Dia Mirza shares her fashion staples, hacks

Sustainable, timeless and effortless are the fashion preferences of Bollywood actress and former Miss Asia Pacific Dia Mirza.

And what are her fashion staples? Her top picks are traditional handcrafted sarees, sustainable textile dresses/shirts and resort wear, she quips.

In a conversation with IANSlife, Dia reveals more about her fashion likings, shares hacks and also speaks on her upcoming projects. Excerpts:

IANSlife: What are your fashion preferences?

Dia: Sustainable, timeless and effortless.

IANSlife: How do you like to dress up on an ordinary day?

Dia: It depends on what kind of day it is! I wear and enjoy all kinds of garments. Dresses, a pair of denims paired with a t-shirt, or even a salwar kurta.

IANSlife: Please share three fashion hacks.

Dia: Always keep a small sewing kit in your hand bag, reuse old garments but mix matching or accessorising them differently, choose natural fabrics and long lasting craftsmanship.

IANSlife: Three wardrobe staples for you?

Dia: Traditional handcrafted sarees, sustainable textile dresses/shirts and resort wear.

IANSlife: How is working with the online platform different from the mainstream media?

Dia: Nothing is more mainstream than digital in the digital age! It furthers our opportunity to be artistes, offering a democratic platform that gives audiences an intimate viewing experience at the luxury of their time! Making new friends and collaborating with like-minded people is always rewarding, winning awards for "Kaafir" was a bonus. But the best part was being able to tell a story we collectively felt so deeply about.

IANSlife: How does it feel to walk the ramp every time?

Dia: You mean the butterflies in the stomach? Oh yes they arrive. But go away as soon as I step foot on the ramp. Fortunately, I get to choose who I walk for and it's always for people who's craft and brand ethos I care for. So it feels really good!

IANSlife: How do you like the latest collection of House of Kotwara?

Dia: I absolutely love it! It speaks of timeless elegance, craftsmanship, femininity and playfulness. Sama reflects her heart in this line. The brand has always evoked a sense of comfort, freedom and beauty in my heart.

IANSlife: Do you do rehearsal or just follow your heart while on the ramp?

Dia: If I get time for a rehearsal, it's always good to see and feel the space in advance, but if a rehearsal cannot be managed then I just go with the flow.

IANSlife: What are you working on?

Dia: I start filming for "Wild Dog" with Nagarjuna Sir soon and will be celebrating the release of "Thappad" on February 28. (IANS)

Kareena Kapoor's fashion statement

Mumbai, Feb 17 (IANS) Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who walked the ramp for designer Amit Aggarwal at Lakme Fashion Week SR 2020, says when it comes to style, she is most comfortable in her pajamas.

"Fashion and style statement for me, something I would be comfortable in, the only time I am very fashionable is when I get to wear to all these amazing designer on the ramp at Lakme Fashion week, otherwise I am very happy in my pajamas," said Kareena, who turned showstopper for Amit Aggarwal for the grand finale of Lakme Fashion week in Mumbai.

Incidentally, Kareena marked her two decades in the industry at the fashion week finale.

Talking about completing two decades in the industry, Kareena said: "I think nothing could be better to celebrate with a brand that is synonymous with me, and a brand that has added tremendous value to my career, to my brand and to my name.

And yes, as everyone knows there is no Lakme Fashion Week finale without me, I take great pride and honour to say that because I actually love walking the ramp."

Kareena added that she has been walking the ramp for 11 years and still dreads falling on the ramp.

Talking about her fear on the ramp, Kareena added: "I hope that I don't fall. For 11 years I had the same thought and I am always thinking, what's going to happen. I think everyone feels or think the same way before they hit the ramp but I love and enjoy walking the ramp."

Kareena feels the fashion week needs to go destination fashion week. "Both of us (Lakme and Kareena) have grown overtime and we have learnt, and we have become better and bigger. With each fashion week and season it has become grander. Apart from the fact that we don't have place left in Mumbai, I think we need to do a destination fashion week," she said.

On the work front, Kareena will be seen opposite Aamir Khan in "Laal Singh Chaddha", the forthcoming Bollywood remake of "Forrest Gump".

Fashion is your mood: Nora Fatehi

By Puja Gupta (18:54)

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANSlife) "Fashion is your mood," feels model and actress Nora Fatehi.

"It could be something casual, something over the top, fancy, blingy," she tells IANSlife.

But for me, fashion is anything that is extra, she says. "Bling, nice cuts and colours -- anything that makes me really girly is my fashion," says the Canadian beauty, who walked the ramp for designer duo Gauri & Nainika in association with NEXA at the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2020 in Mumbai.

The actress, who dazzled on the ramp wearing a monochromatic, off-shoulder mermaid gown, with a trail and plunging neckline, sharing her fashion essential said it's trackpants and a crop top, heels, jeans and a black dress. Beauty products which she cannot do without? It's her blush, lipstick in blush pink tone and mascara.

The "Dilbar" fame model-turned-actor has just completed shooting the first schedule of the movie "Bhuj: The Pride of India" with actor Ajay Devgn. Without disclosing the name, Nora said that she is collaborating with "a very big artiste" for an international, independent track. "So good things are happening," she concluded.

New trend is trendless: Manish Malhotra

Puja Gupta (23:41)

Mumbai, Feb 14 (IANS) Veteran fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who is often referred to as "iconic", says it is too big a term to use for him.

"Iconic is an old word for me. It's too big a term for me. I am not that big. I want to stay away from that term," Malhotra said.

The 53-year-old designer completes 30 years in costume designing for Indian movies this year. He said he is amazed how Bollywood fashion and movies have evolved over the years.

"When I entered films, no one was used to a designer asking for the script of a film. The heroine should look attractive, that was the only brief. But movies have really changed. They have become real. The girls have a job in the film. Earlier, she (heroine) was just crying or just looking pretty," Manish said on the sidelines of the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2020, being held in JioWorld Garden here.

"Cinema is a dream world in itself. There has to be a realism and believable character. When I got into films, I married glamour with realism," he said.

In his long career, Malhotra has made friends with almost all the Bollywood stars and have worked with them in several projects. He said he had the privilege and blessing to have long friendships.

"I had friends but I've also worked with them professionally for many years which is very tough. It looks very easy from the outside, but when you have a friend with whom you work, you will have to be twice more careful of what you're doing. You can never take that friendship to your profession," he said.

But does he openly criticise his friends on their style and clothes in case they went wrong? "I don't criticise them but I have a very honest friendship with them. And I think that is important. So I have that years of honesty and years of being true to self," said Malhotra, who is planning to work on a lighter, cost-effective clothing line.

Talking about the likings of today's generation, he said: "Today brides are so clear. And I love the fact that people are experimenting. The new trend is trendless."

Glam up on a budget

Some may splurge to look great but achieving a diva look on a relatively tight budget is easy.

Here are a few tips:

Always wear a smile with a little bit of lipstick

A good lipstick is loved by most, and applying it well can enhance your appearance and add confidence to your personality. It may contain moisturizing additives like aloe-vera or Vitamin E, thereby keeping your lips hydrated. Lipstick also works as a sunscreen for your lips. A smile works like a charm when worn with lipstick.

Do regular trims

Trimming your hair at least once a month enhances hair growth by getting rid of split ends and damaged hair. Your hair will break less this way and will grow faster in a shorter duration of time. So, going for regular trims avoid your chance of spending too much on expensive hair

treatments.

Yoga to the rescue

It's not just workout, it's work-in. Yoga not only keeps your body fit but also keeps your soul healthy. Yoga develops inner awareness. It focuses your attention on your body's abilities at the present moment. It helps in breathing and proper blood circulation in your body, thereby adding glow to your skin.

Your glow is in your kitchen

The combination of honey and lemon is the best for healthy and glowing skin. It not only lightens the skin tone but also works as an exfoliator for acne, blackheads and other blemishes.

Accessorize the same wardrobe with a new look every time

Accessories are like supplements to fashion, but here you can use them liberally. Wearing a nice scarf, a light kerchief, wearing small pieces of jewellery, or just a handbag same as the colour of your shoes will definitely add oomph to your outfit. (IANS)