Celeb Columns
Airports – The New Runways, Sheetal Mafatlal on airport fashion!
Sheetal Mafatlal writes on airport fashion and Bollywood celebrities who slay it.
It’s amazing how travel style has evolved over the last one decade in India and also internationally. There was a time when spotting a Bollywood star in a pair of Juicy Couture track pants was pretty common. However, today, thanks to the incredible popularity of social media, airport style has gone to a new level of refinement, with stars and their styling teams working round the clock to ensure that each appearance drives the paparazzi into a manic frenzy and also gets them great traction on Instagram and Twitter.
Two B-Town icons, who come to mind instantly when one sits down to dissect travel style, are Karan Johar and Deepika Padukone. Both have cultivated a unique sense of travel style, which also reflects their multi-layered personalities. While Karan has favoured oversized, camouflage print trench coats, gold reflector sunnies and studded statement backpacks, the newly-married Deepika Padukone has had a rather pared down classic approach to travel chic – think a basic white tee, jacket, and a pair of well-fitted denims. In the last few months, we’ve witnessed a flurry of maximalist Indian weddings, and one could vouch without a shadow of doubt that Deepika has been the most exquisite Bollywood bride ever. What amazes me about her sense of style is the fact that even her travel looks during the wedding festivities were impossibly chic and on point. Before she took off to Italy for her fairytale wedding, she cut a fine figure in a white scarf sweater with a knit skirt, Louboutins and Hermès Kelly. When she was back in Mumbai after her pre-wedding puja ceremony, she again hit the right style notes at the airport in a striped Céline shirt with denims and Gianvito Rossi pumps.
Photo: Fotocorp
She’s proved that even as a bride in the spotlight, and juggling cities and multiple ceremonies – she’s not skipped a style beat. Her airport looks were a great reference point as her larger-than-life Sabyasachi and Zuhair Murad artisanal creations. It also goes to proves that today, an airport appearance is as crucial as a red carpet one.
Long gone are the days of GAP sweatshirts as now, airport dressing is no less thought-out and impactful than a swish front row appearance at Milan Fashion Week.
Kangana Ranaut is another actress who has successfully managed to carve her niche in the travel style territory. At times, teaming her tanned Birkins with beige handwoven Anavila saris, and other times, cutting a fine figure in Christian Dior’s shift dresses – she has been at the forefront of travel chic.
What’s commendable about these stars is the fact that their overall approach is comfort-driven, without compromising on style. Today, no one would be caught dead in a scruffy velour tracksuit or exaggerated ponchos!
When it comes to airport looks, my go-to brands have always been Chanel, Stella McCartney, Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, Versace, Philipp Plein, Christian Louboutin, Bulgari and Gucci – all of them historic high fashion and accessories houses, steeped in decades-old crafts and artisanal techniques.
I swear by Chanel’s statement bags season after season, and the super-chic trainers which come in two avatars – with, and without platforms. The Louis Vuitton arch-light trainers just make you own every room you walk into, and Balenciaga Triple S low-top trainers marry sporty chic with street cred. One’s clearly spoilt for choice as there is a wide array of travel-friendly options to choose from — be it Gucci’s leather and mesh trainers, Chloe’s Sonnie raised sole beauties, Prada’s cloudbust mesh, or MM6 Maison Margiela distressed leather trainers.
My Travel Essentials
For one’s travel appearance, one’s got to invest in a pair which never fails to make the right sartorial statement at the airport lounges. Being a long-time fan of Versace, I often end up incorporating some elements from the hallowed Italian house while putting together my airport looks.
Over the last few seasons, Demna Gvasalia of Vetements has caught my attention — the cutting-edge label has defined and refined street style, and made tracksuits uber-chic like never before. My personal favourite is the edgy and of-the-moment twin-set casuals by this label steeped in street culture. The ripped accents in the pieces and the unfinished touch, make these essentials ultra-covetable.
Also, the logo mania trend – an offshoot of the 90s – makes a spectacular comeback with labels like Fendi, Gucci and Balenciaga bringing out pieces and accessories kissed with their logos. From T-shirts emblazoned with brands’ letterings, to sneakers printed with logos all over – they make for a chic travel companion.
It’s all about striking the right balance – between style and comfort, structure and fluidity, form and function, neutrals and metallics, separates and accessories. Also, each piece should reflect your personal style.
It will be interesting to see how the airport style evolves in the coming seasons, what with brands bringing out pieces custom-made for travel purposes.
– Sheetal Mafatlal
