Mumbai based fashionistas and designers Dolly Sidhwani, Bhavana Pandey and Nandita Mahtani, will be in Bengaluru this weekend to showcase their label at a local exhibition. We caught up with the trio ahead of their trip for a fun take on fashion, style and more.
1. Does age define fashion or does it depend on body type?
Bhavana Pandey: Age to me is a just a number and one’s style tends to evolve with time but that doesn’t mean its necessary to change or alter yourself if you don’t want it to. On the other hand, whether we like it or not, one’s body type can make all the difference.
Dolly Sidhwani: Surely not age, but a body type can make or break a look for me. I may love a certain outfit but if it doesn’t fit correctly or accentuate my body type, no matter how beautiful the style, it wouldn’t work for me.
Nandita Mahtani: For me, age doesn’t define fashion at all, it’s not something you necessarily think of when meeting a person but someone’s body type is definitely a big influence.
2. Who are the most stylish celebrities in India and abroad?
Bhavana Pandey: Thinking effortlessly stylish, it has to be Kangana Ranaut and Blake Lively respectively for me.
Dolly Sidhwani: Hands down, Deepika Padukone!
Nandita Mahtani: Rihanna is my all time favourite!
3. Your must-have fashion accessory this season?
Bhavana Pandey: Chain belts, every season.
Dolly Sidhwani:- In love with corset belts, it’s trendy yet super fashionable.
Nandita Mahtani:- I like to keep things minimal, can’t-do without my simple necklaces.
4. Three eternal favourites in your wardrobe?
Nandita Mahtani: White tee, denim & a classic shirt dress.
Bhavana Pandey: White shirt, greatly fitted denims & a go-to LBD.
Dolly Sidhwani: White shirt, ripped jeans & a pretty black dress.
5. A white tank with ripped jeans or a sexy black dress?
Bhavana Pandey: White tank with ripped jeans always!
Dolly Sidhwani: Sexy black dress
Nandita Mahtani: Depends on my mood, white tank with ripped jeans in the day & a sexy black dress at night!
6. The most common fashion mistakes desi women make
Nandita Mahtani: Personally I really do not like very tight or body-hugging styles. I think most people can’t carry it off unless they have a drop dead stunning body!
Bhavana Pandey: I think fusion styling works very rarely. It tends to end up looking more silly than stylish. It’s a line to cross over & most of the times, no one really gets it right.
Dolly Sidhwani:- Heavy Indian jewellery, chunky/ethnic earrings & rings with very western silhouettes is a big NO for me.
7. For a night out with your gal pals, you would dress in?
Nandita Mahtani: I would probably end up wearing one of my white or black, easy to slip in, short dresses with heels.
Bhavana Pandey: I love being comfortable so it has to be a lovely shirtdress & wedges.
Dolly Sidhwani: I love dressing up so a dress & a pair of pretty heels is my fun night out look!
8. Your perfect look for a date night with your partner
Bhavana Pandey: A nice, stylish top with well-fitted jeans & wedges.
Dolly Sidhwani: A pretty short red dress & heels.
Nandita Mahtani: I would pretty much dress the same way as I would for a night out with my friends.
9. What are the latest fashion must buys this season?
Dolly Sidhwani: Nothing says fashion like velvet boots!
Bhavana Pandey: - Anything Olive - bombers, dresses or jumpsuits.
Nandita Mahtani: Don’t necessarily love wearing pearls, but it is definitely a huge trend this season!
10. Who are your favourite Indian and international designers?
Bhavana Pandey:- Other than Nandi, who is also the fashion director at our brand, I absolutely love Monisha Jaisingh’s sense of fashion. Internationally, Chloe never fails to amaze.
Dolly Sidhwani: Have to agree with Bhavana entirely on this, to add can’t get enough of Isabel Marant this season.
Nandita Mahtani: To me, one of my dearest friends, Suneet Verma makes the prettiest Indian clothes and internationally, Gucci’s new quirky show has got me totally inspired & excited to be in the fashion world once again.
11 This is for Bhavana (ever swapped clothes or twinned with your teenaged daughter?)
Bhavana Pandey: Never twinned, my daughter would kill me but we’ve swapped clothes a billion times - it’s just so differently styled, no one can tell!
12.One fashion disaster that you would never repeat.
Dolly Sidhwani: I shouldn’t even mention it.
Bhavana Pandey: I’d like to think I’ve had none!
Nandita Mahtani: Hoping to never make one.
13. What are the wardrobe essentials for women in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
Dolly Sidhwani:-20’s was all about shorts and crop tees for me.
By your 30’s you should have found your perfect denim fit and a little black dress.
40’s your wardrobe has a cool mix of modern, trendy & classic styles. By now I think you know which styles are essential for you - a well fitted shirt to a chic dress.
Nandita Mahtani: Age to me just does not matter. Well fitted jeans, basic tees, a LBD & LWD is a must for all. Whether you’re in your 20s or 40s, you should own a wardrobe that you love & feel confident in.
Bhavana Pandey: I’m going to have to agree with Dolly and Nandi on this one. I think wardrobe essentials keep changing as per your personality and experiences. 20s tend to be more experimental while 40s you know what you’re doing.
14. Your idea of dressing sexy: legs, cleavage or both?
Bhavana Pandey: I think it’ll be legs for all three of us!
15. The one fashion trend that you would never follow?
Dolly Sidhwani: I love trends so I really enjoy experimenting with my looks and trying new things. Never say Never!
Bhavana Pandey: I’m done with fitted bodycon dresses.
Nandita Mahtani: Can we get done with frills, ruffles & voluminous sleeves already? It is just not me.
16. How do you define style?
Nandita Mahtani: Style to me is simple, minimalistic and elegant.
Bhavana Pandey: Carriage is style. If one can carry an outfit with confidence, they will look stylish no matter what.
Dolly Sidhwani: Style to me is an expression of one’s personality and it really reflects who you are.
17. Are you a slave to high end brands, or happy to mix and match?
So happy to mix and match, that we started our own high street label.
