They don’t just walk in heels. They build empires in them.

Once mere muses behind the curtain of couture, women today are driving the fashion revolution from corporate power moves to grassroots style statements. What was once a male – dominated industry is now being fearlessly redefined by women who aren’t just participating but are leading. They are not waiting for a seat at the table, they are flipping the table and redesigning it in raw silk, bold cuts, and a feminist manifesto stitched into every seam.

From heritage looms to tech-driven e-commerce empires, a new generation of fierce, fashion-forward Indian women are transforming the industry from the ground up. In the world of fast-paced disruption, these women are standing tall – sometimes in heels, sometimes in sneaker but always on their own terms.

And at the intersection of comfort, community, and commerce stands one such visionary, Minu Margeret, the founder of BlissClub, India’s first movement focused activewear brand created for women, by women. She started her corporate stint as a business analyst at Goldman Sachs, Minu didn’t just start a business, she sparked a movement.

Minu founded Blissclub in 2020 to celebrate movement for Indian women through high-performance, comfort-first activewear and lifestyle essentials designed specifically for Indian body types. With a diverse background in finance, marketing, and brand strategy, she brings a fresh and inspiring perspective to the fashion business. She has been passionate about building a wellness focused high performance, body positive activewear that speaks to every woman, regardless of their size or shape.

But Minu is not alone
India’s fashion landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, and at the helm of this change are female founders who are seamlessly blending sharp business acumen with deep cultural insight. Take Falguni Nayar, a former investment banker who turned a bold idea into a billion-dollar reality. She founded Nykaa in 2012 with a vision to democratize beauty and fashion in India. What started as an e-commerce platform soon grew into a household name, pioneering beauty retail in a country where women were largely underserved. In 2021, she took Nykaa public and became India’s richest self-made woman, a landmark achievement that cleared the sky for women to rise higher.

Masaba Gupta is one such name in the fashion industry who redefined Indian fashion by infusing it with unique charm and history. Through her label House of Masaba, she reimagined traditional couture with unapologetic prints, vibrant palettes, and silhouettes that capture the spirit of modern India. Her creations go beyond clothing they are bold expressions of identity, embraced by Gen Z and Bollywood icons.

And Rhea Kapoor, though often behind the scenes, has had an equally powerful impact. As a stylist, producer, and creative director, Rhea has turned fashion into a form of subtle rebellion. Her collaborations with sister Sonam Kapoor have sparked national style conversations, from red carpet couture to the quiet power of structured silhouettes. But beyond styling, Rhea uses fashion as a lens to explore gender, individuality, and resistance, making her one of the most influential voices in India’s culture fashion crossover.

Together, these women are not just shaping style, they are reshaping the narrative of Indian womanhood, one fearless step at a time.

Fashion, Feminism and Future
The new wave of Indian fashion entrepreneurship is about power with purpose. It’s not just about luxury, it’s about legacy. It’s about lifting artisans, championing diversity, and calling out the broken systems that have long excluded certain bodies, shades, and voices.

These women are not just designing clothes – they’re designing conversations around confidence, comfort and community.

What Hegemony Looks Like Now
In a world where fashion was once about looking good for others, the women leading today’s industry are shifting the narrative to feeling powerful for yourself. That is the true hegemony where women no longer chase relevance. They create it.

So, here’s to the women in heels. In sneakers. In bare feet.

To the women turning ideas into art and ambition into enterprise.

To the ones rewriting beauty norms.
To all the women of the world, who remind us that real power doesn’t scream – it moves.

Because fashion isn’t just about what’s on your body – it’s about what’s in your spirit and what you’re willing to stand for.

– By Neha Grover, a fashion enthusiast.