Mukta Shahdadpuri can make even jorts look polished

When I catch Dubai-based fashion curator and stylist Mukta Shahdadpuri, she’s prepping for the next edition of The Collective, the luxury pop-up show she co-founded in 2019. This time, the shopping experience spotlights brands such as Aseem Kapoor, Kanika Goyal, and Punit Balana in the lead-up to Diwali. It’s a space that Shahdadpuri knows well, having founded The Style Circuit, a personal styling and fashion consultancy service, many years ago.

Born and raised in Lagos, Shahdadpuri moved to Ohio for university, where she studied Economics and Psychology, before settling in Dubai in 2009. She began styling private clients as a passion project, which turned into a full-fledged business. Through her styling work, she noticed a gap in the market. “I have always loved discovering new and exciting brands. I realised there was so much hidden talent that people in the UAE weren’t aware of or simply had no access to,” says the mother of two girls. Her first show included Amrapali and Masaba; since then, much of her work has revolved around introducing Indian labels to the UAE and vice versa.

The cross-pollination is visible in her wardrobe too, which is a mix of Dubai-based and Indian designers. There are sharp, tailored pieces from Bouguessa, fluid separates from Dima Ayad, sexier propositions from Lama Jouni, and print and proportion play from Mrs. Keepa, alongside craft-led basics from Indian labels like Jade by Monica and Karishma and Aikeyah. It’s what makes Shahdadpuri’s style stand out, especially on social media, where an aesthetic homogeneity seems to prevail.

“The Dubai fashion scene is far more diverse and exciting than people realise. The city has always been associated with a more-is-more approach to dressing—glamour, embellishment, and, of course, plenty of bling. In a way it encouraged me to experiment more, especially with statement pieces,” says the 48-year-old. Shahdadpuri describes her own style as “minimal with an edge”. She adds, “I like my fashion with a little personality, not a lot of maintenance!”

In line with this philosophy, she names the basic white tee (usually from Cos, Sessùn or Loewe) and her three dozen white tank tops as her wardrobe MVPs. On her IG, where she often shares style hacks and chronicles her OOTDs, standouts include a crisp white button-down paired with black jeans, a Celine belt, and a leopard bag; a Dhruv Kapoor balloon dress worn with jelly flats; a classic silk scarf (styled three ways) with white bermuda shorts for the summer; and a polka-dot pantsuit from New York label Cara Cara. She reiterates the importance of repeating and re-wearing pieces.

“I am drawn to well-tailored basics and wardrobe staples that I know I’ll wear again and again. Currently, it’s long denim jorts—I have them in every shade and wear them through the day. The versatility is key.”

Little details bring it all together. Shahdadpuri’s obsessed with belts, with the Celine Oval Maison being her favourite. Silk scarves from Hermès come in handy looped around her bag or on their own. Pearls inherited from her mother as well as from labels like Anaash and Juliette finish her look.

Before buying anything, she asks herself one question: “Will I wear it in five years?” Her favourite boutique in Dubai is The Edit, for its eclectic mix of clothing and accessory brands. On her fall shopping list is a bomber jacket from Khaite or Sacai, and knee-high boots from Chloé.

She has the approval of her Gen Z daughters, so she’s clearly doing something right. “My first ever purchase was a Coach bag that my eldest was absolutely thrilled to inherit,” she laughs, acknowledging the ultimate validation.