BAZAAR

What was it like to grow up in a family full of women?Farah Khan Ali: You were never lonely.Simone Arora: I was lucky to ind my best friends at a veryearly age.Sussanne Khan: It keeps you grounded and sane in a worldfull of chaos. My sisters were my pillars.Who are your biggest fashion influences?SK: Our mother. She is meticulous about looking neatand presentable and has a great eye for colour.SA: Her closet was always open to us and her collectionof jewellery and accessories certainly inluenced myinterest in fashion.FKA: Both our grandmothers were also very stylish.On my mother’s Parsi side, our grandmother used towear beautiful gara saris with a bold lipstick and darkeye makeup. My father’s mother was very regal. Sheused to wear a lot of iroza [turquoise], pearl, andemerald jewellery. I think that’s why I use so manyblue and green gemstones in my own work.Among the three of you, who was more interested infashion?FKA: Sussanne was always more experimental. Simoneand I are much more classical in our sense of dress.What inspires your designs?SK: I collect a lot of art, especially young artists. I don’t seeit as an investment; it’s a part of my personality. Rightnow I’m really enjoying the work of Vishal Dar who isvery New Age.FKA: Architecture and nature are my two biggestinspirations when I design. In my most recent collection forexample I debuted a new monogram called Aayat. It hasfour sides and can look like a bird in light, an architecturaldome, or even a petal. I wanted the collection to be a littleplayful, and fun. I want young girls, just like my daughter,to be able to wear it their own way.What are some of your favourite brands?SA: Ralph Lauren, Brunello Cucinelli, Chanel, and Cartier.I also love saris from Adarsh Gill.SK: Gucci for something a little mad and Dior’s moresober pieces. Even stores like Gap and Topshop aregreat to mix and match with.FKA: For everyday wear it’s Zara. When it comes tobrands, I lean towards Azzedine Alaïa, Valentino,Gucci, and Fendi.``````FARAH KHAN ALI, FOUNDER, FARAH KHAN FINE JEWELLERYSIMONE ARORA, INTERIOR DESIGNER & FOUNDER, SIMONESUSSANNE KHAN, INTERIOR DESIGNER & FOUNDER, THE CHARCOALPROJECT & PARTNER, THELABELLIFE.COMSoBAZAAR