Vanya Mishra and Apaksh Gupta: Weaving the Threads of Indian Private Labels with SummerLabel

In the heart of India’s fashion and lifestyle landscape, two enterprising individuals, Vanya Mishra and Apaksh Gupta, have come together to create SummerLabel, a dynamic platform that unlocks the world of private labels. Launched in October 2015, this Gurgaon-based start-up is dedicated to helping users discover the hidden gems of the Indian fashion scene. Vanya, a former Miss India World, and Apaksh, an entrepreneur with a background in the restaurant business, recognized a gap in the market that needed to be filled – a single platform for discovering private labels in India.

Vanya Mishra’s journey from the world of beauty pageants and fashion to entrepreneurship brought a unique perspective to the table. As Miss India World, she had the opportunity to explore products from private stores that were not easily accessible to the average consumer. Vanya’s extensive experience working with leading organizations like The Times of India, Reliance, Future Group, and renowned fashion houses like Tarun Tahiliani provided her with valuable insights and a strong network. When she teamed up with Apaksh, who had a successful stint in the restaurant business, they set out to bridge the gap between private labels and consumers. SummerLabel’s core mission is to provide consumers with a curated platform where they can explore private label stores effortlessly. The platform offers extensive profiles of these private label stores, complete with ratings, reviews, and a detailed catalogue of their products. Users can easily search for stores based on name or specialty, find the products they desire, and read about the experiences of other users who have shopped at these stores.

SummerLabel targets fashion-conscious users between the ages of 22 and 45 who are eager to discover unique fashion and lifestyle brands. To reach out to this audience, the start-up has taken a multifaceted approach, partnering with restaurants and travel companies, as these are the places frequented by lifestyle-conscious individuals. By strategically aligning with various influencers in the fashion industry, SummerLabel offers users a source of inspiration for their style choices. Looking forward, Apaksh and Vanya aim to develop their own point-of-sale (PoS) system and loyalty program, connecting these elements seamlessly with the discovery platform. By analysing what customers purchase through PoS systems, SummerLabel can make tailored recommendations to users, enhancing both sales and customer satisfaction. The start-up’s vision includes becoming an operationally profitable and revenue-focused company in the next 2-3 years.

SummerLabel is not in competition with online channels but rather with established fashion magazines like GQ and Vogue. The start-up’s unique selling point is its focus on private labels, differentiating it from brands like Zara or Nike. By focusing on both online and offline private label stores, SummerLabel offers a platform that is unmatched in its range and scope. During their early days, SummerLabel faced challenges in finding the right technology talent. After trying to work with co-founders who did not share their priorities, Apaksh decided to learn to code himself, effectively managing the technical aspects of the business. The company, which already boasts 12,000 registered users on its website and partnerships with around 100 stores, plans to leverage integrations to reach a broader audience.