There is no age for becoming an entrepreneur. Some start on their entrepreneurial journey from as early as their school or college days and some start when they are well into their 60s and 70s or even later. There are still some others who start very young but don’t officially start a label until much later. Just like Nitika Gujral of her namesake fashion label. After all, better late than never.
I am a graduate from Delhi University who was passionate about designing clothes even while in school in the 1980s. This was before the setting up of any institutes for fashion design in India. As a result, I am a self-taught designer, having learnt on the go from the many master craftsmen that I have worked with.
While I have been in the fashion space for over three decades, I had all along shied away from establishing a label. Most of my clientele have gravitated over the years through word of mouth. However Covid, with all its restrictions, changed the entire business environment and I realised that if my business had to survive, I would need to expand my reach. Prompted by my children, I took the plunge and set up my own label in 2021. I am glad that I took this decision because social media has greatly amplified my reach.
Ever since I was a teenager, I have always wanted to design garments. Even as a schoolgoer in the mid-1980s, I had my own boutique, catering to family and friends. I held my first solo exhibition while I was just 19!
My first solo exhibition, which was in 1985! Sourcing materials trims and creating my own designs was such an uphill task. I had no formal training and there were then no specialised vendors for fashion materials. I still remember the sheer exhilaration of putting out my designs and seeing them fly off the shelves! That early success I think was instrumental in shaping my passion for this business!
One needs to be very passionate about making clothes and have an eye for detail. I am a perfectionist and I think that is one thing that has helped me stay in the game for over three decades!