Stories
In-depth founder profiles, each independently researched and sourced only from publicly verifiable information.
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From two sewing machines in Mumbai in 1995 to AND, Global Desi, Anita Dongre couture, the Grassroot crafts label and Pinkcity jewellery, hers is one of Indian fashion’s most layered founder stories.
Trained in art history and museum studies, Ritu Kumar set up a small hand-block-printing boutique in 1969. Five decades later, the label spans couture, prêt and accessories, and she is widely regarded as the architect of modern Indian fashion.
After her father’s sudden death, Priya Paul took the helm of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels in her early twenties. Over three decades she rebuilt the chain into a design-led, IPO-listed hospitality group.
Founded in 2010 with Vivek Prabhakar, Chumbak put a recognisable Indian-design point of view onto fridge magnets, mugs, bags and home goods. Its second decade was harder than its first.
