Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Brunch
Confessions of celebrity stylists
The reality du jour is that it’s less glam, more grit
When we started dating, my husband believed that celebrity stylists hung out with stars, featured in fashion magazines, went to glamour events and got discounts from fashion designers.
A couple of months later he noticed that my work wasn’t as enjoyable as it looks.
It is challenging. But it’s also exciting. Because apart from talent and tenacity, you need luck.
An evening before a celeb commercial, I was waiting for dyed fabrics to dry to match the brand’s shade to be able to stitch the gown. Right then, a new brief was added. I requested designers to open stores. That night, neither the designers, nor I got any sleep.
Some stylists share their experiences.
Nitasha Gaurav (stylist to Ranveer Singh): Wheniwasst yling an upcoming actor for an editorial shoot, he said he would only wear the *very expensive* watch if it was gifted to him. Despite trying to convince him, he didn’t wear it. Too bad. His picture didn’t look that good. Akshay Tyagi (stylist to Varun Dhawan, Siddharth Malhotra): I waited eight hours for an actress to arrive for fittings, then three hours for the alterations. The next day the outfit was ruined and had to be paid for.
Meagan Concessio (stylist to Tara Sutaria, Lisa Mishra): Once, in the Maldives, the whole team was in the water for a shot. I had to adjust a hat that my actor was wearing. Since I don’t know how to swim, the make-up artist had to carry me on her back.
Rocky S (fashion and costume designer): We had just a day to source an outfit for a song for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and it was raining heavily. So, we found a transparent women’s top in my workshop and paired it with velvet pants, crazy accessories and a bandana. The look became a fashion trend!
Nachiket Barve (fashion and costume designer): Celebrities intentionally give wrong measurements and act surprised when the clothes don’t fit.
Isha Bhansali (stylist to Ayushmann Khurrana):
Once I let an artist walk into an event with the tag still on the outfit. Luckily I was with her and pulled it off in time!
Neeta Lulla (fashion and costume designer): In my 30-year career as a stylist, the most fun experience is the look on the model’s face when I take a pair of scissors and cut a garment to restyle it.
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“APART FROM TALENT AND TENACITY, YOU NEED LUCK TO BE A CELEBRITY STYLIST” —ESHAA AMIIN
Eshaa is a Bollywood celebrity stylist, fashion director, wardrobe and wedding stylist