Professor Shalini Gupta, the Associate Dean of Styling and Beauty at Pearl Academy, India, is a distinguished academic and fashion industry expert. With 23 years of experience, she made her mark in designing and styling for magazines, television, and celebrities.
Armed with a Bachelor of Design from the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi and a Master's degree in Fashion and Textiles, she profoundly understands the fashion realm.
Shalini's professional journey commenced as the Co-founder and Head of Design at 'What's Pink,' a renowned fashion accessories label that achieved immense success in India, Europe, and the Middle East from 2000 to 2015.
In 2014, Shalini transitioned her focus to academia, joining Pearl Academy. She actively engages in subjects related to image and identity, visual literacy, and innovative creative practice. Her research endeavours delve into embedding sustainable thinking into design curricula, exploring fashion as a form of activism and identity expression, and studying the relationship between age and fashion.
Shalini's contributions extend beyond the classroom. She served as the principal investigator for a British Council-funded project, collaborating with Manchester Metropolitan University to co-create value for Indian craft products within digital social platforms. Her commitment to international collaboration led to the establishment of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects, fostering meaningful exchanges among students, teachers, and artisans.
Shalini's research focuses on visual literacy and its intersection with the fashion image. Her impressive publications and accolades, including the Best Research on Sustainability at The Global Fashion Conference 2021 and multiple top research and faculty awards from Pearl Academy, underscore her dedication to advancing India's fashion industry and education.