I think I have a flair for fashion. I know what looks good on my friends. I lend earrings, stoles, clips and I’m forever full of suggestions like “wear your hair this way”, or “use this grey eye-liner with the kajal”. In fact, sometimes I’m impossible to tolerate. So, I decided to try my hand at being a stylist, for after all, isn’t it their job to be bossy and make people look good? As it turned out, I thought wrong.

Day 1, 3pm-4pm

Picking up the clothes

I meet stylist Sandip Ghoshal (Sandy, he insisted) and help him pick out clothes for model Claudia Ciesla for a shoot for B. Sirkar Johuree. What could be easier?

We hit Simaaya and Siyaa on Elgin Road. I am delighted since there is no constraint on budget and no fear of the items I love being too small since they are for a model! It seems like pretend shopping. What fun!

What I’m Told

There will be four sets of clothing. The theme and story-line have been drawn up by the trio that includes Sandy, make-up artist Aniruddha Chakladar and fashion photographer Sanat Ghosh. The theme is supposed to be international meets Bengali. “The bride is supposed to look a little undone, as if she is prepared to run away with the groom,” explains Sandy.

Each outfit must look ‘bridal’ but be understated enough to not overshadow the jewellery.

No reds. As the model is pale-skinned, the red will detract attention from the jewellery.

What I Do

Not much. There are a lot of clothes to be admired, considered and sensitively rejected. All of which Sandy does.

I gape at the designer gowns, which seem to have an entire rhinestone factory on them.

I admire the blue gown Sandy picks. And wholeheartedly approve of the beige and gold salwar-kameez Sandy has already selected.

I try to be productive and ask the shop attendants to show some other saris.

I fall in love with a gorgeous blue georgette sari with a border in gold and red, though it’s a little dressy for my taste and it costs more than what I earn in a month. I am heartbroken. But it’s picked for the shoot so I get to look at it for a little longer. I have found true love!

What I learn

It’s simpler to pick clothing out in stores that stock many brands rather than running from designer to designer, since time is short.

It is essential that the colour palette is not repeated. So even if it is a bright pink sari with beige embroidery it is a better idea not to use it if a beige salwar kameez is already decided upon for one of the shots.

There will be no alterations to the clothes. So one has to pick the clothing keeping in mind what the model can fit into. But a little difference in sizes is allowed. Tops that are too loose can be taken in with a clothespin. For clothes that are too tight, the zips or hooks can be left open, with a strategically-placed arm or drape covering what is bare. I’m amazed. I thought everything was as perfect as it looked.

The design below the bust does not matter, since it is a jewellery shoot.

4.45pm to 5pm

Make-up Brief

What I’m Told

Not much. Aniruddha Chakladar is at his studio dressing up brides when Sandy and I land up to brief him about the colours Claudia will be wearing.

What I do

I listen as they discuss what kind of a look Claudia should be given. They decided on a soft, coy look — nothing too dramatic.

What I learn

Someone with Claudia’s bone structure has the potential to look harsh. Which is why it’s the make-artiste’s and stylist’s job to figure out what kind of look suits the model.

Day 2 (12.30-1.30pm)

The wait

What I’m Told

Initially, all of us are asked to wait, as the people arranging the shoot are missing. The entire crew comprising Sandy, fashion photographer Sanat Ghosh, his daughter Purnasha, Aniruddha and hairdresser Noor Alam hang around The Park lobby, wondering where producer and the model are.

We are told that a shoot won’t be possible at The Park since they have neglected to inform the public relations and events desk about the shoot, which was to take place in one of the corridors. Such misunderstandings are apparently very common.

What I Do

I wait. And make friends with Purnasha who seems to know all about fashion and shoots and knows everyone. She is assisting Sandy, she says. I feel threatened.

What I learn

That such goof-ups are a part of the job.

That the stylist has a lot of responsibility. Sandy signs a document saying he is responsible for two lakhs worth of clothing. There have been times when models and celebrities have walked away with the clothing or spilled something on them.

2pm-6.30 pm

(Sanat Ghosh’s studio)

We finally get down to business. The jewellery people are here. We get to finally get our hands on the gold! We fiddle with lots of pieces and act generally pompous when choosing and rejecting them. I am in my element.

What I’m Told

I’m given a lot of instructions. But nothing too taxing mentally.

I’m supposed to fetch and hang clothes just before every shot, help Claudia change clothes before the shots, help her put on the jewellery and in general be a helpful busy body. I’m not asked to drape the sari, thankfully. I’m no good at that. (Claudia, on the other hand, has figured out how to wear the sari. And loves it!)

What I Do

There is a nice kundan set in blue and gold that catches my eye. I suggest it to match the gown. Sandy and Aniruddha are sceptical initially but agree later. I congratulate myself.

I have another bright idea. I suggest that they use a necklace with a big pendant and a trailing small pendant as a jhapta. Remember Rekha in the Salaam-e-Ishq song? They look a little horrified but after some time, they agree! They decide to use it instead of a maang-tika. Aniruddha says that I have a potential. I exult! So there, I mentally say to all the people who’ve turned down my well-meaning advice.

I help Claudia change into clothing for the shoot. And hang her pretty Ritu Kumar dress on a hanger. I’m fascinated by her skin — it’s as pale as alabaster, but not at all pasty. She’s also an intimidating 5’9”. I’m almost depressed. But then comes out Aniruddha’s bag of goodies — an all-Mac make-up kit. The sight of so many pretty colours cheers me up.

There are two kinds of shots taken of Claudia, with and without jewellery. For each shot, we study the picture on Sanatda’s laptop and give him feedback.

What I Learn

That one must be resourceful. And carry versatile pieces of cloth like black satin or gold pieces that can be draped. Sandy fishes out a pair of green pantyhose which is miraculously transformed into a strapless blouse.

That one must have imagination. For the shot in a strappy gold salwar kameez, Sandy suggests a loose hair bun where lots of sections of hair are wound to make curly ringlets that are all gathered to form a bun. My advice on hair is usually to leave it open. I guess there’s still room for improvement.

That six hours of running around is hell for your back. And that there is absolutely no time to freshen up in between.

My day is over at 7pm. Being in the beauty business can be surprisingly bad for your self-esteem but if you stop yourself from comparing, it can be a ball. There is a lot of harmless gossip. A lot of running around. And unfortunately, a lot of responsibility. And the end product is very rewarding. A lot like my job, I think.