Leaders

In the last two decades, there have been significant changes in the fashion industry. The young people of metropolitan India today spend more money on apparel and fashion. The rise in living standards and the equivalent affordability provided by fast fashion manufacturers have contributed to their appeal. India is one of the top consumers of fashion worldwide & the sixth-largest exporter of garment materials. 5% of the nation's GDP is contributed by the fashion business, which is expanding quickly for a number of reasons. Urban marketplaces have seen rapid changes in customer preferences and purchasing patterns as a result of internet penetration. In a world where fast fashion has taken over the market, brands supporting sustainable fabrics are now gaining momentum as the consumers get more educated and understand the need for fashion that lasts long.

Creating such timeless pieces that can withstand the rapid changes in fashion, Whispering Yarns, and co-founder Simi Bhatia are on a mission to change how consumers look at apparel. Simi Bhatia is a pioneer figure in the sustainable fashion industry, taking risks and coming up with beautiful collections which can be worn every day, with a sense of pride in being organic, locally sourced and produced, & sustainable.

Here Are Some Highlights From Our Interaction With Her. Give Us A Brief Overview Of Whispering Yarns. What Are Some Important Features About Your Expertise As A Business Leader?

Whispering Yarns strives to offer clothing that is fine-quality, durable, and comfortable. We are motivated by our passion for the high-quality fabrics made in India using indigenous methods such artisanal Ajrak, Batik, Kalamkari, Dabu, Ikat loom, & Baghru on natural materials from various regions of the country. We are driven by a commitment to design sustainable fashion using fabrics produced across various Indian areas.

Take us through your early educational journey and industry experiences. What motivated you to foray into the textile industry to establish an organic & sustainable clothing brand? I am not from the fashion industry; instead, I studied psychology and law. I discovered that, while working in a corporate setting, my passion for comfortable, eco-friendly clothing and my entrepreneurial spirit had returned. I've always been attracted by the enormous selection of distinctive materials that our country offers. I used to play around with color and fabric in my boutique in Punjab. When I finally made the decision to go into the fashion industry, I endeavored to produce a collection where cuts, fits, comfort, detailing, fabric utilized, exquisite motifs, pockets, lace trims, etc. were carefully considered. The ultimate goal was to run my own firm and showcase the craftsmanship of our traditional craftspeople.

Throw Some Light On Your Roles And Responsibilities At Whispering Yarns, & What Are Some Challenges That You Face & How Do You Mitigate Them?

Starting out small means you have to handle everything yourself, including designing, sourcing, managing operations, quality control, marketing, and hiring staff. However, I suppose that if you ar  passionate about the outcome, you can work nonstop and still have the stamina to do more. The pandemic that struck us only a few months after we opened our retail location at a Gurgaon mall presented us with our largest hurdle. Lockdowns effectively closed down stores, but we kept figuring out how to survive and flourish.

What Have Been Some Of The Most Significant Milestones And Driving Force Behind Your Success As A Business Leader?

We started with exhibitions to reach out to our target clients, which helped us establish brand awareness. With the help of NGOs, we built a community where we could train women in hand embroidery and stitching  skills and develop a sustainable source of income.

We try to bring the handwork From different Parts of the county, Keeping the traditions Alive and motivating Artisans to continually Create that magic

We provide free training before placing them in pay positions. This helps them become independent, and makes them more self-assured to create a brighter future for themselves and their kids. We are present at a few multi-brand stores, and on several e-commerce websites, in addition to our retail store at Gurugram Mall. We also have our own website that can deliver products across the country.

How Do You Foresee The Indian Textile And Apparel Market Growing? How Is The Industry Incorporating Green And Sustainable Practices Currently?

Indian Textiles have always been so fascinating and offer amazing variety. It's a designer's delight. Fashion in India is extremely versatile and offers a lot of scope for experimenting with fabrics and cuts. This land is rich in traditional art and craft and we try to bring the handwork from different parts of the county, keeping the traditions alive and motivating artisans to continually create that magic. The phulkari, kantha , gotta work, kutch mirror work are just some examples of the vast variety, uniqueness and richness our culture possesses. We love our artisans and the creativity, knowledge of design, color, pattern, fabric, and sustainability they possess. By employing artisans, we are also helping them learn and earn, while also helping them retain their traditional art.

Drawing From Your Experience What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Who Also Aspire To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

My advice would be to follow sustainable fashion, use Indian fabrics, promote local craftsmen/women and love your heritage. Today fast fashion and sustainable fashion both have their own place, however, sustainable fashion not only promotes style and functionality, but is also good for the planet, which is the need of the hour.

Simi Bhatia, Whispering Yarns

Simi bhatia pursued a career in fashion simply because she is drawn to it. Having no educational background in the industry did not stop her from creating a firm which not only produces fine clothing & accessories, but supports the local craftspeople, advocates sustainability,& empowers women to become independent.