'I love Sonam and Rhea Kapoor; they are the ultimate style duo': Nisha Kundnani

My personal style is: A lot about quality materials, silhouettes that are boxy and have that ease, and I like subtle colours. I can never wear black as I am committed to wearing ivory all the time. I don’t feel the need to experiment with colour as I feel there is a universe of styles to explore when it comes to ivory and creams. I love luxury styling, it can be cotton, muls or silks, the higher the fabric count, the more it appeals to my mind. Also it's a conscious effort to buy less and choose well.

My personal style icon: As cliché as it sounds, I love Sonam and Rhea Kapoor; they are the ultimate style duo. I love all the icons who create drama, and newness in fashion and are always about innovating new techniques of styling. As a stylist, I look up to Rhea Kapoor because she pairs the East meets West ideas extremely well. The sisters have a pulse on fashion and they still create looks together that will be relevant even in the future.

An item in my wardrobe that means a lot to me: My mother has a chip on her shoulder because she’s beautiful and stylish and is always dressed up in stunning saris. Whenever she comes back from an event, she likes to declare “I look the best.” It’s because she has this gorgeous personality and aura and is always dressed in saris. It’s the gravitas of her personality and how she wears her looks. I cherish the saris that belong to her that were ahead of their times, like a powder greyish blue with all thread embroidery. A grey organza sari with a black border. She never wore traditional colours and had the eye for the most unconventional colour and design combinations.

My favourite souvenir from my travels:  My collectables of handbags from Yves Saint Laurent. I don’t experiment with too many designer bags. It’s only French designers such as YSL and Jacquemus for me. Otherwise, it’s always artisanal chocolates.

The best gift I have received: A pair of Victorian diamond earrings from my husband during our wedding. Indian men don’t really propose, I said cool I am not into rings either. But 12 years later, I lost one of the earrings and had to convert the earring into a ring. I also love this gold kada (bangle) given to me by my mother, it has a Chinese-influenced design that is very Calcutta. I now have in my possession four real zari saris from my mom’s wedding. I plan to never wear them as the sentiment is just too powerful of how I saw them. I can never do justice when it comes to emulating my mother’s style but that never stops me from trying.

The best gift I have given: I gift watches to people, so everyone in my family is gifted watches by me. My mom has a Rolex, my brother a Fredrique Constant, and my husband has an Omega.

The last thing I bought: A silk Sabyasachi shirt last month from his new ready-to-wear collection as I feel the brand is moving strongly in the direction of intricately designed Western apparel, beautifully reimagined to the Indian context. Since I am a textile connoisseur, I have to have Sabyasachi’s ready-to-wear in my wardrobe.

The last book I read: I don’t read books. But I do like listening to podcasts of books on mental health.

The last film I loved: I am a sucker for love stories. I loved 'Past Lives' and also appreciated the slow living concept of 'Perfect Days'. My favourite recent film is ''Call Me By Your Name'.

My Spotify list would include these songs: Lot of Punjabi music right now, and Oaff and Savera.

My beauty/ wellness routine is: Korean skin care, good sunscreen, I drink Vitamin C, supplements, beetroot juice and I eat my antioxidants and collagens. I take a lot of effort for my skin but I don’t like an unhealthy obsession with it. I am 43 and I love how healthy my skin looks. I believe in longevity and maintaining youthfulness of skin and hair.

My favourite holiday destination: I love to travel across India which is so diverse and I think it’s quite underrated. Otherwise I love travelling to any European or international city where there are good museums and art as it’s a common interest and passion with me and my husband.

I love to collect: Extremely well-made Indian clothes, suits and anarkalis that will stand the test of time, are classy and elegant.

My fridge always has: Preserves from foreign places, I love to cook so there's always fresh fruit and vegetables. Pickles, schezwan sauce and ghee made by my mother in Jabalpur. I love dark chocolates and Nutella.

Minimalism or maximalism: Always maximalism, I don’t believe we Indians can do minimalism. Our soul is maximalist. Although with my work people assume that there is a minimal manifestation in me. But my work is grand and maximalist but it has an international look and feel as our weddings take place outside India. The perspective may appear minimalist but the layering and the soul of the details are always maximalist.

My home looks like: Lots of exposed light, I have big French windows in every room facing the mangroves of Versova. My house is all ivory, it’s peaceful, calm and has very little colour. The beauty of my house is my Golden Retriever pet called November.

My favourite mix of traditional and contemporary is: Is my own styling as I am never too traditional, nor too contemporary.

My best ideas come when: When I am in a high-energy state, talking to people or listening to music.

The best way to spend Rs 20,000 is: Ekaya saris for gifting are great in the price range, even Raw Mango.

My idea of happiness is: Is always to cook for my loved ones. I tell the world that I am a better cook than a stylist. I love to work, so my personal gratification comes when I am able to feel fulfilled with my work. My husband and I also like doing things together. I am not much of a talker, we watch movies in separate rooms as I will be watching a chick flick and he will be watching a horror film, we come out and talk about our binge indulgences. We love to travel to great museums and world’s best parks. Being with him at home and at these places is my ultimate idea of happiness.

Lifestyle