Today we’d like to introduce you to Archna Patel.
Hi Archna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Never in my life did I think I would choose a path in fashion. My background is actually in public health, and I recently started a doctorate program. The idea of Asmi began after I had my son and returned to work in 2016. I relied heavily on dresses and skirts with deep, functional pockets to carry everything from my phone to tissues, and it quickly became clear that pockets weren’t just convenient, they were essential. The catalyst was how often people would light up when I’d say, “Thanks! It has pockets!” anytime someone complimented my outfit. That reaction made me realize that I wasn’t alone, women everywhere were craving something as simple and practical as pockets.
Fast forward to 2020, during quarantine, I took the leap to learn how to sew, specifically, dresses with pockets. It was harder and more time consuming than I expected, but the more I immersed myself into sewing, the more I began to understand slow fashion and the impact clothing can have on people and the planet. That’s also when I realized polyester was essentially plastic, and while my family had been working to reduce plastic use in our home, we weren’t really addressing it in our clothing. With my public health background and my desire to make a difference, Asmi was born: a sustainable, women-led clothing brand where every dress is made with eco-friendly fabrics, deep functional pockets, and an embroidered affirmation like “I am Confident” or “I am Limitless” meant to empower the women wearing our clothing, just as the women who make these garments are empowered through their craft.
Today, Asmi is still a young brand, but it is a labor of love that reflects many sides of who I am: a mom who needs pockets, a public health advocate who believes in sustainability, and a woman who wants to encourage others to be the best versions of themselves. My goal is to make Asmi more than just a clothing line, I want it to be a movement that changes the way we think about fashion: functional, ethical, and deeply connected to the those who make it and wear it. It’s a movement that connects fashion with a purpose.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve never started my own business before, and stepping into fashion, a world I know nothing about, came with a lot of trial and error. There’s been plenty of back and forth, and I’ve learned quickly that slow fashion really does live up to its name. Everything takes time, from sourcing fabrics, to sampling and sizing, to final production.
The biggest challenge, though, has been figuring out how to get Asmi out into the world. Building awareness and telling the story behind them and the brand has been harder than I expected. But even with the struggles, it’s been an incredible journey. I know I still have a long way to go and so much more to learn about the industry, but I’m excited to keep moving forward and sharing Asmi’s story.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This is going to sound boring, but professionally, I’m a public health research scientist and I have a Master’s in Public Health. I have spent most of my career at Emory University working in behavioral health research, specifically in epilepsy self-management. I even recently started a doctoral program in public health.
Friends, family, and colleagues know me as “the girl who likes pockets.” It’s become my signature and sometimes I feel silly, but I’ve been learning to take pride in that I’m actually doing something about it.
What sets me apart is probably the fact that my career in public health and my clothing business are so different, but I’ve found a way to connect the two. Asmi is my way of blending the values I hold as a public health professional (sustainability, educational empowerment, and care for people) with my love for functional, stylish clothing.
What I’m most proud of is that Asmi truly reflects who I am. It’s not just a brand; it’s a bridge between my professional life and personal passions. To me, that’s the most rewarding part – knowing that I’ve created something fun and beautiful that also carries meaning and purpose.
What’s next?
The future of Asmi is about growth with a purpose. We’re in the process of expanding our collection with new colors and adding empowering pieces like the ‘I am Resilient’ two-piece pant set. We’re also focused on growing our local physical presence through boutique partnerships and pop-up shops. Our main focus is bringing more awareness to our brand and our mission. My plan is to use our platform to advocate for slow fashion and to celebrate the incredible women who make our clothes. Ultimately, I want Asmi to lead a movement where fashion empowers both the person wearing the clothes and the person making them.
Pricing:
- I am Confident Dress – $168
- I am Limitless Dress – $208
Contact Info:
- Website: https://asmibyarchna.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asmibyarchna/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asmibyarchnaofficial
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asmibyarchna/
Image Credits
Product photos by ANNA MUZYKA PHOTOGRAPHY
