Gen Z Star Ananya Panday’s Guide to Getting Maximalism Right
Fun, frivolous, fearless — the vibrant energy of the ’80s is back, and Gen Z has made it their own. Leading the charge is none other than actor Ananya Panday, who’s fresh off her recent show Call Me Bae, and gives The Hollywood Reporter India the inside scoop on how to work this style effortlessly.
Waving goodbye to the surge of Succession-inspired quiet luxury, its muted palette and minimalist style, it’s time to step into the land of excesses. In the words of the iconic American designer Iris Apfel, this is where “more is more, and less is certainly a bore.”
While couture savants argue that maximalism is nothing new, Gen Z’s interpretation of it certainly is. And who better to spill the tea than one of their very own?
Dressed head-to-toe in bright colours, snazzy prints and bold silhouettes, Ananya Panday has made maximalism cool again with her newest Amazon Prime Video show, Call Me Bae, where she plays Bella ‘Bae’ Chowdhary, a rich heiress from South Delhi.
“Today, we're living in a time when there's very little judgement. People are experimental and just let you be; this is what Gen Z stands for,” Panday says. Underlining the sartorial extravagance of Indian royalty and the fact that the concept of maximalism is no stranger in this country, she adds, "It's in our blood!”
Inspired by the timelessness of the legendary Rekha, the actor believes that for her generation, maximalism “is about being ‘extra’, and making heads turn when you enter a room.” And for Panday, in particular, that translates into a passion for stand-out pieces. In fact, The Hollywood Reporter India finds her sitting in a little black dress that seems rather minimal at first glance, but a giant tulle flower on her shoulder makes it anything but.
Despite being hailed as one of the fashionistas of her generation, Panday admits to not being the most stylish in her family, and passes on the honour to her younger sister, Rysa. The younger Panday sibling is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in film and photographic arts at New York University. She’s spending a semester in Paris, and is aspiring to break into the world of fashion.
Speaking of family, Panday’s mother, Bhavana, is also frequently spotted flaunting maximalist looks on her Netflix reality show, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives. “My mom, sister, and I wear the same footwear size, and we're always stealing each other's clothes,” Panday reveals, laughing.
But what’s her formula to nail this new-age maximalism? It comes as no surprise that the actress — who’s also a brand ambassador for Swarovski — believes that it’s jewellery that makes or breaks a look. “Even if I'm just wearing track pants, I always have necklaces, bracelets and earrings stacked up, and I’ve gotten as many piercings as I possibly could,” she says, with a special nod to a Hanut Singh necklace, which was the very first piece of jewellery she bought with her own money.
When it comes to her personal style, the actor puts her own spin on the subject. Incorporating her newest character’s eclecticism into her off-screen style with subtlety, she says, “I'm inspired by Bae because she takes a lot of risks, especially when she discovers her vibe and personality.”
Panday also reveals that some of Bae’s cooler looks eventually found their way into her own closet. “I stole a swimsuit and a baby-blue, oversized Elvis sweatshirt from the set,” she admits. On the other hand, many of the bags featured in the show are from her personal collection, including a Lady Dior, a lilac Jacquemus and a Chanel backpack.
While conceptualising the show and its many maximalist looks, Panday says that both she and Karan Johar — whose company Dharmatic Entertainment has produced the show — had just one name in mind: stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania. And she didn’t disappoint. “When I read the script for the first time, I pictured Bae dressed like Blair Waldorf [from the TV series Gossip Girl, played by Leighton Meester] in plaid prints and girly sets,” she explains.
And while she does don a plaid set in the poster as well as in many key scenes, Bae's lookbook undergoes quite the transformation.
A trend as fun, young and striking as maximalism is best enjoyed with others, and the Gen Z star is eager to see her audience unleash their creativity and add their own unique twist to dressing like Bae. After all, maximalism in 2024 is all about unapologetically being yourself. As Panday puts it: “You do you!”
MAXIMALISM MADE EASY WITH ANANYA PANDAY
Make a statement: Step out of your comfort zone and add a stand-out piece to an otherwise basic outfit. Be it a striking mini bag or a dramatic scarf — grab all the eyeballs!
Play with prints: Don’t be afraid to mix and match — after all, maximalism is all about expressing yourself. And remember: The brighter, the better.
Layer your jewellery: Take a cue from the actor and stack your necklaces, rings, bracelets and more.
Here’s a pro tip: Mix your metals to achieve an effortlessly chic look.