SHWETA SHARMA, 35

Co-Founder, Ombré Lane, Bengaluru www.ombrelane.com

Not very fashion conscious while growing up, Shweta Sharma realised the importance of workwear wardrobe only when she started out her corporate career in the US. However, it took a surprising turn for her when she moved back to India in 2014 and found that there were limited options available for women here. She spent several weekends scouting for what to wear to work that was both functional and fashionable. That prompted the IIT Bombay graduate to co-found and self-fund Ombré Lane in 2018 along with her sister, Prachi. The brand offers work appropriate, formal and semi-formal tops, shirts, dresses, skirts, blazers and trousers. “Ombré Lane stands for confident, ambitious and inspiring women and we want to create fashionable, comfortable and sharp yet functional work wardrobe,” she says. For the brand, design is an iterative process and Sharma makes sure to interact with her customers to understand their requirements. “With functionality and fit being two key facets of the brand, we include details such as no gape buttons, deep pockets to hold mobile or keys, loops to hold bra straps and invisible elastic on bottoms to accommodate menstrual bloating to all our garments to make women feel confident and comfortable every day,” she says. The brand uses giza cottons, poplins, linens, georgettes and silks for their collections which are sourced directly from top manufacturers in the country. Price `1,200 to `3,500