She chucked her masters abroad, to focus on her business
Romanshi founded XIVA in 2016, a bespoke evening and formal wear brand.
While growing up she wanted to be a scientist and a teacher. Instead, she became a fashion designer, and an entrepreneur.
Discovering the designer self
Just before Indian Institute of Technology’s entrance exam Romanshi confessed to her father that she didn’t want to pursue engineering. Her mother had seen her sketching. She encouraged her to try for Pearl School of Design. She got through.
Romanshi started studying fashion design. She was still not sure about the future. Towards the end of the course she found pattern cutting. She loved it.
In between jobs
Romanshi joined Unistyle Image , where she designed polo shirts. After working there for some time, she joined an upstart firm as a founding member. She single handedly set up the operations of the firm.
Finally she worked with Harpa as their first designer. She churned out more than 120 designs every month. Harpa was the first brand in India, which sold online.
Masters, no masters
After working for 1.5 years, Romanshi decided to study abroad. While preparing for her masters abroad, she posted few samples online. Within a week customers placed the orders. It was thrilling for her. She chucked the plans for masters.
Her father encouraged her to give it a try. He wanted her to succeed as a first generation entrepreneur.
Finally an entrepreneur
At first she started with ready to wear collection. Most of her clients were from smaller cities and towns. She also contacted brands, who could place bulk orders. It did not work out.
She worked from home and a co-working space. She used to outsource her orders to a unit in Saket. She had to travel for four hours every day to coordinate.
She also tried bespoke designing. It clicked. Customers loved her designs. She also gave them freedom to customise. Her designs resonated with the customers. Word of mouth spread.
Onwards, forwards:
From no clients in the beginning she has a dedicated set of hundred clients. These clients give her repeat orders. She patiently attends them, and listens to them.
When I visited her in her workshop in Shahpurjat, she was juggling between asking her craftsmen to finish a job, ordering refreshments for her team, and waiting for a client to come for the trials. She said that Indian customers have grown up with customising their clothes. So, they love XIVA.
She aims to open a jazzy store in the future. She plans to concentrate on western wears ( evening and formal). Indian dresses are not on her agenda.
XIVA’s range start from INR 2700 and goes up to INR 7000. Her most expensive design went for INR 40,000.
Other than work she loves to travel. She loves to learn new things. Tango is her new passion. She is part of networking groups, where she promotes her business.
