60 pairs of jeans, 42 pairs of footwear, a bright pink belt that says Miss Whatever! and a spunky, gorgeous owner who says ‘When you have it, flaunt it’, what a fabulous way to start ‘Shopaholics famous’. Uma Riyaz Khan, actor and danseuse does not need much introduction, but her love for shopping and good clothes, something we believe has so far not received the attention that it warrants, is what this is all about. The confessions of a delightfully unapologetic compulsive shopper.
The amusingly interesting stories that Uma links to each of the things in her wardrobe is what makes them extra special, like for example a pair of 3 inch heels, “That’s the pair I walked the ramp in during college. I don’t wear them these days but ill never throw them away. They are a little too special” she laughs. Her love for boots and bling is quite obvious. “I have this habit of picking up footwear wherever I go .It’s a habit I just cant shake off” she says and I assure her no one’s complaining especially when it’s such a joy, just to eyeball her extensive collection. On closer observation you notice that most of the things that she has picked up both from the city as well as from her trips abroad are very carefully chosen and reflect little bits of her personality.
A belt with black and white images of Michael Jackson catches my attention and she giggles, “I am an ardent fan of the legend to the extent that I was in tears when he very recently passed away. That’s why.” And there’s more, a swarovski studded belt that says Puma in which she conceals the ‘P’ while wearing to spell out her name. Spotting a bright red Chanel bag which apparently is the most recent addition to her wardrobe, something she got herself on her recent trip to Malaysia, I ask her how much of a brand person she is and she clarifies, “For me it’s not necessary that everything I wear is branded. But brands do matter. People who understand them definitely warm up to you more when you are wearing them.”
During the conversation I find out that this lady has been around the world in the pursuit of interesting additions for her wardrobe. She tells me how among other places like Bombay, Malaysia and Singapore that she usually shops from London continues to be her favourite. “I just go crazy when I am shopping in London. There is something very English about whatever you get from there and I somehow prefer that to the Bangok-ish clothes and accessories that you get in Singapore and Malaysia.”
A simple yet chic maroon and black silk sari shares rack space with an old pair of size 24 jeans. “It’s the first sari my mother got me back when I was in school. It’s one of the very special saris in my wardrobe and that’s the last pair of jeans I bought before getting married”, she laughs. An anniversary gift from hubby, a beautiful silk sari depicting the different mudras with a swarovski studded bharatnatyam dancer on the pallav and a sari that she received from the ex chief minister Dr Jayalalitha for a dance performance are the others.
Coming back to the city she says she has been shopping a lot out of Pantaloons lately and that Hi style, Anna Nagar is a place where she almost always manages to find something good especially when she’s looking to shop for her kids as well. For someone whom shopping is a lot more than a chore, I ask what makes the perfect shopping experience? Throwing in a great snack? Lots of freebies or the company of her girl pals maybe I say. “No, there is nothing as good as shopping alone, because its the only way I get to have all the time for myself”, she says and bursts out laughing.
