Six fashion insiders on the chaos, clarity, and creativity behind their wardrobes

What does personal style really look like behind the feeds, fittings, and fashion week frenzy? For six women who shape the industry from every angle—behind the camera, on the ramp, in the studio, and inside the styling room—it’s less about chasing trends and more about unlearning them. From rediscovering comfort to fighting creative blocks, from reworking iconic pieces to redefining what “timeless” even means, these insiders show us how their wardrobes evolve with them. Here, they break down the choices, instincts, and little rebellions that truly shape their style stories.

Aastha Manchanda, fashion photographer

What does style look like for someone who’s usually behind the camera?

It is an ever-evolving process. I’ll see a micro-trend pick up somewhere and want to add it to my wardrobe, only to realise it’s not really me. But comfort is something I’m consistently leaning towards.

Does shooting others’ style ever spill into your own?

Honestly, no. I’m constantly surrounded by women, on and off camera, and I’m fascinated by their effortless sense of style. Even on a 12-hour shoot, they show up looking their best. That never stops inspiring me.

When you’re shooting, what are you wearing?

Usually something quite boring. Mostly black because I feel like I can get away with anything in black. It also has this ability to make even a plain outfit look put together.

What makes someone stand out in front of your lens—what they’re wearing or how they carry it?

Confidence, always. I’ve had the fortune of working with incredible talent, and it’s confidence that really makes them sparkle on camera, no matter what they’re wearing. A little accessorising never hurts either.

If someone photographed you at work, what story would your outfit tell?

She came to work. That’s all! *laughs*

Nicole Padival, model 

What’s the one outfit you’d happily live in forever?

Shorts, a fun tee, and my combat boots. ‘Cause I look great in them, and comfort is key.

When you are off the runway, what’s your true ‘model off-duty’ uniform?

A short, easy dress. Models ‘off duty’ still have fittings and castings to go for, and when you have to try on multiple changes, there’s nothing like an easy dress to slip back into.

What’s the quickest way to feel camera-ready on a day you’d rather stay in bed?

A shower with the right music will change everything. The next thing would be to think of my bank balance and how it could use a few more zeroes. 

Which shoot or runway moment still makes you smile when you think back?

For my first-ever Lakmē Fashion Week in Mumbai, I was selected to get my makeup done onstage by Corey Walia, and when I walked the ramp after, (couturier) Manish Malhotra told me he loved my walk and that I should be on the main stage. It always stuck with me, and I took it as a sign to move to Mumbai.

Has being in front of the lens changed the way you see yourself behind it?

Hundred per cent! There is so much that goes into every single image. Work that you may not see. It affects everything. From your lifestyle to your mental health. It’s important to remember that we’re all beautiful works-in-progress and to not be too hard on yourself. 

Yadvi Agarwal, founder, Yavï

How would you describe your own style?

I mix and match pieces. Like solid coloured pieces could be textured along with a different surface, coupled with one of my lovely jackets, as I think nothing beats them.

What do you turn to when you feel creatively blocked?

I turn to travelling and hiking when I feel creatively blocked. It teaches me to fall back in love, again and again. And the joy fuels the creativity. Your pieces are often like wearable paintings.

Where does the artist end and the designer begin?

The artist in me is intuitive and relies on connection and experience. So mostly, it is always the artist first. I create things with stories and experiences that I love. And then, once I have a board of all the inspirations—or even a few—I start analysing the commercial viability as a designer and putting them together with fabrics and silhouettes. All of this keeping buyers and seasons in mind.

Ruchika Sachdeva, founder, Bodice 

Do you think personal style can teach you something about who you are becoming?

When you start dressing with intention, you begin to understand yourself, what grounds you, what empowers you. It stops being about appearance and becomes about alignment. Over time, your style tells the story of who you’re becoming.

When you imagine a woman wearing Bodice, what kind of day do you picture her having?

A fulfilling day. She is thoughtful about her choices, not just in what she wears but how she carries herself, too. Her clothes are her companions, and they move with her.

What’s one thing you used to believe about fashion that you no longer do?

I used to believe that fashion had to be fast and constantly changing to stay relevant. Over time, I have realised that true relevance lies in consistency and depth.

How would you describe your style?

I like pieces that are timeless and well-made, and things that feel lived in. I gravitate towards clean lines and neutral tones, but always with a small detail that feels personal. 

Isha Bhansali, celebrity stylist and fashion consultant

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone you’re going to style?

If it’s a celebrity, I like to really observe what they wear and what they naturally gravitate towards, their preferences, their cultural background, and how they express themselves. If it’s not a celebrity, I prefer meeting them for coffee first to understand their likes, dislikes, and even their upbringing, because culture and background play a huge role in how people dress.

If you could re-style one iconic look in pop culture history, what would it be, and how would you do it differently?

I can tell you about one I recently did. Paco Rabanne’s sequin dress, the one they recreated for their H&M collaboration. I bought it and styled it with a silver tissue sari instead. That’s how I made it on my own.

What’s the one styling rule you love to break? And one rule you wish didn’t exist?

That black and brown shouldn’t be mixed, there’s absolutely no such rule. The same goes for gold and silver; they look great together. And one rule I wish didn’t exist? Matching your bag and shoes. Please, no.

What’s the most unexpected place you’ve found styling inspiration in?

Architecture. I find inspiration in spaces, forms, and structures, I’ve discovered it in the most unexpected buildings and places

Rina Singh, founder, Eka 

How much of your style do you think reflects in your collections?

For me, style should always feel effortless, even when it’s meant to be glamorous. I realised early on that a forced sense of fashion never looks good. That’s what pushed me to find my own space, which eventually grew into a brand.

What’s one fabric or crafts technique you think deserves a comeback?

I grew up surrounded by textiles, my mum’s saris, my grandmother’s khadi, and the jamdani saris my nana (maternal grandfather) would get for her. Even as a child, I wore a lot of block-printed dresses, and now, all of that has found its way into my brand. These crafts deserve to stay alive and evolve with time.

If you could slow down one thing about the fashion industry (besides production), what would it be?

The constant frenzy of what’s new, what’s next, and what’s instant. I think people should create when there’s something to say, not just because the calendar demands it.

If you could design clothing for an emotion rather than a person, which emotion would you choose, and what would it look like?

Love, because it never fades. You can’t have enough of it, and it always finds a way to win over hate. That’s what I’d want my clothes to feel like.

This article first appeared in Cosmopolitan India's November-December 2025 print edition.

Also read: The curvy girl’s guide to wearing every “scary” trend—and absolutely owning it

Also read: 'Cloud Dancer' accessories that must be a part of your soft-girl aesthetic