Meet the SHEROES - Poornima Vardhan

Poornima is the founder of 335th, a premium fashion innovation that creates shapewear clothing and accessories to redefine fit combined with modern execution. Prior to 335th, Poornima was the Brand Head of India’s first and largest luxury brand, Satya Paul, heading the accessories division, brand strategy and retail planning. Poornima switched from finance to fashion to pursue her entrepreneurial venture. Previously, she was an investment banker with UBS in New York advising mega cap industrial companies globally on M&A and financial restructuring of their balance sheets. She has also worked with Ernst & Young and a startup aviation consulting firm in India.

Poornima has an expertise in brand strategy, financial structuring of businesses and management and is an active mentor and advisor to many startups globally. Poornima holds an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School (Joseph Wharton Scholar), Master’s in Operational Research from London School of Economics and an undergraduate degree in mathematics from St. Stephen’s college, Delhi University.

Tell us about yourself. 

Following a successful career as an investment banker with UBS in New York, I moved back to India in 2012 to pursue my entrepreneurial venture in fashion/retail. I have been working on developing the concept of “Fitwear” through my first venture, 335th. “Fitwear” is an innovative concept in fashion that refers to clothing and accessories fused with shapewear to smoothen your silhouette and flatter your body.

 Prior to the launch of 335th, Poornima worked with Genesis Colors as the Brand Head and also handled retail planning and the accessories division for Satya Paul for a brief period.

 I have an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School (Joseph Wharton Scholar), a Master’s Degree in Operational Research from London School of Economics and an Undergraduate degree in mathematics from St. Stephen’s college, Delhi University.

 What was the motive behind 335th, how did you start?

“Fitwear” is an innovative concept in fashion that refers to clothing and accessories fused with shapewear to smoothen your silhouette and flatter your body.

 With an affinity for simple designs, I have created 335th for the connoisseur of fit. I am determined to help people in presenting the best of themselves while appreciating their own body.  335th to me is not just about clothes but a choice of lifestyle for anyone who wants to put their most confident foot forward.

 Being a finance and accounting expert, I had absolutely no idea about the world of fashion. I started from scratch by spending time in China, researching on the various kinds of fabrics that give a shape to the body giving a flattering silhouette. I consulted with the textile specialist as I looked at developing the concept further.

 What and who inspire you? 

Anyone who follows his/her passion and work incessantly towards achieving them.

 What are the challenges you face at work?

It is always a challenge to get people who believe in your dreams and share the company’s values: Passion for innovation, affinity for simple design and an obsession for detail. It is also exceptionally difficult to acknowledge and accept any kind of failure, learn from it and move on.

 Message to all the SHEROES out there. 

Find your own happiness and have the courage to do what it takes to achieve it!