Darn! It’s designer
Shuba Dharmana Chodha (36),
Cosmetic dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon
What’s a day spent looking for the perfect dress or a transatlantic trip when there’s a special occasion to get togged up for?
Three years ago, when now Bengaluru-based Shuba Dharmana Chodha was in London working as a cosmetic dermatologist, she’d make a trip to Paris or Manhattan once in six months to get some shopping done for her “then-size zero figure”. Today, she says, many of the dresses does not even fit her, after giving birth to a baby earlier this year. That hasn’t stopped her from giving those outfits pride of place in her walk-in closet at her home in RMV 2nd stage.
Shuba has a fetish for bags and shoes “like most women”. While spring cleaning earlier this year, she got rid of everything but 40 pairs of shoes, and is left with 20 plus bags from Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Burberry and more. A designer-hound, if there was ever one, she counts Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli as her favourites for Western wear and accessories, and Namrata Joshipura and Masaba Gupta for everyday wear and party wear. “It’s quirky and affordable,” she says. Raakesh Agarvwal’s evening wear makes her “shimmer” on special occassions. And her current favourites Shivan and Narresh make for “creative choices”. She recently bought their black bikini sari – “Every time I wear it I get plenty of compliments,” she says.
Her wedding lehenga was a Tarun Tahiliani — another one of Shuba’s favourite designers along with Sabyasachi and Vikram Phadnis (“for bridal wear”). Shuba has over 30 shift dresses, which she feels make her look “professional, smart and graceful”. “Armani has some great shift dresses too,” she offers. “One can never have enough,” she says. We can tell.
Flower by Kenzo tops her list of fragrances. Usually, it’s Nina Ricci or Christine Dior for the night, but she says: “I’m not particular about what perfume I wear at night, but during the day, it has to be Flower.”
Having lived in London, Shuba knows all the best deals and factory outlets like the back of her hand. However, she also enjoys splurging in Dubai, where the “the Dubai Shopping Mall stretches miles and cannot be explored in three days!” she says. Not that she’s complaining.
Few of her FAVOURITES
1. Roberto Cavalli boots: “I found these at a sale at a factory outlet in the UK. They were marked down at £1,300 from £ 3,000,” Shuba says. The stylish boots with fur and metallic belts haven’t got an outing in India yet, however.
2. Namrata Joshi Pura dress: This sexy full-length evening dress comes with a transparent back and sequins. About what makes it one of her favourites, Shuba says, “The work on the seams is gorgeous and the sleeves make it stand out.”
Shuba SAYS…
» Put things together.
» Don’t over accessorise.
» Don’t wear too many things that stand out at the same time.
» Mix and match, sensibly.
Cosmetic dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon
What’s a day spent looking for the perfect dress or a transatlantic trip when there’s a special occasion to get togged up for?
Three years ago, when now Bengaluru-based Shuba Dharmana Chodha was in London working as a cosmetic dermatologist, she’d make a trip to Paris or Manhattan once in six months to get some shopping done for her “then-size zero figure”. Today, she says, many of the dresses does not even fit her, after giving birth to a baby earlier this year. That hasn’t stopped her from giving those outfits pride of place in her walk-in closet at her home in RMV 2nd stage.
A closer look at the six-foot-high cupboards yields an interesting mix of high street wear and designer wear. “I love shopping and trying out clothes,” she says. Whether it’s window shopping or even scouring stores from 10 am to 7 pm “patiently” for one good dress, Shuba fancies the whole experience. Her architect husband, Anshul, loves to shop as well and usually accompanies her on these day-long hunts, although that wasn’t always the case. “When we got married, he didn’t know how much of a shopaholic I was!” But now, he’s her partner in crime.
Shuba has a fetish for bags and shoes “like most women”. While spring cleaning earlier this year, she got rid of everything but 40 pairs of shoes, and is left with 20 plus bags from Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Burberry and more. A designer-hound, if there was ever one, she counts Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli as her favourites for Western wear and accessories, and Namrata Joshipura and Masaba Gupta for everyday wear and party wear. “It’s quirky and affordable,” she says. Raakesh Agarvwal’s evening wear makes her “shimmer” on special occassions. And her current favourites Shivan and Narresh make for “creative choices”. She recently bought their black bikini sari – “Every time I wear it I get plenty of compliments,” she says.
Her wedding lehenga was a Tarun Tahiliani — another one of Shuba’s favourite designers along with Sabyasachi and Vikram Phadnis (“for bridal wear”). Shuba has over 30 shift dresses, which she feels make her look “professional, smart and graceful”. “Armani has some great shift dresses too,” she offers. “One can never have enough,” she says. We can tell.
Flower by Kenzo tops her list of fragrances. Usually, it’s Nina Ricci or Christine Dior for the night, but she says: “I’m not particular about what perfume I wear at night, but during the day, it has to be Flower.”
Having lived in London, Shuba knows all the best deals and factory outlets like the back of her hand. However, she also enjoys splurging in Dubai, where the “the Dubai Shopping Mall stretches miles and cannot be explored in three days!” she says. Not that she’s complaining.
Few of her FAVOURITES
1. Roberto Cavalli boots: “I found these at a sale at a factory outlet in the UK. They were marked down at £1,300 from £ 3,000,” Shuba says. The stylish boots with fur and metallic belts haven’t got an outing in India yet, however.
2. Namrata Joshi Pura dress: This sexy full-length evening dress comes with a transparent back and sequins. About what makes it one of her favourites, Shuba says, “The work on the seams is gorgeous and the sleeves make it stand out.”
Shuba SAYS…
» Put things together.
» Don’t over accessorise.
» Don’t wear too many things that stand out at the same time.
» Mix and match, sensibly.
