A Founder Who Designed Before He Scaled
India didn’t need another luxury brand.
It needed a designer who understood restraint.
When Gautam Sinha started Nappa Dori, he wasn’t trying to “Indianise” luxury.
He was trying to reframe Indian craftsmanship for a global audience.
Because the problem was never skill.
The problem was perception.
India already had leather artisans, generations deep.
What it lacked was design-led storytelling — the kind that global luxury understands.
As a trained graphic designer, Gautam noticed something most brands miss:
Luxury isn’t loud.
Luxury is quiet confidence.
So Nappa Dori was built like a design system, not just a product line:
• Minimal forms
• Honest materials
• Impeccable detailing
• A visual language that stayed consistent across everything
No chasing trends.
No over-branding.
No seasonal confusion.
Instead of scaling fast, the brand scaled thoughtfully.
Bags led to trunks.
Trunks led to travel gear.
Travel gear expanded into cafés, stationery, accessories
all tied together by the same design soul.
That’s not expansion.
That’s brand architecture done right.
While fast-fashion brands tried to stay relevant every six months,
Nappa Dori focused on staying timeless.
And that’s why it now sits comfortably in London, Dubai, Singapore —
not as an “Indian brand abroad”,
but as a global luxury brand born in India.
The real lesson here isn’t leather.
It’s belief.
Belief that Indian craft deserves global respect.
Belief that design is a business tool, not decoration.
Belief that a strong brand doesn’t shout — it stays.
👇
Follow @BrandsByVishaalShah for Indian brand stories where strategy, design, and culture come together.
I’m Vishaal Shah.
I help brands sharpen their strategy, positioning, and communication — so they build recall, relevance, and long-term value.
If you’re building a brand for India or from India, my DMs are open.
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About Phi Brands
At Phi Brands, we specialize in helping businesses craft and refine their brand positioning to stay competitive in dynamic markets. With a deep understanding of market trends and customer behavior, our expert team works closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that elevate their brand identity and ensure they stand out in crowded industries. Learn more about our approach and success stories here.
