While Indira certainly disapproved of theWhether it was the crisp white sari of a martyr or a Kanjeevaram paired with a mink coat, the unusual sartorial legacy of INDIRA GANDHI is a lesson in power dressing, finds journalist and her latest biographer SAGARIKA GHOSE.
This may come as a surprise to you, dear reader, but you have something unlikely in common with the hard-nosed Indira Gandhi—you both read Vogue. Indira made sure to keep up with the latest fashion. Her cousin Nayantara Sahgal even remembers once poring over Vogue’s fashion photos with Indira on a flight from America.While writing about and researching Indira Gandhi’s life for my new book (Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister, Juggernaut Books), I discovered a political leader who, in spite of the hurly-burly of public life, never compromised on looking her absolute best. Handloom rather than, say, chiffons, favourites of feudals and filmstars, was her preferred look, and she was drawn to vibrant earth colours: orange, red, brown and shades of green. Indira’s saris and accessories were decided upon with great care and entered into a chart in different columns. Her petite figure always remained lean and trim, and she watched her weight carefully—sometimes she ate a meal consisting of only an egg and boiled vegetables. Indira took painstaking care of her skin and nails, used transparent nail polish and skin creams regularly, and was very proud of her graceful hands and feet.
A DELICATE BALANCE
This story is from the August 2017 edition of VOGUE India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2017 edition of VOGUE India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Real Deal
Triptii Dimri's unfiltered spirit shines through as she races ahead on her journey to the field of stars.
Mrs.Prada
Almost everyone refers to Miuccia Prada in the most formal of ways, but she herself has never been one to stand on ceremony. WENDELL STEAVENSON meets a designer who has built an empire in her own image: iconic, iconoclastic and enormously influential.
Happily ever laughter
South Asians have long clamoured for a seat at the comedy table. Now, Vidura BR, Sabeen Sadiq, Hari Kondabolu and Abby Govindan are in on all the jokes
Anchors aweigh
Having moved houses almost every year of her life, KALYANI ADHAV's experiences are proof that home is not a place, it's a feeling
Console sisters
India's female gamers are rewriting the age-old narrative that views women as objects of desire or damsels in need of saving.
Soft serve
His untimely disappearance from the big screen nine years ago may have caused serious heartburn, but Imran Khan is ready to pick up where he left off-with a few upgrades.
The end of olitter?
Or are we just at the beginning—of a new era of microplastic-free, perfectly-healthy-to-eat sparkle. TAMAR ADLER reports on glitz to feel good about
Smooth operator
Can retinol pack the wrinkle-reducing power without the irritation? Chloe Malle test-drives a new generation of kinder formulas rebooting the superstar skincare ingredient
The great gamble
At the Gucci Ancora showcase in Singapore, Vogue India got within a hair’s breadth of Sabato De Sarno’s debut collection. ROCHELLE PINTO reports on the new direction
Blue jean baby
LEE X Suneet Varma's collaboration featuring Sara Ali Khan merges classic denim with Indian couture.