The name Forty Four comes from the founder’s fascination with the number and its many meanings. It’s a personal brand that reflects her identity and allows people to connect with her on a deeper level. It’s great that she was able to incorporate something that holds personal meaning to her into her brand. As a homegrown brand with a small team, she had to do everything herself, which was overwhelming at times. However, she learned from her mistakes and kept pushing forward. It’s impressive that she was able to navigate the challenges of building a brand with a small team. Sometimes the road to success can be overwhelming, but it seems like she persevered and learned valuable lessons along the way.
Sakshi Jain is the founder of Forty Four , a clothing brand based out of Kolkata that she started in September 2020. She studied at NIFT Kolkata and worked at Anamika Khanna before going to Italy for her Masters. Her plans were to stay there and continue working, but due to Covid, she came back to India and started this brand. She always loved fashion and knew this is what she wanted to do. It sounds like she has a strong passion for fashion and a great background in the industry. Starting a brand during the pandemic must have been challenging, but she used her background and creativity to make it happen. It’s admirable that she wanted to make her brand personal and connect with her customers.
Her mother was also a fashion designer, and she grew up looking at her drawings, but she never got to work. Forty Four is a very personal brand to her, and she wanted it to have a part of her for people to connect. Additionally, she has recently started another brand called Bozo Hands.
She always knew that she wanted to work in fashion, and her mother’s career as a fashion designer inspired her. In 2020, she decided to take the leap and start her own brand. That’s great that she found inspiration from her mother’s career as a fashion designer. It’s always inspiring to see how the accomplishments and drive of loved ones can influence our own path.
The motto of the brand is “We make clothes for whoever you are today.” They create inclusive and sustainable fashion that empowers people to be confident in their own skin, and it’s inspiring to see that her company is creating inclusive, sustainable clothing that celebrates diversity and individuality. It’s important to create a sense of belonging and encourage people to feel confident and comfortable with who they are, regardless of their background or appearance.
Their three USPs are their unique prints, free-flowing fabric, and one size fits all approach. Those sound like great USPs!
Her unique prints can help set you apart in the crowded fashion industry and give her customers something distinctive to wear. The free-flowing fabric also speaks to comfort and movement in clothing, which many people value highly. And a one size fits all approach is a great way to promote inclusivity, making it easier for people of all shapes and sizes to feel comfortable and confident in their clothes.
Her biggest learning has been the importance of perseverance and not doubting herself. Running a business is challenging, but with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. That is such an important lesson and a key ingredient for success! It takes a lot of courage and persistence to start and grow a business from scratch, but the reward can be tremendous. Keep persevering and believing in yourself, and the sky’s the limit!
They sell their clothing through various channels, including exhibitions, website, and multi-designer platforms. They don’t have any physical stores of their own yet, but their clothing is available at several stores across India, such as Elahe.com, Studio Luxe in Bangalore, TheFashionEdit.com, Ommbre, and The Noir Window.
They are always looking for new partnerships and collaborations, so keep an eye out for Forty Four in stores near you!
Their inspiration comes from travel experiences, which they incorporate into their prints and designs. Travel is such a rich and diverse experience that exposes us to new cultures, landscapes, and ways of living. By incorporating those experiences into their clothing designs, they are bringing a piece of the world to their customers and creating something truly unique. Plus, incorporating different elements from different cultures can help promote understanding and appreciation for diversity, which is always a great thing. It’s inspiring to see businesses like hers creating fashion with a sense of purpose and meaning.
One quote that she believes in is : “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” It reminds her to keep going, even when things get tough. It’s definitely important to stay motivated and keep pushing forward in the face of adversity. Every successful person has faced setbacks and failures. The key is to not let them bring you down and to keep working towards your goals. Remember, it’s not about how many times you fall down, it’s about how many times you get back up.
Her advice to young entrepreneurs is to keep pushing forward and not to be afraid of making mistakes. Learn from them and keep moving forward. However, it’s important to treat those mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, not as failures. Every successful entrepreneur has experienced setbacks, but the key is to move forward and not give up. Developing a growth mindset and keeping a positive attitude can help entrepreneurs stay resilient in the face of challenges.
They are a sustainable and inclusive brand that focuses on empowering people through fashion. They believe that everyone should feel confident in their own skin and that fashion can be a tool for self-expression and positivity. Fashion can play a crucial role in building confidence and self-expression, and promoting inclusivity and diversity can help inspire individuals to feel comfortable in their own skin. In a world that too often focuses on appearances and unrealistic expectations, it’s refreshing to see a brand that is grounded in sustainability, inclusivity, and positivity. Congrats on taking such an innovative and inspiring approach to fashion!
Their best-selling collection is their SS23 resort collection, which features limited edition flowy dresses and outfits that can be paired to create a statement look.
They have a new collection lined up for the upcoming season, which is an Indo-western collection designed for the new age girls who want to make a statement at Indian functions without wearing traditional embroidery. Combining Indian and Western elements can create a fresh and contemporary look that is perfect for the modern Indian woman who wants to make a statement. Bold prints and colors can also help set this collection apart from traditional Indian clothing, providing a great option for those looking to break away from the norm.
Their new collection features modern silhouettes with bold prints and colors that seamlessly blend Indian and Western elements. They are excited to launch this collection as they believe it caters to a niche market and is different from their previous collections. If marketed effectively, this collection could have great potential for success, tapping into an untapped market and offering a fresh take on the typical Indian attire.
They do ship Pan India, and it usually takes 14 days for their outfits to reach the customer. They also offer worldwide shipping.
Take a look at their Instagram handle and enjoy shopping!
Instagram – @fortyfour__
