INDIAN BLOGGER MAKES SPLASH IN FASHION WORLD

Meet Vikram Ravoory (Instagram: @vikramravoory) who, about 2 years ago, moved to New York City and took on an Instagram hobby. “Fashion is a way to show off your personality and embrace who you are”, says Vikram who is known as Vik by his friends. Vik, originally from Florida, moved to NYC to pursue his degree as a dentist and realized that the opportunities available in NYC were limitless. “The energy of the city is contagious and it made me want to achieve more” says Vik “so I decided to see where my interest in fashion could take me and thought the social media route would be the best fit for my busy schedule.” Balancing his Instagram, keeping up with his daily routines, and continuing his dental education and future D.D.S. degree has been no easy task but he is no stranger to time management. “Back in Florida, my high school made an exception for me and I would leave every day at 10:30 AM to play tennis since my dream growing up was to become a professional tennis player… I had to make sure I kept up with school work, make up classes online and also attend the tennis practices so I learned to be very efficient” he said in an interview conducted earlier this year. In addition to dental school and this Instagram account, Vik maintains a regular vigorous gym schedule in order to maintain and build on his lean 6-foot figure, occasionally posting some of his workouts on his page as well.

Since developing his Instagram account, Vikram has gained a solid following of people who enjoy his take on style and fashion. “I try to incorporate colors and patterns in my looks since lots of guys think they can’t pull it off… a little motivation is all they need”. According to Vik, too many male fashion influencers stick to “safe” colors and looks. Although he is unsure of the exact reason it could be in order to “not attract too much attention”. Several celebrities around the world are notorious for bold outfits including Michael B. Jordan, Brad Pitt, John Legend and Bollywood icon, Ranveer Singh. Vik is aware he is not a celebrity but believes ordinary people can also dress in similar bold colors and prints. “I wish I was a celebrity so I can dress well for pictures all the time…hopefully that time will come”.

One unique aspect of Vik’s page is the transparency that it shows. “I try to show the changes that editing can make to a picture with the intent to portray a sense of realness.” Clearly that mindset has grabbed the attention of people so far as his account @vikramravoory currently has about 45,000 followers. By taking the original picture and actively posting it along with the edited picture, followers can see the possibilities that editing provides to a picture. Vik says that too many people compare their own lives to what they see online and that since editing can make someone’s backyard into a tourist destination, it’s no wonder people are hesitant to post their own pictures. “Social media as an entity provides people with false ideas on what is ideal but by showing the before and after versions of a picture, I hope to show people that even influencers don’t get the perfect shot every time”. When asked to explain on some of these edits that are available Vik said “everything from tooth whitening, body morphing, texture”. Vik, however, did say that he makes a conscious effort to never edit his own physical features such as his face or his body. “The six-pack, the height, the lighter skin, no blemishes, body type, it’s all real”, he says, “I worked hard to stay healthy and in shape through school and I make time since it’s all very important to me. I’m proud of that”.

When asked about where he wants to take his social media page, he said “My goal in the next month or two is to make videos and explain my thought processes behind the outfits I put together and help others gain confidence to wear something outside of their comfort zone”. In his opinion, many people tend to constantly buy new clothes, neglecting the items already in their closet. “A normal outfit consists of at least 3 items (shirt, pants and shoes)” and “the complexity of the outfit increases as more layers are added (jackets, watches, ties, coats, blazers)”. Vik’s page shows the possibility of keeping one item the same and by changing the colors and patterns of the others, a whole new look is created. Often, ladies struggle with finding clothes and fashion trends for their significant others and Vik thinks his page can help with that. “I think my page is good for guys trying to jumpstart their own fashion or for any girlfriends/wives who are trying to revamp their significant other’s fashion. I get several texts from old female friends in serious relationships who use my page to motivate their boyfriends”.

Currently, Vik works with several companies including Express/ExpressMen, Jaanuu Scrubs, the LiketoKnowIt app, and the TieBar which he uses to curate styles and looks for men. You can follow Vik on his Instagram account @vikramravoory.