Category: Q&A

Spotlight: Sherry Shroff


Meet model-turned-blogger-turned-YouTuber Sherry Shroff. Warm and bubbly, her #awesomesauce lies in her authenticity and genuine love for what she does. If you have caught even the slightest glimpse of her channel, you know exactly what I mean. From how to grow and sustain a channel to how she handles hate, she spoke to HHC about it all. Excerpts from a chat: 

Before we begin, can we take a minute to trace the history of hashtag awesomesauce?
I don’t remember where I saw it for the first time and I don’t claim to have invented it but it was one of those things that caught my eye in the digital boom. You know how some words just catch on? This one stayed with me because it’s pretty much the summary of my thought process: life is great and everything is amazing. Somewhere down the line, people began identifying #awesomesauce with me because I say it a lot. Let’s just say I am a big repeater of words!

How did you discover the world of video?
It all started when I was modeling. Friends started asking me for fashion and beauty advice so I began writing a blog. It was the thing to do and I enjoyed fashion but I had no intention to monetize it. Soon after, I realized that a blog would never be my strength. I was a terrible writer, my spellings were atrocious and it used to take me a whole day to write one post! I remember asking myself: Why am I writing this if I can’t write?
Around the same time, I was approached by a network for a video blogging format and I took it up as just as another modeling assignment. After about 9-10 months, I took a leap of faith and decided to start my own channel. I shot my first video on my webcam at a hotel in Rajasthan and that video is still on my channel! 

What is the secret ingredient in your #awesomesauce?
I have only one secret: Content is king. It’s cliche, but also true. You can buy as many followers as you like, but if your content is not good, you won’t grow. I’m also a big fan of keeping things organic, that’s the only way to sustain yourself.
I feel lucky to have my own channel. I wake up thinking about content to create. I don’t have a bank of videos and I don’t schedule anything. I don’t think of fancy brand collaborations or how many subscribers I want in five years. For me, it’s never been about numbers. At the end of the day, as a blogger or YouTuber, you are your viewership. So don’t be fake, stay organic, focus on the content and that’s the secret to #awesomesauce!

And lastly, how do you deal with hate?
It’s part of the process. You have to realize and acknowledge that you can’t please everyone. I am a people pleaser by nature. I respond to people even if they are being obnoxious. If anyone is abusive, I delete, block and report but only after letting them know that it won’t be tolerated on my channel. I don’t want to give that person the satisfaction of trying to bully me. Today it’s me, tomorrow it’s going to be a young 14-year-old creator who doesn’t know how to defend himself or herself.
Often, people don’t know if they are being rude or constructive. Haters think that if you are putting yourself out there, you better listen to them. There are no filters on the internet so it’s very easy to throw shade on someone with just a random name and email or picture. I think it’s important to take criticism constructively, but it’s more important not to be affected by the voices.

Images via Sherry’s Instagram. Check out her channel here.

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5 Minutes With Rahul Mishra


Exactly six years ago, I had asked Rahul Mishra where he wants to see his label 10 seasons on. “It is my dream to be the best ‘handmade in India’ label in the world. Right now India is the place to be so I am in no rush to go overseas but eventually I definitely see a stronger international presence.” Talent, ambition, prophecy or dream and in his case, a combination of it all, Rahul Mishra made this one come true.

Born and raised in Kanpur’s Malhausi, he went on to become the first Indian to win the International Woolmark Prize in 2014 and is now a regular at Paris Fashion Week. His last collection, Infinity, received rave reviews and Rahul is trying not to bask in the glorious reviews. (His humility is almost as well known as his poetic philosophy). He spoke to HHC from his home in Noida:

FIVE FACTS
DoB: 7 November 1979
Education: Dr. Veerendra Swaroop Education Center, Kanpur University, NID, Istituto Marangoni Milan
First piece designed: A crisp white shirt, for himself.
Turning point of career: Kerala Mundu Classroom Project at NID. “It helped me develop my language as a designer.”
Currently reading: “I don’t read but I watch a lot of docu-series on Netflix. Right now I’m watching Genius.”

Pointillism found its way to the Rahul Mishra atelier for Infinity, his recent PFW collection, after an inspiring night spent at the Pompidou soaking in Van Gogh and Paul Signac

How did your early years influence the person you are today and how did you end up in fashion?
I grew up in a small village called Malhausi in western Uttar Pradesh. My childhood was beautiful, surrounded by nature to the extent that you are almost communicating with the animals and trees! That life shaped my being and the way I am today. I actually ended up in fashion almost by accident! I wanted to be an artist or a filmmaker and gave entrance exams to various colleges. I got through NID (The National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad) and as a science graduate, the only course I was qualified to study was apparel design. NID initiated a process of learning and observing things around me that continued to stay with me — I learn something every day! It could be from a garment, a collection, some feedback, a sale, or a mistake… It’s the learning that keeps me motivated. 

Legendary journalist Suzy Menkes went backstage before the Paris show to get up close with the pieces. Suzy later said she was privileged to have gone backstage to appreciate the extraordinary elements of Rahul’s craft

What is the difference in the design process when you are showcasing at PFW vis-à-vis fashion week in India?
We have to approach the two very differently. For Paris, it has to be a collection that has evolved from the previous (collection). So, while design-wise we look for inspiration from the past, it’s also about dreaming and sharing that dream with everybody in the team, right from the embroiders to the designers. Separates are usually top-sellers and the runway looks are created by my stylist. In India, we showcase our couture line — mostly bridal and occasion wear. We have to think about the entire look, from head-to-toe. The entire outfit is decided in-house and the design process is based on that image.

In this hashtag-driven world, Rahul Mishra would pick “#HandmadeLuxury” to describe the DNA of his brand

What kind of pressure does the ‘Made in India’ tag bring with it?
There’s an inherent strength when you talk about ‘Made in India’ because of the beautiful handmade craft and culture that we have to offer but unfortunately, due to the rise of fast fashion, India is often associated with mass production and cheap labour. This mindset often poses as an obstacle but things are changing slowly. The biggest fashion houses in the world produce their hand embroideries in India and it’s sad that they don’t carry the ‘Made in India’ label. I think it’s time to fix that.

 

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Q&A Wednesday With Neha Dhupia


1. Blackberry or Iphone: Blackberry!

2. Favorite travel find: Marked down designer wear and vintage stores.

3. Favorite accessory: Watches & sun-glasses.

4. First extravagant purchase: Diamonds!

5. Most treasured purchase: Shoes… all of them!

6. Necessary extravagance: Designer clothes!

7. Perfume: Quelque Fleurs.

8. Day bag: Prada, Hermes, Chanel.

9. Evening bag: Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen & Chanel.

10. Watch: Tag Heuer

11. Jeans or Dresses: Dresses

12. Flats or Heels: Flats and heels

13. Fashion trend that needs to go: Bling!

14. Style Icon: Sarah Jessica Parker.

15. Your one fashion WTHeyyy!!! moment: You guys know best. ha!ha!

Neha Dhupia

Photo Credit: Viral Bhayani

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Q&A Wednesday With Masaba


1. Blackberry Or Iphone: Blackberry

2. First extravagant purchase: Cartier watch

3. Most treasured purchase: At an auction I bought a dress signed and worn by Serena Williams when I played tennis professionaly. It was the only one Nike ever made for her and I own it :D !

4. Necessary extravagance: Shoes!

5. Day bag: Gucci/Louis Vuitton

6. Evening bag: Black Chanel

7. Watch: Guess collection in jhataaak gold!

8. Jeans or Dresses: Jeans

9. Heels or Flats: Gandhijis khadaus. Seriously!

10. Favorite discovery (fashion or otherwise): Sip on hot water through the day for a flat belly at night/ red wine is a great lip stain instead of the branded ones! :)

11. Your Design Influences: My bai (she wears rani pink/purple and lime green together n she looks FAB!) / women at construction sites and villagers

12. Itching to dress: Beyonce. Sonam Kapoor.

13. Style Icon: My domestic help (bai)

14. Fashion trend that needs to go: Dressing like a chandilier on your wedding day, there are enough lights in your venue.

15. Your One Fashion WTHeyyy!!! Moment: A volumnious net and satin dress for new years. I looked like a psycho fairy who got stood up!

Masaba

Photo Credit: Viral Bhayani

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Q&A Wednesday With Shazahn Padamsee


1. Blackberry Or Iphone: Blackberry

2. Favorite Discovery (fashion or otherwise): Contact lenses

3. Favorite Accessory: Hairbands

4. First Extravagant Purchase: Jimmy Choo heels

5. Most Treasured Purchase: My diamond solitaire ring gifted to me by my dad

6. Necessary Extravagance: Branded day bags

7. Perfume: CK Into You

8. Day Bag: Louis Vuitton galleria

9. Evening Bag: Jimmy Choo purse

10. Watch: Rolex

11. Jeans Or Dresses: Dresses

12. Flats Or Heels: Flats… FITFLOPS to be specific, they’re awesome.

13. Fashion Trend That Needs To Go: Shoulder pads

14. Style Icon: Nicole Richie

15. Your One Fashion WTHeyyy!!! Moment: When I once wore a red dress and my hair colour (then) looked orange in the lights

Shazahn Padamsee

Photo Credit: Viral Bhayani

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