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The past year was rough. The dreaded ‘R’ word popped up everywhere. It was the survival of the fittest and the cheapest. Women bought relatively inexpensive items. Lipstick sales were good. Fashion sales were not (at full price); so tabs were slashed. Designers restrategised and redefined haute. Boyfriend chic (borrow his clothes since you have no new ones), vintage (borrow grandma’s for similar reasons) and power shoulders (intimidate at work-place so they do not fire you) rose to prominence. Even couture in Paris offered (hush hush) ‘package deals’ to their loyal customers. Suddenly, apparel was available at almost lipstick prices. What joy... let us buy everything!
Now the True Blue Fashionista (TBF) has been waiting for just this. She knows that the recession is not simply a challenge, but also a golden opportunity. This is the process that, just like separating solitaires from paste, will leave the wannabe riff- raff far, far behind on the sartorial run (way). Instead of being trampled on at a closing sale, the TBF has picked up investment-worthy pieces, full price. And updated her personal version of the season’s trends, in her own style.
Verve has kept a close watch on these leaders of India’s stylish pack. We have an edited list this year, including many known faces, a few unknown ones and have given some of our perennials (who have surpassed ‘judgement’ and ‘list-worthiness’ and form a league of their own) a breather. What is reassuring is the collective ‘style, not trends’ statement which resounds, proving that fashion’s mindset has matured.
Of course, we are still watching...
 SONAM Kapoor
for introducing quirk to the dressing habits of tinsel town
Dress by Alberta Ferretti.
Best known for
Her slightly experimental red carpet style and megawatt smile.
Her style
“I would love to describe myself as Audrey Hepburn with a twist.”
Fashion icons
Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe.
Favourite fashion moment
The white and gold Anamika Khanna sari-gown teamed with polkis for her IIFA Macau red carpet appearance this year.
Favourite labels
Anamika Khanna, Chanel.
Addictive accents
Lots and lots of bags and shoes.
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.”
 PRIYA Kishore
for bringing eco consciousness to dressing
Make-up by Stafford Braganza for Lancôme, India.
Draped mini dress, by Greyhound; heels, by Christian Louboutin; finger rings, by Cream Jewels; bulb pendant, sourced during a holiday.
Sartorial moment
“An international fashion glossy spotted and snapped me at London Fashion Week earlier this year, calling me ‘punkalicious’.
Fresh finds
“It’s hard not to fall in love with Julio Peralta’s vintage belts – graphic, powerful and feminine.”
Closet staples
“I have the lotus pants by Gheebutter in four colours. I love them because they’re elegant enough for the evening but secretly comfier than track pants!”
Sentimental accessories
“The jewellery I collect from my travels. Each piece has a different memory attached.”
Current pursuits
“Anything to do with water.”
Big passion
“Colour!”
 AKANKSHA Nanda
for keeping the ‘waif’ stylish in these ‘curvy sexy’ days
Dress, by Anuj Sharma.
Inspirations
Nature and people.
Style is
“Being comfortable and expressing your individuality.”
Closet favourite
“A yellow silk kaftan by James Ferreira, a ‘painterly’ print dress by Small Shop Jason Anshu, a nude sari by Rabani & Rakha, a vintage gold lamé dress.”
Will never wear
Jeans.
Fashion faux pas
“Black spandex leggings with a slouchy neon sweater. There’s photographic evidence which my best friends have sworn never to show!”
Favourite labels
None. “I enjoy varied expressions, aesthetics and sensibilities.”
Fashion inheritance
Dior sunglasses from her aunt and old Burmese rubies from her grandmother.
Other passions
Art and design, travelling, yoga, food.
 KALYANY Chawla
for making corporate dressing über sexy in India
Black strappy vest, black pleated trouser, black blazer, heels, all by Dior; hat, by Accessorize.
Make-up by Stafford Braganza for Lancôme, India.
Hair courtesy Yasmin’s, Andheri.
Her style
“Edgy. I like a bit of a twist but I am generally a formal dresser in India. There is a secret travel wardrobe, however, which is far more adventurous!”
Style soulmate
Dior ballerinas. “Good to go with almost any outfit. I live in them.”
Closet favourites
“My endless collection of jeans, which I refuse to throw or recycle.”
Fashion inheritance
Dhakai saris, jewelled hairpins and exotic skin bags from her grandmother.
Personal style no-no
Low necklines.
Underrated item
Quality lingerie.
Favourite labels
Dior, John Galliano, Etro, Alexander McQueen, Derek Lam, internationally. Here, Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, Varun Bahl, Sabyasachi, Anamika Khanna, Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Rajesh Pratap Singh….
Other passions
Supporting women in handicrafts and a centre for children’s heart disease in Kolkata.
Style mantra
“Clothes don’t represent you. Your choice of clothing does.”
 PRERNA Goel
for having the two best accessories ever – rosy cheeks and killer dimples!
Ruffled dress, by Prada; copper and silver heels, by Giuseppe Zanotti; cuff, from Links.
Best known for
Her immaculate freshness – anytime, anywhere.
Her style
Tasteful and minimalist, with just a dash of Bohemian quirk.
Signature silhouette
“I like simple, straight lines, nothing clingy, just an element of freeness.”
Addictive accents
Many, many belts and vintage sunglasses.
Closet favourites
“White chikan lehengas from Abu-Sandeep, a cobalt blue Alessandro Dell’ Acqua dress, a white Chanel dress.”
Hunting hubs
Rome, Milan and Paris.
Shopping philosophy
“I never make a shopping list, 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.”
 SHREYA Singh
for wearing Indian designers always and to the hilt
Layered chiffon dress by Nalanda Bhandari; shoes from Prada.
Signature style
Eclectic, feminine, mix-and-match.
Inspiration
“From my work and dealing with different people in my line of work.”
Closet peek
Cotton or chiffon dresses by Nachiket Barve and Nalanda Bhandari; black dresses by Namrata Joshipura; dhoti pants by Gheebutter and Small Shop; blue jeans and white tees.
Cringeworthy moment
“When I recently wore a very tight, very short, very revealing dress – it’s a no-no!”
Will not wear
“Any outfit screaming out the brand.”
Sartorial favourites
Bombay Electric, jewellery by Ananya Jewels.
Big passion
Working with slum children, fundraising for charity, fitness, cooking. “I would like to open a restaurant one day.”
 MENAKA Kumari-Shah
for believing in responsible dressing
Make-up by Stafford Braganza for Lancôme, India.
Heirloom chiffon sari with mukaish and brocade blouse, vintage gold jewellery.
Signature style
Uncontrived and non-fussy. “I favour clothes with clean-cut straight lines that offer comfort to complement style. Most of the time I am just a jeans and T-shirt girl.”
Accessories
“Jewellery, shoes, sunglasses, bags and belts are important but non-flashy and never bling.”
Inspirations
“For formal occasions I wear saris – my grandmother and mother are my inspirations. When it comes to work, it has to be a combination of elegance and efficiency, therefore I am partial to Joseph, Armani and Anne Fontaine.”
Wardrobe peek
“My grandmother’s chanderi sari in the palest of pink with a broad gold border. So light and simple and an engineering feat in terms of weaving. An obi belt in leather which I bought myself and I love – so versatile and such a good look! Black Joseph tuxedo trousers.”
Would not wear
“Fur – I know a few decades ago everyone wore fur and I can’t say I haven’t tried on (out of curiosity) mink and ermine of unbelievable texture and fineness; but it’s just wrong. Today we have evolved and we know better.”
Can’t do without
Yves Saint Laurent and Joseph.
Sartorial inheritance
“An antique black leather evening bag with jewelled clasp and handle, from my mother and her mother before that.”
Big passions
“Reading, visiting museums and galleries, theatre, photography and travel and causes like World Wildlife Fund, PETA and a couple of others.”
 TWINKLE Khanna
for her slightly intimidating, mysterious and seriously chic persona
Best known for
Her über-sharp red carpet statements.
Style mantra
“Comfort is key.”
Closet staples
Superbly tailored pieces in solid colours, white shirts, blue jeans.
Addictive accents
Envelope clutches, strong but elegant jewellery pieces – mainly, chunky necklaces.
Favourite labels
Spotted in Badgley Mischka many a time.
Surprising fact
Was never keen on acting in films. “I did not enjoy it from day one.”
Big passions
Design, architecture, interior spaces.
 ANAMIKA Khanna
for evolving in her dressing each season, with every new collection
Sari border draped tunic and churidars, by Anamika Khanna; heels and vintage gold chains.
Best known for
Her mastery over streamlined layering.
Her style
Rock chic meets desi. A hint of deconstruction mixed with ethnic elements.
Inspired by
Textures of any kind, on any material.
Closet staples
Skinny trousers, white tunics and high, spiky heels.
Addictive accents
Shoes – many, many pairs.
Personal style no-no
Sequinned bling overdose. Bright colours. “I feel the need to tone down colours in my own wardrobe, since I use so much in my designs.”
Style statement
A model frame and long, silky hair.
Colour code
Lots of creams and whites – shirts, T-shirts, ganjis, tunics, kurtas, anything! Muted or antique gold is a firm favourite. Black and grey often make an appearance.
Design icons
Dries Van Noten (“He is God!”), Stella McCartney, Yohji Yamamoto.
Surprising fact
Extremely media shy, bordering on being reclusive, despite her über- successful label, fashion royalty status and international collaborations.
 HASEENA Jethmalani
for making Boho oh-so-chic!
Dress by Donna Karan; shoes by Christian Louboutin; ring from Dia.
Signature style
From traditional to contemporary hippie. “Impulsive, since I never know what I am in the mood for 15 minutes before I go out.”
Feels an affinity for
White shirts and linen trousers in all neutral colours.
Prize heirlooms
“My restored saris and old ghaghras.”
New buys
“I don’t have to have anything from the latest collections unless I absolutely love something. I’d rather be stylish than be the woman with the brand new shoes!”
Style inspirations
Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis, Madonna. “I don’t consider Victoria Beckham inspirational but she is definitely very stylish.”
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