My mom often shares a story about the day I was born — I was such a chubby, beautiful baby that everyone in the hospital came to see me. My dad, being the most protective man ever, wouldn’t even let the nurses handle me without watching closely. He even stood near the wash area where I was bathed, just to make sure his little girl was safe. That’s the kind of love and care I was wrapped in since birth.

Being the only girl child in our family came with its own perks and challenges. Surrounded by boy cousins who constantly teased me saying, “You’re a girl, you can’t do this,” I grew up learning to prove that I could do anything I set my heart on. That playful teasing ignited a spark — a fire that pushed me to stand tall, challenge stereotypes, and never give up.

I studied in an ICSE school, where academics were quite strict and demanding. I wasn’t a bright student at first, but one day, my parents said something that completely changed the course of my life:

> “We don’t need ranks; we just want you to try your best.”

That unconditional love gave me the biggest motivation of my life. I went from barely passing to becoming one of the top three students in my class. It wasn’t just about marks — it was about realizing the power of faith and encouragement.

During school, I was deeply immersed in art and cultural activities. I learned drawing for eight years under the guidance of my guru, Mr. Murthy, who shaped not only my artistic skills but also my creative vision. I used to win first and second prizes in school-level drawing competitions, and one of my proudest childhood moments was seeing my artwork featured in the Eenadu newspaper.

I was also a trained Kuchipudi dancer, which taught me grace, rhythm, and expression — qualities that beautifully influence my designs even today. Along with art and dance, I actively participated in handwriting, throwball, and many school competitions, always excited to express myself in every way possible.

Those vibrant, laughter-filled school days were the foundation of who I am today — a mix of creativity, confidence, and courage to dream beyond limits.

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*My Turning Point 💫

After school, I chose the BiPC stream in my intermediate studies, dreaming of becoming a doctor. But life, as always, had a different plan for me.

The environment in that college was harsh — everything revolved around ranks, memorizing pages, and daily exams. There was no space for understanding or individuality. Coming from an ICSE background, where learning was about knowledge and creativity, I found it extremely difficult to fit in.

Even my parents went to the principal and said,

> “We don’t need ranks — we just want our daughter to be happy.”

Their love gave me strength, but the system’s pressure still pushed me into deep emotional distress. I began to lose myself, and at one point, I even wanted to quit my studies.

That’s when I visited a fashion academy for the first time, hoping to join and finally chase my true passion. But back in 2011, fashion designing wasn’t widely accepted as a career path, especially in smaller towns. The designer there advised me to complete a degree first.

Though disheartened, I carried that spark quietly in my heart and completed my B. Pharmacy — even though it was never my dream. During my final year, my parents started looking for marriage alliances, and that’s when I met my husband

After marriage, life took a new turn — I was blessed with my beautiful daughter, Sanvi, the heartbeat of my world and the inspiration behind everything I do today.

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*The Birth of My Dreams – Priya & San 🌸

After Sanvi’s birth, I felt something missing within me. Sitting idle at home felt like losing a piece of who I was. I’ve always loved the joy of working hard, earning through passion, and creating something meaningful. That’s when I decided to reconnect with my long-lost love — fashion.

However, Nellore didn’t have any good fashion institutes, and I couldn’t move away from my family. Once again, I felt stuck — torn between responsibilities and dreams. The struggle slowly pushed me into another wave of sadness.

Then came the COVID lockdown — a time when the world shifted online. And with that, my long-paused dream got its second chance.

I enrolled in several online fashion courses, learning everything from the basics to advanced concepts. I practiced relentlessly, improved my sketching, learned digital design tools, and built a deeper understanding of garment creation. Later, I completed an advanced certified course from a reputed online fashion institute — an experience that completely transformed my confidence and skill set.

One quiet night at 1 AM, I sat up with a restless heart and a spark in my mind. Without overthinking, I opened Instagram, designed a simple logo, and created a page named “Priya & San.”

The name carried my entire world — Priya, the woman who dared to dream again, and San, short for my daughter Sanvi, who gave me the reason to rise once more.

The next morning, I posted my very few designs. To my surprise, they became an instant hit! Orders began pouring in, and soon I was collaborating with celebrities. My page grew faster than I ever imagined. Each order taught me something new — about design, perfection, patience, and people.

Behind every outfit you see is passion, sleepless nights, and countless revisions. I personally handle everything — from conceptualizing designs to running between tailors and workers — to ensure every piece turns out just as perfect as envisioned. Designing isn’t luxury; it’s a heartfelt craft born out of love, emotion, and dedication.

Through Priya & San, I found my true purpose — to create timeless designs that make women feel confident, graceful, and unapologetically themselves.

When Priya & San was featured in Hindustan Times, it felt surreal. A small dream that started one quiet night had now reached people across the world.

Today, our brand has clients globally and a wonderful team handling different departments. But my journey doesn’t stop here. My dream is to expand Priya & San into a large-scale fashion house, establish our own manufacturing unit, and most importantly, create employment opportunities for women — empowering them to build their own stories of success and independence.

This journey has taught me one precious truth — dreams never die. They may rest for a while, waiting patiently for the right moment to bloom. And when they do, they illuminate your entire world.

*Final wish

One day, I wish to gift Priya & San to my daughter as a part of my heart — a legacy of love, hard work, and dreams that began with her name and will continue to shine through her.

With love and gratitude,
Priya 💕
Founder & Creative Director, Priya & San