Could you work with someone you grew up with? The chances are unlikely but to be honest, it sounds fun. Your sibling — the one you grew up with — is likely to know your strengths, struggles, and your skillset the best. So, who better than your sibling to be your business partner? For sibling day, we found entrepreneurs who are siblings and also changing the face of homegrown fashion in India.
Mouna and Sahith Gummadi of Hilo Design
Photo: Hilo Design
Hilo Design was established by siblings Mouna and Sahith Gummadi, with a bold ambition to transform men’s fashion in India. Mouna, leveraging her design expertise, was resolute in infusing a fresh and distinctive Indian flair into the men’s fashion landscape. Complementing her, Sahith contributed his acumen in business, product development, and marketing. United in their mission, they embarked on crafting fashionable and inclusive attire that would imbue every man, regardless of stature, complexion, or physique, with confidence and style.
In their quest to manifest their vision, the duo recognised the necessity of a brand identity that encapsulated their aspirations. Serendipitously, they encountered the Spanish term “hilo,” signifying “thread.” Instantly resonating with its symbolism of interweaving diverse elements to fashion unique and stylish garments, they christened their venture Hilo Design.
Prachi, Tanvi, and Vanshika Gupta of The Mad Dresser
Photo: The Mad Dresser
The Gupta sisters — Prachi, Tanvi, and Vanshika — got together to launch their own business and to make styling a little easier. In 2020, they launched The Mad Dresser, an online personal shopping and styling service tailored for women, offering a fresh approach to the shopping experience. Their innovative offering, the TMD Box, presents a delightful surprise of western wear delivered straight to your doorstep. Expertly curated by their in-house stylists, this box encompasses a selection carefully chosen to align with your preferences from a vast array of brands and styles. Each item is thoughtfully selected to complement your body type and encourage exploration beyond your fashion comfort zone. With their mission to simplify and enhance the shopping journey, The Mad Dresser aims to redefine convenience and immersion in the world of fashion.
Pallavi and Malvika Lalwani of Ziddi
Photo: Ziddi
Ziddi emerges from a determination to celebrate the allure of imperfection. Each creation is crafted from an eclectic mix of upcycled materials sourced from the rich tapestry of tribal and gypsy cultures. Their endeavour is to honour the essence of vintage while breathing new life into every piece. Rooted in handicraft, Ziddi’s creations embody a resilient spirit, reminding one of the inherent beauty found within imperfections.
Founded by Pallavi and Malvika, a dynamic sister duo inspired by their ancestral heritage in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, Ziddi finds its genesis in an appreciation for the imperfect charm of rustic, time-worn elements native to the region. Their upbringing amidst a kaleidoscope of colours, traditional arts, and antiquities fuels their collaborative journey towards crafting handmade, sustainable, and utterly unique pieces, drawing from the diverse crafts of India.
Drawing upon her expertise in architecture, Pallavi brings a keen understanding of space, form, and materials to the forefront, while Malvika, a graduate of NIFT, channels her design prowess to transform each creation into a wearable work of art.
Divyansh and Gavit Arora of DAGA Label
Founded by the duo Garvit Arora and Divyansh Arora, DAGA is a haute couture brand born in Noida. Specialising in luxury menswear, the brand offers exquisite garments suitable for all age groups. With their father also immersed in the world of fashion design, the brothers even took charge of his business during his illness. Beyond steering this flourishing enterprise, they extend their assistance to those in need within the village of Jasola Vihar. They utilise scrap fabrics sourced from Noida to create clothing, providing support to the less fortunate. DAGA Label has gone on to design for celebrity singer Arijit Singh, among many other recognisable names.
Sujata and Taniya Biswas of Suta
Photo: Suta
Sujata, an alumna of IIFT Delhi, sensed a void in her career. Frequent visits to her parents revealed the struggles of traditional weavers, their skills marred by uncertain livelihoods and meagre wages. Moved by their plight, she embarked on a journey to uplift these communities across India. Despite venturing into an unfamiliar industry, driven solely by her passion and faith in the weavers’ potential, Sujata embraced the challenge head-on. Her mission was clear: not just to collaborate with individual weavers but to empower entire families, expanding her own family with each weaver she uplifts.
Meanwhile, Taniya, an engineer and graduate of IIM Lucknow, felt the call of entrepreneurship after working with prestigious firms like Tata Group and IBM. Recognising her affinity for simplicity and nature’s beauty, she explored various creative outlets like painting and photography. Transitioning from corporate life, she discovered her knack for designing minimalistic sarees reminiscent of bygone eras. This led her on a quest across rural India in search of skilled weavers and quality fabrics. From the remote villages of Madhya Pradesh to the bustling streets of Varanasi, Taniya’s journey was fuelled by her dedication to revive traditional craftsmanship.
The sisters came together to create Suta, a saree brand that has taken over the Indian fashion space by storm. Sujata and Taniya complement each other perfectly. Sujata’s strategic acumen forms the brain behind their operations, while Taniya infuses their venture with heartfelt creativity. Together, their synergy gives rise to Suta, a harmonious blend of their energies and vision.
