40s Deepika wears a French chiffon sari, Salvatore Ferragamo bag, with custom-designed earrings and bracelet. “To me, a sari is something you can’t go wrong with,” says Deepika. “Saris are what I wear most often on working days.”

Backed by the Jindal steel empire, Deepika launched arttd’inox in 2003 and opened The Stainless art gallery in Delhi in 2007. With her exposure to both art and design, as well as her corporate role, the chic 48-yearold likes to keep her style simple and classic, often dressing in French chiffon s aris and understated jewellery.

YOUR FASHION INFLUENCE

Smart, elegant, and traditional. I prefer evergreen, affordable styles like saris, long kurtas with churidars, and tunics for everyday wear.

YOUR CHALLENGE

I would say that my biggest challenge is wearing dresses or skirts as I’m not expected to wear them. To keep from feeling deprived, I sometimes wear these when I travel abroad.

FAVOURITE DESIGNERS

Rohit Bal, Bina Modi, Abraham & Thakore, Anamika Khanna, and Anju Modi.

WORK-DAY UNIFORM

I usually wear a sari or a kurtachuridar combo, as well as tunics with trousers, with equal ease.

EVENINGWEAR

In my opinion, nothing beats a sari, but I also sometimes wear pants with a formal shirt or a tunic.

ARE BRANDS IMPORTANT?

As long as your clothes are wellfitted and cut well, you will look good. Ultimately, brands aren’t that important.

YOUR FASHION MANTRA

Wear clothes that suit you, clothes that you are comfortable in, and be who you really are.