Whether it’s to a boardroom meet, behind the scenes at fashion weeks or on glitzy film sets, these kids have taken notes from the best – their daddies dearest. This Father’s Day, stylish city folk speak up about how their dads have added an edge to their sartorial sensibilities. Plenty of awws, right this way!
Aviva and Adam Bidapa:
Bengaluru fashion guru, Prasad Bidapa’s kids revere their dad’s sense of style. And which Bengalurean wouldn’t? “High street fashion hadn’t reached India when we were growing up, but dad always brought back suitcases full of dresses while he was travelling abroad,” says Aviva Bidapa, recalling that she was always a well-dressed child as a result. Prasad’s closet was literally mi casa es su casa for Adam Bidapa. “When I was about 16, I’d rummage through it to find polos and boots, which is what I’d promptly wear while going out,” he says, calling his dad’s sense of style ‘timeless’. “He’s 62 and likes to be comfortable. I’m 26 and I get that aesthetic from him – whether I’m going to a gala or a party, I make sure I’m comfy,” says Aviva. (And girls, take note: she doesn’t even splurge on the perfect pair of shoes if she doesn’t think they are comfortable enough!) What do they admire most about him? “His quirkiness and guts,” they nod in approval, reminiscing the times he rocked metallic bandhgalas or stood out from the crowd in ethnic formals at black tie events.
Aishwarya Arjun:
What’s interesting to note is that these dads are far from victims of brands. “Appa doesn’t follow trends, he loves pastels and blacks and always wears what he feels like in that moment,” says actress Aishwarya Arjun. She takes some notes from him though: “I believe in less is more and in wearing statement outfits with minimal accessories,” she says, following in the sharp footsteps of her uber-stylish father, actor Arjun Sarja, with whom she even got to walk the ramp for designer Sanjana Jon. “It was my first public appearance with him,” she smiles of the warm memory.
Ahaana Khosla:
A student of fashion herself, Ahaana Khosla notes that her dad, one of Bengaluru’s illustrious designers, Manoviraj Khosla, doesn’t fall prey to brand names either. “I really admire that about him. He’s always been a trendsetter – he has a great eye, loves to mix and match. He is also extremely observant. That’s something that I’ve picked up from him and that, now, helps me spot or forecast trends easily,” chimes the 22-year-old about her father. What still rings in Ahaana Khosla’s ears from her school days is her dad asking her, ‘What’s the point? Why do you want to look like everyone else?’ (And boy, the depth to that question...)
Sasha Jairam:
Even when they do follow trends, they’ve got their daughters dearest to lead them into it. “I have loads of fun memories shopping with my dad. I really admire that he keeps up with what’s current instead of being stuck up. Obviously, I’m the one who updates him,” laughs celebrity photographer Sasha Jairam of her business magnet pops, Jairam G Kimmane. The Shimoga lass who now lives in London believes that it’s his confidence she takes after. Whatever the trend of the trade, “He is always asked me to stay humble and grounded because that’s what counts at the end of the day. I still have my Shimoga accent when I speak English, and even though I was bullied for it, I never could get my roots away from me... well it’s in the blood after all!” she says, remembering a lesson that matters the most.
