Shaahid Amir kicked things off as a jazz dancer. His gang included now-reputed pros like Shiamak Davar and Javed Jaffrey. But his feet soon grew too big for his dancing shoes, and he began nursing a newfound passion for cooking. He found success with his own Mumbai bakery, but tired of this as well.
Then, bit the fashion bug, and after working with designer Jenny Shetty, he touched base with Bollywood, dressing Mumbai's affluent wives along with the likes of Rekha, Zeenat Aman, Hema Malini and Bindiya Goswami.
The week he was to be married, buddy Rahul Roy came to him and said, "You can't say no. I have signed a film with Mahesh Bhatt, you have to do this for me." Aashiqui was the first film Shaahid designed for, and there was no looking back. His two-year stint with Aamir Khan began with giving him the famous look in Rangeela.
Other memorable films include Kya Kool Hai Hum, Jungle, Rangeela, Akele Hum Akele Tum and all of Fardeen Khan's films. Shaahid has also designed all the outfits for Fardeen's wedding this week. He reveals some details:
How do you feel about designing for Fardeen's wedding?
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It's a very special thing for me. Over the years, I have grown very fond of Fardeen and we have a solid friendship. He's been very good to me. To know each other for so long, and to work on almost 16 films it's just nostalgic -- my friend is getting married.
Does he leave everything to you, or does he like experimenting?
He leaves a lot to me and, at the same time, doesn't leave anything to me. He makes sure he has his point of view. He likes being understated.
The overall theme of the wedding?
Is not something I would like to share, but it's going to be very sophisticated.
The look for his wedding?
Very, very understated. There will be no zari. I am going to give sherwanis and Indian wear a very, very different look for bridegrooms. I am going to make a statement.
Do you coordinate the outfits with that of the bride's and the decor?
His clothes are so masculine that whether she wears green, pink, orange, red or whatever, it doesn't matter. Masculine shades are very neutral.
His wedding outfit?
Is a sherwani. I am using a deep, electric blue in between ink and navy, with opulent resham and Lucknowi dhaaga work, highlighted with baadla thread and Swarovski crystal.
Any other function?
The sangeet outfit. This is a cream coloured one, with self-work and kundan. The outfits are still in progress, but, to my eyes, this is a classic blend of tradition with suave western wear, so like Fardeen himself. The fabric is Hugo Boss; the colour, very striking and the work, intricate and mind-blowing. The sketches (laughs) are a secret, not to be shared with the media.
The budget
It's my gift to him. He's my friend and I wanted to (give him something).
Fardeen and Natasha's photograph: Pradeep Bandekar
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