Interview with Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais

Exclusive Interview with Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais

Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais –Today’s academic, activist, aristocrat and a woman on mission.

I was fortunate enough to get in contact with Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais. She is a personified example of the quote “the secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Know more about her journey and her take on fashion through this small interactive interview.

FashionVeda: Please tell us about your journey till date. Starting from psychologist to supermodel is a journey we all would love to know.

Dr. Bais: It's been a long and fruitful journey with many more miles to go! Modelling and psychology have always happened simultaneously. When I look back, I do marvel a bit on how each career is distinct but always managed to intersect. I was 14 when I knew I wanted to become a psychologist, the roots of compassion and activism were seeded and manifest early on. For example, I did not understand how someone from a 'lower' caste could not sit on the same bed, how women were not allowed in kitchens and temples during their period, the unevenness and burden of expectations and restrictions on women but not men. In my modelling career I have refused to endorse whitness fairness creams, and called out abusive and unjust behaviour in the Bollywood/Fashion industries.

FashionVeda: What according to you is fashion? Please, could you draw a line between professional and comfortable wear?

Dr. Bais: Fashion to many is seen as frivolous, superficial etc. But the power and impact of fashion is undeniable since humans started to cover themselves with animal skins. Fashion is a satirical choice, it's the outward most expression of personality. It can also be political. For example when I attended the Cannes Film Festival a couple years back, I put Malaysian designer Alia Bastamaan on the film festival red carpet for the first time. I believed in representing the country you arrived from. Sustainable fashion is very important and so are the financial drivers, to that end, I admire the work of Fern Malis and Bandana Tiwari, using their fashion prestige for great good. Fashion is transient, style however is eternal, I rather be stylish.

FashionVeda: Moving towards mental health, recently the entire world has faced a drastic shift due to COVID-19 pandemic. You have been working in this field day in and day out. What according to you is the foremost step to keep our mental health intact?

Dr. Bais: A true understanding of two things: Self Awareness born out of deep self reflection and a willingness "to go there" and understanding the difference between well meaning amateurs and professionals. Many people want to be in mental health, they assume because they like to listen to people and have self labelled deep thoughts, that's what cuts it. I see finance people and VC's talk about mindsets on instagram, and they really have no business doing so. It is important to stay in one's lane. Listen to and follow true professionals from rigorous accredited universities and realise its not a one size fits all when it comes to what you are reading on social media. For those who can afford it, engaging in therapy can be life changing. Being open to mental health and realising at one point in life, everyone will go through it and it is nothing to be ashamed about is crucial.

FashionVeda: Your personal words for all the females who look up to you for inspiration.

Dr. Bais: Understand deeply how much your life and those women that have come before you have been circumscribed by patriarchal restrictions. All that pain you feel, that numbness, that sadness, that not good enough feeling? Often (not always) it can be attributed to structures and systems that have been erected way before you, so it is not an individual failing. Together, women are finding their strength and voice collectively and will suffer fools less and less.

FashionVeda: What comes to your mind when we integrate fashion and psychology. We have seen alot of changes in both please help us understand how one affect the other?

Dr. Bais: As mentioned before, psychology is imbedded deeply in choices we make, externally documenting how we are feeling about the world, ourselves. This is done by the colours we wear and what they may represent, how we feel about our body and messages we want to convey. To that end, I think Meena Harris's Phenomenal collection is awesome, I have several pieces and have bought them as gift for female friends.

FashionVeda: What are your future plans?

Dr. Bais: Books, podcasts, and on the ground field work! Collaborations with those on the same vibratory level, I protect my time fiercely.

FashionVeda: Your personal words for the readers?

Dr. Bais: There is a strength and beauty inside each of you, please nurture that every day.

FashionVeda: Well on parting notes, I would like you to share one phrase or line you wish people should remember you with?

Dr. Bais: Nothing is more sublime than grace.

To know more about her follow her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/anjhula/) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/AnjhulaMya) . Her inspirational words and actions will surely bring a change in the society. We at FashionVeda salute her for her courageous work and outstanding approach towards life.

By Videsha