Chic daughters, stylish mums

The staid and middle aged look is out; smart and trendy is in whether you favour the international classic look or the trendy ethnic style, say these mothers and daughters, who among other things share a passion for fashion which they adapt to their individual tastes and lifestyles. On the eve of Mother’s Day, Metrolife speaks to few mother-daughter duo about their fashion bonding.

Krishnamani and her daughter Nikita just happen to be the same size so their wardrobes are highly interchangeable. With plenty of range and scope for mixing and matching, the duo apparently, never run out of clothes to wear for any occasion. It also doesn't hurt that Krishnamani is a fashion designer herself who indulges her daughter’s fondness for clothes quite freely.

   “My daughter and I are very close and fashion is one of the passions we really share. She likes me to dress in the latest styles, but she also cautions me when she thinks that a particular outfit is way too ‘teeny bopperish’. Then, I either change it or tone it down. She has a great eye for accessories and helps me add a belt, scarf or a pair of earrings to pep up an outfit or team it up differently to tone it down,” she says.

Bindu Sadhwani now has two young people to keep a close eye on her fashion sense.

‘‘My daughter Ritika insists on shopping with me mainly because she doesn’t always trust my style quotient. I have come to rely on her advice almost completely and during my son’s wedding she was the designated wardrobe mistress. Now with my daughter-in-law, Samairah in the picture, I’m kept well in the know as to which style of jeans, shoes or accessories are in, what's out and how to avoid the dated matronly look. They are both into high fashion trends and they kind of sweep me along with them,” says Bindu.

Susan Fernandes and her 18-year-old daughter Tara have very distinct styles of dressing. ‘‘I have a penchant for high end international labels while Tara is totally eclectic-ethnic, loves her sarees, cholis, kurtas and flowing lehengas. I’m pretty happy that she is not into mini skirts or plunging necklines and has evolved her own distinct fashion sense. My fashion sense amuses her as she sees it as ‘safe and predictable’ but I enjoy the way she puts her outfits together with style and imagination. She cleverly mixes bright or earthy colours and wears only natural fabrics accessorising each outfit effectively with ethnic jewellery,” says Susan.

Bina and her daughter Srila dress very differently. Bina has a passion for beautiful sarees which she has collected over the years while Srila’s style is an international look. “I love my mum’s collection of sarees and jewellery, and when I need to dress up for a wedding or a formal occasion I have lots to choose from. She wears her pallu short which I think is really cool, matches her blouses interestingly and has a range of lovely weaves and textures from different parts of the country. Her style is classic and ethnic which suits her perfectly and she’s the go-to person when I want to dress ethnically,” says Srila.

 ‘‘My daughter is understated elegance, very simple and classic. She never adopted the funky look (thank goodness !). While she is welcome to dip into my wardrobe anytime I wouldn’t dream of wearing her stuff simply because it’s just not me,” says Bina.