For the picture-perfect look

With smartphones and social media, every minute of the day can be a moment worth capturing. We live out our lives on insta stories, snap chats and if minutely famous in party pages of lifestyle magazines.

Even in death nobody wants to look undone. That’s how demanding the beauty culture has become. For instance, Aretha Franklin, who was glamorous in life, was glamorous in death as well. On the first day of a two-day public viewing at Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the ‘Queen of Soul’ was rested in a gold-plated casket, dressed in Christian Louboutin 5-inch patent leather pumps that matched a tea-length ruby red dress made of lace — with a full tulle skirt and chiffon overlay. The music legend was also adorned with custom-designed beaded earrings.

Aretha Franklin

Closer home too, the mortal remains of actress Sridevi were wrapped in her favourite red and golden Kanjeevaram saree, while actress-turned-politician Jayalalitha was buried wearing her iconic black-strap Franck Muller watch.

The mortal remains of Sridevi placed in the glass casket had gold jewellery and make-up along with the Kanjeevaram saree

For women celebrities, in particular, leaving the house looking anything less than fabulous is no longer acceptable. The killer heels and designer dresses have become indispensable to the ‘perfect’ package. Yes, the US first lady Melania Trump may have been uncomfortable wearing those Christian Louboutin stilettos and $4,000 floral Valentino skirt while planting an Eisenhower-era oak sapling on the White House grounds. But it is worth it; after all, she did look picture-perfect.

For celebrities, it’s become impossible to get away from the limelight. If they are being clicked every time they step out of the house, can they be blamed for wanting to look like a million bucks?

“Every person has a right to create his/her own image, something that would make one feel great about oneself. Looking great, being fit and putting one’s best foot forward is all about honouring oneself,” feels etiquette expert Kavyal Sedani.

Designer Sabyasachi was recently slammed on social media as his models were wearing skimpy cholis while being bedecked in jewellery

“If they dress well, people talk; if they don’t dress well, people talk even more and can be very unforgiving! Celebrities are our role models and we would love to look like them if we could. Let’s face it, looking great the whole time is a lot of hard work. And in the profile of celebrities, it is a must,” Kavyal adds.

While many may think that celebrities always go the extra mile to dress up and look the way they do, celebrity stylist Tanya Ghavri, who’s styled Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shraddha Kapoor, begs to differ.

“Take for instance Kareena, she is inherently stylish. She doesn’t need a stylist to dress up for the gym or airport or for a lunch with her friends,” she says.

But that’s precisely the point. Even a gorgeous looking Kareena, will not step out without deisgners sun shades, designer clothers/make-up et al, because she knows she’s being photogrpahed all the time.

Bollywood costume designer Rick Roy feels nobody should have an issue with how others are dressed or how they spend their money. But he adds, “Every outfit has an occasion and it is not the money spent, but the appropriate attire that is important.”

Scrutinising celebrity outfits isn’t restricted to just their ‘airport looks’ or ‘award outfits’ anymore. People also comment and troll celebrities for their professional choices. For example, famous designer Sabyasachi was recently slammed on social media as his models were wearing skimpy cholis while being bedecked in jewellery. Etiquette expert Suneeta Kanga feels how one conducts his/her business should not bother anyone else. “Slamming Sabyasachi for using over-the-top jewellery for his models is unacceptable and makes no sense. If the ornaments go with the theme of his collection, he has every right to spend the amount of money he is spending,” Sangeeta says, adding, “Aretha was always a larger-than-life personality with big aspirations and aims. So if she did want to be laid to rest in a gold casket, that is her personal wish.”