Between Outfits: Profiling Model-Cum-Stylist Chandni Sareen


In person, Chandni Sareen retreats often, appearing both interested and in her own world all at once. Then you put her in her comfort zone—studio lights, hair & make up, ribby models—and she’s nothing but pure focus in incredibly lovely packaging.  By the time she’s done with her flesh-bone canvas for the day, she’s channeled everything from some wild-child frontman of your favourite punk band to a red carpet diva, and the styles she’s sharing almost always end up illuminating the styles she’d invariably enjoy wearing too. This ability of hers to inject a personal candour into her work is what sets her a few leagues apart from most other stylists in the country, and it’s also exactly why we wanted her for this project in collaboration with Nike Sportswear, featuring the Nike Dunk Sky Hi.
When we got to it, she ended up being both the artist and the muse, styling herself as the model of the shoot. And it quickly became evident that the same carnality that exists behind the lens translates in front of it too. In an effort to profile the walking look book, we got her to answer a  few telling questions. Scroll on to view the shoot and her responses.

[Watch Chandni’s Lookbook in motion below]


I. Contextualize your personal style in one line?Someone recently called me the petit bohemian girl.
II. What was your favourite look of this collaborative series and why?I’ve shown you’ll so many of my favourite looks, you pick one? If I had to though, I think the Falguni and Shane outfit with the Nike Dunk Sky His. Or the sexy jeans with the ice cream top.
III. What’s the one outfit you think can be timelessly paired with the Nike Dunk Sky Hi?Wearability wise - the lovely dunks are my new favourite street style shoes. The very fact that these shoes are so good looking and comfortable makes me very happy to say that the dunks are going to be my all time favourite to put on with a fancy Dress. Be comfortable, be stylish.

Designer - Falguni & Shane Peacock.


IV. The world goes nudist and clothes are no longer an option. How would you accessorize?Funny you asked me this question. It’s one of the things I always have in mind while styling. I will not, ever step out of my house without rings on my fingers. It’s my go to accessory.
V. One trend you’re sick of seeing in India?Neons & EDM.
VI. Your claim to fame?I’ve been modeling before I started Styling and I’ve met so many talented people in the business. I’ve had my fare share of both world and I’m positive there’s a lot more to come. Its great because I get to dabble in different areas of the industry and it ensures that everyday Is new and exciting, being in a creative field and exploring various avenues, doesn’t get better than that! I’d like to happily say I have a long way to go before I find my claim to fame.

[caption id=”attachment_13653” align=”aligncenter” width=”800”] Designer - Rocky S.[/caption]
VII. You recently shared a glimpse into your own line, ‘The Ikat Story’. Tell us a little bit about it and your plans for it.Ikat has always been my favourite fabric. It’s history and detail is absolutely beautiful. I never planned for it to be a clothing line per say. I just started making garments for myself and my girlfriends and figured I must just spread the love. The most important part of fashion for me is comfort and I think it’s very important for everyone to look stylish and comfortable at the same time.Note - If you own a weave nobody else will own the same weave.  I like making my ladies feel special.VIII. A major challenge stylists in India face?Lack of resources. Lack of outdoor places to shoot at. It’s very important for a stylist to play around and constantly shoot things of your liking/your kind of style besides doing the usual work you get paid for. It’s a little close to extremely difficult to do that here.

Jacket - Nishka Lulla.

IX. You can style one person outside of the fashion industry. Who would you choose, what would you make them wear, and why?I’ve always wanted to style the homeless and i’m positive I’ll accomplish this one day.X. 3 young, upcoming Indian designers you love.I have 4.From what I scouted, I’m in love with Sreejith Jeevan, Dhruv Kapoor, this label called Lovebirds by Amrita Khanna and Gursi Singh(absolutely love their stuff) and these two Delhi boys-Poco & Jacky.XI. Describe your dream shoot to us. I have dreams where I’m shooting with Mert & Marcus Piggott & Madonna.

RHS: Top - H&M + Jeans - Bershka

Quick Question Round:The last thing that really moved you ?

I saw a man on the streets of Bombay holding sign boards asking people to be nice an love each other. I’m a sucker for love. Unfortunate I couldn’t stop and get a picture of him.

Dress - ZARA; Accessories - Aquamarine.


One thing that scares you the most?

Zombies and I can never be friends.
The best thing you’ve ever eaten?

Enormously juicy beef burger at Burgermister, Berlin.
Your favourite Indian textile?

Ikat obviously.

Skirt - TopShop; Top - ZARA.

What kind of fashion images really get under your skin?

I don’t care about something I don’t appreciate.Your dream band to dress?

MGMT would be an absolute dream to dress (not like they don’t dress the part already). Their music takes me to another level of imagination.Who is your style icon and what’s the one question you would ask him/ her?

I don’t believe in an ‘icon’ but I am always finding inspiration. The key to growth as a stylist is inspiration, absorb all you see. These timeless beauties are my top inspirations--I always go back to Madonna, Marlene Dietrich (her fashion was driven toward menswear which is my absolute favourite) Bridget Bardot, Audrey Hepburn (I consider her the reason why flats and cropped pants became cool) and my boho favourite--talitha getty(she got married in a white mini skirt). I also take a lot of inspiration from photographers like Mario Testino, Mert & Marcus, Steven Meisel.

Dress - H&M.
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Top - H&M; Dungarees - ZARA; Neckpiece - BLUR.
Earrings: Manish Arora for Amrapai
Head piece - Shoplune

Stylist and Model: Chandni Sareen Photographer: Shoeb MashadiVideo Conceptualized & Produced By: HomegrownAnimation & GFX: Inari SirolaD.O.P.: Krish MakhijaDirector/Editor/Colourist: Tanvi GandhiMusic: Ayan De (Paralights/ Midicore Studios)Layout: Krishnaa ArtistoWords: Mandovi Menon

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