Biography of Tanvi Malik: Co-founder of the fashion brands FabAlley and Indya
Tanvi Malik's Fashion Venture
Tanvi Malik, a co-founder of the fashion brands FabAlley and
Indya, ventured into India's fashion eCommerce scene alongside her childhood
friend Shivani Poddar. Their mission was to bring trendy, yet affordable
fashion to the Indian market. Their brands, known for their chic western wear,
quickly became popular for their fresh take on style. She embarked on this
entrepreneurial path in January 2012, dedicating over 12 years to creating
inclusive and stylish fashion for Indian women.
Educational Background
Tanvi's academic journey includes a B.A. in Economics from
Lady Shri Ram College (2003-2006) and an MBA in Brand Management from MICA,
Noida (2007-2009). Her education laid a strong foundation for her future in branding
and management.
Professional Experience
Before launching her own brands, Tanvi worked as an
Assistant Brand Manager at Titan Industries from June 2009 to February 2012.
Her role involved managing the brand’s fashion and sports divisions, providing
her with valuable experience in high-end product branding.
Starting a Fashion Revolution
Tanvi Malik, co-founder of FabAlley and Indya, launched her
fashion-forward western wear brand alongside her childhood friend Shivani
Poddar. Both envisioned a globally trendy fashion brand tailored specifically
for Indian women’s body types and aesthetics. Tanvi, an Economics graduate from
Delhi’s Lady Shri Ram College with an MBA in Brand Management from MICA Ahmedabad,
transitioned from a career in branding high-end watches at Titan to pursuing
her entrepreneurial dream. The duo created an inclusive, accessible fashion
brand for Indian women, leaving behind their promising corporate careers.
From Corporate to Creative
Before starting FabAlley and Indya, Tanvi worked as a Brand
& Product Manager at Titan, focusing on high-end watches. Her role involved
branding and marketing, which sparked her passion for the fashion industry.
Now, she leads the design, marketing, product, and communication efforts for
her brands, blending global fashion trends with local needs.
Founding FabAlley: A Fashion Revolution
In the lively city of Noida, Uttar Pradesh, entrepreneurs
Shivani Poddar and Tanvi Malik embarked on a mission to transform women’s
fashion. In 2012, they launched FabAlley, an online fashion retailer dedicated
to women’s clothing. The company has grown significantly, now employing between
101 and 250 people and attracting $18,658,274 in funding through eight
investment rounds from notable backers like Indian Angel Network, SAIF
Partners, India Quotient, Elevation Capital, and Orios Venture Partners.
From Vision to Reality: Meeting Modern Fashion Needs
Shivani and Tanvi’s journey began with a clear vision: they
saw an opportunity in e-commerce to offer stylish and accessible clothing
options for women, something the fashion industry had not fully embraced.
FabAlley was created to fill this gap, offering a broad selection of women’s
apparel, accessories, and footwear. The brand emphasizes the latest trends at
affordable prices, giving women a chance to showcase their personal style
through a convenient online platform.
Identifying a Market Gap
Tanvi Malik and Shivani Poddar, while working their
corporate 9-to-6 jobs, noticed a significant gap in the market. They realized
that there were few affordable and trendy fashion options for young
professionals living on tight budgets. To explore this further, they conducted
a survey with 500 Indian women aged 21-30. The results highlighted a major gap:
the absence of a fashion brand in India that offered both global trends and
affordability, in contrast to international giants like Zara, Asos, and
H&M.
Biography of Tanvi Malik: Co-founder of the fashion brands FabAlley & Indya/ Entrepreneur/Investor/Success story of Tanvi Malik/FabAlley & Indya story
Creating a Trendy and Affordable Brand
Armed with these insights, Tanvi and Shivani embarked on
creating FabAlley, India’s first fashion brand designed to compete with global
names in terms of trendiness and fast fashion. Their goal was to provide
fashionable clothing that was accessible to the Indian market, bridging the gap
between high fashion and affordability.
Market Insights and Growth
The online apparel market in India is estimated to be
between $250-300 million, with 40% of this market being women-centric. This
sector is experiencing rapid growth, with projections indicating a 100%
increase every six months. Delhi-NCR is a key player in this market,
contributing approximately 15-20% of the total online retail sales.
Product Categories and Revenue
FabAlley’s product range includes various women’s fashion
categories. Apparel is the primary focus, generating over 70% of the brand’s
revenue. Within apparel, tops and dresses are the main contributors, while
skirts, shorts, pants, tights, and leggings account for about 10% of the
revenue. In the accessories category, jewelry and bags are significant revenue
generators. Custom manufacturing is managed through a third-party vendor, and
the company currently employs more than 100 people.
Personal Insights and Inspirations
In response to our Proust questionnaire, Tanvi shared her
thoughts on happiness, fears, and personal traits. She finds perfect happiness
in being fully present and at peace while ensuring her family and work are in
good shape. Her greatest fear is leaving behind unfinished business, and she
acknowledges being too trusting as a personal flaw. She despises fickleness in
others, which she sees as a lack of commitment. Tanvi admires her father for
his dedication to lifelong learning, strong work ethic, and compassion.
Currently, she is in a hyper-energetic state, excited about the numerous
projects and initiatives she has lined up.
Commitment to Inclusivity and Indian Aesthetics
Her brands are committed to inclusivity and feminism,
offering clothing that aligns with Indian aesthetics and body types.
Celebrating Individuality and Inclusivity
What makes FabAlley stand out is its dedication to
celebrating individuality. The brand recognizes that fashion is a way for
people to express themselves and caters to a wide range of tastes and body
types. This commitment to inclusivity has built a strong, loyal customer base,
making FabAlley a favorite among women of various ages. Additionally, Shivani
and Tanvi’s work exemplifies social entrepreneurship by providing fashionable,
affordable clothing that enhances women’s confidence and self-esteem.
Empowering Women Through Fashion
FabAlley’s approach to empowering women through stylish and
budget-friendly fashion is a powerful example of how entrepreneurship can
positively impact individuals and society. Shivani Poddar and Tanvi Malik’s
work demonstrates how social entrepreneurship can drive change, ensuring that
women have access to fashion that allows them to express their unique styles
confidently.
A timeline with dates and brief explanations for Tanvi
Malik’s fashion venture:
2003-2006
B.A. in Economics: Tanvi completes her undergraduate studies
at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi.
2007-2009
MBA in Brand Management: She earns her MBA from MICA, Noida.
June 2009 - February 2012
Assistant Brand Manager: Tanvi works at Titan Industries,
gaining experience in high-end product branding.
January 2012
FabAlley Founded: Tanvi and Shivani Poddar launch FabAlley,
focusing on trendy, affordable women’s fashion online.
2012
Market Research: They conduct a survey revealing a gap in
affordable, trendy fashion for Indian women.
2013-2014
Early Growth: FabAlley begins to establish itself with a
growing customer base.
2014-2015
Funding Secured: FabAlley attracts investment from notable
backers, fueling expansion and growth.
2016-2017
Brand Development: The company expands its product range and
strengthens its market position.
2018
Indya Launched: Tanvi and Shivani introduce Indya, catering
to modern Indian aesthetics and inclusive sizing.
2020
Market Growth: The online apparel market in India
experiences rapid growth, benefiting FabAlley.
2021-2022
Expansion: FabAlley grows its team to over 100 employees and
continues to expand its market presence.
2023
Inclusivity Focus: FabAlley is recognized for its commitment
to inclusivity and celebrating individuality in fashion.
2024
Current Status: Tanvi continues to lead and innovate,
focusing on empowering women through accessible and stylish fashion.
