How Creator Ishita Mangal 'Stitches' Fashion With Threads Of Humour

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Imagine stumbling upon a force in the fashion world that not only captivates with style but also leaves you in stitches with her wit and humour. Meet Ishita Mangal, who seamlessly combines fashion and humour to redefine the landscape of fashion. Her unique approach infuses informative content with a refreshing dose of sarcasm, setting her apart as an original in the world of content creators. What's truly amazing is Mangal's unyielding commitment to authenticity, refusing to succumb to fleeting trends driven by FOMO. Her style is not just fashionable; it's sassy and real, offering a perspective that resonates with women seeking both trendiness and genuineness.

From Fashion Label Owner to Social Media Creator

As a fashion designer, she once owned her own label and managed her business with dedication. However, when the pandemic hit, sustaining the business became a challenge, leading to the unfortunate closure of her store. Determined to pivot and adapt, she turned to social media, where she had already been creating videos to showcase her clothing designs. Initially intended as a means to engage with potential customers, her videos gained traction and amassed a growing audience.

Infusing Authenticity into Fashion Content

However, in the vast sea of fashion content flooding social media platforms, standing out requires more than just showcasing stylish outfits and trendy looks. For Mangal, she felt, "The journey to carving my niche in this saturated space has been one fueled by authenticity." She shares, "By the time I started making fashion content, especially on Instagram, there was a lot of saturation in fashion content already. And for me, while that is wonderful content, it didn't feel like me." 

Recognising the need for content that resonated with her true self, Mangal sought to extend her personality beyond just the realm of fashion. "I needed to do something that was an extension of me beyond just the fashion aspect of things," she explains. 

With a keen awareness of the issues faced by women and a natural inclination towards humour, Mangal found the perfect intersection to explore through her content. "Addressing the issues that women face through humour because both of them are a part of me," she elaborates. "Humour is just my way of being."  Despite uncertainties about how her audience would receive this unique approach, she remained true to herself, viewing the endeavour as an organic extension of her personality. "At the time, we didn't know if the audience was going to like it or resonate with it," she admits. "It was a fluke; for all I knew, I thought that I would be hated for putting things in a sarcastic way." 

Audience Resonance and Acceptance

However, Mangal’s fears were unfounded, as her audience embraced her unconventional style with open arms. "I'm very grateful that the audience also resonated with that," she acknowledges. 

In Ishita Mangal's world, fashion and humour intertwine seamlessly, creating a space where everyday thoughts and musings are transformed into relatable and entertaining content. "Even when I'm getting ready, I think about these things," she shares, highlighting how her content reflects the inner dialogue many women experience. From contemplating the symbolism of red lipstick to pondering the allure of red flags, she recalls. "In fact, it felt like I was putting in extra effort when I was not doing that."

As her content has gained traction over the years, the creator acknowledges the audience's expectations while also striving to innovate and keep her content fresh. "Now, there's an expectation even from the audience," she notes. "But now we try to put it in different ways." 

For the same purpose, she introduced her latest series, "Ishtates of India," through which she embarks on a creative journey to celebrate the diverse cultures and craftsmanship of India. "Ishtates of India is a series that we started because we really wanted to focus on our culture, the handloom industry, and the handicraft industry in India," she explains.

Striving to add her own unique twist to the project, Mangal found inspiration in incorporating different languages into her content. "The idea actually came from using different languages for different states. By seamlessly blending language diversity with cultural exploration, Mangal aims to engage and educate her audience in an entertaining manner.  With "Ishtates of India," Ishita seeks to captivate the younger generation, inspiring them to embrace and appreciate the rich heritage of India through a lens of entertainment and creativity.

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Behind the Scenes: A Meticulous Journey

From conceptualization to execution, Ishita Mangal's behind-the-scenes process is a meticulous journey fueled by research, authenticity, and cultural sensitivity. "The first step for us is always research," she explains, emphasising the importance of understanding the intricacies of each state's traditions and attire.

Delving deep into the handloom industry, she and her team strive to promote local artisans and avoid mass-market brands. However, sourcing authentic products poses a significant challenge, requiring extensive effort to ensure the integrity of each look. "You can't mess up the look in any capacity in a series like that," she emphasizes, highlighting the careful curation undertaken by her styling team.

Scripting presents another hurdle as Mangal navigates the delicate balance between humour and cultural respect. "The challenge here is not to make the episode, but to ensure that the content resonates with the audience without causing offence," she explains. With filming and editing completing the process, Mangal's dedication to authenticity and entertainment shines through in each episode of her series.

Building a Connection

In the conclusion of the interview, Mangal reflects on the unique connection she shares with her audience, driven by her distinct personal style and quirky fashion sense. She recalled receiving messages from followers expressing gratitude for her style tips and tricks. "I put the trick on one of the videos, and somebody sent me a DM saying, 'Oh, I use your trick. And I got a lot of compliments for it."