March 2025

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 30 mar 2025

Women entrepreneurs in India are breaking the glass ceiling and shaping the future of the design industry. They have broken many barriers, overcome myriads of challenges and setting a new narrative through their confidence, creativity and credibility. Monika Choudhary, Founder and Chief Development Officer at Habitat Architects, explaining about her experiences, says, 'Back then, people often saw architects and designers as just draftsmen who made pretty drawings, not as creative storytellers shaping spaces. As a young woman fresh out of design school, I remember walking into construction sites filled with seasoned male contractors and feeling a mix of excitement and intimidation.' Gunjan Gupta, founder of New Delhi-based Studio Wrap, says, 'The idea of design as a collectible rather than being purely functional was still taking shape...The goal is not just visibility but agency where our contributions are integral to the design discourse.' Farah Agarwal, founder of design studio Chestnut Storeys, explaining about the set rules and predictable aesthetics of design industry, says, 'The challenge was to navigate this rigidity while staying true to an intuitive, experiential approach - one that embraced the moment, the emotions a space could evoke, and the way people truly lived within it...Women are no longer just participating - they are leading, redefining aesthetics, and driving innovation. While challenges remain, the shift towards inclusivity and the celebration of diverse voices is undeniable, and that is an evolution worth championing.' Hiloni Sutaria, founder of multidisciplinary architectural firm HSC Designs, talking about the challenges she faced as a woman, says, 'It was hard for clients to trust women-led firms with large scale projects. The biggest challenge wasn't just proving technical expertise. It was making people trust that a woman-led firm could execute complex, high-value projects with precision and innovation. Now, after eight years, I can safely say that the trust is there...It can't happen in isolation and requires active support and encouragement. Women in architecture need to be in environments where they are not constantly put down, not made to feel inferior on sites or in offices, and where they are recognised for their expertise rather than their gender.' Joya Nandurdikar and Amrita Guha, founding partners at Untitled Design, agree to these issues. Amrita Guha says, 'We had to constantly take charge, staying late at sites to reinforce the responsibility that builds credibility. Being assertive in our creative choices was often mislabelled as aggression - something our male counterparts rarely had to contend with.' Mita Mehta, interior stylist, says, 'First there was the issue of a woman on a construction site, and then it was difficult for people to take her seriously in a male dominated industry.' Read on...

YourStory: How women entrepreneurs are shaping a new narrative in the design industry
Author: Geetika Sachdev