Reclusive star, late PM and a cabaret singer

Your guide to 5 iconic fashion buys & the men and women who inspired them

Reclusive star, late PM and a cabaret singer

Your guide to 5 iconic fashion buys & the men and women who inspired them

Special edition pen from Montblanc
Inspired by: Greta Garbo, Hollywood actress (1905-1926)

She was one of the most gorgeous and elusive faces of Hollywood's silent era, making her a sort of enigma. The recluse who said, "I want to be left alone" is the inspiration behind this writing instrument because the brand believes she was the "ultimate fashion and trend icon" as the glossy sepia brochure accompanying each writing set, reveals. The pen's barrel is made of black precious resin, the cap is of cream resin. The clip set has one white Akoya pearl. It comes with platinum plated fittings and the cap ring carries Garbo's signature.u00a0

For: The fountain and ballpoint variations cost between Rs 27,000 and Rs 42,000 approx.
Available at: Montblanc boutiques at The Taj Mahal Palace & Towers,u00a0 Apollo Bunder, and Grand Hyatt,u00a0 Santacruz.
Log onto www.montblanc.com

The Nehru jacket
Inspired by: Jawaharlal Nehru, Independent India's first Prime Minister (1889-1964)

Fashion is a master of illusions. Giving everlasting finality to scintillating ideas borne out various emotions. Who would have thought politico Jawaharlal Nehru would leave behind a style statement? He wore a hip-length tailored coat with a Chinese collar, when he posed for Vogue in 1964, instantly making the Nehru jacket a piece of cult clothing. The Beatles wore the Nehru jackets at their Shea Stadium performance in 1965, and international spy Austin Powers' character Mike Myers spewed, "Do I make you horny?" while wearing one in the 1999 Hollywood release, The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Indian designer Raghavendra Rathore passionately keeps reinventing the classic piece every season, staying within the realm of safe black and browns, while Arjun Khanna sells variations in the metrosexual colour palette.

For: Silk at Rs 855 onwards and cotton at Rs 340 onwards.
Available at: FabIndia branches, Khadi Bhandar at Fort.

Osho chappals
Inspired by: Acharya Rajneesh, Spiritual leader (1931-1990)

The Maharishi sent the conservatives in a sweaty tizzy when he advocated free sex in the seventies. The Osho chappals offer a similar feeling of freedom for your feet. Originally meant to be in maroon, with chataai soles and a sturdy velvet strap, these have evolved to accommodate colours and sequins at the stalls lining the Osho Ashram at Koregaon Park, Pune.

For: Rs 150 a pair.
Available at: Stalls at Colaba Causeway and Linking Road, Bandra.

Kelly bag by Hermu00e9s
Inspired by: Grace kelly, Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco (1929-1982)

The Kelly bag was first introduced in the 1930s, but it was downsized for daywear later. The bag was named after the Princess of Monaco because of the many appearances she made carrying the bag. To get your hands on this "eternal" favourite, you have to fight a waiting list that runs into a year.

The Kelly is crafted entirely by hand, by a single artisan from start to finish, and embellished with a petite padlock, keys and gleaming hardware made of white or yellow gold.

For: Price on request.
Available at: Oberoi Hotel, Dr Zakir Hussein Marg, New Delhi

Perfume Chanel No. 5
Inspired by: Coco chanel, French fashion designer (1883-1971)

French couturier Coco Chanel (she was born Gabrielle Chanel, and one story reveals how she acquired the name Coco because she sang at a cabaret where she knew just two songs: Ko Ko Ri Ko and Qui qu'a vu Coco. So, the soldiers who dropped in would call out for "Coco") was brought up in an orphanage, graduated from being a cabaret singer to a shop-girl, a kept woman to finally the designer who produced the first Little Black Dress, and the scent that made her rich for life.

Chanel: Her Style and Her Life, a biography by Janet Wallach reveals how Chanel No. 5 was produced in a bottle whose square shape was "borrowed from the toiletry cases of her lovers". France's richest self-made woman always managed to extract the best from her lovers. Grand Duke Dmitri introduced her to the Czar's former perfumer, the chemist Ernest Beaux, who created Chanel No. 5. The scent has been on sale
continuously since its introduction. It remains the company's most famous perfume, and they estimate that a bottle is sold worldwide every 55 seconds.

For: Rs 3,200 (35 ml) and Rs 4,500 (50 ml).
Available at: Chanel counter at Pantaloons, High Street Phoenix Mills and Shoppers Stop, Juhu