We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Divyesh Pillarisetty. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Divyesh below.
Alright, Divyesh thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Promote Creativity on a Global Scale: Our focus on featuring high-end editorials from worldwide emerging talents suggests a desire to spread creative inspiration internationally.
Provide a Platform for New Voices: By accepting submissions from both established and up-and-coming creatives, STYLECRUZE seems to aim at nurturing new talent in the fashion and beauty industry.
Deliver Stunning Visual Content: The emphasis on high-quality editorials suggests a goal of providing a visually captivating experience for readers.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
“Cultivating Tomorrow’s Creative Vision”
Hey fashionistas! Haven’t heard of STYLÉCRUZE Magazine yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’re a magazine with a mission to spark a global creative revolution, focusing on the hottest trends in fashion, beauty, art, and even music!
Born in the USA in 2017, we weren’t satisfied with just showing off established names. We craved fresh faces and innovative ideas. That’s why we became a platform for the next generation of creative minds to shine.
So how did we get here? It all started with a passion for promoting unique voices and pushing creative boundaries. We believe that the fashion and beauty world thrives on new perspectives, and we want to be the launchpad for those fresh ideas to take flight.
Here’s what you can expect from STYLÉCRUZE:
Stunning Visuals: We take pride in delivering high-quality editorials that are as captivating as they are informative.
Global Inspiration: We source our content from all corners of the world, ensuring you get a diverse and exciting mix of creative energy.
A Platform for New Talent: Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a budding makeup artist, we welcome submissions and love to showcase the work of rising stars.
So, if you’re looking for a magazine that celebrates fresh takes on fashion, beauty, and culture, STYLÉCRUZE is your one-stop shop! Dive into our world and get ready to be inspired!
Content Publication: STYLECRUZE publishes high-quality editorials featuring fashion, beauty, and other creative content. This can give exposure to stylists, photographers, makeup artists, and other creatives whose work is included.
Networking and Recognition: Being featured in a magazine like STYLECRUZE can help aspiring creatives build a reputation and connect with potential clients or collaborators in the industry.
Trendsetting and Inspiration: STYLECRUZE stays on the cutting edge of fashion and beauty trends. By being associated with the magazine, creatives can build a reputation for being innovative and forward-thinking.
While we don’t provide services like styling consultations or makeup application, STYLECRUZE Magazine acts as a bridge between talented creatives and the fashion and beauty world.
At STYLECRUZE, we’re most proud of two things:
Championing the Next Generation: We didn’t get into this business to glorify the same old names. We light a fire for the fresh faces, the innovative ideas, the talents who are just starting to blaze their trails. Seeing them blossom on our pages and connect with the wider world is incredibly rewarding.
Cultivating a Global Creative Community: Fashion and beauty aren’t confined by borders! We scour the world for unique voices and perspectives. This global blend of creative energy keeps things exciting for our readers and fosters a sense of connection among the creatives we feature.
Here’s what we want you, our potential clients, followers, and fans, to know about STYLECRUZE:
We’re Here for You: Are you a budding photographer with a fire in your eye? A hairstylist with a revolutionary technique? We want to hear from you! Submit your work and you could be gracing our pages, reaching a global audience, and becoming part of the next generation of creative icons.
We Believe in Pushing Boundaries: Don’t be afraid to get experimental with us! We’re all about showcasing audacious ideas and unconventional visions. If your work breaks the mold, that’s exactly why we want to see it.
We’re a Launchpad, Not a Gatekeeper: The world of fashion and beauty is bursting with talent, and we want to help break down barriers. Being featured in STYLECRUZE isn’t an end goal, it’s a springboard to connect with the industry and take your creative journey to the next level.
So, join us! Become a part of the STYLÉCRUZE fam and let’s redefine what fashion and beauty can be together! We can’t wait to see what you create.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Building a Buzz: The STYLÉCRUZE Social Media Story
At STYLECRUZE, we weren’t born with a million followers. Building our social media audience took dedication, creativity, and a strategic approach.
Here’s a glimpse into our journey:
Finding Our Voice: We defined ourselves early on as champions of fresh talent and global inspiration. This unique voice resonated with a specific audience – creatives seeking a platform and fashion enthusiasts hungry for new trends.
Content is King (and Queen): We prioritized high-quality visuals and engaging captions. Stunning editorials showcased the talent we featured, while captions offered insights and behind-the-scenes glimpses, keeping our audience glued.
Strategic Platform Selection: We weren’t everywhere at once. We identified the platforms where our target audience was most active (like Instagram for visual content) and focused on building a strong presence there.
Community Building: We fostered interaction, not just promotion. We ran contests, encouraged user-generated content with specific hashtags, and actively responded to comments and messages. This two-way street made our audience feel valued.
Collaborations with Creatives: We partnered with established influencers and rising stars to cross-promote content and reach new audiences. It was a win-win – we gained exposure, and they got their work seen by a wider audience.
Here’s some advice for those starting to build a social media presence:
Know Your Audience: Who are you trying to reach? Tailor your content and platform choices to their interests.
Focus on Quality: Bad visuals and poorly written captions can turn people away. Invest in good photos and videos, and take the time to craft engaging text.
Be Consistent: Regular posting keeps you top-of-mind for your audience. Develop a content calendar to stay on track.
Engage and Interact: Social media is a conversation, not a monologue. Respond to comments, answer questions, and run interactive content to build connections.
Be Patient: Growing a social media audience takes time. Keep putting out great content, interacting with your followers, and eventually, you’ll see results.
Remember, social media is a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. By following these tips and staying true to your brand identity, you can build a thriving online community!
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
STYLECRUZE itself most likely doesn’t sell directly on their website or through external platforms like Amazon, Etsy, or Cratejoy. Here’s why:
Focus on Content and Curation: Our primary function is showcasing creative talent in fashion and beauty, not retailing products. Partnering with established stores or featuring products within editorials would better suit our goals.
Building Brand Identity: Direct sales might distract from our core mission of creative exposure. Partnering with existing retailers allows them to focus on content and brand recognition.
However, there could be a few possibilities:
Limited Edition Collections: Sometimes, magazines create capsule collections with designers they feature. If STYLECRUZE does this, they might sell them directly on their website.
Affiliate Marketing: They could include affiliate links within their content, allowing readers to purchase items directly from retailers while STYLECRUZE earns a commission.
Pros and Cons of Selling Through our Own Platform:
Pros:
Higher Profit Margins: Selling directly eliminates middlemen, potentially increasing profits.
Greater Control Over Brand Image: They could curate a specific product line that aligns with their brand identity.
Cons:
Inventory Management: Holding and managing physical inventory can be complex and expensive.
Customer Service: Fulfilling orders, handling returns, and providing customer service requires significant resources.
Marketing and Sales Expertise: Selling directly requires a different skillset than content creation.
Focus on Core Strengths:
By not selling directly, STYLECRUZE can focus on its strengths: content creation, talent discovery, and brand building. This allows us to establish ourselves as a tastemaker in the fashion and beauty world, potentially leading to more lucrative partnerships with established retailers down the line.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stylecruze.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylecruze/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stylecruze
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/13337144
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/style_cruze
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5R3zuDXVFKAg7iSG2YyTHQ
Image Credits
Model: SUNCICA ZURKOVIC @suncicazurkovic Photographer: IGOR KOKAR @igor_kokar Makeup DunjaStulic: @MAKEUPBYSANTELIJA Studio: STUDIO 46 @studio46.rs