Our handcrafted techniques allow for precision, depth, and sustainability
‘Realm by Vaishali’ is a contemporary fashion label founded by celebrated Indian designer Vaishali S (now Dahiya), known for her deep-rooted commitment to Indian handloom textiles and sustainable design. With Realm, Vaishali explores a more accessible, ready-to-wear extension of her signature aesthetic—blending traditional Indian weaves with modern silhouettes. The label celebrates artisanal craftsmanship, mindful fashion, and the timeless elegance of natural fabrics, offering pieces that are versatile, ethically made, and globally relevant. In an exclusive conversation with Fibre2Fashion, Founder & Creative Director Vaishali shares her views on the evolving fashion landscape, the ethos behind Realm, and how the brand is carving a niche in the luxury Western wear segment while championing sustainability and innovation.
With shifting consumer preferences, particularly among Gen Z and millennials, how are fashion brands redefining their strategies to stay relevant in a highly competitive market?
Fashion today is evolving faster than ever, the new age consumer, especially Gen Z, is not afraid to express themselves. They are confident, experimental, and more comfortable in silhouettes that showcase their personality whether it is high slits, structured corsetry, or sheer elements. The modern brides we see want to look equally glam on the wedding day as well as post dinner parties. Sensuality today is not just about revealing skin; it is about owning your presence. At Realm, we design keeping this in mind. Our pieces celebrate the empowered woman who walks into a room and commands attention, not just because of what she wears, but how she carries it.
I feel the audience is evolving and so should the fashion brands and the designers behind it.
Be authentic in your approach: The consumer is very much aware today and wants to know who is behind the brand and what is the story, then only they will trust and buy from you.
Personalised experiences: Especially in the premium category, where you are not selling to the masses, customers expect personal attention. If they love a particular design and want it in another colour or with slight modifications, we should accommodate their preferences. After all, they are the ones wearing it. Their input not only enhances their experience but also provides valuable feedback for us as designers.
Sustainability: A significant portion of Gen Z is willing to invest more in eco-friendly clothing, as seen in the rise of thrift shopping and upcycled styles. While the luxury segment thrives on exclusivity, we cannot ignore the growing demand for sustainability from both consumers and the environment. Creating more conscious collections and sourcing mindfully from vendors can genuinely help reduce waste and drive meaningful change in the fashion industry.
What inspired you to start Realm, and what is the core philosophy behind the brand?
We identified a significant gap in the Indian fashion market for contemporary styles that exude sensuality and sophistication. Though Indian traditional attire with beautiful hand embroidery is abundant, women today want equally glamorous and embellished, high-quality western wear without paying hefty duties and shipping costs for international brands.
What inspires your colour palettes and textile embroidery techniques?
Our colour palettes have always leaned toward soft, elegant hues, pastels, ivory, and muted neutrals making a perfect backdrop for our signature embellishments. Each piece is intricately hand-embroidered with crystals and sequins in iridescent and matte finishes, creating a stunning interplay of light and texture. Unlike machine embroidery, our handcrafted techniques allow for precision, depth, and sustainability, minimising energy consumption while preserving artisanal craftsmanship. The result? A dazzling fusion of shimmer and sophistication where every stitch enhances the glamour, making each piece a statement of pure luxury and timeless allure.
Can you share insights into the materials and fabrics Realm prioritises? Are there any sustainable initiatives incorporated into your sourcing?
At Realm by Vaishali, we carefully select natural textiles like cotton satins and silk satins, known for their rich texture and timeless elegance. Our approach prioritises quality and sustainability, ensuring that every fabric feels as luxurious as it looks. We enhance our designs with naturally occurring embellishments like mother-of-pearl shells, adding a refined, organic touch. By sourcing responsibly and collaborating with skilled artisans, we create pieces that embody both heritage and contemporary glamour—where every detail is intentional, and luxury is deeply connected to craftsmanship and respect for nature.
Many of your pieces are small-batch or made to order—why is that important to you?
Creating in small batches and offering made-to-order pieces is integral to our philosophy. It allows us to maintain the highest level of craftsmanship, ensuring every detail is meticulously hand-finished rather than mass-produced. This approach also aligns with our commitment to sustainability minimising excess production, reducing waste, and valuing the time-intensive artistry behind each piece. Luxury, to us, is not just about opulence but about exclusivity and intention. By crafting limited pieces, we ensure that every garment is not only unique but also carries a sense of personal connection, making it truly special for the wearer.
What steps do you take to minimise waste in your creative process?
Minimising waste is at the core of our creative process. We start by carefully planning our designs to maximise fabric usage, ensuring minimal offcuts. Any excess material is repurposed into smaller accessories, embellishments, or new design elements rather than discarded. Since our pieces are handcrafted and made in small batches or to order, we avoid overproduction and unnecessary stock. Additionally, we source sustainable materials and prioritise techniques like hand embroidery, which generate less industrial waste than machine production. Every decision is made with intention, ensuring that luxury and sustainability go hand in hand in our creations.
How has your online store shaped Realm’s brand presence? Are there plans to expand into physical retail?
Being digital and having an online presence undoubtedly allows for easy access beyond borders. We started as an online brand with our first two collections, and seeing everything come to life was a surreal moment. Over time, we have built strong brand credibility through celebrity features and influencer collaborations, which have played a key role in positioning Realm in the premium fashion space.
However, premium brands require time and trust to establish themselves in the online luxury market. While affordable luxury is gradually gaining traction, many customers still prefer a more tangible experience before investing in high-end pieces. Understanding this, we expanded into offline retail by launching our flagship store at Ambavatta, Mehrauli, Delhi, where we knew our audience would resonate with our brand.
Going offline has significantly strengthened our online presence as well; we have observed a notable increase in website traffic and in-store trial bookings. The synergy between our physical and digital presence ensures that customers experience the best of both worlds, helping us further solidify Realm’s identity as a premium occasion-wear brand.
With the rise of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, how can traditional brick-and-mortar stores reinvent themselves to remain competitive?
Traditional brick-and-mortar stores can stay competitive by evolving into immersive brand experience hubs rather than just retail spaces. Personalisation, exclusivity, and technology-driven engagement are key, with luxury brands integrating AI-powered styling assistants, AR-enabled try-ons, and RFID for seamless shopping. However, the idea that physical retail is dead is a misconception, it depends on industry and geography. Many smaller labels thrive simply by being in the right locations, which is why we chose Ambavatta, New Delhi, for our first flagship store, and the results have been exceptional.
For high-end brands, where the purchase is as much about experience as the product, physical retail and face-to-face connections are invaluable. Location is crucial, but equally important is creating localised engagement through intimate wine and cheese gatherings, private styling sessions, trunk shows, designer meet-and-greets, and curated showcases. These experiences cultivate strong networks, foster exclusivity, and redefine retail, offering what e-commerce alone cannot, a truly high-touch luxury experience.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in growing Realm, and how did you overcome it?
When we entered the market, we were clear about our vision. We noticed a gap—while the Indian market is rich with handcrafted Indian attire, there are very few major players in the luxury handcrafted segment for Western silhouettes.
For example, modern brides are willing to invest heavily in a wedding lehenga but often hesitate when it comes to purchasing a high-end dress or gown for post-wedding events like dinner receptions.
With our physical store positioned at the heart of premium wear, we have observed a shift; people are becoming more open to investing in Western luxury fashion. They want to look equally glamorous and classy at events like cocktail parties, beach weddings, and post-wedding dinners.
The change is gradual, but with consistent awareness, accessible retail channels, and education about the quality and craftsmanship of our silhouettes, we are confident that luxury handcrafted Western wear will soon be both appreciated and recognised in the Indian market.
How are fashion brands adapting to the increasing demand for sustainable and ethical fashion, and what challenges do they face in implementing truly eco-friendly practices?
Fashion brands are increasingly shifting towards sustainability by adopting ethical sourcing, using natural or recycled materials, reducing waste through small-batch or made-to-order production, and prioritising artisanal craftsmanship over mass manufacturing. Many are also exploring innovative fabrics with lower environmental impact and investing in transparency, ensuring ethical labour practices throughout their supply chains.
However, implementing truly eco-friendly practices comes with challenges. Sustainable materials can be costly and harder to source, while ethical production often requires more time and skilled labour. Balancing sustainability with luxury and scalability remains a struggle, as does educating consumers on the value of mindful consumption over fast fashion.
In an era of fast fashion and rising global supply chain disruptions, how can brands balance speed, affordability, and ethical production while maintaining quality?
The rise of fast fashion has created an expectation for quick turnarounds. But true craftsmanship takes time. Detailing and authenticity is in creating pieces that hold meaning, longevity, and a sense of individuality—something that mass production cannot replicate.
To achieve this balance, brands need to focus on sustainable innovation and conscious scaling. While affordability remains key for many consumers, especially in our case, there is a growing shift especially among Gen Z and luxury buyers towards value-based purchasing rather than impulse-driven consumption. The goal should be to create timeless, versatile pieces that do not just follow trends but define personal style. We do not want our pieces to be worn once and then left in the closet forever; we want them to have a ‘reusability factor’, which is something modern women prioritise today. Take Alia Bhatt, for example—repeating her wedding outfit at another event sends a strong message that fashion is about cherishing what you wear, not merely accumulating pieces.
From a production standpoint, sourcing materials mindfully, working with ethical vendors, and reducing overproduction through small-batch, made-to-order, or limited-edition drops can ensure quality while minimising waste.
The future of fashion is not about choosing between speed, affordability, and ethics; it is about redesigning the process to align all the three. By educating consumers, leveraging technology for smarter production, and making ethical fashion aspirational, brands can stay relevant while making a real difference.
How is technology, including AI, 3D design, and virtual try-ons, transforming the fashion retail experience, and what innovations do you see shaping the industry in the next five years?
Technology is revolutionising fashion retail, making the experience more immersive, efficient, and personalised. AI-driven analytics help brands predict trends, optimise inventory, and offer tailored recommendations, enhancing both customer engagement and sustainability. 3D design allows for digital prototyping, reducing fabric waste and speeding up the design-to-market process. Virtual try-ons, powered by AR, let consumers visualise garments in real-time, improving online shopping confidence and reducing returns.
In the next five years, we will see advancements in AI-driven personalisation, digital fashion for virtual worlds, and blockchain-powered supply chain transparency. The rise of phygital (physical + digital) fashion will further blur the lines between technology and couture, redefining how we experience luxury.
What’s next for Realm? Any upcoming projects, collaborations, or ideas you are excited about?
The past two years have been nothing short of a roller coaster for us. We have pivoted, piloted, and experimented with various collections, go-to-market strategies, and much more. The launch of our flagship store in New Delhi has been a major milestone, and from here, the journey only moves upward. We are excited to announce plans for our next store in Mumbai and aim to be present in the most premium multi-brand outlets across India.
After establishing our presence in the Indian market, we are now gearing up for global expansion. The craftsmanship and storytelling behind each of our outfits deserve to be showcased on an international stage. As a step in this direction, we will be participating in International Apparel and Textile Fair 2025, one of the biggest exhibitions in the MENA region. We are confident that this platform will position us on the global map, opening doors to international retailers and distributors.
As the saying goes, it is not just about what you know, but who you know. To further immerse ourselves in the right design communities and industry circles, we are registering with FDCI (Fashion Design Council of India) and preparing to participate in Lakmé Fashion Week soon.
There is so much happening in the realm of Realm by Vaishali, and we are excited to embark on each new journey with the same passion keeping our customers and employees at the heart of it all, while making a meaningful impact in the world of fashion.
