Do It Her Way! - Femina

The 10 must-know things about Payal Khandwala's style

Style for me - is comfort. Easy cotton or cotton-silk clothing works for me. I prefer to go in for sleeveless styles, as sleeve-fits is always an issue. Synthetics are a big no-no too. I usually don't wear designer clothes. But I do love Sabyasachi, the designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, and a couple of others.

I love - JEANS! I also love skirts, saris, tank tops and the like. Playfulness in clothes is a must for me. I own about 50 no-fuss saris from different states, in cottons, silks and their blends. Simple styles in earthy or bright colours like the ones from Tulsi or Abraham & Thakore are great.

My jewellery box contains - dramatic pieces. I love silver and pick up jewellery while travelling. I adore Moroccan silver, tribal pieces and folk jewellery from different countries.

A stylish man for me - is one who is comfortable in what he wears. I love the grunge or the T-shirt-with-jeans looks. Men look great in simple white linen shirts and trousers. I like men dressed casually. A very formal look makes them square, but a well-cut suit can look stylish. Men look cool in kurtas too.

A stylish woman for me - is one who carries herself well. The most stylish women are Shilpa Shah (of Garden Silk Mills fame) and Dolly Thakore.

My shoes and bags? I live in flat slip-ons or sandals. Heels are occasional wear for me. I also get my shoes customised. I carry one bag for all occasions. It's a bag that a friend of mine made. I love 'jholas' from flea markets too.

The latest thing in my wardrobe - is designer wear (for a change) from Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna; an asymmetric skirt and a top with fringes. Also, jewellery from Nagaland that I picked off Janpath, Delhi.

For a date and a formal evening - I might wear a nice pair of jeans and a great top for a date. For the evening I might go for a dress or a sari with silver or red shoes.

My most-worn pieces - are from Goa. Also, a pair of jeans and a halterneck top.

At work, I prefer to wear - an old pair of jeans and a tank top or tee. I also work in pyjamas.

Who Is Payal?

• A designer-turned-contemporary artist whose exhibitions have been sell-outs.

• She is equipped with a course in designing from SNDT College, Mumbai; she's also a BFA (Illustrations) from the Parsons School Of Design in New York.

• She's had exhibitions in New York and in Mumbai, at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Museum Art Gallery, NGMA (National Gallery Of Modern Art) and others.