Style File: Decoding Priyanka Chopra's paradoxical choices

Clashing classic with perverse, chic with grunge, quirky with avant-garde, sublime with ridiculous — Priyanka Chopra’s style voyage is worth documenting. Juggling Hollywood’s rarefied corridors and the hallowed precincts of Bollywood like a polished player, the Quantico seductress has proved that one can safely make a transition from a racy Ralph Lauren trench dress into a traditional Kanjeevaram sari.

Last Met Gala, PeeCee wreaked a mini earthquake of sorts with her off-kilter pick of a floor-sweeping camel trench and at Anushka Sharma-Virat Kohli’s wedding reception, she channelled her inner doe-eyed, girl-next-door in a gold weave sari. Recently, she layered a fuchsia pink jumpsuit with a matching knee-length top coat at the airport, not an easy pick, mind you! At the Grammy red carpet, she went fully va va voom layering her black lacey bralette with a slouchy white pantsuit. She completed her look with multi-strand necklaces, a bold pout and artfully messy hair. These clashing contrasts makes her one of the coolest dressers of our time.

She’s not averse to rocking a noodle-strap slip at the airport by throwing a denim jacket over it. At the Baywatch premiere, she knocked it out of the ballpark in an ombre sequinned Halston dress. We get stylists and designers to share their take on PC’s style journey — from being an Andaaz ingenue to Quantico’s Powerpuff girl.

Archana Walavalkar, Co-Founder of StyleCracker recalls PC’s pink eye shadow and bralette combo. “She wore it effortlessly for a major red carpet event and owned it! At another party, we saw her throw on a satin, sleepwear-inspired suit and carry it off like a complete pro. She manages to bring her ‘risk-taker’ traits out even on magazine covers.

Be it for GQ and Maxim or publications like In-Style and Cosmopolitan. And lastly, the fact that she actually did make it as a global icon shows that she inherently has what it takes to keep trying new things and taking major risks when it comes to herself,” says Archana.  

SEXY 24 X 7

Stylist Isha Bhansali hails her as the ultimate femme fatale who’s sexy 24 x 7. “She definitely dons traditional weave saris for prestigious events but she clearly enjoys wearing fitted, cleavage-baring ensembles. She lends a hint of drama to every look she embraces. However, I do see her style kind of stagnating and I wish that she experiments with newer silhouettes, hair and make-up since she has such a great personality and can slip into any look. All in all she’s a strong, independent successful woman — a global icon and that’s how she dresses. Though I would love to see her do something fun and flirty. She reminds me of Sharon Stone from Basic Instinct. I’d love to see her in an Elie Saab that would be a refreshing change from her power dressing arsenal which mostly comprises jackets and blazers,” says Isha.

COME A LONG WAY

Over the years, PC has also experimented with her stylists — from Ami Patel in India to her team of stylists in LA, which has also cultivated and refined her sense of personal style.

Designer Arpita Mehta observes that it’s been a long journey in terms of her fashion choices since her Andaaz days. “She has stayed true to her own personality which is of a strong powerful girl. Soft and flirty isn’t her style. I can easily picture her in a pair of well-cut denims and a top or a pantsuit. Unlike her contemporaries, she doesn’t follow trends. Sharp cuts are PC’s thing which is again a reflection of who she is,” says Arpita.

PC did have a phase in LA when she experimented with her hair and make-up and now she’s found her strong point-messy crimped hair, brown smokey eyes and strong lips. “It’s good to experiment to know what works and what doesn’t. Her Ralph Lauren trench came as a complete surprise and it was her way of interpreting street style with a sophisticated undercurrent. A trench is something which one wears everyday. Kudos to her for thinking out of the box,” adds Arpita.   

MISS FUSIONISTA

Unlike other global style icons, PC stands out thanks to her efforts at incorporating home-grown Indian labels in her closet. Stylist Eshaa Amiin says, “Unlike other actresses, she’s made an effort to inculcate Indian designers. Her white pantsuit at the Grammy red carpet was quite cool. It’s not easy to pull off a low-neck bralette but gradually she has nailed the body language essential to carry off such silhouettes.”

A RISK-TAKER

Be it fashion or her career, it’s paid off. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how stylish or risky each look is but it’s about being culturally diverse and open to experimenting, something that Priyanka  has managed to nail. Nandita Mahtani, Co-Founder, LoveGen sees her as a risk-taker. “Even when I don’t agree with her fashion choice, I think she manages to look stunning — pretty sure that’s her confidence talking,” says Nandita.

Designer Suman B of label Lola opines that PC’s not trying to prove any point about being a risk-taker on the red carpet or with her general sense of style. “She wears an evening gown with as much grace as she does a sari.”

BREAKS BARRIERS

Designer Shehla Khan sees PC as someone who broke barriers in every aspect of life not only fashion. “I think taking risk is one thing and owning them is another which she manages to magnificently,” says Shehla.

PC SPELLS CONFIDENCE

Designer Zara Umrigar observes that given PC’s current world domination, that power transcends in her way of dressing as well and it’s great to see her break the mould with some of her fashion choices. “It’s easy to see that confidence is Priyanka’s attribute that shines through at every red carpet event,” says Zara.

Most style arbiters underscore that confidence is her strongest suit. “She’s extremely talented and she’s reached global superstardom where no other Indian actor has managed to yet,” says designer Ridhi Mehra.