B-Town fashionistas get enterprising

Bollywood’s glitterati sets the fashion trends and now an increasing number of actors have expressed a desire to launch their own fashion lines, in a bid to cash in on their own popularity.

Bollywood’s fashionistas are putting their money where their mouth is. An increasing number of actors have expressed a desire to launch their own fashion lines, in a bid to cash in on their own popularity.



Last month, Sonakshi Sinha, who debuted in Dabangg, said, "My mom wants me to launch a brand. I have studied fashion designing, so I plan to do it in the future." Ayesha Takia, whose last film was Wanted, too, said, "Launching a fashion line, and starting a store is on the agenda." Actor Kangna Ranaut has even discarded her designers and taken on the responsibility to style for herself.



"Kangna’s style-sense impressed film-makers, who want her to take charge of her own wardrobe," said a source close to the actor. But, some have already ventured into the fashion arena a while back. While Kareena Kapoor launched a clothing range with a fashion brand in 2008, Bipasha Basu launched a fitness line with a sporting brand earlier this year. Bebo, who now plans to launch a new fashion line in US and Europe, said, "The line will be high-end and suit the taste of global buyers."

Kangna Ranaut

While Bollywood’s leading ladies are lapping up the fashionable idea, designers feels it’s best to launch a line with an established name. "Instead of designing themselves, Bollywood actors should collaborate with an established designer, come out with a joint label, and work towards marketing the brand. Designing is a round-the-clock job and I wonder if these actors have that much time to invest," said designer Rohit Bal.



"People think of Bollywood actors as brands themselves, since they like the way stars dress. But, their name is just on the front, and an entire team of expert designers work in the background," says designer Shaina NC.