We recently connected with Isha Kesarwani and have shared our conversation below.

Isha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

As someone who came to New York from another country, I’ve learned that carving out space for yourself in an industry like fashion isn’t just about talent or drive — it’s about showing up again and again, even when no one is watching. Everyone here is fighting for the same dream, and when you’re not from here, you’re not just chasing the dream — you’re building the ground you stand on while chasing it.

What life has taught me, especially in the last few months, is that success isn’t defined by hard work or discipline alone — it’s the consistency of it. You don’t have to be at 100% every single day. Some days, you might only have 10% to give, other days 60%. What matters is that you give something, every single day, toward that one thing you’re reaching for.

For me, that one thing is becoming a successful designer in New York — and building something that’s mine. I’ve been working on launching my own concept store, a brand that blends heritage with modern design, inspired by identity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. That dream isn’t built overnight, but with small, intentional steps, it’s becoming real.

Success, in my experience, is less about grand moments and more about quiet consistency. That’s what keeps the dream alive.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I moved to New York in 2019 to study Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. As an international student, the journey wasn’t just about learning design—it was about learning how to build space for myself in one of the most competitive cities and industries in the world. It’s not always easy when you’re not from here, but I’ve found that what truly sets people apart isn’t just talent—it’s consistency.

After graduating, I worked across different areas of the fashion industry. At Oscar de la Renta’s atelier, I contributed to looks worn by Taylor Swift, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Doja Cat. From there, I joined Renee Caffaro Atelier, a plus-size couture brand focused on craftsmanship and inclusivity, and worked on collections shown at both New York and London Fashion Week. Later, at Fleet Street, I designed outerwear for licensed brands like Nine West and Frye.

These roles gave me a full-spectrum view of fashion — the creative high points and the realities behind the scenes. At Oscar, design led the process. But in the corporate world, like at Fleet Street, the focus was profit over creativity. That contrast taught me that fashion isn’t always glamorous. It can be fast, rough, and unrelenting. But if you can survive here — especially in New York — you build a kind of resilience that’s hard to shake.

That perspective is what shaped Isha, a Concept Store — my slow-fashion brand in development. It’s about storytelling, identity, and creating intentionally. I want to release small collections that feel personal and expressive — not trend-driven, but rooted in meaning.

What sets my work apart is honesty. I’m not trying to follow the market — I’m trying to make something that matters. And what I’m most proud of is staying committed to that vision, one step at a time.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part, for me, is taking something that once lived only in my head—a sketch, an idea, a concept—and turning it into something tangible. To see that vision come to life, and then see it on someone else, worn with confidence or emotion, is honestly surreal. That moment when your creation becomes part of someone else’s story—that’s everything.

There’s also a kind of freedom in being a creative. You’re never really done. There’s no limit to how many times you can start over or reinvent something. There could be an end to a project, a collection, a phase—but there’s never an end to inspiration. That’s what makes this path so fulfilling: there’s always something new to say, new to try, and new to feel.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that doing everything right guarantees the outcome you want. I used to believe that if I worked hard enough, stayed disciplined, followed the rules, and poured my heart into something, it would have to work out. That belief kept me going for a long time—but it also left me crushed when things didn’t go as planned.

There was a time after I graduated when I was giving everything—sending out applications, showing up early, staying late, saying yes to everything. And yet, doors didn’t open the way I expected them to. It made me question if I was enough, if I had done something wrong. But over time, I realized that success isn’t always linear or fair, especially in a creative industry.

I had to unlearn the idea that effort always equals reward. Now, I focus on showing up for myself, for the process—not just the outcome. I still work hard, maybe even harder, but from a place of passion and belief, not just fear of failure. That shift changed everything. It made me more resilient, more creative, and more at peace with the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ishakesarwanii.wixsite.com/studio
• Instagram: https://ishakesarwanii.wixsite.com/studio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isha-kesarwani-174636215/
• Other: https://ishakesarwani.com/

Image Credits

Models – Yashi Bothra, Anushka Singh, Krihna Thakkar, Isha Kesawani (me)
Photographer – Juliana