“I am a quick shopper as I know exactly what I want” – Preity Zinta

By Screen Weekly -

April 2, 2011 - 8:20 AM IST

Ever since she first made her dimpled appearance in the Perks Chocolate ad 15 years ago, Preity Zinta brought with her a unique style. An incredibly trendy dresser, she's one of the few who knows her Versace from her Valentino. Be it on the screen, a walk on the ramp or an appearance at the IPL, the pretty actress knows what becomes her best. Generally spotted in sleek skirts, dresses and gowns, she is an epitome of urban sophistication, easy elegance and a cutting-edge style. Most importantly, she always manages an attire that complements her young, vibrant personality.

You are always so impeccably attired. Which are your regular shopping destinations for clothes?

Most of my shopping happens abroad, when I am on holidays, as I do not get the time here to browse through the stores. But if in Delhi I go to the emporiums there, and there is a store called One More. Mumbai is also good to buy clothes, but it's silly to buy international designers clothes here, because I can pick them up from abroad.

Where do you head for when abroad?

Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan and New York are my shopping destinations for clothes. You get the most funky stuff in San Francisco, in fact nowhere in the world do you get those kind of clothes. Then there's also Melrose in LA and Soho in New York.

What kind of a shopper are you?

I am a quick shopper as I know exactly what I want. It takes me five seconds to buy something as I don't try a 1000 things.

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion is always a mix of high-end designers and street stuff, and whatever I am comfortable in. I can't be faithful to designers, but to collections, yes. One designer has a great collection one year and another the following year, so I pick and choose.

I am not a label person and like to mix and match stuff I buy from the street and from a fashion house. The result is more stylish.

“I am a quick shopper as I know exactly what I want” – Preity Zinta

Who are your favourite Indian designers?

Surily Goel is my favourite when it comes to western outfits. Her finishing, her cut and her fit are absolutely amazing. She's styled all my clothes for my show The Guinness Book Of World Records - Ab India Todega. She also styled my look for films like Salaam Namaste and The Last Lear. I work a lot with her because her finishing is brilliant and she's dedicated and hardworking.

Who else?

There are also Gauri-Nainka. They give lovely cuts and fits, and are very international in their designs. I haven't worn them too much, but I wear their gowns for film functions and premieres.

What about your Indian clothes?

There can never be one like Manish Malhotra. I started my career with him. His Western clothes are good but no one can match his Indian. His sense of fashion for movies is awesome. He's dressed me for Veer Zaara, Kal Ho Naa Ho and so many more. He understands cinema, fabric cuts and fits for every body type. His USP is that he can make a light outfit look rich. He won't laden you with 15 kilos of fabric and jewellery and kill you. He gets the same effect with a lighter fabric.

Who catches your fancy in the international arena?

One international designer whose clothes I often buy is Dolce Gabbana. They are very consistent with what they bring out every year. I buy jeans and dresses from their brand regularly. I also like Roberto Cavalli, and Calvin Klein for their straight-lined stuff. As for Valentino, no one makes red dresses better than him, for sure.

Which has been your remarkable buy?

It has to be the pair of shoes that I bought in Europe. I was in a rush and picked up a pair that cost me 1200 euros (Rs 67,000). The irony was that it gave me shoe-bites.

Your best buy?

A Dolce Gabbana dress I bought in New York.

What will you be seen in this summer?

Nothing to beat linen dresses with floral designs for summer. And then there's my faded skinny jeans that I bought from Australia. After four months I managed to fit in them today.

Screen India