Fashion isn’t just about trends, it’s about identity, self-expression, and, for many, finding the confidence to embrace who they are. "I wish I had somebody growing up, to observe someone wearing something that I might be insecure about," fashion content creator Ritvi Shah shares, reflecting on her journey. Today, she belives to have become that figure of representation. "I am that person now. I want them to see me and say, "I see her wearing it, and it makes me confident enough and brings me the confidence to wear it as well."
How Ritvi Shah Uses Fashion to Challenge Insecurities and Inspire Confidence
In a conversation with SheThePeople, Ritvi opens up about the impact of fashion beyond aesthetics, the importance of authenticity in content creation, and why representation matters more than ever in the digital space.
Growing up, Ritvi found her first fashion inspiration right at home, "My mom was like my first fashion person that I looked up to." Watching her mother apply kajal, bindi, eyeshadow, and lipstick left a lasting impression. But it wasn’t just about makeup, her mother’s wardrobe fascinated her as well. "My mom really had some cool clothes and stuff, so I think I got really inspired to be in the space of fashion from her," she added. Even today, she considers her mother a true fashion enthusiast, believing that "her fashionness just resonates in me a lot."
How Fashion Became a Reflection of Self
Being a content creator has given Ritvi a new perspective on fashion, describing her current fashion aesthetic, Ritvi calls it a mix of contemporary and classic. "I like to mix a lot of classic Western silhouettes, but with something of an Indian touch to it." Her style is anything but stagnant, constantly shifting with new inspirations.
She shared that being a creator has taught her adaptability and the power of self-expression. "I have learnt that fashion is all about adaptability. It is all about expression and it is all about experiment. It has also taught me to be very authentic to myself and my roots," she said. This authenticity is evident in how she blends Western and traditional elements in her outfits. "The reason why I keep going back to styling Western silhouettes and Western pieces with traditional jewellery," she explained.
She particularly embraced this mix at New York Fashion Week, where she wanted her true identity to shine through. "I really wanted my authentic self to come out," she said.
Two Most Memorable Fashion Moments
Being a Gujarati, Ritvi is known for her stunning Navratri fashion, embracing the vibrancy of traditional attire and accessories with pride. So when the opportunity came to represent Indian fashion on an international stage at New York Fashion Week, she chose to stay true to her identity. Instead of opting for conventional Western couture, she blended her cultural roots with contemporary fashion. "And what is more authentic than me and Navratri? So I thought, why not bring that in with something Western and mix it?"
The result was a striking red ensemble that seamlessly fused Indian jewelry and styles with modern silhouettes. "I honestly would want to rate the red outfit as the number one because I think it was just a very powerful message as well, that Indian jewelry and Indian styles can be mixed very well with contemporary and Western silhouettes." The look not only turned heads but also reinforced the idea that tradition and modernity can coexist beautifully in fashion.
Yet, at the heart of her fashion identity remains Navratri. "I think my Navratri outfits stand out so much, and I just love them. It excites me when Navratri comes around, and it excites me that I get to put on something that is so close to me, deeply rooted in me." Whether on home ground or an international runway, Ritvi’s fashion always carries the essence of her cultural heritage. She believes these two fashion choices have left a significant cultural impact, resonating deeply with her audience.
How Audience Feedback Fuels Creativity and Growth
Ritvi’s journey as a content creator began in August 2020, during the lockdown. "I'm a lockdown creator," she revealed, reflecting on how her digital presence started. Since then, her audience has become her biggest source of motivation. "Whenever I feel like I don't want to shoot something or I'm feeling lazy, there’s always a DM or a comment that will just motivate me to do better, to be better, to create better content."
She sees content creation as a two-way street, it’s about her, but also about the people who consume it. "At the end of the day, yes, the content is obviously for me, about me. But it is also for the audience, for them to enjoy, for them to maybe, if they’re taking a break and they come across a piece of my content, I want them either to get something out of it, something valuable, or maybe something entertaining."
One of the most rewarding moments for her has been receiving messages from young girls inspired by her fashion choices. "I’ve gotten so many DMs from girls, teenagers saying that they saw one or two of my outfit reels and decided to style something for the very first time because they saw it on me. That just makes me so happy, brings me so much joy."
She understands the importance of representation in fashion, especially for those who may struggle with self-confidence. "I wish I had somebody growing up, seeing that this person is wearing something that I might be insecure about. But, hey, I see them wearing it, and it makes me confident enough and brings me the confidence to wear it as well."
Simple Ways to Embrace Sustainable Fashion
Sustainability in fashion is a growing conversation, and as a content creator, Ritvi has a unique take on it. She believes that sustainable fashion is often misunderstood. "I don't think people understand that there are so many ways to practice it. It is not just about wearing sustainable clothing," she shared. Acknowledging that sustainable fashion pieces can be expensive due to the time and effort put into their production, she pointed out that many people give up on the idea too soon. "People just give up like, oh, I cannot afford it. So I guess I cannot."
For Ritvi, sustainability isn’t just about where the clothes come from. it’s about how they are used. "Re-wearing clothes is really important. I like to mix old and new. So whatever new I'm buying, I like to mix it with the old."
Her approach is simple, "If a piece of clothing can be styled in multiple ways and last a long time, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Ritvi acknowledges fast fashion as a reality but advocates for mindful shopping. "Sometimes it's just what fits the budget," she said. Instead of avoiding it entirely, she urges thoughtful choices. "Before buying, ask yourself—how many ways can I style this, and how long will it last?"
For her, a piece that can be styled in "30 ways or 20 ways" is worth buying because it ensures maximum use. This approach, she believes, is a small but impactful step toward sustainability.
Another way she practices sustainability is by choosing small and local businesses. "I think they have equally cute and chic clothes if you know what you're looking for" Lastly, for Ritvi, fashion is not just about what one wears, but how they wear it.
"It is not about what you wear. It is about how you wear it and how you style it. "Through her approach, she proves that sustainability is not about perfection, but about making conscious and meaningful choices.
Fashion Tips for a More Stylish and Conscious Wardrobe
Fashion is as much about individuality as it is about inspiration, and Ritvi is always on the lookout for creators who bring fresh energy to the space. Talking about her favourites, she shared, "Nancy (Tyagi) really deserves a lot of hype. And I'm so glad that she's getting everything that she deserves because at that time she was a much smaller creator growing up."
Now, her list of favourites has expanded. "Right now, I would say that Garima (Biyani) is doing really well in the fashion space. And obviously my friend, my peer, Mansi Ugale, I love her content. I just love how her brain works. And I just love how she brings life to different concepts."
When we asked Ritvi dressing advice for a date or a casual meeting, Ritvi had a few go-to looks. "This is a very subjective question because everybody's personal style is different. But if somebody were to have a similar style as me…" she said, before breaking down her top outfit choices:
Classic Date Night: "I would do like a little black dress or a red dress with heels and a nice little purse."
Picnic Date: "A cottagecore dress or maybe like a flowy maxi skirt with a comfortable top and a little tote bag and Crocs. Maybe something comfortable, basically."
Casual Cafe Meet-up: "A little skirt and top moment or even cute jeans. Now, like even jeans have such different varieties, which is so cool. So I feel like some cute jeans with a cute top and a hobo bag would look really nice with little Mary Janes, I guess."
For those whose style aligns with hers, Ritvi also shared her top wardrobe must-haves. "The number one thing is pantyhose. Like this is such a new thing that I have been doing, but I love pantyhose so much because when I haven't shaved or waxed my legs, and nothing wrong with body hair, it's just my personal choice, I think pantyhose saves the outfit," she explained.
Admire a creator and curious about their journey or how they’ve mastered the content creation game? 'Behind The Gram' is an exclusive series by SheThePeople that uncovers the stories, struggles, and strategies of your favourite content creators. Tell us, who would you love to see us sit down with next?
/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/2024/11/11/2024-11-11t082606806z-shethepeople-black-logo-2000-x-2000-px-1.png){kind=logo}
/shethepeople/media/member_avatars/4FGyuvwBciC6LndcgpY2.jpeg )
Follow Us