Who is Aakriti Rawal is a common question in India’s D2C fashion space. Aakriti Rawal, 29, is the founder of House of Chikankari. The brand sells handcrafted chikankari clothing directly to customers. It works closely with artisans and focuses on steady work, fair pay, and simple design.

The company started in 2020. It began small and grew step by step.

How the Idea Started

Aakriti Rawal started House of Chikankari during the COVID-19 pandemic. A conversation with her mother led her to the world of chikankari embroidery. She learned about artisans who struggled to earn a regular income.

Chikankari is a traditional embroidery craft from Lucknow. The craft has a long history. Many artisans, however, work in an unorganised system. Payments are low and work is uncertain.

Rawal saw a gap. Young buyers liked handcrafted clothing but wanted quality, trust, and clear pricing. She decided to connect artisans and customers through a direct model.

Launching House of Chikankari

She launched House of Chikankari on WhatsApp for Business in 2020. The goal was clear. She sourced authentic chikankari garments and sold them directly. This removed middlemen and helped artisans earn better wages.

The brand followed a D2C model from the start. This gave control over pricing, quality, and delivery. It also helped build trust with customers.

Building the Brand

As demand grew, House of Chikankari expanded its work. The brand added new products and improved processes. It introduced standard sizes, quality checks, and clear timelines.

Along with chikankari, the company added other crafts such as Kashmiri aarikari. The focus stayed on handwork and long-term artisan ties.

The brand did not chase fast trends. It focused on clothing for daily wear. The designs stayed simple. The embroidery stayed central.

Shark Tank India and Funding

House of Chikankari gained national attention after appearing on Shark Tank India. The pitch highlighted its artisan network and D2C model.

After the show, the company received investment from Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt, and Peyush Bansal, co-founder of Lenskart.

The funding helped the company grow its team and strengthen its supply chain.

Company Today

House of Chikankari is based in Gurugram. It has around 45 employees. The brand sells mainly online and also explores offline formats.

Its product range includes kurtas, sarees, dupattas, and coordinated sets. The focus stays on comfort and regular use.

Education and Approach

Aakriti Rawal studied economics and management at King’s College London. She later completed a master’s degree in strategic marketing from Imperial College Business School in 2018.

She entered the craft sector without prior industry experience. She learned by working directly with artisans. Her approach mixes planning with ground-level learning.

Focus on Artisans

House of Chikankari aims to provide steady income to artisans. It plans work in advance and keeps payments clear. The brand treats artisans as long-term partners.

For Rawal, the business is about more than sales. It is about keeping a traditional craft alive in a modern market.

What Comes Next

House of Chikankari plans to expand its artisan base and product range. Growth will stay linked to handwork and fair practices.

The question who is Aakriti Rawal matters because her work shows how traditional crafts can grow through a D2C model without losing their base.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Aakriti Rawal?
Aakriti Rawal is an Indian entrepreneur and founder of House of Chikankari.

Q2. What is Aakriti Rawal’s age?
Aakriti Rawal is 29 years old as of 2026.

Q3. What is House of Chikankari known for?
The brand is known for authentic chikankari apparel made by artisans in Lucknow.

Q4. Did House of Chikankari appear on Shark Tank India?
Yes. The brand appeared on Shark Tank India Season 2 and received investment from Aman Gupta and Peyush Bansal.