An industry that is as crucial as fashion, was predominantly male-driven two decades ago. Shattering the glass ceiling in the fashion and lifestyle industry, Indian businesswomen have made their mark on a global level. From glamorous designer looks to everyday casual ensembles, what we wear defines our personality and in turn our confidence levels. These entrepreneurs have paved the way for women across the country who dare to dream and accomplish it all.
Bringing affordable wardrobe staples to one-of-a-kind investment-worthy pieces to the market, here are 8 Indian businesswomen conquering the fashion world one step at a time:
1. Masaba Gupta, House of Masaba
The unproclaimed queen of prints and all things quirky, Masaba Gupta is a name to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. Hers is a brand that allows regular women to own a piece of comfortable designer wear without breaking the bank. From running her fashion house to designing lipsticks for leading lifestyle brands, Masaba Gupta has even debuted in her very own OTT series, Masaba Masaba on Netflix. Most recently, she has launched a skincare range named, Lovechild. At only 19 Masaba, showcased her collection at the Lakme Fashion Week, after which she had a fair share of highs and lows, only to emerge stronger and better.
2. Tina Tahiliani Parikh, Ensemble
A Stanford University graduate, Tina Tahiliani Parikh started as a financial analyst in San Francisco. Once she returned to India in 1990, the powerhouse found her calling and took over finance, marketing, and strategic design for the Mumbai institution, Ensemble. Calling the shots at India’s first multi-brand designer store opened up doors for Tina, and soon she launched her name with designer brother Tarun Tahiliani. Her platform Ensemble is today India’s one-stop multi-brand destination.
3. Falguni Nayar, Nykaa
The pillar behind one of India’s largest retail platforms, Falguni Nayar, is the founder and CEO of Nykaa. An IIM Ahmedabad graduate, Falguni earned the title of Asia’s Power Business Woman and Business Person of the year by Vogue India in 2019. Under the brand umbrella of Nykaa- a beauty and skincare brand, Falguni runs Nykaa Fashion. Nykaa Fashion houses a mix of renowned brands and designer wear. Associated with over 2500+ brands, Nykaa is a one-stop shop for beauty and well products in India.
4. Anita Dongre, House of Anita Dongre
A sought-after name in the Indian fashion industry, Anita Dongre brand is influenced by calming modern aesthetics and the country’s rural talent. Running the Anita Dongre Foundation, the designer empowers the rural women of Jaipur by skill training them and providing work opportunities. Her designer label works towards creating western and Indian wear inspired by indigenous craftsmanship, while boho-chic brand Global Desi is a more affordable range for the modern woman. Anita Dongre dressed Duchess Kate Middleton during her India tour, along with Bollywood actresses such as Madhuri Dixit and Dia Mirza.
5. Anamika Khanna
A name that is synonymous with regality and eclectic styles, Anamika Khanna is no stranger to India’s fashion industry. Starting in the ’90s as a newbie with no prior experience in fashion, Anamika Khanna label today has been worn by almost every Bollywood celebrity. One of the first few fashion entrepreneurs to showcase her work at the Paris Fashion Week, Anamika Khanna is a legend at India’s prestigious Wills Fashion Week and Bridal Asia. Her couture wedding lehengas are investment-worthy pieces every bride dreams to adorn.
6. Richa Kar, Zivame
A fresh graduate from BITS Pilani, Richa Kar started her journey as a retail merchandiser at Victoria’s Secret. Her short stint there made her realise the shortage of good quality lingerie for women in India, who were otherwise too shy to step out and make a purchase. She co-founded Zivame, an online lingerie, shapewear, and loungewear brand designed to make intimate wear more accessible to the women of India.
7. Suchi Mukherjee, Limeroad
Suchi Mukherjee’s brainchild stemmed from frustration due to the lack of good quality outfits available online. Founder of one of India’s most stylish online shopping platforms- Limeroad, caters to the fashion needs of men, women, and children. A fast-growing fashion platform, Suchi’s goal is to bring top-quality products curated by the country’s leading stylists from warehouses to Indian homes.
8. Shubhra Chaddha, Chumbak
One of the leading female entrepreneurs in India, Shubhra Chaddha is an inspiration to young dreamers. Her idea behind starting Chumbak, a quirky lifestyle brand, was to help people reminisce a memory. Whether in the form of eccentric magnets, one-liner t-shirts, or laptop sleeves, Chumbak's refreshing take on the lifestyle and fashion industry has created a new niche of customers. Today the brand has over 40 stores spread across the country.
The inspiring story of these eight businesswomen does not come from a place of privilege. It comes from hard work and a passion for their craft.