Perfume: Cool Waters by Davidoff

Clothes Brand: I love Shahid Amir’s designs. Other than that I don’t have a brand. My brand is what I want to wear. But there’s no one particular brand name because I try out what I like and I buy it.

Jeans: I like Gap and Catch Me. Catch Me is an Indian brand but I think their jeans are great. I go for a straight pair with good fit on waist and hips.

Electronic gadget: The thing I’m addicted to is my Nokia N-Series phone. I can’t use anything else but a Nokia.

Sun glasses: I really love this pair of Italian glasses I bought. They’re these huge back glares - larger than life!

Hair care: I use TiGi products for my hair.

Accessory: I am this big time accessory person. You’ll never find me without earrings, bangles and bracelets. I’m always wearing lots and lots of accessories and can’t get enough of them.

Watch: One of my most treasured possessions is an HMT watch my father has gifted me. Other than that I wear various brands. I like Timex.

Shoes: Aldos. They have great shoes. I like stilettos because they make a statement and look really slick. I buy all kinds of shoes. I have a huge collection of mojadies.

Bag: I’m the right person to answer this question. I have loads of bags and my collection is from all over the world. I love the ones from Baggit which is my friend’s franchise. My other bags include typically Indian ones, Bengali ones with really nice prints and African bags.

Favourite cosmetic: I’m glued to Dove skin cream. For make up I use MAC.

Beauty secret: Wear make up only when necessary. I never wear make up when I don’t absolutely have to. It’s important to let your skin breath.

Where do you shop the most?
Everywhere! I do my shopping in small fairs and exhibitions to big branded shops. From desi shops to abroad I can shop anywhere possible. I love Oxford Street, London and Rome the most. There’s a very interesting market in Rome called Porta Portese which is great to shop in.

Most expensive fashion item bought?
I bought myself a beautiful pair of gold earrings from Hyderabad. They came in a set with bangles. They’re the chandelier type and have pearls and stones and diamonds on them. The set cost me Rs. 1.5 lakh.

The item which had most value for money?
I don’t think there is any item like that. For me the thing that cost nothing and makes me complete is my confidence. Even if I don’t have any accessories or material things I always have my confidence. I can carry myself with grace and that is worth a lot!

Wardrobe must have: Good fitting bras. That is very important! Whatever you have in your cupboard it’s important you carry it off with charm and you’ll always look great.

Style secret: I think it’s important that you do things for yourself. Personally I love styling myself and dressing up for me alone. I don’t think that because I am an actress I have to look good. I don’t dress up because there is an occasion or function. I dress well because I love to feel girlish and feminine. My styling must is high power confidence and loads of attitude with willingness to experiment. I’m much more than a dumb babe dictated by XYZ designer. I love myself- that is my style secret.

What do you over spend on?
I keep buying beautiful sarees from here and there thinking that I will wear them but I never do. Some have been with me for years and I’ve never even got the chance to open them. I’m still waiting for an occasion to wear all of them.

What do you think you look the best in?
In everything! I feel I can carry of any type of clothes well. One of the biggest compliments I have received has been from Omar Shariff who said ‘I’ve seen very few Indian girls who can carry off a saree with grace and a western outfit with immense charm equally.’ Even in my films I can look like a typical Bengali, a Maharashtrian, and a South Indian or carry off the corporate look.

Style icon: I don’t have a style icon that I follow and take tips from. However I think Lara Dutta has great taste in style.

Glynn Alves

Thursday, 15 March, 2007