As a Canadian women’s fashion designer, Rimpy Sahota finds her true passion in exploring her unique vision through her various designs and collections. Focusing on women’s ready-to-wear garments with just the right amount of fashion-forward appeal in her classic and refined designs, Rimpy’s garments are suitable for the everyday, fashionable woman. Expressing their creator’s strong values of natural beauty, each one of Rimpy’s designs remain consistent in their reflection of quality and authenticity. Rimpy’s desire and passion coupled with her expertise, skills and experiences have allowed her to fully express her creative soul through her unique collections.
I’m a young entrepreneur who motivates and strives for success. I see life’s challenges as an opportunity for growth. I am very driven, creative, buisness-savy and motivated. I am an Indo-Canadian fashion designer who is based in Vancouver, BC and I enjoy designing clothes for all different female body types.
Growing up financially was a bit tough for my family with myself and 4 other sisters— my mom sewed all of our garments and I watched her days on end sewing the prettiest dresses for my sisters and I. I loved the fact that she was able to make us feel beautiful in whatever she created for us. Later, when I began playing with barbies, I started creating clothes for them out of my mother’s old clothing.
Between the ages 12-24 I was in karate and competed at national and international levels. Karate taught me self discipline and how to strive to better myself, work independently and in teams and most importantly, I learned about goal setting. I majored in accounting and finance in university, enjoyed business and entrepreneur side, worked for accounting firms for a few years and realized I wasn’t getting the creative outlook that I wanted to fulfill my life goals
Later, I completed a one year program of fashion business and arts at John Casablancas Institute in Vancouver. After that I moved to Montreal and was a buyer/designer for Garage & Dynamite clothing, and learned that it was exactly what I wanted to do, but I missed my family way too much and ended up moving back. Shortly after, when I returned to Vancouver, I became a buyer for Lululemon.
From all of these amazing experiences that God has truly blessed me with— I now feel confident to run my own business.
I would say being Indo-Canadian, sometimes young woman feel there are higher barriers to overcome because of family and cultural traditions however one must be true to themselves to achieve the goals that they wish to pursue in life. I can speak from my own experiences that the hardest part of all of this was to tell my father that I wanted to change from accounting to the apparel industry, although had I have known how supportive he actually was I would’ve told him this at the age of 17.
I would tell a young woman that goal setting and setting realistic goals is the most important thing you should do, and be honest with yourself. Every individual has the tools to do exactly what they want to do in life and there is a lot of support out there, especially from the Indo-Canadian community. Also, treat others how you wanted to be treated— that’s one motto that I always stick by. One may think the fashion industry is really cut throat although there are good and wise people in the industry, you just have to surround yourself with those people.
I’d say that it is very important because I feel like South Asian women are finally embracing who they are and their rights— and embrace themselves with their intelligence, beauty and work ethics. Nowadays, I’m seeing many Indo-Canadian woman who are striving in the arts, business and educational fields and I am so proud to see this.
To help South Asian woman feel empowered, I try to be a motivational and a positive influence. I’ve gone through a lot of challenges both personally and through my career and I always push to see the light in any tunnel and I want other South Asian woman to know that as well— for every chapter that closes, another one opens. The only two times I’ve shown my collection are: 1. a fundraiser to support Maple Batalia and her family to raise money for awareness and bursaries and 2. For the Diwali fest
My long term goal is to run my clothing line and support a non-profit organization for woman who have suffered with mental, physical and emotional abuse. I take pride in being South Asian and growing up in a household of 6 woman has shown me how strong and independent we women are.
To always strive for what you believe in and always give 110% to whatever you do in life. If you truly believe in something, don’t give up on it. At times it’s easy to give up, but always challenge and push yourself.
Chocolate!! (#1) I’m passionate about smiling, laughing, chocolate and kids.
You can see me at the gym, yoga, at the beach playing with my nieces and nephews, at the temple with my family, sharing a good laugh with my closest friends, also hiding behind stacks of magazines!
Connect w/ Rimpy via Twitter @rimpysahota_ Instagram @rimpysahota