Society spice girls and their brand stands

A peek into the swish set''sclosetsClassic from Armani, Cavalli jeans, Gautier T-shirts and silkscarves from Hermes are just some of the ''essentials'' in the walk-in wardrobesof fashion czarinas.More than obvious brands like Versace, D&Gand Gucci, these trendy women look for eclectic designs. "I look for the rightstyle rather than a brand," explains Pooja Bedi. Though she does wear the''regular'' Armani, it''s the outfits that she picked up from her favourite fashiondistrict, Melrose Avenue, LA. Instead of blindly following trendsand picking up ensembles, our stylish set takes a close look at all collectionsbefore opening their monogrammed crocodile leather wallets. Sayssocialite Monica Vazir Ali, "I like classics which last a lifetime." A couturiershe favours is Max Mara or else she heads for small, private boutiques in NewYork. "I like to mix and match, so I could be wearing an Armani bustier, a skirtfrom Press and Bastyan and Indian jewellery," she says.While someare comfortable talking about their preferences, there are those like AvantiBirla and Haseena Jethmalani, who aren''t. Though both have been seen atglittering dos, dressed in the cutting edge of international fashion, theyinsist that they buy their clothes from flea markets! "I''m not into brands. Iprefer wearing things from the flea than a designer store," insists Avanti.Haseena echoes, "I have more clothes fromJanpath."karishma.upadhyay@timesgroup.com