Today we’d like to introduce you to Neha Sikder
Hi Neha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m Neha Sikder, the 17-year-old founder of Desoire, a sustainable, genderless fashion brand I started at 14. Over the years, Desoire has evolved to become my passion project as I’ve become inspired by the world of fashion beyond gender.
I initially heard the term “genderless fashion” in a podcast, and immediately was curious about it, soon realizing how big of a market gap there was. I saw the lack of femininity being promoted for both genders and how misinterpreted the idea of fashion, particularly feminine styles perceived to “emasculate” men.
Desoire is my project to break this mold, to find that middle ground of embracing femininity and masculinity in a way that brands haven’t before. Think beyond sweatshirts, sweatsuits, and baggy t-shirts. This barely scratches the surface of what’s possible.
I began conducting market research to grasp what was lacking in this fashion sector and started designing, building a community, and marketing to this heavily misunderstood community.
Today, about three years from when I first started, I’ve gotten here from the support of my friends and family, and from every little obstacle that has taught me the price of success.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has certainly been a difficult journey. For one, my age was a huge factor that made plenty of opportunities inaccessible to me. Many people doubted me or didn’t take me seriously, calling it a “phase,” or something that I wouldn’t be able to scale because of my lack of experience. Additionally, I couldn’t apply to a multitude of events, or grants since I haven’t yet reached the age requirement.
Starting a sustainable fashion brand and sourcing manufacturers was a nightmare – searching through every list of every directory hoping that one manufacturer shared our values – energy efficient practices, ethical production, fair worker’s conditions, all while meeting our budget.
Every day is such a challenge, I think the hardest part has been the amount of “no’s” you get a day. The thousands of pitches, cold calls, and emails that you send feel fruitless, in some cases, because no one seems to respond, and the ones that do seem highly uninterested. I’ve learned to live by the mantra that the harder I work, the luckier I seem to get. All the game of business is a matter of hard work and consistency, and you only get what you put out.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Desoire is a sustainable fashion brand free from gender conventions. We specialize in elegant garments that explore the middle grounds of femininity and masculinity, appealing to mainstream consumers who aren’t dictated by the status quo. We believe in pushing boundaries and following your narrative.
The biggest thing that separates Desoire from other organizations is that we aren’t afraid of bending the rules. The vast majority of “genderless” fashion brands showcase the same masculine sides of fashion: we’re breaking that notion and bringing on a new meaning to freedom of expression.
We’ve committed to a sustainable lifestyle from packaging to fabric to our production methods, we believe that the least we can do as a fashion brand is leave a minimized environmental impact. We opt for fabrics like Tencel Modal (derived from beechwood) and organic or recycled versions of conventional cotton or polyester.
Of course, running the company as a 17-year-old girl of color has its differentiation, but my mission is to show that anyone, anywhere can make something beautiful. If I can inspire at least one person to start on their dreams, then I’ve served my purpose well.
I want readers to understand the company’s take on such a controversial topic of fashion beyond gender, and see it from the standpoint that I do. Dating back centuries ago, In my Indian culture, men approached fashion from the standpoint of practicality, convenience, and comfort. There was no question of being overtly femininely dressed. What was taken into account was how one felt. This is how I believe fashion should be celebrated.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Some so many people have made this journey possible. My mom is the strongest woman I know and instilled the belief of fighting for what you want in life–she has believed in me since day 1–She supported me, invested in me, and rallied for me when no one else did, and I will forever owe a part of my success to her.
My business mentor, Vicki Wallis, whom I met right when I started my journey in the fashion industry, gave me all the resources I needed from start to finish on every step in the marketing, planning, and production process. I came to Vicki on days when I felt I couldn’t handle it anymore, the moments I couldn’t understand the road ahead of me, and she guided me for the last three years, believing in me every step of the way, regardless of my age.
Throughout my journey, I’ve met such incredible people who have shown such a great deal of support in what I do and it’s made this difficult path a little more promising.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.desoire.com/
Image Credits
Sorbet World & Desoire
