Sep 2024 – Sep 2024 · 0 mo · Moscow, Moscow City, Russia · On-site

• Traditional Textiles & Modernity. Case Study of Saree & Khadi.
• Keeping Traditions intact - Sustainability - Revival in India.

Feb 2023 – May 2025 · 2 yrs 3 mos

• A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE:
• Curating the Indian Textiles Gallery-2
National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
• With great pride, as the Textile Specialist at the Fashion Design Council of India, where I had the privilege of spearheading and curating the Indian Textiles Gallery-2 at the National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• This initiative represents a meaningful and vibrant celebration of India’s rich and diverse textile legacy. The gallery was conceptualised with the objective of introducing innovative curatorial methodologies to support and elevate the Indian art, craft, and design presentation. Grounded with research and historical narratives, the vision was shaped in close consultation with leading textile historians, conservationists, lighting and interior specialists, and artisan communities.
• The project involved an in-depth exploration of an archival collection of textile artefacts and meticulously selected textiles of traditional, ritualistic, social, and demographic significance.
• The gallery is thoughtfully organised into thematic zones, offering a curated experience that highlights both handloom and non-handloom textiles. The layout and design aim to bridge heritage with contemporary sensibilities, creating an engaging and immersive environment for visitors.
• This endeavour not only celebrates the richness of India’s textile heritage but also aims to foster greater appreciation for the artisans and communities who have sustained these traditions over centuries in India.
• The Gallery creates opportunities and support to students and the general public to promote cultural awareness amongst visitors to the museum and popularisation of regional traditional textiles, contemporary techniques worked upon by artisans and the famous Indian textile & fashion fraternity.

Feb 2023 – Aug 2024 · 1 yr 6 mos

• A lifetime opportunity to spearhead the curation of Indian Textile Gallery-2 at the National Crafts Museum, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. My sincere thanks also go to Sunil Sethi (Chairman-FDCI, Dr. Jyothinder Jain, museologist and textile historian, and Mr. Shailendra Harurey for their invaluable guidance throughout this journey.
• This project involved extensive research and meticulous planning, delving into a textile archive of 2,600 artefacts to carefully curate and exhibit 165 textiles, each piece selected for their traditional, customary, ritualistic, social, and demographic significance, representing the rich and diverse textile heritage of India.
• Leading a multidisciplinary team of experts in conservation, interior design, lighting, architecture, specialized carpentry, quality, and restoration—alongside skilled artisans—has been an enriching experience. Together, we have brought this gallery to life, celebrating the timeless handmade textile crafts of India, where tradition and modernity seamlessly coexist. It is a journey of discovery, fostering a deep appreciation for the cultural, traditional, and ritualistic significance of these enduring crafts. The exhibit amplifies artisans’ voices through textiles used across diverse contexts, including clothing, ceremonies, wall art, storytelling, mythology, social values, and symbolism.
• The gallery is organized into thematic zones, highlighting both handloom and non-handloom textiles of India curated in a sophisticated and contemporary setting, blending heritage with innovation to create a truly immersive experience.

Oct 2020 – May 2022 · 1 yr 7 mos · Panchkula, Haryana, India

• SHRI SWAMI RAMA FOUNDATION TRUST
• NARAINGARH, AMBALA, HARYANA - 134203
• CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT AND INCUBATION CENTRE -
• NABARD – Core Facilitator and Product Strategist.
• Creative and Skill Development Consultant (Panchkula Village: Raipur Rani)
• Skill Development & Women Empowerment Programme – Haryana
• Key Responsibilities & Contributions:
• Spearheaded the Skill Development and Women Empowerment Programme across targeted regions, NARAINGARH.
• . Our team conducted village-level surveys and data collection to assess the occupational & socio-economic background of local communities.
• . Identified artisans and, understanding the transition from traditional livelihoods to newer skill-based professions.
• . Oversaw the identification and setup of the incubation facility, tailored to regional needs.
• . Counselling and training of women, establishing structured units for weaving and auxiliary works.
• . Conducted community engagement meetings with village heads and panchayats to ensure grassroots-level participation and acceptance.
• . Represented the initiative in meetings with NABARD officials.
• . Facilitated the installation of looms and the creation of a functional training centre.
• . Designed a five-year handholding model, including three years of guided support and two years of semi-autonomous operations.
• . Recruited and mentored manpower for the OFPO office, ensuring alignment with local employment goals.
• . Developed and managed the budget plans.
• These sectors aim to foster sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and rural economic development.
• . Selection of Implementing Agencies
• . Capacity Building
• . Infrastructure Support
• . Business Planning and Handholding
• . Monitoring & Evaluation

Feb 2020 – Present · 6 yrs 1 mo · Sector 20D, Chandigarh · On-site

• FOUNDER AND CREATIVE HEAD.
• MSME - START-UP ACADEMY. ROHIN STUDIOS is an independent institute and an academy focused on research, incubation, arts and crafts, and design development..
• ROHINS has established a franchise of design coaching and counselling institutes to assist students in exploring a vast array of design careers and opportunities. We are educators and design counsellors dedicated to guiding "parents, students, artisans, faculty, educators, schools, and institutions" about the careers and opportunities available in the design industry.
• Established in 2020, ROHIN STUDIOS has rapidly grown to become the top-ranking institute in the Tricity region (Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali), attracting aspiring designers not only from the Tricity but also from across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Pathankot, Jammu region, Delhi, Ludhiana, Lucknow, and Gurgaon.
• ROHIN STUDIOS is driven by a strong mission to educate and mentor aspirants who aim to pursue Design as a professional career. It has earned recognition and is acknowledged by reputed institutions for its excellence in counselling, training, and design research.

Feb 2020 – Present · 6 yrs 1 mo · Chandigarh, India

Aug 2019 – Aug 2019 · 0 mo · Hyderabad, Telangana, India · On-site

• Master's class with craftsmen from Chirala artisans and toy makers on product development and diversification.
• To enhance their product visibility and variety, enabling their customers to be attracted to purchase the products. To facilitate better sales and customise products that are very traditional in nature while also considering how to contemporarise these items. Improve durability and ensure they become worthy decorative products.

Jul 2017 – Aug 2019 · 2 yrs 1 mo · Mumbai Area, India · On-site

• Remembering "Nevil Subramanian". VP - SPUN.
• WELSPUN GLOBAL BRANDS LIMITED – SPUN CSR (Kutch, Gujarat) - 2017
• GENERAL MANAGER (CSR, Design & Development)
• My approx. two-year journey at SPUN CSR—a sprawling and dynamic unit in Gujarat—was a comprehensive leadership role that allowed me to integrate traditional craft, basic design elements, and social impact at scale. It was more than a job; it was a movement toward women-led sustainability and craft revival.
• KEY ROLES & CONTRIBUTIONS:
• CSR OPERATIONS & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
• . Led end-to-end CSR operations with a strong focus on skill incubation and training programs for women in weaving and auxiliary roles.
• . Developed systems for both in-house and home-based working models, ensuring flexibility and income generation for women artisans.
• . Created employment avenues across 10 decentralized production units in and around the Kutch region.
• ENTREPRENEURSHIP & ECONOMIC STRUCTURING
• . Played a key role in creating new units, supporting infrastructure development, and generating local employment.
• . Implemented wage restructuring models that aligned fair remuneration with production capabilities and market standards.
• . Managed annual budgeting and financial planning for all CSR-linked operations.
• SUSTAINABLE DESIGN & PRODUCT INNOVATION
• . Spearheaded the upcycling of textile surplus and cut-edge waste into a range of sustainable home textile products such as rugs, cushions, and quilts.
• . Integrated handcrafted textiles—Ajrakh, Batik, handloom—into mainstream business strategies, giving traditional crafts a new commercial identity.
• ARTISAN BRANDING & RECOGNITION
• . Conceptualised and launched personalised branding and labelling for individual artisans, giving them visibility and ownership in the marketplace.
• . Promoted artisan-led narratives as a central branding element for handcrafted collections.

Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 · 0 mo · Oloron-Ste.-Marie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France · On-site

• Diagnostic study and possibilities on Technology transfer and Product development.
• Cost effectiveness and export from India to other eastern and African countries.
• Production capacities, Quality control and standards.
• Founded in 1838 at the foothills of the French Pyrenees by Lucien Laulhère, Maison Laulhère began manufacturing berets in 1840.
• Since then, they have never stopped producing this mythical object, the beret, which is the result of a unique ancestral heritage and a know-how which is now only held by a handful of passionate people.

Sep 2016 – Jun 2017 · 9 mos · Noida Area, India · On-site

• NARAYAN INTERNATIONAL LTD. (2016)
• General Manager – Head of Design Studio & CSR
• Tenure: Approx. 1 Year
• . Built a comprehensive Design and R&D Studio from the ground up, including infrastructure, team formation, workflow systems, and documentation procedure.
• . Catering high-end buyer clientele, ranging from boutique designers to luxury home furnishing brands, alongside generic design development needs.
• . Spearheaded merchandise planning meetings, quality control systems, and product development aligned with seasonal and buyer-specific briefs.
• . Led the in-house design team in managing display showrooms, curating missing ranges, and preparing for upcoming buyer presentations.
• . Focused on product and technique innovation, ensuring relevance, competitiveness, and alignment with global trends.
• INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION:
• . Invited by Laulhaur Berets Company – France, renowned for crafting legendary berets used by the military (army, airforce, navy), fashion icons, and Hollywood productions.
• . Explored and initiated a technology transfer opportunity with the French company for setting up a potential manufacturing base in India over a 3-year plan.
• . The goal was to reduce manufacturing costs, freight expenses, and import duties by outsourcing production to India—bringing iconic European techniques to Indian soil.

Feb 2014 – Feb 2015 · 1 yr · HYDERABAD

• PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND CENTRE HEAD

Jan 2013 – Sep 2015 · 2 yrs 8 mos · Karur Area, India

Jan 2012 – Present · 14 yrs 2 mos

• WORKSHOPS & INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES
• Industry & Manufacturer Collaboration
• Industry-Focused Workshops
• Design & Trend Forecasting Workshops with manufacturers and artisans
• Product innovation sessions rooted in material exploration, sustainable practices, and craft integration
• Introduced innovative techniques and market-oriented product directions to factory units
• Social Responsibility & Skill Development
• . Initiated and facilitated Social Responsibility Programs and Artisan Training Sessions
• . Conducted Skill Development Workshops focusing on sustainable practices, upcycling, and heritage textile techniques
• . Deep engagement with women empowerment programs through vocational and design-based training with KVIC
• Capacity-Building Initiatives
• . Facilitator of Social Responsibility Programmes and Artisan Training Sessions
• . Initiator of Skill Development Workshops across rural and urban clusters
• . Contributor to Academic Workshops on International Forecasting Studies for new product innovations
• KVIC Skill development initiative - short term
• . Design and skill development programme involving Skilled, Semi-skilled and unskilled Tharu tribe women to learn reverse embroidery and chikankari.
• . Tharu village of U.P. (Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh - Tharu tribe dominated Balaigaon village, along the Indo-Nepal border).
• . Taught them the technique of simple embroidery, reverse embroidery and other basic techniques.
• Academic & Capacity-Building Initiatives and Outreach
• . Design Trend Workshops with leading Design Institutes (NIFT, NIIFT, FDDI, Woxsen University, UID, KIIT, etc.)
• . Led Trend Forecast Workshops with top design institutions (NIIFT Mohali)
• . Developed and delivered Academic Workshops on International Forecasting Studies for new product ideation (NIIFT Mohali)

Jan 2012 – Mar 2017 · 5 yrs 2 mos · Hyderabad Area, India · On-site

• KALEIDOSKOPE LIVING - A Start-up for Exports (Home and soft accessories)
• Proprietor / Exporter
• Established: October 2011
• CATERING Markets: Canada & Australia
Turnover: USD 25,000–30,000
• Proprietor and founder of Kaleidoskope Living, a boutique export firm specialising in contemporary home textiles and lifestyle accessories with a focus on handloom fabrics.
• Registered under IEC No. 0911016074 and TIN No. 28224623002.
• . Active member of EPCH (Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts) from 2012 to 2017.
• . Successfully participated in Global Sources – China Sourcing Fair in 2014 and 2016, building international vendor networks and sourcing synergies.
• . Developed and exported curated collections of home furnishings and accessories to the Canadian and Australian markets, with a focus on small-batch production.
• . Maintained strong banking relationships with HSBC Ltd and Union Bank of India (Hyderabad) to support export operations and global trade logistics.
• In the course of my professional journey, I also ventured into setting up an export initiative, driven by a strong network and a clear product vision. However, due to delays in bank funding and a major volume order that ultimately did not materialize, the venture faced significant monetary challenges. Compounding the situation, the buyer later declined the initial advance payment, which impacted the working capital flow critically.
• While I eventually had to shut down the venture in 2015, the experience offered invaluable lessons in financial planning, risk management, and the importance of contingency strategies in entrepreneurial ventures. It strengthened my perspective on the intersection of creativity and commerce and has since guided my approach in balancing innovation with operational pragmatism.

Jan 2011 – Jan 2012 · 1 yr · Hyderabad, Telangana, India · On-site

• The Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society Ltd. (APCO)
• Creative Director – Creative Handloom Design Studio
• Hyderabad – 500029 | 2011–2012
• . Led the design direction for APCO’s Creative Handloom Design Studio, focusing on product innovation and craft-based development.
• . Conducted detailed surveys of APCO centres and Cheneta Bhavan retail outlets to assess and reorganize existing stock and collections.
• . Collaborated with the assisting team, Weavers’ Service Centres, and traveled extensively to various weaving units and stockholding centres across Andhra Pradesh.
• . Developed customized design layouts aligning with the infrastructural constraints and capabilities of individual weaving units.
• . Initiated restructuring methods to diversify product ranges while staying rooted in regional handloom strengths and weavers’ skillsets.
• . Contributed to building systems for inventory optimization and design-based interventions for market-ready collections.
• . Despite significant creative progress, the role concluded as APCO underwent workforce downsizing due to financial challenges, leading to the closure of its in-house Research & Development wing by the end of 2012.

Jan 2010 – Present · 16 yrs 2 mos · On-site

• Board of Studies (BOS)
• . Women Entrepreneurship and Skill Development focusing on upskilling and technical development skills (Administrative Staff College of India - ASCI), Hyderabad.
• . CARRICULA DEVELOPMENT for ITI PRINCIPALS (Sponsored by Ministry of Labour & Employment, GoI) Administrative Staff College of India - ASCI. Hyderabad.
• . Proposed syllabus of computer-aided embroidery. CENTRAL STAFF TRAINING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Directorate General of Employment & Training. Ministry of Labour & Employment (DGET).
• . Syllabus of the Electronic Mechanic - Electronic Systems and Specialisation. Identify the products their significance and technology. Ex: Radio and Tele specialisation / Computer specialisation / Mobile electronics / etc. CENTRAL STAFF TRAINING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Directorate General of . Employment & Training. Ministry of Labour & Employment (DGET)
• . Fashion Design Syllabus review / Course curriculum outline for “Bachelor's of Fashion and Textiles”, and Introduction of new programme “M.A. in Fashion Management”. School of Fashion Technology. Kalinga.
• . Institute of Industrial Technology. (KSOFT, KIIT DU. Bhubaneshwar)
• Fashion Design Syllabus review - Woxsen University / School of Arts and Design. (Hyderabad)

Jan 2007 – Jan 2012 · 5 yrs · Gurgaon, India

• Alliance Merchandising India Pvt. Ltd. & Li & Fung India Pvt. Ltd. - 2007
• Senior Design Merchandiser – Textiles (Home Textiles)
• In this dynamic and vantage role, I operated at the intersection of design, product strategy, and business development, wielding influence that often extended beyond my designated responsibilities. My work was pivotal in bridging creative innovation with market-driven execution, especially in challenging sourcing environments and handling over 50 - 60 exporters and manufacturers of different capacities.
• KEY CONTRIBUTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• DESIGN & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
• . Collaborated closely with exporters for tailored design development aligned with international buyer aesthetics and pirce point targets.
• . Conducted deep product identification and category mapping for client-specific collections & presentations.
• . Researched textile trends and forecasts, new technologies, and material innovation to align products with cut-throat pricing and global compliance.
• VENDOR & BUYER ENGAGEMENT
• . Built and managed detailed vendor matrices aligned with buyer-specific requirements, including quality standards, production capabilities, and innovation.
• . Acted as the go-to liaison between buyers and vendors for technical input, product strategy, and cost optimization.
• . Coordinated business with major UK and EU vendors, and managed accounts with other merchandisers for US buyers such as Crate & Barrel, CB2, and Anthropologie.
• . Incorporating South Indian handlooms into mainstream product lines and product diversifications.
• . Coordinated and ensured adherence to major mandatory compliance standards including:
• . General Social & Structural Compliance
• QUALITY CONTROL & SHIPMENTS
• . Worked closely with Quality Control Teams to establish and monitor pre-shipment inspection standards.
• . Maintained buyer-focused shipment expedite reports and ensured alignment with delivery commitments.

Jan 2005 – Present · 21 yrs 2 mos · On-site

• PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
• Specializing in Design & Strategy | Sourcing | Merchandising | Skill Development
• EXPANDING MY ROLE BEYOND THE OFFICE:
• During my tenure, I pursued and engaged with multiple projects (short and longer tenures) driven by passion and purpose:
• An accomplished design professional with extensive experience across design, sourcing, merchandising, and product development, IPR, QA in the home and textile industries. A strategic thinker with hands-on expertise in working with manufacturers, artisan clusters, and international buyers. Passionate about reviving traditional crafts, enabling sustainable design, and bridging industry with academic and grassroots development initiatives.
• CORE COMPETENCIES & EXPERTISE
• Strategy | Sourcing | Design | Merchandising
• Strategic Product Design & Development for Home & Interior Accessories
• Comprehensive Product Sourcing and Vendor Engagement
• Product & Category Planning tailored to buyer markets and consumer trends
• Introduction of New Vendor Profiles and expansion of product categories
• Commercial Costings and pricing strategies for competitive product markets
• Quality Assurance management and solution-based production practices
• STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS & COMPLIANCE
• Execution of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Universal Design Agreements with Buyers, Clients and Vendors all through my experience as a Buyer / Design Merchandiser.
• Protecting vendor interests based of design development, buyer concept development and generic design
• Coordination of International Quality Standards and Compliance Frameworks.

Jan 2001 – Jan 2017 · 16 yrs · Hyderabad, Telangana, India · Remote

• DESIGN FACULTY - ACADEMIC PROFILE:
• National Institute of Fashion Technology (Guest and Visiting faculty)
• North India Institute of Fashion Technology (Guest and visiting faculty)
• UnitedWorld Institute of Design (Center head - Associate Professor)
• DESIGN & TREND WORKSHOPS - ACADEMIC AND ARTISAN: Apparel and Home
• ACADEMIC WORKSHOPS – INTERNATIONAL FORECAST AND FORECASTING
• ACADEMIC – BRIDGE PROGRAMMES: INDUSTRY & CORPORATE FOR DESIGN, PRESENTATIONS, PRODUCTION.