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From blogger to global icon: Masoom Minawala’s rise in fashion

Imagine searching for inspiration amidst the endless stream of fashion and lifestyle content. Suddenly, you come across a profile that captivates you with its vibrant imagery and compelling narratives. This is the digital realm of Masoom Minawala, a name synonymous with innovation and influence in the fashion world. 

Masoom’s journey began over a decade ago when she launched her blog, Miss Style Fiesta, when blogging was still taking root in India. Masoom has transformed into a global icon from these humble beginnings, with over 1.4 million followers across various platforms. Her story is not just about fashion; it’s about relentless pursuit, breaking barriers, and setting new standards in an ever-evolving industry. Whether she’s gracing the red carpet at Cannes or collaborating with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior, Masoom’s influence is undeniable. Her rise to prominence reflects her ability to stay ahead of trends and her unwavering commitment to authenticity and creativity in the digital age.

The Early Days: Pioneering India’s Blogging Industry

Masoom Minawala’s foray into the fashion world began in 2010 when she launched her blog, Miss Style Fiesta. At a time when blogging was still in its infancy in India, Masoom saw an opportunity to carve out a niche for herself. Her blog quickly gained traction, resonating with fashion enthusiasts and setting the stage for a highly successful career.

As the digital landscape evolved, so did Masoom. She leveraged her blog’s success to expand her presence across various social media platforms, amassing a following of over 1.4 million. This growth was a testament to her fashion sense and her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level.

Making Waves on the Global Stage

Masoom’s influence is not confined to the Indian subcontinent. She has made significant strides globally, becoming one of the first Indian creators to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival four times in a row for L’Oreal Paris. Her presence at such a prestigious event underscored her position as a leading figure in the fashion industry.

In 2022, Masoom was honoured with the title of ‘Most Authentic Fashion Influencer’ at the World Influencers and Blogger Awards (WIBA Global) during the Cannes Film Festival. This accolade recognized her genuine approach and impactful presence in the fashion world.

Her international acclaim continued as she attended Paris Fashion Week multiple times, representing luxury brands like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, and Dior. Her participation in these high-profile events highlighted her influence and her role as a bridge between Indian fashion and the global market. Also, Soon-to-be mom Masoom Minawala graced the red carpet at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for the fifth time. Representing Indian fashion on a global stage, Breaking Barriers and Setting Records

Masoom’s journey is marked by a series of firsts. In 2022, she became the first Indian content creator to walk the runway as the showstopper for designer Vaishali S. at Milan Fashion Week. This milestone was a significant achievement, showcasing her ability to break barriers and set new standards in the fashion industry.

Additionally, she opened the show at Lakme Fashion Week for designers Varun Bahl Gauri and Nainika, further cementing her status as a fashion icon. Even after her maternity break, Masoom made a powerful comeback by opening the show for Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla with CPAA to raise funds for cancer patients.

Collaborations with Global Brands

Masoom has collaborated with over 500 global brands in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries throughout her career. Her clients include luxury fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Bvlgari and mainstream brands like Estée Lauder, Samsung, BMW, and Airbnb.

Masoom’s collaborations with these global brands reflect her versatility and ability to resonate with a diverse audience. Her work with luxury brands underscores her status as a high-end fashion influencer, while her partnerships with mainstream brands highlight her broad appeal.

Entrepreneurial Ventures: From Style Fiesta to The Cai Store

Masoom’s entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Style Fiesta, one of India’s first fashion e-commerce portals. As the CEO of Style Fiesta, she played a crucial role in shaping India’s online fashion retail landscape. Her innovative approach and keen business acumen helped her build a successful platform that catered to the fashion needs of a growing digital audience.

In addition to Style Fiesta, Masoom is an equity partner and leads innovation and strategy at the e-commerce start-up ‘The Cai Store’. Her involvement in The Cai Store underscores her commitment to driving growth and innovation in the e-commerce space.

Advocacy and Empowerment: #SupportIndianDesigners and Empowher

Masoom is not just a fashion influencer but a passionate advocate for Indian designers and women entrepreneurs. Through her initiative #SupportIndianDesigners, Masoom collaborates with homegrown fashion brands to help them achieve business growth. The initiative has garnered over 300K posts and has generated significant conversations for small businesses in less than a year.

In her quest to inspire women to tap into their entrepreneurial skills, Masoom founded Empowher. This initiative aims to guide, inspire, and uplift women who want to start or grow their journey in the competitive business world. Empowher provides resources, mentorship, and a supportive community for aspiring women entrepreneurs.

Recognition and Impact

Masoom’s work has been recognized by leading publications and organizations worldwide. She has been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Social Samosa. She represented India on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in 2019 and was a speaker at TEDxYouth@Wilrijk in Belgium.

Her contributions to the fashion and entrepreneurial worlds have earned her a place on HSBC’s list of leading female entrepreneurs worldwide and CNN’s ’20 under 40′ list. Additionally, she has won the Cosmopolitan Luxury Fashion Influencer award for two consecutive years.

A Continuous Journey of Growth and Innovation

Masoom Minawala’s journey from a fashion blogger to a global influencer, entrepreneur, and advocate for women and Indian designers is a testament to her vision, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her ability to adapt and innovate in a dynamic industry has made her a leading figure in the fashion world.

As she continues to work with her team to curate content on fashion, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, and women empowerment, Masoom remains a powerful inspiration for aspiring influencers and entrepreneurs worldwide. Her story is a reminder that success is not just about the destination but the journey and the lessons learned along the way.

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Kanika Mahtoliya
Kanika Mahtoliya
Kanika Mahtoliya, currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication at Graphic Era Hill University. With a strong passion for storytelling and a focus on business journalism, she is currently serving as a features writer at Business Review Live.