Monalisha Mahapatra - You Will Fail, Learn from It and Try Again. Do Not Give Up (Fashion Blogger with 299K+ followers)

Fashion is always changing and it will continue to grow, new trends are derived from the old ones. For eg, maxi skirts are a big hit this season and so are the new generation wearing a cotton saree. Gone are the days when people were afraid to not wear a certain outfit. 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I come from a defense background, I am a proud defense brat. My dad serves the airforce for 20 long years and we as a family have thoroughly enjoyed our time. My father was born in a small town in West Bengal. I am so glad that he paved his way to chase his big dream hence I am here today, I always tell him thank you for moving out to a big city and making your place because I wouldn’t be here otherwise.

We have moved quite a lot because of my dad's job and the last stop for his was Delhi. I did my schooling at KVS, graduated from Gargi College, Delhi University, and post-graduation in Delhi too. I did my graduation in botany with honors and then got into CAD/CAM for a master's, which was a 360-degree turn for me. 

Even after my master's, I didn’t want to take that as my professional work. But god has his ways to tell you what is it that will make you happy right. I had gotten a job at a wonderful company as a designer and when I was looking for some inspiration for my mood board I found there’s this term called blogging on Pinterest. 

Left that job, and took up jibes in two more companies after but didn’t really enjoy the culture and left it forever. Meanwhile Did some research and made a simple WordPress blog and shared my pictures and content on Facebook. 

And because of how small and tight the community pages were back then my website got more than 1000 clicks in a day and later I started posting my own pictures on Instagram. I was posting my pictures every day and did some research on what blogging is in India, there were only like 5-6 people who were doing this and I dogged deep on how they work and then I started posting on Instagram too not knowing it’s will be a bread and butter haha.

 Now the funny part is I used to do a lot of photography gigs when I was in Gargi and some of my photographer friends took my pictures because they said hey Mona, you have lovely eyes can we take some pictures. 

And why will I girl say no to a professional camera shot right? And I used to post those pictures on my Facebook around 2012 and we had a small community of photographers around that time. I used to love going on these walks called the photo walks, wherein you take pictures of people, art, food, and all things around and just a lovely community. 

I had gathered a lot of my pictures as a muse to my friends then and that’s how everything started as a model. The community back then wasn’t as huge as it is now like Instagram. That led to some modeling gigs as well.

 
2. What led you to start your page on Instagram?

2013 is when I started posting, Well I was into photography and then posting when I was in college. I used to anyway post my pictures on Instagram ever since I was in my master's. But only after I learned what blogging was I started posting my pictures only and started tagging the brands. 

And I kid you not some people were trigged why I am tagging brands or posting pictures. 

Some of my friends used to text me saying why are you showing off my clothes on Instagram just because I was tagging the bards or writing about fashion, let alone getting professional shots from modeling. Look at me now .

And within 3 months a brand reached out to me and said we will give you clothes on barter as well as 3k will you post about us online. And since then I never looked back.

3. Do you think that there will be a new style statement or fashion obsession with the new normal? If so what would be your choice and why?

Fashion is always changing and it will continue to grow, new trends are derived from the old ones. For eg, maxi skirts are a big hit this season and so are the new generation wearing a cotton saree. Gone are the days when people were afraid to not wear a certain outfit. 

With the internet, we have a pool of so many things to learn and I myself do not understand half of the fashion aesthetics that are present in today’s generation. Minimalism and Desi aesthetics are my favorites.

4. Is it financially sustainable to be a fashion blogger today?

It’s very much is, if you want to build blogging as a brand go for it and treat it like a business. Try and experiment and see what’s working for you. 

There are not just one but many ways to earn from blogging just widen your horizons. 

To name a few, one can earn from brand deals once they are a bit established, build your own clothing label, affiliate marketing, thrift store, styling sessions, and makeup sessions the opportunities are endless right now and they will continue to grow. 

However, you’ll have to make sure your brand is a reflection of you and polish it.

5. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?

My mantra is very simple, just be consistent and do not lose hope. You will fail, learn from it and try again. Do not give up. 

And please be kind to everyone around. We do not entertain anyone who treats people badly. I am very strict with my work ethic, and I am a very professional and punctual person. One thing that irks me the most is latecomers. 

Also, how can I forget I always dress for the occasion.

6. Who is your favorite fashion blogger and why?

Mai apni favorite hun but I am in awe of Leonine Hannah, I absolutely abide by her. I do try to incorporate her style in my videos too.

7. Do you have any tips for people who want to join this field?

Don't do it just for fame or money, because this is a serious business and you would need a lot of consistency to be somewhere or even earn a dime. 

Also, it’s now always rosy and sunshine all the time. You’ll have to work hard and just be ready to get your goals achieved. And just be patient with yourself while creating content.

And most importantly have fun with it.

8. Which is your favorite book and why?

Courtney Peppernell, Pillow Thoughts just because I am a sucker for beautiful poems.

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Interviewed By - Priya

Edited By - Aarya Gode