RITU BERI

How often do you wear Ritu Beri?

I wear RB most of the time. Especially at important occasions where I like to custom-make the outfit to suit my look and body type. I feel that it is pure luxury to be able to dress yourself exactly how you wish.

What are some other labels that your wardrobe houses?

I buy lots of international brands only because there are things they do which we in India cannot. I love the Missoni prints, Jean Paul Gaultier for his madness, True Religion and J Brand jeans and some street stuff that is unique to the city or country. In India I don’t really go shopping but if I see something I like, I pick it up.

Apart from Ritu Beri, which brand do you like?

Alexander McQueen.

What are your wardrobe basics?

I love jeans and tees. For the evenings I prefer feminine dresses. White works for me both in the day and evening.

And some luxury extras?

Watches. They are my substitute for jewellery.

Bags or shoes?

Both! They complete a look and it’s very important to choose the right footwear so not to kill your look. Also the kind of bag you carry for the day and night speaks volumes about your style.

How long do you take to get dressed for a working day and a big night?

Two minutes for day and five minutes for the night.

A head-to-toe look that always works for you?

A black dress with bright stilettos and a clutch for the night.

What is your recipe for a yummy mummy look?

Love yourself as a mother. Stay fit and feel young. Dress trendy and relax. Don’t put in too much effort to look young — that looks ugly.

Do you shop at airports?

I am a shopaholic. I find something to buy everywhere. At airports I pick up knick-knacks, chocolates etc... seldom fashion stuff.

RAGHAVENDRA RATHORE

Sophistication could well be his middle name and classic and understated are the two words that give you a fair idea about Raghavendra Rathore’s style. Immaculately cut ethnics and shirts in monotones (read blacks or whites), all from the Rathore label, are what the prince of Jodhpur uses to turn heads at any do. “Rather be under-dressed than overdressed” is what he advises and here’s one man who practices just what he preaches. The bandhgala is surely his signature, but there’s more to RR’s style.

Define your style:

A blend of comfort and sophistication.

One thing you are passionate about:

Colognes.

What brand?

Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren; it’s an eternal favourite and I always stick to it.

Favourite accessory of the moment:

My Toshiba Tablet laptop that allows me to sketch directly on the screen.

You have made the bandhgala famous… how many do you have?

I haven’t really counted but I have one for every occasion and one for every time of the day. I have four colours for winter evenings and same for summer. Then I have travel bandhgalas that are easy to put on and take off inside a flight. Thanks to my generous design team, I also get to sample any new design in bandhgalas. I am their favourite model!

What else makes up your wardrobe?

Denims and cargo pants and shirts from my own label. I also have waistcoats, kurtas and some tees.

Your denim brand and colours:

Levi’s. Dark charcoal and bluish black are my colours. I’m not much of a faded-blue-jeans person.

What are the dominant colours in your wardrobe?

I have only three colours in my wardrobe — white, black and beige.

Apart from Rathore, which designers do you wear?

I don’t wear any other designer’s work. I only shop for denims and cargo pants and you don’t need designers for that. But if I were to shop for designerwear, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto are the two designers whose work I can see myself wearing.

A fashion no-no for you:

Prints; they’re a bit too casual for me. I can’t see myself wearing prints or slogans. My tees should only have the brand logo and nothing else.

ANAMIKA KHANNA

She is a walking talking look book everyday of her life. Anamika Khanna never seems to have a bad dressed day. In her factory she works the work chic very well. Skinny pants below, loose summery layers (yes, because AK doesn’t do boring and being skinny helps) and flat Puma chappals. She goes through fashion phases even at work. One season it’s oversized, other season she’s into all white. Perfectly blow-dried hair and French manicured nails, her watch and bag in place. It’s the evenings when the other side of the fashionista emerges. Mostly in her own styles, she works her accessory treasure perfectly. Always sexy and super chic, she is currently going through the single-shoulder mood.

If you are not in Anamika Khanna, then you are in…

Anything! It could be a mix of many things, maybe something from the street mixed with an important label. It could be a high-street brand or another Indian designer.

Favourite international brands:

I love Balmain, Nina Ricci and Lanvin.

And favourite Indian designers:

I wear a whole lot of Savio Jon. Gudda (Rohit Bal) is a forever favourite and Pratap (Rajesh Pratap Singh) for his classics.

How many bags and shoes do you own?

Too many!

What is the last thing you bought and how much did you spend on it?

I cannot answer this question. I am ashamed!

What is your current bag?

It’s a chocolate brown Tod’s. It’s my current everyday bag. But my bags keep changing!

How often do you shop?

I don’t shop in Calcutta as such. I shop when I am travelling. Whether it is shopping on the street, flea markets or stores, I go mad! Usually, I know exactly what I want before I hit the stores.

How do you exactly know what you want before hitting the stores?

I know everything. It’s my job!

What is most important to you in a new buy?

The shape — it’s very important for me.

Do you repeat your clothes?

Well, classics are forever. But yes, when I spring clean, I do give away two or three suitcases full of clothes. I don’t part with my shoes and bags.

MANISH MALHOTRA

Manish Malhotra is a permanent picture of perfection. Everything is perfectly polished, ironed and in place. Always immaculately dressed in shirts (black or checks), sometimes he adds a waistcoat for effect. For formal occasions like award functions and couture shows, he wears a black or navy bandhgala. He is extra particular about his hair and can finish a bottle of cologne in record time! And yes, there are two letters that drive him crazy — L and V!

First thing you look before buying anything:

The fit.

What is your current day look?

Well, it’s very simplistic. I like checked shirts for the day with folded jeans and sneakers. Like a very casual New York look.

And a current evening look?

I love my bandhgalas. I also love the whole waistcoat look.

Who is your favourite menswear designer in India?

I used to wear a lot of Rohit Bal’s shirts and jackets but for the past few years I am fully enjoying flaunting my own menswear!

Brands you cannot resist:

Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton.

And some things you cannot resist:

Shirts. It’s a weakness.

Where do you love shopping?

New York — it’s my favourite shopping destination.

Who do you love shopping for more — yourself or a film?

I love shopping. Period! And then to be paid for shopping…

What are your most recent purchases?

Jeans from Kenzo and Prada and Tom Ford glasses. And a LV duffel bag for the gym from the Delhi store. I carry two or three options even to the gym hence duffel bags are must! I always overpack!

How neat is your wardrobe?

Oh, it’s immaculate. All the jeans are on hangers and the shirts are perfectly folded in drawers.

SABYASACHI MUKHERJEE

His personal sense of style is just like his catwalk collections — dependable and utilitarian. At work he wears chappals, regular shirts with cargo pants and even shorts. He barely socialises but when he does, again, it’s a regular striped shirt, some drama infused with semi-ripped jeans and a surprise element called red suede loafers! It’s during fashion week and store launches that Sabyasachi emerges from his anti-social shell to make a full-on style statement. Designer belts, shoes, jeans and sometimes jackets. Out comes his Marc Jacobs and Yohji Yamamotos. All pieces important but none loud. His personal style has evolved tremendously over the years (he was quite a khadi kurta person before he discovered GAP) but comfort still rules above anything else.

Top two fashion fetishes?

Shoes and belts. I can’t resist a good pair of shoes, even if it’s five minutes before boarding an aircraft. I love Jean Paul Gaultier belts.

Favourite shoes at the moment?

My latest pair — indigo Lanvin sneakers — I am totally in love with! I also like Moccasins from Tod’s and Gucci.

What do you sleep in?

Muji T-shirts with boxers or pyjamas and I could be in them on the red carpet too!

What label is most of your wardrobe?

GAP.

Why GAP?

Because it is intelligent clothing that lends me both comfort and sophistication without burning a hole in my pocket! They are the best everyday clothes.

And your preferred label for Indian outfits?

I love Bombay Electric for ethnic formals and if it’s casual, then Fabindia.

What do you have most in your wardrobe?

Khaki trousers. I can’t count how many I have. Also white shirts. I have truckloads of white shirts, mostly from GAP.

How often do you repeat your clothes?

If I like something I can repeat it as many times. I once wore a white shirt and a black bandhgala by Yohji Yamamoto three days in a row while travelling. Thank god for hotel laundries!

Style icon:

My sister Payal. She carries a Chanel bag that is bitten by her dog with pride! I don’t care about women who carry a new handbag every day.

Wardrobe advice from Sabyasachi:

Well, I don’t believe in much variety. I prefer depth of the same kind of clothes. Your style should suit you. Contrary to popular belief, it is not modern to add too much variety to your life. With maturity comes restraint. I like the feeling of familiarity that comes with someone’s clothing. The wardrobe is a strong visual ID of someone.