Shreyas Mehta is a talented model and actor based in Dubai, known for his striking looks and versatile acting abilities. Originally from India, Shreyas has made a name for himself in the Middle Eastern entertainment industry, appearing in numerous commercials, TV shows, and films. With his natural charisma and ability to inhabit a wide range of characters, he has become a sought-after talent for both local and international productions. In addition to his acting career, Shreyas is also a successful model, having worked with major fashion brands and graced the pages of prominent magazines. His dedication to his craft, combined with his magnetic personality, make him a rising star to watch in the world of entertainment.
We speak to Shreyas about his feature in the hit American TV series “Love Without Borders,” his latest fashion launch, and how he balances his career and personal life to reach success.
Tell us about your career timeline and journey into becoming a model and actor and now a Designer. Did you always follow that path, or did you nearly work in another industry?
SM: I’d say the seed of acting and modelling was sown in my formative years growing up in the thick of Bombay’s show-business culture. Naturally, I gravitated towards creative domains, leading to my bachelor’s in media and master’s in fashion design. During college, a modelling opportunity presented itself, putting me on a path that led to more offers and a job in Dubai. My career, which started as a ‘Buyer’ for a fashion brand alongside modelling gigs, truly took off in Dubai, where I would go on to feature in the runway shows of esteemed designers. All these culminated in my casting as a “Dubai Boy” in ‘Love Without Borders’.
How competitive was it to get an acting role in the hit American reality TV series “Love Without Borders” based in Dubai?
SM: I attribute my casting in the series to luck and my portfolio in almost equal measure. Showrunners contacted me via Instagram and followed up with multiple online auditions before awarding me the role and the distinction of being one of the first Dubai-based actors to feature in an international series. While the “Dubai identity” qualified me for the audition — a stroke of luck after investing years into building a portfolio — the subsequent processes, including preparations for the role, were daunting.
What has Dubai offered you in terms of opportunities that other countries have not? How has the UAE impacted your identity?
SM: As the reality TV series has a strong sense of cosmopolitanism, the showrunners sought someone who embodies that trait in Dubai. So, my casting in the series was contingent on me being in Dubai and engrossed in its culture — I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if not for this city. Staying true to character, I manifested my “Dubai Boy” identity throughout the series, embodying the local culture of hospitality, discipline, respect, and humility.
Tell us about the launch of your brand. What was the idea behind Flashmob Nation and why have you launched it in Dubai?
SM: Flashmob Nation is a high-street designer brand, which — as the name suggests — is a marriage of in-vogue trends and designerwear. The idea behind it is to give customers a unique clothing identity through stand-out apparel for any occasion, be it work, travel, or parties. It is a product of my years of experience in the Buyer role, a nuanced understanding of the market, and innate creativity. I specifically chose Dubai as a launchpad due to its multiculturalism and the accompanying wide array of preferences, which drive the marketability of innovative ideas and products. Dubai’s favourable entrepreneurial ecosystem and the overall upbeat consumer sentiment, too, incentivized me.
Who is your typical Flashmob nation user? Who did you have in mind when designing this collection?
SM: Flashmob Nation is for anyone who yearns for outfits that can speak for them. So, it has no self-imposed age, gender, and demographical limitations. Though its sync with the vogue could be more appealing to the youth, it can cater to older customers with an eye for fashion just the same. Differentiation is the cornerstone of the designing process, regardless of collections and categories such as daily wear, partywear, and workwear. In Dubai, where self-care and personal grooming is culturally ingrained, the demand for stand-out apparel is robust.
What is the USP of your brand, and how do you differentiate it from the market?
SM: The market is rife with single-occasion brands and those with generic offerings; there is a dearth of brands that offer different clothing for different occasions, such as work and play, under one roof while also factoring in all the customer expectations. We are striving to fill that market gap. Aside from the “occasion wear” emphasis, our selling points include premium-grade fabric, a perceptible feeling of high-street fashion, and, most importantly, the reluctance to be confined to any design paradigm.
What’s your secret to balancing fame, fitness and fashion all in one day?
SM: Discipline is my guiding principle, from my morning run to self-grooming to constantly improving my learning curve. At the same time, I practice temperance, making sure I don’t become excessively indulgent, by limiting socializing and partying to weekends. Discipline and moderation are rooted in my upbringing and the value system inculcated in me by my parents.
What is the motto you live by every day and what advice can you give other budding Entrepreneurs who want to follow the same path as you, but find it difficult?
SM: I urge budding entrepreneurs to not lose sight of the big picture in the face of life’s endless curveballs. I got my break after a decade of honing my skills and building a strong portfolio both online and offline. I trusted the process every step of the way. That said, don’t stop learning and improving after you reach your goals. In my case, I’m currently enrolled in Spanish language and acting classes, preparing for future roles. From the entrepreneurship standpoint, I believe in being purpose-driven, especially if the venture corresponds to creative domains.
Do you feel like you have an edge to promote your brand being an influencer, model and actor in Dubai?
SM: As the brand is inextricably tied to my identity, I cannot separate it from my acting or modelling career. In fact, I’m actively leveraging my core competencies to build the brand. At the same time, I envision the brand forging its own identity someday and for customers to feel special identifying with it. To that end, I’m formulating an experience-driven strategy for Flashmob Nation, aimed at designing and delivering apparel that strikes a chord with customers.
Tell us an exclusive of what’s coming up for you next.
SM: I have a few projects lined up, the details of which I’ll divulge soon. At this point in time, I can tell that it will most likely be a scripted international show, as opposed to reality TV. With Flashmob Nation, the short-term objective is to build omnichannel capabilities before aiming for the apparel to reach the wardrobe of every fashion-conscious shopper. Over the long haul, the priority is to keep pace with trends, achieve sustainable growth, and deliver on brand promises.
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