Raina Shriwaardankar has established herself as a dynamic leader in fashion, e-commerce, and luxury branding, blending creativity with strategic insight to build successful brands. With over 17 years of experience, she has continuously proven her ability to navigate the fast-paced world of retail, luxury fashion, and e-commerce. As the Chief Brand Officer of Tao Paris and Aria Nica, Raina has steered these brands through various milestones, earning recognition for her innovative marketing, brand development strategies, and her leadership in luxury footwear. Her latest venture into the UAE market is poised to elevate her influence further, as she seeks to bring her expertise to one of the world’s most vibrant retail hubs.
A Strong Foundation: Media and Retail Expertise
Raina’s journey began with a bachelor’s degree in mass media (advertising), where she topped her class and solidified her foundation in brand communications. Her academic pursuits were complemented by an MBA in retail, completed in collaboration with Shoppers Stop, which gave her a comprehensive understanding of the retail landscape.
Recently, Raina added a certification in Luxury Brand Management from the London School of Trends to her portfolio, solidifying her expertise in the growing luxury segment.
Early in her career, she honed her skills at Percept, working on prominent brands like Bally, Mango, Central, and Pantaloons. This experience was pivotal, sparking her passion for brand building and marketing strategy. She also co-founded a children’s apparel brand, managing every aspect of the business from product sourcing and e-commerce operations to marketing and finance, further solidifying her practical expertise.
Reflecting on this period, Raina notes, “Working on brands like Bally and Mango was transformative. It gave me a deep understanding of retail and a hands-on approach to building businesses from the ground up.”
Steering Tao Paris and Aria Nica: A Visionary Approach
At Tao Paris and Aria Nica, Raina has played an instrumental role in their success. Starting as part of the founding team in 2016, she has driven the brands’ e-commerce strategies, ensuring strong market positioning on platforms like Myntra, Amazon, and Nykaa Fashion. Her strategic initiatives, including a 360-degree rebranding campaign for Tao Paris in 2021, have solidified the brand’s presence in the fashion industry.
Raina’s focus on creating a cohesive brand identity, leveraging digital campaigns, influencer collaborations, and traditional media, has been integral to the brand’s expansion. Notably, her collaboration with Seema K. Sajdeh for the Tao Paris Wanderlust line garnered significant attention, showcasing her ability to tap into market trends while staying true to the brand’s core values.
Tackling Challenges in the Footwear Industry
Navigating the footwear industry, particularly for children’s and tween brands, presents its own set of challenges. Raina has consistently emphasized the importance of balancing comfort, style, and quality, a necessity in the footwear space where parents and children often have differing priorities.
“To strike this balance, we worked closely with podiatrists and foot health experts to design footwear that meets both aesthetic and functional needs,” Raina explains. This approach ensures that the products not only look good but also support foot health, a crucial factor for parents making purchasing decisions.
She has also introduced educational marketing campaigns to inform customers about the importance of choosing the right footwear for growing feet, building trust with parents and encouraging informed purchasing decisions.
The UAE Market: A New Chapter for Tao Paris and Aria Nica
Raina’s recent expansion into the UAE market marks a pivotal moment in her career. The UAE, with its strategic position as a global luxury retail hub, offers immense opportunities for high-end brands, particularly in the footwear and fashion segments.
The region’s appetite for luxury, coupled with its growing e-commerce market, presents the perfect backdrop for Raina to introduce Tao Paris and Aria Nica to a new audience.
Raina’s entry into the UAE market is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the region’s fashion landscape, with an emphasis on accessible luxury. “The UAE is a vibrant market with a strong demand for luxury products that combine quality, innovation, and style,” she says. “Our focus will be on creating a seamless omnichannel experience that integrates both online and offline touchpoints.”
The UAE’s luxury market is also increasingly prioritizing sustainability, and Raina is well-positioned to tap into this trend. By offering ethically sourced materials and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes, she plans to cater to the growing demand for sustainable luxury products in the region.
Moreover, Raina’s strategy includes customization and personalization, a key driver for luxury consumers in the UAE. By offering exclusive, customizable products, Tao Paris and Aria Nica can appeal to the region’s high-net-worth individuals who seek unique, personalized fashion pieces. Raina’s expertise in digital platforms will also allow the brand to offer enhanced digital experiences, including virtual try-ons and personalized shopping recommendations, creating a high-end, interactive experience for online consumers.
Strategic Leadership and Team Alignment
As a leader, Raina’s collaborative and strategic approach has been key to her success. She ensures that every team member is aligned with the brand’s mission and values. By setting clear goals and maintaining open communication, Raina fosters a strong team dynamic that drives innovation and results. Her leadership style emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that insights from various departments are integrated into the overall brand strategy.
For Raina, success is not just about sales performance but also about long-term customer engagement and retention. She regularly analyzes performance data to optimize strategies, ensuring that the brand continues to resonate with its audience.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Luxury E-commerce
With her expansion into the UAE, Raina’s vision for the future of luxury e-commerce is clear. “The future is all about creating immersive, personalized experiences for the consumer,” she predicts. She foresees a growing emphasis on AI-driven personalization, virtual product experiences, and omnichannel integration. By blending innovation with traditional luxury values, Raina is set to make a lasting impact on the UAE’s retail and luxury fashion landscape.
As Tao Paris and Aria Nica continue to grow under her leadership, Raina’s entry into the UAE market promises to bring new opportunities for both brands and consumers. With a focus on sustainability, personalization, and digital innovation, Raina Shriwaardankar is positioning herself as a key player in shaping the future of luxury fashion in the region.
