Verve's Best Dressed List 2009

TWINKLE Khanna
for her slightly intimidating, mysterious and seriously chic persona

Best known for
Her ber-sharp red carpet statements.

Style mantra
"Comfort is key."

Closet staples
Superbly tailored pieces in solid colours, white shirts, blue jeans.

Addictive accents
Envelope clutches, strong but elegant jewellery pieces – mainly, chunky necklaces.

Favourite labels
Spotted in Badgley Mischka many a time.

Surprising fact
Was never keen on acting in films. "I did not enjoy it from day one."

Big passions
Design, architecture, interior spaces.

SONAM Kapoor
for introducing quirk to the dressing habits of tinsel town

Dress by Alberta Ferretti.

Best known for
Her slightly experimental red carpet style and megawatt smile.

Her style
"I would love to describe myself as Audrey Hepburn with a twist."

Fashion icons
Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe.

Favourite fashion moment
The white and gold Anamika Khanna sari-gown teamed with polkis for her IIFA Macau red carpet appearance this year.

Favourite labels
Anamika Khanna, Chanel.

Addictive accents
Lots and lots of bags and shoes.

Fashion is...
"...art to me. I like mixing vintage pieces with current ones; I repeat my outfits often, but wear them differently each time around."

SIMONE Singh
for making natural and understated stylish

Make-up and Hair by Meghna Butani
Satin shirt, by Bebe; high-waisted trousers, by Elm Design; heels, from Bottega Veneta; vintage silver cuffs.

Signature style
Nuanced and inventive.

Wardrobe favourites
"Currently wide leg trousers as they are so versatile and as always, structured jackets and white shirts in different textures and cuts."

Sartorial hates
Animal prints with bling embroidery and "anything that transports cleavage from its natural God given place to arrive at the neck."

Definition of style
"Style is inherent and evolves with the personality. Personal style is reflected not only in dress but in every avenue of creative expression."

Personal inspiration
"Anyone who transcends a narrow personal agenda and works selflessly for a higher calling, whether it be on environment, children, the elderly or animals."

KARISMA Kapoor
for keeping minimalist traditions alive in the face of Bollywood excess

Black and white checked shirt, from Moschino; jeans, from J brand; belt, from Dolce & Gabbana; platfrom heels, limited edition Louis Vuitton; black leather Birkin bag, from Herms; watch from Jaeger.

Best known for
Introducing style to Bollywood during the 1990s bad fashion phase.

Trendsetting moment
Poker straight hair and shaped eyebrows in Raja Hindustani. Her new avatar had the nation in an emulating frenzy.

Most remembered for
Her casual, unselfconscious ease in minis. Gorgeous, gorgeous legs!

Most stylish roles
Fiza for minimalism and Zubeida for vintage chic.

Definition of style
"Less is more."

Favourite labels
YSL, Chanel, Prada, Herms. Ethnic ensembles by Karishma Trehan.

Fashion obsession
Black and white. Monochrome is a must, off screen.

Icons
Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis and mum Babita.

Her own style is
"Classic chic."

KATRINA Kaif
for breaking the myth that large boned women cannot look delicately feminine

Best known for
Her porcelain complexion that glows in any colour of clothing.

Her style
Minimalist. "I am a zero accessory person… I would probably buy one handbag a year!"

Mostly seen in
Jeans and flat sandals. Sometimes, short shift dresses. Comfort is key.

Surprising fact
Hates make-up and dislikes doing her hair.

Style is
Presence. "You should be noticed. And then, maybe 20 minutes later, people should notice your clothes."

Hunting hubs
Carnaby Street boutiques and flea markets in London.

PREITY Zinta
for taking the side of sartorial chic, against bling

Best known for
Her radiant, cheeky, dimpled smile and high-energy personality.

Wardrobe must-haves
Statement belts, retro shades, high heels and wide-brimmed hats.

Trendsetting moment
Thick, black frames were made fashionable, thanks to her character in Kal Ho Na Ho.

Philanthropic gesture
Taking up the cause of poor children, "Especially girls, and what can be better than giving them proper education, good food and clothing?"

Favourite labels
Claims not to be a label lover, but seen sporting Fendi many a time. Has a soft spot for her New York-based designer friend Nupur's creations and also Manish Malhotra and Surily Goel.

Feels an affinity to
Footwear and jewellery.

FREIDA Pinto
for turning into a star, muse and fashion figure overnight

Best known for
Her smashing debut as Latika in the Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire.

Talked about style moment
Her appearance at the Oscars in an electric blue John Galliano dress.

Haute hour
Her first front row seat, next to Scarlett Johansson at the Dolce & Gabbana Fall Winter 2009/10 show at Milan Fashion Week.

Indian idols
Tabu and Konkona Sen Sharma.

Style is
Comfort. "Wearing six-inch heels doesn't necessarily spell style."