In my previous post, I introduced Cocktail fashion with help from the movie’s costume stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania. During my chat with her, I got deeper insight into the movie’s costumes- developing the looks, brands to spot, and key trends. Here are the highlights from our style chat.
How did you relate the characters in Cocktail to their costumes and looks in the film?
Each character in Cocktail is different from the other, so it was easy to relate Veronica, Meera and Gautam’s personalities with their looks. Veronica (Deepika Padukone) is very fashion forward, mixing high street fashion with designer wear. Meera, being a middle-class girl from Delhi, is more conservative in her dressing- so she will keep her arms and legs covered as much as possible. Gautam is a well-off young guy with a casual approach to life and fashion.
(To read more about their looks, read An introduction to Cocktail style).
The film has a very international look- featuring trends like nautical stripes, shorts and prints. How did you achieve that?
I work with a great young team- especially Ayesha Dasgupta, who has also dressed the supporting cast. Besides that, I spent time looking at how people dressed across the word, observing people and street style and recording memories and nightmares! I sourced for the movie in London and had brainstorming sessions with the director and producer. We discussed who the characters were, where they came from, what they did… even if it wasn’t part of the movie. My intention was to get the costumes right for the film.
What are the key fashion trends in Cocktail that fashion lovers and fans could try?
The top trend is montone- wearing the same colour from head to toe. For instance, Deepika wears a green t-shirt and shorts with matching accessories in the movie.
Also, there are new ways of layering to try out- like belts over cardigans and shirts. And then there’s the return to the classics, such trench coats, and pairing tees with shorts.
Then there is mixing of high street and luxury, deconstructed (oversized) t-shirts rather than figure hugging, and stacked accessories for women.
What are some of the fashion brands you have used to dress Deepika, Diana and Saif in Cocktail?
I’ve done a lot of high street shopping for the movie, along with some luxury brands. You will see Topshop, French Connection, All Saints, River Island, Pull & Bear and Zara, among others. As for the high fashion brands, there’s a patent pink bag from Chanel, sunglasses from Dior (for Deepika and Saif), Burberry trench coat and bag (for Saif), and an Hermes scarf. Diana’s character carries a Tod’s bag, and Amrapali Jewels are very important to her character.
Which are your favourite looks from the movie?
My favourite is Deepika’s poster look- sequined skirt (All Saints), with t-shirt, Dior sunglasses and flat sandals with feather. Among Saif’s looks, I love the t-shirt-blazer-jeans combo and unusual colour combinations like mauve and grey. As for Diana, her pink salwar kameez is gorgeous- love it!
What should a fashion lover look out for while watching the movie?
The list is endless, but here goes anyway… The Burberry leather jacket, Pucci scarf that Deepika ties in her hair, Monet jewellery, and the Anya Hindmarch bag. The brands are a subtle mix just like the title of the movie.
Reader question- How can I stay on top of fashion trends, yet look different from the rest?
You must dress for yourself, and don’t copy movie star looks. You can individualise trends you like, such as layering. Choose a belt to layer over a cardigan, but it can be any cardigan, not necessarily the one you spotted in a movie or on a celeb.
Reader question- You are fashion director at Vogue India, celeb and movie stylist and a mom of two kids. How do you manage to multi task so well?
I don’t know the answer to that! I think good time management helps, stick to deadlines and have people respect your time as well. I think what makes it easy for me is that I love everything I do.
Cocktail releases July 13, 2012.
