One day our mundane life will be over. The only thing that matters is how we live it.
Story of Anita Dongre tells us if we are determined, we can also make our life special.
This Mumbai-based woman has built a fashion empire of Rs 800 crore from 2 sewing machines. Let’s go through the journey of Anita Dongre, Chief Creative Officer, House of Anita Dongre.
The Beginning
Anita Dongre hails from a Sindhi family and was supposed to do what women in her family were doing for years i.e. be a good housewife. But she was inspired by women who go for work. So she decided to do something. The best thing she could start with was stitching clothes, which she inherited from her mother. Thus, her natural interest was in fabric designing.
She started with 2 sewing machines in 1995 and started making affordable workwear for working women who inspired her.
But no one bought her designed clothes. So she decided to create her own brand. That’s how ‘AND Designs’ came into existence, which in 2015 was renamed as House of Anita Dongre.
The Big Expansion
After the initial success of AND Designs, Anita started to expand her fashion empire. AND Designs was a dedicated brand that manufactures western wear for women, but Anita had a vivid sense of design.
She decided to design traditional apparel for women. And that’s how Global Desi, Anita Dongre Grassroot, Anita Dongre Bridal Couture, and Anita Dongre Pink City came into existence. All these brands come under the umbrella brand House of Anita Dongre.
House of Anita Dongre employs 2700 people and had a turnover of Rs 800 crore last year. Also, Anita Dongre Foundation helps tribal women by providing them employment.
What Next
Anita is planning to expand the House of Anita Dongre overseas. She wants to bring Indian craftsmanship to the global stage, and with her endeavors, she wants to reach out to more and more women in rural India.
