Schooled in fashion

Still in college, and having started the blog when they were still teenagers, how hard was it to get recognised? “For us, it was the work that spoke for itself. I have noticed that unless you’re designing the clothes yourself, people don’t take you seriously as fashion bloggers. They needed to see the work that we do,” says Sruthi excitedly, and goes on to describe how they both have collaborated with various photographers and designers for Teal – “The best part is working with different people; the level of enthusiasm we share is almost similar. So, that automatically translates into our work.” In fact, several designers have already approached Teal to launch their brands through the blog.

Their backgrounds in art also have played a very important role. While Sruthi is Indian by birth and a classical dancer who dabbles in art, Tanitha is half Italian with an Anglo-Indian father. She was raised in India but visits Italy often, an experience that taught her a lot. “Tanitha was the one who pitched the idea initially and I jumped at the opportunity,” explains Sruthi. “I had come up with a lot of names that were too complex and then Tanitha told me that if people needed to remember our blog, it had to be simple. Then she suggested teal, the colour, and I loved the way it sounded. Teal is a mix of blue and green; an amalgam of traditional and yet not overtly traditional. That is what we wanted to represent,” Sruthi tells us.

The kind of response they have received has been humbling, and unexpected – quite an ego boost as well, Sruthi laughs heartily. Right now, they are juggling college and the blog, quite a feat, but she smiles that they have the balance all figured out. So what’s next? “Honestly, it’s gonna be a surprise for us as well the people that follow teal,” she quips.