Pallavi Sharda says her wardrobe changes dramatically based on where she is.Courtesy of Witchery
How would you describe your personal style? It’s very fluid. I can go from a capsule wardrobe of basics and jeans to hyper-eclectic with lots of colour and textiles or simply living in a leotard and track pants. I travel a lot and my wardrobe changes dramatically based on where I am,how the sun hits the soul and the creative mood I’m in.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I wear a lot of my mum’s clothes from the ’90s. I love wearing the suit jackets and saris I once admired on her. I also have pieces of Indian costume jewellery from when I danced on stage as a child.
And the most recent addition? A Behno bag.
Maison Schiaparelli is one of Pallavi Sharda’s favourite labels.Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe?Baggy jeans,a classic button-down shirt and an oversized jacket.
What’s your favourite fashion era? As a performer and dancer,I like the idea that people have the freedom to be theatrical and expressive through their sartorial choices,so I enjoy playing with styles from different eras. The 1970s and ’80s were a time of exceptional flair and personal expression. My earliest fashion memories are from the ’90s and I’m enjoying that decade’s resurgence.
Who are your favourite designers? Fashion is communication and the whimsical nature of Maison Schiaparelli speaks to me deeply. I also enjoy the couture and high street Indian houses because of their emphasis on preserving textiles and artisanal techniques,which are often employed in the west but seldom credited. Sanjay Garg of Raw Mango is a designer I love.
What’s your fragrance of choice? Atelier Cologne “Rose Anonyme”. I also love D.S.&Durga fragrances for their innovation and the traditional techniques of Soma Parfums.
Sharda loves wearing Rose Anonyme from Atelier Cologne.SUPPLIED
What would you wear … on a first date? Jeans,my Witchery white shirt and boots… on a plane? Never jeans! Always a cotton top and pants,and a shawl because planes get cold… on the red carpet? I like to wear feminine silhouettes because my everyday dressing is more androgynous.
Any go-to jewellery? My favourite pieces are custom-made by jewellery designer Ele Misko in Byron Bay.
Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? A denim jacket I adored and wore with almost everything.
What was your first fashion moment? Wearing Dior couture for a photo shoot at the Pink Palaces of Jaipur in 2013. It was a homage to an iconic Norman Parkinson photo.
And your worst fashion mistake? Trying to “fit in” early in my career and listening to people about what I should wear for press tours,rather than going with what felt right for me.
What’s at the top of your wish list? A Misko “Power” ring.
Is there something you would never wear? Anything that’s not ethically made or sourced.
Is there a current fashion trend you like? Baggy pants. Skinny jeans were not my thing.
What shoes do you wear most often? Rollie sandals.
What do you wear to bed? The block-print pyjamas in soft Indian cotton I purchased in Delhi recently.
Do you have a favourite fashion icon? I don’t have a constant muse,but my style has a touch of my cultural heritage. I spend a lot of time in New York City and my friends often comment that I am influenced by the city,with touches of bohemia and edge.
What do you wear on a typical working day? I’m supporting up-and-coming Indian designers and showcasing Indian textiles. I’m also wearing a puffer jacket by New York brand HYFN.
What’s your favourite off-duty,casual Sunday look? I’ll be in Indian cottons or,if it’s cold,wrapped up in Indian shawls. The fluidity of South Asian garments makes them perfect for relaxation,yoga and feeling good in my skin.
Pallavi Sharda is a Witchery White Shirt Campaign ambassador.
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