Biography of Soumya Kalluri: Founder and CEO of Dwij-upcycled in india

 Biography of Soumya Kalluri: Founder and CEO of Dwij-upcycled in india 

Biography of Soumya Kalluri: 

The Early Years: A Restricted Shopping Culture

Growing up in a traditional Indian joint family during the 90s, Soumya Kalluri's experience with clothing was shaped by the collective decisions of her family members. Shopping wasn’t a frequent or indulgent activity; instead, it was a necessity often tied to special occasions. Festivals like Diwali, birthdays, and family gatherings were the rare times when new clothes would make their way into her wardrobe. Each piece of clothing was cherished and labeled with the occasion it was bought for, creating a sentimental attachment to her outfits.

The Changing Perspective: A Newfound Freedom

As Soumya moved out of her joint family home to pursue higher education in Pune, she encountered a stark shift in her shopping habits. For the first time, she had her own budget and the freedom to purchase clothes on a whim. The disciplined lifestyle of her childhood seemed like a constraint now, and she started to enjoy the freedom to buy what she wanted, rather than what she needed. This newfound liberty led her to indulge in seasonal sales and street shopping, often buying more than she actually needed.

The German Experience: The Perils of Excessive Consumption

Moving to Germany for her master’s degree, Soumya experienced a new level of consumerism. The steep discounts and low prices offered by stores like Primark enticed her to buy even more. This period marked a phase of significant shopping indulgence, where she accumulated garments on every outing. The joy of shopping was overshadowed by a growing sense of guilt about the excessive consumption. Soumya found solace in the belief that donated clothes were being recycled, though she was unaware of the real fate of these garments.

The Harsh Reality: The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion

Soumya's comfort was short-lived as she discovered the harsh truth about the fate of donated clothes. Many of these garments ended up in developing countries, where they often became waste due to unsuitable conditions. Reports revealed that a staggering amount of unwanted textiles, particularly from North America, ended up in landfills, contributing to significant environmental damage. This realization deeply impacted Soumya, making her question the sustainability of her shopping habits.

The Turning Point: A Newfound Awareness

By 2017, after returning to India, Soumya began to fully grasp the impact of her consumer choices. The environmental damage caused by the fast fashion industry and the enormous waste generated was alarming. This awareness spurred her to rethink her own lifestyle and consumption patterns, leading her to a pivotal decision to address these issues through a more sustainable approach.

The Birth of dwij: A Mission for Change

Motivated by her newfound understanding, Soumya founded "dwij" in Mumbai. The name, meaning "second life" in Sanskrit, reflects her mission to give old textiles a new lease on life. Dwij focuses on upcycling post-consumer jeans and industrial garment waste, turning them into utility accessories like bags, totes, and home décor items. The initiative aimed to combat the environmental harm caused by fast fashion while promoting a circular lifestyle.

The Vision: Sustainability and Ethical Practices

Dwij’s vision extends beyond just upcycling. Soumya aimed to deliver ethically made products that embody a low-waste philosophy. Each item crafted at Dwij adheres to high hygiene standards to ensure that upcycled products meet the same quality expectations as new ones. This commitment reflects her broader goal of redefining fashion as an industry that respects both people and the planet.

The Learning Curve: From Research to Application

Soumya’s background in mechanical engineering and commercial vehicle technology, combined with her work experience in life cycle assessment (LCA) at John Deere and Godrej & Boyce, equipped her with valuable insights into sustainability. Her research on the environmental impact of products and materials provided her with a solid foundation to implement sustainable practices in her own venture.

Biography of Soumya Kalluri: Founder and CEO of Dwij-upcycled in india/Age/Net worth/Soumya Kalluri story/ Dwij-upcycled in india story/Entrepreneur

The Role of Community: Empowering Women

Dwij’s manufacturing setup in Mumbai includes a network of women working from home. This approach not only supports Soumya’s mission to reduce waste but also provides additional income to families in need. By integrating a community-centric model, Dwij aligns its sustainability goals with social responsibility, ensuring that the benefits of upcycling extend beyond environmental impact.

The Challenges: Navigating the Path of Upcycling

Establishing Dwij was not without its challenges. Soumya had to navigate the complexities of creating a market for upcycled products while ensuring that they met high standards of hygiene and quality. The process required innovative solutions to address both consumer perceptions and operational hurdles, all while staying true to her mission of promoting sustainability.

The Impact: Measuring Success

Soumya’s work at Impaakt, where she was involved in research analysis, reinforced her understanding of sustainability. The experience of measuring and evaluating environmental impact influenced her approach to Dwij. Each upcycled product was not just a contribution to reducing waste but also a testament to the effectiveness of her sustainability practices.

The Evolution: From Indulgence to Responsibility

Reflecting on her past, Soumya now views her previous shopping indulgences with a sense of responsibility. The transition from excessive consumerism to mindful purchasing has become a personal journey. She has adopted practices like repairing old clothes and requesting unstitched garments as gifts, embodying a more sustainable approach to fashion and consumption.

The Cultural Shift: Embracing Minimalism

The disciplined shopping practices of her childhood, once seen as a limitation, now resonate with Soumya’s values. She appreciates the cultural emphasis on need-based purchasing, which aligns with her current sustainable lifestyle. This cultural shift from excessive consumption to minimalism has become a core part of her personal and professional ethos.

The Future Vision: Expanding Impact

Looking ahead, Soumya envisions expanding Dwij’s impact both in terms of product range and geographical reach. The goal is to make upcycling a common practice, not just an exception. By increasing awareness and showcasing the benefits of upcycled products, she hopes to inspire others to adopt similar practices and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The Broader Mission: Redefining Fashion

Dwij’s mission extends beyond creating upcycled products; it aims to redefine the fashion industry’s approach to sustainability. By promoting circular lifestyle products and addressing the issues of fast fashion, Soumya seeks to influence both consumers and industry players to embrace more responsible practices.

The Community Impact: Building Awareness

Soumya’s efforts also include raising awareness about the benefits of upcycling and the environmental costs of fast fashion. Through various initiatives and platforms, she strives to educate the public on the importance of sustainable fashion and encourage more people to make mindful choices.

The Personal Growth: From Learner to Leader

Soumya’s journey from a consumer of fast fashion to a leader in sustainable fashion reflects significant personal growth. Her experiences, from studying in Germany to working with global companies, have shaped her understanding of sustainability and equipped her with the tools to drive meaningful change.

The Inspiration: A Story of Transformation

Soumya’s story is one of transformation—moving from a traditional shopping culture to a mindset focused on sustainability and ethical practices. Her personal experiences and professional endeavors have come together to fuel her passion for upcycling and responsible consumption.

The Legacy: Making Upcycling the Norm

Ultimately, Soumya Kalluri’s legacy is defined by her commitment to making upcycling a standard practice in the fashion industry. Through Dwij and her broader efforts, she aims to leave a lasting impact on both the environment and the community, demonstrating that sustainability and style can coexist harmoniously.

Timeline of Soumya Kalluri’s Journey

1990s - Soumya grows up in a traditional Indian joint family with limited and occasion-based shopping.

Early 2000s - Moves to Pune for higher education, experiencing newfound freedom in shopping.

2010 - Moves to Germany for a master’s degree, indulging in excessive shopping due to steep discounts.

2016 - Discovers the environmental impact of fast fashion and the fate of donated clothes.

2017 - Returns to India with a heightened awareness of sustainability and begins rethinking her consumption habits.

2018 - Founds "dwij" in Mumbai, focusing on upcycling post-consumer jeans and industrial waste into utility products.

2018 - Dwij emphasizes ethical practices and a low-waste philosophy in its products.

2018 - Applies insights from her engineering background and LCA experience to implement sustainable practices at Dwij.

2019 - Establishes a community-centric manufacturing model, providing income to women working from home.

2020 - Faces challenges in creating a market for upcycled products and ensuring quality and hygiene standards.

2021 - Gains experience at Impaakt, reinforcing her approach to measuring and evaluating environmental impact.

2022 - Adopts a more mindful approach to consumption, including repairing old clothes and embracing minimalism.

2023 - Reflects on the cultural shift from disciplined shopping to a sustainable lifestyle.

2024 - Plans to expand Dwij’s product range and geographical reach, aiming to make upcycling a common practice.

2024 - Continues efforts to redefine fashion industry practices and raise awareness about sustainable fashion.

 Biography of Soumya Kalluri: Founder and CEO of Dwij-upcycled in india/Age/Net worth/Soumya Kalluri story/ Dwij-upcycled in india story/Entrepreneur