What is House of Chikankari?
House of Chikankari is a homegrown Indian fashion brand that’s preserving and promoting the traditional art of Chikankari embroidery, a delicate handcraft originating from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Here’s how they stitched tradition into a business model that wowed the sharks.
What is House of Chikankari?
House of Chikankari is a homegrown Indian fashion brand that’s preserving and promoting the traditional art of Chikankari embroidery, a delicate handcraft originating from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Founded by mother-daughter duo Aakriti and Rajvi Aggarwal. Their range includes:
- Kurtas
- Sarees
- Co-ord sets
- Dresses
- Men’s and women’s ethnic wear
House of Chikankari on Shark Tank India: The Pitch Breakdown
The brand appeared on Shark Tank India Season 2, aiming to scale its artisan-first fashion business with the help of investment and mentorship.
The Pitch:
- Ask: ₹75 lakhs for 1% equity
- Valuation: ₹75 crores
- Model: Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) via their own website and marketplaces
- USP: 100% handmade, artisan-empowered, culturally rooted fashion
- Revenue: ₹7.3 crore in FY 2022
- Customer Base: 50,000+ buyers globally
What the Sharks Said:
- Namita Thapar was impressed by the social impact and women-led narrative.
- Peyush Bansal loved the e-commerce potential.
- Anupam Mittal saw massive branding opportunities if scaled globally.
- Aman Gupta appreciated the product range
Final Deal: ₹75 lakhs for 3.75% equity, with Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta joining hands to support the brand’s mission and growth.
The Magic of Chikankari
Chikankari is a 400-year-old embroidery technique characterized by delicate thread work on cotton, muslin, and silk. Each piece takes days—sometimes weeks—to complete.
“Every thread tells a story,” says co-founder Aakriti Aggarwal.
What makes House of Chikankari stand out is how they’re making this ancient craft accessible and desirable for modern India and the global diaspora.
What’s in Their Product Line?
Their catalog isn’t just limited to traditional wear. They’ve infused Chikankari into:
- Co-ord sets for office & casual wear
- Lounge sets that mix comfort and culture
- Men’s ethnic wear
- Kids’ wear in soft pastel shades
- Occasion wear for festivals and weddings
All products are handmade, often by women artisans in rural India.
D2C Model + Artisan Network = Success
House of Chikankari runs primarily on a direct-to-consumer (D2C) model, selling through:
- Their official website
- Marketplaces like Nykaa Fashion, Ajio, and Myntra
- Global shipping via international logistics partners
They’ve built a network of over 500 artisans across India.
Market Potential: Is Ethnic Fashion the Next Big Thing?
With the rise of conscious consumerism, Indian traditional crafts are making a global comeback.
Fashion Market Trends:
- Indian ethnic wear market expected to reach ₹1.6 trillion by 2025
- Growing demand for sustainable fashion
- Consumers preferring handmade, limited-edition pieces over fast fashion
House of Chikankari is at the sweet spot—fusing cultural heritage with modern aesthetics and tech-driven sales.
What Makes House of Chikankari Stand Out?
- Artisan-Centric Model: Every purchase empowers real artisans.
- Women-Led Business: Co-founded by a mother-daughter duo.
- Sustainable and Ethical: Promotes slow fashion and fair trade.
- Global Reach: Ships worldwide, targeting Indian diaspora.
- Tech-Savvy: Smart use of Shopify, social media, and influencer marketing.
FAQs About House of Chikankari
Q1: What is House of Chikankari?
It’s a fashion brand preserving traditional Indian embroidery through handmade, artisan-driven apparel.
Q2: Was it funded on Shark Tank India?
Yes! They received ₹75 lakhs for 3.75% equity from Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar.
Q3: Where are their products made?
All garments are handmade by artisans, primarily from Lucknow and surrounding regions.
Q4: Do they ship internationally?
Yes, they deliver globally through their website.
Q5: Is it a women-led startup?
Absolutely. The brand was founded and is led by a mother-daughter team.
Wrapping It Up: Fashion With Heart and Heritage
With the backing of Shark Tank India and a growing customer base, this startup is proving that heritage can be hip, and profit can coexist with purpose.
If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of India’s cultural legacy, now’s your chance—and you’ll be supporting artisans with every purchase.
For more Blogs : beyondthepunchlines
Author: Team BTP
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