Greening Fashion
A much-crowned beauty queen who evolved into a fashion designer and has now ventured into sustainable creations using natural fibers. That encapsulates the career graph of Shilpa Reddy, who was born in Secunderabad on July 21, 1980. An ace designer, businesswoman and environmental crusader, she skillfully blends style and functions. She is truly a Renaissance lady! Having won laurels as a beauty queen first, she has invested her international creations with a distinctive appeal that combines the essence of her Indian background with her credentials as a fashion icon and a crusader for environmental sustainability. This is evident from her eco-focused and instructive YouTube series. As a fashion designer, she has left her imprint at international fashion shows, showcasing natural fibers and handloom fabrics. In a conversation with Shikha Duggal of The Pioneer, Shilpa, also a doting mother, touches on her new-found passion for early childhood education, having co-founded Ekam Early Learning Centre, a play-based learning school in Hyderabad. Raised in a close-knit family in Secunderabad, Shilpa has a strong foundation in her south Indian heritage. The influence of her west moorings can be seen in her fashion designs, for which she frequently uses traditional handloom fabrics, elaborate patterns and rich embroidery. Her zest for life is best reflected by her consuming passion for south Indian food, music and art.
SIBLING REVELRY
We are three siblings. My elder sister and I are eleven months apart; so, I regard her as more of a twin sister. My brother was born six years later. As siblings, we are very close and may be a little aggressive at times. The brother is the group’s entertainer. We have been a close-knit family. We were raised with excellent moral standards, with our parents being very strict. When I was younger, I used to be an extreme extrovert. I used to always have my name enrolled first for any school-related events. You could call me a decent student, though I wanted to accomplish much more in life than being just studious. I was also really good in sports. However, one thing I discovered as I grew older is that art is my genuine calling. I learned singing for over four years.
HER BAJAJ CHETAK DAYS
The entire colony used to witness me and my sister ride dad’s Bajaj Chetak since the others were accustomed to riding those Kinetic Hondas. I was like, “I’m going to ride dad’s Chetak with a gear!” Mom used to send us to grocery stores those days and we used to make the rounds in the colony. The AOC gates, the army area where we were living. In the area, the roads were then breathtaking because of the abundance of trees. We used to go to verdant spots, stroll there and snap pictures. I used to be really mischievous those days. I played certain pranks and got caught at times.
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THE MAKING OF BEAUTY QUEEN
My appearance attracted a lot of attention as I grew older. Due to my fair skin, I was perceived differently by others than my sister. I wanted to grow as a person in all aspects, not only be recognised for how I looked. That was my entire plan when I entered the pageants. I was able to showcase my personality in addition to my beauty through these pageants. I can also recall a period of time when I began to feel guilty about my appearance, yet these pageants offered me hope. There’s a Q&A session, which encouraged me to learn how to talk well and portray myself as a fully groomed woman, so I proved myself beyond appearance! I didn’t want to be known solely as a gorgeous woman. I used to tell myself ‘Shilpa, you should walk elegantly’. I always wanted to be prim and proper. It seems very childish to discuss today, but I really wanted to win the title of Beauty queen in school (giggles). My winning streak started in school, when I won back-to-back pageants for beauty. When I was in Andhra Pradesh, I did not mind receiving positive attention at all. Next came the major beauty pageant in Miss Andhra Pradesh, where I had to represent my state. My father had mixed feelings about his daughter entering a beauty pageant. However, it was me who aspired to defy generational expectations for the better—call me ‘the family’s black sheep’ (laughs). I was hoping for more from them.
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WHEN REDDY GIRL’S SECRET WIN IGNITED HYD
I had entered the pageant without telling my father and I was able to win the crown. It was a huge thing back then; for I had just then turned 17 and appeared on the front page of the leading English daily in the twin cities. After ‘our Reddy girl’ made the headlines, I discovered my flair for fashion because a Reddy girl had never won in a beauty pageant before. Following my bachelor’s degree in commerce, I studied fashion design. Towards the end of that course, I fancied studying fashion overseas. But my loved ones thought it was a rather unusual idea to study fashion overseas. I was supposed to pursue an MBA or study engineering! To send me abroad, especially because I was single at the time, required a lot of persuasion on my part. After a while, I understood that my parents were merely putting me to the test to see how serious I was about it. Finally, I decided to study fashion in Canada.
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IDENTITY BEYOND GLADRAGS
Upon my return from Canada, I found myself yearning to create my own identity. After I had won Gladrags, everyone knew overnight who I was! With my fashion degree at my disposal, I got to work on designing. That’s how ‘Shilpa Reddy’, my label, was created. My efforts were recognised. I don’t think it’s OK to benefit from greed. I have never fed my conscience by providing sub-par goods. This is my work ethic! I began reading a lot about environmental issues and how fashion has been harming the earth over time. As for contribution to pollution, this was the third-biggest industry in the nation. Throughout it all, I was really reflecting and leaning toward remediation.
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DREAM MARRIAGE
Upon my return to India, my sister had tied the knot, my mom presented me with a lovely prospect, Preetham, who made an effort to get to know me completely. Preetham supported my views, my desired way of life and the type of family I wished to be a part of. I was thrilled that he realised how much I dislike limitations. For me, this marriage fulfilled all of my dreams. His family’s female members are progressive thinkers. They were operating their own enterprises and doing other things and that is just how I intended to spend my life. Back then, my sister-in-law was an actress! I also know of my mother-in-law, who moved to Los Angeles to pursue fashion design during that time. It does not imply that I was avaricious since my manifestations were coming true. No, not at all! All I wanted to do was freely explore my abilities. My partner is not from the insecure crowd. He has always loved watching me grow and take flight. Until today, he has not had control over me! Rather, he freed me. My in-laws are quite straightforward people. They have a great deal of faith in me and wanted me to succeed more than them. People say, ‘Oh, Shilpa Reddy’, but without my husband—a total recluse who despises attention from the public—I never would have made it here today. Not even social media exists for him! He is a true achiever.
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IN-LAWS’ ENCOURAGEMENT
When I revealed that I wanted to compete in Mrs. India; my in-laws said, “Come on, let’s do this!” They promptly scheduled a flight for me to go to Bombay without any delay. My sister-in-law arranged for me to be photographed by the greatest photographers and assigned me to the best designer. I began training my skin, body, mind and vocational skills. I prevailed! I kept up my modelling for a few years, but I was not very fond of the industry; it wasn’t very appealing to me. I liked doing catalog shoots more than ramp work because I thought the backstage talks were so trivial. Simply put, I don’t talk about people! After two years, I got married and this back-and-forth thing from Bombay to Hyderabad was getting a bit too much for me, so things started to get hard for me. At that time, I had no desire to continue modelling. My personal life in Hyderabad was being disrupted by it.
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FROM WEST FASHION TO SOUTHERN HERITAGE
My style has always been fashionable, though with a firm foundation in heritage. There is usually a lot of embroidery! I used to get most of the materials for my international shows from Indian handlooms. Since I studied in Canada, I knew that some of their methods—such as how West examines the buttons, collars, cuffs and silhouettes—are still not applied here. I was renowned for adorning a saree blouse with a collar. What I am seeing these days is that there are too many designers, which has caused things to change too quickly. I prefer to wear clothes that I can wear again because there are too many trends coming and departing.
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13 YEARS OF SPIRITUAL SADHANA
Spiritual sadhana reconnected me with my consciousness, making me more mindful, empathetic and responsible. After seven years of marriage, I embraced motherhood fully, putting aside much of my previous life to cherish time with my son. Motherhood changed me, prompting the question, “What else can I do besides design clothes?” Opposing parenting styles that rely on fear, I co-founded an early education school with two wonderful, like-minded women. One being Samantha Ruth Prabhu, a film actress-cum-dear friend and another, Mukta Khurana, one of my sons teachers, now turned into our co-founder. Our goal is to create a safe, joyful space where children can learn through play. For me, being a mother is the most important role of all.
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SEWING HER LAST SEAMS PROFESSIONALLY
Sewing my last professional seams was not an easy decision, but my conscience wouldn’t let me continue. There was an inner conflict between my creativity and my sense of responsibility. I couldn’t ignore the environmental harm caused by the materials I was using—georgette, polyester, chiffon—all derived from toxic chemicals. It was a bittersweet farewell to my career as a fashion designer. While I still have a small space where I create for my family, I no longer design professionally. But once you’re a designer, it’s always part of you—it’s how I express myself and that will never change.
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ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH
I launched a sustainability-themed YouTube show where 24 celebrities, including Dia Mirza, Shriya Saran and Sadhguru, spoke candidly about the importance of sustainability. I knew that their voices would have a greater reach than mine alone, helping to create a larger impact. One thing that matters deeply to me is being selective about who I partner with. Whether it’s my school or any other project, I don’t hand out franchises easily. I care about understanding the motivations behind an investment. It’s not just about business—it’s about shared values, genuine intentions and creating something ethical and meaningful.
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LIBERATING ADVENTURES
Oh, Masai Mara (National Reserve, Kenya) gave me a feeling of visiting a different world. I’ve always loved the outdoors—hiking, trekking, skiing—but Masai Mara felt like entering a world untouched by human hands, free from technology and innovation. There was a moment when we were surrounded by 15–17 wild elephants, with a pride of lions resting just nearby. In those moments, I felt an indescribable connection to nature, like nothing I had ever known. Every journey brings introspection, but here, I experienced a deeper freedom. We’d go on long safaris under the sun, never feeling tired. I’ve travelled far and wide, but I’ve never felt such profound peace and healing as I did there. Masai Mara awakened something in me and I know I’ll return, again and again.
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AMALA GARU — GUIDING LIGHT IN HER LIFE
In real life, I don’t have idols, though I’ve had mentors who’ve left a lasting impact. No one person can be an idol for me, but I’ll always remember how Amala welcomed me, sharing her stories with such grace, never once saying, “listen to me.” She is involved in many causes beyond the Blue Cross Society and her life’s work inspired me deeply. In my early twenties, she was a powerful influence—her dedication to yoga and mindfulness opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and it undoubtedly shaped who I am today.
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HEALTHY HABITS
Discipline and integrity define who I am. I always eat at home or carry my own food—I’ve never used Swiggy or Zomato! My day begins with spiritual practices for mindfulness and physical training for strength, mobility and endurance. I’m mindful of what I watch, preferring meaningful content like biographies or National Geographic over violent shows.a Watching my thoughts and choosing who I spend time with matter greatly. To me, success isn’t about fame but about ethical practices, a healthy body, a clear conscience and a joyful heart. My three “fur babies” are my greatest blessings. Singing is also a passion—I’ve recorded two songs: one for my guru and one for the Save Soil campaign.
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R A P I D F I R E
Describe yourself in three words: Disciplined, forgiving and loving
Favourite holiday destination to go to: Africa
A city you wish to visit: I want to go into the jungles now; cosmopolitan life is so boring these days. I want to enjoy those waterfalls!
Favourite colour: Red & Green
Favourite dish: Depends on my mood; I have a soft spot for onion omelette & my mother’s sambhar
