Blazing a Trail with Sani: From NC State to the Fashion World
Textile graduate Ritika Shamdasani's career journey from Wilson College to Nordstrom and beyond detailed.
Meet Ritika Shamdasani and her sister, Niki, the dynamic duo behind Sani, a revolutionary clothing brand that emphasizes South Asian fashion. Inspired by the lack of appealing, high-quality South Asian clothing options for traditional Indian weddings, the sisters set out to shake things up and disrupt the traditional Western-centric fashion industry.
Scrippling together their creativity and leadership skills, Ritika and Niki launched Sani, selling their culturally-inspired pieces online and through pop-ups. Since then, they've skyrocketed to success, establishing partnerships with heavyweights like Rent the Runway and Nordstrom.
The success these powerhouse entrepreneurs have achieved didn't come easy. While juggling a full-time school schedule, Ritka and Niki made frequent trips to India for fabric sourcing. The supportive NC State community was instrumental in their journey, providing literary confidants, motivated friends ready to help pack orders at the crack of dawn, and classmates who would send notes while the sisters were traveling.
Embracing Challenges and Making it Happen
At NC State's Wilson College of Textiles, Ritka learned to apply textiles thinking to addressing real-world issues. She also tapped into the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem, participating in various programs like eGames, the Andrews Launch Accelerator, and the Entrepreneurship Clinic.
In 2020, Ritka and Niki's hard work paid off, winning first place at eGames in the arts category and netting a $5,000 cash prize. The sisters have now been selected as Miller Fellows, a prestigious honor that gives them the opportunity to grow Sani as full-time entrepreneurs. As Miller Fellows, they'll develop HR policies, create a more inclusive culture, and secure larger warehouse space.
Staying Connected to the NC State Community
As an alumna, Ritka intends to remain an active member of the NC State community. She has been inspired by the dedication of the alumni in paying it forward and is eager to support future entrepreneurs as a mentor. Ritka has even taken the NC State Founders' Pledge, affirming her commitment to giving back to the university in the future.
The Future of Sani: Beyond Clothing
Ritka and Niki envision a future where Sani is not just a clothing line but a vibrant and celebrated expression of South Asian culture. Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to conquer their fears and embrace their bold aspirations. As Ritka says, "Fear overestimates the threat and underestimates your ability to deal with it, so take that first step and don't let fear hold you back."
Sani is well on its way to shaking up the fashion industry, and its offerings reach far beyond clothes. The sisters have plans to expand into menswear, home decor, and entertainment while forging partnerships with other retailers.
Keep up with Ritika, Niki, and Sani's fashion revolution on TikTok.
Related: Ritika Shamdasani '23 Wins Forbes 30 Under 30 | Meet the Sisters Behind the Buzzy South Asian Label Sani
This post was originally published in Entrepreneurship News.
- The sisters behind Sani, Ritika Shamdasani and Niki, have disrupted the traditional Western-centric fashion industry by creating a revolutionary clothing brand that emphasizes South Asian fashion.
- Sani's success includes partnerships with Rent the Runway and Nordstrom, and their pieces are sold online and through pop-ups.
- While studying at NC State's Wilson College of Textiles, Ritka developed her textiles thinking skills and connected with the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Ritka and Niki won first place at eGames in the arts category and received a $5,000 cash prize, and they have since been selected as Miller Fellows to grow their business.
- In the future, Sani aims to expand beyond clothing, offering menswear, home decor, and entertainment and forging partnerships with other retailers.
- Ritka, an alumna of NC State, intends to remain an active member of the community, giving back by mentoring future entrepreneurs and taking the Founders' Pledge to support the university.
