Do you know which Bollywood actress and fashion stylist debuted their career together?

Binal makes me look gorgeous in her creation

In a plush suburb of the city that never sleeps, and a landmark that one couldn’t miss in Juhu Scheme (above the flagship store of Naturals ice-cream) is a cozy vintage studio “BinalS” of the creative designer and stylist Binal Shah.

Having known her as my senior back in school and then my senior instructor at Terence Lewis Dance Academy it was great to re-connect after years. Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg for the most convenient networking platform, Facebook!

On a weekend, over a cup of green tea, we (including her cute little dog) made ourselves comfortable at Binal’s studio where we caught up on the years passed by. I couldn’t get my eyes off the elegant ensemble’s designed by her displayed adjacent to an artistic wall with beautiful inspirations, motifs and pictures.

Her cozy studio at Juhu Scheme

Style Prer: How did you get into fashion designing and styling?
Binal Shah: I always wanted to do something with fashion and dint know where to start? My husband, Soham Shah encouraged and inspired me. He enrolled me for a course in fashion designing and styling at London school of fashion. After I returned and felt was ready to work, Soham gave me my first break. Coincidentally he was directing a film the same time and offered me to design for it.

SP: How did BinalS happen?
BS: From the beginning my mind leaned towards creativity. After my return from London the drive to excel in detailing and constructing of garments with karigars interested me.  It was the first step to start my own label and that’s how BinalS happened. Initially I was nervous to design apparels for a film. Soham once again encouraged me and that’s what gave me the confidence. My work was well received, post which there was no looking back. I have designed, styled for almost 15 films in last 6 years.

SP: Your debut movie as a designer? Other Bollywood projects you have worked on?
BS: In Bollywood, my first film was Luck in 2009. Later i also did Dil tho Bacha Hai Ji, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, Lamha, Sher. Other than Bollywood i have designed and styled for cross over films, bi lingual films and an international film called 100 foot journey.

SP: Bollywood stars you have designed for and who do you think is the easiest to style?
BS: Bipasha Basu, Shruti Hassan, Kangana Ranaut, Juhi Chawla, Sonal Chauhan, John Abraham, Vivek Oberoi to name a few.
Shruti Hassan and I debuted together in our career. It was her first film as an actor and for me as a stylist hence we go a long way. I understand her style. She’s young, pretty and has a great personality. She can carry Indian and western clothes well.

SP: Details you keep in mind while designing for a to be bride or groom?
BS: Everyone, be it woman or man has a different personality, body type and skin tone. Just cause a certain look or color is in fashion, I wouldn’t recommend it to them. Meeting them is essential for me to understand their personality in terms of body type, skin tone and then recommend something that would suit them. Being a stylist this aspect is extremely important.

 

However fashion forward you are, if your personality demands something else I will suggest a look that suits you and makes your personality stand out.

Binal enjoys working on soft fabrics like georgette, chiffon which have a great fall and make a woman look feminine. Colors like Ivory and Gold are some of her personal favorite. Zardosi and hand woven resham work (fine thread) interest her and she masters in embroidering them.

 Any man looks great in a black suit. For that dapper look, a well fitted 2 button black suit is suggested.

So what you men waiting for, go check her designs for a dashing look!

In a BinalS gown