Mitali Ambekar is a Mumbai based fashion and celebrity wardrobe stylist. Her experience in the fashion industry has spanned over a decade. She has also established her name as a visiting lecturer/ fashion educator at several notable fashion institutes across India.
Mitali has worked on several print campaigns, digital films, television commercials, ramp shows, personal client requirements, pageants and events. She has also worked on a few notable music videos and jingles. The most popular one being ‘Udd Gaye’ by Ritviz for Bacardi house party sessions among others.Some of Mital’s celebrity clients include names like Malaika Arora Khan, Amrita Prakash, Arbaaz Khan, Prachi Desai, Karishma Tanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadda, Mugdha Godse, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Muzammil Ibrahim, Monica Bedi to name a few.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
Being a defense kid, I have had an extremely hybrid experience growing up living in different environments and interacting with diverse people. My schooling was across 12 different schools followed by a 4-year fashion communication course from Symbiosis Institute of Design.
Subsequently, I worked for a few years and then attained my master’s degree in Fashion and Luxury brand management from Instituto Marangoni, Milan.
I was a tomboy until my 10th grade and didn’t even understand the fuss of fashion. I always had a creative bone in me, after my 12th grade, the decision to pursue a career in fashion was a turning point in my life.
I quickly enrolled into a design college. Slowly the love for fashion grew and I started working in the industry alongside my studies. Hard work and consistency helped me gain recognition and develop my work aesthetics.
It’s been more than a decade since I have been a part of this industry and there has been no looking back. In this span, I have worked with several celebrities, styled numerous television commercials, print campaigns and music videos.
2. What has been the most challenging part of your profession?
The biggest challenge of being a stylist is to constantly upgrade oneself. Competition in the fashion industry is cut-throat and stylists have to make their own mark in order to succeed.
As a stylist one comes across thousands of visuals and ideas. One needs to find a way to separate themselves from this clutter and carve a niche.
3. How would you describe your style?
A good stylist is one who is able to create and adapt their style sensibilities according to a client or a brief. Personally, my styling technique is very conceptual and experimental.
Creative and avant-garde shoots peak my interest. My style sensibilities are strongest while working with drapes. I like to add mixed media elements into my style creations.
4. How important is it to be in sync with changing trends?
Trends awareness is a vital part of being a stylist. Fashion trends are cyclic and one needs to be relevant at all times. A professional stylist will do their homework in order to build credibility and add value to their clients. I believe that one needs to know all the rules to break them!
5. Can you share some advice for aspiring designers?
One needs to have a genuine interest in fashion in order to succeed. It is not a mandate to have formal education in fashion, but it certainly provides an edge over the others. An eye for detail, good understanding of colors and shades, different body types and the fit is usually a prerequisite.
In my opinion the best source of attaining knowledge is by assisting or working on live projects with established professionals.
6. Who has been your role model and why?
Grace Coddington, the former Creative director of American Vogue has been my all-time inspiration. Her distinct vision and wide style range is extraordinary. She is known for her childlike view of fashion with which she has created several pieces of timeless fashion art.
7. What is your Mantra for success?
It takes years of handwork, consistency and a dash of luck to be an overnight success. My mantra for success is to never give up. Don’t quit until you achieve the end goal. If you aren’t there yet, you must be really close!
Mitali Ambekar
Instagram id : @mitsamby
Interviewed by Adit Koul
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