I dress up as per my vibe of the day and not follow any trends. I pick up outfits and colour that accentuate my assets and hide the flaws. Fashion inspiration is everywhere. My mantra is to choose what suits you best rather than fad trends. Trends go away, but style endures. A little more in detail, I usually wear solid over patterns and like a little drama on my outfits.
Retro Kolkata : First of all, thanks a lot for accepting our invitation for an interview. Please say something about you. About your career as a fashion Blogger & Influencer. How did you get started?
Dr Mekhala : Hey, I am Dr Mekhala Bawsay, an influencer, entrepreneur and an MBA professional and a full-time creator. I have collaborated with 700 plus brands like Samsung, L'Oréal Paris, Tanishq, SKODA Kushaq, Zivame, One Plus, Mathey Tissot, Esbeda etc. I have long term partnerships with multiple fashion and lifestyle brands and have travelled 23 plus countries and worked with multiple luxury travel brands like Cordelia cruises, Mah tourism, Anchaviyo, Marriott etc. I mainly work with luxury brands and create videos for a living.
Published in five newspaper and Rotaract brand icon 2020. I started my journey three years ago when I decided to stop practicing dentistry and follow my passion on Instagram. There has been no looking back since then, I have been blessed with so many opportunities and this was the best decision of my life.
Retro Kolkata : You have an exceptionally unique look. Where does your style savvy come from, and where do you get your inspiration?
Dr Mekhala : My style usually comes from my feelings and mood at that time. I dress up as per my vibe of the day and not follow any trends. I pick up outfits and colour that accentuate my assets and hide the flaws. Fashion inspiration is everywhere. My mantra is to choose what suits you best rather than fad trends. Trends go away, but style endures. A little more in detail, I usually wear solid over patterns and like a little drama on my outfits.
Retro Kolkata : How do you get involved with your followers and find the best way to give them the content they want?
Dr Mekhala : I am blessed with a highly engaged audience who appreciate everything I do. I reply to my comments and DMs as much as I can. I keep experimenting with my content to bring out the best in me. I love to play around with my videos and my amazing Instagram family always tell me whether it’s working for me or not.
Retro Kolkata : If you had to name one thing, what would be your favourite thing in your wardrobe right now?
Dr Mekhala : Favourite thing in my wardrobe is a white dress that I got from a collaboration with Amazon. Just love the way it looks and feels. White is usually the colour that I avoid, as I am a messy eater, but this dress has made me fall in love with white again.
Retro Kolkata : What are your top five beauty essentials?
Dr Mekhala : 1. Lip balm
2. Nude lipstick
3. Perfume
4. Foundation
5. Eyeliner
Retro Kolkata : What three products do you always keep in your makeup bag?
Dr Mekhala : Phone
House keys
Lip balm
Retro Kolkata : You are the girl who fuelled her dreams to make it a reality! Apart from Fashion Influencer, you are a Doctor & successful entrepreneur. When did you first know you wanted to be an entrepreneur and what was the point that really made you go for it?
Dr Mekhala : I always knew I have the entrepreneurship bug in me. I started my own clinic at the age of 23 when I had just passed out from college. I had refused to accept an ordinary life and desired everything that life had to offer. I knew taking risk at young age is the only way to get somewhere in life and that doing what everyone else was doing would never get me there.
I trusted my guts when I decided to shut my settled flourishing dental practise to start something else that I actually love. It was a big step leaving dentistry for fashion. Back then, content creation was a completely unknown term and field. I started it on Instagram as I had nothing to loose, at the same time I decided to do MBA full time in marketing as I loved marketing even during my clinic days.
Today I have worked with over 700 plus brands and I have my own company digital marketing agency and I couldn't be more proud.
Taking risk and following your gut is the only way to success.
Retro Kolkata : What’s the best and what’s the hardest part about having your own skin care brand Ahava?
Dr Mekhala : I have a small team who have been with me since the beginning. We are like family now and I can’t work one day without them. My videographer literally spends 12 hours a day with me shooting. My editor is always working and my social media manager works remotely, but he hasn't taken a single day off including his own wedding. He was working on his wedding day as well. This dedication only comes from passion and love for what they do.
Retro Kolkata : Any business is as strong as it’s team. How do you choose the people you work with and those who work for you?
Dr Mekhala : While hiring, my main point is whether they love their job or are just doing it for money. We are in a creative world and only love for art and creation can survive and thrive.
Retro Kolkata : Apart from Fashion Influencer, u also a traveller. Where is your favourite place in the world? Do you have a bucket list? If so, what is on it?
Dr Mekhala : I have travelled 23 countries and all over India. My favourite place is definitely London, as the city is imprinted in my heart, so beautiful and Royal.
Bucket list definitely US and Africa. Would love to cover these super soon.
Retro Kolkata : Give us 5 fun facts people might not know about you yet.
Dr Mekhala : I am classical Bharatnatyam dancer done my Arangetram at the age of 14. Travelled all over India and Abroad for the same.
I am a big time foodie and I can eat anything and everything and regret after that.
Since I am a foodie, I love to cook as well. Usually try to make healthy options of my favourite food.
I used to be very fat and underconfident as a kid.
Gym is the sanctuary I found during college and fitness has been my best friend since then.
Retro Kolkata : We (Retro Kolkata) are trying to build one single stage for all the artists, because we believe that artists are the most beautiful creation of God and geographical boundary can never break their unity and harmony. Please say something about our initiative and any special message for your followers.
Dr Mekhala : This is an amazing initiative and aspiring artists definitely need a lot of guidance and help in order to grow. All the best for your venture. Very proud to be a part. To all the aspiring content creators you have to find what content works best for you and what you can create on almost daily basis. And don’t be disheartened if you don’t get a response immediately. It takes time to build a following and a true set of followers. You keep doing your best without expecting return immediately. Also start today. Creators are the future and anyone anywhere can be one.
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