Malaika Arora on her sartorial secrets, fashion favourites, and timeless glamour

When fans spotted her in a white catsuit under a trench in Melbourne on a recent Instagram story, she set the internet on fire. But that’s just a normal day in the life of Malaika Arora—actor, dancer, fashionista, reality show judge, and Instagram personality. Bodycon suits her, and she knows it. “I love catsuits. I love the colour white,” says Malaika, on a telephone call, where I ask her about that catsuit. “It’s just so flattering for my body type.”

While in Melbourne to attend the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024, she donned a lot of figure-hugging, India-inspired looks. “It’s easy to have a pre-stitched sari on hand, or a lehenga,” she says. “They’re easy, comfy, you’re not stuck with something that has to be draped, and that can avoid disaster.” 

One of the outfits Malaika shone in was a white crystal Manish Malhotra mermaid lehenga and a red Jayanti Reddy pre-draped sari—both appropriate for the functions she was attending. “I love reds and whites; they are both very much my style,” she says. 

This combination of figure-hugging silhouettes and bold colours is exactly up Malaika’s alley. On her brief sojourn to Paris recently, she looked every inch the Parisienne in a black Miu Miu bodycon dress and beige skater dress, bounding up and down the streets near the Arc de Triomphe and the Tour Eiffel. “That’s just how I dress,” she says. “I love black, earthy tones, beige, a pop of colour like fuchsia now and then, white, green, and olive.”

As a celebrity constantly on the move, what does she like to pack with her? “I don’t know how to travel light,” she says. “I like to be prepared for anything. My clothes and shoes should be put together—for dinner, brunch or a night out. I just love excess when I travel, and like to take my Rimowas, but I feel terrible because there’s so much wear and tear, and sometimes they get ruined! But my luggage has to be coordinated, and look the same.” Of course, she likes to add all the name tags and ribbons for easy identification.

A self-avowed shopaholic, Malaika says she has amended her shopping style to a certain extent. “I used to be a closet shopper and would get conscious of what I bought,” she says. “I would just buy random rubbish, like five tops and five jeans, for meaningless shopping. But nowadays, I make sure I only buy what I need, like a coat or a blazer and pumps.”

She admits she’s great at recycling her outfits. “For example, I will combine a white jumper with a belt and short jacket, and you won’t be able to tell that it’s something I’ve worn before,” she says. “I do that with a lot of my clothes. But the best part about my job is being dressed by the best designers and stylists, with the best jewellery. Half of the time, I don’t need to buy anything.”

When it comes to Indian wear, for Malaika, there’s nothing better than a “fabulous sari and priceless jewellery.” “I’d rather invest in a jewellery set,” she says. “It’s all about how you pair jewellery with your outfit. I love traditional jewellery like polki. And I love emeralds—I can team them with anything, such as a black dinner jacket or a classic white shirt.”

“A lehenga is very easy for me to manoeuvre,” says Malaika, when it comes to dressing up for weddings. “While a sari is timeless. What I do love is fusion. For example, I love an Anamika Khanna outfit for the fabric, silhouette and textures. It’s ethnic, with that touch of couture. Or a classic Manish Malhotra lehenga that really flatters the body. And there are certain things I’d like to keep for posterity, such as a Tarun Tahiliani and a Sabyasachi sari, which are both stunning and timeless, or a Raghavendra Rathore jacket.”

Malaika’s style mantra is all about experimentation. “I like to stick to classics because I know what’s flattering, and what I wish to accentuate,” she says. “Less is more for me. Don’t go too crazy! Say, if you wear a large choker, avoid the earrings. Figure out what looks good on you, and go with classics, or add a piece to mix it up.”

Her style has always been inspired by what’s around her. “Over the years, films, music, and art have been key influences,” she says. “The way my mom and aunts dressed [they are from Kerala)... My mom always wore a sari draped in a particular way with a nice big bindi. Even today, I find that a big red bindi and kohl in your eyes look stunning.”

The ultra-fit Malaika, known for her Instagram-worthy yoga moves, is a Reebok girl when it comes to sportswear and yogawear. “I genuinely love what they do,” she says. “When you have the right gear, it motivates you when you’re exercising. If you wear a loose T-shirt that is falling all over the place, it won’t help. Wear comfortable, flattering, breathable pieces while you work out. I love variety when it comes to my outfits and make sure they look super sexy, too!”

The ‘airport look’ now having become a fixture on social media—propelled by patient paparazzi who catch celeb movements as they fly in and out of Mumbai—is all about comfort for Malaika. “I like to wear track sets and leggings, and I avoid heels. I know I will freeze in shorts in the plane, so I like to be well covered with a hoodie or a pullover.”

If there’s a gift that Malaika likes to buy for herself every year, it’s something very close to her heart. “I gift myself something really nice for my birthday,” she says. “That’s a piece of jewellery or a watch. I don’t wait for anyone to present it to me. I gift myself!”

And who is the ultimate style icon of our iconic Malaika? “I love Madonna’s style, how she’s able to transform herself every time,” she says. “I also love Kate Moss’ chameleonic style and Audrey Hepburn. When it comes to Indian wear, my mom’s traditional woven saris and bindis have made their mark on me. And I love Maharani Gayatri Devi’s style, how she wore her chiffon saris with the pallu draped over the shoulder. To me, a chiffon sari is the sexiest garment of all, especially when paired with a low-back blouse or a long-sleeved blouse.”

Editor: Ruchika Mehta (@ruchikamehta05)

Digital Editor: Sonal Ved (@sonalved)

Photographer: Nuno Oliveria (@shotbynuno)

Stylist: Aastha Sharma (@aasthasharma) 

Interview: Priya Rana (@priya_rana)

Cover Design: Mandeep Khokhar (@mandy_khokhar19)

Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)

Make-up Artist: Savleen Manchanda (@savleenmanchanda)

Hair Artist: Hrishikesh Naskar (@hrishidoeshair), at Eficiente Artist Management (@eficientemanagement)

Photo Assistant: Hrishikesh Gharat (@hrishi_gharat)

Styling Assistant: Reann Moradian (@reannmoradian)

Location Courtesy: GIGI Bombay (@gigibombay)

Celebrity reputation management: Bazinga Entertainment (@bazinga_ent)
 

Malaika is wearing bottle green embroidered lehenga set, Prints By Radhika (@printsbyradhika); The Royal Cascade layered necklace features polki diamonds and emeralds, bangles stack and rings, all by Raniwala 1881 (@raniwala1881)