THE PRETTY AND THE PUNK

WE CHALLENGED MAKEUP ARTIST ASHI AWOMI (@SHI_SUMI) AND FASHION BLOGGER KOMAL PANDEY (@THECOLLEGECOUTURE) TO WORK THE TWO STATEMENT STAPLES ‘DENIMS AND LEATHER’ IN THEIR EVERYDAY OUTFITS WHILE KEEPING THEIR PERSONAL STYLE CONSISTENT. LESSON LEARNT: LEATHER HELPS BALANCE A PRETTY LOOK JUST AS GOOD AS DENIMS TONE DOWN A PUNK OUTFIT

On Komal: Skirt, Maysa Creations; Bodycon, crop top, Forever 21 (Myntra); Shoes, Purplehide; Shirt, Thrifted; Bag, Bags by Anqi
On Ashi: Jumper, shoes, H&M; Skirt, shirt, Forever 21; Bag, Koovs

Jacket, Zara; Jumper, Koovs; Skirt, Forever 21; Shoes, Dr. Martens

INTRODUCE YOURSELVES
K: My name is Komal, I am 22, I am a fashion blogger (@thecollegecouture) and a video producer. I am partially from Jharkhand and partially from Uttar Pradesh. It is complicated.
A: I am Ashi. I am a 24 year old makeup artist from Nagaland.

WHO IN INDIA INSPIRES YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
K: People on the streets. You get to see really interesting fashion on the streets and that is where I learn the most from.
A: NONE.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR MONTHLY INCOME IS SPENT ON SHOPPING
K: I have my moments when I literally go crazy shopping and
then there are days when I am satisfied with whatever I have.
A: 50%.

CHOSE A WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
K: Right now my style depends on my mood. I like to call it ‘moldable or flexible’. From basics to quirky to bohemian to androgyny, I have done it all. One should be able to slip smoothly into a bikini and carry off a saree, as effortlessly. Camouflage is key. Change is also very important for me, otherwise it’s boring and I can be anything but boring.
A: Punk. Very Yhoji Yamammoto inspired.

FAVOURITE BRAND

K:  Forever 21, because it’s pocket friendly. To be blogging about fashion, you need to have more than limited number of clothes and shoes. F21 doesn’t dig a hole in your pocket and the style is spot on.
A: Forever 21, H&M and Zara. Inexpensive and at par with international fashion.

Jacket, Adidas; Dress, Stalkbuylove; Shoes, Banjaran; Bag, Happily Unmarried

ONLINE SHOPPING OR MALL VISITS
K: Online shopping. Wide variety of choice and time is not a constrain.
A: Both. I need my options.

FAVOURITE ONLINE STORE PORTAL
K: Jabong and Ajio.
A:  YRU, UNIF Clothing, solestruck, stylenanda and ASOS.

HOW HAS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGED THE WAY YOU SHOP OR THE AMOUNT YOU SPEND
K: Social media can be pressurizing. With the increasing number of followers, they look up to you for inspiration. They always want to know details of what I am wearing. With every new blog they want to see fresh fashion. Repetition bores them. However, with time and practise, I have discovered new ways to wear one garment in a million different ways. Pros of pressure, you can say. 🙂
A: It has definitely made it easier to keep up with international trends, thus also making us want to shop more to keep our wardrobe updated. Who wants to lag behind? Not me.

BEST DRESSED INDIAN?
K: Cliched but yes, Sonam kapoor!
A: NONE!

On Komal: Sari, Amazon; Shirt, Koovs; Bag, Stalkbuylove
On Ashi: Dress, Forever 21; Jacket, Zara

DOES YOUR PROFESSION REQUIRE  YOU TO INVEST MORE IN CLOTHES AND SHOES
K: As a fashion blogger, yes it has. I need to invest on clothes and accessories regularly. With my kind of profession, shopping is investing, the more you invest, the better you get.
A: Not at all. But like I said earlier, social media sure has made life more competitive and fast.

NAME BRANDS THAT YOU LOVED BUT CANNOT RELATE TO ANYMORE
K: Levis, W and Globus. I still remember how much I used to love them when I was in grade 8th or 9th. Sadly not anymore.
A: Wrangler, Pepe Jeans, Lee, GAP, Benetton etc. These are a few brands that need reinventing.

WHAT TRIGGERS YOUR BUYING URGE? ARRANGE IN ORDER OF EFFECTIVENESS
K:

1. Magazines.
2. TV / YouTube advertising.
3. Celebrities.
4. Bloggers.
5. Advertisement on your social media apps.

A:

1. Celebrities.
2. Bloggers.
3. TV / YouTube advertising.
4. Magazines.
5. Advertisement on your social media apps.

FASHION ICON?
K: EMMA WATSON & CHRISELLE LIM.
A: KIE HYE (@KLEEHEELK) BECA– — USE SHE IS ANTI TREND, ANTI CURRENT FASHION. I JUST ADORE HER.

STRUGGLES OF YOUR PROFESSION
K: Every second person these days is a fashion blogger. It is also mistaken to modelling. I really want to get that straight right here: wearing labels and hiring photographers, that is not fashion blogging! I won’t even call such individuals a fashion enthusiast. A blogger writes his/her stories and experiences about fashion, documenting their life beyond quick Instagram and Facebook posts. It is a profession of perspective and not just posing and posting. If you like wearing pretty clothes and getting clicked in them, maybe you’re looking for something else, but it’s definitely not fashion blogging. It is a little more intense and heavy duty than it seems. A: Demanding the impossible.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2017
K: Better fashion, more fashion, new fashion.
A: Processing the question…

HOW IMPORTANT IS BEING WELL DRESSED AND CREATING AND IMAGE
K: Dressing your part, whatever that part may be, is crucial to communicating the impression of who you are and who you want to become. Whether you want to get a better job, get out of a traffic ticket, or star t a worldwide movement, the way you dress and present yourself will play a major role. It is a psychological thing. It is important to have your own identity. And, if clothes help you do that, I say, got for it!
A: Being well dressed is and should be a priority because it totally changes how people look at you. It is not a coincidence that most models, IT girls and actors happen to have the best sense of style (even if it requires shelling a bomb on a team of fashion experts): Gigi Hadid, Kendall and Kylie to name a few.

Jacket, pants, Forever 21; Shirt, Koovs, Shoes, Thrifed; Bag, Zara

On Komal: Pants, jumper, Koovs; Shoes, Jabong; Cape, Zara; Bag, The Pink Mint
On Ashi: Suit, shirt, jacket, Zara; Shoes, Forever 21

THREE THINGS YOU DO EVERYDAY IN ORDER TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON
K:

1. Like I mentioned before, I wake up and promise myself to outdo what I did yesterday.
2. Starting and ending my day by thanking God. Not asking.
3. I always take time to have a short conversation with my parents everyday. No matter how busy or tired I may be.

A:

1. Being myself.
2. Letting go of anger.
3. Practicing forgiveness.

LONGEST HOURS YOU HAVE WORKED
K: I once recorded for 19 hours, non stop! It was one heck of a day AND night!
A: 11 long hours!

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MAGAZINES DO
K: Show more variety of people and their distinct styles.
A: Independent style.

HOW MANY TIMES IN A MONTH DO YOU SHOP?
K: Once. No kidding.
A: I don’t do monthly. IF I see something that’s worth a second look. I buy it.

On Komal: Full sleeved top, Skirt, skirt used as top, Stalkbuylove; Bag, Bags by Anqi; Shoes, Forever 21
On Ashi: Pants, shirt Koovs; Shoes, jacket, Forever 21

HOW MANY SHOES DO YOU OWN?
K: There was a time when I literally just had 5 or 6 pairs. Now, I think I have around 35. Could be more, actually.
A: 25 and counting.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP? ARE YOU THERE?
K: I still remember that I wanted to become a teacher for the longest time. When I grew up I wanted to be a CA, CS, PR expert, Journalist and a lot of other things. It was just two years ago that I realised my true passion: fashion and acting. I want to pursue that. Well, the idea of starting my own magazine, that would be quite cool. Very cool.
A: I always wanted to be a fashion designer. Now, the ultimate dream would be to have my own makeup line or a collaboration.

ONLY 3 MONTHS TO GO BEFORE 2017 IS HERE, WHAT IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS YEAR
K: Definitely, having this interview and getting into a whole new line of acting and creating videos.
A: 2016 has been a revelation of sorts. So, that’s the highlight for me.