India guest editor: Manou of street fashion blog, Wearabout
Aki Narula, 42. Fashion designer/stylist
Aki has done costume designing and styling for about 13 Bollywood films. Likes the sound of waves and the soundtrack of A Single Man; dining at tanneries in Tangra and eating Puchkas on the streets of Calcutta; and the smell of the sea and sand between toes. Thrives on being restless and knows no other way
Photo taken on Juhu-Versova Link road, Andheri (west), Bombay
Aki Narula
Aki Narula
Dheeman Agarwala, 29. Senior producer at Channel V
Likes dismantling defunct electronic items, listening to Radiohead and The Beatles, making breakfast with freshly brewed coffee, and interpreting urban spaces as wildlife. Despises being an insomniac, using a credit card, and any sort of allergies
Photo taken at Versova, Andheri (west), Bombay
Suhas Joshi. Architect by day, flautist by night
Has about nine working flutes. Likes honesty, playing flute for self and others, and designing houses
Photo taken at Prithvi theatre, Juhu, Bombay
Suhas Joshi
Suhas Joshi
Sasha, 26. Entrepreneur
Sasha is half Mizo, half Khasi, from Shillong (the fashion capital of India). She majored in English and has a post-graduated in hotel management; studied western classical piano till 5th grade; thinks Charlie Chaplin is famous because he didn’t speak much; dislikes plastic women and girlie girls; hates medicines, getting drunk, and serving spoons being pointed at her; isn’t too fond of shopping but has two wardrobes over-packed with clothes (she says her mom buys most of her stuff). Here best ever buy was a hand knitted coat for an unbelievable 10 rupees (about a tenth of a pound)
Photo taken in Lachumiere, Shillong
Left: Sunil, 38. Preacher
God’s messenger. In a hurry. And slightly apprehensive about answering any questions
Photo taken at Colaba Causeway, South Bombay
Right: Pooja, 13 and Lalita, 11
Pooja and Lalita were selling custom-made bracelets on a small spread-out on the street. I bought some bracelets. Their clothes are traditional to their village. Nice colour blocking
Photo taken at Juhu, Bombay
Unsolicited street photo, Jodhpur
A coloured turban is mixed with some sharp tailoring in the Old City of Jodhpur. Here, you can find carts selling everything from traditional wear to vintage YSL
Thotreichan Sasa, 24. Photographer
Likes nautical stripes, alternative rock, Burberry, Delhi, Fashion TV, pork, money, cooking, and most of all sleeping and dreaming. Dislikes socialising and people who dominate. Hates rats, Bollywood, and some stylist who didn’t pay him for a job
Photo taken at Juhu, Bombay
Thotreichan Sasa
Thotreichan Sasa
Karan Berry, 28. Footwear designer
Is in love with socks, shoes and watches; drinks a lot of hot chocolate; and can eat a lot of blueberry muffins and chutney sandwiches. Dislikes socks with holes, faded t-shirts, plastic bags, wallets and the colour beige
Photo taken in Versova, Bombay
Karan Berry
Lakshman, 62. Home-made medicine seller
First refused the photo. Then said yes. Didn’t want to stand up for the photo. Didn’t want to answer any questions either. Was like go, go... enough!
Photo taken at Colaba Causeway, South Bombay
Kismet, 28. Photographer
Graduated in psychology; says studying is her hobby; has worked in an architecture firm, a special school, and a hospital; has created and organized flea markets in Chandigarh; photographs people, products, interiors, events, and is currently focusing on Indian weddings, while running three blogs simultaneously. Likes coffee and the Netherlands; her dogs and dragonflies; writing letters and Twitter, and spends 70% of her day on the computer. Doesn’t like people who misspell her name; is never happy in one place for too long; loves Chandigarh because it’s home, and loves Bombay because it’s not
Photo taken in Chandigarh
Left: Unsolicited street photo, Versova, Bombay
Tattoos and a Sari are a very unusual combination. Her attire is not specific to any city or state. It is very street, a little kitsch, and modern in an unsual way
Right: Syed Ali Arif, 35. Artist
Likes spending time alone, Hyderabadi Biryani, waking up at 6am and painting, watercolour techniques, Leonardo da Vinci’s Creation of Adam, Michelangelo’s David, rain and the colour red. Has had a huge crush on Bollywood actress Sridevi. Loves Vienna and Gustav Klimt’s work. Dislikes alcohol and smoking. Hates summers, travelling by train, social gatherings and heavy duty parties. And is not too fond of talkative people
Photo taken in Versova, Andheri (west), Bombay
Acquin Pais, 30. Fashion model
Likes Radiohead and The XX. Is thinking of buying a dog. Misses Heath Ledger, his Nana’s food, and Sigur Rós. Dislikes early mornings, fingers on a chalkboard, and Justin Bieber. Hates cricket
Photo taken at Khar, Bandra (west), Bombay
Imsu Longkumer, 20. Commerce student and fashion blogger
Imsu is a shoe lover from New Delhi who gets high on chocolate spread; is a big advocate of shopping online; is obsessed with ASOS; and compromises on household necessities to buy shoes. Her favourite outfit is a maxi skirt, a crop top and a pair of chunky heels, worn with a floppy hat and sunnies
Photo taken at Outram Line, North Delhi
Imsu Longkumer
Imsu Longkumer
Elton Fernandez, 29. Make up artist
Cleans his house to relieve stress; can eat tenderloin steak (medium-rare) at any time of the day; likes plum-coloured daisies; wants to own all the antique furniture of the world; loves being photographed. Dislikes badly groomed eyebrows, hotels without room service, and slackers at work. Doesn’t like the how age is stripping him of his hair. Despises the Indian telephone banking service
Photo taken at Chuim Village, Bandra (west)
Elton Fernandez
Left: Bag belonging to Ruchika Sachdeva, 24. Photo taken in Haus Khas Village, South Delhi
Right: Lungi belonging to Anand Tukaram Bhamte, 73. Photo taken in Versova Village, Bombay
Jagvir Matharoo, 27. Designer
Loves vintage Vogue covers and Phoebe Philo; old military uniforms and miniature boxes; paper bags and Yves Klien; Tom Ford and box-packed airline meals; khakhi pants and Amy Winehouse. Dislikes Turkish alcohol like Yeni Raki, the Twilight series, Bucharest, maths and Pinocchio
Photo taken at Khar, Bandra (west)
Jagvir Matharoo
Meghna, 29. Junior fashion editor
Meghna grew up in Bangalore and has been in Bombay for about a year. Thinks Bombay is a city that allows for explorations of all kinds. It’s her first time living alone, and she loves it because it has made her independent and secure at the same time. Dislikes apple pie and being online. Likes Italian food, cappuccino, cocker spaniels, all things vintage and too many other things. When not working, her days are about copious amounts of sleep, some tv, and more sleep
Photo taken at Hyaat in Santa Cruz, Bombay
Divyak D’Souza, 22. Fashion stylist
Loves bow ties, his family, the luxury of being sloppy, Tania’s lego hearts, bright colours, puppies, talking, and the Bombay monsoon. Dislikes elitism and many other isms. Totally hates fat-free food, unflattering photos of himself, and flash photography
Photo taken at Aram Nagar, Versova, Andheri (west), Bombay
Divyak D’Souza
Divyak D’Souza