We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Srujana Achyutuni. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Srujana below.
Hi Srujana, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Honestly, it’s a funny story. Growing up, my mom was always pushing me and my brother, and she was really strict about making sure we finished our homework on time, studied properly, and got good grades. At the time, I used to get a little frustrated with her because it felt like she was being too hard on us. But looking back, I realize, that discipline is what shaped my work ethic more than anything else. If she hadn’t been so persistent, I wouldn’t have developed the ability to sit for hours, stay focused, and push through challenges to get things done. Now, meeting deadlines, if not beating them, comes naturally to me, and I owe that entirely to her. She instilled in me a sense of responsibility and commitment that has carried over into my career. In a lot of ways, my mom made me the designer I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a fashion designer based in Manhattan, and I’m currently in my final year at the Fashion Institute of Technology, set to graduate in May 2025. I couldn’t be more excited to step into the industry and bring my creative vision to life. Right now, I’m working on my thesis collection, A Moment of Warm Sun, which is inspired by that ethereal feeling of stepping into warm, comforting sunlight after a tough day. Sunlight is such a simple yet undeniable force of nature, and I truly believe it has the power to lift people’s spirits. That feeling of warmth and renewal is what I want to capture in this collection.
As a designer, I draw inspiration from emotion, nature, and femininity, blending these elements to create pieces that feel both personal and uplifting. My goal is to design clothing that brings people joy, making them feel confident, beautiful, and inspired every time they wear my pieces. I want my customers to come back not just for the clothes but for the feeling they get when they put them on, a little spark of happiness that makes all the difference.
As I graduate, I also look forward to taking the first steps toward my dream of launching my own clothing brand. Building something from the ground up has always been a goal of mine, and I’m excited to create a brand that truly reflects my vision.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been determination, passion, and resilience. I believe that passion comes naturally to a person and is something that can be honed using determination and resilience. Every day as a designer, I make a choice between pushing forward with my work or taking a break. While rest is important, it’s my passion that ultimately keeps me going, and my determination that ensures I stay consistent, even when things get tough.
For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is to never let go of your passion. If you’re passionate about something, hold onto it, because that passion will be tested. You’ll face obstacles, setbacks, and moments of doubt, but resilience is what will keep you standing. Success doesn’t come without challenges, but if you’re willing to push through, learn, and grow, you’ll get to where you want to be. Stay determined, trust your instincts, and keep creating.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My parents have been the most important figures in helping me overcome challenges and develop the skills I needed to succeed. My mom has always been my biggest pillar of support throughout my journey as a fashion designer. She taught me the importance of compassion and determination, two qualities that have shaped both my work ethic and the way I approach life.
My dad, on the other hand, has always been a source of inspiration, constantly pushing me to be a better person. He taught me and my brother countless life lessons, but more than anything, he gave me a moral compass that I can never stray from. Some of my earliest memories are of him telling us bedtime stories, each one ending with a lesson that, without realizing it at the time, shaped my values and perspective on the world.
Beyond just emotional support, my parents have always encouraged me to take chances and chase my dreams. They’ve provided for me in ways I can never fully repay, and their unwavering belief in me has given me the confidence to push forward, no matter what obstacles come my way. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.srujanachyutuni.com
- Instagram: @srujana.achyutuni
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srujanachyutuni/
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