We were lucky to catch up with Harika Sabbineni recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Harika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

There has been an increased sense of identity and pride in one’s culture globally. This positive shift is translating not only into life philosophies and ideals but also into the way we dress and express ourselves.

One of the biggest trends in the South Asian fashion industry reflects the very same shift. South Asian millennials and GenZ in the US and around the world are incorporating traditional weaves and fabric from the motherland in a functional and dynamic way into their everyday wardrobe. We at AARIAH offer our quintessential customers with modern and multi-functional Indian-inspired wardrobe essentials such as blazers, dusters, tops, purses, and more made with authentic fabric hand woven by the artisans in India. Our designer wear is versatile and can be dressed up or down to reflect our customers’ personal style.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Harika Sabbineni, cofounder of AARIAH by Sabbineni, a premier destination for Indian fine wear and beyond. We are based in Dallas, Texas but offer our services to customers all over North America. At AARIAH, we curate authentic, unique, and rich weaves sourced straight from the artisans from various parts of India. We believe in sustainable and slow fashion with a big emphasis on conscious consumption. Every piece tells a story, a story that is personal and deeply rooted in South Asian culture. Ever since we were little, my sister/cofounder, Anusha Sabbineni and I were drawn to unique patterns and designs. We designed outfits, painted on our mom’s sarees, and embroidered on every piece of fabric we could get our hands on. Our love for handlooms and the rich heritage and culture they represent grew stronger with time. We could finish each other’s sentences then, we finish each other’s designs now bringing the best couture experience to our customers.

We are a one stop shop for a range of South Asian occasion wear including but not limited to Sarees, Lehengas, Blouses etc. We also create Indian-inspired fusion wear such as Blazers, Dusters, Accessories, Purses, and more. We take pride in our heritage handloom and bridal trousseau collections.

Tech and healthcare professionals by day, our passion is to build a community of consumers who care about sustainable sourcing and appreciate artisanal craftsmanship. We take pride in creating unique outfits from ethically sourced handmade fabrics. We want to revive the forgotten weaves, make handlooms affordable and accessible to everyone across the world.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

We are proud to say that our customers not only come back for more but also introduce us to their friends and family. Our biggest growth has been through our returning customers and we take pride in the quality of the merchandise and our customer service. Not only do we curate one of a kind handlooms and design unique outfits but also stand by our quality. We have dressed many brides in our couture and have been a part of several special occasions which brings us immense joy. One thing our customers repeatedly say to us is that our collection is exclusive and tasteful which is our biggest differentiator. We have an eye for unique designs and patterns that reflect our collection. Another differentiator is that we make ready to wear designer blouses with the sarees, which if you are familiar with South Asian fashion is a really big part of the ensemble. We strive to design each blouse to perfection and make them size inclusive.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I am grateful that my sister Anusha Sabbineni, who is also my best friend, is my cofounder and business partner. We are very similar yet different in a good way. Since we were little we have shared common interests and ambitions. We had always dreamed of creating something together but didn’t know how given she is a technology professional and I am deeply rooted in healthcare. Our passion for sharing the rich heritage and South Asian culture through the artisanal handlooms seemed like a perfect start to a beautiful partnership.
She and I have different strengths which work the best for our business model. Anu is an expert in handlooms and handles sourcing and overseas logistics. Because of my experience in the fashion industry as a professional model and interest in public relations, I handle social media, marketing, and PR. We share a common vision to create a beautiful experience for our customers all while having fun working together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shopaariah.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aariah_by_sabbineni/
• Facebook: Aariah by Sabbineni

Image Credits
Gurpreet Singh Vidya Patel Pooja Nagpal Janani Comar Jyoti Chand Ravi Vachhani Payal Desai Samy Pachigalla Tej Patel