Khushi Kapoor plays muse to our guest editor, Anamika Khanna, starring in the role of a modern bride. Over a video call, the Gen Z actor and Gen X designer chat about everything from family heirlooms to personal style, sweatpants included.
Anamika Khanna: I love how your generation personalises fashion. What’s the one rule you’d break when it comes to weddings?
Khushi Kapoor: Hmm, one rule. There are no rules in weddings. It’s a day where you can express yourself the way you want. You’re there to celebrate love and have fun. So I think you can do and wear whatever you want.
AK: Absolutely. You're wearing my pieces today. What about them feels the most you?
KK: I just love the silhouettes. There’s shape, but there’s also a sense of flow and being free in the pieces, especially in the capes and pants. I also love the colours— earthy tones are my favourite to wear. And then they also have this really specific style that is your signature, which I love.
AK: If I open your wardrobe right now, what's the one thing I find in multiples?
KK: Lots of sweatpants. I love wearing sweatpants. Sometimes I’ll even wear them under a ghagra or something.
AK: Weddings hold so much emotion, tradition, and nostalgia. What’s the one ritual or family heirloom you like to carry forward?
KK: It’s nice to re-wear and recycle old clothes, and style them differently. I love sharing with my sister and I have a lot of pieces of my mom’s that I keep re-wearing.
AK: If you had to put together your dream trousseau, what is the one piece you
would include?
KK: I love what I’m wearing right now! Maybe not this exact vibe, but something like this.
AK: Gen Z has such a different approach to beauty. It’s all about skin first. What’s the one skincare ritual you swear by?
KK: Moisturising. I love using body oils, moisturisers, and sunscreen, definitely. Staying hydrated is the most important thing.
AK: Are you a less is more or a more is more kind of person when it comes to wedding makeup?
KK: I’m a minimalist in a lot of ways. Sometimes I like to experiment, but my general vibe is very less is more.
AK: Let’s forget weddings for a second. What does romance mean to you?
KK: Romance means understanding, it means communicating and listening to the little things.
AK: If this shoot were a movie set, what kind of bride do you think you would be playing
KK: We’ve been in really cool outfits today. I feel like I’d be a fashionable bride.
AK: You've grown up surrounded by incredible women. What’s the best piece of advice you always keep close to your heart?
KK: To be honest and authentic towards myself, in any aspect in life—clothes, movie choices, and even interviews. If you are honest to yourself and about yourself, then I don’t think anyone can question you.
AK: When I say style, what are the three things that come to your mind?
KK: Style to me is expression, comfort, and personality.
On the cover, Khushi Kapoor wears a cape set by Anamika Khanna, paired with a diamond and emerald necklace and an Indo-Russian emerald ring by Gems & Jewels Palace.
Editorial Advisor: Nonita Kalra; Photographs: Madhu Akula; Fashion and creative direction: Gautam Kalra; Make-up: Sushmita Vankar at Eficiente Artist Management; Hair: Sourav Roy. Styling Team: Nandita Kalra and Kaveri Sharma; Stylist’s Assistant: Swastika Somani; Bookings Editor: Varun Shah; Production: P Productions; Artist’s PR: Communiqué Film PR
This story appears in Manifest India’s Issue 02. Subscribe here for more stories like this.