Stitching Dreams: How Rohini Kummitha Transformed Her Life Through Fashion
Rohini Kummitha’s journey is a remarkable one, shifting from the world of engineering to the realm of fashion and storytelling. With a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, she began her career as a software engineer at Infosys in India, following a path that many would view as secure and practical. However, Rohini always felt an artistic calling deep within her, drawn to colors, textures, and storytelling. “I am an artistic soul, always fascinated by colors, textures, and storytelling,” she shared.
After getting married and moving to the United States, this inner voice became harder to ignore. With a lot of support from her husband, who believed in her potential even before she did, Rohini decided to go into a creative career. This transition was not without its challenges, especially considering her parents’ valid concerns about leaving a stable, high-paying job for an uncertain artistic journey. However, she realized that the longer she delayed pursuing her passion, the louder that inner voice became. “My passion isn’t going to quiet down. If anything, the longer you wait, the louder it gets,” she reflected.
Initially, the road was rocky. Rohini reached out to various design schools but received no responses, which was disheartening. Just when she was about to lose hope, a professor was willing to meet and hear her story. This meeting proved to be a turning point. “She guided me to build a creative portfolio from scratch,” Rohini recalled. With support, she spent a year developing this portfolio and eventually joined the MFA program in integrated visual arts at Iowa State University. There, she honed her creative skills in textiles, photography, and design, laying the foundation for her future brand, Million Ragas.
Relocating to a new country had its own set of challenges. Rohini found herself overwhelmed, mostly by the logistics of running a fashion brand with manufacturing taking place in India while managing operations in the U.S. However, her passion for her mission kept her going. “Million Ragas isn’t just about clothes for me; it’s about identity and impact,” she explained. Rohini is committed to empowering tailors, artisans, and weavers in India while keeping traditional crafts alive.
As she launched Million Ragas, she identified a gap in the U.S. market for affordable, South Asian-inspired designer wear. Rohini observed that the options available ranged from overpriced designer labels to mass-produced garments of questionable quality, often poorly fitting and less authentic cultural representation. “I realized so many others are facing the same things: limited options, outdated styles, and a disconnect from the beauty of our culture,” she said, emphasizing the need for her brand.
Her journey began with a soft launch before the pandemic, and in 2022, she finally launched her brand online. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers express their satisfaction when they find outfits that make them feel seen and connected to their roots. “Wearing Indian-inspired clothing abroad feels like carrying a piece of home with you,” she mentioned, reflecting on her motivation to help others express their culture through fashion.
For Rohini, the most exciting part of her creative process is the ideation stage, where ideas are transformed into tangible outfits. “When I see the outfits come together, and then I capture them through visual storytelling, that’s when it really feels alive,” she shared, she sees fashion as a powerful storyteller, weaving narratives into fabrics.
When asked what advice she would offer to aspiring fashion designers or anyone looking to shift their career path, Rohini emphasized the importance of trusting one’s instincts. “You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment. Start with what you have,” she advises, she believes that perfection can stifle progress. “Start small but start authentically. You don’t need everything figured out,” she said, stressing the value of beginning the journey without the pressure of being perfect.
Rohini encourages women entrepreneurs to seek mentorship and to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of starting a business. “Entrepreneurship can be isolating, but surrounding yourself with a supportive network can open doors you never imagined,” she noted. She believes that if one’s work stems from genuine heart and intention, it will resonate with others and find its audience. “Success isn’t linear, but if your work has heart and intention, I think it will always find its people.”
Rohini Kummitha is not just a fashion designer; she is a torchbearer of cultural storytelling, with a mission to bring the richness of Indian heritage into the modern world, ensuring that everyone who wears Million Ragas feels beautifully connected to their roots.
Rohini Kumimtha’s inspiring journey from software engineer to fashion entrepreneur illustrates the power of following one’s passion and the importance of cultural connectivity through art. Her commitment to ethical fashion and her dedication to uplifting artisans back in India make Million Ragas not just a brand, but a celebration of identity and heritage.
Thank you, Rohini, for sharing your remarkable story and insights with Shesight. Your words resonate with hope and ambition, reminding us all to trust our inner voice and pursue our dreams authentically. We wish you continued success in your journey, and may your creative spirit continue to inspire others to embrace their roots and express themselves through fashion. Thank you for being a source of inspiration in the world of entrepreneurship
– By Staff Editor, SheSight Global
