Relatable Everyday Characters Styling
I help brands tell authentic stories by styling characters that feel like people you actually know. From school uniforms to everyday home-wear, it is all about the details. ✨
This heartwarming Mother's Day film for Swiggy Instamart involved styling a variety of everyday characters. My goal was to make each person, from the daughter to the people she meets, feel completely real and authentic through their clothing.
A still from the Swiggy ad showing the father and son preparing for a celebration. Their simple, slightly worn-in clothes were chosen to create a sense of realism and warmth.
A surreal and funny shot from the Swiggy ad. I styled the actress in a simple tank top and jeans, a very relatable outfit for being at home, which makes the giant Instamart bag even funnier.
This scene is set in a classic Indian barbershop. I styled the characters in outfits that felt completely natural for that environment, like the striped shirt and the barber's simple attire.
The main character in a simple, casual outfit, reflecting a typical day at home. This realistic styling helps the audience connect with her story.
I love creating authentic character looks, like this policeman's uniform for the Swiggy ad. Getting the details right is key to making a scene believable.
The final scene of the Swiggy ad, where the daughter is "delivered" to her mother. The contrast between her casual home clothes and the delivery partner's uniform makes the moment sweet and funny.
For this Zomato and Feeding India campaign, I styled all the children in simple, realistic school uniforms. The focus was on authenticity to tell a heartfelt story.
A beautiful, candid moment from the Zomato film. The little boy's school uniform, complete with a turban, was styled to look natural and lived-in.
Two boys in their school uniforms, sharing a moment in a playground tunnel. The styling is simple and doesn't distract from the emotional core of the scene.
About Relatable Everyday Characters
When I style for an everyday character, I am not just picking clothes, I am building a backstory. For a scene like a school student or a stressed mom, I look for things that show life, maybe a slightly worn-in fabric, a specific color palette that does not scream 'new,' or a mismatched collar. These small, imperfect details are what make the screen feel like real life, not a set.
Building a character for a commercial is a delicate balance. If a look is too 'perfect,' the audience disengages because it does not feel true to the story. My process starts by diving into the script’s emotional core. Whether it is a bustling barbershop scene for Swiggy or a heartfelt classroom moment for Zomato, my goal is invisibility—the clothes should fit the character so well that the viewer does not even notice I was there.
I source from everywhere—local markets, high-street brands, and sometimes even vintage finds if it gets the texture right. For Zomato’s Feeding India campaign, I focused on school uniforms that looked lived-in, ensuring the children felt authentic in their setting. For the Urban Company ad, I picked casual home clothes that visually communicated the exhaustion and reliability of a busy mother.
How I keep it real:
- Fabric Choices: I avoid stiff, synthetic fabrics that look too crisp on camera. I prioritize cottons and linens that drape naturally.
- Layering: Real people often wear layers or accessories that accumulate over the day. I add these touches to bring depth to a character.
- Color Palettes: I lean into muted, earthy tones for everyday scenarios rather than high-contrast, loud colors that distract from the narrative.
My team and I handle everything from sourcing to on-set management, so you can focus on the camera and the performance. Let’s create characters that your audience can connect with immediately.
Shreya Singh
Hey! I am Shreya, a stylist who loves the magic of turning actors into characters. I am just as happy raiding local markets for the perfect 'worn-in' shirt as I am sourcing for big campaigns. Let’s make something real together. 🖤
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