Twinkle Khanna’s complete style evolution

Former actor, Twinkle Khanna now wears many hats including but not limited to interior designer, producer, writer and columnist. She is the author of Mrs Funnybones, the tome published by Penguin in 2015 and The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad published by Juggernaut in 2016. She authors weekly blogs for a national daily and in her own words, “firmly believes that nothing in life is sacred except laughter.”

Filmography

Born into a Bollywood family, Khanna chose to follow the footsteps of her parents Dimple Khanna and Rajesh Khanna debuting in the 1995 film Barsaat. After working in films like Dil Tera Diwana (1996), Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998), International Khiladi (1999), Mela (2001) and Jodi No. 1 (2001), Khanna slowly transitioned into the role of a producer. She has co-founded Grazing Goats Pictures, the production company that has churned out films like Tees Maar Khan (2010) and 72 Miles (2013). The multi-hyphenate also co-owns a chain of interior decor stores—The White Window and has designed the homes of Bollywood actors like Tabu, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Most recently she launched her digital platform, Tweakindia.com. 

Style files

At the outset of the new millennium, Twinkle Khanna tied the knot with her now-husband Akshay Kumar, on January 17, 2001. Kumar proposed to Khanna before the release of her film Mela. The bride wore a traditional sindoori outfit for her big day.

We'll admit we're not fans of the peeptoes that could have been abandoned in the early Noughties, but in the past, Khanna has served some serious style that's caught our radar. Back in 2010, Twinkle Khanna was spotted in several form-fitted dresses. Her ombré Hervé Leger bandage dress worn for the launch of her new range of home decor and resort wear was an unmissable look from back in the day. The star didn’t shy from playing with prints either—these varied from edgy animal motifs to romantic florals. Her Diane von Furstenberg wrap gown from Vogue Beauty Awards 2014 remains as a bookend-worthy look till date.

Come 2015, she switched between printed trousers and culottes. Handy basics from jackets, whether they took the form of a tweed cover-up or a tailored blazer, to easy laid-back shirts and dresses also made a regular feature in the mom-on-the-go's stash in 2016. In 2017, Khanna had moved on to denims, playing with ripped jeans and even tunics. This year, she was named the L'Oréal Professionnel ambassador and made many more public appearances. It can be said she started being more experimental with her style, oscillating from crisp white separates for the airport to ruffled off-the-shoulder dresses. She penned down a hilarious acceptance speech for Akshay Kumar at the Vogue Beauty Awards, when accepting her Opinion Maker Of The Year award, as she stole the show in a red Gauri & Nainika gown.

When it comes to Indian wear, less is always more for Khanna. Saris, indigenous weaves in particular, have been her go-to. “A sari is non-judgemental, accommodating and forgiving in nature—I wish we had more friends like that as well,” she once quoted. This purple and rani pink Raw Mango six-yard worn for cheering husband Akshay Kumar when he received his first National Film Award for the film Rustom is as timeless as it gets. While Khanna experimented with vibrant colours, more often than not, she favoured a neutral palette, dominated with whites and ivories. Her stash is monopolised with custom creations by designer duo Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Remember the snowy anarkali she wore for Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s Bollywood reception in 2018 or the one she reached out for Akash Ambani’s post-wedding party in 2019?

Even today, she’s often seeks refuge in her trusty favourites like smart dresses and classic tailoring. Some of her scene-stealing looks include the multi-coloured striped dress for the launch of her third book, the blazer and midi skirt combo with interesting peacock motifs for the 20th anniversary party of the iconic film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, as is her recent floral Good Earth kurta worn at home during self-isolation. 

Over the years, Twinkle Khanna has also showcased her evolving taste in accessories. From a classic yellow or green Goyard and a vintage Chanel to a covetable knot clutch Bottega Veneta, the star’s collection serves as a conversation-starter. Her penchant for statement-making looks is also accompanied by an equally discerning eye for timeless jewellery pieces, whether temple-style jhumkas, emerald encrusted shoulder-dusters or layered necklaces. Scroll ahead for a closer look at her entire style evolution.