AT WORK
AT WORK
Bazaar
smar t thi n ki n g Being successful at work includes dressing the part. Three corporate women give Bazaar the rules they stick to.
I
f you follow world news closely, the name Angela Merkel will likely resonate with you for more reason than one. Not only because she’s one of the most powerful women in Europe, but also because of the multitude of coloured jackets the German Chancellor chooses to wear—a stark contrast to the sea of world leaders dressed in dark suits often photographed alongside her. It really doesn’t matter whether her much-criticised boxy jackets are fire engine red, forest green, or electric blue; they have become as much part of political fashion legend as Jacqueline Onassis’s pearls. Interestingly, Merkel’s frumpy style may have proved to be something of an asset to her political career. Robb Young, the author of Power 110
Dressing: First Ladies, Women Politicians & Fashion writes, “The dull outfits for which she became famous demonstrated consistency and prudence, two qualities generally prized in Herman politics. Furthermore, her image was perceived as an honest reflection of her personality—a no-nonsense, rational woman partial to consensus politics who seemed completely unfazed by being chastised for her fashion sense.” However, power women and great style are no longer seen as two opposite ends of the fashion spectrum. Today’s post-feminist generation of women leaders believes that a love of clothes doesn’t in the least undermine their intellectual gravitas. “Great style is an asset, not a
images: courtesy jayanti Chauhan; roohi jaikishan; Schauna Chauhan-Saluja.
Clockwise from left: Jayanti Chauhan; Roohi Jaikishan; Schauna Chauhan-Saluja.
images: courtesy net-a-porter.com; don penny/ studio d; harry winston; mikimoto; givenchy; salvatore ferragamo.
By Zahra Khan
liability,” says Roohi Jaikishan, executive director From Stella McCartney’s sleek, neutral tailoring to of RR Oomerbhoy Pvt Ltd, one of the fastest Marni’s eccentric yet artsy sensibility and Victoria growing FMCG chains in India. Often celebrated Beckham’s elongated, feminine silhouettes with for her nuanced style, studying her chic is like taking flattering cuts and fabrics, these hardworking a master class in power dressing—silk shirts from garments have the potential to deliver subtle messages Equipment, tailored trousers from Theory, and about mood, intent, and even course of action. fitted suits from Gucci. Like the canniest The fashion vernacular now allows power women businesspeople, she uses style to assert her to communicate with nuance, yet are modest individuality and dominance amid a sea of boring enough for a conservative work environment. suits. “Does anybody ask a well-dressed man if For Jayanti Chauhan, director, Bisleri looking sharp comes in the way of him being taken International Pvt Ltd, looking good is nonseriously?” she contends, adding, “Dressing well negotiable. “I would define my style as tailored plays an important role in how you feel about with an edge, and often turn to brands like Armani, yourself. If you dress confidently, you will feel self- Versace, Alexander McQueen, and Chloé for assured and powerful.” workwear. From the high street, Reiss is a favourite It’s a sentiment echoed by Schauna Chauhan- for stylish separates. I usually accessorise with cuffs Saluja, the always-elegant CEO of Parle Agro, and rings from Givenchy and Vivienne Westwood. who believes looking polished is critical, because And I’m always in heels. It can make any outfit it is often the first filter of professional credibility. smarter and creates a leaner silhouette,” she says “What you are on the inside is of her preferred ensembles. important, but it also matters Her advice for dressing well to Women’s power what you are on the outside. work? Know your body type and dressing, once Dressing well is important for wear silhouettes that flatter your your self-respect. It’s important defined by self- shape. “The key to looking leaner to represent your title and your is getting your proportions right. conscious company well, because in business Also, less is more. I’m only 5 ft 2 façades, has it’s rare that you get a second inches, but people always comment that I don’t seem that short. It’s chance to make a good first given way to impression,” states Saluja, whose mainly because I dress simple, stick personal style personal style is punctuated by to block colours rather than prints, tailor-made jackets and bright and of course, never leave home sheaths from Tahari by ASL and Anne Klein, without a pair of killer heels!” accessorised with scarves, delicate pearl jewellery, Jaikishan’s secret for dressing for success is to buy and bracelets. a couple of investment pieces every season and First impressions matter. In fact, research build your wardrobe around them, or get good at conducted by the New York-based Center for Talent “shopping in your own closet” and putting outfits Innovation states that ‘executive presence’, a term together in different ways. “The one thing I advise that’s been buzzing in leadership circles for a while against is oversized diamonds, or jewellery that can now, accounts for 26 percent of what it takes to get in the way of your work. Also, avoid anything get ahead professionally. Looking good (as opposed that stands out—low-cut necklines, see-through to being physically attractive) is “the first bar one shirts and trousers that ride down are a strict no-no must hurdle in order to be assessed on other, more in the office.” As Saluja says, “You are the brand; critical faculties”. package yourself well.” The clothes you wear to work have a big role to On the surface, fashion is about clothes, but play in your perception as a serious contender in the underlying ideologies are just as important as the boardroom. They reflect your professionalism, the quality of the cloth. In the span of the working attention to detail, and good judgment, and manifest lives of women who now sit at the top of their in your work as well as your wardrobe. Indeed, for profession, fashion has become equipped to speak many power women, great style is a useful expression to their individuality as well as career gravitas. of aesthetic intelligence and sophistication that can Women’s power dressing, once defined by selfactually enhance their effectiveness. conscious façades, has given way to personal style. Luckily, the working woman has become quite The challenge is that, like all of us, work clothes the fashion muse in recent seasons, with designers need to multitask—professional and practical, offering their own interpretations of executive-chic. yet sharp and chic. n
WORKPLACE ESSENTIALS
From top: Alexander McQueen at net-a-porter.com jacket, `1,26,000 (approx); Chloé at net-a-porter.com shirt, `56,000 (approx); Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci cuff, `38,500 (approx); J.Crew at net-a-porter.com skirt, `13,300 (approx); Theory pants, `27,000 (approx); Harry Winston necklace, price upon request; Mikimoto earrings, `50,000 (approx); Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci bangle, `43,500 (approx); Salvatore Ferragamo bag, price upon request.
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Bazaar
smar t thi n ki n g Being successful at work includes dressing the part. Three corporate women give Bazaar the rules they stick to.
I
f you follow world news closely, the name Angela Merkel will likely resonate with you for more reason than one. Not only because she’s one of the most powerful women in Europe, but also because of the multitude of coloured jackets the German Chancellor chooses to wear—a stark contrast to the sea of world leaders dressed in dark suits often photographed alongside her. It really doesn’t matter whether her much-criticised boxy jackets are fire engine red, forest green, or electric blue; they have become as much part of political fashion legend as Jacqueline Onassis’s pearls. Interestingly, Merkel’s frumpy style may have proved to be something of an asset to her political career. Robb Young, the author of Power 110
Dressing: First Ladies, Women Politicians & Fashion writes, “The dull outfits for which she became famous demonstrated consistency and prudence, two qualities generally prized in Herman politics. Furthermore, her image was perceived as an honest reflection of her personality—a no-nonsense, rational woman partial to consensus politics who seemed completely unfazed by being chastised for her fashion sense.” However, power women and great style are no longer seen as two opposite ends of the fashion spectrum. Today’s post-feminist generation of women leaders believes that a love of clothes doesn’t in the least undermine their intellectual gravitas. “Great style is an asset, not a
images: courtesy jayanti Chauhan; roohi jaikishan; Schauna Chauhan-Saluja.
Clockwise from left: Jayanti Chauhan; Roohi Jaikishan; Schauna Chauhan-Saluja.
images: courtesy net-a-porter.com; don penny/ studio d; harry winston; mikimoto; givenchy; salvatore ferragamo.
By Zahra Khan
liability,” says Roohi Jaikishan, executive director From Stella McCartney’s sleek, neutral tailoring to of RR Oomerbhoy Pvt Ltd, one of the fastest Marni’s eccentric yet artsy sensibility and Victoria growing FMCG chains in India. Often celebrated Beckham’s elongated, feminine silhouettes with for her nuanced style, studying her chic is like taking flattering cuts and fabrics, these hardworking a master class in power dressing—silk shirts from garments have the potential to deliver subtle messages Equipment, tailored trousers from Theory, and about mood, intent, and even course of action. fitted suits from Gucci. Like the canniest The fashion vernacular now allows power women businesspeople, she uses style to assert her to communicate with nuance, yet are modest individuality and dominance amid a sea of boring enough for a conservative work environment. suits. “Does anybody ask a well-dressed man if For Jayanti Chauhan, director, Bisleri looking sharp comes in the way of him being taken International Pvt Ltd, looking good is nonseriously?” she contends, adding, “Dressing well negotiable. “I would define my style as tailored plays an important role in how you feel about with an edge, and often turn to brands like Armani, yourself. If you dress confidently, you will feel self- Versace, Alexander McQueen, and Chloé for assured and powerful.” workwear. From the high street, Reiss is a favourite It’s a sentiment echoed by Schauna Chauhan- for stylish separates. I usually accessorise with cuffs Saluja, the always-elegant CEO of Parle Agro, and rings from Givenchy and Vivienne Westwood. who believes looking polished is critical, because And I’m always in heels. It can make any outfit it is often the first filter of professional credibility. smarter and creates a leaner silhouette,” she says “What you are on the inside is of her preferred ensembles. important, but it also matters Her advice for dressing well to Women’s power what you are on the outside. work? Know your body type and dressing, once Dressing well is important for wear silhouettes that flatter your your self-respect. It’s important defined by self- shape. “The key to looking leaner to represent your title and your is getting your proportions right. conscious company well, because in business Also, less is more. I’m only 5 ft 2 façades, has it’s rare that you get a second inches, but people always comment that I don’t seem that short. It’s chance to make a good first given way to impression,” states Saluja, whose mainly because I dress simple, stick personal style personal style is punctuated by to block colours rather than prints, tailor-made jackets and bright and of course, never leave home sheaths from Tahari by ASL and Anne Klein, without a pair of killer heels!” accessorised with scarves, delicate pearl jewellery, Jaikishan’s secret for dressing for success is to buy and bracelets. a couple of investment pieces every season and First impressions matter. In fact, research build your wardrobe around them, or get good at conducted by the New York-based Center for Talent “shopping in your own closet” and putting outfits Innovation states that ‘executive presence’, a term together in different ways. “The one thing I advise that’s been buzzing in leadership circles for a while against is oversized diamonds, or jewellery that can now, accounts for 26 percent of what it takes to get in the way of your work. Also, avoid anything get ahead professionally. Looking good (as opposed that stands out—low-cut necklines, see-through to being physically attractive) is “the first bar one shirts and trousers that ride down are a strict no-no must hurdle in order to be assessed on other, more in the office.” As Saluja says, “You are the brand; critical faculties”. package yourself well.” The clothes you wear to work have a big role to On the surface, fashion is about clothes, but play in your perception as a serious contender in the underlying ideologies are just as important as the boardroom. They reflect your professionalism, the quality of the cloth. In the span of the working attention to detail, and good judgment, and manifest lives of women who now sit at the top of their in your work as well as your wardrobe. Indeed, for profession, fashion has become equipped to speak many power women, great style is a useful expression to their individuality as well as career gravitas. of aesthetic intelligence and sophistication that can Women’s power dressing, once defined by selfactually enhance their effectiveness. conscious façades, has given way to personal style. Luckily, the working woman has become quite The challenge is that, like all of us, work clothes the fashion muse in recent seasons, with designers need to multitask—professional and practical, offering their own interpretations of executive-chic. yet sharp and chic. n
WORKPLACE ESSENTIALS
From top: Alexander McQueen at net-a-porter.com jacket, `1,26,000 (approx); Chloé at net-a-porter.com shirt, `56,000 (approx); Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci cuff, `38,500 (approx); J.Crew at net-a-porter.com skirt, `13,300 (approx); Theory pants, `27,000 (approx); Harry Winston necklace, price upon request; Mikimoto earrings, `50,000 (approx); Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci bangle, `43,500 (approx); Salvatore Ferragamo bag, price upon request.
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