At 25, she sure knows her mind. And is spearheading a start-up that will create a fashion revolution in India. Delhi-based Rashi Menda, the founder of Zapyle, aspires to “build a concept around a revolving closet, where youngsters can buy or sell outfits that they don’t plan to wear,” she says.
And in order to make this collective dream come true, she has enlisted the support of 20 fashion bloggers from across India. “They will create a conversation with the users through this social platform and advise them on what suits their body type, etc. We have done dry runs across Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai targeting 18 to 30-year-olds and discovered that young India is very open to the concept of buying used designer clothes,” says the US-returned graduate.
Rashi majored in economics at the University of Minnesota and was instantly hired by Ernst & Young. She worked in their US office briefly before being transferred to the Delhi office. “But I soon realised, this was not my calling. I got an opportunity to work as head of marketing with a start-up, Unamia, in Bengaluru and I worked there for two-and-a-half years and loved the experience. In fact, I even got married in Bengaluru,” she opens up.
Rashi’s husband Sidharth Menda hails from a prominent business family and the couple is settled in Delhi. “He is very supportive and encouraging about my work and so is his family,” she adds. That settled, this compulsive workaholic has now set her heart on providing an opportunity for fashion-conscious youngsters to buy high street or designer brands at throwaway prices (between Rs 800 and Rs 1 lakh) through her website. “We have identified 42 fashion influencers to throw open their wardrobes and sell their designer outfits. And youngsters are excited about being able to get an online view of their favourite celebs’ collections,” she says.
Rashi and her team have done extensive research and narrowed down the style statement of Indian women into four categories: Trendy, chic, boho and classic. “Every woman falls in one of these categories. So we pitched this idea to bloggers with a minimum 50,000 users before selecting our final 20. Through our app, they will educate people on how to select an outfit or mix and match stuff to get the right effect,” she points out.
Personally, Rashi too likes to mix her wardrobe. “My personal style lies between trendy and classic styles. My closet is filled with Zara, Ted Baker, BCBG Maxazria, Halston Heritage, Anita Dongre and Tarun Tahiliani. I personally love Tarun’s trendy Indo-Western outfits. Zara has fashion for all. I love the fact they have such trendy clothes at affordable prices,” she says.
Ask her to name her favourite shopping destinations and she says, “I love New York from 5th Avenue and Madison to the boutiques in Manhattan. I love shoes — Paris is my favourite destination for shoes. One of my favourite brands from there is Christian Louboutin. Being from Delhi, I have always enjoyed shopping here.”
And yes, she she is open to showcasing her wardrobe online or even buying stuff from someone else’s collection. “Zapyle was born when I realised I have unopened shopping bags sitting in my room and yet, I would complain I have nothing to wear. I will be showcasing my closet too. And yes, I would definitely raid the closet that’s filled with my style and my favourite brands,” she asserts.
Try to veer her away from shop talk, and she admits to combining work even while travelling on a holiday. “I try and combine work with pleasure. Our last holiday was in Vegas and I attended a conference there. I’m good at multitasking. Even in school, I had studies, tuitions and even trained under Shiamak Davar in contemporary dance,” Rashi confesses.
