She is a popular blogger from North-East India and has carved a niche for herself with her well-thought and well-designed content on the social media. Here is a conversation with popular blogger and influencer  Angelina Egi. 

Tell us about your journey. When did you realize you want to be a blogger/fashion influencer?

Honestly, I was always interested in fashion but I wasn’t confident enough to dress the way I do now. I think I was 17 when I started realizing self-worth and being confident. My life in fashion took a turn after I moved to Mumbai for studies.

Beauty tips everybody should know about

I don’t really have a lot of tips but please remove your makeup before going to bed and always make sure to cleanse, tone and moisturize after waking up and before going to bed.

Describe your style?

I think my style has evolved over the years but I think I’d say its grunge, cyberpunk vibe! I get inspiration from Harajuku fashion a lot.

How do you deal with trolls and negativity? What motivates you to be positive all the time?

I think I have faced a lot in life that made me strong enough to not pay attention to these.

Who is your inspiration and why?

Zendaya has always been my No.1 inspiration when it comes to fashion. I love how she carries herself and how she handles things in life is just amazing.

What, according to you, is the future of blogging?

I think this industry is going to grow further. A lot of people are getting the hang of it now. Lots of people refer to blog posts before they purchase anything. It will definitely help a lot of people reach out for their dreams.

Tell us about your daily routine?

It’s just waking up, creating content, playing games till I feel sleepy or watch movies with my friends on discord.

What are those three things one should keep in mind while styling?
? Express yourself
? Accessories
? Wear whatever you want and be confident about it.

Please list the best brands for us:

Moisturizer- Clinique, Isntree, Estee Lauder.
Mascara- Loreal, Too Faced
Eyeliner- Too Faced, Maybelline
Lipstick- I like Dior lipsticks and Mac
Foundation- Estee Lauder, Dior and Loreal
Concealer- Maybelline
Primer- Smashbox and Becca
Highlighter- Becca and Mac
Blush- Milani and Too Faced
Favourite bloggers- Santoshi, Cheri, Janice

Beauty hacks you use the most.

Vaseline for eyebrows, corrector, Mascara for eyeliner.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Confident, Unique, Creative

How would you describe your Instagram feed?

Oh it’s the girl with the black and white feed but now I have started adding RED!

What is the idea of a fun day to you?

I think it will be going out with friends to an arcade and then a movie later or probably some wine and games at home

Name one film that made an impact on you?

Sex and the City.

Walk us through your beauty routine

First skincare and then foundation concealer, eyeliner, eyebrow, brows, mascara, blush, some powder, highlighter and then setting spray.

Things you look for in a significant other

Loyal, trustworthy and gamer boy for sure!

What is your spirit animal?

Wolf

The newest word you added to your vocabulary

I haven’t added any!

A millennial you would like to swap life for a day

Zendaya

Quickest beauty fix

Mascara as a liner

The most adventurous thing you did last year?

Now that I am in quarantine. I’d say the whole year was an adventure

What is on your perennial to do list?

Wake up on time/ early

What’s on your Netflix queue?

It’s Korean drama. “Its okay to not be okay”

Unconventional and Unparalleled, Chola- The Label

Sohaya’s sartorial choices have found a home labeled ‘Chola’. She has successfully managed to earn the tag of being an unconventional designer in the fashion industry. Her clothes carved a niche in the society. It’s for everyone irrespective of age, shape, size and gender. Here, she verbalizes her journey.

The Brand ‘Chola- The Label’
I started the brand about 4 years ago. I started with a little experiment. I did not have any background in fashion education but I was styling from many years. So the brand came from that experience. I picked a lot of beautiful fabric- linen fabric and made some samples and then showcased them in a little pop up show in Bombay. They completely sold out. I think the clothes filled a niche which was not there in the industry. The clothes can be reconstructed, were over-sized but at the same time they were edgy. My whole concept was to have street style clothes and that fit every body type. I believe that gets clicked. We also did a photo shoot and Lakme fashion show saw the pictures and called me to be part of their next show. We did our first fashion show and ‘Chola’ has taken a life of its own since then.

Journey and growth…
It’s pretty much been an organic growth. I started with a little experiment and then we did Lakme fashion week and everything was instant. Within that year, people and the whole fashion fraternity appreciated what we were doing. It was like giving an exposure to them. Suddenly, everybody knew who we were and what we were doing. And when you get such a positive response, the growth is a little quicker. That is what happened since then. It was an upward kind of curve. We have won the Grazia award for fresh new label and we do once or twice Lakme fashion week a year. It is not been a huge trajectory but a slow growth. But there is definitely been a growth.

Inspiration behind the unconventional clothes…
When I started the collection, I did not have thirty sketches in my head. My information came from where my collection began and that was my fabric. I don’t embellish my fabrics. I do use prints but very slightly. The main hero of my garment is fabric; the main fall of it, the texture of it and the personality of it.

Words to describe ‘Chola’
Easy, Edgy, Fluid

Don’t follow trends
Actually, I am not really the one to follow trends. I think in terms of fashion there are trends that come in shapes, in colors and cuts. But I don’t think I govern them when I am working on my collection. So, I don’t really have authority to talk about trends and I believe people should make their own, what they are comfortable with and what excites them. That automatically becomes a trend.

Favourite historical era
My favourite historical era has to be the Victorian era. I love all the frills, the fancy, the big wigs, big dresses and skirts. There is so much drama in it. I also love the Vintage Indian fashion where they wore the saris in most sophisticated, glorious ways, always have their hair tide up and big sunglasses. I think it was amazing.

The idea behind anti fit terrain clothes
I like a person of any age, any size and any gender to be able to walk up to my studio and find something that works for them; something they love and something they feel beautiful in. That has always been my inspiration for anti- fit clothes and people shouldn’t feel they have to go and customize things according to their body type. You will always find something you will love on my rack.

Failures as learnings…
Of course, I believe you learn from your failures. If you don’t have failures how will you learn. First I had no fashion background, and then I had no professional learning in cutting and pattern making. So, it comes all pretty much from my head. I sit with my tailors and free cut a lot of my clothes. We sit on board and see how we can make it work. And finally you see the garment and see how it works, the joy boundless. Failures make success feel much better.

My style mantra
Edgy, easy, comfortable and always wear the clothes, don’t let the clothes wear you. Less is always more.

Journey from a stylist to a designer
I think what helped me with styling is I got to work with all kinds of people; with all kinds of body types and mindsets. That kind of made me fluid and easy. That made me learn not everybody fits in all kinds of garments. Everybody needs a little bit of pricking here and there, so that they always have something to carry off. Styling has taught me the integrity of designing. So I love them both.

Always evolving…
“I mean yes, whether you like it or not you are always changing and evolving. And we do follow our brand’s DNA and focus on sustainable designing in its ethos. Every collection is an evolution of a previous one. And what I like is that when people see my clothes, they always recognize what I have done. So, I love the fact that we are evolving but at the same time we are holding on to our basics.

Must have item in a wardrobe
An interesting white shirt

One treasured item in closet
I have infinity towards boots. I love my boots. I have couple of pairs which happens to be the most treasured item.

The best-dressed people globally
I like Victoria Beckham. I like the fact that she wears minimal, edgy, fashion forward kind of style. Maharani Gayatri Devi is my style icon. She makes me love all the vintage eras. Madonna, I believe she is always evolving, changing and reinventing herself. She is unapologetic. She does not wear clothes to make people happy. She just wears for herself.

The most defining moment of your career
My first fashion show. It was just a matter of 10 minutes and months of hard work. It’s like baring your soul to other people to judge you. Like what is she showing us? It’s a lot of pressure; it’s been exhilarating and thrilling. I love doing my shows.

One person you still dream of designing for
I am designing for my people; I say them my ‘Chola’ tribal. And they are the only people I love designing for.

Future plans for ‘Chola’
There never have been any plans and there never will be. It has taken a life of its own and I am just keeping up with it.

Sumaya has conviction and candour. One of the most recognized faces of national and international modeling arena, Sumaya has transformed from young ingénues into a polished women and successful model.

What made you turn to modelling? Walk us through your initial days in the industry?
There was an incident when all of my friends ditched me for mood indigo (IIT Bombay fest). I still decided to attend the fest alone only to get randomly scouted by Anima creatives, while strolling around the campus. At first my reaction to it was a big laugh as I never saw that spark in myself that models possess and now here I am.
In the beginning, I used to get very camera conscious. I actually remember this one shoot where the photographer asked everybody to leave the studio just to make me more comfortable and less conscious. With time I became better, still got so much to learn. I realised that it is never the spark or anything else that makes a model special but the natural attitude we are born with, the glam part adds up later.

How would you sum up your journey?
I have had my share of ups and downs at work. Rejections are never going to be easy to deal with but it has only taught me to do better and give my best, regardless of the outcome. That’s just all that matters!

What is the best beauty advice you’ve ever gotten?
A face roller. Its benefits are amazing. I was told about the wonders of a face roller by a senior makeup artist at a shoot in London and since then I haven’t stopped using it.

What did you want to be while growing up?
Ever since, I was a kid I wanted to join defence. The discipline, dedication and their lifestyle just seemed like my kind. I have been preparing to crack this army entrance for the past two years but clearly haven’t succeeded. But we never know what life has in store for us. Absolutely no regrets!

What, for you, is the best thing about your profession?
I think the best thing is the level of creativity that I am challenged to keep up with, at every shoot. It’s so exciting! Understanding the mood board and bringing out the vibe of the clothes or the prop through your expressions and connecting with the camera at the same time. I may sound like I am over thinking about this but I do believe that modelling needs us to be way more than just a pretty face.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
I don’t really have anyone in my mind like that. I do believe in keeping my morals intact and that way there are a lot of people who have it unmoved. I am influenced by all of them every day but no one in particular.

Is there a beauty tip that you follow religiously?
Toners for sure and sweating in the gym or while playing a game, makes my skin happy I feel.

What made modelling a significant part of your life?
For a long time, I didn’t think I had it in me to go on as a model considering the rough patches that every model goes through but since the time I realized and understood the routes better, I have been better.

If you had to describe your journey in one sentence, what would that be?
Bumpy roads are necessary to feel the bones.

What, qualities, according to you are necessary to sustain in modeling world?
Politeness, patience and professionalism.

What are the stereotypes about Indians that you’d like to change?
Racism and sexism are the top most traits that needs to change I guess, for humans in general and Indians especially.

What is your greatest indulgence?
I am a practitioner of a Buddhist meditation practice called Falun dafa for the past couple of years. I have found my spiritual path that was long coming. I am really grateful to Mark and Gunita ( Directors of Anima creatives) for introducing me to it. A practice based on three qualities of the universe: truthfulness, compassion and forbearance. It is so brutal that such a harmless and pure practice like Falun dafa is being persecuted in China and millions of innocent practitioners being killed mercilessly. Humanity owes to it to put an end to such an injustice.

Do you have a signature style?
Being Proper. Whether its street style or formal or anything high fashion, it needs to be Proper! Messy can be proper too.

A fashion trend you are currently obsessed with?
I am very much into bomber jackets and kitten heels, anything in metallic. I find colourful or printed stalkings very cute too!

An overused hashtag you’d never use
sorrynotsorry

What trait annoys you the most?
Unpunctuality.

What is your next holiday destination?
Ladakh.

Your favourite scent
Calvin Klein eternity women

Your spirit animal
An owl.

A turn off
Bad breath.

A perfect date
That starts with a good cup of coffee.

Favorite holiday destination
Can’t say yet. Egypt would be amazing though.

Favorite movie
300, Hobbit, Lord of the Rings

Favorite book
Chicken soup for teenage soul

Your comfort food
A burger anytime of the day

The most adventurous thing you did last year
Went out with a guy.

A fashion item you would never wear
Denims with floral prints on it.

Your pamper fix
Donuts

Quick step out ritual
Sunscreen, Brush eyebrows, Chapstick.

What makes you feel alive?
Meditation.

Your biggest splurge
Formal pants (don’t know why)

One superpower you wish to have
Invisibility.

One celebrity you would like to go on a date with
Channing Tatum, Cillian murphy, Jake Gyllenhaal (20 years back)

A millennial you would like to swap life with for a day?
Greta Thunberg

The newest word added to your dictionary?
Cantognake. Googled this term under the table while having coffee with this friend who had it tattooed on his arm. Loved the meaning.

A word that makes you cringe when you hear it?
‘…yo!’ , “y’all”

What is on your Netflix queue?
Peaky Blinders ( new episodes)

Favourite online store?
Amazon (comparing purposes)

All eyes on Needledust

Shirin Mann– the founder of Needledust has built a jewel studed empire. Shirin was an investigative journalist and gave up journalism to pursue her passion and love for juttis. Shirin has always been a shoe person! She always knew she would not be any other girl wearing stilettos with her Sabyasachi wedding lehnga. Shirin Mann, chose juttis over heels and that’s how it all began.

The idea and success story of ‘Needledust’
“I started looking for juttis and I found every jutti very mundane, gold, silver, black and brown. I had certain design of juttis in my mind- a gold zardozi with ghungroos, so I started looking for them. After a few days of search, I realized nobody is interested in designing those juttis because it was a dying handicraft. Finally, I had to find ‘karigars’ to do it for me. My friends and relatives came to my wedding, and they loved my juttis. During my research I realized that it was a dying handicraft and the karigars have taken every day jobs like rikshawpullers, and labourers. I decided to revive the handicraft in a small way again. In order to revive the jutti industry and make footwear with great quality of raw material, so that it also becomes stylish for high street and international fashion, Needledust was born.”

Vision behind the brand ‘Needledust’
“The goal of the company is to convert every girl into a Needledust girl. And, that every girl would love and feel comfortable to wear Needledust juttis. We were the first movers in contemporizing the juttis, when girls thought it cannot look stylish; Needledust started their business to make it more fashionable and trendy. I have spent a lot of time in R&D, and small details like why a jutti pinches. So, the cuts and curves of our juttis are very different from all the juttis ever made or are being made. Keeping in mind the comfort, we use 100 percent calf leather from registered tanneries. We use double pad to make sure the juttis are extremely comfortable and does not sit down. The front of the juttis is cut in a way to make your feet feel more slender and feminine. The designs of the juttis are extremely unique and extraordinary. Our basis of designing is to make something unimaginable in shoes. So, we do everything from Swarovski crystals to Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. The fact that Abu Jani wants to do collaboration with me was beyond my imagination, as they are an inspirational brand for me. We have done techniques that were never done before. We were the first Indian handicraft footwears to do Swarovski crystals collaboration. The idea was to bring Abu Jani’s designs on our juttis.”

Beginning…
“I was a journalist so, this was my first business idea to reinvent juttis and redo the juttis for contemporary fashion. The idea was to do traditional things into more classier and elegant way. Then we went on to doing metal fringes, 3D butterflies, a lot of pearls etc. The idea is to create everything for anyone who comes into the store.”

New learnings!
“I do not think there was any mistake I wish I could have avoided because every mistake has been a learning experience. If that mistake was not made, I would not be where I am today. For example, what kind of leather we should use, what sort of padding we should use, knowing that there are more than 20 types of beads and why we should use Japanese beads, it was not just mistakes. Because of all the research and our efforts, our juttis never tear, which is the most common thing in a jutti. Our juttis are cut in a way that they would never hurt your feet. Every profession has failures and when you are growing at a pace that you have never imagined, there will be roadblocks. I still do not sleep if I have something big the next day. For me, even if a single client complaints, that’s a failure. I want to maintain 100 percent satisfaction level for every Needledust customer.”

Future plans
“The plan is to open more national and international stores. We would like to reach as much people as we can. Our website ships to over 170 countries. We hope to venture into men’s footwear and more women’s footwear. Quality is non-negotiable for me.”

Reviving the Jutti industry and challenges
“The most important part of my whole business journey was to revive the jutti industry and to sustain employment. The highest pay role in my company is a woman. The idea is to increase women employment. My biggest challenge is that we want to get more people on boards since we are expanding but a lot of karigars are hired to copy our designs based on seasons. When the season is over they lose their job. I try my best to provide a job security to all the karigars working with me. The second is knock-off markets. We spend a lot of time on our designs and in making them but somehow they copy and sell them for cheap.”

Chandigarh as the new ‘Needledust’ home!
“This is where I belong (Chandigarh), my family, friends, relatives, all are from Chandigarh. It is like homecoming. I am a Chandigarh girl, and I did not know what to do for this city. People do not realize the potential of our city; we do a lot of great things.”

Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla collaboration
“I have my dream collaboration with Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Swarovski crystals and only at the Chandigharh store, we are starting customizations on Swarovski. We have made juttis for Priyanka and Deepika on their wedding. We have also worked in movies like Padmavat and Veere Di Wedding.
Deepika specified in terms of colour and packaging for her wedding juttis. She picked two juttis from Needledust which was silver and gold, going with the theme of her wedding. She gave these juttis to 200 guests. She was very specific of the colour and kind of packing we were doing for her. Priyanka just wanted to do a pop-up of colours for her wedding. They picked from our design which was amazing. Sonam Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan are big fans of Juttis too.”

Advice for novices
“Do not listen to the people who just comment negative things. People kept telling me who would wear juttis but I was passionate enough to ignore those comments and started off.”
“Today Needledust house 25 families of jutti makers and sponsor their kids education and staying.”