On her maiden visit to the Raffles Udaipur with Travel + Leisure India & SA, Masoom Minawala reveals what she loves about a luxury vacation, her favourite holiday destination in India, and how travel inspires her. By Chirag Mohanty Samal
Global influencer, digital creator, and entrepreneur Masoom Minawala’s endearing success story is what most girls dream of. Minawala started a fashion blog in 2010 called Miss Style Fiesta and now with over 1.48 million followers across her social media platforms, she commands some serious influence in the Indian fashion and lifestyle ecosystem. She is one of the first creators from India to have walked the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival thrice in a row, and has attended Paris Fashion Week multiple times for brands like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, Dior, etc. Besides representing India at global events, Minawala is also a serial entrepreneur.
Excerpts from the interview with Masoom Minawala:
T+L India: What does luxury mean to you?
Masoom Minawala: The luxury landscape is changing, and how we as customers consume it is also dynamically evolving. It’s vital for luxury today to be environmentally neutral, socially beneficial, and culturally sustainable. For me, luxury lies in utmost comfort and extraordinary attention to detail.
T+L India: How does travel inspire you as a content creator?
Masoom Minawala: Whenever I’m travelling, I’m seeking inspiration both creatively and subconsciously. Usually, it’s an experience or a space, maybe even a conversation.
T+L India: Talking of hospitality, Raffles Udaipur scores high on this parameter—what are your thoughts?
Masoom Minawala: The Raffles property in Udaipur is truly majestic. It is so serene and peaceful. I especially enjoyed how meticulous, gracious, and warm they [the staff] were. And something that has stayed with me even after my stay at Raffles is the serenity. Given that it’s built on a private island surrounded by a lake, the resort is peaceful and quiet.
T+L India: You have travelled across the world; how would you rate Indian hospitality on a global scale?
Masoom Minawala: There’s nothing like Indian hospitality in the world! The warmth with which we welcome our guests is unparalleled.
T+L India: What is your idea of a luxurious vacation?
Masoom Minawala: My idea of a luxurious vacation is spending quality time with my family. For me, that’s the real luxury and the most important part of any vacation.
T+L India: What kind of a traveller are you?
Masoom Minawala: I love to explore what a particular place has to offer in terms of art, history, and food, and soak in the culture. But I also like to enjoy some downtime and chill by the pool.
T+L India: What has been your most memorable holiday till date?
Masoom Minawala: I visited Tulum with my husband last year and witnessed the town with all its nuances. There were so many amazing experiences that impacted me. Visiting the AZULIK museum, in particular, was something I’ll never forget.
T+L India: What’s your favourite travel destination in India and why?
Masoom Minawala: Rajasthan has to be my favourite travel destination in India. The kind of hospitality and warmth it offers is something I haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing anywhere else in the world.
T+L India: What does your travel bucket list look like?
Masoom Minawala: Next on my bucket list is the Grand Canyon.
Related: August Cover Star & Global Influencer Masoom Minawala Redefines Lux Living At Raffles Udaipur
