Put your best foot forward: A tailor-made transformation with BABITA JAISHANKAR
Research indicates that first impressions matter, in a study conducted by Princeton psychologists J Willis and A. Todorov, it was highlighted that people form first impressions within 1/10th of a second based just on appearances. This says a lot about why emphasis is placed on what we wear, our body language and our mannerisms. To support the topic, another study by Harvard Business School in 2014 found individuals to be more successful than those who dressed in a more polished manner, and also to be perceived as more intelligent and deserving of the job portfolio. This is about how impressions are made on others from job interviewers to colleagues to our circle of influence. But what if we tell you that fashion, dressing, and personal grooming also profoundly impact the self – research by Northwestern University introduced the term ‘Enclosed Cognition’ suggests what we wear affects our psychology – meaning appropriate dressing offers us boosted confidence and strength.
In this feature, we emphasized all aspects of a personal image – in an exclusive interview with Babita Jaishankar we explore how fashion is integral to one’s image and impact on the world.
Babita Jaishankar began her journey into fashion and image coaching with a fascination for colours while she was in the U.S., where she forayed into understanding skin tones and colour profiles. She realized how the right colours and styles could transform not just appearances but also confidence levels. This learning set the foundation for her career as an image coach and designer.
Upon returning to India, Babita combined her understanding of colour theory with her passion for fashion, helping individuals refine their style. Over time, her work evolved beyond just clothing—she began mentoring and formally coaching people on self-perception, body language, and the psychology of dressing. Today, she is a sought-after image coach, a fashion designer, and the founder of Wsol, a brand that promotes circular and customized fashion.
Her expertise has taken her to TEDx stages, where she speaks about personal transformation and self-expression. She has also stepped into the world of acting, taking up TV commercials and embracing yet another dimension of storytelling and confidence-building. Babita’s is a great inspiration and a mentor for those aiming for self-growth and professional success with learning that fashion is not just about what you wear—it’s about how you see yourself and how you communicate that identity to the world.
MOSAIC: How did your journey into fashion and image coaching begin?
Babita: It started quite naturally, I was a stay-at-home mom, fully immersed in raising my children, but I always had a deep interest in fashion and how people present themselves. As my kids grew older, I felt the need to do something for myself. I pursued design studies and started freelancing while in the US. The real turning point came when I did a course at IIM Bangalore, which helped me structure my passion into a business – discovering that I can turn my passion into a business that not only gives me benefits but also makes a difference in others’ lives. That’s how my entrepreneurial journey in image coaching truly began.
MOSAIC: Many people think image coaching is just about styling. How do you define it?
Babita: Image coaching is so much more! It is much deeper than just picking outfits or mixing and matching. It’s about personal beliefs, interests, self-perception, confidence, and even self-talk. The way you dress is only one part of how you present yourself to the world. Body language, communication, what you eat, and how you carry yourself all contribute to your image. For me, coaching is about helping people understand who they are and how they want to be perceived, whether in professional settings, social situations, or personal life.
MOSAIC: Can you share an example where image coaching had a deep impact on someone’s life?
Babita: There was a nurse who came to me feeling completely lost about her identity and saddened by not making it through a job interview and being judged for her outfit. She wore uniforms all day, and outside of work, with no insight on what clothes might work for her and she felt invisible. She had no sense of personal style because she had never explored it. Through coaching, we worked on building her confidence, not just through clothing but also by changing the way she spoke to herself.
She started wearing outfits that reflected her personality, practised positive self-talk, and developed a new sense of confidence. Then we witnessed her transformation wasn’t just external—it changed how she felt about herself entirely.
MOSAIC: You took a bold step by shaving your head. What led to that decision?
Babita: A lot of cancer patients, especially those going through chemotherapy, struggle with their self-image after losing their hair. I wanted to truly understand what it felt like to be in that position. So, I shaved my head and stayed bald for a whole year.
It was an eye-opening experience, I realized how much we attach our confidence to our hair. But beyond that, I found a different kind of strength, I experienced empathy and newfound self-respect. Also, after going bald, my career grew even more—I was invited to do a TEDx talk, got acting opportunities, and felt a renewed confidence in my own skin.
MOSAIC: You’ve worked with children as well. How do you think image coaching benefits them?
Babita: Children and teenagers can benefit from image coaching just as much as adults, a lot of their confidence issues are born from self-doubt, body image concerns, or social pressures, which we consciously must acknowledge for children living on the phone and being bombarded with all sorts of media and influences. I’ve worked with students who struggle with self-expression. Even simple things like helping them understand colours, how to carry themselves, or how to present themselves in a way that aligns with their personality can make a huge difference in their confidence. Sometimes, they don’t need full counselling—they just need small shifts in perspective that help them see themselves differently. Also, I believe schools can play a great role in advocating body positivity in young children prone to social norms, I have not mentored school children, mostly youth and there I believe a little guidance can go a long way for them to present their individuality and their thoughts and ideas with confidence and without insecurities or hesitation.
MOSAIC: How do your work and designs promote and incorporate sustainability>
Babita: I love repurposing textiles and giving them new life. One of my favourite things to do is create jackets out of old Banarasi silk sarees or even personal fabrics like my father’s old throw which holds a special place in my heart. These pieces carry a story, history and emotion, making them truly unique. Also, India is so rich in textiles and my family love the vibrancy of these textiles through their patterns textures and colours – we love bright and rich colours, and this represents my identity and work best.
Instead of constantly buying new clothes, I encourage people to work with what they have in their wardrobes. I do sessions where I help clients shop from their own wardrobes—mixing and matching pieces they already own to create fresh, stylish looks. So they don’t end up in stores or malls buying for an event, this way I promote Indian clothing, and what we already own.
MOSAIC: What’s one piece of advice you give clients when it comes to self-expression?
Babita: The way you talk to yourself matters, self-talk plays a huge role in confidence. If you constantly tell yourself that you’re not stylish, that you don’t look good, or that you’re not enough, then no amount of good clothing will or make-up will change that for you. Self-talk is a great way to affirm or reinforce in yourself what you are and what you have is beautiful and unique.
I advise them to start by changing the narrative in their head. Instead of saying, I don’t look good in this, or I look fat try saying, I’m exploring what works for me, which foods best support my health, which skincare is meant for me; small shifts in how you speak to yourself can have a big impact on your confidence and how you present yourself to the world.
“I wanted to understand first-hand how much hair defines a woman’s confidence and how it affects cancer patients. So, I shaved my head in respect and in the process to learn how society perceives it and stayed bald for a year. It was a journey of self-discovery—shedding not just hair, but society’s perceptions of beauty and identity.”
“Image coaching is multi-layered, it’s not just about clothes, but also about what you eat, the skincare you follow, how you speak, and how you present yourself. I’ve been humbled