The ever-evolving world of fashion and entertainment has seen many luminaries, but Kanika Khatri's star shines exceptionally bright. Merging her keen sense of style with a knack for staying authentic, she has beautifully woven her journey from the camera's glare to the glossy pages of luxury fashion. We sat down with this icon to get an intimate glimpse into her captivating world.
Retro Kolkata : Kanika, you've had an impressive career span ranging from television to fashion. What ignited your passion for the world of luxury fashion?
Kanika: Thank you! Yes, it's been a fairly interesting ride so far! I originally hail from the fashion industry, as I pursued fashion designing & styling post fashion school. So, getting into fashion blogging came quite naturally. Acting just happened by chance.
Retro Kolkata : As an actor, how do you think your experience in front of the camera has shaped your approach to fashion and personal style?
Kanika: My stint in acting & modelling definitely boosted my confidence level & helped me get more comfortable in front of the camera. Being a fashion enthusiast since my formative years, I always experimented with my personal style & kept reinventing it with changing times.
Retro Kolkata : You’ve been featured in Femina Magazine as Femina Model of The Fortnight in 2014. How did it feel to achieve such recognition early on in your career?
Kanika: That was a very special moment. To be featured in the country's leading women's magazine, Femina, was one of the first benchmarks in my modelling career.
Retro Kolkata : From acting in popular television shows like Everest, to being a revered luxury fashion influencer, your career is truly multifaceted. How do you manage to excel in these diverse fields simultaneously?
Kanika: Acting was truly a matter of chance & I got lucky with a show like Everest, which was an incredible experience. Being a content creator/influencer was a career of choice, since I love all things fashion & wanted to share them with my audience who have trusted and supported me for so many years.
Retro Kolkata : Being an influencer in the luxury fashion sphere, how do you ensure that your content is always fresh, engaging, and relatable to your followers?
Kanika: I have always wanted to be authentic with my content, making it relatable & interesting for my followers by constantly engaging with them and catering to their needs in the fashion/beauty space while brainstorming fresh content ideas regularly. I find it very interesting & productive to work on fresh content each day.
Retro Kolkata : As a model and actor, you’re consistently in the public eye and setting trends. How do you maintain your individuality and ensure you're staying true to yourself in industries that are constantly evolving?
Kanika: It's very easy to get lost in a highly competitive industry like this. The only thing I believe can set you apart is being truly authentic to your style, aesthetic & having a disciplined work ethic because good work always speaks for itself & you will definitely make your space in it.
Retro Kolkata : How does it feel to be seen as a fashion icon? In your opinion, what are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of being a trendsetter in the luxury fashion world?
Kanika: Definitely feels great to be in a position of influence. But it comes with its set of challenges like trolls, online hate & blurred personal boundaries as we're always creating content everywhere we go & sometimes forget to live in the moment. The most rewarding aspect is the constant love & support from our online family, the opportunity to connect & create content for our favourite brands which comes with its perks, receiving tons of products to try & the handsome monetary remuneration.
Could you share any particular moment in your career that was pivotal and steered you towards luxury fashion influencing?
Kanika: Just when the world of blogging was taking shape in India, I decided to give it a shot & have never looked back since. I remember I didn't make any money from my blogging career for the first entire year, but I didn't lose hope as I was enjoying every bit of it. Then, I landed my first paid campaign with Gillette at 10k followers & the rest, as they say, is history.
Retro Kolkata : Who are the fashion icons that you look up to and how do they inspire your own personal style?
Kanika: I really admire Camila Coelho, Chiara Ferragni, Negin Mirsalehi, Tamara, and Leonie Hanne's style.
Retro Kolkata : Looking ahead, are there any unfulfilled ambitions or new fields you'd like to venture into? Can we expect to see Kanika Khatri exploring any new exciting projects soon?
Kanika: Always looking upwards to work with the top brands of the country as well as internationally & carve a niche as one of the top fashion influencers of India.
Kanika Khatri is more than just a name; she’s an experience. An embodiment of elegance, ambition, and sincerity, her narrative inspires countless others navigating the fashion cosmos. As the chapters of her story continue to unfold, the world waits in eager anticipation for the trails she will blaze next.
