Behind Closet Doors: Shilpa Shetty

You enter Shilpa Shetty’s palatial Juhu home, and a butler ushers you in. Then you see her wardrobe — so big, it should be called a ‘ward-room’. The actor loves

You enter Shilpa Shetty’s palatial Juhu home, and a butler ushers you in. Then you see her wardrobe — so big, it should be called a ‘ward-room’. The actor loves her designer bags, shoes and dresses. “I have some 70 odd white shirts, but there’s always that one particular shirt which just fits you so well,” she says. Point taken.

What style means to you: “Style is about taste — and that is inherent. It’s not so much about whether or not you can afford designer labels.”

Style inspirations: “Gayatri Devi. She’d wear a simple chiffon sari with pearls or emeralds and look stunning. The other is my mother. I was also enamoured by Kabir Bedi. He carries himself really well.”

Go-to designers: “Donna Karen is my favourite. Then there’s Diane von Furstenberg, Tarun Tahiliani and Manish Malhotra.”

A Massimo Dutti jacket from Shetty’s wardrobe (Aditya Sapre and Malcolm Dsouza/8BITS)

Red carpet ready: “Until five years ago, I wasn’t ready to experiment. Now, I even try an updo, something I wouldn’t earlier. But if I’m confused, I’ll go with a simple dress, and one statement piece as an accessory.”

Fashion faux pas: “There have been so many over the years, I can’t just point to one. But each of them have made me learn.”

Favourite shopping destinations: “I love London and New York. London is more vintage-y; New York is more casual… and cheaper.”

Wardrobe collectable: “I remember taking out one of my mother’s old paithani sari and turning it into a kaftan. She nearly killed me, but I loved it.”

Bag lady: “I have a fetish for bags, but I don’t believe in seasons. A Balenciaga or a Bottega Veneta is season-proof. You can use them all your life.”

A Goyard day bag with Shetty’s initials inscribed on it (Aditya Sapre and Malcolm Dsouza/8BITS)