Neelam Ahooja on Personal Style: Comfort, 1990s Minimalism and East Indian Heritage
In a recent interview with Monocle, Toronto stylist Neelam Ahooja, celebrated for her minimalist approach, shared insights into her fashion journey. Ahooja, who embraces her curly hair as a key aspect of her identity, transitioned from vibrant patterns reflecting her East Indian roots to a minimalist style during the pandemic. She reminisced about her time as an accountant in the 1990s and her desire to reclaim that empowering aesthetic. While acknowledging social media's role in promoting uniformity, she stressed the importance of individual expression over fleeting trends. Ahooja recommends oversized blazers and vintage items, emphasizing comfort over conventional fashion. Her preferred brands include La Collection and Dries Van Noten, reinforcing her belief that fashion should prioritize personal expression without strict guidelines.
Key facts
- Neelam Ahooja is a Toronto-based accountant-turned-stylist known for her minimalist personal style.
- She embraces her curly hair as an extension of her personality and style, letting it dictate her clothing choices.
- Her style shifted from busy patterns and East Indian heritage-inspired embellishments to minimalism around the coronavirus pandemic.
- She came of age in the 1990s, inspired by images of Kate Moss and Carolyn Bessette.
- She worked as an accountant in the 1990s and wanted to dress like that again after the pandemic.
- She advises choosing comfort over anything else, avoiding high heels and itchy fabrics, and preferring oversized, slightly sloppy clothes.
- She returns to brands like La Collection, designed by Florence Cools in Amsterdam, and Dries Van Noten scarves.
- She believes fashion should be about leaving rules behind and doing what feels good, as getting dressed is an ever-changing form of expression.
Entities
Artists
- Neelam Ahooja
- Dries Van Noten
- Kate Moss
- Carolyn Bessette
- Florence Cools
Institutions
- Monocle
- La Collection
Locations
- Toronto
- Canada
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
Sources
- Monocle —