Shangami Muthumani: From Hardship to High Fashion

When Shangami Muthumani lost everything—personally and financially—most would have walked away from their dreams. Instead, she chose to rebuild. Out of resilience and creativity, she founded Nesavaali, a global fusion fashion brand that blends the richness of Indian heritage with bold, modern design. Her collections have been sold on ASOS, stocked in New Look, and spotlighted by the BBC, but Shangami’s story goes far deeper than fashion. Today, she uses her journey to inspire and guide entrepreneurs, showing them how to transform setbacks into strategy and create brands that are not only beautiful but also meaningful, profitable, and sustainable.

What inspired you to start your brand, and how did Nesavaali come to life?

Nesavaali was born from a moment of complete stillness in my life. In 2013, I found myself rebuilding from the ground up after a painful chapter. One evening, I was reading a book called “Tycoon” by Peter Jones, and a particular line hit me like lightning: “Not just what you build, but why it matters.” That single sentence woke up a vision that had been buried under years of survival.

The word “Nesavaali” came to me during that wave of clarity. It means “The Weaver” in Tamil — not just the literal artisan, but the metaphorical one too. The women weaving lives behind looms, the ancestral stories, the threads of identity. I scribbled names, visualised colours, and found myself drawn to the deeper symbolism behind everything traditional — from my grandmother’s thandati to my mother’s wedding chain. These weren’t just ornaments — they were carriers of stories, echoing the same motifs I saw in ancient Indian architecture, temple art, and textiles. I was fascinated by how every element — be it a mango-shaped pendant or a lotus motif — held rich cultural meaning. I began to connect the dots: how could I reimagine these timeless stories through modern silhouettes and present them to a global audience?

It wasn’t a business idea. It was a calling. A responsibility to bring traditional Indian craftsmanship into modern silhouettes, and more importantly, to honour the women behind it all.

You’ve faced some very difficult chapters in your journey — how did you find the strength to start again?

I didn’t find the strength. I chose it. And some days, I chose it trembling.

When life stripped me of everything I thought defined me —stability, identity — I was left with one thing: the belief that I was not finished. I had always been a high achiever — ambitious, creative, driven — and suddenly, I felt like none of it mattered.

But even in that grief, there was a flicker. I began reconnecting with old ideas, sketches, stories — the spark that was Nesavaali. Slowly, I realised that the parts of me that felt lost were still within me. I just had to rebuild. Nesavaali became a mirror — showing me who I really was, beneath the roles I had played.

That’s the truth about healing: it doesn’t happen before you start. It happens because you start.

What role has your Indian heritage played in shaping your designs and storytelling?

It’s the heartbeat of everything I do. My heritage isn’t something I reference; it’s something I remember. I grew up surrounded by women who wore strength with silence — mothers, grandmothers, neighbours. Their saris weren’t just fabric; they were identity, economy, ritual, and resilience stitched into one.

From Tamil temple jewellery to Chettinadu checks, from lotus kolams to mango motifs — I reimagine them into garments that today’s global woman can wear with pride. Heritage, to me, is not about looking back. It’s about carrying the essence forward, confidently.

Going from sketchbooks to global runways is no small feat — what was the turning point for you?

In 2018, I cold-emailed a buyer at ASOS. I told her about Nesavaali, and to my surprise, she responded.

I showed her 60 samples — all handmade, rooted in story. She looked at me and said, “This is the future of fusion fashion.”

That one conversation led to our first 3,000-piece order. Within weeks, we were selling not just in the UK, but in Australia, Japan, Canada, Denmark. It was surreal. And since then, Nesavaali has gone on to win multiple awards for innovation and impact — but it all started with a single yes.

What has been the most memorable “pinch-me” moment since launching Nesavaali?

It wasn’t when we started seeing successful sales. Or when fashion giants like Vanity Fair, Drapers, or Glamour featured us. It wasn’t being stocked in flagship New Look stores, positioned in designer marketplaces, or even when we bagged multiple awards for impact and innovation.

It was during a recent shoot with our rural women artisans. One of them came forward and said in English, “With Nesavaali, we are not just making fashion. We are creating opportunities for women like us.”

She wanted to speak in English so more people around the world could hear her story. That was my full-circle moment. This is why I started. For that voice. For that choice.

How do you balance creativity with the practical side of running a business?

With brutal honesty and a lot of structure.

As creatives, we often want to perfect every detail. But business doesn’t wait for perfect. I’ve learned to compartmentalise: creativity in the morning, logistics in the afternoon. I surround myself with people who complement what I lack. Most importantly, I treat my business like a living entity. It needs nurturing, but also firm decision-making.

I remind myself: art is heart. Business is backbone. You need both to stand.

What advice would you give someone who feels “stuck” after a big personal or financial setback?

Don’t try to bounce back. Try to build forward.

When we obsess over what was lost, we miss what’s trying to be born. If you’re stuck, ask: what do I know now that I didn’t before? That’s your gold.

Start small. Start scared. But just start. The truth is, no one is coming to save you. But your future self? She’s waiting. And she’s watching.

You’ve empowered rural artisans through your brand — why is this part of the mission so important to you?

Because I come from a lineage of strong women whose power was never recognised.

These women don’t want charity. They want choice. They want to be seen, heard, valued. Through Nesavaali and our work with partners like I Village, we don’t just preserve craft — we restore dignity.

Every time a woman learns a new technique, earns her income, or sees her work in a global marketplace — something shifts. She raises her daughter differently. She sees herself differently.

Beyond fashion, what do you hope people feel when they wear a piece from Nesavaali?

Like they’re stepping into their full self.

I want them to feel seen. Powerful. Original. As if the garment was made with them in mind, not just for them.

Every Nesavaali piece carries two stories: the one behind the stitch, and the one it will accompany. It becomes part of their voice, their walk, their becoming.

We want our customers to feel like their wardrobe has found its signature piece — something rare, rooted, and recognisably theirs. Owning a Nesavaali piece isn’t just about style. It’s about statement.

Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the future of your brand and your personal journey?

Nesavaali is on its way to becoming a global name — not just for scale, but for substance.

We will grow into new categories — accessories, kids wear, menswear, lifestyle — all grounded in heritage and storytelling. Personally, I’m stepping more into thought leadership. I want to speak, write, mentor. I want to be a voice for founders who build from the ground, not from funding.

Because real success isn’t about how high you go. It’s about how rooted you stay while growing.