In His Genes: Ashwin Mawle

Meet Ashwin Mawle, a celebrity fashion stylist from Hyderabad who started his career as a model at the age of 16 and it was his keen interest in fashion and styling that he later decided to convert his passion into a profession. In Ashwin’s opinion, it was actor Allu Arjun who gave him his first break as a stylist and the rest is history. In a detailed conversation with TMM, Ashwin talks about his success story and plans of launching a quirky fashion label.

You started your career as an international model at the age of 16. How was the experience?
Oh my God! You just took me back to my good old days. It was fantastic being a model internationally. It was a whole new experience, with a new country, new people and I was only 16, and being recognized by good brands gave me good confidence at that young age. Initially, it was tough with few difficulties, but somehow I managed and worked hard for it. Got trained and made sure I make a mark and I am glad I did it!

How did fashion and styling happen to you?
Well, to be very honest, it all started during my modeling days. When people used to style me for my shows and brands, I used to watch them and was always curious to work and know more about styling. Later I tried few experiments on myself, by mixing patterns, mismatching colors, and I kind of really loved doing that. After a period of time, it felt like styling was always in my DNA. Later my dear friend and actor Allu Arjun gave me the chance to style him for his film Arya 2. It really gave me a lot of scope for styling and I was really stunned and surprised. I told him if he would really like me to work because I never went to any styling school? He still trusted me and I styled him and as they say, rest all is history.

When it comes to styling, how do you process it?
When it comes to styling, I am more of a go-with-the-flow kind of person. I doubt if I have ever processed for styling. I have always tried to know the character brief and tried to know the perspective of what are they trying to portray in the film, and then I try to make an imaginary character in my mind and figure what will look the best and that always helped me do the styling for a particular the character of the film. I try to do a lot of research around the character and then define it from my perspective and so far everything has worked well for me.

Styling and fashion are generally associated with Delhi and Mumbai. How far styling as a career is promising in Hyderabad?
I totally agree with the fact, but now things have changed. People’s perspective of seeing Tollywood has changed and is now looked equally promising as Bollywood. And I guess my journey over a decade is proof of the fact that things have changed. If you look at statistics, South produces the largest number of films, so styling as a career here is definitely very promising.

With more than 70 films, how challenging is movie styling? One project that is very close to your heart, and why?
It’s already the 75^th film that I am working on now. Styling for movies is not easy. With every new film, I feel like it’s my first film. The same anxiety and enthusiasm play around because it’s a whole new movie, new characters, new people, and a new set of crew. Amidst all that, all I think is to give my best and be a better version of myself as a stylist. I always run around for putting in 200% to make my work look different and better. One film that is close to my heart is definitely Arya 2, as it all started with it.

You have styled dozens of celebrities. Whose styling is more challenging men or women?
From Allu Arjun, Jr NTR ,Mahesh Babu,  Venkatesh , Varuntej, Ram Pothineni, Sharwanand, Nithin, to gorgeous actresses like Pooja Hegde, Rashi Khanna, Kriti Sanon, Kriti Shetty, Lavanya Tripathi, Rakul Preet Singh, and Kajal Agarwal, I have styled many more and with my experience, I can say that both men and women are equally fun and challenging to work with. For me, every look is a challenge and fun because more than a profession, styling is my passion. It’s my playground and I can be there the whole day long with zero complaints.

Your designs and aesthetics are quite innovative. Are you planning to start your own venture anytime soon?
I always try to experiment and be innovative. My partner Hassan and I will be soon launching our own very special label. It’s going to different, very quirky, and it’s definitely going to be something people haven’t seen before. We have tried to be different and innovative. Hopefully, by the end of this year or in the New Year 2022 we will announce the launch.

How far social media has been helpful in creating buzz about your work?
I can’t deny the fact that social media is now the need of the hour. It is definitely very helpful in creating the much-needed buzz. It makes you visible and gets so much recognition and appreciation for your work that it genuinely motivates you to work better. I take it as a positive digital marketing tool, which is completely affordable.

One career advice for youngsters who wish to step into the world of styling.
Just be who you are and don’t try to follow or copy-paste. Trust own self and ever6yything will work in your favour. Every time challenge yourself or and you will see the growth.

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