How holiCHIC’s Cultural Fusion Breaks Barriers in Fashion

“I launched holiCHIC again in 2015 earlier than it grew to become the ‘cool’ factor to do,” says Megha Rao, founding father of holiCHIC. “I by no means discovered what I used to be in search of in shops: the blending and matching of a conventional Indian wardrobe with my fashionable American outfits. As a result of pairing a sari shirt with denims or including Indian jewellery to a western costume is a mirrored image of who I’m.”

Rising up in Queens, New York as a daughter of immigrants, Rao discovered herself usually caught between two very distinct worlds. At dwelling, she adopted conventional Indian customs, ate Indian delicacies and spoke her mom language. However in school, she lived a very totally different life, immersed within the fashionable American way of life.

“I recall having Mehndi on my arms after spending a summer season with my grandmother in India. The women in class have been screaming and mentioned that I had blood on my arms,” says Rao. “I additionally had hair right down to my waist, and they might tease me and ask me ‘why is your hair so lengthy’ and ‘why do not you simply minimize it.'”

Picture credit score: holiCHIC

Whereas Rao was impacted by the bullying, she by no means grew to become ashamed of who she was. Her childhood summers spent along with her grandmother, the place she explored Mumbai markets, gave her a renewed sense of cultural appreciation and creativity. Style grew to become her outlet for self-expression.

Now holiCHIC, a women-led model, echoes her love for South Asian tradition and advocates for century-old craftsmanship. Actresses like Mindy Kaling, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani and extra have worn items from holiCHIC and the model has collaborated with Lilly Singh.

“By creating items that mirror my private type and id, I am serving to different ladies do the identical,” says Rao. “My model empowers ladies to personal their id and specific themselves confidently by way of trend.”

Listed here are three classes Megha Rao has discovered alongside the way in which as she disrupts the style trade.

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1. Focus by yourself journey and cease evaluating your self to others

“I spent six years persevering with to construct my profession at Citigroup earlier than I stop to concentrate on holiCHIC full-time,” shares Rao. “I balanced the company job and the aspect hustle for so long as I might. Too usually, I see founders feeling the strain to go all in on their enterprise instantly to show they’re dedicated and critical. Do what is smart for you and cease evaluating your self to others.”

Rao constructed her profession at Citigroup for over 15 years. She credit her time there for getting ready her to launch her personal enterprise, actually constructing a robust understanding of selling, finance and gross sales. “I used to be capable of check, attempt to be taught issues whereas constructing holiCHIC whereas I held onto my full-time job. I made selections with out overthinking issues an excessive amount of. It took me longer to get my enterprise off the bottom and I do not remorse it.”

It was in 2021, through the Dior Style Present held in India, that Rao knew this was lastly her second. All eyes have been on Indian trend and he or she determined to stop Citigroup and work full-time on holiCHIC.

2. Strike a steadiness between ardour and execution

“I used to be so keen about our holiYOGA assortment and needed to launch as quickly as attainable. We kicked off a significant marketing campaign and presale earlier than the product had arrived,” says Rao. “However quickly into our presales, we confronted sudden issues with our provider, which prompted cargo delays and compelled us to change producers and finally delay the launch.”

Rao remembers the influence on prospects and the stress it prompted the group. In hindsight, she would have launched the concept to her group. Then introduced them alongside the journey of the launch by sharing behind-the-scenes footage on design and manufacturing in social media. She would have made the gathering out there for presale a lot later within the improvement course of.

In the long run, Rao and her group introduced a greater high quality product to {the marketplace}. At present, it is one of many best-selling collections for the enterprise. She cautions founders on hanging a steadiness between ardour and execution.

“I want I had been extra affected person and waited till all the pieces was in place. It was positively a lesson in timing being ready,” she says.

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3. Discover your personal leads and do not anticipate “that introduction”

As a founder, Rao is continually finding out the market and is in search of methods holiCHIC can higher serve its prospects.

“I knew Diwali in New York Metropolis was a significant second; there have been so many occasions occurring in that time-frame. So many people wanted a approach to buy accessible and relatable items that they may attempt to purchase on the spot,” says Rao. “I knew holiCHIC was the reply.”

Rao spent 9 months hustling to make her Diwali pop-up retailer a actuality. She emailed, DMed, cold-called and left messages for patrons throughout town. She did not have the contacts in retail she wanted so she spent hours and hours researching who she ought to pitch.

“My time in gross sales taught me that I do not anticipate that introduction, I decide up the telephone and make calls myself. So discover your personal leads, return to fundamentals and begin chilly calling,” she says.

Rao ultimately discovered the title of the supervisor working a specific Nordstrom location in NYC on LinkedIn. She referred to as the shop, requested to be transferred to her workplace and left a voice e mail message. The shop supervisor referred to as Rao again and understood and related along with her imaginative and prescient. Final Diwali, Nordstrom partnered with holiCHIC to showcase the model by way of a pop-up occasion. The retailer understood the model’s imaginative and prescient and supported them in bringing their distinctive type to their prospects.

At present, holiCHIC has grown 5x over the previous 5 years, averaging 100% year-over-year gross sales development. The model is seeking to increase capital firstly of 2025 as Rao goals to scale additional, goal new demographics and discover wholesale and retail partnerships.

“There are situations I really feel I’ve to work 10 instances more durable to be seen and heard as a lady of shade on this very saturated trade,” says Rao. “And, being a lady of shade has additionally been my superpower, giving me a novel edge and perspective to take my enterprise to the subsequent stage.”