The Beginning  I was born and brought up in Bangalore, in a city that continue to be in the midst of a make-over. It’s neither all good, nor bad  – but its metamorphosis has displaced my most important point of reference or source of context. While I’ve always spent an extra moment experimenting with the more interesting way to dress, including using my mom’s dupattas to drape, I never ventured forth to design or art school.  I’m not sure why. So, after dabbling in advertising and maintaining the plush position as marketing and business development for a retail department store, I had very little to account for. The fact that I had become the undisputed champion at Solitaire helped very little.  Somewhere in 2009, I had an acute realization that the fashion industry was my calling.  I googled furiously to narrow down my options and choose a course related to fashion styling. I left to Florence for a three week long course’ came back, quit my job, moved to Mumbai (minus a job), all in the span of 4 months. A couple of cold calls later,  I was lucky to be hired by Grazia.

Inspiration Elderly grandpa types riding auto-rickshaws, old photographs, old furniture, my friends (some young ones in there too!), sunlight, water, sad blurry pastel colors, soundcloud.com/kohra

“Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray’r accepted and each wish resign’d…” My favourite quote & motto to live by.

Moment  When I sat and stared at my parents black and white wedding album; even then it looked like a fashion story to me. It was fascinating. Later  I would search and sometimes find my fashion story in the quotidian everyday life. I realize that point of view was a result of my personal interest in design… in the loveliness of it. That feeling always comes back when I chance upon something that exudes accents of nostalgia mingled with a familiar sense of aesthetics that I find appealing.

Digital References:  I hardly read fashion related news online – I research if I need to know something specific or work on a project.  Most of my work is an extension of some crazy vision spurred on by some thought, moment, interaction I’ve had. Otherwise, the usual hubs are: style.com, Jedroot, art&commerce, artpartner.

Work Harper’s Bazaar -Junior Fashion Editor Grazia – Stylist Fashion Editing/consulting for various designers, celebrity dressing, commercial projects

 Above, photography:  Sameer Mohan  |  source:  Grazia

Above, photography:  Bikramjit Bose |  source:  Grazia

Above, photography:  Vishesh Verma |  source:  Grazia

Above, photography:  Colstan Julian |  source:  Grazia

Portrait image of Meghna Bhalla courtesy of Santu Misra