I Hope That Every Woman Is Empowered To Take Control Of Their Own Finances.

“I hope that every woman is empowered to take control of their own finances.” 

1990s can be credited for paving a niche for designers like Anita Dongre who bought awesome talent, exquisite taste and ingenuity to the fashion industry, which was still growing at that time. 

A relentless drive to achieve her dreams made Anita Dongre famous.Taking her childhood memories of Jaipur, the craftsmanship of Rajasthan has been a true inspiration for the designer, which is also well-reflected in all her collections. Her unique insights, astute eye and special understanding of women established her as one of the illustrious Indian Fashion designers with international credibility. While reflecting the beauty and rich heritage of India, she brought a whole new modern aesthetic to design. 

Setting her first workshop in the balcony of her home with just two sewing machines, she became the first India-based fashion designer to open a flagship store in New York City. Her life journey is true inspiration for each of that person who dares to dream and believes in them . 

Today, she is a proud owner of renowned fashion brands-AND (India's first westernwear brand), Global Desi (a colourful boho-chic favourite of young women), the luxury bridal and occasion wear label - Anita Dongre, PinkCity (the handcrafted jadau precious jewellery line) and Grassroot, a sustainable luxury brand that is closest to her heart. 

For Ms. Anita Dongre, life has been an interesting journey as a woman. She was born in a traditional Indian household where women played all the stereotypical roles that society expects them to. Her cousins, aunts, sisters and other women in the extended family were happy being wives and mothers. But despite being born in a traditional household, life had different plans for her!! 

Tell us about the beautiful journey that you have travelled so far? 

Back in the 90s, fashion wasn’t a career, it was just something we saw in magazines and movies. So when I decided to become a fashion designer, my parents refused. I come from a fairly traditional Sindhi family, where the women were mostly homemakers. But I was determined to pursue fashion, and joined SNDT College. It wasn’t long before I set up a small workshop in my balcony along with my younger sister and started supplying to boutiques. This is when my father finally gave in and became my first investor. He offered me a loan to start a small factory of own, and the rest as they say, is history!   

 

Give us an insight of your fashion label 'Anita Dongre'? 

Anita Dongre bridal couture showcases Indian aesthetics in a contemporary language. The core of my inspiration comes from Rajasthan. It is amazing how that place can keep inspiring me with each visit. Every time I am there, I see something and feel something new which rejuvenates my creativity. Gota patti, which originated in Rajasthan, is our signature embroidery—the motifs adorn our different ensembles like tunics, kaftans, lehengas, bandis and jackets. Gota patti as a design creates a luxe look, fit for royal occasions, and yet is surprisingly light and easy to wear.  

 

What motivated & inspired you to start your business in this particular segment?  

For as long as I can remember, my childhood summers were spent with my grandparents in Rajasthan. Although I didn’t realize it then, that’s where I had my first brush with fashion. My grandmother would take me to the market, where I would make lac bangles with the local artisans. I still remember the beautiful lehangas of the women that passed by. The craft, heritage and wildlife of Rajasthan – that’s always been my muse. 

 

According to you, what are the key aspects that can help an Indian woman to achieve professional and business success? 

Passion, grit and confidence in yourself and your dream will help you be successful. The business of fashion is so dynamic with trends and styles changing every few weeks. To stay ahead of the game, you need to constantly innovate and reinvent, while staying true to your signature design aesthetic. This holds true for any business; you will make mistakes and fall, but picking yourself up and learning from your mistakes will make all the difference. 

 

What is the greatest obstacle you had faced in achieving the success you desired? How did you overcome it? 

I think one of the greatest challenges I faced was in staying true to my beliefs that men, women and animals, all deserve equal respect. Leather goes against this, and there was no way I would give into this trend. In my research, I came across vegan leather that was introduced as an alternative for eco-conscious consumers. Yes, it was tough to break into the market with vegan bags and shoes, but today it’s changing the industry with more people opting for cruelty-free fashion. I love our vegan accessories – all of which are PETA approved.  

 

Do you manage your finances on your own and do you have knowledge of all your investments?  

Over the years, I’ve learnt a lot about business and I believe the secret lies in a good team. Although I am aware of the finances and investments, I have complete trust in my team of financial experts, who are doing a great job. 

 

Should women have financial knowledge and how important it is for a woman to be financially independent ? 

When you speak to the women artisans that we work with, you’ll notice the confidence they have in their voices and pride in themselves. They turned their family’s craft into a source of income, becoming financially independent. Today, this has empowered not just the women in their family, but also women in other villages to become financially independent. A lot of women, even in big cities, shy away from their own finances and leave their investments in the hands of their husbands or fathers. I hope that every woman is empowered to take control of their own finances. 

 

What advice would you give to the young women entrepreneurs about being more organized and informed about startups?  

Persistence and knowledge — I know that from experience. Map out your path to success, and follow through, but at the same time be flexible. Learning new things about your industry, adapting to changing trends and innovating through feedback will keep you ahead of the game.           

 

The young entrepreneurs will love to know your SUCCESS MANTRA, so that they can also use it for their business growth. 

My mantra is to simply love what you do passionately and work hard to make your dreams come true.