With a desire to create affordable clothing for women, inspired by latest international high street fashion trends, Ankita started ‘The Sewing Machine’, a ready-to-wear online fashion brand, a year back. An MBA in marketing and finance, with no formal training in designing, she always had the creative bug in her.
“I used to design clothes for family and friends since they felt I had a knack for picking up fashion trends ahead of the market. Last year, when I quit my previous job to take a break, everyone suggested that I start a label of my own. That’s when I decided to give expression to my avocation and forayed into this,” says Ankita, who is currently a professional in the retail industry in the City.
She conceptualises and designs women’s Western wear— casual, all-day attires— that includes statement skirts like midi skirts, maxi skirts, skaters and A-lines, classy dresses including shift dresses (fitted formal ones), midi, maxi and tea dresses, comfortable palazzos, stylish culottes, funky crop and tube tops and trendy jackets. “Within this range, there are two lines— ‘desi’ and ‘videsi’. The ‘desi’ line comprises Western silhouettes in Indian fabrics like pure cotton, hand block printed cotton, kalamkari, silk etc while the ‘videsi’ one is created using export quality fabrics like viscose, rayon, polyester, stretch cotton,” details Ankita.
“It’s a ready-to-wear label with available size options which can be picked straight off the shelf but we do customise for outlying sizes (big/ curvy/ petite women). The Sewing Machine is constantly innovating in line with the latest trends in the international market. In fact, our midi skirt and crop top sets are quite a rage,” she adds.
Social media has helped her get a lot of customers, especially through her Instagram account and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thesewingmachineofficial). “Most of our clientele is women between 18 and 40 years from within India and outside as well. The response has been wonderful and the label is picking up fast— people like the fact that they’re fashion forward and are wearing something different from their peer group, without burning a hole in their pocket,” shares the 32-year-old. Ankita has also exhibited her collection at flea markets, santes and hotel exhibitions in Bengaluru.
The fashionista soon plans to launch her own website and also start selling on big online portals. With so much on her plate, how does she balance between work and designing? “When you’re passionate about something, you find all the time in the world for it. Besides, what are weekends and holidays for?” she says with a sense of accomplishment.