The Art of Fashion: An Interview with Naarangi Co-Founders Rudrakshi and Ishita

An Exclusive Interview with Rudrakshi and Ishita, co-founders of Naarangi, a fashion brand, known for its resort wear and handcrafted clothing

In this engaging interview, we explore the creative journey of Rudrakshi and Ishita, the visionary co-founders of Naarangi.

Renowned for their exquisite resort wear and handcrafted clothing, they share their inspirations, the brand’s commitment to sustainability, and how they are redefining fashion for the modern traveler.

Ishita, your journey to Naarangi was unexpected. Can you elaborate on how your background in business complements Rudrakshi’s design expertise in building the brand?

Ishita: Absolutely. I come from a business background, I’m a graduate of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and I’ve always known I wanted to build something of my own.

Business runs in my family, so the entrepreneurial instinct was always there. Interestingly, even though I was initially on a path toward fine jewellery, fashion had always been a quiet passion.

When I met Rudrakshi, who had just started Naarangi, there was an instant connection. Her strong design sensibility and deep love for fabric paired effortlessly with my structured, strategic thinking.

But what made it even more special was that I’ve always loved designing too, it’s not just business for me. I’m deeply involved in the creative process, and over time, I’ve found my own voice as a designer within Naarangi.

At the same time, I focus on how we position that vision in the market, build systems, streamline operations, and ensure Naarangi isn’t just a beautiful brand, but a sustainable business too.

So while Rudrakshi brings her years of design experience to the table, I complement it with both my business acumen and a growing creative eye. It’s a rare partnership where both vision and execution feed off each other in the best way possible.

What was the pivotal moment in your collaboration that solidified your decision to build Naarangi together? How do your individual strengths contribute to the brand’s success?

Ishita: There wasn’t one dramatic moment, it was more like a series of quiet affirmations. From the first time we sat together, surrounded by swatches, colors, and half-formed ideas, we realised we weren’t just brainstorming a collection, we were building something that felt personal.

What truly sealed it was how naturally our roles fell into place. Rudrakshi thinks in fabrics, textures, silhouettes, her eye for detail is unmatched.

I, on the other hand, see the bigger picture. I think about how this vision will live in the world, how it will be positioned, sold, scaled, and remembered. And somewhere in the middle, we both share a deep love for storytelling and design.

It became clear very early on that this wasn’t just a creative collaboration, it was a partnership of equals.

Our strengths don’t overlap; they amplify each other. That’s what makes Naarangi feel so complete, it’s built on shared passion, but also a clear division of strengths that allows both of us to lead with clarity and confidence.

How do you ensure that each piece of jewelry or clothing crafted at Naarangi embodies emotion and intention? Can you share an example of a piece that holds special significance?

Ishita: At Naarangi, nothing is ever made just for the sake of it. Every piece begins with a feeling, a memory, a moment, a mood.

We design not just with fabric, but with emotion. Whether it’s a color that reminds you of your childhood summer, or a silhouette that makes you feel seen in your own skin, we’re always chasing that deeper connection.

One piece that really captures this is our “Nimbu Twist” dress from the Chaska collection. When we saw that bright lemony yellow for the first time, it instantly took us back to hot afternoons and chilled nimbu sharbat, refreshing, comforting, and nostalgic.

That single image shaped everything from the fabric to the fit. It wasn’t just about creating a dress; it was about bottling up a summer feeling and stitching it into something wearable.

That’s what we strive for with every design, something that doesn’t just look beautiful, but makes you feel something too.

How do you strike a balance between nostalgia and modernity in your designs? What influences your creative direction in this regard?

Ishita: We often say Naarangi is where old souls meet new styles. Our design philosophy is deeply inspired by Indian heritage, hand embroidery, vintage craft techniques, traditional motifs, but we reimagine them in ways that feel relevant today.

That might mean giving the classic saree a breathable twist, or mixing heirloom color palettes with easy, contemporary fits.

The balance comes from our own lived experiences, growing up draping mom’s dupattas but also scrolling through global trends. We’re constantly asking: how do we honor where we come from while speaking the language of now?

What are your aspirations for Naarangi in the coming years? How do you envision the brand evolving while staying true to its roots?

Ishita: Our dream is for Naarangi to become a household name, not just as a fashion label, but as a feeling.

We want to expand thoughtfully into new categories, possibly even explore global markets, but never at the cost of what we stand for.

Whether it’s creating a bridal line, a jewelry extension, or tapping into newer textiles, we want to stay rooted in what makes us us, emotion-led design, uncompromised craftsmanship, and a little bit of color therapy for everyone.

Our vision is to keep evolving while holding on to that Naarangi soul that celebrates tradition, femininity, and joy.

What challenges have you faced in establishing Naarangi, and how have these experiences contributed to your growth as founders?

Ishita: Every phase of building Naarangi has come with its own learning curve, from managing production delays and quality control to navigating marketing in a highly competitive space. Being a bootstrapped brand means you wear multiple hats and make tough calls.

But the biggest challenge has been educating the market on why our pieces are priced the way they are- why handwork matters, why pure fabrics matter, and why fewer, better clothes are worth investing in.

These experiences have made us more resilient, more empathetic, and deeply connected to every aspect of our brand. Every misstep has shaped us into better leaders, and more importantly, better storytellers.

Rudrakshi, can you share how your personal journey of self-remembrance influenced the creation of Naarangi? What does this journey mean to you?

Rudrakshi: Naarangi was born during a time of quiet reflection, a moment when I was trying to return to something deeper and more real within me. I’m from Haldwani, near Nainital — the hills raised me, and in many ways, Naarangi carries that same stillness, rawness, and depth.

As I moved through my own emotional journey, I felt the need to create something rooted — something that felt like home, like memory, like meaning. Naarangi became that space. Not just a brand, but a personal expression. A place where color speaks, emotion breathes, and stories are stitched into fabric.

It’s my way of remembering — not just myself, but where I come from.

How do you both approach the design process at Naarangi? What role does color play in your creations, and how does it reflect your personal stories?

Rudrakshi: At Naarangi, the design process doesn’t begin with moodboards or seasonal trends—it begins with memory. We draw from lived experiences and quiet emotions: the chaos of Indian homes, the scent of summer, the texture of old rituals. We design from what we feel, not just what we see.

Color is our first language. It speaks before the silhouette does. For us, it’s deeply personal—haldi yellow brings back warmth and rituals, nimbu evokes childhood afternoons, deep maroons recall heirloom sarees. Every shade we use holds a piece of who we are.

That’s why Naarangi isn’t just about clothing—it’s about wearing memory, emotion, and story. Wrapped in color.

Rudrakshi, you mentioned struggling with self-doubt. How did you overcome this challenge, and how has it shaped your approach to design and leadership at Naarangi?

Rudrakshi: Self-doubt has always been part of my journey — sometimes loud, sometimes quiet. I’ve stopped fighting it. Instead, I pause, listen, and still move forward. That’s where the real strength lives — in showing up anyway.

As a co-founder, that’s shaped how I lead. I don’t lead with certainty — I lead with honesty, emotion, and a whole lot of gut instinct.

At Naarangi, we don’t create from a rulebook. We create from real life — from chaos, color, memory, and mood. We let emotions guide us, and we’re not afraid to get a little messy in the process.

That’s the soul of Naarangi: raw, rooted, and real — with a little sparkle, some drama, and lots of laughter along the way.

Rudrakshi and Ishita’s passion for craftsmanship and sustainable fashion shines through in Naarangi’s unique offerings.

Their dedication to creating beautiful, ethically-made clothing not only elevates resort wear but also inspires a conscious approach to fashion. As they continue to innovate, Naarangi is set to leave a lasting impact on the industry.

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