Today we’d like to introduce you to Rohini Kummitha.
Hi Rohini, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my career as a software engineer, working in a structured, logic-driven world. But alongside code, I carried a deep pull toward art, textiles, and storytelling. I grew up watching my mother run her own boutique in India, surrounded by fabrics, colors, and conversations about craft. That early exposure planted a seed I didn’t fully understand at the time.
After moving to the United States, I pursued an MFA in Integrated Visual Arts, exploring photography, digital textiles, and visual storytelling. Living between cultures made me more aware of identity, belonging, and how deeply clothing is tied to self-expression, especially for those of us in the diaspora. I noticed how Indian fashion in the U.S. often felt either inaccessible, outdated, or disconnected from how we actually live our lives here.
That realization became the starting point for Million Raagas.
I left a high-paying corporate job to build a brand rooted in slow fashion, ethical production, and cultural pride. Every piece is designed by me and created from scratch in India by skilled artisans, weavers, and tailors who are paid fair wages and treated with respect. We don’t mass produce or resell. Each outfit carries intention, labor, and story.
Building this business as an immigrant woman in the U.S. came with challenges, long nights coordinating across time zones, learning everything from scratch, balancing motherhood, and carving space in an oversaturated fashion market. But those challenges also shaped the brand’s values: resilience, authenticity, and community.
Today, Million Raagas is more than a fashion label. It’s a space for people navigating multiple identities to feel seen, to wear their culture with pride, and to celebrate both where they come from and where they’re going. Looking back, every step, from engineering to art to entrepreneurship, feels connected. I didn’t abandon one path for another. I wove them together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
Starting a business in the U.S. meant learning everything from scratch, often without guidance or a safety net. In the early days, the internet was my only mentor. I had to figure out legal structures, sourcing, pricing, logistics, and marketing, all while learning to navigate a completely different business culture.
One of the biggest challenges has been building an ethical fashion brand in an industry that rewards speed and mass production. Million Raagas doesn’t resell or bulk produce. Every piece is designed from the ground up and created with artisans and small teams in India who are paid fair wages and not overworked. That commitment makes the process slower and the costs higher, which can be difficult in a market driven by fast fashion and constant discounting.
There were also deeply personal challenges. Coordinating with my team in India meant late nights and early mornings across time zones. Balancing entrepreneurship with family life required constant adjustment, not just from me but from my family as well. My spouse carried a greater share of responsibilities at home while I dedicated myself to building the brand. There were moments of self-doubt, especially in an oversaturated fashion market where visibility doesn’t always come easily.
But each challenge shaped the brand. They forced clarity, resilience, and intention. I learned to move one step at a time, to trust the process, and to build slowly but meaningfully. The struggles didn’t deter me; they refined my vision. Looking back, those difficult moments are what gave Million Raagas its depth, values, and purpose.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Million Raagas?
Million Raagas is an Indian-inspired slow fashion brand rooted in craftsmanship, cultural storytelling, and ethical production. We design clothing and accessories for women, men, and children, along with select home decor pieces, all created to feel relevant to modern life in the U.S. while honoring Indian textiles and traditions.
What sets Million Raagas apart is that nothing is mass-produced or resold. Every piece is designed from scratch and brought to life by skilled artisans, weavers, and tailors in India who work in small teams and are paid fair wages. We prioritize thoughtful design, quality, and sustainability over trends or volume. Our collections often blend traditional techniques with contemporary silhouettes, making Indian fashion feel wearable beyond weddings and festivals.
We’re also deeply focused on representation and identity. Many of our customers are part of the diaspora, navigating multiple cultures and looking for clothing that reflects who they are today. Million Raagas exists to normalize wearing Indian-inspired fashion in everyday life, whether that’s a casual gathering, a professional setting, or a creative expression of self.
What I’m most proud of is the integrity of the brand. We’ve stayed true to our values even when it would have been easier to scale faster or compromise on ethics. Beyond the products, we’ve built a community through collaborations, pop-ups, local events, and creative storytelling that centers culture, inclusivity, and connection.
I want readers to know that Million Raagas is not just about clothing. It’s about honoring craft, supporting artisans, and creating space for people to feel seen and proud of their roots while embracing where they are now.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Clarity, paired with persistence.
I’ve learned that clarity, knowing why you’re building something and what you’re unwilling to compromise on, is what carries you through uncertainty. Trends change, algorithms fluctuate, and progress isn’t always visible, but clarity keeps you grounded in your values and helps you make decisions with intention.
Persistence then becomes less about pushing blindly and more about continuing thoughtfully. Showing up, learning, adjusting, and trusting slow progress has been essential to my journey. That combination has allowed me to build a brand that feels honest, resilient, and aligned, even when the road has been challenging.
Pricing:
- Women’s wear (lehengas, sets, Indo-Western fusion): $120 – $400+, depending on fabric, handwork, and detailing
- Men’s wear: $120 – $250
- Teens’ wear: $110 – $250
- Kids’ wear (Mini Raagas): $50 – $150
- Accessories (dupattas, potli bags, jewelry, home decor): $25 – $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.millionraagas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millionraagas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millionraagas
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohinikummitha/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@millionraagas3872
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@millionraagas
