50+
One of the fashion industry’s senior designers, 52-year-old Bhagat likes to add colour to her look through her accessories, and counts Japanese greats like Hanae Mori and Yohji Yamamoto as her style icons. She keeps fit with regular exercise, and believes in keeping her clothes basic and easy while playing with asymmetry and light layers.
YOUR STYLE INFLUENCE
Pottery, art, poetry, zen, and Japanese design. It started when I was 12, when I made a sketch of one of Hanae Mori’s designs.
YOUR CHALLENGE
I would love to wear linen shift dresses that end above the calves, but my ankles are a tad too thin.
FAVOURITE DESIGNERS
Junya Watanabe, Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake… the list is long. I also like Etro for its eclectic designs and Romeo Gigli for his understated opulence.
WORK-DAY UNIFORM
I find cotton jersey most comfortable (thanks to Coco Chanel). I usually wear asymmetrical jersey tops with palazzos or skirts, mostly black and white, accentuated with colourful chokers from Paper Jewellery.
EVENINGWEAR
Black dresses or asymmetrical tops with ankle-skimming pencil skirts or wide pants combined with a colourful wrap or cape, and one piece of jewellery: I have a penchant for big rings and chokers.
ARE BRANDS IMPORTANT?
Not at all. Chic is a style statement that can be made with simplicity as well. A silk bag, beautifully crafted, can outdo any brand. So can brocade or sequinned jootis.
YOUR FASHION MANTRA
De-clutter. Focus on silhouette and drape. Accentuate your positives and hide the negatives. Don’t follow fashion blindly.