Dressing up

If you’re drooling over Akshay Kumar’s fitted vests or Saif Ali Khan’s suave suits, it’s probably thanks to Shabina Khan. Rochelle Pinto on her designing career...

If you’re drooling over Akshay Kumar’s fitted vests or Saif Ali Khan’s suave suits, it’s probably thanks to Shabina Khan. Having made a niche for herself designing men’s clothing, Khan is the brains behind Kumar’s look in his next release, Kambakht Ishq.

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Despite the big R word that’s being thrown around, Khan hasn’t felt the economic bite yet. “I don’t think producers have reduced budgets for the wardrobes. At the most, some stylists are being asked to reduce fees,” she avers.

Design 101
Khan is also quick to point out the difference between a costume designer and a stylist. “Stylists are those who pick stuff off the rack,” she says. “That’s why period films are given to costume designers. This is my 21st year in designing for films. In fact, my next project is a period film that’s set in the 1970s.”

So has she ever been at the receiving end of a star’s tantrum? “My artistes are in complete sync with me,” she asserts.
“We rarely have an argument over costumes because when I design, I keep all the components of the film in mind with inputs from the actors themselves.”

Hollywood calling
Khan also had the task of styling Sylvester Stallone and Brandon Routh. “Since Stallone is playing himself in the movie, all I had to do was stick to his personal style. Luckily, the job is no different in Hollywood.” she maintains.
“They have complete faith in the wardrobe consultants.. which is what they call us over there.”