Daily Inspiration: Meet AmbiKa Sanjana

Today we’d like to introduce you to AmbiKa Sanjana.

Hi AmbiKa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Raised by a family of musicians, I grew up in India where I learned that hard work and dedication were going to be the epitome of my success. Before moving to America, the first seventeen years of my life were dedicated to music, dance, and theatre, but my heart was not yet fulfilled until I started working towards a new dream. Taking control of my destiny, I traveled to many countries, finally settling in Los Angeles in 2012 where I began my journey in production with my first show – the VMA’s.

With an interest in the fashion industry, I started a swimsuit line entitled “Bika,” and through doing that, I met a prominent fashion magazine editor who shot the lookbook for my brand. Catapulting my career, he booked me for my first official printed editorial! My first styling job was a “Get the Look” feature with Regard Magazine – a magazine I would eventually be hired to work for soon after. Celebrities I had styled for the magazine started hiring me for outside jobs which helped me build my brand, my portfolio, and my confidence.

With a love for styling and production, I am passionate about both specialties because they allow me to use creative and logistical thinking, creating the perfect balance.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the journey I have taken, I have not expected to find a smooth road to reach my dreams. When I challenge myself and learn to adapt to or overcome obstacles, I change for the better, gaining strength in times of greater hardship. Unfortunately, sometimes the obstacles are societal and not based upon whether or not I have the talent, expertise, or experience. As an immigrant child who attended a predominantly white school in Florida, I was taunted for being the “brown girl.” When I moved to Los Angeles, I had to break into an industry when at that time, there weren’t opportunities for my race. Society has since then shifted, but the industry has a long way to go to create true and unbiased representation for all races.

On the other hand, sometimes the obstacles are based on my intuition. Even though I had dedicated the first seventeen years of my life to the discipline of piano, I turned down a scholarship to one of the most prestigious music schools in the country because I simply wasn’t passionate anymore, causing me to take the risk of pursuing an entirely new avenue. Through this journey, I have learned how to rely on myself when times are tough and believe in myself when others don’t. As a multicultural, brown immigrant woman who wears a bindi, I have integrated myself into an industry that will one day see past my skin color, and for this, I am beyond proud of the woman I have become.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today, I work as a stylist, producer, and creative director on a versatile range of projects and shows, and I continue to expand my portfolio by challenging myself with new opportunities that arise every day. As a multidisciplinary artist, I pride myself in integrating multiple mediums of art into each of my projects, and I am always eager to learn new disciplines to add to my ever-evolving skill set.

As a self-made woman, I am most proud of my courage to take risks and my ability to consistently have them come to fruition. I have always listened to my gut, not allowing society, culture, or prejudice to sway my direction. There are many temptations in this industry, but I have held strong to my beliefs and self-worth by never straying from my true identity.

Many aspects set me apart from others, but my international and diverse influences on my aesthetic are what drive my image and push me forward in an ever-changing industry. Having the ability to adapt is important, but having the knowledge of many different cultures will always set me apart.

How do you think about luck?
Others may believe certain levels of success require luck, but I don’t believe luck plays a role in my journey. With hard work and determination, my success has been driven by my perseverance and dedication to my craft. By never straying from my path, I have manifested the opportunities that have come before me, and through this, I have gained experience, knowledge, and a sense of belonging in the creative world. As an artist, I have had many instances of what others might call “bad luck,” but I see them as possibilities to learn and develop my skills in a new area. With each new project, I arrive stronger, more prepared, and ready to adapt to new challenges that come my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: styledbyambika.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styledbyambika/