Revamp, Rediscover and Recreate your persona

Pune-based personal stylist, image consultant, soft skills trainer and personal shopper Divya Bakshi is the founder-CEO of a unique and stylish venture with a difference: Persona with Dee 2.0. While style is indeed a reflection of who you are, it also impacts the impact you have at your workplace and within your social circles. And lest you thought it’s an elitist or exclusivist concept meant only for high flying celebs or corporates, Divya’s here to set the record straight. “It is for every person and budget, from a home-maker who deserves to look and feel her best to a corporate person; as much for men as it is for women, and as much for a small budget as a big one,” she says. Along with that, the erstwhile flight attendant and ‘army brat’ shares her insights on fitness, conversation and social etiquette wherever needed. All the better to turn your look around-360 degrees.

"We are living in a world where appearances count. Fashion is important and people are increasingly waking up to the importance of keeping fit, from yoga, to gym, to walking or taking up a sport, age is just a number. The idea is to look and feel your best, whether you are a corporate professional, a socialite or a mother attending coffee mornings at your children’s school."

Divya Bakshi, founder CEO, Persona with Dee 2.0

How you see the world is just part of the success story. Divya Bakshi would say it is equally important as to how you are seen. “Both go hand in hand,” she stresses.

Makes sense, actually. If brands need evangelists, why not an image consultant and stylist for an individual to add that extra edge to their personality? In a world of increased travel and intermingling with people from different backgrounds, of increased opportunity, competing media and technologies-not to forget an information overload, it is important to be remembered and stand out. For all the right reasons, of course.

Here’s where Divya comes in. “Image consultancy and styling go beyond just dressing as per the occasion in a way that suits your personality. It is about feeling fundamentally good about yourself. This is bound to yield positive results at work and within your social spaces as well,” she shares.

Style-a way of life

Growing up in an army home with a dad who has served as the President’s bodyguard-no less-Divya is the product of a home where it was expected of everyone to be well-turned out with freshly ironed clothes at all times. From parties within the army circle to closely watching dignitaries from different walks of life, dressing for the occasion-formal or informal was just the starting point of every interaction. “Both mummy and daddy were always impeccably turned out and they made sure we kids were too,” she says. “It wasn’t something frivolous, it was respect and dignity you accorded yourself, as well as the others around you,” she says. “And so, you dressed accordingly.”

This inherent understanding and notion of style was further strengthened as she went on to fly for Kuwait Airways, an airline with the most stringent requirements and international level training of attire, turn out and hospitality. It was a wonderful place to work and learn and Divya flew for about 12 years.

But even as she thoroughly enjoyed her work, life took over. Marriage to a Merchant Navy officer, pregnancy and motherhood, required a sabbatical. Even as she brought up Danika (10) and Nivika (3), Divya realised that she could put her understanding of clothes, style, social etiquette and exposure to good use. That’s how Persona with Dee 2.0 took seed. “We are living in a world where appearances count. Fashion is important and people are increasingly waking up to the importance of keeping fit, from yoga, to gym, to walking or taking up a sport, age is just a number. The idea is to look and feel your best, whether you are a high-flying corporate professional and entrepreneur, a socialite or a homemaker and mother attending coffee mornings at your children’s school,” she says.

And thus, she knew this is what she was meant to do. “My passion for fashion and style would now inspire others. It is my vision and mission to help people in their affirmations, work with them and help put their absolute best version of themselves out there. Style is an impeccable art and gives me immense joy,” says Divya.

My work is as inclusive as it is exclusive

Divya can initially do a recce call to understand their client, aspirations, concerns and lifestyle. “If we are going to help them take such a personal decision, for style is niche and individualistic, we need to know who they are and what makes them tick. Even two professionals at the same age and stage of their life are different people with disparate requirements-and we respect that,” she explains.

Next, they do a gap analysis of the person’s wardrobe to look at what they already own. “The idea is to get the max out of what the person already owns and not waste money or simply buy more stuff (quality over quantity.) We fix up a budget and either source what they are looking for, or simply shop for them ourselves,” Divya says. “Often there is something lying in their cupboard-which is perfectly wearable, but they are either tired of it, or do not realize its potential. Either we tweak it or team it up with different accessories,” she adds.

None of this is a waste of time and money.