Blending Artistry and Business Acumen to Create Timeless Fashion!
High school is a time when we start to shape our identities and define our goals for the future. Whether it’s aspiring to become a doctor, an artist, an entrepreneur, or a social activist, our dreams serve as guiding stars that illuminate our paths forward. They provide us with purpose, motivation, and a sense of direction amid the uncertainties of adolescence.
But as we embark on the journey of adulthood, it’s easy to lose sight of our dreams amidst the demands of daily life—academic pressures, career expectations, financial responsibilities, and personal challenges. The road to realizing our dreams is rarely linear; it’s often fraught with detours, obstacles, and moments of self-doubt. But Sneha didn’t let that happen. She proves that passion and determination can turn dreams into reality. “I am Sneha Milan, Founder and Designer for Sneha Milan Couture,” she proudly declares. Growing up surrounded by art, with her father being an artist, Sneha’s passion for creativity bloomed early. Despite pursuing a degree in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, her love for fashion and design never waned.
“In high school, I took a couple of fashion and art courses as electives,” Sneha shares. “Little did I think that a high school dream would come true.” After graduation, she found herself in the corporate world, working for an IT consulting firm. However, her heart remained tethered to the world of fashion. It was in 2017 that she seized the opportunity to blend her education with her passion. “I saw an opportunity to start my fashion label, and I jumped on it right away,” she recalls. With unwavering determination and a dedicated team in India, Sneha Milan Couture was born.
Today, Sneha’s designs grace the runways, captivating audiences with their elegance and sophistication. Each piece reflects her unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary flair. From intricately embroidered saris to modern silhouettes, Sneha Milan Couture celebrates the timeless allure of Indian fashion.
As she continues to carve her niche in the industry, she remains committed to her vision of creating wearable art that transcends boundaries. “Bringing both my education and passion together has been a fulfilling journey,” she reflects. Indeed, her story serves as an inspiring reminder that with passion, perseverance, and a dash of creativity, dreams can indeed become a reality.
Let us explore her insightful expedition:
Doodling for Fashion Entrepreneurship
Sneha’s passion for doodling and creating geometric patterns, particularly in the form of Mandala art, has always been therapeutic for her. She could spend hours engrossed in sketching, often finding inspiration in the intricate embroidery adorning ethnic Indian wear like lehengas and sarees.
Her fascination with Indian clothing, which often mirrors the patterns found in Mandala art, sparked an interest in combining fashion design with her artistic talents. She envisioned sketching Mandala-inspired embroidery onto garments, adding a unique touch to traditional Indian attire.
The allure of embroidery, with its endless creative possibilities, solidified Sneha’s desire to pursue a career in fashion design. However, she soon realized that starting her label and business would require more than just sketching designs.
When the opportunity presented itself, Sneha joined forces with her cousin, who owned a boutique in Hyderabad, India. Leveraging her cousin’s network of artisans and tailors, she began designing garments for family and friends, gradually building her brand from the ground up.
A Fusion of Cultural Inspirations
Sneha Milan Couture is renowned for its distinct fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, offering a captivating aesthetic that reflects Sneha’s diverse cultural background. Born and raised in the Middle East until high school, she then moved to Canada, enriching her perspective with a tapestry of cultural influences.
When asked to define the aesthetic of Sneha Milan Couture, she emphasizes her Indian origin while acknowledging the profound impact of her upbringing in the Middle East and her subsequent immersion in Canadian culture. Each of these environments, she explains, contributes its own unique beauty to the world of fashion, from clothing styles to intricate embroidery.
Sneha attributes her ability to seamlessly blend cultural elements to her rich experiences across different countries. Having been exposed to diverse cultures, she finds inspiration in the varied clothing traditions, embroidery, and styles encountered along her expedition. She considers herself fortunate to have experienced such cultural diversity, as it continually fuels her designing process and ignites her imagination with fresh, innovative ideas.
Crafting Exquisite Designs
She exemplifies her design process, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a fresh perspective and harnessing a continuous flow of creative ideas. From envisioning new creations to overseeing their meticulous execution, Sneha’s exploration is characterized by precision and innovation.
With each new design endeavor, Sneha approaches her work with a clear mind, allowing ideas for embroideries and designs to flow effortlessly. She meticulously outlines the silhouette of the garment, whether it’s a gown, lehenga, jumpsuit, saree, or a unique combination thereof. This initial conceptualization sets the stage for the subsequent stages of her creative process.
Once the design outline is finalized, she transitions to sketching the intricate embroidery patterns. Whether drawing inspiration from nature with floral motifs or embracing geometric precision, Sneha’s sketches capture the essence of her vision. She carefully selects the embroidery techniques best suited to bring her designs to life, ranging from threadwork and cut dana to sequins, zardozi, and stones.
While Sneha’s creative vision sets the foundation for her designs, she acknowledges the invaluable contributions of her talented team of artisans in India. Working in collaboration with these skilled artisans, she entrusts them with transforming her design sketches into tangible samples. Through meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, Sneha’s artisans bring her creative visions to fruition, ensuring that each piece meets her exacting standards. Throughout the design-to-execution process, Sneha’s team in India plays a pivotal role in coordinating and managing the various steps involved. Their expertise and dedication serve as the cornerstone of Sneha’s success, facilitating seamless collaboration and efficient project execution.
In addition, there are a lot of pieces that are Canadian-made, with self-embroidered fabrics, and I work alongside my Canadian team to have those meticulously executed, highlights Sneha!
Global Fashion Weeks for Future Aspirations
Sneha shared her excitement, stating, “Yes, we have been a part of the Paris and New York Fashion Weeks and are hoping for more in 2024.” She expressed joy in showcasing her culture through her designs on such global platforms. Preparation for these shows involves meticulous planning, starting with conceptualizing the collection’s theme. For her New York showcase, she curated a collection titled “Close to Nature,” incorporating elements like leaves and flowers to convey a natural aesthetic. In contrast, her Paris collection, named “One Life,” served as a poignant reminder for the audience to live authentically. Bold colors, vibrant patterns, and uninhibited creativity defined this collection, mirroring the freedom she advocates for in life.
Once the theme is finalized, Sneha embarks on sourcing the perfect fabrics to bring her designs to life. Organization and meticulous planning are paramount, especially when preparing for such significant events. She emphasized the importance of coordination, hard work, and dedication, particularly evident in orchestrating post-show photoshoots. Reflecting on her experiences, she acknowledged the invaluable lessons learned and expressed a desire to leverage this knowledge for future growth. With aspirations to continue participating in prestigious fashion events, Sneha’s experience embodies resilience, creativity, and unwavering dedication to her craft. The collections showcased in these fashion weeks were meticulously crafted both in Canada and India.
Embracing Diversity in Fashion
When asked about the diverse clientele that Sneha Milan Couture caters to, she illustrates the inclusivity of her brand. She explains that her designs appeal to a wide range of individuals who appreciate her unique style and diverse offerings. Her collections encompass both men’s and women’s wear, blending modern and traditional elements. She clarifies that her brand is not limited to Indian ethnic wear but also includes gowns and suits for men, reflecting the brand’s commitment to versatility and inclusivity. With such a diverse range of offerings, Sneha Milan Couture welcomes clients from all backgrounds without boundaries.
Reflecting on memorable collaborations or projects in her career, she expresses gratitude to all those who have partnered with her thus far. Each collaboration holds a special place in her heart, and she extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. Furthermore, she is hopeful for many more exciting collaborations to come, enriching her story in the world of fashion.
Approach to Connecting with Her Audience
In every business endeavor, Instagram serves as a pivotal platform, and Sneha acknowledges its significant role in marketing and showcasing her designs and design process. Utilizing Instagram, she keeps her audience informed about new designs, providing them with a glimpse into her creative course. From unveiling fresh collections to offering behind-the-scenes insights into prominent fashion events, she leverages Instagram’s various features to maintain a strong connection with her followers.
Consistently sharing updates through regular feeds, engaging stories, and captivating reels, Sneha actively interacts with her audience. However, she recognizes that social media, including Instagram, offers a plethora of opportunities for engagement and growth. Each day presents a learning opportunity, and she remains committed to exploring new avenues for connecting with her audience and expanding her online presence.
Challenges and Celebrating Milestones
Staying relevant is a perpetual challenge. Sneha understands this challenge all too well. To maintain relevance amidst ever-evolving trends and audience preferences, she emphasizes the importance of innovation while staying true to one’s unique style.
According to her, the key to remaining relevant lies in consistently generating fresh ideas and designs. Despite the presence of numerous talented designers, she believes in the power of belief in one’s creations, coupled with relentless hard work and persistence. By adhering to her distinctive style and unwavering confidence in her creations, she has successfully carved a niche for Sneha Milan Couture in the fashion industry.
Reflecting on her illustrious career, Sneha recounts some of her proudest moments and achievements with Sneha Milan Couture. Among these standout moments is the opportunity to showcase her brand at prestigious global events such as Paris and New York Fashion Week. For her, participation in these renowned fashion weeks not only elevated her brand’s visibility but also marked significant milestones in her experience as a designer. Notably, these experiences were not only her debut shows but also served as affirmations of her talent and dedication.
Additionally, seeing her designs grace the pages of esteemed publications like Vogue, Elle, and Glamour stands as a testament to her impact and influence in the fashion world. The recognition and validation received from these prestigious magazines are cherished moments that reinforce her commitment to excellence and innovation.
Global Expansion in Luxury Design
Sneha expressed with enthusiasm, “The aim is to establish a robust global presence.” With a focus on the luxury designer industry, her objective is to position her brand as both affordable and luxurious. She hinted at exciting new projects and upcoming collaborations, promising to share more details with her audience once they were formalized. Anticipate a flurry of new developments, including a fresh collection, in the pipeline.
Wisdom for Emerging Fashion Designers
Sneha underscores the importance of hard work, persistence, and following one’s dreams for aspiring fashion designers. According to her, once individuals commit to pursuing their dreams, paths naturally begin to unfold.
What do you hope to convey through your collections on the runway?
Through my collections on the runway, I aim to convey a fusion of cultural inspirations and celebrate diversity in fashion. Each piece crafted by Sneha Milan Couture blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary flair, reflecting my diverse cultural background and experiences.
Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of following one’s dreams and pursuing passions relentlessly. Sneha Milan Couture exemplifies the power of passion, perseverance, and creativity in turning dreams into reality. By sharing my journey from a high school dream to establishing a successful fashion label, I hope to inspire others to pursue their aspirations with determination and dedication.
Moreover, I strive to connect with my audience on a deeper level by embracing inclusivity and versatility in my designs. Sneha Milan Couture welcomes clients from all backgrounds, offering a diverse range of options from Indian ethnic wear to modern gowns and suits. By celebrating diversity in fashion, I aim to create a sense of belonging and empowerment among my clientele.
Through my runway collections, I aspire to evoke wonder, inspiration, and appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship behind each garment. Sneha Milan Couture represents more than just a brand; it symbolizes a journey of creativity, passion, and cultural exploration. I invite individuals to embark on a sartorial adventure that transcends boundaries and celebrates the beauty of diversity in fashion.
