Biography of Shivani Poddar: Co-founder and CEO of FabAlley and Indya-Entrepreneur
Biography of Shivani Poddar:
Shivani Poddar, Co-founder and CEO of FabAlley and Indya, is
a trailblazer in the fashion industry, having transformed the way women
experience style in India. A graduate of the Faculty of Management Studies at
the University of Delhi, where she earned her MBA in Finance, Poddar began her
career in finance with roles at Hindustan Unilever and Avendus Capital. Her
journey in the fashion industry began with FabAlley in 2012, where she leveraged
her financial acumen and strategic vision to build a brand that resonates with
modern, fashion-forward women.
Building FabAlley and Indya
FabAlley, founded by Poddar and her co-founder Tanvi Malik,
is a dynamic, inclusive fashion brand designed to reflect individual style and
confidence. The brand focuses on providing affordable, stylish clothing that
empowers women to express themselves authentically. In 2016, they launched
Indya, an ethno-fusion brand that merges traditional and contemporary styles, catering
to a diverse range of fashion preferences. Both brands have contributed
significantly to establishing Poddar as a leading figure in India’s fashion
landscape.
Shivani Poddar: A Journey of Excellence
Shivani Poddar, a distinguished serial entrepreneur, graduated with top honors from Hindu College and pursued an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi, where she was among the top 5 percent of her class. Her academic prowess was further acknowledged through several national awards and her participation in the prestigious Hindustan Unilever Program. Her career began with a significant role in Avendus Capital’s Investment Banking team, where she honed her financial and strategic skills, laying a strong foundation for her future entrepreneurial ventures.
Biography of Shivani Poddar: Co-founder and CEO of FabAlley & Indya-Entrepreneur/Investor/Startup/Success story of FabAlley and Indya/Shivani Poddar
A Shift from Corporate Life
Shivani’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurial life
began during her tenure at Avendus Capital, where she worked in the Mergers and
Acquisitions team. Her role involved interacting with numerous entrepreneurs
who were seeking to sell their businesses or secure investment. This exposure
made her realize her own desire to be on the other side of the table, managing
and growing a business rather than just facilitating transactions.
The Birth of High Street Essentials
Shivani Poddar and Tanvi Malik embarked on their
entrepreneurial journey with a shared vision. Both driven by their respective
backgrounds—Poddar’s finance expertise and Malik’s marketing prowess—they left
their jobs in 2012 to co-found High Street Essentials (HSE). Their first brand,
FabAlley, was born out of their observation that the Indian fashion market was
ripe for innovation, particularly in women's western wear.
Overcoming Initial Challenges
In the early days, Poddar and Malik operated out of a modest
100-square-foot office, managing every aspect of their business from product
design to backend development. Despite their lack of technical skills and
initial skepticism from investors, they learned on the job, using their own
hands to build their e-commerce platform. The challenges of their first year,
though significant, proved formative, establishing a strong foundation for
their future endeavors.
Breakthrough with FabAlley
FabAlley began as an online-only brand with minimal staff
and limited resources. The early days were characterized by a slow start due to
scarce funds and the novelty of e-commerce in India. However, the experience of
Poddar’s family in apparel and their hands-on approach in designing and
sourcing products allowed them to establish a unique market position. Their
deep understanding of their target consumer, coupled with a focus on comfort
and affordability, set FabAlley apart in a competitive landscape.
Founding FabAlley: Innovation in Fashion
Alongside Tanvi Malik, Shivani Poddar co-founded FabAlley, a
fashion-forward brand that has made a mark in the Indian fashion industry.
FabAlley is known for its in-house designed clothing, which caters to millennial
women by offering stylish, body-positive fashion at affordable prices. The
brand’s commitment to quality and design innovation has set it apart in a
competitive market, enabling it to cater effectively to its target demographic.
Expanding to Omnichannel Retail
FabAlley has successfully transitioned into an omnichannel
retailer, enhancing its reach through both online and offline platforms. This
strategic move has allowed the brand to cater to a broader audience and adapt
to the evolving shopping habits of its customers. The combination of a robust
online presence and physical stores has positioned FabAlley as one of India’s
largest online-led fashion brands, contributing significantly to its impressive
net worth of 125 crores in net sales.
The Birth of Indya: Expanding Horizons
In 2017, HSE capitalized on FabAlley’s success to launch
Indya, a brand focusing on Indian ethnic-fusion wear. The idea emerged from the
success of a Diwali collection that combined Indian fabrics with western
silhouettes. Indya’s affordability and modern designs quickly resonated with
customers, capturing a significant share of the Indian women's festive wear
market. This move proved to be a pivotal moment for HSE, leading to rapid
growth and expansion.
A Diverse Brand Portfolio
Beyond FabAlley, Shivani Poddar and Tanvi Malik have
expanded their entrepreneurial footprint with the launch of three additional
brands: Indya, Zyra, and a new fashion jewelry brand. Each of these ventures
reflects their dedication to innovation and market responsiveness. Indya and
Zyra, like FabAlley, cater to distinct fashion needs and preferences, while the
new jewelry brand adds another dimension to their diverse portfolio.
A Rapidly Expanding Fashion House
Under Poddar's leadership, FabAlley and Indya have grown
into major players in the fashion industry, with a team expanding from zero to
over 1000 employees. The company’s growth is indicative of its successful
approach to direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion, blending online and offline
retail strategies. This expansion has not only solidified the brands’ positions
in the market but also highlighted Poddar’s ability to scale operations
effectively while maintaining a strong connection with consumers.
Future Prospects and Growth
Shivani Poddar’s ventures, including FabAlley, have
demonstrated a strong trajectory of growth and success. As the fashion
landscape continues to evolve, Poddar and her team remain at the forefront,
adapting to new trends and consumer preferences. With a solid foundation and a
diverse brand portfolio, Shivani Poddar is well-positioned to drive further
innovation and expansion in the fashion industry, reinforcing her reputation as
a leading entrepreneur in India.
Empowering Women Through Fashion
Both FabAlley and Indya are built on the principle of
empowering young women to embrace their confidence and individuality. FabAlley
offers a bold and inclusive range of fashion that acts as an extension of the
wearer’s personality. Indya, with its unique blend of ethnic and Western
styles, provides a versatile wardrobe for women navigating between traditional
and modern fashion sensibilities. Poddar’s commitment to these values reflects
a broader vision of enhancing women's self-expression through fashion.
Future Prospects and Growth
As FabAlley and Indya continue to evolve, Shivani Poddar
remains at the forefront of the fashion industry, driving innovation and
growth. Her leadership and vision have positioned her companies as leading
examples of successful fashion entrepreneurship in India. With plans to expand
further and deepen their impact, Poddar and her team are well-prepared to
continue their trajectory of success, shaping the future of fashion in the
country and beyond.
Timeline of Shivani Poddar’s Story
2012: Co-founded High Street Essentials (HSE) with Tanvi
Malik, launching FabAlley as their first brand.
2016: Launched Indya, an ethno-fusion fashion brand blending
traditional and contemporary styles.
2017: Expanded HSE's brand portfolio with the introduction
of Zyra and a new fashion jewelry brand.
February 2022: Marked successful expansion into omnichannel
retail, combining online presence with physical stores.
Current: Continues to drive growth and innovation in the
fashion industry with FabAlley, Indya, and additional brands, maintaining a
focus on empowering women and enhancing self-expression through fashion.
