Is safe the new chic?

Deepika Padukone’s Hollywood red carpet debut at the MTV EMA awards last year was the stuff sartorial nightmares are made of. If the ensemble wasn’t (according to some) haunting enough, the comments that the fashion police made certainly were. A popular British tabloid described the Monisha Jaising look as a ‘Bollywood blunder’.

While the actress and her stylists stood by the look, the repercussions of the rap were probably what made the actress go for a safe off-shoulder Ralph Lauren ensemble at the after party of the Golden Globe awards on the weekend. Now Hollywood star, Priyanka Chopra however walked the edge with her risqué, plunging custom-made golden Ralph Lauren dress which apparently took 1600 hours of embroidery to make. While the international fashion police continues to put the two under the scanner, we ask designers and stylists closer home to deconstruct the look for fashion amateurs.

Shirrin Shah, fashion designer
On Deepika Padukone:
Deepika wore Ralph Lauren and it was effortlessly stylish. She didn’t need to add anything to her look even though it was without any embroidery. The colour was beautiful and she carried it off effortlessly. If I were to add anything, it would probably be a cocktail ring or a beautiful cuff on the hand.

On Priyanka Chopra:
Priyanka too chose a Ralph Lauren gown but her dress was fully embroidered gold — the colour suited her well. She had the most amazing jewellery and make up. I don’t think there was any scope to add anything to her look, maybe she could add a ring to accessorise it.

If it were up to me though, I would love them to represent an Indian designer. I would dress them in is a fusion outfit like a dhoti kurta with a draped dupatta or a sari gown or even a jacket with a ghagra.

Anupamaa Dayal, Fashion Designer
On Priyanka Chopra:
I absolutely loved what Priyanka was wearing. She looked like fire. It was not conservative or classic at all. It was metallic and on trend. It showed off her curves perfectly and had just the right amount of cleavage, which made it daring but kept it from being tacky. Even her makeup was spot on. Anything more would have been gimicky rather than daring.

On Deepika Padukone:
As for Deepika, I liked the colour of the dress she wore. It really stood out for me. If it had been me, I might have wanted to dress one of them in something similar to that gorgeous white trailing gown that Sonam Kapoor wore at Cannes, but still, I think they did quite well as is. I really think that Quantico has changed the perception that Americans had of Indian women. These actresses are rubbing shoulders with big Hollywood stars and I think that they are more than holding their own in terms of fashion, as well as otherwise.

Surily Goel, fashion designer
On Priyanka Chopra:
I think Priyanka Chopra’s golden gilded Ralph Lauren gown worked very well on her. I think it was glamorous and sexy. It is a classic dress, and there is nothing one could get wrong about that. However, it probably didn't have the kind of impact that her previous sartorial choices did. Her appearance at the Oscar, where she opted for a white Zuhair Murad white gown, made for a spectacular choice, and really made her one of the many personalities to watch out for at an awards show. If I absolutely had to, I would give Priyanka a slick ponytail.

On Deepika Padukone:
I liked Deepika’s sunshine yellow, Ralph Lauren gown. I think the dress was lovely, but Deepika could have definitely tried on something edgier. I would have given her some jewellery as well. But then, I know Deepika is someone who trusts her stylist. I would have loved to see Deepika push the envelope. I would have given her something risqué or backless. She is a young girl, so I would definitely give her something that shows more skin, and complements her figure.