Anita Dongre, India’s Richest Female Designer, Started Her Journey With Just Two Sewing Machines – News18

In the world of fashion, where glamour often overshadows the challenges, one prominent figure shines as a testament to determination and talent. Anita Dongre, one of India’s leading fashion designers, has not only defied conventions but also achieved unparalleled success. With an empire of over 270 boutiques spanning the nation and a fortune in the hundreds of crores, she stands as the richest female fashion designer in India.

Anita’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings, starting with just two sewing machines, is a true rags-to-riches story. Her roots in the world of garments can be traced back to her mother, a talented tailor who crafted clothing for Anita and her siblings. This early exposure ignited her passion for fashion and sowed the seeds for her remarkable rise in the industry.

Anita Dongre discovered when she was growing up that there was no Indian retail brand that produced reasonably priced apparel for working women. She decided to become a fashion designer at the age of 19 to close that gap. Her mother was supportive but her relatives were not as fashion designing downplayed rigorously those days.

A little loan from her father and two sewing machines were all Anita needed to launch her own business. Anita and her sister began making Western clothing in 1995 out of a little flat. Her clothing was rejected by every mall and major brand, but this didn’t dampen her spirits.

After facing rejection, Anita Dongre decided to start her own brand which she named AND Designs. She changed the name of her business, which she had founded to House of Anita Dongre in 2015. She developed a hybrid clothing system combining both traditional and Western elements and was an instant success. Having started in a single flat, Anita Dongre has 270 stores all over the country now.

She is now one of the richest fashion designers in India and her clientele includes Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif and international pop singer Beyonce. Her firm is worth Rs 1400 crore presently.