Meet Alia Bhatt: The style chameleon

The talented actress never fails to experiment, when it comes to her roles or her sartorial sense

In 2012, Alia Bhatt made her debut as a fresh-faced college student in Student Of The Year. She followed it up with a wild child act in Highway (2014) and as a Bihari immigrant in Udta Punjab (2016). In Gully Boy, which released earlier this year, she plays a feisty college student who loves with abandon. Versatile, therefore, is a term that aptly describes this powerhouse performer. But it isn’t just limited to her acting skills; it extends to her sartorial sense as well. And designers and stylists vouch for it. Whether it’s a polka-dotted off-shoulder Sabyasachi dress accessorised with chaandbaalis for a film promotion event or nailing the off-duty look with funky denim separates, the Kalank actress rarely puts a wrong fashion foot forward. Pair that with her youthful energy and svelte figure and you have a deadly combo!

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Stylist Divyak D’Souza believes that since Alia started her acting career at a young age, she is finding herself and likewise, she is also discovering what looks good on her. “She’s so versatile and adaptable, there’s never anything formulaic with her. Some of the greatest artistes of all times, like Madonna who re-invents herself every decade, have been open to change and therefore, have remained relevant,” he opines.

It might be a film promotion or a red-carpet appearance or catching up with her gal pals for lunch, Alia is always game for experimentation with her styling. For designer Nachiket Barve, two of her looks in recent times stood out for him — the Moschino pantsuit she wore for the Berlin Film Festival and the black and nude gown she sported for an awards show. “The pantsuit was fabulous. It was playful, young, quirky but still very wearable and it looked great on her. As for the gown, it was a bit risky as well as risqué, but she pulled it off so well,” Nachiket says.

(Alia looks red hot in this embroidered sari by Sabyasachi; She looks stunning in an Anita Dongre creation; A cool blue jumpsuit by Flor et.al is her choice for an awards show; ...In a satin floral dress by Stella McCartney)

ALIA SHINES THROUGH

She could wear a short, flowery dress and be the girl next door, or she could ramp up the oomph quotient in a sexy bejewelled evening gown for a red carpet do. Remember the gorgeous lime-green lehenga she wore for Sonam Kapoor’s reception? The Bhatt girl certainly stole the limelight in the vibrant traditional wear. Nachiket says that he would liken her to somebody like Gwyneth Paltrow. “Clean and classic but with a bit of fun element to it. So, there will be some solids, bright colours and quirky prints once in a while. But what I love about her style is that you see Alia first and then you notice her clothes. It never overpowers her persona. As a performer, she is brilliant. It’s nice that the packaging doesn’t overwhelm the content,” he states.

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