer to in the CNN Traveller or on websites.”

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Riddhima Kapoor Sahni
PORCELAIN PRINCESS
Style
mantra “At times a lot of bling, at times understated. At night, I love
to dress glittery. In the day, a pair of jeans and T-shirt is great.”
Mother
influence “I have learnt from her to be understated and to carry myself
with elegance. My mother never wears anything over the top. Everything I
do is inspired by her – she tells me what to eat, plans my workout…I
follow it all blindly.”
Priceless gift “It would be my wedding. The things that my parents did, they did not have to.”
Precious collectibles “At the time of my wedding, my mom gifted me her heirlooms.”
Feels an affinity to Dolce & Gabbana, Rock & Republic, Ed Hardy, Juicy Couture.
Designer
inspiration “People around me inspire me; their attitude towards life. I
go out a lot and meet a lot of people. I also have myself in mind when I
design. I draw all my designs myself.”
A label is born “ARA means 'a piece of jewellery or decoration', in Persian. Bling is our basic USP.”
Retail high “Shopping! I am the most impulsive, compulsive shopper. If I am upset, I just have to go out and buy!”

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Harathi Reddy-Rebello
STYLE SIREN
Silhouette
reduction From size 10 to size six. “Last year, I took a huge, major
step – I hired a personal trainer. You can buy the most expensive
designer things, but if you don’t have a canvas to match, it is of no
use. Best thing you can do for yourself, is to get a great body.”
Riding the waves “I could wear a white bikini in Thailand! Strolling down the beach I felt like a million bucks.”
Haute
makeover “I have had long black hair since I was 16 and with my new
size I decided to do something about my tresses. I went to Raksha who
trained under Adhuna Akhtar and for six months I just watched her cut
hair. The first time I went to her, she sent me away. But slowly, she
layered my hair while keeping it long so it looks really different.”
Style tip “I would recommend to all the women who spend so much time and money on hair and fashion to go work out in the gym.”
Wardrobe
staple “White shirts that I can wear to a board meeting or to a soccer
game and then go for dinner after. I love the clean cotton ones from
Calvin Klein as well as the stunning white silk blouses from Rakesh
Agarvwal.”
Big passion “Now that I have a 26 inch waist, I love
belts. I have a broad Fendi belt, a Gucci belt with a silver buckle and
gold body and a gorgeous antique gold one that I bought on holiday in
Thailand.”

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RUNWAY SCORCHER
Signature style Quirky casual.
Designer element Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Alberta Ferretti, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Marc Jacobs, Anupama Dayal.
Fashion
inheritance “Everything I see around me inspires me. Closer home, I
hope to inherit the stylish ease with which my mom wears her saris. And
the Benarasi saris that she’s had for over 30 years. They don’t make
them like that anymore.”
Sartorial soulmates Black Jodhpur trousers and a wrap dress from Karen Millen.
Design detail The fit and the cut are extremely important.
Style icons Madonna and Nelly Furtado.
Colour code “Classic black. And I love bursts of bright colours like red, fuchsia and peacock blue.”
Addictive accents Big black wooden bangles and gladiator sandals. “I love shoes, shoes, shoes!”
Fashion abhorrence “Back-combed hair!”
Fashion faux pas “Been a few… stepping out in jeans when everyone else is dressed for the Oscars… or vice versa.”
Fashion eccentricity “I like trying out different things with my hair.”
Current obsession “I try to read a book a week. Reading is my weakness.”

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Haseena Jethmalani
BOHO CHICSTER
New loves “A really nice long sea-green dress from Anamika Khanna. Separates from Hussein Chalayan.”
Sartorial soulmate “My silver and purple sequinned Miu Miu shoes. With a black or white dress, they really stand out.”
Arm candy A yellow Jamin Puech handbag for day. Devi Kroell’s small wooden clutch with coloured rhinestones for night.”
Retail
philosophy “I am out of this whole Gucci, Prada thing. I look for
something really different. When travelling, I don’t walk into the
predictable stores. I ask around for the new young designers....”
Is drawn to Anything appealing. “A dress, handbag, the perfect suntan cream....”

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Queenie Dhody
TSARINA OF GLAM
Style philosophy “It’s totally not about what you do…. It’s more about how you do it.”
Signature
look “Over the years, I have not had a signature style – I have always
been very experimental. But I have to say, I am very comfortable in
glamour. I can be in jeans and T-shirts but I am more attracted to
glamour.”
Sartorial exploration “In the last one year, we have seen
so many new designers with so much creativity that I am exploring that
and having a lot of fun. These designers have sown their souls into
fashion and it is really exciting to see Indian fashion taking on new
heights.”
New designers “I like very glamorous designers like Rakesh
Agarvwal and Nachiket Barve is extremely talented. Internationally, I
have recently gone into Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana.”
Fitness routine Power yoga three times a week.
Prime indulgence “Clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery…it’s terrible...I just love it all.”
Big Passion “I melt when I see a great piece of jewellery.”

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Prerna Goel
FUSS-FREE BOHEMIAN
Signature
style “Boho chic. I like simple, straight lines, nothing clingy, just
an element of freeness. Mostly pastels. There’s nothing fussy in my
wardrobe.”
Chanel chic “I have 2-3 limited edition vintage Chanel
bags, one of which I picked up when I was shooting for the brand’s
documentary feature in Paris. I also have some of their delicate pearl
neckpieces and tweed jackets that I wear in December with ganjis and
jeans.”
Retail philosophy “I never make a shopping list but nor do I
buy impulsively. I’ll see something, keep it in mind if I like it, look
around at other things and then return to buy it, if I still want it.”
Splurge
stops “Rome, Milan and Paris – the hubs of good shopping. I especially
love Capri; I have found some beautiful and exclusive things there. I go
for whatever catches my eye – Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Prada, DVF,
Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen.”
Is drawn to “I’m a very old soul by
heart. I love the ethnicity of Abu-Sandeep, Anamika Khanna and
Sabyasachi; the vintage gotas and shararas of Hyderabad and Kolkata; my
mother’s pure gold and silver saris that are in tatters, which I have
patched up and worn again.”
Ready and out “I take 20 minutes to get ready. I’ll choose from a couple of options, add an accessory or two and I’m done.”
Sartorial
soulmates “My two white chikan lehngas from Abu-Sandeep. An Alessandro
Dell’Acqua cobalt blue dress and a white Chanel dress that I wore for
their couture show.”
Big passion “My daughter, Akanksha.”

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Sonali Bendre
BOLLYWOOD SWEETHEART
Signature style Minimalist.
Style statement A trendy, sleek bob – the hairdo of the moment.
Designer element Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Rajesh Pratap Singh.
Colour code Red, black, wine and plum.
Sartorial soulmates Well-fitted jeans, and formals by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.
Fashion inheritance “A beautiful Maharashtrian Chanderi sari from my mother, and chiffon saris from my mother-in-law.”
Addictive accents “My Omega watch and solitaires.”
Top notes Fragrances by L’Occitane – fresh floral and tea scents.

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Kareena Kapoor
SCREEN NYMPH
Signature style Clean, chic and casual.
Designer element Manish Malhotra, Aki Narula, Ed Hardy.
Style statement Natural, non caked-up freshness. Kohl eyes.
Sartorial soulmates Well-fitted blue jeans, graphic T-shirts, elegant structured dresses.
Fitness Formula Power yoga and vegetarianism.
Fashion splurges Diamond bracelets. Statement earrings.
Addictive accents Retro shades, the occasional red lipstick.
Fashion mantra Cleanliness is Goddess-liness!
Favourite fragrance Dune by Dior.
Fashion faux pas Coloured straw-blond hair, excess sequins and boot-leg trousers. But that’s all in the past now.
Fashion moment on screen T-shirt with patiala shalwars in Jab We Met.

dan masih banyakm lagi.....untuk pengne tau yg lengakpnya..silahkan klik..
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masih da preity..dan katrina..banyak lagi dah..capek... [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]





« Last Edit: April 01, 2009, 04:33:49 PM by XXX_toNy »



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Here are the stylish snapshots that stood out in 12 months of t’town fashion fiesta...
by Binu Sivan

1. Preity zinta
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Be
it the Toronto International Film Festival, the Wadia Cup or the
Chopard soirée at Cannes, Preity was spot on in her gowns and dresses. A
proponent of the less-is-more school, she earns brownie points for
selecting the perfect accessories too.


2. Mugdha Godse
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The best part of 2008? The Fashion star Mugdha’s arrival into our collective consciousness as the fashionista to watch out for.

3. Gautami

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The lone TV star in this stylish lot, she has always caught our eye ‘cause of her trendy yet subtle take on fashion.

4. Amrita Arora

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Safe
dresser Amrita got our attention in this short jumpsuit, stack of gold
bangles and statement necklaces. This is how you do casual cool.


5. sophie Chaundry

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She
may not have any movies in her kitty. But who cares? We are only
interested in her wardrobe and this dark pink dress is one of our
all-time faves.

6. Aishwarya Rai

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She has not had many stylish outings except at Cannes this year. In a sea of black and white, Ash stood out in a gorg pink gown.

7. Kangna Ranaut

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This
woman has a genuinely edgy sense of style. Clutching her fave Fendi
clutch and gorg, wild hair styled differently, she gets into our ‘Best
Dressed’ list with consistent frequency! Wow!

8. Jiah Khan

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Another newcomer, she has a fun sense of fashion, which makes her unpredictable but also playfully stylish.


9. Shilpa Shetty

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Even
Daniel ‘Bond’ Craig thinks she has a killer bod and style. Who are we
to argue with 007? This woman knows exactly what suits her tall, svelte
figure.

10. Dia Mirza

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Be it an LBD or an ethnic kurta, Dia looks picture perfect. She also knows that accessories can make or mar an outfit.

11. Karisma Kapoor

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Marriage and motherhood obviously suits Lolo, who has never looked this stunning.

12. Priyanka Chopra

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How
this woman has evolved! From a style-challenged star to a true style
maven – Priyanka has made us eat our hat with her style evolution.
Kudos!Priyanka Chopra
How this woman has evolved! From a
style-challenged star to a true style maven – Priyanka has made us eat
our hat with her style evolution. Kudos!

13. Bipasha Basu

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Tanned skin, long, wavy hair and a stunning white gown – any wonder she is on the ‘Best Dressed’ page?!

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dr yg glamour..simple...smwnya fantastic.... [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The week’s best dressed



Smocks, sheaths, draped dresses, minis and laces – the B’wood red carpet had it all
by Binu Sivan

1. Sonam Kapoor

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We are not so sure about the shoes and the cut does remind us of a
clown, but one can’t help but admire the juxtapositioning of the colours
and prints and the confident manner in which Sonam carries it off.


2. Shilpa Shetty

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Shilpa stays on trend (turn to page 53 for more on DFW trends) in her mini dress and massive sunshine-y clutch.

3. farah

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Farah
is turning into a real fashion plate. While she rocked fuchsia and gold
at the Drona premiere, she was beautiful in black at an art gallery
launch soon afte

4. Karisma Kapoor

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We
are loving Karisma’s monochromatic outfit and what-looks-like YSL
heels. Tres chic. She is sure giving her gorg sis a run for her money.

5. Sophie.Chaudary

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Sophie goes for the safe option and jazzes up her LBD with splashes of red.

6. neelam

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Less is more and Neelam knows that. She accessorises her LBD with a silver clutch and little else to create a wow-tastic effect.

7. Priyanka Chopra

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Prinks uses the beige and black lace mini to show off her runway ready bod. The clutch is a let-down though.

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hohohoho.. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
musim telah datang, it's the time walk the ramp..

Salman Khan walks the ramp for Ashish Soni @ India Men's Fashion Week
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salman always CUTE [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Amrita Rao Walks the Ramp at Kolkata fashion week

An
Indian spectator greets actor Ronit Roy (L), accompanied by Indian
football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and (2nd L) and actor Amrita Rao (R)
display creation from designer Manish Malhotra (2nd R) during the grand
finale of Kolkata Fashion Week II in Kolkata on September 13, 2009. The
five-day fashion event concluded today.

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