In February 2020, during the uncertainty of the pandemic, two sisters from Ghaziabad, Anuja and Pratanksha Gupta, started Chowkhat. This brand focuses on the traditional craft of Lucknowi Chikankari embroidery. With just ₹1 lakh and a vision to bridge tradition with affordability, they turned their homegrown venture into a ₹5 crore business in under five years.
Humble Beginnings, Bold Dreams
Operating out of a 750 sq ft home in Vaishali, the sisters started small with around 40 pieces of hand-embroidered kurtas, palazzos, and sarees. Despite the first COVID lockdown hitting just weeks after launch, their Instagram-led marketing paid off, stock sold out in 20 days. With Anuja’s experience in digital marketing and Pratanksha’s fashion design background, the duo positioned Chowkhat as a youthful, accessible ethnic wear label.
Family Support and Grit
Born into a middle-class family with three sisters and one brother, the Guptas often heard taunts about having daughters. But their father, a DDA assistant director, stood by them. Anuja, a former journalist and digital marketer, and Pratanksha, a NIIFT Mohali graduate, quit their corporate careers to pursue their passion. Their drive was fueled by a belief: authentic Chikankari could be both beautiful and budget-friendly.
Scaling the Brand
What started with self-managed logistics and terrace photoshoots soon required a team. The sisters gradually hired staff, onboarded artisans from Lucknow, and even started designing original pieces. Today, Chowkhat has expanded into Jaipuri block-printed sarees, hand-dyed suits, and dresses. By 2023, they moved operations to a professional office in Noida’s Sector 63 and employ 45 people, 40 of them women.
Empowering Women Through Fashion
The Gupta sisters are not just building a brand; they are creating a movement. Their business helps rural women artisans and keeps an old art form alive. With clever digital strategies and a commitment to their community, Chowkhat shows how modern entrepreneurship can connect with Indian traditions.
