Rishita Valiram

Between the styling videos and fashion hauls on her feed, Rishita Valiram has made one thing clear: she knows what works for her. Her approach to style is rooted less in chasing trends and more in feeling good in what she wears. “I’ve stopped believing that fashion has to be pain,” she says. “If you’re genuinely uncomfortable in what you’re wearing, it shows—and it kills the aura of the whole look.”

Much of that instinct comes from watching her mother shape-shift through clothes, from sharp suits for meetings to softer sarees for dinner. “They don’t just reflect who you are, they decide who you get to be.”

Her own style has evolved from whimsical gowns and shopping trips as a child to oversized sportswear, before LA encouraged her to experiment with silhouette, cut and colour. Today, she still returns to “a good pair of denim and a tank top”, while a corset saree is her go-to Indian silhouette.

That early exposure to Indian craftsmanship still shapes her eye for fashion, from intricate embroidery to considered details. She takes style cues from Tamara Kalinic and Sofia Richie, while admiring Malaysia’s willingness to experiment. Her hope? To see Malaysian designers “take over the world.”