Being passionate about art and design since a very young age led Pooja to join a top institute for Fashion Design in the country.
Having a zeal to create something new and different, once while looking at her work, her grandfather once asked her, “why do you people always design for models and not real persons?” That struck a chord in her and made her realize the deep need to connect her work with people’s lives in a meaningful way. She then began to explore many areas in fashion such as gay wear, maternity wear, and design for senior citizens and for her final bachelor’s degree project, she had her grandparents and their friends walk the ramp!
And now with her new Menswear brand 22|7, Pooja Sachan is here to make you FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD & BE GOOD.
Check out her incredible story from the Fashion Lady herself, Pooja Sachan, in conversation with Ms. Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness Org.
But First we have a note from her:
Follow Your Dreams and DREAM BIG! No journey is easy till you cross it. And when you do… look back and say to yourself ‘I DID IT!’!
I was born in a Punjabi family. I was a chubby kid growing up. I was sent to my first gym at the age 10 yrs on the belief that this will slim me down and get me married to a handsome gentleman in life!
Today, I am a Tri athlete! I made something very positive out of it. I joined sports and became a sprint runner, played for my school so much that I broke my ACL and had to take a break. But it honestly put a love for fitness in me! Today, I swim, I bike, I run and most probably pick the heaviest weight around in the gym 😊.
In 2015, I completed my first half IRON MAN race and am very proud to be almost 40 and in best shape of my life! No am not slim, but am FIT and that’s what I take from it and teach my boys… You can create your own Positive in Life!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
After graduating from a top institute for Fashion Design, you were selected by Nottingham Trent University to pursue a Master’s degree in fashion and textiles. You have reached the pinnacle of success by launching your very own men’s wear brand 22|7. Tell us more about your successful professional journey in the world of fashion?
Ms. Pooja Sachan:
Art has always been a passion of mine. I was creative from a very young age. My dad is a Builder, actually an architect/builder with no professional degree. My mom wanted to be a writer and was a calligraphy artist in her youth. My brother did his major in English literature and has a passion for writing. Art and Literature runs in my genes but being brought up in a middle business class family, it was never truly encouraged. So, most of my youth I struggled, fought and have tried in many ways to answer and satisfy my family’s queries with regards to this profession!
It’s very subjective and everyone has their view point on ART. I think a formal education in Art, Fashion and Textiles and receiving it in 3 entirely different countries really taught me the basics of a meaningful design. The challenge for me is to be real, functional along with aesthetically appealing.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How has your experience in the fashion world helped you in developing your own brand?
Ms. Pooja Sachan:
I see myself as a Designer with a purpose to fulfill. I speak not only as a Designer, but as a strong Woman with diverse life experiences ranging from extremely difficult to amazingly joyous. I am an Environmentalist, a Global Citizen having lived in many countries, a Mother who wants her children to live in a better world, and a Creator with an aesthetic shaped by my take on the human condition.
My 15+ years in the industry has definitely advanced my technical skills, while having opportunities to live and work in different cultures around the world has provided me with an immense amount of knowledge about people. I have had some great opportunities to work in different arenas of the fashion industry since then. From leading big companies and great start up brands, to traveling, exploring, and learning from some of the great artists in the industry, I have gained an immense amount of knowledge from every project and every place. I finally realize that this is my moment to work on something that will matter most, and started 22|7.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Coming from a conservative business class family, choosing a career of your choice was not an easy task, yet you did it. How were you able to break through the societal norms and create a niche for yourself?
Ms. Pooja Sachan:
Yes, for sure…Coming from a conservative business class family, career was never an important subject of discussion. I was not really expected to have a career let alone find a profession I would be passionate about.
Finding this passion about art made me focus during high school and fight to overcome the struggle with low expectations for myself. I worked hard to land a spot at a top institute for Fashion Design, where I was very fortunate to be taught by real artists, architects, and experts coming from a variety of backgrounds. Their goal was not just to groom Fashion Designers, but true Artists with an honest viewpoint on creating.
I also feel that my struggles and fights made a pathway for my siblings and cousins in the family! My lil sister (13 yrs younger) was actually pushed to pursue her studies further! Today she is on a path of successful career.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Share with us your ideas for the latest trends to be seen this Winter Season.
Ms. Pooja Sachan:
As a Designer I feel like we are reliving the 80’s this winter season. For women it’s prints, volume and ruffles, punk, romantic all combines with flashy fabrics! Vellore made a big comeback!!
My advice – Explore your options (we are bombarded with so many now a days) and wear what fits and showcase your mind and body the best! We all are different in regards to our bodies, mindset, life style, so why should we dress alike?
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words for our inspiring and budding career women who all are your fans, what should they do for their climb to the ladder of success to become a successful fashion designer?
Ms. Pooja Sachan:
Like I said in the beginning, Follow your Dreams and DREAM BIG! No journey is easy till you cross it and look back and say I DID IT! And believe in your strengths. This will help you overcome your weaknesses.
I often mention this phrase to people interested- there is not even G of GLAMOUR in the Fashion industry. It’s a lot of hard work and pressure to keep up with not only with trends but everything happening around you. So be aware, design consciously and create something meaningful!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your inspiration and motivation or catalyst in launching your own brand 22/7?
Ms. Pooja Sachan:
Our little one was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease at the age of 18 months. I took a break for couple of years as we spent a lot of time in hospital for treatment. Together as a family we fought and fought the fight! He is doing good and is a champion in life!
I started to work again in 2016. 22|7 is a reminder to live beautifully inside and out. I am surrounded by great Men in my life: both my Father and Husband are really talented, self-made Men, and I am a Mother of two amazing Boys. I sincerely think that 22|7 expresses my design aesthetic, philosophy, and is a legacy to leave for my Boys. I want to let them know that life is full of opportunities, and we should use every experience to make something great out of it. Together we can fight adversity and find the cool, creative, happy side of life in spite of the pain of dealing with extreme hardships. I want my Boys to know not to let our trials and tribulations define us, but have hope and find beauty.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
“22/7” is a very unique name. Tell us more about it, what’s the story behind this name?
Ms. Pooja Sachan:
We derive our NAME from the value of PI=22/7. The best known mathematical transcendental constant where the constant decimal values keep repeating themselves yet their decimal representation never ends & never settles into a permanent repeating pattern. We want this very meaning to be our brand’s underlying philosophy.
INFINITE POSSIBILITIES. INFINITE CHOICES -Ethical & Conscious. Congruent with Ecosystem & The Conscience.
A Brand designed with one purpose to fulfill… TO MAKE U FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD & BE GOOD.
OUR BIG IDEA: to source the finest of fabrics from the open stock market to use and reuse. These are excess left over from major brands that we buy and up-cycle, making it into a great product! We strive to find the very best and make the very best!
We aim to provide clothes made with a choice – ethical and conscious one.
Great fabrics, unique finishes and subtle detailing, making special yet versatile pieces in your wardrobe.
OUR HOPE: You Love It, It Wears Well and Stays Long with You!
OUR STORY: SHORT and SIMPLE… We don’t design for occasions, we believe that life is more than the sum total of occasions put together. WE DESIGN FOR LIFE.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.org and message for our visitors?
Ms. Pooja Sachan:
I personally believe that physical fitness can help you achieve mental fitness. It can be anything you like/love to do! We all lead a stressful life. I think it’s a TIME you take for yourself to make yourself better, healthier and happier in life. So be a little selfish and take some time from yourself for YOURSELF!
To know more about the new brand, follow her on: