Starting a fashion company is no easy feat, so you can only imagine our surprise when we were introduced to a high school student-athlete who started her brand and made it her mission to redefine freedom of expression by de-gendering the fashion industry.
In 2021, Neha Sikder launched Desoire—a zero-waste, genderless brand designed to normalize femininity for both genders. In just three years, the 17-year-old creative has successfully carved out a space in the multi-trillion-dollar industry while actively changing people’s perception of style.
“I always wanted to do something exceptional,” the Texas native tells BrownStyle Magazine exclusively about the inspiration to start Desoire. “There’s this huge misconception that fashion choices reflect gender identity. Because of this, people have constantly limited their fashion choices to keep themselves from being judged. Desoire is my passion project to push mainstream consumers to step outside their comfort zone, and take down these social norms.”
Changing The View Of Unisex Clothing
Unlike other unisex brands that rely on neutral cuts and designs, Desoire prides itself on creating genderless clothing that proves gender-neutral clothing does not have to be shapeless.
“We want to completely dismantle the idea that any expression of femininity makes one weak,” Neha Sikder explains, noting she was inspired by her Indian heritage where men are more open to embracing diverse clothing.
She continues, “The biggest issue in the fashion industry is that there are few unisex brands that promote femininity. It’s just the same old baggy t-shirts, sweatpants, and masculine cutouts. The other less explored end, which goes to the extent of designing beautiful dresses for men and women, might be too big of a step for the everyday shopper. Somewhere between the two ends of this spectrum, we can find aspects from both masculine and feminine styles and create something expressive and experimental.”
Since launching the sustainable genderless brand, Sikder has received an overwhelming amount of support from people around the world.
“I’ve gotten a lot of comments and emails that say Desoire is a breath of fresh air,” she notes. “I believe people should wear what makes them happy and at peace. I hope that Desoire can be the brand that shows how experimental fashion is designed for everyone, and prove that particular styles are not reserved for one gender.”
Life As A Fashion Designer
A typical day for the up-and-coming designer consists of responding to customer emails and messages, creating marketing content, and interacting with her audience on Instagram. When Neha’s not working on day-to-day operations, she’s brainstorming new designs.
“Believe it or not, the majority of my time isn’t spent designing clothes. On the days when I design, I’ll freehand any sketch ideas that come to mind. Then I’ll start communicating the idea with our pattern maker, who makes the pattern sheet to forward to our manufacturer. Beyond that, I send pitches, register for events or awards, and try to have fun with the process,” Neha Sikder shares with enthusiasm.
Despite having both homework and work responsibilities, Sikder says that she can stay focused on her dreams by maintaining a schedule.
“It’s really about prioritizing what needs to be done, and making a routine that gives you time for your mental health,” she explains when asked about finding work-life balance. “I don’t believe in working 12 hours a day. I don’t believe in the notion that entrepreneurship has to mean sacrificing everything just to succeed: this is a recipe for disaster. I think that over time, you learn the groove of things. You figure out what works for you. For me, there are times I have to cancel plans to catch up on a deadline or work more than I want to. Ultimately, it’s about mentally putting yourself first and making a sustainable lifestyle that you look forward to day after day.”
According to the young entrepreneur, she’s personally experienced challenges breaking into the fashion industry like being taken advantage of and underestimated. However, she insists that she will not let people’s negativity stop her from reaching her dreams.
Sikder explains, “As an entrepreneur, especially at a young age, there will be a lot of opinions about you. There are moments when no one really takes you seriously and people assume that this is just a phase. There will also be a lot of rejections. Through my experience, I’ve learned the importance of staying professional despite judgment. I’ve realized that no matter what happens, keep moving forward. Most of the time, rejection is guiding you to something better!”
To other young entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in the world, she offers this simple advice: find something you are passionate about and never let anyone’s negative projections become your reality.
“It’s a tough world out here, but know and believe that you CAN make a difference. Your only limit is your mind,” she concludes.
To learn more about Desoire, visit desoire.com.
