The style quote that freelance PR and digital specialist Parveen Hassanbhai keeps close her heart (by visionary Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo) is very telling of her approach to dressing up: “For something to be beautiful it doesn’t have to be pretty.” Hassanbhai appreciates the bold and the conceptual in her dressing—her favourite labels include Comme des Garçons, Noir by Kei Ninomiya and Simone Rocha—and it’s something that has caught the eye of local and international tastemakers alike. This week, we speak to the expressive dresser about things that she would never wear, her style pet peeves, and dig into her bag to find out what she always carries around.
Occupation: Freelance public relations and digital specialist.
What’s your favourite social media platform? Telegram.
First app you check when you wake up: I don’t check any apps for the first two hours when I wake up.
Describe your personal style with three hashtags: #androgynous #comfortable #clean
What was your first Instagram post? 2012, the passing of my first dog.
What was the last thing you saved on Instagram? My furniture inspiration for my future house.
Filter or #nofilter? No filter, but sometimes on bad days we need a little filter here and there to spice things up.
Do you have a finsta? No, but even if I had one I won’t tell you.
What pisses you off the most on social media? Jumping on an awareness because it’s a trend and making it “cool” to talk about it.
Best selfie trick: Self timer.
Favourite filter: The Avocado Head filter.
Favourite editing apps: VSCO, Lightroom.
Favourite accounts to follow on Instagram: @inflexibleyogis, @wetheurban, and @ignant.
Last thing you do before you go to bed? I switch on the Headspace app that helps me ease into sleep easier.
Style icons/inspirations: Rei Kawakubo, Audrey Hepburn, Katie Ruensumran, Kubo Tusuhima, Tadiao and Yayoi Kusama.
Go-to look for a night out: My thrifted Simone Rocha dress or Comme des Garçons pleated skirt with my Nike sneakers.
Best beauty secret: Icing your face.
Style pet peeve: People wearing slippers to restaurant or a nice cafe, basically, not dressing appropriately for the right occasion.
Last purchase you made: Reusable cotton pads.
What’s always in your bag? This is why I only can carry big bags—because I have two pouches: one pouch has extra masks, sanitiser, hand cream, portable charger and a pen, lip balm, feng you (medicated oil), my roll-on essential oil and perfume. Another pouch has my medicine and vitamins and sweets. Not forgetting my wallet, film camera and my earphones.
Something you would never wear: Slippers and FBT shorts.
Last book you read? Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
Last movie you saw? Mango Dreams
Greatest accomplishment: Self love—start loving yourself more, and putting yourself first. Do not settle.
