Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Srujana Achyutuni. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Srujana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always been the creative kid in the family. Growing up, I explored all sorts of creative avenues such as Indian classical music, art classes, Indian classical dance, calligraphy, writing, painting, and more. But despite this, it never crossed my mind that I could pursue a creative path. Gradually, though, I realized I wasn’t interested in the path set for me, which was, computer science. I sometimes wonder what would’ve happened if I’d taken that safe route, especially since I was strong in math and chemistry, but bad at physics. It would’ve probably brought financial stability, but would it have satisfied my ever-creative brain’s cravings? Faced with the thought of a future that didn’t honor all the colors of my childhood, I knew I needed to choose a field that would make me happier.

It is at this point in my life that fashion found me. I never considered being a fashion designer, but everything about it felt natural. One of my best friends had sisters who were fashion designers, and I often admired them. In 8th grade, I’d bring sheets of paper to school and sketch wild, in all honestly, bad designs. My grandmother sewed my clothes my entire childhood. My mother taught me about fabrics and designed a lot of my clothes. It all came to me as a sudden realization that I was always meant to be a fashion designer. Once I realized it, nothing held me back. From countless hours on my neighbor’s sewing machine proving my commitment to my parents, to living in New York City and studying fashion, it’s been a journey.

Srujana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Three years into my life in New York, I’m now a senior at the Fashion Institute of Technology, specializing in Special Occasion Design (eveningwear/bridal). Moving here has helped me discover myself as an artist, channeling creativity and emotion into my designs. My goal is to evoke emotion and make anyone who wears my designs feel a spark of joy. I draw inspiration from my culture, color, texture, environment, and above all, emotion.

My current collection, “A Moment of Warm Sun,” reflects the simple, ethereal feeling of stepping into warm sunlight. Sunlight is such a simple undenying force of nature that has the potential to have a positive impact on a person’s day. I’m the type of person who crosses the street just to walk on the sunny side, and this collection captures that comforting, uplifting warmth. A previous collection, “Childhood Revival,” was inspired by conversations with childhood friends about how vibrant and carefree life felt when we were young. My designs aimed to capture that spirit of living fully. My most recent collection, “What’s It Like In Your Head?” explored the rollercoaster of emotions artists experience during the creative process, expressed through color, texture, and fabric manipulation.

Studying at FIT has exposed me to endless opportunities and incredible talent. While I may not be the best or most gifted, my passion and determination set me apart. I love learning, and each day I push myself to grow and improve. I’ve recently begun to find what best represents me as a designer, though I know my identity will continue to evolve. That unpredictability of inspiration keeps things exciting, and every design will always carry a part of me.

Looking back, I’m proud of the bold steps I’ve taken toward building the life I want. My hard work has led to features in Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, The Vanilla Issue, VoyageLA Magazine, and more. Beyond school, I’ve cultivated an online community that supports and inspires me. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and excited for what lies ahead.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve always been drawn to social media and the impact it can have. For any aspiring entrepreneur, a solid social media presence isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential. It helps you understand consumer behavior, connect with people, and create a community around what you love. I started off casually, just sharing snippets from my day as a fashion designer, a few process videos, or some motivational thoughts. I honestly didn’t expect people to be so interested, but as I kept posting, I realized I was building a small community. This mini-community became my biggest support, encouraging me to keep pushing forward even on the days when motivation was low.

One of the hardest things I had to get over was the initial shyness about posting and wondering how people would perceive me. But the truth is no one’s judging as much as you think. My advice to anyone wanting to grow on social media is don’t overthink it. Just get out there and share what you love with the world. It’s your journey, and there’s a whole community out there who’d love to see it!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

One struggle I sometimes face is dealing with creative blocks. For a creative, a block can feel demotivating and destabilizing. It can make getting out of bed a challenge. Studying in a creative field also means that, at times, I have to produce ideas even when I’m low on inspiration, which only makes the block feel heavier. But I’ve come to realize that these blocks are often tied to my mental state. I’m learning to train my mind, to rewire my thoughts and mindset to push through these blocks. It’s really all about perspective. I’m starting to understand that my mind is mine to guide and it responds to the narrative I set. If I tell myself I’m motivated and inspired, I feel more motivated and inspired.

I think everyone can bring creativity into what they do, whether it’s making coffee, designing clothes, cooking, or even in fields like computer science. Creativity is about how we approach our daily tasks, and it’s something anyone can cultivate. Sure, external factors like the environment, conversations, and the people around us can fuel creativity, but ultimately, the choice to be creative is ours. Creativity is a practice, something we all can nurture in our everyday lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.srujanachyutuni.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/srujana.achyutuni/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srujanachyutuni/

Image Credits

Photographers:
Rahul Rekapalli (@rekapalli.fashion),
Arnav Mangla(@filmfhrer ),
Reinhardt Kenneth (@reinhardtkenneth)

Models:
Tatum Reed (@tatum_reed)
Christina Joanna Sawicki (@christinasjoanna)
Grace Taylor (@grracetaylorrr)
Lara (laravainq)
Ruby Carr (@_.rubycarr._)