Bridal designer Sanyukta Shrestha is next up in our Wonder Woman Wednesday series. Not only are Sanyukta’s luxury designs absolutely stunning, they are also made with the greatest attention to detail, of the finest materials, and by only the most talented women.

As if that isn’t reason enough to know about this designer, there’s also a beautiful story behind this brand. When founding her business, Sanyukta stayed true to herself and her ethics and in doing so, she created her sustainable and ethical company.

Tell me about your background.

My passion for art started when I was 3. As a teenager studying fashion, I designed a dress for Miss Nepal which won an award for best design and led me to represent Nepal in Miss World at aged 17.

After creating designs for many films, fashion events and celebrities, I had an established fashion career. It was while volunteering for WWF and a women’s rehabilitation centre however, that I began to realise the importance of ethical and eco-friendly fashion.

Read more: Read about bridal designer Jacqui James’ background here.

How did you get into bridal?

I find bridal the most intriguing and compelling within the fashion industry. My desire was always to bring out the inner beauty within every woman and to do that on the biggest, most important day of a woman’s life is truly fulfilling for me.

I think specializing in bridal was a natural progression in terms of my passions and also my career in general.

Read more: Check out how the talented Charlie Brear started designing bridalwear.

And why eco bridalwear?

Volunteering at a women’s rehabilitation centre at the age of 18 had a profound effect on me. I was there to teach the village women new patterns and designs, to help them develop self-sustainability.

At 19, I also volunteered for WWF in Nepal and learnt about the vulnerability in fashion adversely affecting thousands of people’s lives, millions of birds and animals. There are many fashion victims, whether our own mother earth, animals or people who make the clothes.

As a person and as a designer, I feel responsible for what I do and the decisions I make in my life and my career. Through blending sustainability with my ethical believes, I try to create opportunities for village women in Nepal, by merging and turning their traditional skills into delicate fabrics and designs.

Eco-friendly and ethical fabrics are full of health benefits and better protect us as well as our planet.

Read more: Check out our profile on bridal retailer Marisa Rooney here.

What are your secrets to success?

I stay true to myself and push to be original.

What’s your greatest achievement?

Being able to connect women from remote villages in Nepal, to women across the world. I feel my designs create a circle of happiness, from the fabric to the luxurious finished gowns.

Brides wearing a Sanyukta Shrestha gown, not only supports sustainability, fair trade, women’s equality and an ethical workforce, they enjoy the highest level of comfort and breathability, whilst nourishing and protecting the skin.

Read more: Here’s why bridal designer Diana Elizabeth made one of our first ever Wonder Women.

What’s your favourite part of your job?

The sparkles in wearer’s eyes and the excitement on their faces, is a moment a designer lives for. Brides come to me with their dreams and equally I feel incredibly grateful that my stockist trusts and shares my vision.

Seeing a bride feel happy and beautiful in her wedding dress, but at the same time, the smile I get from the village women who create the fabric are just invaluable. It’s a great feeling being able to connect these women from different walks of life and help fulfill their dreams through my design is the favorite part of my job.

Read more: Wonder Woman Wednesday: Joanne Stott, bridal retailer.

How does an employee catch your attention, or impress you?

Proactive, driven, and dedicated employees enthuse me.

What does your typical working day look like?

I am a full time working mummy, so as you can imagine I’m always doing something. But I truly love it and enjoy every moment! I usually attend meetings with my team in the morning to plan for my new collection, then shoot and create campaigns in my flagship boutique. My day is often full of brides’ appointments and business meetings.

Read more: Check out Wonder Woman Wednesday: Abigail Neill.

5 Interesting Facts about Sanyukta:

1. As an avid dreamer, I often dream of my designs.
2. The first wedding dress I designed at the age of 18 has already been worn by two generations of the same family as an heirloom piece.
3. I changed my father’s view on fashion: initially he rejected my career choice but later he was my biggest fan. My best award to date is winning my father’s heart.
4. My name became recognized among celebrities like Victoria’s Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel and singing sensation Fifth Harmony.
5. I’ve created a gown out of trash and it’s now preserved as a unique piece of art in a fashion museum which houses world-famous designers such as Alexander McQueen and John Gallianos. I did this because I believe that everything has the possibility of new life, to be re-utilised and given new meaning.

If you loved reading about this eco-warrior, then check out Nova Reid’s Wonder Woman Wednesday profile, where she tells us how she’s trying to promote diversity within our industry.