Where It All Began: My Fashion Journey

My fashion journey didn’t start on the shop floors of Manchester — it began in the bustling classrooms of NIFT Mumbai, one of India’s leading fashion institutes. It was there that I first learned how creativity, design, and commerce could come together to shape the stories we wear.

From that foundation, I stepped into the retail world, where I would spend the next 16 years working in fashion and visual merchandising. Mumbai became the city where my career grew, my creativity evolved, and where I learned the power of storytelling through fashion displays. Every mannequin, every window, every layout wasn’t just about selling clothes / shoes — it was about connecting people to a feeling.

But over the years, another story began to surface. As I watched the industry race through seasons and trends, I started questioning the bigger picture: What is the cost of fashion’s beauty? Who and what are we sacrificing for it?

That led me back to the classroom — this time at the University of Salford, where I pursued my Master’s in Fashion Business & Marketing. There, I explored sustainable fashion and consumer behaviour, presented my research at the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology sustainability conference, and visited the ACS Clothing Factory to see how circular fashion models can transform the industry.

Those experiences changed the way I looked at fashion — not just as a career, but as a responsibility. And out of that shift, Stole My Heart was born: a space where I can share my journey, spotlight inspiring brands, and explore how fashion can be playful, personal, and sustainable.

For me, fashion has always been about stories. From Mumbai to Manchester, and soon to London, I carry with me the belief that style should make us feel good — and do good, too. 💫