How to be fabulous like Shalini Passi

Shalini Passi

Art patron, philanthropist, reality TV and couture darling, and now, an author too - Shalini Passi has long been a familiar presence in Delhi's circles. But her appearance on Netflix's Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives has given the rest of the country a glimpse of her unapologetically maximal world and her refreshingly ‘girls' girl' energy. Known for her Judith Leiber minaudières and couture-at-home wardrobe, what she writes in her literary debut - The Art of Being Fabulous (Penguin Random House India) - though, is that clothes do not maketh a man fabulous. It's your energy, your karma, inner circle, and the legacy you are working to build, she writes. Passi shares more notes on how to be fabulous like her.

How do you protect your energy to be fabulous and block jealousy in times of social media, especially when many people's careers depend on it?
Shalini Passi: In The Art of Being Fabulous, I write that energy is your real capital - it's the most valuable thing you have. I've learned not to compete in spaces that drain me. I'm intentional about curating what I consume, and I've become comfortable silencing noise without guilt. I never let social media dictate my self-worth, though I understand how challenging that can be when so many of us rely on these platforms professionally. Here's what I've discovered: jealousy tends to disappear when you're genuinely busy living a full, purposeful life. True fabulousness comes from inner stability, not external applause. It's about building something real within yourself that no algorithm can shake.

You mention relying on herbal infusions. What's your go-to DIY infusion for bloating and fogginess?
SP: I keep it very simple. My go-to is warm water with fresh ginger, fennel seeds, a pinch of ajwain, and sometimes tulsi. I sip it slowly throughout the day. In the book, I talk about how elegance begins with listening to your body. When digestion feels light, the mind naturally feels clearer. I think of it less as a remedy and more as a ritual - a gentle way of checking in with myself and honoring what my body needs.

How did you learn to say no, walk away, and build a true inner circle?
SP: This has been one of the most important lessons, and I explore it deeply in The Art of Being Fabulous: boundaries are a form of self-respect. It took time, but I eventually stopped feeling the need to explain my "no". Walking away from situations or people doesn't mean you've lost - it means you've chosen peace. And that's powerful. My inner circle today is small, honest, and emotionally safe. Quality over quantity, always.

How does one stay truly authentic while moving between different worlds like you do?
SP: I love this question. Authenticity isn't about being exactly the same everywhere - it's about being grounded wherever you go. You must know who you are before you enter any room. When your values are clear and you're connected to your core, you don't need to perform or pretend. You can adapt without losing yourself.

You mention Mumbai as a muse, what makes it so?
SP: Mumbai taught me resilience and reinvention in ways no other city could. It doesn't wait for perfection; it rewards effort, hustle, and showing up. There's something about the sound of the sea at Marine Drive at dawn, or the relentless energy of a local train platform, that reminds you that life is happening now. In The Art of Being Fabulous, Mumbai represents movement, ambition, and possibility. It's a city that constantly reminds you that transformation is always available if you're willing to work for it.

And how did Delhi play a different role in shaping you?
SP: Delhi gave me roots. It taught me grace, history, and a sense of legacy. Where Mumbai moves fast and pushes you forward, Delhi teaches you to pause and reflect. I've come to believe that fabulousness needs both - the momentum and the contemplation, the ambition and the grounding.

Do you feel the Delhi vs Mumbai debate needs to end, and people need to respect the cities for their own fabulousness?
SP: Completely. Cities don't need comparison - they need appreciation. As I say in The Art of Being Fabulous, these distinct energies can coexist beautifully. One gives you wings, the other grounds you. Both are essential. I think we do ourselves a disservice when we pit them against each other instead of celebrating what makes each one special.