HELLO!’s Most Stylish Entrepreneur of the year, Roohi Oomerbhoy Jaikishan on her style essentials, tips and her most prized possessions...
My approach to fashion: I’m as happy to lunch in athleisure as I am in any other kind of clothing. The approach to fashion is different. The trick is to not look like you’ve tried too hard. It’s a more evolved approach.
Style to me is: Something inherent. You can’t fake it.
On being HELLO!’s Most Stylish Entrepreneur: I’m absolutely thrilled to be in the pages of my favourite magazine again!
Being stylish VS being fashionable: Fashion, in its purest form, is an expression of visual identity. Style is your individuality.
My style icons: It will always be my mother, Noorjehan Oomerbhoy. She had an inherent sense of style. As an awkward child, I was always in awe of her. Whether she wore Courrèges, Bill Gibb, Zandra Rhodes, or an Indian chiffon saree, she looked beautiful.
Style motto: Less is more. I practice buying less, shopping within my wardrobe and being more responsible towards sustainability. I wish to be more mindful and implement conscious choices when I buy.
Favourite designers: Pallavi Jaikishan makes the most beautiful Indian clothes. Her floral embroidery is unique, and her clothes are timeless. Jade by Monica and Karishma have an eye for detail and embroidery; their gossamer organza blouses suit me well. Raw Mango has all the colours of India and precious fabrics. I also love Rimzim Dadu for her inimitable style, Anavila for her beautiful linen sarees and Bibhu Mohapatra for his red-carpet worthy gowns. Overseas, my favourites are Valentino because it’s all pink this season; Rosie Assoulin for its attention to detail; Gucci, for its world is like stepping into a kaleidoscope of nostalgia and colour; Balenciaga for being edgy and disruptive; and Loewe, for it’s fashion meets design.
The most valuable item in my wardrobe: What I have in my wardrobe is not determined by monetary value. It’s the vintage pieces I inherited from my mother that are most valuable to me.
My most recent style indulgence: The Gucci Attache in black. It’s roomy and looks elegant.
Jewellery every woman must own: Anything in diamonds, naturally!
Shop till I drop: Mumbai, Milan, London, Paris and New York are my favourite shopping hotspots. Though honestly, my best destination is online!
The most stylish restaurants: Majorelle and Casa Cipriani in New York; you can get lost in the spectacular views from there. Lapérouse for its Parisian elegance with proustian heritage. And La Sponda at Le Sirenuse in Positano, with Antonio and Carla Sersale for company!
Three luxe items I currently covet: All the Gucci travel gear that Ryan Gosling is carrying on a beach on holiday at the moment!
Three must-haves in a woman’s wardrobe: 1. A good pair of jeans; 2. A pair of comfortable heels; 3. A dress that can be easily transformed from a day wear to a party wear with good accessories.
Three fail-safe fashion tips: 1. Oversized shirts or hoodies can double as dresses when you wear them with tights and leather boots; 2. Invest in an anorak that’s light and functional. 3. Experiment with pops of colour by adding a zest of tangerine or lemon — be it in a skirt or accessories — instead of going head to toe in black.
An heirloom piece I’d gift my daughter: Among all the pieces of jewellery we have that are layered with memories, the most precious is my mother’s wedding ring and the gold taveez I wear on a chain every day.
I’m happiest wearing: Athleisure and anything loose and comfortable.
Current fashion obsession: Trainers!
Favourite luxury holiday destinations: Anywhere and everywhere in Italy! Besides Milan and Rome, Tuscany holds a special place in my heart as my family has spent a lot of time vacationing there. There’s also Florence, San Gimignano, Siena and Lucca. The lakes in Italy, like Orta and Como, are spectacular, too. Then there’s Capri and the magical islands of Panarea, Lipari and Salina. Work is worship: It’s my passion that drives the CSR health initiatives of RRO, in addition to the many programmes that promote health and nutrition for children. My mind runs at 200mph. I try to rein in my ideas and thoughts and never second guess myself. I trust my instinct and make sure that all that’s in my head comes to fruition.
Items I tend to overuse: These tend to be the clothes I wear to work. They’re a consistent set of similar looking shirts and trousers. It makes it easier to pick an outfit every day and saves me the trouble of thinking too much.
My most prized possession: A pair of gold ostriches designed by Gabriella Crespi.
Photos: Ryab Martis; Hair & Makeup: Recinda Martis
This story has been adapted for the website from a story that was originally published in Hello! India’s November 2022 issue. Get your hands on the latest issue right here!
