From the heart of Edappal, a town in Malappuram district of Kerala, a dream has blossomed into a reality as Aswathy Balakrishnan etches her name in the world of bridal fashion designing.

With a vision to weave magic on fabric, Aswathy embarked on her journey in 2023 by setting up a studio, Avaanah, in a rented room with an investment of ₹6 lakh she secured through a loan.

From a modest start with just two assistants, her designs quickly captured the hearts of hundreds of brides. Today, Avaanah is synonymous with exquisite bridal wear.

Her bridal dresses are sought after in countries like Australia, the U.K., the U.S.A, the UAE and Ireland. With materials sourced from northern India, Aswathy’s designer creations like lehengas, gowns and sarees are priced between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000.

Her traditional Christian bridal dresses are particularly popular abroad.

As Aswathy looks back on her journey, she beams with pride. She has not only built a successful brand, but also created opportunities for many and inspired others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Aswathy Balakrishnan at work in her studio at Edappal in Malappuram.

Her confidence received a major boost from early clients like playback singers Sithara Krishnakumar, Mridula Warrier, Rimi Tomy, actors Sneha Sreekumar, Shruthi Rajanikanth and Veena Nandakumar.

Hailing from Thaikkattussery near Thrissur, Aswathy’s journey into fashion designing was fuelled by her innate passion for art. She pursued a diploma in fashion designing and nurtured her creative talent beyond her Zoology and Malayalam academic background.

However, it was only after her marriage and relocation to Edappal that she discovered her niche in bridal designing, marking the beginning of her journey with Avaanah.

She praised the Taluk Industries Centre and the Kudumbashree for their supportive roles. “They provided consistent encouragement, clear guidance and helped in easy facilitation of loans,” she says.

Aswathy’s experience serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs who often face bureaucratic hurdles. She debunks the myth that government aid is only limited to joint or small ventures.

The District Industries Centre, she says, provides valuable guidance to start-up aspirants. “Women should seize this opportunity,” she advises aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Her inspiring story was recently shared at an interaction with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the State government’s fourth anniversary celebrations at Malappuram.