He garnered instant attention for styling Simon Tuit in Khatleen Minerve's Uomo photo shoot.
He's been behind the scenes helping me out for almost all of the PEOPLE: IN FASHION photo shoots, as well as a few other extra little collaborations here and there.
He is no other than Kunal Gopaleea, the fierce taste maker.
Modelling for Australian brand MGRACE
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Who are you?
Kunal Gopaleea, 25 years old - maybe you shouldn't write that! Joking. I've lived mostly in Mauritius but have travelled quite a bit. I studied marine biology in Melbourne and have worked for a parastatal investment body since I've been back here, until recently - I've decided to fly on my own.
I am really passionate about sport: I am a part-time trainer at a local gym. I'm also an animal activist at PAWS.
So, fashion. I was interested in it from a young age, and then I went to Melbourne and the city changed me. I discovered how much I enjoyed styling.
How did you become involved in fashion?
My mother is a fashion and fabrics teacher. I always used to watch her sew and prepare her classes...But what I really enjoyed was when it was time to dress up. Be it my mum or some other family member, I loved observing how they would carefully select a piece from their wardrobe and think, 'Will this be alright?' I was really young then, though, and my fashion sense was awful. The things I was wearing! But now when I look back, I see it was just a learning curve.
What is style?
We all at some point try to find ourselves. Clothes are just a way for us to express who we are. I believe that one’s style reflects who the person is. It is hard for you to stop and talk to people you randomly cross on the street, but our style helps us in communicating who we are, our identity, our personality. Of course, in Mauritius we are far away from doing that. Most people wear what they see on top of their clothing shelves, or just something to blend in. They follow 'norms' without trying to find and express individual identity.
Styling is what I love about the whole industry. To lay your hands on wonderful pieces and putting them together to give an identity, to bring a concept to life, to express myself or what the photographer wants, to play around with accessories. Oh and yes SHOES. To me styling is a way for me to create a sentence from designers' words so as to transmit a message. Also, styling people helps them find and express their personal identity. Styling is not just about combining colours; it's about knowing materials, textures, feel, look, etc. All that is so exciting to me.
Modelling for Australian brand MGRACE
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
When did you start styling?
It all started back in my Melbourne days when I had already established my identity and personal style. I was able to express myself through what I wore, and I was asked for help from friends who would ask me to dress them, do their hair etc. People used to stop me on the street to ask if I was a fashion lecturer - and I was like, jeez, do I look that old?! - some even wanted to take pictures with me. It was a real honour, as Melbourne is THE fashion capital of Australia. I was also often invited to attend shows by local Australian designers during fashion week. They were very fun. It was all very simple and it was amazing to watch so many young designers with fresh looks presenting so many creative things. One of the best shows I have been to was by a new designer Contra/Asset.
I realized I had potential as a stylist when a friend of mine had an interview with Alex Perry, and she was stressing out so much that I did her book for her. She is a young talented designer who gets her inspiration from Yohji Yamamoto. When she came back from the interview, she told me how impressed Alex Perry was with her book, with the flow of it, and she told him that I did it. He was very impressed, especially as I had no background knowledge of fashion. I then thought that I wanted to try styling, even if it was just a hobby.
Something I really enjoy about this job is that I remain invisible. I enjoy being backstage, in the chaos, putting the clothes myself on the models, and then watch the end product and people's reactions to it. Knowing that they have no clue of what happened behind the scenes is exciting in a weird way.
What about your personal style?
Well, it took me a while to realize I was a hipster, though I always dressed like one. I often do get stared at and receive some annoying comments in Mauritius, but hey, it's my style, my indentity and I'm not afraid to show it, because at last I have one! Why blend in when you are unique and born to stand out? Everyone is unique, express it!
xoxo
Alex
email: stylemauritius@live.com
