Leaders

In the world of luxury consumption, Nita Chauhan stands out as a trailblazing and driven entrepreneur. As the founder of Vincitore, a brand of elegant, handcrafted footwear with a fierce and loyal following, Nita combines her passion for business with an unwavering purpose to create shoes that reflect the values and aesthetic sensibilities of the man of today.

Although born into an entrepreneurial family, Nita's own commercial pursuits have been anything but scripted. She admits to never having been truly engaged with the operational aspects of running a business until very much later in her career. Case in point, a young Nita decided to wind up the family’s footwear retail business shortly after taking over, in favour of work at a multinational luxury-branded manufacturer and retailer.

Despite her successes as a professional manager, thoughts of running her own shoe business continued to lurk in the background. An innate intellectual curiosity, along with a recognition of the need to plug skills and knowledge gaps, led her to enrol in an MBA and additionally, a Diploma in Shoe Construction and Design, at the age of 40. Nita's unwavering belief in the brand, her ability to build strategic partnerships and her attuned business sense, have paved the way for Vincitore's success today. For her customers, it has meant access to gorgeous, well-made footwear that is unmistakably contemporary yet unapologetically Italian.

What are some important facets of your life and professional journey?

Growing up, I was never asked what I wanted to do with my life. I was guided towards shoes so, I embraced it. But I didn't take my father's business seriously, most likely because I never felt any sense of ownership in its growth or success. It was only after I had closed the business and worked as an employee managing operations for an international retailer that I discovered an affinity for the retail business. This led me to enroll in an MBA programme at the age of 40 and then a Diploma in Shoe Construction and Design. It’s a combination that has allowed me to understand both the needs of the customer and just as important, the needs of the business.

Take us through your educational background and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

Coming from a Sindhi family, formal education was important but never a top priority. My father managed two boutiques, and I was expected to assist him in their operations. That was that. My academic journey concluded after A' levels, with predictably unremarkable grades. I was therefore thrilled and incredible fortunate when, at the age of 40, I received a scholarship to pursue an MBA in Retail from The University of Stirling, Scotland. During my time there, I realized my professional experiences paralleled those of many influential individuals in the room. Many had to overcome challenge after challenge to get to where they were. None had it easy. It was eye-opening and humbling at the same time.

Tell us about Vincitore and the underlying idea behind the brand and its key areas of specialization.

Vincitore translated, means to be 'victorious' – a winner – a confident man who requires and seeks no validation. Our shoes are crafted based on an obsession with quality, artistry, and style. Most Vincitore shoes bear no insignia. Except for a small representation of the Italian flag on our funky range, our formal collection is entirely devoid of any markings. We let the quality of shoe speak for itself. This is because for us, the emphasis and focus is always the consumer. Our specialty lies in the expertise of Italian and Spanish craftsmen, who take immense pride in their creations. Vincitore can be fine, formal, and funky; which means we have something for every man and for every occasion. We use full-grain leather exclusively, ensuring an elegant and sophisticated finish to our shoes. Each pair is meticulously hand-stitched to withstand the region's humid climate. Our soles and lining are made of leather. Where possible, we avoid the use of pig or wild boar leather.

"Vincitore is experiencing a remarkable resurgence following the pandemic. Despite the obstacles, our company's agility & adaptability allowed us to navigate through the situation successfully"

What are some of the challenges you have encountered initially building the brand?

At Vincitore, we design our shoes with the Asian man in mind, understanding his unique preferences and requirements. Considering the Asian market, the reality is that we find ourselves surrounded by shoe-manufacturing countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, among others. It is precisely for this that we made the deliberate choice to focus on manufacturing in Italy and Spain. My husband has and continues to play a pivotal role in this journey. Without his support and encouragement, I may never have considered venturing into business. We’ve learnt to stand united in the face of challenges and collaborate to make informed decisions.

How has the brand’s growth journey been so far? What is your vision for the brand Vincitore going forward?

Vincitore is experiencing a remarkable resurgence following the pandemic. Despite the obstacles, our company's agility and adaptability allowed us to navigate through the situation successfully. Our boutiques were strategically located in appropriate areas such as The Raffles Hotel Arcade, Mandarin Hotel Gallery, and Millenia Walk.

But above all, it has been the loyalty of our customers, who return and make repeat purchases, that tells us we are on the right track. Our focus currently lies on continuing to strengthen brand building efforts domestically while simultaneously growing our presence in our preferred global hubs of New York, London, India, and the UAE.

Nita Chauhan, Founder, Vincitore

Nita Chauhan is a entrepreneur reshaping the luxury footwear landscape. With her unwavering focus and determination to do things better, Nita has created a brand synonymous with elegance and craftsmanship.