“Like many others, I began on a conventional path. I was studying B. Tech, trying to fit into what felt like a safe route. But halfway through my second year, I realised it wasn’t for me. I took a leap, discontinued engineering, and got into NIFT Hyderabad. That decision completely changed my life. At NIFT, I found my voice. It was the first time I truly felt like I belonged.

I began working as a lead costume designer, including for films like Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Acharya with Chiranjeevi garu. It was surreal, designing for larger-than-life characters and creating looks that would live on screen. But somewhere in the middle of all that, I had a quiet thought—what would I create if it were just me? No rules, no scripts, no grand sets. That was when the dream started to take shape. I knew I wanted to build a label that celebrated our culture in an emotional and wearable way.

That seed became Tanva by Deepika. The word “Tanva” means graceful or delicate in Sanskrit. It felt right for what I wanted to express—something soft, soulful, and rooted. I didn’t just want to start a label. I wanted to tell stories. I wanted people to feel something when they wore what I made.

I grew up in Nandyal, a town in Andhra Pradesh, and that place has influenced so much of who I am today. My childhood was simple but full of creativity, surrounded by people, traditions, textures, colours, and moments that shaped me without me even realising it. That environment gave me a strong emotional connection to my roots, and it still lives in every stitch of what I create.

Leaving stability to follow a creative path wasn’t easy. In the early days, I was doing everything—designing, meeting clients, managing production, handling logistics. It was overwhelming at times, but when your purpose is clear, you find your way. I knew I had to build something that reflected who I was, and I was ready to take it one step at a time.

Tanva became my way of translating memory into material. It’s about soulful minimalism, graceful and rooted in emotion. What sets us apart is that each piece carries a story. It’s not just about making clothes; it’s about creating a feeling you carry with you.

Inspiration comes from everywhere—my culture, childhood, the women in my life, the old rituals I grew up around. Sometimes even a jasmine flower in my mother’s hair becomes a starting point. If your heart is open, there’s beauty in everything.

I once designed a cotton mul dress inspired by the last sunrise I saw in Nandyal before I moved to Hyderabad. It was one of my earliest pieces, very simple, but filled with emotion. A piece that’s still close to my heart. It reminds me of where it all began.

Every piece at Tanva carries something personal. Emotions and memories play a huge role in what I create. Even a simple stitch or fabric choice can come from a moment with my grandmother, a childhood festival, a smell, a colour, a song. Everything carries a part of me, and I hope people feel that when they wear it.

Working with Chiranjeevi garu on Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Acharya was a big milestone. His passion and respect for storytelling through costume taught me a lot—not just about film, but about staying grounded in your craft. More recently, showcasing Tanva in curated exhibits and working closely with local artisans in Hyderabad has been just as meaningful.

There have been challenges—convincing people to trust a new brand, managing scale, finding the right vendors. It’s never been smooth, but every struggle taught me something. I’m grateful for all of it because it made the journey more meaningful.

My parents have been a huge support, especially when I decided to switch from engineering to design. They believed in me when it mattered most. That trust gave me the courage to keep going, even when things were uncertain.

Now we’re working on a new line that focuses on sustainable fabrics and artisan stories. I also dream of opening a studio in Hyderabad—not just a retail space, but a place where people can connect with the heart of what we do. A space where they can experience the soul of Tanva.

To anyone dreaming of building something in fashion—you don’t need to wait. Start with what you know: your story, your culture, your craft. Keep learning, keep creating—that’s enough to begin.”

• Deepika Gangisetty