📸 In this episode of Figuring Fashion Podcast, Host Arvind Karthik sits down with Amar Ramesh, one of South India’s elite wedding photographers with 750+ weddings across 22 countries, a string of prestigious awards, and an entrepreneurial journey that redefined the wedding photography industry. They discuss about the following

✨ Amar’s Tipping Point – How he started photography and got his first wedding in Tnagar. 💡 Full-Time Photographer? – How to know if you’re mentally and financially ready to go pro. 👑 Premium Photographer Secrets – Amar’s journey to placing himself as a premium brand. 🎥 Cinematic Over Traditional – Bold decisions that set Amar apart from the crowd. 🎨 Art vs Business – Why photographers shouldn’t just become service providers. 🚀 Building an Aspirational Brand – Amar’s strategy to become one of the most sought-after photographers. 🤝 Team Culture & Growth – How to retain talent and inspire your team. 🌍 Global Learnings – Corporate lessons from the US applied to wedding photography. 📱 Instagram & Validation – Should artists rely on social media for credibility? 🏆 3 Attributes of Success – Traits every successful photographer and entrepreneur needs. ⏳ Industry Reality Check – Delays in delivering photos & videos, and the race to zero pricing. 💸 Payment Mishaps – How to protect your business and get paid on time. 💃 Fashion Meets Photography – Bringing South Indian fashion to the global spotlight. ❤️ Partnerships & Support – The role of a romantic partner in a creative career.👉 Whether you’re starting your photography journey, scaling your business, or just curious about the secrets behind premium wedding photography, this episode is packed with insights you can’t miss.

Timecodes

(00:00) Highlights(02:19) Getting into Photography (05:42) When Should you follow your Passion?(12:59) Becoming a Premium Photographer (17:07) Taking Bold Decision - Photography & Business (19:27) Photographers : Don't Become Event managers !(23:41) Becoming a Dream Photographer (27:19) Building a Team that Never Leaves You !(32:31) What I learnt working in USA(35:32) Should Photographer get Validation from Instagram?(39:39) 3 Things I See in Successful Photographer & Entreprenuer(45:24) Commercial Success vs Aesthetics(48:58) Delay in Album & Photos Delivery (53:18) Avoid Payment delays & Mishaps (57:05) Heavy Competition in Photography !(1:00:46) Bringing Out South Indian Fashion (1:03:11) Technology Made Photographers Lazy?(1:06:44) Wife/GF/BF role in a Photographer's Success !(1:08:38) Question From Previous Guest (1:09:33) End Of Podcast

🚨 In this episode of Figuring Fashion Podcast, Host Arvind Karthik chats with Salomi Rinita Diamond, a top bridal makeup artist who's worked with over 1000 brides and high-profile celebrities like Mega Akash, Manjima Mohan, Kalidas Jayram, Tarini Kalingarayar, Ritu Varma, and more! 💄✨ How did Diamond Artistry begin? Hear about Salomi’s journey from starting her own bridal makeup team to building an empire trusted by celebrities.💍 Bridal Makeup Expectations Over Time – What’s changed in how brides and grooms approach their big day’s look? Salomi breaks down the transformation from 2015 to 2025.🌟 The Green Room Is Sacred – Why does Salomi refuse to let too many people into the bride’s prep space? It’s a delicate balance between the sacred and the stressful!💰 Payment Delays in Bridal Makeup – Let’s talk reality: Salomi shares her experiences with payment issues in the wedding industry and why having transparency is crucial for any makeup artist.👑 Celebrity Clients vs Regular Brides – What’s the difference in how celebrities and regular brides approach their wedding looks? Salomi reveals how she customizes the look for each client.🚨 3 Tips Every Bride Needs to Know – Salomi’s top bridal beauty tips, from hydration to flawless makeup that lasts all day.💥 Why Salomi Doesn’t Do Trial Makeup – Get the inside scoop on why Salomi doesn’t offer bridal trials and what that means for the bride’s final look.💎 Expectations vs Reality in Celebrity Weddings – Salomi shares what celebrity clients truly expect from their makeup artist and how she balances their high standards.🔥 Work-Life Balance as a Makeup Artist – Salomi spills the tea on how she manages to stay on top of her game while balancing life as a makeup artist and entrepreneur.👑 Teamwork and Leadership – Discover how Salomi keeps her team motivated, her secrets to retaining talented MUAs, and how teamwork makes Diamond Artistry shine.🌿 The Importance of Using the Right Makeup Products – Salomi discusses her go-to products for both luxury and drugstore makeup brands and how to pick the best for your bridal clients.📈 Building a Bridal Makeup Business – From structuring your pricing to managing your brand, Salomi shares actionable business insights for makeup artists looking to grow in this competitive field.Whether you’re a budding makeup artist or a bride-to-be, this episode is packed with knowledge that will help you level up your craft and make informed decisions!    Timecodes (00:00) Highlights (01:49) Introduction

(02:29) Story of Diamond Artistry

(04:54) Bride’s & Groom's Expectations in 2025

(07:48) Are Makeup Trails Necessary ?

(12:27) Lighting's importance for Makeup

(14:45) Rule to follow while getting a Bride Ready

(16:38) Ideal time to get a bride ready

(19:04) Makeup Artists are Disrespected?

(22:18) Working as a team in Makeup

(25:05) Team management for Makeup Artists

(26:53) Payment issues and Delays in Makeup Industry

(35:34) Pricing Strategy for Makeup Artists

(40:36) Should a MUA stay for entire event?

(42:56) How to get Celebrity Clients ?

(44:56) Celebrities expectation from a makeup artist

(54:50) Achieving similar look on brides and celebrities

(55:57) 3 do’s and don’ts for a bride

(59:58) What if Salomi is a bride?

(01:02:36) Makeup products that Professionals Love

(01:04:19) Drugstore vs Luxury Makeup Brands

(01:06:53) Work-life balance as a Makeup Artist

(01:10:28) Becoming a better MUA every year

(01:11:55) Do this if you are starting as MUA in 2025

(01:15:23) Highs & Lows for MUAs

(01:18:35) Upgrading as MUA

(01:21:06) Salomi's Worksop Abroad

(01:21:59) End of podcast

🎙️ In this episode of Figuring Fashion Podcast we sit down with fashion designer Vivek Karunakaran, a true trailblazer in the fashion industry! 🎬👗 From Fashion Student to GQ’s Best Dressed Man: Hear about Vivek’s journey from NIFT to being featured in GQ’s Best Dressed Men for 4 years. 🌟

👔 Bandi’s and Shackets Obsession: Dive into his unique love for Bandi’s and Shackets, and how he creates timeless layers for men where he also shares tips to build perfect wardrobe. 👚

🎨 IDAM - A Fashion Revolution: Get an inside look at the story behind his new collection, IDAM, and how Tamil culture influences his designs. ✨

💡 Customization in Fashion: VK discusses why customization isn’t always a designer’s choice and how he navigates the delicate balance. 👗

🎥 Celebrities, Showstoppers, and Models: Why VK avoids celebrity showstoppers and gives full credit to models for showcasing his designs. 🎬

🎓 Fashion Education and Internships: Learn why VK believes every fashion graduate should work for free to gain real-world experience. 💼

🛍️ Slow Fashion and Evergreen Outfits: Discover VK's take on sustainable fashion, including his evergreen designs like the 2010 Venketrams calendar. 🌱

🇮🇳 Shaping South Indian Fashion: A candid conversation about why South Indian fashion isn’t on the global map and what needs to change. 🌍

🎧 This episode is a goldmine of insights for aspiring fashion designers and fashion lovers looking for inspiration and advice from an industry veteran!

🎙️ In this episode of Figuring Fashion Podcast, we sit down with incredibly talented Anita Kamaraj, one of the few women photographers making waves in South India’s fashion scene. Here’s what’s in store:

1. 👩‍🦰 Breaking Barriers as a Female Photographer: Anita spills the tea on how she navigates a male-dominated industry and built her dream career.
2. 🌞 Natural Light vs Artificial Light: Ever wondered why Anita prefers the “sun-kissed” look? Find out why natural light wins her heart every time.
3. 🎨 Developing Your Own Photography Style: Tips on how to create an aesthetic that’s uniquely yours. Hint: It’s not all about selfies!
4. 🌟 Celebrity Shoots Unplugged: From shooting with Samantha to Priyanka Mohan, Anita reveals what it’s really like to work with the stars!
5. 🚫 Say No to Exploitative Clients: Anita dishes out how to deal with clients who try to bargain or micromanage—plus, how to stand firm and get paid!
6. 💡 Turning Creative Ideas into Cash: Find out how to keep your artistic edge while turning those shoots into paid gigs.
7. 💸 Handling Payment Delays: No one likes waiting for their hard-earned money! Anita shares how to manage delayed payments like a pro.
8. 📷 The Gear That Pays Off: Curious about the gear that’s worth the investment? Anita reveals what’s in her camera bag for those perfect shots.

If you’re an aspiring photographer—especially a young woman ready to take over the fashion world—this episode is packed with tips, tricks, and real talk you won’t want to miss! 🚀

(00:00) Highlights(01:45) Introduction (02:26) Capturing South Indian Fashion Predominantly(03:52) Developing Aesthetic Sense (06:23) How to Capture Photos that everyone loves !(09:12) Mistakes to Avoid as a Fashion Photographer(11:00) Difficulties of being a women photographer(15:46) Turning Collab Shoots into Paid shoots (18:26) How to get Celebrity Work?(21:42) Working with Samantha & Priyanka Mohan(23:46) Turning Artistic Vision to Commercial Shoots(25:29) Secret for Viral Shoots(27:37) Handling Model & Celebs Tantrums (32:45) Gaffer's role in Photography (35:47) Photographer - Stylist Relationship (39:11) Best Camera Gears for Fashion Photography (40:18) Expensive Gear or Practice ?(42:00) Natural Light Vs Artificial Lights(44:38) Photographers getting Exploited!(48:52) Payment Delays for Photographers !(53:50) Too Much Micromanagement from clients(57:13) Don't think too much ! Execute Quickly !(58:48) Photographers: Learn this !(01:00:34) Look back at your Old Photos (01:01:20) Dealing with Creative Burnout !(01:03:05) End of Podcast(01:03:19) Outro

🎥 In this episode of Figuring Fashion, we sit down with Maran Rajapandian a seasoned Fashion Photographer & Film Maker whose career has been anything but ordinary. From working with icons like Sabyasachi, Deepika Padukone, and Kajal Aggarwal, to traveling the world shooting in iconic locations, we dive into the creative journey behind the lens. 📸🔑 Key Topics:

• The balance of being good at both photos and videos in the fashion industry.
• Working with celebrities like Deepika and Kajal, and what it’s really like to shoot for top designers like Sabyasachi.
• Networking secrets for photographers and how to build lasting client relationships. 💼
• How to avoid mishaps during shoots and deal with clients who micromanage.
• The impact of AI in fashion photography and where it’s headed. 🤖
• A behind-the-scenes look at shooting fashion films and why iconic locations like India’s landmarks are often the backdrop for high-fashion shots. 🌍
• The decline in shoot budgets and why photographers are paid less, plus how to handle those dreaded payment delays. 💰
• Tips on shooting street photography and how it can inspire your fashion portfolio. 🏙️
• The gear that truly matters when capturing that perfect shot. 🎬

💡 Why Listen? If you’re looking for actionable tips on improving your craft, handling clients, or just want to hear how a pro photographer navigates the ups and downs of the fashion world, this episode is for you.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and never miss out on industry insights and behind-the-scenes secrets from top fashion artists. 🎉

Timecodes

(00:00) - Highlights (01:45) - Intro (02:20) - Excelling at Photography & Videography (06:03) - Working with Sabyasachi (08:51) - Learning from Creative People like Tarun Khiwal , Tarun Vishwa (11:15) - Shoot anything or Restrict to your Fav Brand Only? (12:52) - Photoshoots at Very Short Notice ! (13:55) - Working with Deepika Padukone, Kajal (16:17) - Networking & Building Contacts as a Photographer (18:32) - How to get Repeated Clients as Photographer? (20:17) - Shooting Abroad vs INDIA ! (25:20) - Maran's Photography Gears (28:01) - Maran Breaks down of his Iconic Shots ! (32:57) - Why Budgets for shoots have gone down? (36:26) - Delayed payment for Photographers (40:39) - Over Controlling & Micromanaging Clients (43:12) - What do Creative Directors look for in a photographer !? (44:30) - Street photography an inspiration for Fashion? (46:56) - Could AI replace photographers? (51:37) - Working in Movies ! (52:33) - What Gears Matters in Photography? (54:22) - Avoid these Mistakes as photographers! (55:59) - Don't get Exploited as a Photographer ! (59:35) - End of Podcast .

🎙️ Sneha Manoj: Celebrity Makeup Artist Reveals Secrets 💄✨In this exciting episode of the Figuring Fashion Podcast, we sit down with the incredibly talented Sneha Manoj, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with top celebrities and brought flawless makeup looks to life for various occasions.If you're a makeup artist looking to elevate your skills, or just someone passionate about getting into the world of beauty, this conversation is packed with invaluable insights. If you’re an aspiring makeup artist or someone passionate about enhancing your skills, this episode is packed with valuable tips, expert advice, and career insights:From Self-Taught to Professional 🎨Sneha’s inspiring journey from self-taught artist to pro makeup artist working with top celebrities. 🌟Celebrity Clients and Their Magic ✨Learn how Sneha’s made a mark working with the likes of Dhoni, Nayanthara, Meenakshi Chaudhary and other A-listers! 🏆💕SFX and Bridal Makeup Secrets 💍Discover how special effects (SFX) makeup helped her creating bridal and fashion looks! 💫👰The Highs & Lows of Being a Celebrity Makeup Artist 🎬Behind the scenes of handling high-pressure bookings for the stars! 🚨🎥Expert Tips for Aspiring Makeup Artists 🎯Sneha shares essential tools, product must-haves, and industry tips for budding makeup artists. 🛠️How to Make It Big in Makeup 🚀Sneha’s advice on standing out in a competitive industry and working with top celebrities. 🌟The Real Deal on Fashion Shows 👗 Discover what it’s like preparing makeup for runway shows and fashion events. 💃✨ Don’t miss out on this episode, packed with insider tips, celebrity stories, and inspiration for aspiring makeup artists! 🎧💥

In this exciting episode of the Figuring Fashion Podcast, we sit down with the incredibly talented Nandhini Raju, also known as Kalwon Beauty, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with top celebrities and brought flawless makeup looks to life for various occasions.If you're a makeup artist looking to elevate your skills, or just someone passionate about getting into the world of beauty, this conversation is packed with invaluable insights:/ If you’re an aspiring makeup artist or someone passionate about enhancing your skills, this episode is packed with valuable tips, expert advice, and career insights:💄 How to Achieve Flawless Makeup – Nandhini shares her top tips and techniques for creating a perfect makeup look, whether for weddings, photoshoots, or high-profile events.🌟 Celebrity Makeup Secrets – Learn how to break into the competitive world of celebrity makeup, working with Bollywood and South Indian stars.💅 Essential Makeup Products – Nandhini discusses the must-have products she uses for stunning, long-lasting makeup looks and how you can replicate them without breaking the bank.👩‍🎨 Advice for New Makeup Artists – If you're just starting out, Nandhini’s advice on building a career, understanding skin types, and finding your unique style will be your guide to success in the makeup industry.💄 Makeup for Men vs. Makeup for Women – Nandhini breaks down the key differences in makeup techniques for men and women, and how you can adapt your approach to create perfect looks for both!💳 Union Card for Working as a Makeup Artist in Movies – Learn about the importance of obtaining a union card to work in movies and the steps you need to take to make your way into the film industry as a makeup artist.💅 Cosmetology vs. Makeup Artistry: Do You Need Cosmetology School? – Is formal education in cosmetology necessary to be a successful makeup artist? Nandhini shares her perspective and discusses whether formal training is worth it for aspiring professionals.💋 Trial Makeup: What You Need to Know – Nandhini shares her expertise on trial makeup sessions and why they're crucial for clients, especially for weddings and photoshoots.🎓 Choosing the Right Makeup Teacher – One of the most important decisions for new makeup artists is finding the right teacher. Nandhini gives advice on how to choose a makeup teacher who will help you build a strong foundation and grow your career.

Whether you're dreaming of doing makeup for celebrities or just want to perfect your skills, this episode is a treasure trove of tips and advice from one of the best in the industry. Hit play to get inspired and start your journey towards becoming a pro makeup artist!TimeCodes(00:00) Highlights(01:13) Introduction(01:46) Kalwon's Journey In Makeup(05:12) Should a Makeup Artist learn Cosmetology ?(07:41) How to get your 1st Celebrity Makeup Client?(08:47) Getting Repeated Celebrity Work(13:06) When Clients/Celebs dont like your makeup?(14:00) Quick hack for Men's Makeup (15:43) Are Trial Makeup Necessary? (18:57) Hack for Flawless Makeup!(20:20) Makeup when skin is already Flawless(23:40) NO Payment For Makeup Artists(26:34) Are Collaborations worth it?(29:39) Inspiration for Fashion Makeup(32:22) Who will help a MUA more? (34:11) Struggles of Working in Movies as MUA(39:45) Expensive Products = Flawless output?(41:10) Advice to get into makeup(44:02) Upgrading in Makeup(45:55) How to choose your Makeup teacher?(51:53) Growing quickly as a MUA(55:25) Advice for Beginners(57:30) End of podcast

Self-Taught Fashion Designer Ashwin Thiyagarajan REVEALS His Journey to Hollywood & Fashion Industry Secrets 🎬✨Want to become a successful fashion designer but don’t know where to start? In this exclusive podcast, Ashwin Thiyagarajan shares his inspiring journey from being an engineering graduate to designing for Hollywood celebrities like Isha Ambani and international stars—all without a formal fashion education. 🌍👗💡 What Aspiring Fashion Designers Will Learn in This Episode: 🔹 How to start a fashion career with no formal training 🔹 Breaking into Hollywood & dressing celebrities – The reality of working with stylists 🔹 Sustainable fashion & viral upcycled designs – Making unique collections 🔹 Challenges of being a fashion entrepreneur – The truth about running a brand 🔹 How to price your designs & grow a profitable fashion business 🔹 Fashion Weeks vs. Photoshoots – Where should new designers focus? 🔹 How young designers can stand out in India’s fashion industry 🔹 Overcoming burnout & mental health struggles in fashion – Work-life balance tipsWhether you're an aspiring fashion designer, a student considering a career in fashion, or an existing designer looking to scale your business, this episode is packed with valuable industry insights, practical advice, and real-life experiences to help you navigate the competitive world of fashion and costume design.

(00:00) Highlights(01:17) Introduction(01:54) Engineering to Dressing Hollywood Celebs(04:14) First Collection in 4 days !(06:21) Convincing Masters & Tailors to work for him(07:15) Photoshoot Trend for Designers in Chennai (09:08) Working With Celebs at Initial stages(09:56) Working for Isha Ambani(10:55) Working for Hollywood Celebs(12:24) International Stylist's expectation from Designer(13:14) Working with Maitreyi(14:27) Creativity vs Sustainability(17:14) How's Sustainability possible for Viral Outfits(18:05) GenFree - Gender neutral Clothing. (20:16) Copycat Designs(23:34) Business of fashion (25:11) Pricing a designer outfit(27:04) Take more orders Vs Restrict to few(28:03) Absent from Fashion Scene for 3 years !(32:14) How not to burn out ?(32:50) Managing relationships as an entrepreneur (34:10) Family's Support for Fashion Designing(35:23) Working in Goa(37:17) Selling outfits in fashion weeks and fashion shows(38:17) Photoshoots vs Fashion Shows(38:42) Doing Makeup ,Hair, Styling & Designing(39:39) Following fashion trends ?(40:28) How to manage a negative scene with a stylist?(42:35) Importance of having a great team?(48:02) Key Takeaway’s for young designer (50:29) Dealing with burn out(54:00) End of Podcast

Welcome to another episode of Figuring Fashion. In this Episode we dive into the inspiring journey of Gokul Ganesh, the winner of Mr. India 2024, as he shares a wealth of knowledge and practical tips for aspiring male models and beauty pageant contestants in this must-watch podcast episode. Whether you're a newcomer to modeling or aiming for prestigious titles like Mr. India or Mr. World, Gokul reveals the secrets behind his success, from building a disciplined fitness routine and cultivating a strong mindset to mastering communication skills and developing a well-rounded personality. He also provides valuable insights into the preparation process for beauty pageants, including how to stand out in competitions, tackle challenging Q&A rounds, and thrive under pressure on the international stage. This episode is tailored for upcoming male models in India looking to enter the modeling industry or make their mark in beauty pageants. Packed with actionable advice, personal anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories, this is your ultimate guide to starting and excelling in the world of male modeling and pageantry. Watch now and take the first step toward turning your dreams into reality! (00:00) Highlights (01:22) Introduction (01:45) Mr.India 2024 - Gokul Ganesh (02:42) Interest to get into Male Pageantry & Mr.India (03:46) Is it necessary to be a model to get into Mr. India?(06:37) Process of Mr.India / Male Pageantry  (08:03) How to handle Q&A round ? (12:01) Height Criteria & what to do when you don't meet the criteria? (15:31) Mr.India Vs Mr World Preparation (18:56) Things that you should learn to compete !  (23:15) Grooming agency for Men ?! (25:36) Should you choose a Modelling Agency to train yourself? (27:23) Things you should know as a Model ! (28:19) Preparing for Mr.India - Physically (30:16) Preparing For Mr.India - Financially (30:48) Gokul’s fitness routine (32:25) How important is rest and recovery?  (34:06) How to keep your Mental health in place? /Managing Burnout !   (36:20) Challenges after winning Mr.India (38:38)Does winning a title help you as an entrepreneur?  (39:31) Gokul’s gender neutral Clothing brand - Dotto (41:06) Gokul’s getting into Kollywood industry (42:12) Having Tattoo's affect Modelling? (43:29) BluePrint to win MR.INDIA/Mr World ? (45:25) Be Spontaneous to Stand out (47:56) Gokul’s new Coffee Chain in Chennai  (49:03) End of podcast  (49:37) Outro

Welcome to another episode of Figuring Fashion. In this episode we have discussed about our Guest Anusha Meenakshi's Journey in becoming a stylist and Costume designer, Styling Men vs Women, Process of Styling Men, Union Card requirement for a Costume designer, 2025 styling trends, how much does men's styling costs and the dark side of being a stylist