Anshu Arora
Versova resident

Versova resident and costume designer-cum-stylist Anshu Arora says that after working non-stop for eight years, she feels she can now finally take a backseat.

Earlier I used to work 365 days a year and do everything designing, styling and delivering costumes to the sets, she explains. But now, things are simpler. I work on selective assignments and let my assistants handle the rest, says Anshu.

With over 150 music videos and TV ads under her belt, Anshus most recent film was the Om Puri starrer King Of Bollywood.

I love working on concepts, that is why it was fun designing the films crazy and outlandish costumes, says Anshu who has also designed for Snip, Nayee Padosan and Samay, as well as the pathbreaking Jalwa video.

Anshu does not believe in doing run-of-the-mill assignments. I prefer to sit with the director, work on the films concept and characters and then design my costumes. Thats my job as a costume designer, she says.

According to Anshu, not compromising on her creativity has been her greatest struggle. I have sat at home for months because I refused to do mediocre work, she says.

Rehan Shah
Oshiwara resident

Oshiwara resident Rehan Shah cant help chuckling over the times he was beaten up by his brother for reading gossip magazines. But a degree in fashion designing from NIFT (Mumbai) later, Rehan admits that he still picks up Chitralekha along with Vogue and Elle. After all, the madness of Bollywood is my inspiration, declares the 26-year-old.

Even after a three-year stint in styling and designing (hes currently a designer for denim brand Deal), Rehan says that making headway in Bollywood is an uphill task.

His first brush with Bollywood was two years ago when Rehan styled a photo-shoot with Pooja Batra for photographer Somsubhro Sarkar. She was reluctant initially but was quite impressed with my work, he says.

Rehan admits that most of his assignments are through word-of-mouth and friends. To be where all the action is taking place is essential, he says explaining why he shifted from Mulund to Oshiwara a year ago.

While a project with Ram Gopal Varma is still in the pipeline, Rehans dream is to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I hope my dream comes true, he says.