We were lucky to catch up with Archna Patel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Archna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea of Asmi began to take root in 2016, shortly after I became a mom. I was navigating life as a working professional while adjusting to motherhood, and in the middle of that, I never stopped caring about fashion. Dresses and skirts with pockets were always a favorite, but quickly became my go-to. I needed practicality and functionality. I needed place for my keys, phone, tissues, or even a small toy for my child.

What really stood out for me was how often people would stop me to compliment me on my outfits. Without fail, each time, I would smile and say, “Thanks! It has pockets!” That phrase, although popular with women, became a starting point for my journey with Asmi. At first, I started a blog and Instagram page where I shared my growing love for fashion and pockets in women’s clothing.

Throughout the years, I found that finding the perfect dress with pockets was a rarity. As ridiculous and superficial the idea sounded in my head, it was something that everyone I spoke with thought it was worth diving deeper in to. With this passion, I knew I wanted to do something more than just share my love for fashion and pockets.

The opportunity arose during quarantine in 2020. After working from home everyday, I found myself wanting to do something or find a hobby. I had already been wanting to learn to sew for quite some time, but never took the time to do it until I had plenty of time on my hands. At first, I started with basic masks that were needed quite regularly, then I found an instructor who taught me how to sew, in particular, dresses with pockets. I think she thought I was silly, but every pattern I picked was always something with pockets. That experience opened my eyes to the world of slow fashion and how fast fashion was negatively impacting our planet. As I learned more, I began to imagine a brand that brought together my personal passion and my public health values.

After months of research and dreaming big, Asmi was born. Asmi is a slow fashion brand grounded in purpose. I want to support underserved women, use eco-friendly fabrics, and shift the conversation around what fashion can do. I want the brand to be more than just style. I want it to be about community, sustainability, and wearing something that makes you feel seen.

Asmi also takes on a unique take compared to other slow fashion brands. I chose the name Asmi as my brand due to my background and culture. Asmi, in Sanskrit, means “I am” and each dress is styled with an embroidered affirmation on the right pocket. For instance, our signature dress is called the “I am Limitless” dress. The thought is to know that the person purchasing the garment feels the affirmation and wears it throughout the day. It’s a way to be supportive and empowering while knowing that you are being a kind human.

Archna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Archna Patel. I’m a public health professional, pocket enthusiast, and founder of Asmi, a slow fashion brand rooted in purpose and empowerment.

My journey into this space didn’t start in fashion, but rather in the everyday moments of being a working mom. After giving birth to my son and returning to work, I found myself constantly reaching for dresses and skirts with deep, functional pockets. Whether it was for my keys, phone, or a toy for my baby, pockets quickly became a daily necessity. I was balancing motherhood and a career—and I wanted to feel confident and look good doing it. Every time someone complimented my outfit, I’d find myself saying, “Thanks! It has pockets!” and it always sparked excitement because let’s be honest, good pockets in women’s clothing are hard to come by.

At first, I thought my obsession with pockets was just a quirky personal thing. But when I started sharing that love through a blog and Instagram, I realized so many women felt the same way. Friends started asking where to find the best pocketed dresses, because not all pockets are created equal. Some were barely deep enough for a lip balm, others were just decorative. It was frustrating and I knew I wanted to do more with this.

I even tried to sell a few pocketed skirts on Etsy, but it didn’t go well. Still, I didn’t give up and I wanted to find a way to make it work. I wasn’t exactly sure what “it” was yet, but I was determined to figure it out.

I had always wanted to learn to sew, but never really took the time to learn, until 2020. During quarantine, I had more time at home after I was done with work. That’s when I decided to finally learn to sew, specifically, dresses with deep pockets. That experience was humbling. Sewing isn’t easy and it takes patience, precision, and a lot of time. But it taught me the value of craftsmanship and opened the door to understanding slow fashion on a deeper level.

That’s when everything clicked. I realized I could bring together my public health background and my passion for purpose-driven fashion. I created Asmi, a brand rooted in sustainability, ethical practices, and empowerment. We partner with a fair trade manufacturer in Mumbai that teaches underserved women to sew and provides them with fair-wage jobs. The dresses are made with eco-friendly fabrics and include a powerful embroidered affirmation on the pocket, because every woman deserves to carry a reminder of her strength.

What sets Asmi apart is our focus on the small details that make a big difference. Functional pockets, affirming messages, and a deeper mission behind every stitch. I’m proud that Asmi stands for something greater than style. It’s about dignity, purpose, and shifting the way we think about the clothes we wear.

So while Asmi is still just getting started, it’s built on a whole lot of heart and I believe in what we’re creating here. One pocket at a time.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

When I decided to start a clothing brand, I had no idea how to begin. I don’t have a fashion background, nor manufacturing connections, just a deep passion for pockets and a vision for creating something meaningful. I started where most people do – Google. That’s how I came across a Chicago-based brand whose story really resonated with me. I admired their approach and knew I wanted to create something similar, but on a smaller, more personal scale.

I tried reaching out to someone from that company several times, and after a few dead ends, I was finally connected with a former employee who had branched off to start her own thing. That’s how I met Taylor. From the moment we spoke, she was warm, kind, and encouraging. She was exactly the kind of person you want guiding you through an unfamiliar process. She became my coach and walked me through every step: taking my terrible sketches and helping me turn them into real designs, connecting the dots I didn’t even know needed connecting, and introducing me to the manufacturer I work with today.

That manufacturer, Creative, is based in Mumbai and operates as a social enterprise. They teach underserved women how to sew, giving them a tangible skill and a path toward financial independence. Once trained, the women are offered fair-wage jobs. Some go on to pursue other dreams with the money they’ve saved, while others stay and continue to hone their craft.

At one point, I was ready to go with any manufacturer who could deliver good quality. But once I learned the stories of the women at Creative, I knew this was the right path for Asmi. It’s not just about producing dresses, it’s about creating opportunity and building a brand rooted in purpose. That’s what makes Asmi so special.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One moment that really illustrates my resilience is actually where I am in the journey right now. Asmi is still in its early stages. It’s a small, woman-owned brand with a big mission, but right now, not many people know about it. I don’t have a massive following or tons of sales, and social media growth has been slower than I hoped. I’ve had moments where I questioned if I’m doing enough or if this will ever catch on. But instead of letting that stop me, I keep showing up. I keep learning, creating, and refining the message behind Asmi because I believe in what I’m building.

There’s so much heart behind this brand, from the women who sew each garment, to the sustainable fabrics we use, to the stories woven into every dress. I know that awareness takes time, and growth isn’t always linear. So I’m putting in the work: connecting with local boutiques, telling my story, showing up at events, and slowly but surely spreading the word. This phase might be quiet, but it’s also powerful because it’s laying the foundation for something much greater. And that’s what resilience looks like to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://asmibyarchna.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asmibyarchna/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558644890105
• Twitter: https://x.com/asmibyarchna