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Anaita Shroff Adajania blends instinct, reality, and creativity to craft iconic fashion moments, transforming ideas into unforgettable style for Bollywood and high-concept collaborations
Anaita Shroff Adajania
Anaita Shroff Adajania, one of Bollywood’s most iconic fashion stylists and creative visionaries, has left an indelible mark on the industry with her ability to craft distinct looks for diverse characters and settings. Her work, spanning blockbuster films and high-profile fashion collaborations, reflects her instinct-driven, reality-inspired approach to style.
Crafting Iconic Looks for Bollywood’s Biggest Films
When asked about her approach to creating memorable fashion moments in films, Anaita emphasizes the importance of trusting her instincts. “When I first read a script or hear a narration, I form an image in my head,” she says. “My job is then to take that dream or image and make it a reality.” Her process often involves borrowing elements from real life, observing how people dress in everyday scenarios, whether at airports, parties, or on the streets. This meticulous observation helps her create characters that are relatable yet aspirational.
Anaita cites her work on films featuring glamorous personas, such as crafting Deepika Padukone’s game-changing look in Cocktail. Her blend of instinct and extensive fashion knowledge, honed through years in the industry, has made her a go-to stylist for both on-screen characters and public appearances.
Trends vs. Personality: A Stylist’s Balancing Act
While trends play a significant role in the fashion world, Anaita is clear about her priorities, “I don’t style based on trends; I style based on personality. My job is to create a style profile for each individual, letting their personality shine through.” She notes that blindly following trends often leads to homogeneity, while her goal is to make each client stand out.
Having worked as a fashion director for many years, Anaita’s role involved forecasting trends well in advance, often drawing inspiration from global and Indian fashion shows. However, her focus has always remained on adapting these influences to individual personalities and narratives. “Fashion is your voiceless book cover to the world,” she says. “When you enter a place, without speaking, your look should say something about you.”
Balancing Bollywood and Beyond
Balancing her work in Bollywood with broader fashion consultancy projects is a challenge Anaita navigates with meticulous planning. “I work old school, with a pen and paper diary, color-coded to ensure I have time for work, family, and myself,” she explains. As a freelancer, she enjoys the flexibility to choose projects that excite her, allowing her to maintain a balance between intense work periods and rejuvenating breaks.
Collaboration and Creativity
Anaita’s recent collaboration with Chivas for the Alchemy project is a testament to her ability to push creative boundaries. Speaking about the partnership, she reveals how the concept of transformation inspired her vision: “When we first chatted, their expectations were probably much milder. But my instinct was to be disruptive in a very immersive, inclusive way.”
Drawing parallels between the multi-layered craftsmanship of Chivas’ blend and her creative process, Anaita envisioned a gold-themed show that would go beyond visual appeal. “This isn’t just about beauty or fashion you can see; it’s about creating an energy that’s unparalleled,” she says. By blending humor, glamour, and luxury, she aims to create an experience that’s as transformative as the product itself.
The show, set against the historic Taramati Baradari, featured fashion that flips conventions on its head while celebrating timeless style. “It was all about turning the chrysalis of an idea into an incredible butterfly,” shares Anaita, adding that the collaboration’s freedom has empowered her to fully realize her vision.
The Alchemist of Glam
As someone affectionately called the “Alchemist of Glam,” Anaita views the title as both a privilege and a responsibility. “Making people look good is about making them feel good,” she explains. “When you look confident, you feel you can conquer the world.” Through her work, whether in films or high-concept projects like Chivas Alchemy, Anaita continues to inspire with her ability to transform ideas into unforgettable style statements.