Over recent years, the call for better representation in traditional and social media has intensified as a result of an increase in awareness about how pop culture, in particular, has excluded minorities. It has been established that the portrayal of minorities, especially the lack thereof, affects not only how others see them but also how they perceive themselves.
Designer and entrepreneur Niki Srinivasa grew up internalizing a poor sense of self. Bullied and struggling with a damaged sense of self-worth, she was discouraged by the fact that no one who looked like her was heavily featured in the media. Niki’s experience is a shared reality for millions of people worldwide, and the realization that this issue does not indicate a personal fault but implicates a large-scale societal flaw lit a fire in her to be a force of change.
On a mission to champion acceptance, equitable opportunity, female empowerment, body positivity, and ability consciousness, Niki established a venture that blends sustainable fashion and global initiatives, the latter of which includes an upcoming nonprofit endeavor. With her unique passion for innovation, trailblazing, and visionary work within the entertainment and fashion industries, as well as in social entrepreneurship, Niki has influenced lives and inspired action.
This artist has received acclaim for her ability to build genuine connections with others and the diligence with which she approaches her pursuits and projects. Additionally, she has garnered recognition for her debut collection, earning an International Design Award at the New York Fashion Week. Named as a “one to watch talent” by Flying Solo, Niki has also been given the opportunity to showcase her collection during the Paris Fashion Week and participate in various media events.
Furthermore, Niki has graced platforms such as Fashinnovation, a fashion, and tech conference where she served as the headliner and spoke in front of an audience of industry insiders, which includes authorities from Levi’s, Google, and more. Impressively, this phenomenal artist has also collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger and because of her vision for sustainability and global connectedness with fashion as the means has been invited by The Conscious Fashion Campaign. The invitation allowed her to join in at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last year and engage in productive discussions about the future of the industry and its role in practicing sustainable measures and initiating humanitarian efforts.
Niki, who was recently involved in one of the world’s first fully AI-rendered virtual fashion shows, has a feature coming up with Vogue Italia. And her long list of accomplishments is bound to lengthen as she continues to build her brand and set trends. She is currently focusing on building an entirely circular business model that rests on the values of sustainability and inclusivity — a model that will also be heavily prominent in her upcoming nonprofit, which will cater to women and children in underserved communities around the world. Niki’s future nonprofit will also advocate for Indigenous people and promote their welfare through unique educational initiatives and cross-cultural collaborative efforts.
In the future, this believer in sustainability and inclusivity will continue to use her platform and bank on her skills to empower others and remind them that they have a place in this world. And thus far, Niki has demonstrated promising potential as a leader in revolutionizing industries to become more oriented towards proper representation, sustainability, and philanthropy.
Learn more about Niki Srinivasa by visiting her website and Instagram page.