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Women founders across fashion, beauty, food and wellness share how authenticity, purpose, craftsmanship and trust are helping build brands that endure in 2026 and beyond.
International Women’s Day 2026 theme, Give To Gain, stresses support and shared growth for a fairer future. (Image: Shutterstock)
In a marketplace defined by speed, viral trends, and constant reinvention, building a brand that truly lasts has become far more complex than simply scaling fast or capturing momentary attention. Today’s most enduring businesses are shaped not just by visibility, but by values, authenticity, and a deeper connection with their audiences.
Across industries from fashion and beauty to food, wellness, and social enterprise, a new generation of women founders is redefining what longevity in business really means. For them, resilience is rooted in purpose, reinvention is guided by authenticity, and growth is measured not only in numbers but in meaningful impact.
For Rani Swati Sinh Kathiwada, the idea of a lasting brand begins with purpose and responsibility. Over the past decade, she has observed a dramatic shift in how businesses are built. Earlier, success was often measured by scale and speed, but today sustainability and clarity of values define what truly endures.
She believes resilience comes from staying grounded in one’s principles while remaining open to reinvention. In an increasingly noisy world, the real challenge lies in building something honest and thoughtful, brands that place people, responsibility, and genuine connection at their core.
This philosophy is deeply shaped by the work of the Kathiwada Foundation, which focuses on supporting farmers, strengthening rural livelihoods, and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. For Kathiwada, carrying these values into the way a business operates is what ultimately creates a brand capable of lasting far beyond market cycles.
For Tanushri Biyani, founder, World of Anaar, authenticity and emotional connection sit at the centre of brand-building. When she started Anaar, the goal was simple: to create something joyful and meaningful for women, footwear that feels special for life’s celebrations.
Her journey has reinforced an important lesson: trends may change rapidly, but a brand’s identity must remain clear and consistent. Markets will always be crowded with noise, but resilience comes from staying rooted in purpose while evolving with the needs of the audience. For Biyani, reinvention is not about abandoning the core idea, but about listening, learning, and growing while preserving the heart of the brand.
A similar philosophy shapes the journey of Malvika Mulchandani, founder of Apero by Malvika. What began as a passion project in her home kitchen evolved organically into a brand because it remained deeply personal and intentional. For Mulchandani, longevity in business is less about scale and more about sincerity.
In a landscape filled with competing voices, clarity about what a brand stands for becomes its strongest anchor. Resilience, she believes, means evolving thoughtfully without losing the essence that first connected with people. Reinvention, therefore, is not about chasing trends but about listening carefully to one’s community and adapting authentically.
For Nikki Thaker, founder of Entisi, substance is the defining ingredient of a lasting brand. With markets becoming increasingly crowded, she believes clarity of purpose and unwavering quality are the strongest differentiators.
Her approach has been to remain deeply committed to product and craft, even as trends shift around the brand. Reinvention, in her view, does not necessarily require dramatic change. Sometimes it simply means refining what already exists and doing it better. At Entisi, the focus has been on creating chocolates that people genuinely enjoy and remember, an experience built on authenticity, quality, and trust.
In the beauty industry, where trends evolve almost daily, Harlin Sachdeva, Founder and CEO of House of Makeup, believes clarity and consistency are the foundation of longevity. For her, building a brand begins with understanding exactly what you are creating, who it is for, and why it matters.
While viral trends and new launches dominate the beauty conversation, she emphasises the importance of playing the long game. Today’s consumers are more informed and conscious about what they put on their skin, expecting transparency and honesty from the brands they trust.
For Sachdeva, reinvention does not necessarily mean launching new products constantly. Often it involves refining formulas, improving quality, and aligning more closely with what the community truly values. That commitment to authenticity and trust is what she aims to build through House of Makeup.
In fashion, Mrunal Khimji, founder of the Mrunal Khimji Label, believes craftsmanship and identity must lead the conversation. While trends may shape individual seasons, what sustains a fashion label is the integrity of the work behind it.
Her design philosophy draws from a rich cultural dialogue, shaped by years spent in the Middle East while remaining deeply connected to Indian roots. This dual influence allows her to combine intricate Indian hand embroidery with silhouettes that feel modern, effortless, and globally relevant.
For Khimji, fashion must evolve to remain wearable and contemporary, but it must also retain its soul. When clothing is built on craftsmanship, intention, and cultural memory, it creates a deeper connection with women who value meaning in what they wear.
Adaptability, meanwhile, lies at the heart of Priyanka Gadia’s approach to brand-building at Appapop. After nearly a decade in the industry, she believes longevity depends on how quickly a brand can respond to shifting consumer behaviour.
Today’s businesses must remain agile across every aspect, from identifying products suited to modern lifestyles to choosing collaborations that feel authentic. Building a brand means staying closely attuned to the audience’s evolving needs while simultaneously thinking several steps ahead. The brands that endure, she believes, are those willing to recalibrate quickly without losing sight of their original vision.
For Dr Bindu Sthalekar, founder and medical director, Skin Smart Solutions, credibility is the cornerstone of any skincare brand built to last. As a dermatologist, she believes skincare cannot be driven purely by marketing or fleeting trends. Instead, it must be grounded in science, safety, and a deep understanding of skin health.
Today’s consumers are far more discerning about what they use on their skin. They seek transparency, well-researched formulations, and products that support long-term skin wellness rather than quick fixes.
According to Dr Sthalekar, trust is built gradually. When skincare products are developed with integrity, research, and genuine care for the consumer, they naturally become part of people’s daily lives. It is this slow, trust-driven relationship that ultimately allows a brand to endure.
Across these diverse industries, a clear pattern emerges. The brands most likely to last in 2026 are not necessarily the loudest or fastest-growing. Instead, they are the ones built with clarity, authenticity, craftsmanship, and purpose.
In a world overflowing with fleeting trends, the future belongs to brands that remain grounded in their values while continuing to evolve thoughtfully, businesses that prioritise trust, community, and meaningful impact over momentary attention.
Because in the end, the brands that truly endure are not just built to sell. They are built to matter.
March 08, 2026, 16:00 IST