MALINI RAMANI Fashion Designer who celebrates the Indian Diva
Self Discovery “The moment I became a designer and discovered sequins I became Ms Super-flash… for about six years. In the last few months or so, there has been a subtle shift in my style. I am shying away from all the shine and sinking into my new look, which is more grounded.” Fashion Quirks “Well, I was flashy. I still love bright, bold colours and sexy cuts.” Colour Palette Pink, beige, green and black. Funky Finds Shiny gold leather pants, harem pants from Morrocco. Sartorial Soulmate Oversized Aviator sunglasses. Designer Love Anna Sui, Jean Paul Gaultier, Matthew Williamson, Anamika Khanna, Gaurav Gupta. Fashion Icons Kate Moss, Jackie Onassis, Edie Sedgwick. Fashion Moment “I have worn a lot of gold, sexy, slinky things. Some have been so tight that I’ve not even been able to sit down the entire party!” Big Passion Yoga.

SAPNA BHAVNANI Owner of Store cum Salon, Mad-O-Wot
Fashion Quirks “My style changes every month. Most of the time I stay close to my favourite decade, the rocking 80s. And luckily for me, the design gurus bring it back into fashion every year!” Colour Palette Black. And more black. Funky Finds A 1920s silver sequinned short bolero jacket. Sartorial Soulmates Boots and tattoos. Signature Style “In one word… illustrated!” Shopping Secret Santi Alley in Los Angeles. Fashion Icons Bettie Page, Scarlett Johansson, Grace Jones, Madonna, Gwen Stefani. Fashion Moment “My fashion moment happens every day... I don’t go out so I wear everything I own in the salon... my favourite is my gold Space-Age alien dress... I somehow make a lot of tips when I trim hair, wearing it!” Big Passion Black kohl liner.

NIHARIKA KHAN Jewellery Designer, Akirahin
Fashion Quirks “I was a slave to fashion in the 80s. Then from grungy it has got even ‘grungier’... quite comfortable actually.” Colour Palette Aubergine purple, chocolate brown, poster red, silver grey. Funky Find “My husband Ayub. The best accessory ever... and ultimately breathtakingly good-looking.” Sartorial Soulmate The new Prada taupe sculpted wedge heels. Jewellery Box A lotus ring and a pixie pendant. Designer Love Varun Bahl, Divya Anand, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano. Fashion Moment “I pulled out my Sabyasachi sari gift and wore it with a T-shirt to a very upmarket fancy-schmancy Diwali party!” Big Passion Science fiction.

Payal Khandwala Artist, revelling in the abstract
Fashion quirks “I like to layer — slip on a pair of jeans underneath dresses or skirts or wear petticoats that don’t match my saris.” Colour palette Warm reds, hot pinks, orange, purple and white. Funky finds Tribal jewellery from all over the world. Sartorial soulmate “My wooden beads... we’re inseparable.” Designer love Sabyasachi, Anshu Arora Sen, Anamika Khanna, Rohit Bal. Fashionable women Kalpana Gandhi, Shilpa Shah, Maharani Gayatri Devi. Fashion moment “I don’t think I have one... I don’t try so hard... so there’s no real room for risk.” Big passion Antique silver jewellery.

Sabina Singh Fashion designer of eclectic label, horn ok please
Fashion quirks “I will carry an oversized bag that does not match what I am wearing and team different coloured shoes with the ensemble. If I wear an Indian outfit, I would layer it with something western, like a bolero. I would not wear a dress straight off the rack. Oxford Street in London is a fashion haven.” Colour palette “Earlier, I was very kitsch and enjoyed dramatic ensembles. Now, as I am approaching the big 40, I have become less adventurous. I still love emerald green, pink, yellow. I also love white.” Funky find A red and gold Manish Arora jacket embossed with Bollywood stars. “It’s a work of art.” Sartorial soulmates Huge, larger than life earrings. Fashion friends Sangita Kathiwada and Simone Singh. For their personalised way of dressing. Fashion moment “At a New Year event in Delhi, no one adhered to the Club Carnival theme. In a sea of black suits and cocktail dresses, I had donned feathers, a layered skirt, the works. The Delhiwallas were in shock. More than a fashion moment, this was a dramatic moment!”
Big passion Friendships.