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March, 2010 > People < Back To Article
On A Brand High

Text by Shirin Mehta and Photographed by Hardeep Sachdev

Published: Volume 18, Issue 3, March, 2010

Reena Wadhwa is the belle of the high-fashion world. Her recent acquisition as promoter of the Italian luxury brand Gucci in India, through her company Luxury Goods Retail Pvt Ltd, has put her on a social roll. “I am certainly more careful now about what I wear in public than I have ever been,” she admits with a short laugh and a toss of her newly cut and styled hair. She is comfortably at home in her jeans and an outsized T-shirt and white towelling bedroom slippers. The view out of her bay windows is breathtakingly that of South Mumbai and a vast vista of sea.

The former television actress and producer (Neeyat, Aatish, Kahin Diya Jale Kahin Jiya) acquired the India rights for Gucci at quite the right time. “It was amazing; there is no story to it. I was holidaying in Milan and over a casual meeting, I was offered Gucci, just like that.” Reena was at that time feeling the uncertainty in the television industry which she had been a part of for 12 years. “When I started, television was far more open to liberal concepts and different types of stories. Today, it has become regressive and I could not relate to what was wanted of me in terms of scripts and roles. I was fast reaching the conclusion that this would not work for me. In fact, I don’t watch television at all, anymore.”

A mother of two adolescent children, son Karan and daughter Nikita, Reena’s wardrobe has changed through the years from ‘very conservative’ salwars and saris to jeans and dresses. Today, she can jump like a style chameleon from saris to the LBW without any discomfort. In fact, comfort, she claims is the key to stylish dressing


“I enjoy drama in my dressing. I am most of the time dressed in a classic-contemporary style. If I am feeling slim on a particular day, I wear white; if I am in the mood for drama, I wear reds and shocking pinks and when I want to feel safe, it’s black.” Electric blue gown and silver shoes, both from Gucci; diamond earrings, from Bvlgari; emerald cocktail ring, designed by Reena, from personal collection.

“My prized possessions are my mother’s gold, beautifully carved jhumkas that I enjoy wearing with a sari, when I am feeling very traditional. I have two old Kanjivaram saris from my grandmother’s time which I keep due to sentimental value but never wear.” Kanjivaram sari, from Ravissant; polkhi necklace, by Raj Mahtani; ring, from Gem Palace, from personal collection.

“In jewellery, I enjoy wearing statement pieces. I believe that jewellery is worn to enhance your dressing and do not believe in clutter. I would never wear an entire set at one time, even to a wedding. Just one piece at a time.” Red and white floral dress, shoes and bag, all from Gucci; diamond bracelet and watch from personal collection.	“Of Indian designers, I love Rohit Bal’s collections, the exquisite workmanship and unique pieces. I used to enjoy wearing Sabyasachi a lot but of late his clothes have grown very thick on fabric. I honestly haven’t shopped much with new designers.” Black stole, top and churidar, all from Ensemble; silver shoes, from Gucci; ruby and diamond earrings, by Queenie; watch and bracelet from personal collection

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