Ananya Birla Does Vintage Hollywood In A Rare Azzedine Alaïa FW ’91 Look
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On Ananya Birla’s birthday, we revisit her Azzedine Alaïa Fall/Winter 1991 look, paired with Mehta & Sons jewels.
Ananya Birla Does Vintage Hollywood In A Rare Azzedine Alaïa FW ’91 Look
Fashion’s most memorable moments often come from looking backwards rather than forwards. Ananya Birla’s New York throwback, shared by friend and stylist Rhea Kapoor to mark her birthday, is proof. Dressed in a rare Azzedine Alaïa Fall/Winter 1991 creation, the singer-businesswoman embraced the kind of archival fashion that needs little embellishment to make an impact.
The look revolves around a deep crimson halter-neck gown that skims the body with Alaïa’s signature precision. Known for sculpting the female form through impeccable tailoring, the late designer’s work remains as relevant today as it was more than three decades ago. The dress, which the likes of Monica Bellucci have worn, looks gorgeous on Birla too.
To add to the drama, Rhea styles Ananya’s look with an oversized feathered stole draped casually across her shoulders. Rich in texture and movement, it transforms the clean silhouette into something glamorous. Rather than overwhelming the outfit, it adds theatricality while staying true to the elegance of the gown underneath.
And we love that the pictures set the perfect mood. Shot inside a vintage wood-panelled elevator and the grand interiors of a classic New York building, the photographs evoke the romance of old cinema. Ananya Birla’s makeup adds to the drama. She wears her hair in soft, voluminous waves with fresh, glowing skin and neutral makeup that allows the rich tones of the outfit to take centre stage. Diamond studs from Mehta & Sons 1931 complete the styling without distracting from the archival fashion moment.
Who is Ananya Birla?
Ananya Birla is an Indian entrepreneur, singer-songwriter and mental health advocate. The daughter of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and Neerja Birla, she is the founder of several ventures across finance, beauty and lifestyle, including Svatantra Microfin, one of India’s largest microfinance institutions. Alongside her business career, Birla has built an international music profile, becoming one of the first Indian artists to earn platinum-certified English singles with tracks such as Livin’ the Life, Meant To Be and Better. She has also collaborated with global musicians and producers while using her platform to speak openly about mental health awareness, entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.
Azzedine Alaïa’s designs remain relevant due to his signature precision in sculpting the female form through impeccable tailoring. His work, like a rare FW ’91 gown worn by Ananya Birla, is known for its ability to skim the body and maintain its impact over decades.
About the Author
Mallika Bhagat is a Deputy News Editor at News18, where she leads the Lifestyle and Viral desks. A seasoned journalist and content strategist, she brings a decade of high-impact experience from India’…Read More
