Women leaders are transforming India’s fashion retail landscape with strategic vision, innovation, and a keen pulse on the evolving consumer. From luxury to D2C, they’re driving growth, sustainability, and inclusivity—while redefining brand storytelling and digital strategy.
This feature celebrates the women reshaping the industry, breaking barriers, and elevating India’s global fashion presence. In this edition, we spotlight Dipti Advait, Founder & Creative Director of Nouria, whose creative leadership is reshaping the smart-casual fashion retail space in India.
ABOUT DIPTI ADAVIT
Beliefs: Dipti believes that fashion is more than just clothing-it is a tool for empowerment and self-expression. Her journey into retail was driven by a passion for creating designs that allow women to embrace their individuality while prioritising comfort and ease. Over the years, she has witnessed the transformative impact of fashion on confidence and self-perception, inspiring her to build a brand that seamlessly blends sustainability with effortless style.
Education: Dipti holds a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Manufacturing and Design from Sir Vithaldas Thackersey College of Home Science.
Roles & Responsibilities: As Founder & Creative Director of Nouria, Dipti oversees all creative decisions, from conceptualising designs to production, ensuring each piece reflects the brand’s ethos of empowering comfort and sustainability. She also leads strategic planning and business development, staying committed to offering versatile, fuss-free fashion.
Leadership Challenges & Triumphs: As a woman in retail leadership, one of the biggest challenges Dipti Advait faced was balancing personal aspirations with societal expectations. However, she has transformed the challenges into opportunities, proving that women can thrive without compromising authenticity. Her approach to overcoming obstacles has been rooted in self-belief and making decisions that benefit both the business and the values she aims to share-confidence, independence, and sustainability.
Strengths: Commitment to sustainability | Deep understanding | Ability to innovate
Area of Improvement: Scaling impact while upholding values
Game-Changing Decisions for Brand: Recognising that empowering women meant aligning with their values, Dipti placed sustainability at its core. From design to production, every step was aimed at making women feel good while being mindful of the planet. This initiative set Nouria apart, resonating with women seeking both style and a positive impact.
Career Aspirations & Future Goals:
- To build a brand that empowers women with confidence and comfort while championing sustainability.
- To make Nouria a symbol of effortless style and conscious fashion.
Dipti’s Top 3 Emerging Retail Trends & Technologies
- Personalisation
- Sustainability
- Inclusivity
3 Career Learnings
- Embrace failure as a learning opportunity
- Listen to the customers
- Never underestimate the power of a well-aligned team
Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders: Embrace your unique strengths and never compromise on your values. The retail industry can be challenging, but your vision and authenticity are the greatest assets
Vision for the Future: The future of retail is about making fashion accessible and empowering for everyone, offering not just products, but a platform for women to express themselves freely and confidently.
Biggest Role Model & Why: Coco Chanel. She revolutionised the fashion industry with her bold vision and is the epitome of effortless elegance and empowerment.
Life Mantra: “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”
