Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon's styling is making news. Here's the lady behind the saree blouse's moment in the sun
Tribal knuckle rings and nose pins are Tomar's character's trademark style
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Who in Allahabad wears a denim button down shirt with a Kanjeevaram? Probably, no one. But, that's not taking away from the love viewers are expressing for this oddball marriage of styles.
'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon' (IPKKND), the daily soap starring Shivani Tomar, Ritu Shivpuri and Barun Sobti, is being discussed for its refreshing styling by Shivani Shirali.
Ritu in the Kanjeevaram corset and peplum blouse
All the women of the Vashist family dress in sarees, but not worn with traditional cholis. Peplum blouses and iceberg lettuce sleeve tops are the six-yard’s new best friends. Shirali is following the 'modern and relatable' brief she was given. "Chandni [Shivani’s character] is petite and mild-natured, while Indrani [Ritu] is dramatic. I had a blast working on their distinct styles," she says.
No tawdry georgettes and faux kundan sets for her; contemporary-ethnic was her calling. “My mother harbours a love for Kanjeevarams and Chanderis, but, I wanted to put a modern spin on classics,” she explains. Her degree in fashion from Sophia Polytechnic came handy when reimagining the saree blouse for Chandni. “On TV, showing skin signifies a liberal attitude. I wished to prove that you can cover up and look smashing.”
Stylist Shivani Shirali
So, Tomar wears traditional sarees with peplum blouses, with a kamarband holding the pallu in place. Shivpuri, who is imbued with a natural glamorous style, wears long jackets that show nothing of her mid-riff, “but when she turns, you’ll see sexy choli details on the rear”. A corset with a Kanjeevaram border was another head-turner she sported.
Shirali has found fans among NRI viewers and those from tier II cities, who now follow her on Instagram. Shirali worked with designer Mansi Malhotra to create trinkets for the show. Tribal finger armour, including knuckle and cocktail rings, shoulder dusters, nose pins and a three-coloured bangle set make up Chandni’s style. “The styling is being copied left, right and centre, so we have decided to launch the IPKKND collection,” she says.