Anjali Phougat, the Indian-origin designer based in the United States, has spent years observing fashion from both the runway and the red carpet, and she has strong opinions on who is getting it right in Bollywood. She recently shared her thoughts on the two actresses she considers the most stylish, what sets them apart, and the styling advice she would offer them.
Asked who she considers the two most stylish Bollywood actresses and why, she said, "Deepika carries a very powerful, timeless elegance. Whether it's a red carpet look or minimal airport style, she embodies structured simplicity, confidence, and global sophistication. What sets her apart is her ability to look effortless even in the most high-fashion couture; she doesn't wear the outfit, she becomes it.”
“Sonam, on the other hand, is fearless with experimentation. She treats fashion like art. She's not afraid of silhouettes, drama, or cultural fusion. What makes her unique is her instinct to push boundaries and bring Indian couture into global fashion conversations in a very editorial way. What sets both of them apart from many others is intention. Their style choices feel deliberate, not accidental; there is storytelling in what they wear,” she added.
On the fashion advice she would offer the two actresses, she said, "For Deepika, lean even more into structured couture with softer spiritual undertones, flowing drapes combined with architectural silhouettes. She would be stunning in handwoven Indian textiles reimagined in modern global cuts, especially in muted jewel tones and monochrome palettes that highlight her aura rather than compete with it.”
“For Sonam, continue pushing boundaries, but balance experimentation with deeper emotional grounding in pieces. I would suggest integrating more heritage craftsmanship with avant-garde design, for example, Banarasi, zardozi, or temple jewelry elements reinterpreted in futuristic forms. It would elevate her already strong editorial identity into something even more iconic and timeless,” she added.
Anjali summed it up by saying, "Both represent two powerful poles of fashion, one rooted in elegance, the other in expression, and together they define the modern face of Indian style on the global stage."