To the girl figuring things out,

When I think back to the early days of my professional journey, I remember them as a mix of emotions — excitement, ambition, curiosity and, yes, quite a bit of uncertainty. When you are young, you are full of ideas. There is a voice inside you constantly urging you to do something meaningful, to create something of your own, to follow what excites you. It is an incredibly energising time because you feel as though anything is possible.

But alongside that excitement come doubts. You ask yourself questions like: Where do I even begin? How will I make this work? Those questions are natural. I had them too.

What I realise now is that youth brings with it a kind of fearlessness that is difficult to replicate later in life. When you are younger, you jump into things headfirst. You do not always think about everything that could go wrong — you simply move forward with enthusiasm and belief. In many ways, that fearlessness is a gift.

When I started, I did not really know what I was doing. I simply knew that I wanted to work and that I wanted to create. I did not begin with a perfect plan or a long list of goals. I just started and figured things out along the way.

My journey began quite early. I started working when I was 16 because I was fascinated by the idea of being a working woman and building something of my own. My first pieces were embroidered shawls paired with matching pashmina handbags. I never formally studied design; it was simply something I enjoyed. I loved bringing colours and textures together and watching ideas come to life. I spent time at a factory working with artisans, experimenting with designs and seeing the finished pieces take shape. What began as a creative experiment slowly grew into a small collection.

During a holiday in London, I organised an exhibition of my work. It was not planned as a business venture — I simply wanted to try it. But the experience opened the door to the creative world and helped me realise how much I enjoyed it.

When I look back now, I sometimes smile at the confidence I had then. I remember walking into Harrods with samples of my products and asking for a meeting.

Today, I might think twice before doing something like that. But when you are young, you do not overanalyse everything — you simply go for it.

People often ask whether there is a “right age” to start a business. My honest answer is that there is not. I have seen people build successful ventures in their 20s and others begin in their 40s, 50s or even later.

For many women, life takes different paths. Some focus on family earlier in life and begin their professional journeys later. Running a home and raising a family is a full-time responsibility in itself, and many women return to pursue their ambitions afterwards with remarkable success.

So the timing of your journey is deeply personal. What matters far more than age is passion and commitment. You have to truly believe in what you are doing — sometimes almost to the point of obsession.

Like any creative field, fashion comes with criticism. I remember one of my early shows receiving harsh comments from some people. At the time, it was difficult, especially when the criticism came from people who did not necessarily understand the work behind it.

But over time, you learn perspective. People often see only the final result, not the months of effort and preparation that go into it. Not every opinion needs to define your work or your confidence.

One thing I believe strongly in is integrity and kindness in your professional life. The way you treat people matters. Over the years, many assistants who worked with me have gone on to build their own careers. When they reach out years later to say they valued the experience, it reminds me that relationships are just as important as the work itself.

Experience has also taught me the importance of balance. Earlier in my career, I said yes to almost everything — running my brand, collaborating on projects, and taking on styling assignments. There were moments when I barely had time for myself.

Today, I understand how important it is to take care of yourself — mentally, physically and emotionally.

If I could offer one piece of advice to any young woman starting out, it would be this: Protect your self-belief. There will always be people who say something will not work.

There will be setbacks and disappointments. But keep showing up. Consistency and persistence are powerful.

And remember, you do not need to have everything figured out from the start. Take things step-by-step and grow into your journey.

Most importantly, if you are fortunate enough to do something you truly love, give it your whole heart — and never take that opportunity for granted.

Work with passion. Stay kind. Stay true to yourself. And trust that the rest will unfold.

Warmest Wishes,

Nandita Mahtani

Fashion Designer & Entrepreneur