Founder Mogasu
A candid conversation with Mogasu’s founder on identity, digital rebellion, artisanal entrepreneurship, and the new blueprint for global fashion from India.
WE: From life to Mogasu — Every brand begins with a spark. What experiences shaped the vision of Mogasu, and how did they prepare you to take this leap? A: From childhood, I was always drawnto the arts
So the idea for Mogasu began with a simple question: “How can I merge artisanal crafts and natural fabrics with Goa’s identity and beauty?” That question turned into sketches, experiments, and eventually — Mogasu.
— even though both my parents are doctors. That passion eventually led me to NIFT Mumbai, where I graduated in 2018. After that, I spent almost three years working with fashion retailers, most notably Globus. Being part of the western wear design team helped me understand fashion from every angle: silhouettes, production, retail cycles, customer feedback, sales insights — everything. Life changed when I moved to Goa after marriage. I had spent most of my life in cities, so suddenly being surrounded by nature was a shift — creatively and emotionally. I had to wear sarees often for events, but Goa’s humidity made the drape uncomfortable. And as a designer, I wanted sarees
thatfeltunique, breathable, expressive.
WE: Challenges of the beginning — Starting up is never smooth. What was the biggest challenge in Mogasu’s early days, and how did you overcome it?
Being a designer meant learning everything beyond design — marketing, social media, accounting — things I had never enjoyed, especially math! It was overwhelming doing it all alone in the beginning: designing, packaging, tracking orders, social media, customer calls… it was a lot. It took six months to afford help, and patience was really the key. Being based in Goa also created challenges. Our printing happens in Rajasthan, and stitching, finishing, and shipping from Goa — so logistics can be quite difficult. Skilled labour is not easy to find locally, particularly for finishing and tailoring. But I’ve had immense support from family and friends — and the Mogasu community itself. Today, the focus is on expanding digital reach through social media and SEO. Growing our Instagram community through engaging content is a top priority.
WE: Your contributions to the journey — Mogasu clearly reflects your personal imprint. What do you see as your defining contributions to the brand?
Everything — from the creative direction to customer conversations — has my personal touch.
Goa’s colours I speak directly with customers often; that human connection has shaped Mogasu’s tone. I’ve spent countless hourssketching designs,experimenting with blocks and turning and textures into something wearable and meaningful. Building relationships has been another contribution— with artisans,suppliers,tailors, and customers. At the end of the day, Mogasu isn’t just a brand I run — it’s an extension of my mind, my instincts, and what I believe fashion should be: slow, honest, deeply creative.
WE: Transforming inspiration into reality — At what moment did you realise Mogasu could be a business, not just a passion project?
From the start, I saw Mogasu as a full- fledged business. I didn’t want it to just sit on the sidelines of my life. Goa, for many people, is a holiday. For me, it’s an everyday inspiration that never runs out. From sunsets to street corners to old houses — everything here has visual poetry. And that level of inspiration is sustainable. The turning point wasn’t one moment — it was constant resonance. When customers started connecting emotionally with the prints and stories, I realised: This isn’t just art. This is value. This is business.
WE: Growth in numbers — How has Mogasu expanded in terms of collections, sales, and community reach?
A: We’ve launched seven collections so far—each inspired by Goa’s layers: sunsets, seashells, landscapes, and old architecture. Each collection has found its own audience. From our first saree in 2021 to today, we’ve built a community of 60,000+ Instagram followers and shipped sarees to 15+ countries. Recognized by many as one of the best fashion designers in Goa, what I value most isn’t just growth in numbers, but emotional connection—customers who return for their third or fourth saree because they feel the story. That tells me the connection is real, not transactional.
WE: Empowering artisans — Mogasu thrives on craftsmanship. How hasthisimpactedartisanlivelihoodsand workculture?
A: Artisans are at the heart of Mogasu. I prefer not to disclose specific numbers, but what I can share is that I pay a premium for every saree we produce, because skilled craft deserves respect. We also use azo-free dyes, which protect the environment and artisan health. Sustainability isn’t a marketing line — it’s a principle. For me, success isn’t just sales — it’s impact.