Pragati Gusmano has founded a delightful business that every mama can appreciate. Her shop, Nesara, sells hand block printed house dresses that are comfy and beautiful for lounging around the house.
Pragati is a mama to two little ones, a five month old baby girl and a four year old boy. Though her background is in integrative medicine she always had a creative streak. She loves sewing, baking and recently has started watercolor painting. Her creative pursuits led her to opening Nesara.
What made you start your business?
I gave birth to my second baby during the pandemic. It was such a lonely time. I had a difficult c-section recovery and realized that I didn’t own any clothing that was c-section friendly and appropriate to wear throughout the day. The nightgowns I purchased after my son was born were semi-comfortable, but they weren’t made for nursing and felt too short for daywear. I was reminded of my childhood and the wildly beautiful, colorful house dresses my mom and grandmother always wore. I realized this was the garment I needed and I set out to create the perfect, motherhood friendly, house dress.
Tell us more about the dresses:
Nesara is committed to honoring the generational craft of artisans in India. While Indian textiles are used by nearly every clothing company, many fail to pay a living wage to those who create the clothes they sell. For us, this isn’t fast fashion. It’s supporting small communities in India and sharing their craft with our own community here.
How long have you been in business?
Nesara officially launched in September 2020. So we are very new!
How has your family life changed during the pandemic?
I was on maternity leave from my full time job after my daughter was born in May and I was set to go back to work at the beginning of August. The company I was working for dissolved my position during my leave and terminated me in July. If I’m being honest, I was absolutely heart broken. I had a really difficult postpartum period and the stress/anxiety of covid, combined with the isolation were a lot to deal with. After a day or two of sheer panic, I decided that this was the moment to take a chance and do something I believed in. I wake up every day and tell myself that I am exactly where I was meant to be – home with my children, starting to make my own dreams come true.
What’s next for your business?
Since we launched, we have nearly sold out of our first batch of dresses. We have a restock coming soon, along with new patterns, scrunchies and more. We’re looking forward to creating dress collaborations with other moms and entrepreneurs.
Who are Nesara dresses for?
A Nesara house dress would be perfect for the new mom in your life. They are 100% cotton, nursing and skin to skin friendly and just so comfortable as you adjust to life as a mama. If you’re not a mom, our house dresses still make a fantastic gift for the woman in your life who loves vibrant textiles and wants to be chic and comfy as she works from home, lounges or runs errands. If 2020 has taught me anything it is that loungewear is always a good gift.
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