Avan Contractor and Adhuna Bhabani Akhtar
Sassy stylists to the stars
Adhuna Bhabani Akhtar (37), formerly of funky salon, Juice and Avan Contractor (31) who she met at now husband Farhan Akhtar’s party six years ago, recently started their own salon b:blunt, which they call a ‘destination hair salon’. The duo is well known for their makeovers and Bollywood stars such as Akshaye Khanna, Aamir Khan and Preity Zinta, swear by the power of their scissors. Says Zinta, “Od (Adhuna) is the best.” Arjun Rampal is equally gushy when it comes to Avan: “She understands hair very well and can give you a new look, every time.”
The reserved and quieter Avan’s favourite designer is the gentle and elegant Aparna Chandra. Od’s choice is close friend, the bolder Arjun Bhasin. Style is all about comfort for this duo. At work, make-up is a must: “Mascara and lip-gloss are the minimals. It just looks professional.” Beige, sky blue, chocolate brown and white are the salon colours and worn by all, every day. Otherwise, Adhuna admits to choosing more muted colours recently, while Avan states, “I like hints of colour.”
About their own hairstyles…. For Avan, it’s a wash and wear haircut while Adhuna has opted for a twist on a classic shape. “Remember,” they echo, “hair is something you wear every day. It is a fashion accessory and can make or break your look.”
Monisha J Naegamwala
‘Hair’ Apparent
The daughter of Nalini, of Nalini and Yasmin fame, hair runs in Monisha Naegamwala’s blood! “Nalini is a huge influence. She is a brand and I hope to be as respected as her, for my work. She is a true pioneer,” says the offspring who, after her training in London and an apprenticeship in Hong Kong, started her own salon, Raih Hair Reinvented, a joint venture with Birla Lifestyle.
Known for her street style, Monisha (36), has her hair in braids, right now. Regular clients are accustomed to seeing ‘Mons’ in a new avatar every time. Alexander McQueen and John Galliano are two designers she loves. “Clothes and hair go together to make a person’s look. But, there is nothing better than a good hair day,” says she. “No clothes can compensate for a bad hair day.” Says business partner and long-time client, Avanti Birla, “She is just magic with hair.” Echoes socialite, Roohi Jaikishen, “Nobody touches my hair except her.”
This year, says Monisha, hair will be structured and textured. “The bob has become longer with lots of hair sitting at the nape of the neck.” She herself, hopes to reinvent the perm. “Not like the ’80s but something more flowing, feminine, bouncy and sexy.”
Sapna Malhotra
Rock chic meets item girl
The name of Sapna Malhotra’s store-cum-salon, Mad O Wot, sums up her style statement. Currently, the 34-year-old sports a Mohican but by next month, it will be something else. Her 60-odd tattoos, of course, will stay: “It’s like cleavage and item girls. Tattoos are my cleavage,” she says.
“I wanted a store and salon together as I am a stylist, hair and make-up person. I do not like wearing stuff that someone else can buy easily,” she says. Her theme for her own space is ‘chilled out’ and has a feel of eclectic Bollywood kitsch meets rock chic. The store sports Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi and of course Bappi Lahiri, painted on the walls. “I have dedicated this store to Bappi. No one comes second to him,” says Sapna, whose client list includes Bipasha Basu, Koena Mitra and Yana Gupta.
And if you are lucky, this stylist will favour you with an item number herself, even as she transforms your look. Says Bipasha, “She is just so hip, happening and cool!”
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I wanted a store and salon together. I do not like wearing stuff that someone else can buy easily.
