“Florian Creations” promotes Authentic Lucknow Chikankari Worldwide

Nidhi Jain is the CEO of hand crafted apparel brand by the name of “Florian Creations”. Talks about her journey, from growing up in a middle class family to quitting her job in order to popularize this exclusive art globally.

Growing up in Lucknow, the city of nawabs, Nidhi Jain was surrounded by its art, culture, music, food and heritage. Nidhi is the Founder of Florian Creations, a venture that is into preserving and retaining the quality of the Lucknow chikankari craft, along with bringing about positive changes in the social and economic conditions of the artisans. Born n brought up in Lucknow, she had a huge passion for Lucknow Chikankari hand embroidery since childhood and was very much inspired by the hard work of Lucknawi artisans. After acquiring her Ph.d degree from Lucknow University, she got married. Thereafter she worked as a Environmentalist for few years. But her passion of popularizing Lucknow Chikankari worldwide made her decide to take the plunge into this business without any prior experience. She decided to follow her dreams in an unconventional way. She was led by her passion of popularizing Indian hand crafted apparels worldwide. She therefore, hired ladies from villages n small scale workers and started a small manufacturing Unit with the same energy and passion for an adventure as she does.

Q: What is Florian Creations all about?

Ans. Florian Creations is an exclusive brand of Lucknow Chikankari Apparels. Chikankari is a textile art form specific to Lucknow that flourished under the Mughals in India. The embroidery style dates back to Nur Jahan and one ambitious entrepreneur hopes to revive its glory not only in India but also internationally through eTailing. Chikankari is a hand embroidered style that requires a lot of attention to detail and is performed traditionally on muslin, silk, chiffon, etc.

Florian, Creations collection includes designer wear with intricate Chikankari, Muquaish and gotta patti work on pure georgette, faux georgette and cotton fabrics. It comprises of stitched kurties, tops unstitched kurti fabrics, heavily embroidered dress materials and semi-stitched Anarkalis in pure georgette fabric. These are at par in quality with the stuff provided by leading fashion houses but without making a hole in your pockets. This collection is very much in demand during festive seasons like Diwali, Eid or weddings by customers across the world.

With an active website by the name of FlorianCreations.in blogs on social media like Instagram, Facebook etc, and Florian Creations has managed to build up a brand name for itself. Florian Creations apparels can also be purchased through online shopping websites like Amazon n Flipkart. They are one of the most well-known Chikankari Apparels Company in India.

Q. What is the Mission & Vision of Florian Creations?

Ans. Our mission is to introduce Lucknow Chikankari Embroidery at National n International level  Through Florian Creations, the globe are able to purchase this style of clothing that is almost only available in Lucknow, at affordable prices. As a result of which everyone could enhance their looks in Indian Attire. Providing the apparels at reasonable rates would further attract Indian Customers towards Indian apparels rather than going for foreign made apparels. Our honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi also says lets go for “Vocal for Local”. Going for Vocal for Local in turn will create more demand thereby increasing employment opportunities for small scale workers which will further help in strengthening of Indian Economy.

Q. What were the major challenges faced while starting up this venture?

Ans. The major challenge faced in getting into this new start up was not having any business background n knowledge but her passion acted as a catalyst. Though Nidhi had no experience in the industry, she then wanted to do something to save the fading and dying faces behind the craft. She spent a year-and-a-half in research regarding the types of stitches, fabric, the entire procedure of stitching, apparels washing etc. She met hundreds of women artisans who had been practicing the craft without any recognition. Starting the venture with only Rs 40,000, Nidhi’s focus for the first year was to create a team and maintain the quality. Today, she has managed to create a team of 10 people while residing in another city. Nidhi further adds, “All this I was able to manage by the support I got from my husband”.

Q. What differentiates Florian Creations from competitors?

Ans. Customers buying from me will get what they see in the catalog images, more than 90% of the time, and with proper sizes as shown on the product page. Florian Creations also offers genuine pricing with attractive discount offers and proper packaging to keep goods safe while shipping. We only list genuine quality products even if they are on the higher side in terms of pricing. Weight based shipping rates to keep it as minimum as possible and delivering products within 7 days of the order to most locations in India. There is also an option for international shipping if you want to buy products in India but ship to your friends and family living abroad. We also have a refund policy for defective items, if any at all.

Q. Are your craftsmen and artisans especially from Lucknow?

Ans. Yes, the craftsmen are basically from Lucknow, who has devoted their entire life to this artwork. We are committed to do something for the entire community.

Q. What Feedback are you getting?

Ans. The response has been really good which can be seen from the increasing number of customers both in India and abroad. Our customers include not only people of Indian origin or NRIs but also people from different nationalities.

Q. Any advice for women in this field?

Ans. Just listen to your heart and do what you are best at. If you have the guts to do, nobody can stop you to reach great heights. There will be phases of struggle and disappointments, but never lose hope.

Q. Do you feel that women entrepreneurs are not heard?

Ans. I do not think so in the present time.

Q.How is the market responding to your venture?

Ans. People like our stuff because of its uniqueness and affordability.

Q. What are our Future Plans?

Ans. As far as future plans are concerned, our main objective is to promote Indian hand crafted products worldwide.