The big bling Bollywood style guide
Bollywood actors and models are so glamorous... and now we know their secrets.Look just like her
Barely there sari blouses, exposed midriffs and heavy doses of jewelry are hallmarks of any Bollywood actress’s look. If you're looking to style yourself after your favorite star, the safest -- and often the most expensive -- option is to simply buy clothes from fashion designers famous for their celebrity clientele.
One of the most popular movie costume providers, Manish Malhotra dresses actresses such as current box-office favorite Kareena Kapoor. Other Bollywood style designers include Vikram Phadnis, Rocky S, Shantanu & Nikhil and Neeta Lulla -- each specializes in ornate saris, long gowns and short dresses, which are increasingly popular among younger stars.
A real-deal women's outfit will run from US$1,000 to $3,000. But stores such as Benzer and Sheetal Design Studio sell the 'sexy, sexy' looks for much less. Or skip the clothes altogether and simply accessorize on the cheap. For women, that means bindis, glass and lacquer bangles, kohl and mascara.
While the days of over-the-top dressing are gone and young Bollywood is now experimenting with Indian as well as international labels, the idea that less is more hasn’t completely caught on,” explains Avantikka Kilachand, fashion editor of the Indian edition of celebrity tabloid "HELLO!"
The heartthrob look
Bollywood styles for men are more conventional -- but only just, with a wholehearted embrace of embellishment, embroidery, color, shaved chests and even cleavage. Popular men's wear designers include Aki Narula and Arjun Khanna.Nothing says Bollywood hero faster than a buff chest, tight T-shirt and pair of distressed denims. When in doubt, a Nehru jacket with dark jeans always works.
Her shops
Aza, Altamount Road, tel. +91 22 2353 0212
Ensemble, Shop 130/132, Great Western Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort; tel. +91 (0) 22 2287 2882, 2284 3227
Ensemble, Shop 143, Whitehall Building, Ground Floor, August Kranti Marg, Kemps Corner; tel. +91 (0) 22 2367 2416, 2367 2418
Kimaya, 2 Asha Colony, near Hotel Sea Princess, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu; tel. +91 (0) 22 2660 6154, 2660 5575
Kimaya, 3 Delstar, Below Kemps Corner Flyover, Grant Road; tel. +91 (0) 22 2386 2432
Manish Malhotra, Shop 4/5, Vishnudham Co-operative Housing Society, Corner of 14th Road, Linking Road, Khar (W), tel. +91 (0) 22 2605 0723
Monisha Jaisingh, Shilja Apartments, Opposite Friedas Salon, Pali Hill, Bandra (W); tel. +91 (0) 22 2605 6401, 2605 6402
Neeta Lulla, 6 RNA Classic, Swami Vivekanand Road, Santa Cruz (W), tel. +91 (0) 22 6576 5599
Rocky S, Shop 2, Marine Apartments, Juhu Tara Road; tel. +91 (0) 22 2660 9090
Samsaara, 3 Dhanraj Mahal, Colaba; tel. +91 (0) 22 2202 3062
His shops
Arjun Khanna, 380 Shanti Niwas, 14th Road, Khar (W); tel +91 98200 33710
Benzer, 49, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Breach Cand, tel +91 (0) 22 2353 2266
Sheetal Design Studio, 6A, Sheetal Estate, Grand Road; tel +91 (0) 22 385 6565
