There are people you meet, who make you wonder what the hell you are doing with your own life! Well, the feisty Devyani Kapoor is exactly someone like that! She packs in a punch in that deceptively petite frame of hers. She’s a girl with the sky as her canvas and yes, she’s writing – she is well on her way to writing her name in large bold letters right up there for everyone to see !
The Uncommon Box caught her mid-flight- between back to back meetings as she works her days into nights, for her latest venture Shuffling Suitcases, soon to be organised in Kolkata in the second week of June. But more of that later- The lady needed to be decoded- and she, spoke of herself, with a disarming candidness, which was rather refreshing!
How it all began:
Devyani started off as a journalist and moved into digital media, before giving up her well-paying job, to venture forth on what she believed she just had to pursue. The monotony of routine and the ‘not sleeping happy’ pattern was beginning to convince her that it was indeed time to follow her heart.
Her one figure of inspiration is a young journalist named (the late) Aruna Chatterjee, who remains one of the strongest influences in Devyani’s life. A chance meeting with Aruna transformed many perceptions in Devyani and sparked off her tryst with everything ‘Calcutta’.
Back in college, Devyani was already known for her distinct taste in dressing and styling and so the blog happened as a natural extension of that. Once the blog was supplemented by the distinctly stylised pictures of Devyani,
“it hit more traffic and the BREVILOQUENT brand was born.”
Devyani is now over two years into full time blogging on fashion and is also an established brand consultant. She has been an influencer and was one among the ten most fashionable people on the Internet for Allen Solly’s Look Book in 2013.
She also writes for fashion portals based in India and Abroad, online and offline talking about her personal style and fashion in general.
“She clarifies that she prefers focusing on slow fashion- the kind of style that is eternal, classic and non-changing; rather than fast fashion which is more trend based.”
Interestingly, as a brand consultant (and with an impressive list of collaborations under her belt), she prioritizes working on only two brands at any given time because she does it all by herself. Even while working with fashion labels, she determines the nitty-gritties of their brand voice, tone, right down to the art direction for their shoots.
The one leit motif in her words and the choices she has made regarding work and collaborators, is that she has insisted on being true to what she believes in.
“She thrives on connecting with people by being herself.”
It seems to be the flavour that strongly underlines her style of work.
Devyani maybe a Delhiite but her karmic connection kept bringing her to Calcutta repeatedly and thus, it seemed in the order of things that she would organise her pet project ‘Shuffling Suitcases’ in this very city.
Understanding that the City lacks a common platform for everything connected to fashion, Devyani is putting her heart, soul and her money into this initiative scheduled for the 10th and 11th of June this year, at the heritage Old House, Kolkata.
This is being projected as a Celebration of Art, where Devyani has invited all the brands she has worked with to the city,
“as well as local talent and brands to showcase their work in a two day long festival.”
There will be fashion, food, music, poetry, photographs and more in this much awaited event.
Curation at this event, according to Devyani, is very tight, because, the brands included are closely connected to sustainability, or are organic or have a strong ethical story behind them. Devyani personally endorses all these brands and is determined to make it an event ‘For Calcutta, In Calcutta.’
“Away from the city she knows as home, away from her family and the comforts of being where it is all familiar, Devyani is currently anchored in Calcutta, putting together the event from scratch. This indomitable spirit fills you with admiration indeed.”
So what keeps her inspired and bubbling with enthusiasm- ‘the highs of achieving goals’ says Devyani, who plans to carry on working on her academics along with her full-fledged career schedules.
For those who dare to convert their dreams into reality, it is often a long and winding road ahead. But with the right doses of grit, meticulous planning and execution, the success is much sweeter when it arrives.
“The Uncommon Box wishes Devyani the very best for her future endeavours and is happy to be associated with Shuffling Suitcases.”
You can follow Devyani at these links:
Instagram | Website | Tumblr | Twitter | Facebook | Shuffling Suitcases Event
Banner Photography Credits : ANKIT MATHUR
Other Photography Credits – Ananya Rijhwani
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