“As my wedding approached, Nina and I turned all the best stores in Delhi upside down in the hunt for saris and other post-wedding attire. Everything my mother-in-law-to-be, Nina, and I came across was glaring and conventional, something I was not accustomed to wearing. The traditional saris were either densely decorated with stones or weighty silks. As a fashion buyer, I was at a loss. Any of the saris we did like were alarmingly and exorbitantly priced.

Though we had to settle for the available saris for my wedding trousseau, we were astute and identified the gap in the market. Nina’s love for saris and involvement in the family business for 20 years, and my experience as a fashion buyer ultimately gave birth to the business in 2013.

Surprisingly, Nina and I had very similar tastes despite the age and cultural differences. This similarity was instrumental in bringing us closer to each other. Today, we defy popular Indian television shows which have mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law nursing a strong hatred towards each other. Nina refers to me as her “daughter-in-love.”

Our mutual trust has helped us start a business together. When you start a business, you want to work with a partner who specialises in areas other than your own. Therefore, while I come up with contemporary designs, Nina brings her knowledge of fabrics and a sense of the complete garment to the table.

When we are at work, the seamlessness of our functioning is such that a lot of people assume my husband and I are siblings and Nina is our mother. Nina and I are met with surprise when people realise we not a mother-daughter duo. She says, “I believe that If the bond is strong, we can pull through anything.”

Whatever we spend or earn, it is our money - there’s no separation. The business also thrives on the trust and transparency that we share. I have always cherished honesty, and this honesty reflects in our work. It is the foundation of our business.”