BEST DRESSED WOMEN IN INDIA 2009

Verve Magazine has just listed the Best Dressed women in India for the year 2009. AMong the list are these 6 celebrities. And we rank them from the first to the last:

Karishma Kapoor:

for keeping minimalist traditions alive in the face of Bollywood excess

Black and white checked shirt, from Moschino; jeans, from J brand; belt, from Dolce &Gabbana; platfrom heels, limited edition Louis Vuitton; black leather Birkin bag, from Hermés; watch from Jaeger.

Best known for:
Introducing style to Bollywood during the 1990s bad fashion phase.

Trendsetting moment:
Poker straight hair and shaped eyebrows in Raja Hindustani. Her new avatar had the nation in an emulating frenzy.

Most remembered for:
Her casual, unselfconscious ease in minis. Gorgeous, gorgeous legs!

Most stylish roles:
Fiza for minimalism and Zubeida for vintage chic.

Definition of style:
“Less is more.”

Favourite labels:
YSL, Chanel, Prada, Hermès. Ethnic ensembles by Karishma Trehan.

Fashion obsession:
Black and white. Monochrome is a must, off screen.

Icons:
Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis and mum Babita.

Her own style is:
“Classic chic.”

Katrina Kaif:

for breaking the myth that large boned women cannot look delicately feminine

Best known for:
Her porcelain complexion that glows in any colour of clothing.

Her style:
Minimalist. “I am a zero accessory person… I would probably buy one handbag a year!”

Mostly seen in:
Jeans and flat sandals. Sometimes, short shift dresses. Comfort is key.

Surprising fact:
Hates make-up and dislikes doing her hair.

Style is:
Presence. “You should be noticed. And then, maybe 20 minutes later, people should notice your clothes.”

Hunting hubs:
Carnaby Street boutiques and flea markets in London.

Preity Zinta:

for taking the side of sartorial chic, against bling

Best known for:
Her radiant, cheeky, dimpled smile and high-energy personality.

Wardrobe must-haves:
Statement belts, retro shades, high heels and wide-brimmed hats.

Trendsetting moment:
Thick, black frames were made fashionable, thanks to her character in Kal Ho Na Ho.

Philanthropic gesture:
Taking up the cause of poor children, “Especially girls, and what can be better than giving them proper education, good food and clothing?”

Favourite labels:
Claims not to be a label lover, but seen sporting Fendi many a time. Has a soft spot for her New York-based designer friend Nupur’s creations and also Manish Malhotra and Surily Goel.

Feels an affinity to:
Footwear and jewellery.

Twinkle Khanna:

for her slightly intimidating, mysterious and seriously chic persona

Best known for:
Her über-sharp red carpet statements.

Style mantra:
“Comfort is key.”

Closet staples:
Superbly tailored pieces in solid colours, white shirts, blue jeans.

Addictive accents:
Envelope clutches, strong but elegant jewellery pieces – mainly, chunky necklaces.

Favourite labels:
Spotted in Badgley Mischka many a time.

Surprising fact:
Was never keen on acting in films. “I did not enjoy it from day one.”

Big passions:
Design, architecture, interior spaces.

Sonam Kapoor:

for introducing quirk to the dressing habits of tinsel town

Dress by Alberta Ferretti.

Best known for:
Her slightly experimental red carpet style and megawatt smile.

Her style:
“I would love to describe myself as Audrey Hepburn with a twist.”

Fashion icons:
Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe.

Favourite fashion moment:
The white and gold Anamika Khanna sari-gown teamed with polkis for her IIFA Macau red carpet appearance this year.

Favourite labels:
Anamika Khanna, Chanel.

Addictive accents:
Lots and lots of bags and shoes.

Fashion is:
“...art to me. I like mixing vintage pieces with current ones; I repeat my outfits often, but wear them differently each time around.”

Freida Pinto:

for turning into a star, muse and fashion figure overnight

Best known for:
Her smashing debut as Latika in the Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire.

Talked about style moment:
Her appearance at the Oscars in an electric blue John Galliano dress.

Haute hour:
Her first front row seat, next to Scarlett Johansson at the Dolce & Gabbana Fall Winter 2009/10 show at Milan Fashion Week.

Indian idols:
Tabu and Konkona Sen Sharma.

Style is:
Comfort. “Wearing six-inch heels doesn’t necessarily spell style.”

(Image: Pink Villa)