Vaishali Shadangule: From The Streets Of Vidisha To Paris Fashion Week

Women following their passion is the most inspiring thing as they pave the way for the next generation of women to follow what they love. Just as Vaishali Shadangule did with her inspiring transition from an engineering major to a Paris Fashion Week designer.

First Indian Woman Designer to Shine at Paris Haute Couture

The 46-year-old designer and founder of the brand Vaishali S began her career in 2001. And, made history in 2021 as the first Indian female designer to feature in the official calendar of Paris Haute Couture. Her collection, "Breath," captured global attention with its focus on environmental sustainability, craftsmanship, and Indian design. Using innovative techniques, her designs showcased a timeless beauty inspired by nature.

At present, Shadangule continues to make waves at Paris Couture Week, presenting groundbreaking, zero-waste designs. Her commitment to true sustainability is evident in every piece, proving that fashion can be both stylish and eco-friendly.

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As an inspiring figure in the fashion industry, Vaishali Shadangule represents India with her creative genius and dedication to sustainability. In a conversation with SheThePeople, she shared that her story began long before 2001.

From The Streets Of Vidisha To The Ramp Of Paris Fashion Week

"At the age of 17, I moved out to pursue Computer engineering & landed in Bhopal. I never knew how the city lights looked or how hard I had to work to sustain myself. I was just determined to defy those who said, ‘a girl isn’t supposed to do it'."

"While working as an office assistant to support my studies, something else had caught me too - Fashion! I’d borrow the books on fashion studies from a local college & study them at home. Meanwhile, I’d also give DIY fashion tips & people loved them! I thought, ‘I wish I could do this forever!’ But, God had plans & got placed in Gujarat. By then I’d gathered the courage to listen to my inner voice that whispered, ‘Mumbai has better plans for me’. Taking a leap of faith again was tough, but I’ve done this before & can do it again too."

"In 1999, I came to Mumbai & after a long struggle to find a job, I landed one at a gym. But even there, I’d give people little tips on how to elevate their daily outfits or recycle their old wear. Again, they simply loved it!"

"Life took a turn when a woman at the gym told me, ‘You’ve an amazing sense of Fashion! You should start designing outfits’. This struck a chord & finally made me realise that this was the life I yearned for! That’s when I did a short course in fashion designing."

"In 2001, I took a bank loan with that woman’s help & opened a small boutique in Malad. I didn’t know much about different fabrics & relied on local weavers for final pieces. Initially I'd put a few of my designs on display & kept creating personalised ones. But when I realised how much fabric can be wasted in designing new ensembles, I reused old weaves & used leftover fabric to structure new silhouettes. I loved the sustainable fashion designer in me & studied more to hone my skills, followed by a Masters from Milan."

"In 2012, I was invited for my very 1st showcase at LFW. Since then I’ve never looked back & showcased at 24 FWs. In 2021, I became the 1st Indian woman to showcase my creations at the Paris Haute Couture week & this year I showcased my designs at the Milan Fashion Week, becoming the only Indian to showcase at both. So yes, it’s been a really long journey but all I did was - hang in there & believe in my destiny."

Watch the story here.

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