With 22 films and counting, Akshay Tyagi, the styling maverick of Bollywood till date feels that it’s just the beginning. Akshay, who has recently completed styling for flicks like Satyameva Jayate 2, and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is enjoying his ‘Me Time’ in Goa and is also in process of completing another project of Mahesh Babu, with whom he has an association for the last 7 years. As Akshay completes a decade in the industry, TMM asks him to flip through the pages of the past.
THE BEGINNING
To be precise it was not at all a deliberate plan, rather a fruitful accident that 10 years ago, I did my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in textiles and fashion from Canada and was happily working in retail merchandising, there also I used to do a bit of in-house styling and gradually, the shift to India happened and I started working with celebrated designers of the country and in the middle of that I happened to meet Anaita Shroff Adajania and apparently it changed my professional career in India.
ANAITA SHROFF AND MENTORING
Ever since we started working together there was immense trust and mutual respect and that’s the reason, more than a boss, she was a friend and a mentor. I remember, we were doing fitting for Krrish 3 and I proposed a scarf styling idea and with much enthusiasm, she said it’s your idea and you should put it across. At that very moment, I felt that she was beyond being a boss and more of a protective friend and guide who is pushing me to make my mark.
CREATIVE PROCESS
For me, the foremost thing to know is the context, whether it’s a film or red carpet. It is very important for me to soak myself in it to take the next step. For instance, if it’s a dance video, then I need to understand the dance moves so that the clothes are designed and styled in a particular way so that the dance moves are clear and visible. And when it comes to red carpets, it is important to play on the creative line, so that people remember the look, just like the one when Hrithik Roshan wore a red velvet suit at IIFA and people still remember it. With time you learn and understand where to take a risk and where to pull back and play safe.
CLOSE TO HEART
For all said and done, Marjaavaan will always be close to my heart. It was my first full-fledged feature film styling and I still remember those days of last-minute hiccups and styling chaos and it gives me goosebumps. And as they say, all’s well that ends well. The amount of appreciation I received for the film surely 
opened a gateway of success and I can never forget the amount of learning the project offered me. Till date, I get queries from fan pages about the bridal look of the film, which people thought was sourced from some high-end designer, but it was actually my own creation, so it makes me feel good. (winks)
SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACT
When I started there was no such thing, but gradually it was all over the place. If one looks at my account, I am pretty active, but for me, it’s about journaling my own memories, my vacations, and everything that I like. It might sound strange to people, but I don’t follow any such pages that are related to my core work, rather I follow pages from other walks of life, that inspire me to take up something new and be even more creative in my personal space. In terms of work, I don’t follow anything, because once it’s done, it’s over. It is too late 
for me to ponder about it. I simply walk ahead and start working on my next project.
MEN VERSUS WOMEN
For me personally, it’s never been that whether styling men is crucial or women. As per my work approach, it’s always the character for which I and my team have to pull up the socks. And as a creative person, I love building those personalities and looks and clothing become my language of conveying it all.
SUSTAINABILITY SCENARIO
Sustainability is the only way forward. But at the same time, we also need to understand that it’s not a trend but the need and necessity of the hour. When I see brands and people making unsolicited businesses in the name of sustainability it hurts. I feel people need to go for fewer things that are really well made, instead of being focused only on trends.
TIPS AND TRICKS
Be consistent and open to learning every single day and that is how you can climb the ladder of success. The styling world is very dynamic and the day you think you are the king/queen your downfall will start. So, be a keen learner and you feel the change.
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