Chanderis on Oxford Street

Shallu Jindal doesn’t know what it means to be obsessed with brands. “I am a very simple person and even my friends wonder why I’m not brand-conscious,” she laughs. Holidaying in London with her family, Jindal says she’s happy wearing sarees on Oxford Street in London, thank you very much. “If there’s something that I can’t do without at the moment, it has to be my collection of Chanderi sarees by Indian designer Sanjay Garg,” she says, adding that her dress style has, over the years, veered towards Indian brands. “This year’s campaign trail exposed me to some of the most fascinating homegrown weaves and fabrics and that’s what I’m sporting even now,” she says.

 

Jindal’s husband Naveen, who retained his Lok Sabha seat in the recent elections, is comfortable in khadi kurtas, the fabric for which she procures from Khadi Gramodyog. “The Nehru jackets that he wears are from Fabindia,” she says. Sleeveless jackets from Fabindia cost between Rs 500 and Rs 1,200.

The couple loves shopping in Delhi, especially at Khan Market. Fabindia and Anokhi are favourite brands. Jindal often picks up cotton kurtis and shirts (Rs 500-2,500) and kalamkari skirts (Rs 800-1,250). Cotton kurtas from Anokhi, perfect for the summer, start at around Rs 850. Jindal feels that good sets of salwar suits are essential, what with her daily dance (Odissi) sessions.

She laughs when I ask if she and Naveen can list five things they simply can’t do without. “From Naveen, I’ve learnt the art of simplicity. In fact, we are not obsessed about anything materialistic, and I really mean it. Our current family holiday in London, for example, is something that Naveen has been looking forward to because he gets to spend quality time with his family,” she says.

A Burberry trench coat that usually rests in Jindal’s closet (“Actually, I’ve got it to London for my holiday”) is something she can’t do without. “I got it years ago and I love it because it’s not leather, it’s a fabric trench coat that’s perfect for Western as well as Indian wear. I wear it over sarees, too,” she says. Burberry trench coats in cotton cost around Rs 75,000.

Speaking of fabrics, Jindal says that though she owns leather bags by Louis Vuitton (a handheld bag of the brand’s “Monogram Canvas” line starts at Rs 35,000), “I’m saying no to leather now,” and turning toward fabric bags that cost much less and look elegant. As for her favourite footwear, “I do own Jimmy Choo, but I really don’t understand why there’s a fuss about the brand,” she says. “I personally find them obnoxiously expensive and uncomfortable.” Jimmy Choo’s Isis platform wear, for instance, costs Rs 40,000. Jindal’s vote for the most comfortable footwear goes to Joy Shoes, a popular brand in Mumbai, which is where she buys her collection of shoes, though she doesn’t like high heels.