Natasha Poonawalla’s reputation as a fashion trailblazer precedes her. At Alaïa’s New York Fashion Week showcase, she epitomized the brand’s aesthetic, naturally choosing to wear Alaïa herself. Held at the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the show marked Alaïa’s return to the regular fashion calendar, setting the stage for the upcoming fashion month with a star-studded affair.
Poonawalla, a sartorial chameleon, opted for a leather co-ord set featuring a fitted waistcoat and a classic pencil skirt adorned with buttons sewn in a looped fashion. In contrast to the swirling and ever-evolving vision of Alaïa’s show, she chose to embody the quintessential Alaïa woman – seductive yet mysterious. The vibe was a captivating mix of witchy and nautical, with the iconic Alaïa headscarf replaced by its La Toque hat in lambskin. This hat, inspired by the brand’s Tunisian roots, was further accentuated by Poonawalla’s signature long claws and stark opaque black wing-lined eyes.
From collaborating with John Galliano for the Met Gala to wearing Viktor and Rolf, Paco Rabanne, Thom Browne, and Jean Paul Gaultier, the philanthropist is known for pushing the boundaries of fashion. In Vogue India’s December 2021 cover story, she addressed her sartorial choices, stating, “Often people couldn’t understand what I was wearing. They’d say, ‘What’s that? A dish antenna?’ My husband has always said, ‘If you love it, do it.’ If you’re comfortable being ridiculously dressed, how does it matter to anybody else?”
Natasha Poonawalla’s presence at New York Fashion Week was a testament to her unwavering commitment to her own unique style. She continues to inspire and challenge conventional notions of fashion, proving that true style lies in embracing individuality and pushing creative boundaries.
