Supriya “Pia” Khanijou serves up three freshly curated looks from her closet, elevated by her own makeup and self-made jewellery.

Growing up around her mother and masi’s vibrant sense of style, Pia began her love affair with fashion from a young age. As she matured and started surfing the web, she became enamoured with tastemakers like PearyPie,Lady Gaga, and indie Indian designers such as Masaba and Papa Don’t Preach. That same fearless energy has injected itself into Pia’s own style – effortlessly blending bold prints and statement accessories with a flair that is uniquely her own.

As a professional makeup artist who now works on Indian weddings around the globe, Pia has built a solid reputation with the community over the last five years, ensuring hundreds of brides have looked their best on their wedding day. Moreover, in a beautiful turn of events, Pia is now an online tastemaker herself, with her YouTube channel now sitting at 135k subscribers. Here, you can see her passion for style come to life – whether it’s videos about Bollywood fashion over the decades or spooky-glam Halloween tutorials, there seems to be no limit to her unbridled creativity.

Beyond makeup, Pia has a distinct know-how when it comes to dressing up. Whether she’s gracefully descending her staircase in a plaid dress with a Cosmopolitan clutch bag or pairing Platinum shoes with custom-made lehengas from India, her style exudes an unshakable confidence. Masala sat down with Pia to learn more about her influences and her journey to developing a keen eye for fashion.

How has your personal style evolved over the years?

Somehow, I see people fear prints a lot; I love bold and quirky prints. I take inspiration from all around me; be it my clients, friends, or even random strangers on the street. Fashion does influence my style, but it’s evolving so quickly that it’s really difficult to keep up with. The first thing that comes to my mind when picking an outfit is the material it is made of. As much as style is important, if the cloth is thick and harsh, it’s a no-no for me. I do compromise a little when it comes to Indian outfits, as it’s a matter of just a few hours. I think fashion and comfort can go hand in hand. That is my motto when it comes to styling. At the end of the day, fashion fades, but style doesn’t.

How does your style reflect your personality?

I think your appearance is the first impression someone would have of you. You subconsciously portray your personality through styling. Fun fact: till I was about 20, I never owned a black t-shirt – I only realised that when my grandfather passed and I needed to be in ‘sober clothes’. But over the years, my love for black has grown, and now it’s a staple in my wardrobe. Especially in my work field, black became somewhat like an informal uniform.

As a makeup artist, how does your work influence the way you dress?

I’ve always loved mixing and matching, experimenting with fun combinations. Even before I became a makeup artist, I used my social media to share creative styling ideas – OG followers might remember! I did things like Indian dessert-inspired styling, social media app-inspired outfits, Bollywood fashion through the years, and quite a few more. At first, I didn’t realise how important it was, but then people started consulting me for fashion advice. Now, styling has become a major part of my work, and honestly, I enjoy dressing others up even more than I do myself!

Do you have a favourite or most sentimental wardrobe item?

Definitely my outfit from my brother’s reception! It went viral, and I even earned a silver YouTube button because of it. Over 200 people worldwide reached out, wanting to buy the exact same outfit for their own events. Thousands of comments poured in with love for the look. Another fun fact: I designed it myself and got it custom-made at a small store in Delhi (which, sadly, has closed down now). I hope they know they made me a star! [Laughs.] That viral-by-chance moment also somewhat built my confidence to be who I am and shine.

What are your go-to brands to shop from?

I don’t stick to specific brands, I just pick what I like! Shopping for my body shape in Thailand isn’t always easy, but India is a whole different story. It’s the best place to find versatile, fun, and flattering pieces! That said, I do love walking into Misty Minx as it speaks my fashion language.

What are some of your favourite jewellery items – self-made or otherwise?

As someone who loves jewellery, I found it very difficult to find affordable Indian-fusion jewellery. Everything would be so expensive, or the quality wouldn’t be up to the mark. During the lockdown, I thought it was the best time for me to start something of my own, and what better than a jewellery line? I love chunky jewelleries and that’s a huge part of how I started the jewellery line, Fusionistar. It’s all about funky-fusion statement pieces that are super lightweight and very affordable (IG: @fusionistar_th). Honestly, I am overwhelmed with the response I got. I am so grateful to all the customers for placing their trust in my business and thinking of Fusionistar when it comes to jewellery. A little back story: Those who know me know how much I have struggled with ear piercings and all the dramas related to them. My skin is very sensitive (face/body/piercings), but that didn’t stop me from exploring, both in terms of beauty (makeup and skincare) as well as fashion (outfits, jewellery, and styling). In fact, I do everything I can to hunt for something funky! My love for making a statement has always taken the lead! Fusionistar is born from my love of making a statement without having to sacrifice comfort or burn a hole in your pocket.