Biography of Vishakha Bhaskkar: Founder & CEO of Angrakhaa- Entrepreneur
Biography of Vishakha Bhaskkar:
Vishakha Bhaskkar is the co-founder of Angrakhaa, a clothing
brand known for promoting body positivity and inclusivity. She is a graduate in
Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi. Despite her academic
background, Vishakha ventured into the fashion industry, defying the
traditional career paths expected of someone with her education.
The Birth of Angrakhaa
Vishakha, alongside her business partner Asana Riamei,
launched Angrakhaa in 2018. The brand was created to address the gap in the
fashion market for size-inclusive clothing. Angrakhaa aims to make every woman,
regardless of size, feel stylish and confident without the added costs
typically associated with plus-sized clothing.
Body Positivity as a Core Value
One of the driving forces behind Angrakhaa is the advocacy
for body positivity. Vishakha's personal experiences with body shaming inspired
her to use her platform and brand to challenge societal beauty standards.
Through her blog, Love Them Curves, she shares her journey of embracing her
curves and promotes a healthy, inclusive view of fashion.
Early Career and Challenges
Before founding Angrakhaa, Vishakha worked in various roles
within the fashion industry, including as a merchandiser. Although she did not
have formal training in fashion, her passion for the industry led her to gain
hands-on experience. However, she faced many challenges, including financial
difficulties and gender bias in the male-dominated fashion sector.
The Struggles of Starting a Fashion Brand
The early days of Angrakhaa were tough. As a newcomer
without formal fashion training, Vishakha struggled to set up the brand, face
financial setbacks, and secure revenue. Despite these challenges, her vision
for an inclusive brand kept her motivated to push forward and build something
that could challenge the traditional fashion industry.
The Concept of ‘Fat Tax’
One of the main issues Vishakha aimed to tackle with
Angrakhaa was the "fat tax," an additional charge some brands impose
on larger sizes. She explained that in India, clothing prices for plus-sized
options are significantly higher, which adds to the discrimination faced by
people who do not fit into conventional size charts. Angrakhaa set out to
change this by offering all sizes at the same price.
Biography of Vishakha Bhaskkar:Founder & CEO of Angrakhaa- Entrepreneur /age/net worth/investor/startup/fat tax by offering all sizes at the same price
Angrakhaa's Unique Approach to Fashion
Angrakhaa offers a wide variety of clothing, including
dresses, kurtis, and maxis, all designed to be body-friendly and stylish. The
brand combines Indian and contemporary clothing styles, ensuring that every
piece not only fits well but also reflects a strong sense of self-expression.
They focus on breathable cotton and timeless designs that can be worn across
seasons.
The Importance of Inclusivity in Fashion
Inclusivity is at the heart of Angrakhaa’s philosophy. The
brand offers sizes ranging from XXS to 5XL, ensuring that women of all shapes
and sizes have access to fashionable, comfortable clothing. This inclusive
approach is reflected not only in their product range but also in their brand's
identity and marketing.
Facing Industry Biases
Being a woman in the fashion industry came with its own set
of challenges for Vishakha. Many of her early experiences involved working with
male tailors who often didn’t take her seriously. This gender bias was a
significant hurdle in establishing her authority in the industry, but it only
made Vishakha more determined to succeed.
Angrakhaa’s Journey on Shark Tank India
Angrakhaa gained widespread attention when it appeared on
the popular television show, Shark Tank India, in 2023. The founders sought an
investment of ₹40 lakh for a 5% stake in the company. Despite receiving offers
from the sharks, the deal ultimately did not go through. However, the
appearance on the show helped raise Angrakhaa's profile and solidified its
place in the inclusive fashion space.
Overcoming Financial Setbacks
Like many startups, Angrakhaa faced financial setbacks,
particularly during the pandemic when sales dipped. However, the brand bounced
back with strong sales figures in the following years. By focusing on digital
marketing and increasing customization options, Angrakhaa managed to grow its
revenue and brand presence, even during tough times.
A Growing Online Presence
Angrakhaa’s presence on social media platforms like
Instagram has been a key factor in its success. With over 55,000 followers, the
brand has built a loyal community of customers who appreciate its commitment to
body positivity and inclusive fashion. Their posts often go viral, with some
receiving millions of views, boosting both engagement and sales.
Angrakhaa's Sales Growth
From modest beginnings, Angrakhaa has seen a significant
jump in sales. In the first fiscal year, the company generated ₹14 lakh in
revenue. After experiencing a dip in sales during the pandemic, they rebounded
with ₹1.16 crore in revenue for FY21-22. This growth was attributed to the
brand’s focus on customization and personalized offerings for their customers.
The Challenges of Scaling Up
Despite their growth, Vishakha and Asana acknowledge the
challenges of scaling up. The need to balance production costs, logistics, and
customer expectations can be overwhelming. However, they continue to invest in
marketing and expanding their product range, including exploring the wedding
market for both men’s and women’s clothing.
Looking Toward the Future
As Angrakhaa continues to expand, the founders remain
focused on their core mission: offering size-inclusive clothing without the
burden of extra charges for larger sizes. With their continued presence on
social media and a growing customer base, Vishakha and Asana are excited for
what the future holds, hoping to make the fashion industry more inclusive, one
piece of clothing at a time.
A timeline of Vishakha Bhaskkar and Angrakhaa’s journey:
2018: Vishakha Bhaskkar and Asana Riamei co-founded
Angrakhaa, focusing on body-positive and size-inclusive fashion.
Early Days: Vishakha, despite her Economics background and
no formal fashion training, navigated challenges in the male-dominated fashion
industry, learning through hands-on experience.
2019: Angrakhaa tackled the issue of the "fat tax"
by offering all sizes at the same price, promoting inclusivity.
2020: The pandemic led to a dip in sales, but Angrakhaa
rebounded by emphasizing digital marketing and customization.
2023: Angrakhaa appeared on Shark Tank India, seeking ₹40
lakh for 5% equity, though the deal did not go through.
2023-2024: The brand experienced strong sales growth,
reaching ₹1.16 crore in FY21-22, and gained significant social media traction,
especially on Instagram with over 55,000 followers.
Future Vision: Angrakhaa aims to continue expanding,
focusing on inclusivity and customization, and exploring new markets such as
wedding apparel for all sizes.
