Starting a fashion brand today is not just about fabrics or pretty designs—it’s about vision, persistence, and creating something meaningful. In our podcast with Rishina Talreja, the founder of Ribelle, we explored how she turned her childhood dream into a profitable, sustainable fashion brand.
Her journey is packed with lessons for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs. Here’s a step-by-step blueprint, where her story becomes a guide for building a brand that lasts.
Every successful brand starts with a clear purpose. Rishina knew she wanted to become a designer from her school days, and this early clarity guided her every decision. She didn’t just want to sell clothes; she wanted to build a brand that represented creativity, individuality, and ethical fashion.
Rishina didn’t jump straight into mass production. Instead, she started small—creating custom pieces for friends, reselling curated collections, and testing local markets. This phase taught her what designs resonated, what price points worked, and how her audience responded.
A common misconception is that fashion needs massive funding. Ribelle began with limited resources but a strong focus on creativity and differentiation. Rishina invested her time and energy more than money, building a brand that stood out because of its design, not its budget.
Sustainability is more than using organic fabrics. Ribelle focused on fair wages, ethical work hours, and minimizing waste while designing products that customers loved. Rishina believed that a brand built on values lasts longer because consumers today connect with purpose, not just trends.
Pricing is an art and a strategy. Rishina positioned Ribelle as an affordable luxury brand, balancing exclusivity with accessibility. She experimented with different price points, ensuring that her products felt premium but reachable for aspirational buyers.
Fashion weeks and stores used to define a brand’s visibility. Today, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are the new runway. Rishina used social media to share behind-the-scenes stories, design processes, and personal inspirations, creating emotional connections with her audience.
Fashion isn’t built overnight. Rishina spent years learning, experimenting, and understanding the market. She emphasized that real expertise comes from consistent effort, internships, and trial-and-error, not shortcuts.
A successful brand evolves. Ribelle started with clothing but is now expanding into accessories, kidswear, and lifestyle products. Rishina planned for this growth early, ensuring the brand had a strong foundation of values and identity to scale seamlessly.
Ribelle’s journey isn’t just a designer’s story—it’s a blueprint for building a fashion brand that lasts. Here’s what we can learn from Rishina Talreja in a nutshell: