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Star Signature Style: Channelling The Ethnic Chic With Nandita Das!

By Super
|

Nandita Das is a source of inspiration. She radiates elegance and an air of Indian-ness from head to toe. She has acted in over 30 feature films in ten different languages and has traveled to over 50 festivals, winning over 20 awards. She has been on the jury of Cannes Film Festival twice-2005 and 2013-among others. She has been awarded the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France for her contribution towards arts. Nandita Das was the first Indian to be inducted into the International Women's Forum's hall of fame for her contributions to the arts.

Das was born in 1969 to Varsha Das, a writer and Jatin Das, a popular artist. Despite being born in Mumbai, she was largely brought up in Delhi, where she was schooled at the Sardar Patel Vidyalaya. Later, she received her bachelor's degree in Geography from Miranda House and a Master of Social Work degree from the Delhi School of Social Work, both affiliated to the University of Delhi. Nandita Das was a Yale World Fellow 2014. She was among the 16 emerging global leaders who were chosen from close to 4000 applicants.

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

She is known to be one of India's dusky skinned actresses and she doesn't mind. In fact, she loves her dark skin! Don't believe us? Check out 'Dark is Beautiful'. ‘Dark is Beautiful‘, founded by a group of women in 2009, has picked up steam in 2013 especially since award-winning actor-director Nandita Das has become the face of the campaign.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Das, who has spoken out against the bias against dark skin in recent years, has been actively promoting the cause ininterviews on social media and with mainstream media. This bold and brave woman needs to be praised for attacking the silly notion in India that dark skin is inferior or ugly.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das started her acting career with the theatre group Jana Natya Manch. She taught at the Rishi Valley School. She has worked with several eminent directors like Mrinal Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shyam Benegal, Deepa Mehta, Mani Ratnam and others.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Is this all we can boast about Nandita Das? No, here is a woman who wears many hats and one of them is her fashion style; her love for Indian ethnic clothing. Her style sense is synonymous to simplicity and Nandita Das is one of Indian cinema's most refined and unblemished actresses, who is also a director.

Image Courtesy: minmit.com

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Totally natural and elegant is her style statement and this hasn't changed one bit over the last several years, ever since she made her mark in Indian cinema with her breath taking acting skills.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Even in a day and age where the 'bling' factor is highly regarded and where actresses mostly go for whatever is glamorous and trendy, Nandita Das comes through like a breath of fresh air in her simple cotton or silk sarees which make an amazing style statement every where she goes. She also does it with utmost buoyancy and grace which can make anyone green with envy.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

For even some of the biggest red carpet events like the Cannes Film festival, you would always see Nandita Das dressed in either a vibrant hand-loom cotton saree, or a more elaborate silk one which she dons with traditional or contemporary Indian style of jewellery.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

At events or interviews, she always wears khadi or cotton kurtis with jeans or just a simple saree with little or no jewellery. Her favourite kinds of embellishments are oxidized silver jewellry or the copperish-gold kind which does not look too loud or extravagant.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Some of her favourite colours when it comes to sarees happen to be deep shades of maroon or red, dark, grey, black, green, and she also does complete justice to rich shades of orange and rust as well. Her makeup is next to nothing, and the only thing she wears is minimal amount of jet black eyeliner, and her lips are sans tinted lipstick.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

The one prominent adornment at times is a black or red bindi which adds to the traditional appeal in her overall attire. She does not flaunt too many designer sarees or dresses, guys. Her style is so ‘real' that one can easily adapt it regardless of their age or social status, trust us, you can try it yourself and you'll know what we're talking about.

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Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Nandita Das Signature Look: Ethnic Chic

Want to get some Nandita Das style tips to amp up your desi wardrobe? She follows these three mantras when it comes to picking clothes, we think. Girls, take notes immediately!

1. Global Wear-ability:

1. Global Wear-ability:

Like we mentioned before, Nandita Das has travelled abroad several times for film festivals, promotions or holidays and she has always been recognised for her cool, casual and serene wardrobe. She chooses simple kurtas or sarees, sometimes even skirts and palazzo pants and this is why she has never made a fashion faux pas ever!

Image Courtesy: sareetimes.com

2. Accessories:

2. Accessories:

When it comes to accessories, less is more but this doesn't mean that Nandita Das doesn't rock a chunky silver choker or large wooden bangles from time to time. Always remember, accessories must always compliment your look, not grab all the available attention and more. Simplicity will take you far, in terms of fashion appeal.

Image Courtesy: thehindu.com

3. Maintenance:

3. Maintenance:

We told you earlier that Nandita Das is not a woman who likes to don only designer clothes, she is very comfortable making public appearances in demure cotton and silk Indian outfits. Her clothes are wearable and need no fussy care, unlike embellished or embroiderered ones. Her fashion is very understated but chic and classy. It's no wonder we chose Nandita Das to feature on our Star Signature Style category.

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