We invited Vandana Evanna, for an interview with Most Popular Stories. Let’s get to know about her entrepreneurial journey.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey as an entrepreneur.
As the Founder and Fashion Designer of Evanna Fashions House. I am truly honored to be recognized by Worldwide Branding for my dedication, leadership, and excellence in fashion merchandising and design. My journey in the fashion industry has been one of passion, perseverance, and continuous learning.
To prepare for my career, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and an advanced Diploma in Fashion Marketing. I have extensively pursued courses from global mentors, both online and offline, covering various topics such as marketing, SEO, SMO, business communication, mental and physical health, as well as spiritualism. These diverse learnings have enriched my understanding and skills, enhancing my ability to manage and grow my fashion business effectively.
Armed with this knowledge, I launched Evanna Fashions House in 2011, marking the beginning of an exhilarating adventure.
Over the years, I have actively participated in exhibitions, trade shows, and organised 24 fashion shows in Singapore. Additionally, I have had the privilege to showcase my designs at prestigious international fashion weeks such as Miami Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia, and World Fashion Week in Malaysia, along with events like Asia Lifestyle Week and Jaipur Couture Show, Goa fashion Week in India and Aberdeen Fashion Week in the UK.
My work and vision have been featured in various interviews and fashion articles across prominent media platforms in Singapore, Malaysia, India, USA, and UK.
In 2019, I ventured into a new endeavour by founding and organising “Asia Lifestyle Week”, aimed at showcasing Asian fashion, lifestyle, and culture to a global audience. This innovative fashion week has garnered significant attention and praise within the industry.
Adding another dimension to my career, I recently authored a book titled “Mode A La Fashion and Style Icon,” which highlights both famed and emerging talents in the fashion industry. The book serves as a guide and inspiration for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs, offering insights into the business side of fashion and sharing success stories from celebrated designers.
Furthermore, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my expertise as a guest lecturer in renowned fashion institutes and providing consultations for aspiring entrepreneurs across Asia and the USA. These experiences have enriched my understanding of the industry and reinforced my commitment to empowering others.
With over a decade of experience running a successful fashion enterprise, I am excited to embark on a new role as a Fashion Business Coach. Through this initiative, I aspire to mentor and support the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs, sharing my knowledge and insights to help them realise their dreams and thrive in the industry.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your journey as a fashion entrepreneur?
Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the recognition and awards I’ve received, from Singapore India, USA and UK, including the ASEAN Lady of Excellence Award, Asia Pacific Golden Brand Award The Gandhi Smriti Chinh Award, Success stories award, corporate prestige award (Fashion designer of the year) and successful people in Singapore (encyclopaedia) among others. These accolades serve as reminders of the milestones achieved and inspire me to continue pushing boundaries in the fashion world.
My journey in the fashion industry has been a fulfilling one, marked by creativity, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. I am deeply passionate about what I do and am committed to making a lasting impact in the world of fashion.
What was the vision behind it?
As a fashion entrepreneur, my vision for Evanna Fashions House is to offer sustainable and high-quality clothing and accessories. Unlike fast-fashion brands, we don’t mass-produce, ensuring each item is carefully made in-house with strict quality control. Our goal is to provide timeless pieces that reflect individual style and personality. We prioritise sustainability in our materials and manufacturing processes. Our collections cater to men, women, and kids, offering a range of outfits and accessories. We focus on craftsmanship and attention to detail to guarantee the best quality. At Evanna Fashions House, we believe in quality over quantity, offering clothing that stands the test of time. Join us in embracing fashion that’s stylish, sustainable, and made to last.
What challenges have you faced as a fashion entrepreneur, and how have you overcome them?
One of the significant challenges I’ve encountered on my journey as a fashion entrepreneur is my health issue, specifically Fibromyalgia (nerve pains) for the past 32 years. Despite the constant battle with this condition(no Cure), I have persevered and overcome its challenges with resilience and determination.
Despite the physical limitations imposed by my health, my unwavering love for creativity and fashion has served as a driving force. It has enabled me to navigate through setbacks and transform obstacles into opportunities for growth. Every hurdle I’ve faced has become a stepping stone towards achieving my goals in the fashion industry.
Through sheer determination and a positive mindset, I’ve refused to let my health condition define or limit my aspirations. Instead, I’ve embraced it as an integral part of my journey, channelling its challenges into fuel for my passion and creativity. In doing so, I’ve emerged stronger, more resilient, and even more committed to realising my dreams as a fashion entrepreneur.
What are the key lessons you’ve learned on your journey as a fashion entrepreneur?
From my perspective, success comes from three things: never giving up, thinking of new ideas, and always trying to do your best.Remaining open to learning from others and providing support, while also having a mentor to guide you, is crucial for success.
And let’s not forget about building good relationships with others and working together. By doing these things, you can make your dreams a reality and keep growing in whatever you do.
From what I’ve seen, sticking to what you believe in is super important for keeping success going in the long run. So, holding onto your values and doing what feels right is a big part of it. That’s how you keep going strong and make sure you’re staying true to yourself along the way.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
In my opinion, the keys to success involve perseverance, innovation, continuous learning, and having a supportive network, including mentorship.The keys to success include having clear goals, working hard,being strong when things get tough, staying positive, working well with others with honesty and ethical behaviour.
What advice do you have for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs looking to break into the industry?
From my personal experience, mastering the intricacies of the fashion industry took me five years. However, with a mentor’s guidance, one can condense this learning curve to just three months to a year. A mentor or coach can offer valuable insights, help you navigate obstacles, and provide encouragement during tough times. They can also share their expertise and knowledge, helping you avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions. Therefore, my advice to aspiring fashion entrepreneurs would be to seek out a mentor or coach who can provide valuable guidance and support as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey.
Connect here,
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vandana-evanna-052ba132/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vandanaevanna
Instagram: @vandanafashionexpert