Think a little deeper, and you'll find that fashion is less about the clothes and more about the stories they tell. Enter the creative minds of some of the industry's finest stylists, each adding their unique flair to the canvas of glam style. Divyak D'Souza’s passion for dramatic silhouettes and fearless experimentation pushes his clients beyond the expected. Nitasha Gaurav, synonymous with Ranveer Singh’s jaw-dropping sartorial choices, infuses personality and whimsy into everything she touches, turning fashion into a playground of bold ideas. Edward Lalrempuia’s understated sophistication and editorial insight make him the go-to for those seeking an effortlessly polished look. 

Divyak D'Souza

Divyak D'Souza is a well-known celebrity stylist whose unique mix of minimalist aesthetics and a quirky, irreverent personality makes him a standout in the Indian fashion industry. His career began unexpectedly, as he transitioned from a production intern at a leading fashion publication to a full-time stylist under the guidance of renowned costume designer Arjun Bhasin. Over the years, Divyak has become synonymous with his ability to mix casual chic with bold, modern elements, all while maintaining a playful, yet polished, approach to fashion. Divyak's style is eclectic, unafraid of experimentation, and deeply influenced by his environment, whether it’s Bollywood glamour or natural landscapes like the Great Barrier Reef. 

If your style was a movie, who would be the lead actor?
I'd have to go with Dan Levy from Schitt's Creek. He's got that perfect blend of clean, minimalist style and a goofy, irreverent personality. Plus, he's a great inspiration to many, including me.

If you could only wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be?
Tough one! For a homegrown brand, I'd pick Pero—I love the versatile aesthetic and how it covers everything from festive to casual. Internationally, I'd choose Yohji Yamamoto for his effortless vibe that doesn’t follow trends.

Photo Credits - Aneev Rao

What’s the one accessory that’s always in your bag when you’re styling
Honestly, it's not the typical stylist's toolkit—it's snacks! I'm always carrying protein bars or fruit. My team takes care of the styling needs, and I handle the snacks!

Which fashion trend do you hope to never see again?
Feathers. They've been overdone, especially in Indian couture, and they just don’t excite me anymore.

What’s one unforgettable moment in your career?
Interning with GQ back in 2008 was life-changing. Arjun Bhasin, the fashion director, saw something in me and took me under his wing. That’s how my career in fashion styling began.

If you were to style a Bollywood-themed fashion week, what would be the opening look?
I’d draw inspiration from the ’70s disco era with glam icons like Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi. That era’s fashion was bold and glamorous, which still inspires me today.

What’s one fashion rule you think is meant to be broken?
All of them! Fashion should be about self-expression and having fun—there’s no need to follow rigid rules.

What’s the biggest fashion risk you’ve ever taken?
The biggest risks were in my pre-fashion days, during college. I thought I was super cool in Colaba Causeway harem pants—now, those looks make me cringe. But experimenting with style is how we learn and grow.

What’s one underrated piece of clothing everyone should own?
A slightly oversized pinstripe shirt. It’s versatile—whether tucked into trousers for a formal look or layered over athleisure, it’s a wardrobe staple.

What’s the most unexpected source of fashion inspiration you’ve had?While shooting in Queensland, Australia, the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef inspired me. The marine life and coral colours influenced the wardrobe choices, adding a unique texture to the shoot.

Nitasha Gaurav

Nitasha Gaurav isn’t just a stylist; she’s the woman behind some of Bollywood's most memorable fashion moments. Known for crafting Ranveer Singh’s fearless, avant-garde looks, Nitasha’s style philosophy is playful yet rooted in strong cultural narratives. She thrives on the unexpected—whether drawing inspiration from ornithology books or turning ‘ugly’ into something stunningly chic. 

You’ve worked with Ranveer Singh on some iconic looks—what’s one styling choice he made that surprised you?
We all go through phases of what appeals to us. Ranveer went through a maximalist phase and now is in a more minimal phase. It hasn’t surprised me, but it is a marked change. Either way, the glam quotient remains top-notch.

If you could style one person from history, who would it be and why?
I would have loved to work with David Bowie. The gender-defying style, the prolific use of fashion to make social and political statements, and the unabashed representation of one’s unique self would all be incredible to have as a canvas.

What's your favourite fashion trend right now that you think will last a while?
It’s not so much a trend, or at least I hope it isn’t just that, but the surge in the use of handcraft in fashion. Hand embroideries, block prints, tie-dye, handloom weaves—they make each piece unique and even more valuable.

If your wardrobe could talk, what would it say about you?
It would say the owner seems to have some sort of multiple personality disorder. There are scrappy T-shirts, threadbare pyjamas, cotton kurtas, baggy jeans, dress-up outfits from vintage stores, and things of beauty from my mother. A big jumble of all sorts.

What's the most unexpected place you've found fashion inspiration
Ornithology books, especially for colour pairings. Campy films. Prince videos.

If you had to create an outfit based on your favourite movie, what would it look like?
I love Gone with the Wind, The Godfather, and The Great Gatsby for their exquisite menswear. I doubt I would change anything about them.

What’s one style rule you think is meant to be broken?
If you find something appalling or ugly, try iterating it into something with a twisted sense of appeal. That exercise can lead to surprisingly fun results.

What's the most fun styling challenge you've faced that turned out better than you expected?
We styled Ranveer for a brand of Chinese food products and created a character from scratch. Designing the look, and the clothes, and spray-painting the outfits was like an adventure. It became iconic, seen on packaging, hoardings, and advertisements.

If you could trade closets with any of your celebrity clients for a week, who would you pick?
I’d like to trade closets with some folks, not because I want something from theirs but because I feel they could benefit from what’s in mine!

If you could bring back any retro fashion trend, what would it be and how would you style it for today?
I love the ’70s! I go back to that era for the silhouettes, detailing, prints, colours, and vibe. Bell bottoms, wide lapels, a mix of prints and textures, androgyny, big sunglasses, and handcrafted trims like crochet—I love it all.

What is one moment in your career that you’ll never forget?
It’s not so much a moment, but the opportunity to work with amazing people—celebs, photographers, directors, DOPs, hair and make-up artists, designers, as well as my team. 

Edward Lalrempuia

Edward Lalrempuia is synonymous with understated elegance in the Indian fashion industry. With an impeccable eye for detail, Lalrempuia’s styling revolves around refinement, sharp tailoring, clean lines, and timeless appeal. His responses reveal a deep fascination for both contemporary trends and classic style, whether it’s admiring Jeff Goldblum’s wardrobe or reflecting on his experiences at Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks. Known for his chic yet comfortable style—featuring cropped shirts, vests, and loose trousers— Lalrempuia champions the enduring value of classic staples like a good pair of shoes and jeans. His journey from editorial desks to celebrity styling has allowed him to blend editorial insight with personal flair, creating looks that are both sophisticated and accessible.  

What’s the most unexpected fashion trend you’ve seen men embrace lately?
I’ve seen some guys wearing skirts and looking really cool in them. It’s a trend that’s tried to take off many times but never quite succeeded—until now.

If you could have any celebrity's wardrobe for a day, whose would it be and why?
Hands down, Jeff Goldblum. He’s got fabulous style and amazing clothes.

If you had to choose between sneakers and formal shoes for the rest of your life, which would it be?
I’m not sure about the rest of my life, but currently, sneakers work better with the kind of clothes I’m wearing. If you’d asked me six-seven years ago, I’d have definitely said loafers. So, it depends!

Photo credits - Puma, Photographer - Keegan Crasto 

What’s your go-to outfit for a day when you want to look stylish but be comfortable?
A cropped shirt, a vest, loose trousers, a cool pair of shoes, and some jewellery.

What were some of the hardest parts of your job when you started?Honestly, I loved my job then as I do now, and you tend to forget the hard parts. Chasing payments was pretty annoying.

What is one moment in your career that you’ll never forget?
If I had to pick just one, it would be attending Paris and Milan Fashion Week for the first time. Watching it live after seeing it on TV as an aspiring fashion kid was a ‘pinch me’ moment.

What’s the most fun you’ve had while styling a celebrity?
One standout moment was shooting Ujjwala Raut at the peak of her career for Elle India’s 10th Anniversary Cover in Paris. We shot in Chanel Couture in Mademoiselle Chanel’s former apartment, which is now a museum. I was only about a year and a half into my fashion career at the time.

If you could time-travel to any decade for fashion inspiration, which one would it be?
The 1950s. To me, it was a decade of style and elegance.

What’s one trend in men’s fashion that you think will never go out of style?
Classic pieces never go out of style.

What's one item of clothing every man should invest in?
Good shoes and a good pair of jeans.