RISE. LEAD. INSPIRE. - AO(Apparel Online) Women of Impact 2025

This blog was originally posted on Apparel Resources and Apparel Online India by Dheeraj Verma

On the occasion of International Women’s Day (8th March), we are back to shine a spotlight on all those women leaders who are transforming India’s apparel and fashion industry through their game-changing contributions.

The stories we came across? Thoroughly inspiring! These are women who, through grit, determination and out-of-the-box thinking, are breaking barriers and making a real impact.

When asked for advice to future women leaders, the most common and powerful answer was: “Stay true to your uniqueness.” Many emphasised that what holds women back isn’t the glass ceiling but sticky floors. Now, we have a confession to make. Once again, we couldn’t fit in every nomination. But we have done our best to highlight as many trailblazing stories as possible because it was never just about the numbers. The real goal is to shine a spotlight on the game-changing work of women leaders and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

(L To R): Chaitsi Ahuja, Pearl D’Souza, Pooja Merani, Chandralika Hazarika, Shweta Gupta, Neerja Lakhani, Ridhi Mehra, Nishi Vora

"We support 650 planet-positive brands and 2,000 artisans”

Chaitsi Ahuja, Founder and CEO, Brown Living

As the Founder and CEO of Brown Living, India’s first and largest plastic-free marketplace, I am driven by a mission to create a positive environmental impact while empowering consumers to make conscious choices. What began as a personal commitment to sustainability has grown into a platform supporting over 650 planet-positive brands and 2,000 artisans, creating a ripple effect that empowers small businesses and generates green jobs.

At Brown Living, we use our The Brown Lens curation process to ensure every product is genuinely sustainable—by design, use and packaging. Our plastic-free shipping policy alone has saved thousands of kilograms of plastic from entering landfills, demonstrating that sustainability and business growth can coexist.

Beyond commerce, Brown Living has played a key role in building a conscious community. Through awareness campaigns, collaborations and education-driven content, we’ve inspired over 200,000 consumers to rethink their consumption habits. We are not just offering products; we are reshaping how people consume and making sustainable living accessible to all.

My Message: Sustainable fashion isn’t a trend—it’s a movement. Choose slow fashion, ethical production and eco-friendly materials, as they aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the future.

“I strive to upskill myself”

Pearl D’Souza, Head of Marketing Campaigns, Decathlon India

As I reflect on my journey with Decathlon over the past 11 years, I am grateful for the experiences that have shaped me personally and professionally. From starting in retail to becoming the only woman Department Manager for Cycling in the country at the time in 2014, every step has reinforced my belief that women can achieve anything when they set their hearts and minds to it.

My career has been a dynamic one, spanning multiple roles—from retail management and downstream supply to digital marketing, performance marketing and campaign management. Each role has been an opportunity to learn, innovate and make an impact. Some of my proudest milestones include initiating the first-ever Indian photoshoot and content bank for swimming at Decathlon India in 2018, leading Sport Utsav—one of our marquee campaigns—and playing a key role in breaking revenue records with the Black Friday campaign.

Marketing is an ever-evolving industry, and every day, I strive to upskill myself—not just for my own growth but to contribute meaningfully to Decathlon’s journey. The campaign strategies my team and I lead today are seen as key drivers of growth and that is something I take immense pride in.

My Message: Challenge yourself every day. Keep learning and don’t be afraid to unlearn what no longer serves you. Invest in your growth, upskill and stay ahead in a world that’s constantly evolving.

“I have played a pivotal role in reshaping the lingerie landscape”

Pooja Merani, COO, Wacoal India

With over two decades of experience in retail and luxury fashion, I have had the privilege of working with renowned brands like Calvin Klein, La Senza, Triumph, Guess and consulting for Tanishq. My journey has been shaped by a deep understanding of product development, operations, marketing, sales and store management.

At Wacoal India (leading a 200+ member team), I have played a pivotal role in reshaping the lingerie landscape with a focus on innovation, craftsmanship and inclusivity. Under my leadership, Wacoal India has successfully expanded its retail footprint across key cities, launched category-first product lines and built a strong omnichannel presence. My commitment to delivering impeccable fit and quality has resonated with customers, establishing Wacoal as a leader in the premium lingerie market.

My Message: In the world of fashion, women have always been change-makers, pushing boundaries with creativity and strength. My message to aspiring women is simple: believe in your vision, stay authentic and never shy away from challenges.

“We’ve built a leading global fashion retail-tech company”

Chandralika Hazarika, Co-founder and MD, BigThinx

As a woman in tech and a founder, the first question I’m often asked on any platform is: “How do you navigate through the challenges?” My answer is simple — “I don’t dwell on challenges; I focus on opportunities.” And today, the opportunities for women are limitless. Whether in tech, AI, product management or medicine, women who set up their minds can accomplish anything with hard work, focus and a commitment to learning.

At BigThinx 3DAI, the journey has been nothing short of transformative. We’ve built one of the leading fashion retail-tech companies globally, partnering with some of the biggest enterprise clients. We’re revolutionising the fashion industry by changing how people shop, create and interact. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, BigThinx drives innovation in digital clothing, 3D product display content, virtual beings and immersive digital shopping experiences.

Our solutions include automated, high-quality 3D fashion content at scale, combined with generative AI, 3D virtualisation and interactive visual tools. These innovations help brands personalise shopping, enhance supply chains, boost profitability, improve sustainability and significantly reduce costs.

In most business meetings, I am often the only woman. But that shouldn’t matter. If we want equality, it must be across the board — equal effort, equal focus and equal intellect. I believe success doesn’t depend on your gender but on your ability to solve real problems, remain resilient and deliver impact. Rejection and criticism will come, but if you truly believe in your product’s potential to make a global impact and touch countless lives, perseverance is key.

My Message: If you’re struggling now, believe that things will change soon with the right mindset. Stay smart, be extremely well-read and don’t let the ‘Nos’ discourage you. Think global, no matter where you are in the world. Stay resilient and you can achieve anything you dream of.

"Fyva solves surplus challenges for manufacturers"

Shweta Gupta, Founder and CEO, Fyva

My journey began 20 years ago when I joined Gupta and Company as a merchandiser. In my early years, I worked closely with some of the world’s largest brands, including Bestseller Group and Inditex, gaining invaluable experience in R&D, marketing, trend forecasting and trade shows. My role helped the company build crucial partnerships and scale to new heights while giving me a 360-degree view of the fashion industry.

But it wasn’t until I identified a critical issue in the industry that my entrepreneurial vision truly took shape. High-quality export surplus garments—made with premium fabrics, expert craftsmanship and innovative designs—were being discarded or sold through unorganised markets, representing millions of dollars in lost potential. I saw an opportunity to turn this surplus into something meaningful while embracing the principles of the circular economy.

In April 2024, I launched Fyva. What started as a small idea to address this inefficiency has now evolved into a groundbreaking platform. In just eight months, Fyva has grown to offer over 30,000 SKUs, catering to 30,000 customers across 7,500 pincodes, with an impressive 30 per cent retention rate. We are now gearing up to launch our mobile app, promising a more curated, personalised and intuitive shopping experience for our growing audience. Fyva is not only solving manufacturers’ surplus challenges but also empowering sellers with unsold inventory. By connecting them to a dynamic digital marketplace, we help them efficiently offload excess stock, reducing waste and unlocking new revenue streams.

My mission is clear: to create the largest online marketplace for export-quality surplus and curated domestic styles, offering the price advantage of street shopping through a seamless digital experience.

My Message: Here’s the truth: you’re going to face challenges and you’ll make mistakes. You may even feel like giving up some days, but that’s okay. Failures are just stepping stones. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger, smarter and more resilient. Stay true to your vision, even if others don’t see it yet.

“We pioneered organic, anti-microbial materials in lingerie”

Neerja Lakhani, Co-founder, Inner Sense

When I started Inner Sense, my mission was to solve the overlooked challenges in the lingerie industry. At the time, women had very limited choices when it came to intimatewear—variety in styles, fits and functionality simply didn’t exist. I created Inner Sense to offer women an array of choices for their day-to-day needs, combining functionality with trendy designs. Some of our shapes have even become crowd favourites, resonating so deeply with women that they’ve become part of the zeitgeist entirely.

But Inner Sense wasn’t just about variety. Sustainability was not a norm back then and I knew that had to change. We pioneered the use of organic, anti-microbial materials to design lingerie that is not only stylish but also safe and eco-conscious. I wanted to create products that balanced health, comfort and beauty—lingerie that made women feel good in every sense of the word.

One of the achievements I’m most proud of is our maternity line. Pregnancy is a transformative phase and hygiene is critical during this time, especially for innerwear. I designed bras that support women through the entire pregnancy cycle, made with anti-microbial fabrics to ensure comfort and safety. Today, this line has become an industry benchmark, empowering expectant mothers with thoughtful, health-conscious designs.

Through Inner Sense, I’ve worked to challenge industry norms and bring meaningful change to a space that desperately needed innovation. From sustainability to style, we’ve created a brand that truly serves women and celebrates their individuality. For me, this journey is about more than success—it’s about making a lasting impact.

My Message: To all the incredible women in fashion—embrace your power, intuition and individuality. You are unique and your ability to tune into your instincts and focus on the next step—rather than constantly projecting onto spreadsheets—sets you apart. We should celebrate this natural strength instead of feeling pressured to conform to trends.

“Our pieces have been adorned by top celebrities”

Ridhi Mehra, Designer

At Ridhi Mehra, our journey has been defined by innovation, craftsmanship and a deep understanding of what modern Indian women seek in fashion. Since our inception in 2012, we have transformed the landscape of contemporary ethnicwear, seamlessly blending traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern silhouettes.

One of our most significant contributions has been the evolution of the pre-draped saree, an effortless yet striking innovation that reimagines heritage through a functional, ready-to-wear lens. By redefining sarees with a modern, effortless appeal, we have enabled women to embrace tradition with ease, seamlessly blending heritage with contemporary convenience in occasionwear.

Our Safarnama campaign, which introduced our first-ever bridal couture range, was a defining moment. It was more than just a collection—it was a celebration of heritage and modernity, redefining bridal fashion by blending intricate hand-embroidery with contemporary aesthetics. The response was overwhelming, cementing our brand’s position in the luxury couture space.

At the heart of our brand is the philosophy of affordable luxury—a vision that ensures premium designerwear is more accessible without compromising craftsmanship. Our designs, known for their clean lines, impeccable tailoring and intricate embellishments, have become a signature in the industry.

Additionally, we have been pioneers in leveraging social media to connect directly with our audience, creating a community-driven brand that resonates globally. Our pieces have been adorned by top celebrities, from Deepika Padukone to Aditi Rao Hydari, solidifying our mark on the fashion map.

Through creativity, dedication and a focus on innovation, Ridhi Mehra has crafted a brand that reimagines how Indian women engage with fashion, heritage and self-expression.

My Message: Trust your instincts, embrace challenges and never hesitate to take up space. The world thrives when women lead with passion and purpose.

“We’ve redefined trims from functional to artistic statements”

Nishi Vora, Director, Fashion Accessories India (RCBC Group) At FAIPL, I have transformed our approach to trims and accessories, evolving the company from a manufacturer to a design innovation partner for the fashion industry. Under my leadership, we have redefined trims from functional elements to artistic statements that inspire apparel designers and influence mood boards across the industry. Leading brands now collaborate with us not just as a supplier, but as a strategic design partner.

Recognising the potential of India’s domestic trims industry, traditionally dominated by importsfrom China, I founded the Accessories and Trims Manufacturers Association (ATMA) of India. ATMA, which aptly means ‘soul’ in Hindi, reflects my belief that trims are the soul of every garment. The association now represents India’s largest manufacturers, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing and quality standards that are strengthening India’s position in the global market.

This dual focus on design innovation and industry organisation has helped create a more robust and creative fashion ecosystem, positioning Indian manufacturers as leaders in the global trims and accessories sector.

My Message: We are natural multitaskers, creators and exceptional managers of time. Our ability to think ahead, adapt quickly and bring fresh perspectives gives us a distinct advantage in this ever-changing industry. Fashion isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about innovation, strategy and resilience—all qualities that women embody effortlessly. The futureof fashion is in our hands—own it!