Journalism of Courage
Why Indian actors make clutzy faux pas despite having access to the best in fashion
Vidya Balan is a terrific actress with a fragile,expressive face. I’ve heard her at the Express Adda,she also seems a wonderfully articulate and grounded person. She doesn’t really need to do much to stand out anywhere in the world,so why would she choose to wear a lehenga with a dupatta covering her head at Cannes,which is one of the most glamorous red carpet events in the world? The bitchy comments on social media say Balan’s showing off her wedding trousseau. Sonam Kapoor also was flaunting a most unflattering nose ring with a very busy Indian ensemble on the first day. It’s a sad day for Indian fashion if one must say thank God for Mallika Sherawat and the wall-flowery Frieda Pinto,the only actors from India who didn’t look like blingy,over-embellished Christmas trees determined to advance the cause of Indian ethnic chic.
The only job of a stylist or a fashion designer dressing an actor for a red carpet event is to ensure she looks absolutely fantastic and recieves great publicity for her look. At that,Sabyasachi has failed miserably. The designer seems more interested in showing off his own intricate textures,which,though lovely,have done nothing for Balan’s overall appearance. Kapoor,who is known for her sartorial taste,hasn’t faired much better. There’s a reason why the sari,though it’s been around forever,hasn’t ever even made it as a fad abroad,forget setting a trend. It’s impractical,unadaptable,and for many Indian women still,uncomfortable. It will always be India’s signature style,but will remain just that,a signature: its unlikely to ever meld into mainstream fashion. So when Balan or Kapoor wear it in Cannes,they fill the slot from India,but restrict themselves to it. It’s one of fashion’s enduring puzzles on which looks and styles may become the flavour of an era and which will fade away. The exoticism of the sari hasn’t yet fascinated Western fashion enough to adopt it,but modern Chinese-styled clothing like that produced by the label Shanghai Tang is hugely popular.
Are fashion stylists for the red carpet really necessary? If you have a finely honed aesthetic,the role of a stylist is overrated. In the 80s and 90s,Hollywood actresses would choose their own gowns,make-up,jewellery and shoes. Helen Hunt has shown up in an H&M gown alongside Sharon Stone in a Gap turtleneck. The red carpet those days would have a variety of looks: torn jeans,daiphanous gowns and punk rock style. Fashion should be bold,eccentric and individualistic,not homogeneous and try-hard. Balan is seriously in danger of being remembered as the worst-dressed actor of her generation,a tragedy considering her prodigious talent. If I were her,I would ditch the stylists and do my own thing. The results can’t be any worse than they already are and she may just end up looking less severe and matronly.
hutkayfilms@gmail.com
