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 KARISMA Kapoor
for keeping minimalist traditions alive in the face of Bollywood excess
Black and white checked shirt, from Moschino; jeans, from J brand; belt, from Dolce & Gabbana; platfrom heels, limited edition Louis Vuitton; black leather Birkin bag, from Hermés; watch from Jaeger.
Best known for
Introducing style to Bollywood during the 1990s bad fashion phase.
Trendsetting moment
Poker straight hair and shaped eyebrows in Raja Hindustani. Her new avatar had the nation in an emulating frenzy.
Most remembered for
Her casual, unselfconscious ease in minis. Gorgeous, gorgeous legs!
Most stylish roles
Fiza for minimalism and Zubeida for vintage chic.
Definition of style
“Less is more.”
Favourite labels
YSL, Chanel, Prada, Hermès. Ethnic ensembles by Karishma Trehan.
Fashion obsession
Black and white. Monochrome is a must, off screen.
Icons
Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis and mum Babita.
Her own style is
“Classic chic.”
 SIMONE Singh
for making natural and understated stylish
Make-up and Hair by Meghna Butani
Satin shirt, by Bebe; high-waisted trousers, by Elm Design; heels, from Bottega Veneta; vintage silver cuffs.
Signature style
Nuanced and inventive.
Wardrobe favourites
“Currently wide leg trousers as they are so versatile and as always, structured jackets and white shirts in different textures and cuts.”
Sartorial hates
Animal prints with bling embroidery and “anything that transports cleavage from its natural God given place to arrive at the neck.”
Definition of style
“Style is inherent and evolves with the personality. Personal style is reflected not only in dress but in every avenue of creative expression.”
Personal inspiration
“Anyone who transcends a narrow personal agenda and works selflessly for a higher calling, whether it be on environment, children, the elderly
or animals.”
 KATRINA Kaif
for breaking the myth that large boned women cannot look delicately feminine
Best known for
Her porcelain complexion that glows in any colour of clothing.
Her style
Minimalist. “I am a zero accessory person… I would probably buy one handbag a year!”
Mostly seen in
Jeans and flat sandals. Sometimes, short shift dresses. Comfort is key.
Surprising fact
Hates make-up and dislikes doing her hair.
Style is
Presence. “You should be noticed. And then, maybe 20 minutes later, people should notice your clothes.”
Hunting hubs
Carnaby Street boutiques and flea markets in London.
 APARNA Roddam
for bringing heart to everyday dressing
Black silk wrap jumpsuit from Abyss; bondage sandals by Steve Madden; neo-tribal beaten metal necklace from Bali; bag from Marni.
Signature style
“It could be eclectic, underground, classic or simple but it is always an extension of how I feel.”
Inspiration
“From adventure, the ability to step out of a comfort zone, fearlessly. From new sensibilities and the confidence to break boundaries.”
Sartorial experiments
Ranging from being a sloth in old jeans, loose shirts and slippers to Bohemian – eclectic harem pants, Thai fisherman pants or lungis with tees, shift dresses. From power dressing to expressing herself in creations of young designers.
Wardrobe peek
“A fun black wrap-around silk jumpsuit which can be worn in five different ways, wrap jodhpurs from a young French designer, an abstract neo-tribal beaten metal necklace from Bali, my first Anand Kabra – a timeless crushed kurta, an oversized ‘armour’ inspired cuff from Suhani Pittie, lehenga pants from Arjun Saluja, jersey kalamkari harem pants by Rajeevkant and an ivory Marni bag.”
Fashion inheritance
“An antique Nizami uncut emerald and Basra pearl choker and a two tone fuschia/orange kanjeevaram gifted by my mother to me 20 years ago!”
Cringeworthy moment
In an “awful ankle length pair of boots and satin asymmetrical skirt which cut off my legs....”
Passionate about
Taking up causes from animal welfare to teaching, kickboxing, yoga, travelling.
 SELENA Bijli
for her ability to mix street fashion with haute brands
Make-up and Hair by Sonia Chandola
Dress from Christian Dior; taupe suede shoes from Gucci.
Signature style
Simple and understated. A mix between high street fashion like Zara, Top Shop, FCUK as well as brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Valentino, Cavalli, Rina Dhaka, Rohit Bal and Abu-Sandeep.
Inspired by
“Women from all walks of life whether it is the malishwali who runs her own household due to an alcoholic husband or a daughter-in-law who works her back off and continues to smile.”
Has an affinity to
“The comfort of my Juicy tracks and the luxury of my Jimmy Choos.”
Style secret
“One thing I can’t wear is a sari. It is extremely graceful but a nightmare for me.”
Cringeworthy moment
Snapping the high heels of her Jimmy Choo boots just before entering a very grand hotel lobby in Hong Kong.
Style philosophy
“I think style is governed by how you feel about yourself on a particular day. It is not about the latest trend or a must- have fashion colour. You just need a little ‘oomph’ in your style.”
Big passion
Being at home. “My children and husband see to it that there is never a dull moment!”
 FEROZE Gujral
for her spirit of adventurous dressing and devil-may-care flair
Signature style
Eclectic classicist. India-modern. Schizophrenic. “I can do man-in-drag to Barbie Doll diva!”
Inspirations
“I am inspired by great design – whether it’s an art piece, painting, sculpture or jewellery. I may see a beautiful painting, say grey with a slash of pink, and rush home to recreate the look. I am also inspired by tribal design.”
Sartorial limitation
“I wear things only once because the press is always there and so I need to be very innovative.”
Wardrobe peek
“Shoes, beautiful underwear, perfume…strange or rare or unusual pieces of jewellery.”
Fashion faux pas
“I bought a very beautiful, very expensive sari from a designer and he had sold the same to someone else. We landed up wearing the sari to the same event! This is not done. After all, we did not pay ready-to-wear prices.”
Favourite designers
“I am not partial to designers at all. I just love good design, whether it is a beautiful fabric from the road in Africa or a five dollar bag that my daughter gave me or something really expensive.”
Precious inheritance
“The three most important pieces to me are a pendant with the Koran sharif in a locket, my grandfather’s tiger tooth pendent and a priest ring from Kerala.”
Big passion
“Working with the Gujral Foundation for higher studies in art, fashion and architecture. And, I love my elephants and am trying to set up my own elephant fund.”
 NANDITA Mahtani
for being the best clotheshorse for her own label
Best known for
Her chiselled features and sun-kissed, honey coloured locks.
Her style
Minimalist, effortless and extremely chic.
Closet staples
Well-constructed shirts and trousers, many pairs of jeans, shift dresses.
Current favourite
A white, semi-deconstructed Alexander Wang shirt. “I love it!”
Addictive accents
Belts of varying materials, widths, colours and textures.
Personal style no-no
Overpowering prints – she is mostly seen in solids. And make-up. “I dislike putting anything on my face. I like my skin to be fresh and breathe
 SANCHITA Ajjampur
for defining the ‘global, independent, contemporary, haute Indian woman’
Dress, by Sanchita.
Best known for
Her suntanned, chiselled, athletic frame that is the perfect mannequin for almost anything.
Style is
“ ‘...What unites memory or recollection, ideology, sentiment, nostalgia, presentiment, to the way we express all that. It’s not what we say but how we say it that matters’ – Frederico Fellini.”
Closet favourites
A collection of vintage pieces, skinny jeans, patchwork track pants.
Favourite labels
Ossie Clark, Walter Albini, ’80s and ’90s Romeo Gigli and Yohji Yamamoto, now – Alber Elbaz and Consuelo Castiglioni.
Fashion inheritance
A pink cotton brocade moiré Egyptian kaftan with rope embroidery – “A gift from a dear family friend.”
Other passions
Yoga, Muay Thai boxing, travelling “off the beaten track”.
 MAITHILI Ahluwalia
for making legacy a tribute to style
Signature style
“Effortless. Hopefully....”
Ceaseless inspirations
Travel, books, museums, people....
Closet winners
“All my hand-me-downs from my mother and grandmother.”
Mother influence
“She would have me be unconventional and different.”
Feels an affinity to
Yoga and organic food.
Closet spectacular
The Bungalow, Dries Van Noten, Bless, Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, American Apparel (basic tees), Balmain.
Sentimental inheritance
“My mother’s ’80s jewellery.”
 RITA Dhody
for showing us how to carry off contemporary classic chic
Make-up by Stafford Braganza for Lancôme, India. Hair courtesy Yasmin’s, Andheri.
Black dress, by Stella McCartney; necklace, by Sunita Kapoor; heels, by Christian Louboutins.
Closet staples
At least 70 white shirts from designers to high street – Dolce & Gabbana, MaxMara, Escada, Fendi, Zara, Sport Max and Moschino. Blue jeans from True Religion, J Brand and Rock Republic.
Important piece
“What is most important is a composite of jackets from Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci. Together with black dresses from Cavalli, Lanvin, Iceberg and easy dresses from Donna Karan, the shirts and the jeans, it makes for a very workable wardrobe for me.”
Banish from Bollywood
“Most definitely rah-rah skirts and swimsuits with cutaway waists and an idiotic embellished belt on the hip.”
Retail high
Milan, Rome and Paris. “I have just discovered Rome which has a wider range of merchandise than Milan and more localised Italian designers. Paris has a delightful boutique concept that I love.”
Feels an affinity to
Dolce & Gabbana and Lanvin. “And while I don’t wear Indian designers much I do buy Sabyasachi for his timelessness, Anamika Khanna who really understands feminine charm and Manish Malhotra for style and glamour.”
Fashion inheritance
“Instead of clothes, these days I find my daughters in my cupboard. They love what I have bought in the last seven to 10 years and sneak clothes out. My younger daughter Nadine has an eye for pulling things together and it is interesting for me to see what she does with a shirt from Balenciaga and a pair of shorts from Top Shop.”
Fashion tip
“When choosing, if you border on something classic, it goes beyond seasons.”
Big passion
“The time that I spend taking meditative retreats in Ganeshpuri.”
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