Meeting Tanisha Rahimtoola Agarwal, the dynamic founder of Curato, was a delightful experience that quickly dispelled my initial nerves. As I stepped into Curato, I was greeted by her warm smile and an inviting atmosphere that made me feel right at home. A quick look at her outfit of that day gave me a very classic impression. A plain, slightly oversized white shirt, black trousers, and vintage Chanel studs. She managed to look a million bucks in such a simple outfit, which made me even more curious about her style and her love for fashion.

Despite both of us feeling a bit anxious, she effortlessly concealed her nerves to ensure I felt at ease while she answered all my questions about trying to understand her style.

A Classic Dresser with an Edgy Twist

Tanisha's style is a beautiful blend of classic and edgy. She often opts for timeless pieces like a crisp white Zara shirt, which she pairs with standout accessories. Her approach to fashion prioritises comfort without sacrificing style. "For me, looking best starts with feeling best," she shared. Her love for accessories shines through as she enhances her outfits with chunky earrings and unique jewellery — an old trick in the book to make a simple outfit stand out. “I also wear a lot of brands from my store Curato – like Dhruv Kapoor, Kanika Goyal, that help me get edgy with my style whenever I’m in a mood to experiment”, she adds.

The Print Scare

Reflecting on her fashion journey, Tanisha recounted when she tried styling with prints. Inspired by the vibrant style of Emily in Paris, she attempted to mix different prints but found it didn't quite work for her (IMO, even Emily couldn’t pull off prints that well). "I thought it looked amazing because when you watch Emily in Paris, it's all about mixing and matching," she laughed, acknowledging that while it may have been a miss for her, the experimentation is part of the fun.

Closet Go-Tos

When it comes to everyday wear, Tanisha has her favourites that never fail her. Her go-to Self-Portrait denim jacket goes with every outfit and every style. She loves pairing cargo pants with chic shirts. For accessories, it is always her favourite Misho earrings or Shop Lune jewellery. "Denim is always my choice in a hurry!" she exclaimed, highlighting its importance in her wardrobe.

Travel Style Inspiration

Tanisha's travels significantly influence her style choices. Tanisha’s closet is full of yellows and purples — two colours that are unique and very difficult to style and look good in. But she wears it and owns it very effortlessly. She gives credit to the cities of Paris and Italy for these colours dominating her closet—where purple hues remind her of Parisian elegance and sunny yellows evoke Italian warmth. A standout discovery from her travels is the brand Tutti Frutti, which she fell in love with while exploring Antwerp.

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Most Prized Possessions

Among her cherished items are two significant pieces of jewellery: an engagement ring from her childhood best friend (now husband) engraved with their initials and a pair of pearls inherited from her grandmother. "These heirloom pieces are irreplaceable and still have a special place in my heart as well as my jewellery box," she noted, emphasising their sentimental value.

The Birth of Curato

Tanisha's entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of Curato, which is driven by a desire to support young designers while building a successful business. "There was a huge motivation to give passionate designers a platform," she explained. This vision has shaped Curato into a unique space where edgy designs meet established names in fashion.

Curato’s Personal Touch

Tanisha’s personal closet reflects the essence of Curato's offerings, featuring brands like Payal Singhal, Kanika Goyal, Masaba, Shivan&Naresh, Rohit Gandhi Rahul Khanna, and Jayanti Reddy. Each piece tells a story of creativity and passion that resonates with her own style journey.

With each question posed to Tanisha Rahimtoola Aggarwal, it became clear to me that her blend of warmth, style, and entrepreneurial spirit makes her a successful business leader and an inspiring figure in the world of fashion.

Also read: ELLE Closet Confidential: Power Dressing with Samiksha Pednekar