The FW22 Trend Report, Starring Charithra Chandran

Charithra Chandran’s role in Bridgerton was as much a paradigm shift for the actor as it was for the millions of viewers who tuned in to the series. “South Asian women have not been portrayed as very alluring or sexy in mainstream media, and Bridgerton has done amazing things to challenge these conventions and stereotypes,” says Chandran. “I’m so grateful for the impact it has had for women of color across the world. When Black and Brown women come up to me and tell me how much the show means to them; [how much it means] to be seen and represented in a beautiful way, that is without doubt the singular best thing about being a part of Bridgerton.

“On a personal level, the show helped me to deal with my own internalized beauty standards, too. I was often stressed about being dark-skinned and I thought of it as a negative thing, but now I’m able to appreciate my own self and my own beauty more. The first time I went to Los Angeles since being cast in Bridgerton was the first time I didn’t focus on whether I was tanning or not, and that experience was freeing,” she adds.

However, while Chandran’s time on Bridgerton was wrapped in valuable learnings and lifelong friendships, there were also some difficult moments to navigate. “I have faced some harassment and bullying since the show came out. That’s not easy to handle, and one of the hardest things is not being able to defend yourself,” says Chandran. “Shelley Conn, who played my mum in the show, always says that as long as you know who you are and you know your heart, eventually so will other people – and you can’t pander to everyone.”

For her next project, How to Date Billy Walsh, Chandran is indulging fans with a romantic comedy that “universally warms people up – the kind of timeless romcom that you can watch on a rainy day and it feels like a hug. I’m excited to play a character that is Edwina’s polar opposite. Amelia is boisterous, loud, ungraceful and a bit of a menace. Although Edwina will always be a very special role, she was also very restrained and conservative. One of the best parts about being an actor is getting to embody all these different characters,” she adds.

“I’m looking forward to being in a movie where people are going to laugh a lot. We are living in such a jaded world right now and almost everything is polarizing, so I think, for me, while film and television has always been an environment that can be subversive and political, it also encourages people to come together, watch something and be entertained. How to Date Billy Walsh really feels like that – a film that everyone can come together and enjoy.”

Much like her on-screen characters in Bridgerton and How to Date Billy Walsh, Chandran’s personal style is cute and colorful. “Edwina would often wear gems and clips in her hair, and I think that’s so cute and feels really ’90s in a way – little accents that are subtle and often shiny; I really love that, and have started adding those into my hair. For me, that is my favorite thing to include in my wardrobe at the moment,” she says. Keep reading to find out how the breakout star will be wearing this season’s key trends…

“I am a sequin girl and I love shiny things. The gorgeous, black Khaite dress with crystal embellishments made me feel like a disco ball. I felt so beautiful. The world is somber right now, so anything that can bring joy, like this dress, is so fun.”

“The red Proenza Schouler shirt dress with a pink Dries Van Noten skirt is so vibrant. This look is fashion-forward for me and it brightened up my day. I’m a very colorful dresser and pink and red is definitely within my usual palette, although the shape was very different for me. It’s interesting when there’s one element of an outfit that is in your comfort zone and another one that encourages you to step out of it.”

“I don’t often think of myself as a very sexy person, but while wearing the hottest Saint Laurent dress I have ever seen, I was feeling great! I don’t often feel confident in my body, but I felt so comfortable wearing this dress.”

“I love mini dresses and skirts because they are fun and flirty. I’m often both excited and a little bit nervous to wear them because I’m a bit self-conscious about my legs, but this Emilia Wickstead skirt made me feel so good. If you encourage yourself to step outside your comfort zone, you can fall in love with a part of yourself that you might not have before.”

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