“This is a style intervention, women have psychological or physical impediments to dressing up. Aki and I are there to understand that there is a problem, style them and help them find new outfits that will flatter them,” says Soha Ali Khan over the phone about her latest project, the television show What Not To Wear – India .
The show aims to empower women by giving them a unique identity while keeping in mind their lifestyles, and Soha stresses on the need for this intervention, “It is essential. Women are baffled with the idea of style and assume that it is not for them, but only for models and actors. They wear pajamas all day and it is nobody’s business, but there is definitely more to that attitude and Aki and I are going to get to the bottom of what is holding them back.”
Interesting concept
A different and interesting concept that has been adopted from the international format and concept, Soha has a plan. “The objective is to understand these women and change their perception of dressing up and style. While the criticism will be constructive, different women will react differently. While some women are excited about it, some women understand it, some are reticent, and we will need to vary our technique accordingly, it is about achieving an end,” she says.
The duo will have conversations with the participants and their friends and family who have nominated them and understand the situation better. “The reasons could be as varied as mothers who haven’t lost their post-baby weight or students who have to dress for the work place. Depending on the problem we will deploy advice, demystify styles for women and teach them to enhance their assets.”
What Not To Wear – India will air on TLC every night at 10 p.m. starting September 3.