Finding beauty inside & out

One of the most sought-after celebrity stylists in India, Ami Patel’s number is usually on the speed dial of many actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty, Kangana Ranaut, Alia Bhatt and Samantha. In Chennai to conduct a fashion master class, the fashionista opens up about her sense of style, how she handles her clients and more.

Well-experienced in all aspects of fashion styling, her portfolio has magazine covers and fashion stories of India’s best-known celebrities. With a knack for transforming people to give them their best look with comfort, Ami has an expert eye to create looks that stand out from the rest. “I am extremely passionate about what I do and I think, that is what really makes me manage my time and my work — because my work is everything to me and I absolutely love what I do,” she starts the conversation.

The stylist believes that each person is an individual by themselves and they have their own sense of personality. “Everyone is unique and it is important to make the style statements they make, unique as well. I believe that it is important to bring out the personality of the person through the style and I make sure that I bring that out in everyone I style.”

She keeps herself abreast with the fashion trends and doesn’t like to stress too much. “My job is my inspiration. These days, everybody wants to top their style game and wants to look their best. However, when you really love somebody you style, I think the inspiration happens and that is how the creative process starts to bring out the best in a person. I am inspired by every single individual I style.”
When we ask her to pick her favourite actress, Ami replies with a smile, “I don’t think it is possible to ask a mother who her favourite child is. So I would say I really love everyone I style and that’s why I style them.”

Though Ami has visited Chennai a few years ago, the city is all about heritage and beautiful Kancheepuram sarees for her. “I wish they never ever go out of style. It is an intrinsic part of Indian culture and it is something that I am really proud of.”

Talking about her style mantra, Ami says that styling happens spontaneously on its own. “Sometimes it takes a little while more — my style mantra is to be instinctive. However, there are certain fashion rules to follow. But at the end of the day, I like following my gut. That works for me every time.”

So, how does she unwind? “I am into spirituality. For me unwinding is meditation and it is my superpower. It is something that  helps me to shed any kind of stress that I have accumulated or picked up. I think the side effects of meditation are happiness, intuition and effortlessness which helps me to translate back to work.”

Ami is also a faculty with the Art of Living foundation. “I really think that teaching, and imparting what I know to make other people’s life stress-free and adding that value to their lives is something that I truly enjoy doing. I can’t even place a value on it because it is a priceless job,” she concludes.

(The fashion master class will be held today at Phoenix MarketCity from 12.30 pm onwards)