PREITY ZINTA

Bollywood’s leading lady tops our list of Tinseltown fashion. After unflattering reports about increasing weight at the start of her career, Zinta’s newly svelte frame, much-copied wavy locks and deliciously urban outfits in Dil Chahta Hai silenced critics. She came like a breath of fresh air with knee length skirts, capris and halter dresses that complimented her rosy-cheeked femininity, and turned into a yuppie style icon.

Her long time designer and friend, Manish Malhotra, feels that she can carry off any outfit and is not afraid to try new things. “She always hears me out and just goes with it,” he says. Perpetually re-inventing, Zinta tailors her look to her characters. From candy coloured teeny-bopper chic in jumpstarting film Kya Kehna, to sober jackets and minimal make-up as a CBI trainee in Sangharsh, she effortlessly slips into new avatars. In Armaan, the dimpled one even sported a fringe! Her most recent smash, Kal Ho Naa Ho, saw the cherubic Zinta dancing around New York in a perfectly co-ordinated winter wardrobe, made up of trendy scarves, pastel hues and en vogue jackets. So Manhattan! And currently, she’s miles ahead of her contemporaries again, in a daringly different, short pixie-cut for Farhan Akhtar’s film, Lakshya.

The box office is not the only place she has hits. Her subtly sexy off-screen attire shows off a sharp sense of fashion, without compromising comfort or personal style. Jeans and baby tees are favourites, as are bright colours and girly dresses. Zinta is just as eye-catching in a classic sheath dress, or a formal pantsuit. Her slender frame gives her the liberty to wear any silhouette. Not afraid to show some skin, she sometimes opts for low cut or off-shoulder numbers. Staying true to her roots, Zinta chooses her Indian outfits with flair and we loved the marine hued ensemble she was spotted in at an awards show. Malhotra agrees, saying that “she has great personal style and always looks put together. She knows herself very well.”

Zinta prefers to shop for herself when she travels and doesn’t favour brands. She does, however, have a soft spot for her New York based designer friend, Nupur’s creations. Luminous skin, a megawatt smile, sparkling personality and good taste to boot, she truly is a star!

Memorable Moment – Librarian glasses became sexy again thanks to Naina Catherine Kapoor (Zinta’s character in Kal Ho Naa Ho). Pretty Preity strikes again!