Biography of Shilpa Bhatia: Founder of Clothing Rental and Terra Inde-Entrepreneur
Biography of Shilpa Bhatia:
Shilpa Bhatia is the visionary behind two innovative fashion
platforms: The Clothing Rental and Terra Inde. The Clothing Rental, based in Mumbai,
offers a convenient e-commerce portal and two physical stores for fashion
enthusiasts to rent stylish outfits. Terra Inde, located in New York, curates
premium Indian wear collections for an international audience, bridging
cultures through fashion.
Educational Journey and Expertise
Shilpa's educational background reflects her commitment to
fashion and design. She earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Fashion
Marketing from Parsons The New School for Design, where she honed her skills in
social media merchandising, retail, and brand management. Her fashion education
also includes a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from SNDT University, a
Certificate in Fashion Design from Istituto Europeo di Design, and additional
fashion design training from Parsons School of Art.
Professional Skills and Knowledge
Shilpa's expertise spans a wide array of areas including
fashion marketing, product development, branding, and retail management. Her
experience in CAD, production methods, and retail math underscores her
comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry.
A Diverse and Accomplished Professional
Shilpa Shankar Bhatia is a seasoned expert with a wealth of
experience across multiple sectors. She excels in leading teams and has a deep
understanding of the fashion business, encompassing retail, wholesale,
marketing, public relations, and digital strategies. Her current skills include
digital marketing, SEO, social media optimization (SMO), Google Analytics,
e-commerce, fashion technology, public relations, and brand development.
Shilpa's strong communication and organizational skills, along with her
excellent relationships with global publications and stylists, have marked her
as a prominent figure in her field.
Biography of Shilpa Bhatia: Founder of Clothing Rental and Terra Inde-Entrepreneur/ Investor/Startup/e-commerce portal/SUccess story/Shilpa Bhatia
Experience in Fashion and Design
Shilpa’s career in fashion spans extensive styling work for
men’s and women’s fashion and costume design for films and television
commercials. She has received fashion design training in India, Milan, and New
York and holds a degree in Fashion and Retail Marketing from Parsons. Her
global expertise in fashion trends covers North America, Latin America, Canada,
Europe, Russia, India, and China. This diverse background has equipped her with
a unique perspective on the fashion industry and its ever-evolving trends.
Real Estate and Business Ventures
In addition to her fashion career, Shilpa has ventured into
real estate as a residential flipper and investor. Since February 2022, she has
successfully completed three renovation projects in Kentucky, overseeing
various aspects including contractor management, budgeting, and project
execution. Her experience spans from framing and electrical work to flooring
and kitchen design, showcasing her versatility and project management skills.
Founding Clothing Rental and Its Purpose
In 2005, Shilpa Bhatia established Clothing Rental to
address the challenge of purchasing expensive attire for one-time events.
Recognizing that such garments often go unused after their initial wear, Bhatia
aimed to provide a more practical solution. Her company allows customers to
rent high-end clothing, making it a cost-effective choice for special occasions
and reducing the clutter of seldom-worn items.
Shilpa Bhatia’s Expertise
Shilpa Bhatia's extensive educational background includes
degrees in sociology, fashion design, and fashion marketing from SNDT, IED
Milan, and Parsons New York. With over 15 years of experience in styling,
public relations, brand building, and business development, Bhatia brings a
wealth of expertise to her ventures. In addition to Clothing Rental, she also
founded Terra Inde, a New York-based platform showcasing traditional Indian wear
to an international audience.
Transitioning from Freelancing to Entrepreneurship
Shilpa Bhatia’s transition from freelance styling to
entrepreneurship was a natural progression rather than a planned leap. Having
never held a full-time job, Bhatia was deeply involved in freelance styling for
films and commercials before launching The Clothing Rental. Her initial success
in styling allowed her to bootstrap her new venture without the immediate
pressure of financial instability. Living with her parents provided a safety
net, as it relieved her from worrying about personal expenses like rent or
EMIs. This freedom enabled her to invest her earnings directly into building
her business, making the challenging early years more manageable. Bhatia
emphasizes that having a secondary source of income or financial cushion can
significantly ease the startup phase.
Entrepreneurial Success and Public Relations
As the founder of Terra Inde, Shilpa aimed to merge
traditional craftsmanship with modern design, curating unique, artisanal
products from around the world. Terra Inde stands out for its focus on
high-quality, bespoke items rather than high-volume fast fashion. Her role at
Ports 1961 involved brand development, media strategy, and public relations,
where she managed global sample traffic, developed strong media relationships,
and organized events. Additionally, Shilpa has held various roles, including
public relations internships and head stylist positions, further demonstrating
her broad expertise in the fashion industry.
Revenue Generation and Business Model
The path to profitability for Clothing Rental was gradual,
with the business starting to generate income after about three to four years.
Unlike traditional retail, where products are sold at a marked-up price, the
rental model involves offering high-value items at a fraction of the retail
cost, which can make breaking even a slow process. Bhatia opted for a boutique
model with personalized service rather than broad-scale expansion, focusing on
attracting customers through unique, tailored experiences rather than
aggressively pursuing growth. This approach aligns with her philosophy that
emphasizes a supportive, collaborative business environment over a competitive,
profit-driven one.
Business Philosophy and Approach
Bhatia’s business philosophy is influenced by Devdutt
Patnaik's Business Sutra, which contrasts two business models: the “Rangbhoomi”
or battlefield, where companies aggressively chase customers for profits, and
the “Rangbhoomi” or colorful playground, where the focus is on creating a
harmonious environment. She advocates for the latter, where a happy
entrepreneur leads to satisfied employees, which in turn results in pleased
clients. This approach reflects her belief that a supportive, well-balanced
work culture is essential for sustainable success, contrasting with the
high-pressure, investor-driven models common in the industry.
Clothing Rental’s Growth and Services
Clothing Rental, headquartered in Mumbai, offers a platform
where users can rent designer apparel at a fraction of the purchase cost. The
company operates an e-commerce portal alongside a physical store in Mumbai,
catering to influencers and celebrities for quick fashion needs. Since its
inception in 2015, the brand has expanded its delivery network across India,
becoming a leading player in the country’s clothing rental market.
Timeline of Shilpa Bhatia’s Achievements
2005: Founded The Clothing Rental in Mumbai to offer
high-end clothing rentals.
2015: Expanded Clothing Rental’s delivery network across
India.
February 2022: Began real estate ventures, completing three
renovation projects in Kentucky.
Current: Continues to lead The Clothing Rental and Terra
Inde, bridging cultures through fashion and offering premium Indian wear to an
international audience.
