In a candid interview with Malvika Billa, founder of Blishkins, she opens up about her journey from a travel enthusiast to a fashion influencer. Malvika’s unique blend of French aesthetics and global appeal sets her apart in the influencer landscape. She shares how her blog evolved and the lessons she has learned while building her brand in France.
Malvika’s passion for travel and fashion was the spark behind Blishkins. “I always liked travel and fashion, and while I was on a volunteering trip to Egypt, I decided to start posting highlights from there, which really helped kickstart the blog. So I guess initially it started off as a travel blog and developed into so much more. It took me a good year or two to finally decide on the focus areas and vision for my blog,” she recalls.
Being based in Paris, the global fashion capital, has been a tremendous influence on Blishkins’ aesthetic. Malvika elaborates, “The city’s ever-changing style landscape makes it easy to draw fresh ideas. I blend just the right amount of Parisian flair with my Indian influences, creating a balanced aesthetic that feels uniquely mine.” This fusion of cultures gives her content a fresh and distinct perspective.
When asked about balancing creativity with business demands, Malvika reflects on the challenges of being an influencer. “It’s all about the connection between your vision and the brands that align with it. What I love is that the same applies to my audience—they appreciate my personal perspective, which makes it easier to stay grounded while giving my creativity room to shine. Balancing authenticity with innovation is what makes content creation so exciting for me.”
Living in France has also influenced her blog’s values and style. “Living here has definitely shaped my blog in ways I hadn’t expected, making it more diverse and well-rounded. I’ve started blogging about food and restaurants—something I’ve come to love thanks to being surrounded by such rich culinary culture. It’s not just about fashion and travel anymore; my brand has naturally grown into a full-fledged lifestyle blog,” she shares.
Malvika highlights the importance of knowing the local language while building a brand in France. “Everyone told me that knowing the local language in European cities can really make a difference, and I can honestly say it’s been especially true here in France. Not speaking French when I first arrived definitely limited my growth. But now that I’ve started experimenting with content creation in French, I’ve seen better engagement and reach, particularly on platforms like TikTok, where I’m still navigating my way.”
To stay relevant in the fast-evolving influencer industry, Malvika believes in staying adaptable. “My approach isn’t about staying ahead of trends, it’s about staying adaptable and evolving. I’m not someone who jumps on every trend or fad, and I prefer to keep my blog personal and true to my style. I think that’s what keeps me relevant: by maintaining my unique voice while blending in the trends and styles that feel authentic to me,” she explains.
Social media plays a vital role in building Blishkins, but Malvika remains mindful of its challenges. “Being a digital blog, social media is pretty important when it comes to building Blishkins. I try to adapt and embrace newer platforms without developing any biases. But at the same time, it’s an explosive scene, and it does get hard to keep up with every new platform,” she shares.
Malvika is particularly excited about emerging French fashion trends. “Paris is a hotspot for emerging styles, trends, and fashion, and I love to see the developments before they are unveiled to the world. Living here gives me access to smaller indie brands that I can foresee becoming popular. The growth of one such brand, Polène, is a great example of what I mean,” she adds.
Malvika Billa’s journey is a testament to the importance of blending authenticity, adaptability, and creativity to carve a unique niche in the competitive world of fashion and lifestyle blogging. Her ability to balance her personal style with global trends keeps Blishkins ahead in the game.
