Diipa Khosla is a fashion and beauty influencer, who has a million followers, with her content. Her childhood was just like any other Indian girl, a normal time period. Diipa’s life view completely changed as she was put to an International school by the age of 13. Little Diipa’s international mindset started to get formatted after she came across different cultures of her schoolmates.
Diipa shifted to the Netherlands, another different atmosphere which gave her further ‘culture-tutorials.’ She learned that there are different aspects of life, wherein injustice and inequality prevails. Getting that realization spark at a younger age, she decided to learn Human Rights Law to see what she could do for the society.
Later on, she understood deeply upon passion. If you love something so well and it becomes your passion, you can take it up as your profession and you needn’t ‘work’ any day. During her six moth break between bachelors and masters ; while at Amsterdam, she wished to do something out of her study life. Diipa slowly got that law was not her ultimate passion, but she found it in social media. The humanitarian career that she wanted to pursue could be achieved via social media. ‘Social Media Influencing’ was not even a popular term back then.
When Instagram first came to her life, she had to face criticism regarding her leaving a law degree and choosing the path of an Instagram influencer. Diipa Khosla took up her social media career boldly, to give a better global representation for the desi community. Her mother was her first investor, giving 200 pounds to buy an outfit. Diipa recused the amount many a times to buy many other outfits too. Over time, picked up this as her path and now has a community of 1.5 million within five years.
Diipa had earlier posted pictures with well crafted dress and flawless skin with makeup. Everything looked so perfect. Later, she realized that a number of girls looking up to her could get affected because of this. This made her stand by reality, over the faked perfection. Perfectionism was also affecting her mental health too. With a hashtag ‘#realoverperfect’ she posted unedited and spontaneous pictures on her account. Such an initiative not just satisfied herself, but could reach many of her followers also following real over perfect. Diipa seems a genuine personality online, standing out in her focus. She focuses on women empowerment, posting a picture in an outfit, a dress and in a swimsuit saying -“My clothes don’t affect my idea of respect.”
From a shy girl who had not come out of her shell, she has turned to be an inspiration, burning in fire. There are people who still poke her for her accent, saying its fake. But she ignores such comments as Diipa is well aware of this coming up from her schooling in the British Boarding. Living life as a brown Indian girl, belonging to a western world – was some what contradictory. She embraces both of this and be the perfectly ‘modern Indian girl.’ Moving with her boyfriend, before getting married is considered a strange choice by her Indian background, but that was her individual choice. Diipa wishes to be in a combination of all these ‘worlds.’
Her marriage with Oleg, who was Boston born and Amsterdam raised; was much celebrated. The outfit, venue, décor and every other element had a unique flavor. The couple coming up in 9 different looks, even hit the news lines. The speech by her husband at the reception, tells us that the couple pushed the idea that two different cultures should come together. Diipa still faces irrelevant hate messages enquiring whether she is fighting colorism by marrying a white guy. Social media is a powerful tool to make a change in the world. This struck her and cofounded and NGO along with her husband. ‘Post for Change’ her NGO started partnering up with UNICEF, United Nations and UN Women. The first campaign for Post For Change was with Unicef India, named ‘The Red Dot Challenge.’ This was to create awareness for menstrual hygiene. The campaign to almost 100 million people, with them posting for pictures with a red dot on their palms.
Today, Post For Change strives for Woman Empowerment collaborating with other NGOs and influencers dealing topics like mental health, sexual rights and equality for women. Other campaigns by Post for Change includes the one against gender bias, where in a story of women influencers wearing turban was a big news. ‘OrangetheWorld’ was another successful campaign wherein many joined in and stood together to end violence against women. A brave move to end colorism was taken by Post for Change as they introduced a petition and pledge. People were asked to post pictures of the half-face with one real and another white-washed. It was a calling to Bollywood and major Media outlets to end colorism and leave their beauty standards.
Her one year old baby Dua is already a star over social media and presently has a profile for herself. The much anticipated beauty brand, Inde Wild was born along with her baby, as a brand that combines Ayurveda and Chemistry. It is described to pioneer ‘Ayurvedistry.’ Inde Wild is the first Indian beauty brand to launch across 4 countries before completing one year of its launch. AM Sunrise Glow Serum and the PM Sunset Restore Serum are the brand’s exclusive products which are allrounder products for skincare.
A phenomenal desi representation, Diipa takes over the area of beauty, fashion and lifestyle in her unique way. She has scored a dozen prestigious brand collaborations (which include Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Bulgari and Dior), global magazine covers (18 at last count), Cannes red-carpet runs, influencer titles and TEDx awards. She was chosen as ‘The Influencer of the Year’ by Vogue and Elle. She has even walked the red carpet at Cannes.
