Why I Love Styling

In Conversation with Sadhana Ranabhat

 

1. Can you tell us about yourself? 

I am a Fashion Stylist and a Fashion Designer. Besides that, I also do make-up sometimes. Mostly, I work as a freelancer. Whatever it is, make-up, styling or designing, I am doing freelancing. So, I graduated from Namuna College of Fashion Technology, Bansbari and have completed 3 years of Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Designing.

 

Yeah, it’s been one and a half year since I graduated and it’s been about 2-3 years that I have been actively working in the Fashion field. Before that, I had been doing volunteering and internships in various events. Along with that, I have worked as a make-up artist in various fashion shoots, fashion shows, and do bridal makeover too now and then. Moreover, I have done creative make-ups for college events such as graduation show projects, poster photo shoot and fashion shows. 

 

2. Were you interested in fashion designing since your childhood? 

I started having an interest in Fashion since I was a teenager. I had read an article about Fashion Designing when I was in Grade 6-7 where I saw some fashion sketches which I found attractive and I started developing interest in it. It was only after then that I started researching fashion designing and started finding Fashion Designing fascinating.

 

3. Who inspired you to become a Fashion Stylist?

More than being inspired, I would say that I enjoyed doing photo shoots. I relish styling for photo shoots mainly because at times, you do not like the outfits selected for the shoots. But when you take a lead to style, you get to choose outfits considering the interest and theme of the team. To sum up, I would say that because of my interest in marketing and photo shoot sector, I turned out to become a Fashion Stylist.

 

4. What are some of your works?

Some of my works include styling for Wow magazine’s cover for October issue, styling for Dulla shoes, poster shoots for Dhanushree Jewelers and Gahana Griha. Aside from that, I have been working with different photographers and make-up artists collaboratively for various photo shoots. The most recent shoot that I have done is for ‘K Launey’ clothing store.

 

5. Where are your go-to places to shop? 

Personally, it depends. I mostly shop in Naxal areas, KDA, Lane 88, and sometimes from Bhatbhateni if I find some casual clothes. I don’t have a particular place to shop in. At times, I even buy from footpath vendors if I encounter something that I like. I would say that no matter what you buy, it should be comfortable and it will look nice if you wear it cooperatively.

 

6. What are your go-to outfits?

For normal days, I look for comfort wear and like loose outfits. For winters, I opt for plazos, sweat sweaters and trench coats. For summers, I am fond of colourful outfits; I generally wear slippers, half pants and t-shirt. Besides that, for any special events, I like Edgy looks and semi-formals.

 

7. What is the most favourite styling that you have done? 

Up to now, my most favourite styling that I’ve done would be editorial-based shoot for an online magazine named Sync in which I had collaborated with photographer-Kiroz Manandhar, makeup artist-Suni Magar and model-Renuca Singh Thakuri.

 

8. Who are your favourite Nepali stylist and International stylist?

My favorite Nepali Stylist would be Peppy Owl for the reason that she has great knowledge about fashion; I love her personality and her works. My other favorite Nepali stylist Uzu (Ojashwi Shrestha); she is the sweetest and has a humble personality. More than that, she has a great sense of styling and owns her own unique brand, ‘Uzu ko avenue’.

Talking about international, I like British Vogue’s former stylist and Fashion Director, Lucinda Chambers. I normally follow designers and fashion editors too. I like Anna Wintour who is a journalist and who has been editor-in-chief of Vogue. Other than that, I like a designer brand called ‘House of CB’; I really like their concepts for photo shoots.

9. What is your styling mantra?

Umm, I don’t have a specific styling mantra as such but I rather choose to play around with the current trends, seasons, and themes, whatever outfits are available in the market, mix it up and try to create something new out of it.

 

10. Tips for future stylists

I would say that it‘d be beneficial for them if they research the background knowledge for the Fashion industry. Furthermore, its present generation’s work to push Nepal’s market and widen it even more. I would also suggest future stylists not to put too much expectation. Rather, be acquainted with the market needs and get the idea of how to work with a team.

 

Rapid-fire:

· Favorite holiday destination: Italy

· All-time favourite fashion: T-shirt, shorts and slippers

· What is your dream job? Work as a Fashion Stylist in the International market as well.

· What is one food you wouldn’t want to give up? Selroti. I just love it.

· What makes your smile? My family and my sister. 

· What makes you angry? Unprofessional people who try to become too close beside work.

· Things you would change about yourself? My sleeping habits and thinking.

· What are your interests, hobbies other than fashion styling? Travelling and cooking.

· The celebs that you’d most love to dress?

Well (laughs) I have not thought about this but if given a chance I would like to style, Mr. Rajesh Hamal. I like his personality.

· Upcoming work- Mega Model Season 4’s stylist for Image Channel

Message/ Thought: Nepal’s market is very limited and styling too has not flourished much due to which it might get difficult sometimes to play around with creativity. So, I wish new designers and stylists show up in this industry. New designers and stylists have been coming up and if this increases at the same pace, maybe, our market will grow much more.