The world of fashion has always celebrated individuality, but few stylists in India embody this philosophy as seamlessly as Rhea Kapoor. At a recent Pantaloons masterclass held at R City Mall, the celebrated stylist, fashion producer, and entrepreneur captivated an audience of influencers, media, and loyal customers with her trademark styling wisdom—showcasing that fashion has no age, body type, or gender limits.
The Stylist Behind the Stars
Often introduced as the daughter of actor Anil Kapoor or the sister of actress Sonam Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor has carved out her own legacy—one that is distinctly about style, creativity, and storytelling through clothing. She first caught the fashion industry’s eye while styling her sister Sonam Kapoor, who quickly rose to fame as one of Bollywood’s most stylish icons. Since then, Rhea has built a career that is less about family ties and more about vision and bold reinvention.
Her client list reads like a who’s who of Indian cinema: Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, and more. Most recently, she made headlines for styling both Alia and Janhvi for their 2025 Cannes Film Festival debuts—Alia in a custom Schiaparelli with a subtle Indian touch, and Janhvi in a Tarun Tahiliani masterpiece that fused global glamour with traditional elegance.
A Masterclass in Effortless Chic
At Pantaloons, Rhea distilled years of experience into accessible style advice for her audience. Her key message: fashion is storytelling, not just dressing.
To bring her philosophy to life, she invited enthusiastic boys and girls from the audience to step forward as her muses for the evening. With the young men, she demonstrated the versatility of a shacket—or shirt jacket. Also known as an overshirt or shirt-jac, this piece blends the lightweight feel and collar of a shirt with the warmth and pockets of a jacket. Layered over basics, it instantly transformed their everyday look into something effortlessly trendy and functional.
For one particularly striking demo, she styled a pretty young thing (PYT) in a lovely oversized shirt—but with a clever twist. Rhea tucked the front of the shirt into a beautifully draped saree, creating a subtle “V” that cinched the waist while still keeping the look fresh and modern. The combination of heritage drape with streetwear ease wowed the crowd. As Rhea laughed and confessed, “I’m notoriously famous for styling sarees,” it became clear that this blend of tradition and reinvention is what defines her.
Her philosophy extended to accessories too—urging guests to avoid mindless layering of bling and instead focus on a single standout piece that reflects personality and tells a story.
Style Without Boundaries
What sets Rhea Kapoor apart is her ability to blur boundaries—of culture, age, gender, and occasion. Whether dressing a Cannes debutante, a Bollywood superstar, or a college student looking for a fresh everyday look, her philosophy remains rooted in mixing couture with high-street fashion for results that feel both effortless and impactful.
Pantaloons’ decision to host this session reflects the brand’s commitment to democratizing fashion, making style accessible while still aspirational. With Rhea Kapoor at the helm of the evening, the audience walked away not just with fashion tips but with a new perspective—style is personal, powerful, and deeply individual.
