Power Designer: Anita Dongre

Last year, the FICCI Ladies Organisation, Bombay Chapter presented her the award for ‘Excellence in Fashion Design’. Anita Dongre, who started And Designs India Ltd in 1998, knows the business of fashion quite well. Her Indianness packaged in a wise contemporary way has got her a wide fan base, making her one of the most commercially viable designers we have. With her company’s turnover of 350 crores and investments from a leading private firm, Dongre’s brand is more profitable than most Indian designers.

Starting off: At the age of 12, she knew that she wanted to be a fashion designer. She retailed her collection from a 300 sq. feet shop in Mumbai’s first mall, Crossroads and today AND, Global Desi and Anita Dongre (Timeless, Iinterpret, Grassroot and Menswear) are in more than 475 stores across India.

Inspired by: ‘I find inspiration in almost everything – travelling, music, books, but one of my strongest sources of inspiration is Rajasthan.’

Valuable advice for aspiring designers: ‘You have to be passionate, driven and always remember that there is no shortcut to success. Creativity is a work in progress, so continue to enhance it and never confine it.’

The future: Her plan is to take all her brands global. This endeavour is taking shape since they have opened the first Global Desi store in Mauritius in August in 2013.

Favourite evening wear: A sexy, flowing dress.