In a new book, art-collector and TV star Shalini Passi writes about her love for maximalist fashion

Minimalism may be having its moment in design circles, but it has never been the way India lives. We are a culture of abundance – layered, expressive, unapologetically maximalist in the most glorious way.

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we are wrapped in tradition, drenched in colour, adorned with meaning. Our expression lives in the details. It is seen in what we wear, how we celebrate, the rituals we hold dear. Nothing about the way we live is half-hearted. Our festivals erupt in colour. Our weddings unfold over days. Our cooking is a symphony of flavours. We dye our fabrics in turmeric, indigo and blood orange. Even our greetings are generous gestures that are warm and expressive.

I tend to carry this same maximalist energy into my style. I dress like I live – with layers, with stories stitched into every fold. I take pride in the fact that my style is deeply intuitive and unapologetically mine. It makes a statement on its own terms, without needing validation from trends or other people. But here’s the thing – I have never thought of myself as a fashionista. In fact, I don’t even read fashion magazines, let alone chase trends.

That said, I do go...

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