“I’ll be the first to admit, I was never the studious type. As a child, I was always the backbencher, struggling to keep up with my peers in academics. Despite that, they never made me feel like I was any less capable. In fact, they encouraged me to chase my dreams, even if they didn’t quite understand what those dreams were yet. I knew from a young age that I wanted to do something creative, something that would bring me joy and excitement every day. And for me, that something was fashion.
I remember watching Lakme Fashion Week and other renowned fashion shows as a teenager, mesmerized by the beauty and glamour of it all. I would think to myself, ‘I want to be there someday.’ I didn’t know what that meant exactly, but I knew I wanted to be a part of that world. And that’s how my passion for fashion began.
As I delved deeper into the world of fashion, I was inspired by the idea of bringing my visions to life and making a statement through my work. Fashion, to me, is a form of self-expression and a way to showcase one’s personality. It’s not just about wearing something that makes sense or playing it safe; it’s about embracing our individuality and showcasing our unique style. I believe that fashion is a form of freedom, and that’s what drives me to create.
That’s why I started Carve – Fashion & Branding Co. I wanted to create a platform that would provide opportunities for designers to showcase their talent and help brands reach their full potential. When I was pursuing my own design dreams in Hyderabad, I realized that there was a lack of resources and support for emerging designers. That’s when I made it my mission to create a firm that would fill that gap and provide the visibility and guidance that I wished I had when I was starting out.
The best day of my life was definitely the day when I got an opportunity from India’s leading premium brand. That day was one of the most memorable because of the feelings I had when I received it, the opportunities that were opened up for me, and the long-lasting benefits that I received for which I can proudly say that I curated 48 plus brands from it that still exist today.
For me, success is about going above and beyond or meeting a challenge before a deadline. In the past five years, the most fulfilling is definitely the efforts I put in to make brands successful for independent designers/brands with starting and growing a business, and we were reflecting on the way in which individuals in our field approach their work. And to be optimistic about the possibilities is the whole Funda.
I feel fortunate to be a part of the fashion industry, which has largely been dominated by women. I haven’t faced any significant challenges specifically as a woman in this field, and for that, I am grateful. However, I do believe that every rose has its thorns, and the biggest challenge I’ve faced is probably the same as many others – staying consistent, motivated, and encouraged to achieve my goals. There have been times when self-doubt crept in, and it was hard to keep going. But I’ve learned that the key to overcoming obstacles is to focus on action rather than words.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced my share of setbacks and failures. One particular experience that comes to mind is when I curated two brands that, unfortunately, didn’t quite take off as expected. Despite pouring my heart and soul into those projects, the brand owners struggled to keep up with the pace and demands of the industry. But I didn’t let that failure define me. Instead, I chose to focus on the lessons I could learn from the experience. Within a couple of days, I had already begun to reflect on what went wrong and how I could improve moving forward. The biggest takeaway for me was the importance of doing thorough groundwork before committing to a project. I learned to assess the capacity and readiness of brand owners to launch and sustain their brands, and to prioritize careful planning and strategy over enthusiasm and ambition.
One of the most accessible ways to stay updated with fashion trends is by engaging with fashion media. This includes reading fashion magazines, following fashion blogs, and designers on social media. To keep up with the pace of this dynamic fashion landscape, we have to incorporate by getting inspired by the concepts to think fresh but not to ‘copy’.
The one thing that many people have in common is the desire and drive to achieve the unthinkable and become the “it factor.” Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
As I look back on my journey, I’m reminded that success is not just about achieving our goals, but also about the impact we have on the people around us, the community we serve, and the world at large. And with that, I continue on my path, inspired by the possibilities of what’s to come, and grateful for the journey that has brought me here.”
- Shilpika, Entrepreneur