At 25, Unnati Shukla is taking her first major step into India’s luxury fashion industry with FOSSAE, a womenswear label shaped by her education in London and Milan, professional experience across businesses and an ambition to create a distinct identity in contemporary formalwear.
For Unnati Shukla, the journey into luxury fashion began well before the launch of her label, FOSSAE. Growing up in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and later pursuing higher education overseas, she developed an understanding of business, marketing and fashion that would eventually influence her entrepreneurial ambitions.
Today, based in Mumbai, the 25-year-old is putting that experience to work as the founder and CEO of FOSSAE, a luxury women’s formalwear brand focused on sharp tailoring, structured silhouettes and modern femininity.
Her approach brings together two interests that have shaped her career so far: the creative possibilities of fashion and the commercial thinking required to build a business around them.
From Prayagraj to London and Milan
Unnati’s academic journey took her from India to two international centres of education and fashion.
She completed her undergraduate studies in Business Management with Marketing at Royal Holloway, University of London. The programme provided a foundation in business and marketing, areas that are particularly relevant to her current responsibilities as a fashion entrepreneur.
She subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in Luxury and Global Fashion Management in Milan, a city closely associated with the international luxury fashion industry.
Together, these experiences helped shape her interest in building a fashion business rather than approaching the industry solely from a design perspective.
Her professional background also reflects that combination of creativity and commercial strategy.
Before founding FOSSAE, Unnati worked with DS Group, JIVA Designs Pvt. Ltd. and PanScience Innovations. She is also involved in managing two additional startup ventures alongside her responsibilities at FOSSAE.
Her professional philosophy centres on creativity, strategic thinking and entrepreneurship, with particular emphasis on developing brand narratives and marketing campaigns.
FOSSAE: A New Name in Luxury Women’s Formalwear
With FOSSAE, Unnati is entering a fashion category where the details matter as much as the overall design.
The label is positioned around luxury women’s formalwear, with an emphasis on confident, contemporary dressing. Sharp tailoring, statement details and refined silhouettes form the foundation of its design direction.
Rather than relying on ornamentation alone, FOSSAE’s stated aesthetic places importance on structure, fit and the relationship between fabric and form.
The brand aims to blend global craftsmanship with a contemporary approach to femininity, creating formalwear designed for women who value both strong silhouettes and considered detailing.
For Unnati, building the label also involves decisions beyond the creative process. Fabric quality, fit, brand positioning and the development of a capable team are among the priorities identified during FOSSAE’s launch phase.
The company is working to establish its first collection while putting together a strategic team to support sustainable growth.
It is an early stage for the business, and its longer-term market position will depend on how that design vision translates into collections, customer relationships and consistent execution.
A Mumbai Launch Celebrating Craft and Cultural Heritage
FOSSAE marked the beginning of its journey with an intimate launch gathering on October 9, 2026, at Zenith, The St. Regis, Mumbai.
The evening was organised around the themes of craft, community and continuity, with a private unveiling of the label’s inaugural collection.
Beyond introducing a new luxury fashion name, the occasion placed attention on the artisans and traditional skills that remain an important part of India’s cultural heritage.
The brand’s launch message highlighted the role of generations of tribal artisans in preserving techniques, traditions and knowledge passed down over time.
It also expressed FOSSAE’s commitment to supporting artisan communities and recognising their contribution to Indian craftsmanship.
That connection between contemporary luxury fashion and traditional craft provides another dimension to the identity Unnati is seeking to establish.
The launch also drew a touch of celebrity attention, with Shibani Dandekar joining the celebration.
Building a Brand, Not Just a Collection
For a young fashion entrepreneur, launching a label is one milestone. Developing it into a recognisable business requires a different set of decisions.
Unnati’s background in marketing and business management is particularly relevant here.
FOSSAE is currently focused on establishing the foundations of its identity, from product development and fabric selection to team building and long-term brand positioning.
The label’s emphasis on quality and structured formalwear offers a clear starting point, but its evolution will depend on maintaining that focus as the business develops.
Unnati’s international education and experience across different organisations have given her exposure to multiple aspects of business. FOSSAE now represents an opportunity to bring those experiences together under a brand of her own.
There is also a personal dimension to the venture. For someone who grew up in Prayagraj, studied in London and Milan, and eventually made Mumbai her base, fashion entrepreneurship represents a meeting point of several stages of her journey.
The Road Ahead for Unnati Shukla and FOSSAE
At 25, Unnati is still at the beginning of her journey as a luxury fashion founder.
FOSSAE has outlined its creative direction and introduced its inaugural collection, but the work of establishing a lasting presence in the fashion industry lies ahead.
For now, the priorities are clear: developing well-crafted formalwear, building a team capable of supporting the label’s ambitions and creating a brand with enduring value.
Her story is not simply one of international education leading to a fashion launch. It is about how an entrepreneur from Prayagraj is attempting to translate global exposure, business knowledge and a personal interest in fashion into an independent venture.
With FOSSAE, Unnati Shukla has taken that first step.
What follows will be the more defining part of the journey: turning a distinct creative vision into a fashion business that can stand on its own.
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