Rashmika Mandanna on her fashion choices and how they boost her confidence

Looking good can be a challenge, especially when if you have been given the nickname of ‘National Crush’ by countless of fans on social media. But not for actor Rashmika Mandanna. Despite having all eyes on her—be it rocking her airport look, looking alluring on the ramp, or leaving us in a trance on the big screen. She that as long as she’s comfortable in what she wears, she will always be the cheerful and confident Rashmika that we all love. 

Mandanna is the face of countless leading brands, including Japanese fashion brand Onitsuka Tiger, which announced her as the country's first brand advocate. With her stylish persona, playful vibe, and endearing energy, can we even blame them?  

The actor, in an exclusive interview with Cosmopolitan India, speaks about why she shares a special bond with Japanese minimalism, her favourite outfits, her good-skin genes, the most beautiful person in her life and much more. 

Cosmopolitan India: How do you resonate with the aesthetics of a brand such as Onitsuka Tiger and the experience of being in Milan during Fashion Week?

Rashmika Mandanna: I love the idea that Onitsuka Tiger has a perfect blend of modern and traditional aesthetics, and their contemporary collection completely resonates with my sartorial choices—it's unique, minimalistic, and artistic. Furthermore, the brand allows me to showcase all aspects of my personality while experimenting with fashion-forward styles and silhouettes. 

As far as my time in Milan goes, it was absolutely surreal! And to be there for a brand like Onitsuka Tiger just added to the excitement and overall experience. I absolutely loved their Autumn/Winter 2023 collection that was showcased at the Milan Fashion Week. It builds on the essence of Japanese tradition by filtering it through its sporty DNA—presenting a collection that, while maintaining its active spirit, is more focused on an urban aesthetic.

We were all in awe of the mega anoraks, the oversized coats made of crafted faux fur, tailored, oversized three-button jackets and coats. These items can also be worn on top of each other to make the silhouette voluminous, but less bulky.

CI: What are your must-haves from their recently-launched Spring Summer 2023 Collection?

RM: I totally love Onitsuka Tiger’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection! I am inspired by how the dresses can be taken apart, and the jackets that can be worn with capes borrowed from trench coats. The colour palette, black and white, interrupted by the signature yellow and shiso green, helps you make a statement with your ensemble. I do not like putting extra effort into what I wear and hence I resonate with the concept of Japanese minimalism.

CI: What’s your personal style like?

RM: I am a minimalist to the core, and I truly believe in comfortable fashion much like Onitsuka Tiger’s latest collection inspired by urban layering which is native to Japanese culture. I love the fact that their clothes are fashionable and comfortable, it is a hard blend to find these days. 

CI: What kind of outfits do you love wearing?

RM: I am a firm believer that style comes with comfort and confidence. I absolutely love going for an athleisure look, I depend on ensembles that help me feel comfortably stylish and confident. I usually go for co-cord sets, sweatshirts, and joggers for my athleisure looks. 

CI: How do you adapt to the different fashion choices evident in the films across the industries where you act?

RM: It’s definitely tailored to the project I work on, but the most important thing is to wear what makes you feel comfortable and happy.

CI: Which is your favourite fashion era of all time? And a dress from a movie that made you go ‘I wish I had that’?

RM: The late '90s and early '20s were my favourite fashion era. I absolutely loved how the film Pretty Woman was styled, that was one film that left me awestruck.

CI: What’s the secret to your flawless skin? Does it include any home remedies or tips passed down from your mother?

RM: Thank you so much for that compliment. I have been fortunate to have good skin in my genes. Having spent so much time in a hostel, I have given minimal attention to the maintenance of my skin and hair. But after becoming an actor, I have realised the importance of moisturising and putting on sunscreen to have healthy skin and serum or a heat protector before you style your hair. 

CI: What do beauty and fashion mean to you? Has its definition changed over the years?

RM: Fashion for me is all about being comfortable in what you wear and that ultimately translates into confidence. It is a mix of both as my fashion sense is really minimalistic but at the same time, I also want to make a statement in my simple everyday outfits. I definitely think my relationship with style has evolved over the years. Sometimes it is good to make a style statement with your fashion choices but I also feel I have become much kinder to myself now as I find myself going for easy and comfortable looks over what’s trending.

CI: What's your secret for a red-carpet-ready look?

RM: I sported an all-white look at the Milan Fashion Week. It gave a very urban city-style vibe that looks very elegant and was comfortable at the same time. I recently wore Onitsuka Tiger’s SCLAW & SCLAW MT shoes in Milan along with pants and a top, which gave my ensemble a very contemporary and fashion-forward look.

CI: How do you choose what you wear?

RM: I am a firm believer that style comes with comfort and confidence. So whatever I choose to wear has to make me feel comfortable and happy from within. 

CI: How does your day begin? Is there a bedtime routine that you stick to strictly?

RM: My day begins with my AM skin routine. I always like to hydrate myself first thing in the morning. Since I do intermittent fasting, I always go for a workout before my first meal. 

CI: What’s one skin and hair care tip that you’d like to share?

RM: For me, the secret to healthy skin and hair is to eat right, eat healthy, stay hydrated and always work out!