From Nita Ambani to Rhea Kapoor, style savants we love...

Caviar, Chanel, carats, couture and champagne — these 5 Cs sum up their enviable Good Lives. They run businesses, are involved with charities and have queen-size closets. A combination of beauty and brains —  these go-getters feature on almost every style list. One’s wont to ask — what makes them tick? “They all hail from solid fashion education backgrounds and are connected with the international fashion scene. Whether they are gracing front rows at haute couture weeks or playing a pivotal role in the business of fashion — they make an impact. They come with a sense of style from the very core — be it their education, travels or lifestyle,” says stylist Aastha Sharma. Here’s looking at some of fashion and society’s movers and shakers...

NATASHA POONAWALLA: PARTY PRINCESS

“There’s a buzz in Mumbai’s elite circles that if invitees know that Nat P will be attending an event, they get ultra-conscious about their look. Most of them want to wear global brands and steer clear of Indian designers,” says stylist Eshaa Amiin. Even when Natasha was pregnant, she never bid adieu to her signature sequinned body-con dresses. From Saint Laurent’s mini crinis to Stephen Jones fascinators to Balmain’s glam rock skirts — she always manages to make a statement and turn heads.

NITA AMBANI: A SYNONYM FOR BRAND INDIA

The elegant and erudite Nita Ambani promotes indigenous India internationally by wearing home-bred designer names in a scenario where everyone is chasing international brands. The globetrotting businesswoman, philanthropist and hostess-with-the-mostest has impeccable taste and never leaves an opportunity to promote Indian talent and craft. Designer Sandeep Khosla of label Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, had shared in an interview with this paper, “She’s a participant in the dressing process. She loves what we do and stands by our aesthetic. She’s a perfectionist. Also, she’s involved with every minute detail — be it her parties or other ventures. When we launched our book too, she was involved with every minute aspect of the venture.”

MICHELLE  POONAWALLA: EPITOME OF LAID-BACK COOL 

Artist, businesswoman, wife and mother — Michelle wears many a hat with effortless elan. “She’s a lovely person and has an amazing heart. She just radiates positivity and is always well turned out. Her sense of style is primarily elegant and classic yet there’s an edgy element to it, for instance, her penchant for studded shoes. She’s a super mom, has a hands-on approach to her work. It’s amazing how she strikes such a fine balance between family and work lives,” says designer Falguni Peacock.

ROOHI JAIKISHAN: CEREBRAL SEXINESS 

Businesswoman, art purveyor and style connoisseur is the first and the last word when it comes to nailing cerebral sexiness in India. From rocking Gucci’s maximalist aesthetic to supporting H&M’s eco-conscious campaigns — she’s stayed true to her ideology. In a guest column, which she penned for After Hrs, she wrote, “Gucci has been extremely forthcoming with Kering’s sustainability framework. It has joined the fur-free alliance, committing to reducing environmental impact, supporting and ensuring traceability of 95 per cent of its raw materials.” Also, she’s an elegant hostess and the genuine warmth and hospitality she extends makes her one of the most admired social figures.    

SHEETAL MAFATLAL: UNABASHED LUXURISTA

The scion of Nirlon group has been eclipsing the dynamic world of haute couture for quite sometime now. The luxe maven, who’s been profiled in international TIME magazine, Vogue Italia and Park Avenue got her wedding lehenga custom-made by Donatella Versace. “When it comes to experimenting and taking risks, nothing comes in her way. For our T-shirt launch event, we had sent her a T-shirt and a skirt, which she beautifully wore with a statement turban. She knows how to do a cool mix of brands. She has an amazing collection of accessories and when you meet her, you just want to spend five minutes looking at her,” says designer Falguni Peacock.

RHEA KAPOOR: GLAMAZON GENIUS  

In an interview with this writer, Rhea had shared, “I was never really inspired that much by the fashion magazines as much by films, TV, the idea of persona and style. My love of fashion comes from the idea that it’s wearable expression so it could be like a kiss or raising the middle finger. I love that. An outfit can tell you if someone’s depressed or someone’s happy.” Perhaps that reflects in the way she approaches style on a day-to-day basis. “She has a very strong sense of personal style which is very androgynous. She’s very comfortable in every look and has a strong story to tell with each look,” says Arpita Mehta.

PERNIA QURESHI: THE ORIGINAL  

Born in the culturally-cultivated Qureshi household in south Delhi, fashion and luxury are something which came to Pernia quite naturally. Since the age of six, she was inspired by her mom’s incredible closet. Even though she pursued law, fashion was her true calling. She started off her career with internships at major fashion magazines in New York. She then worked as an assistant stylist in New York for Ann Caruso, a contributing editor at Harper’s Bazaar. She also worked independently with JJ Valaya and Tarun Tahiliani — on their campaigns, look books, and fashion shows and then set up Pernia’s Pop-up store which has become a retail force to reckon with. “She wears everything — from the newest of the designers to the highest couturier with same ease,” says stylist Aastha Sharma.

CECILIA MORELLI PARIKH: DESIGN MAVEN 

Working as a buyer at Bergdorf Goodman was Cecilia Morelli Parikh’s version of business school. In an interview with this paper, the Founder of the luxury store, Le Mill had shared, “BG is a beautiful example of commerce and art working together. My mentor Jennifer Sunwoo always gave me tremendous responsibility and was the first person to teach me to look at fashion as a poem of numbers and creativity.” Just check Le Mill’s Insta handle and one can vouch for how she combines her Balenciagas and Saint Laurents like a potent cocktail. 

KALYANI SAHA: INSPIRING ENTREPRENEUR

She single-handedly put Christian Dior on the style map and has now ventured into decor with her label silverware label Rezon. “Earlier people were hesitant to wear Dior ready-to-wear on a daily basis but she wore it with ease and without shouting. She’s always known how to create successful businesses. She’s very well aware of Indian fashion too and you could talk to her for hours on style,” says stylist Aastha Sharma.