Stitching Dreams: An Interview with Neha Gandhi of KOR

An interview with Neha Gandhi, Founder of KOR, a homegrown clothing label

In this interview, we sit down with Neha Gandhi, the visionary founder of KOR, a homegrown clothing label that champions sustainable fashion.

Neha shares her journey, the inspiration behind KOR, and her commitment to creating stylish yet eco-friendly apparel that resonates with conscious consumers.

Growing up in Mumbai, how did your surroundings shape your creative sensibilities and your approach to fashion?

Neha Gandhi: Growing up in Mumbai was like living in a constantly unfolding mood board. The city is a mosaic of dreams, aspirations, and diversity — and that reflects in its everyday life.

From the colorfully chaotic markets of Crawford to the quiet elegance of old SoBo bungalows, every street corner holds a story.

Mumbai taught me that fashion doesn’t have to be loud to be expressive. It’s in the way a woman styles her dupatta in a local train, or how a florist wraps marigolds in reused newspaper.

The mix of contrasts — tradition with modernity, simplicity with boldness — shaped my love for thoughtful design and functional beauty. That’s the spirit I bring into every KOR garment — rooted in reality, but always dreaming.

What inspired you and Neha Suchak to start KOR, and how did you come up with the name?

Neha Gandhi: Neha Suchak and I were friends first, and often found ourselves drawn to the same aesthetic — clothing that was joyful, wearable, and rooted in simplicity.

We saw a gap in the market for thoughtful, detail-driven garments that allowed women to express themselves without overthinking. That shared vision became KOR.

The name ‘KOR’ is inspired by the Gujarati word for the edging of a garment — that final touch that binds the piece together. It felt like a beautiful metaphor for what we wanted to create: meaningful fashion tied together with intention.

Can you walk us through your design process? How do you translate inspiration from nature into your collections?

Neha Gandhi: My design process is rarely linear — it often begins with a pause. A moment of stillness where I observe the world around me.

Sometimes it’s as simple as the way sunlight filters through a curtain, the texture of peeling paint on a wall, or the quiet geometry of leaves on a morning walk. Nature is never obvious — and I love that. It hides its brilliance in details, and that’s where I find my cues.

There are days when I note down random words — cloudy softness, lemongrass laughter, sunset rust — not knowing how they’ll fit in. But eventually, those words find their form in a pleat, a color block, or a stitch line. It’s like poetry, but wearable.

Once the core emotion is captured, we build around it — sketching silhouettes, experimenting with fabrics, working on embroidery techniques, and refining finishes. Every garment carries an echo of where it came from — a breeze, a bloom, a texture, or sometimes, just a fleeting thought that refused to leave.

At KOR, inspiration doesn’t shout. It whispers. And our job is to listen and translate that whisper into joy-filled clothing.

With 80% of sales coming from your online store, how do you approach online marketing and customer engagement?

Neha Gandhi: We treat our online space as an extension of our studio. It’s personal, intuitive, and story-driven. Every post, every product page, every response is guided by authenticity.

We actively engage with customers, take feedback seriously, offer custom sizing, and communicate timelines clearly.

Marketing for us isn’t just about sales — it’s about building a community that resonates with our values. Whether it’s through behind-the-scenes content, storytelling around our garments, or thoughtful WhatsApp campaigns, we try to make every touchpoint feel human and warm.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an entrepreneur, and how have you overcome them?

Neha Gandhi: Entrepreneurship comes with its fair share of unpredictability — and KOR has been no exception. One of the ongoing challenges has been managing a made-to-order model at scale.

While it allows us to stay sustainable and offer personalisation, it also demands tight coordination, clear communication, and a lot of patience. Balancing creative freedom with logistical discipline has been a constant learning curve.

There have been moments of self-doubt, production hurdles, and the occasional curveball that comes with running a business in an ever-evolving industry. But those moments also build resilience. Over time, I’ve learned to stay nimble, trust the process, and remind myself why we started.

At KOR, we move forward with purpose — knowing that consistency, honesty, and a little bit of chaos are all part of the ride.

What are your aspirations for KOR in the next five years, both creatively and commercially?

Neha Gandhi: Creatively, I want KOR to keep evolving with joy at its core. I see us experimenting more — with techniques, forms, and collaborations — without losing the ease and wearability we’re known for. I also want to expand our narrative-driven collections, where each garment feels like a memory in motion.

Commercially, our aim is to open a flagship store, enter select global markets, and most importantly, see more women across cities and cultures spotted enjoying KOR — whether it’s at brunch, at the airport, or simply during their everyday moments. That visibility, rooted in genuine connection, would be the real milestone.

What advice would you give to young designers looking to carve their own path in the fashion industry?

Neha Gandhi: Start with clarity — know what you stand for, even if it’s still evolving. Trends come and go, but your perspective is what will set you apart.

Don’t rush the process; building something authentic takes time. Be open to learning — from mentors, mistakes, and even customers.

And above all, let your work carry your voice. If it feels honest to you, it will always find its place in the world.

Neha Gandhi’s passion for sustainable fashion shines through in KOR’s innovative designs. As she continues to redefine the industry, her insights inspire a new generation of fashion enthusiasts to embrace eco-conscious choices, proving that style and sustainability can go hand in hand.

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