Deepa Kumar
Founder & Creative Director
Deepa Kumar is the founder of The Second Wardrobe, a sustainable lifestyle brand working at the intersection of textile waste, everyday consumption, and functional design.
As an alumnus of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar with a Master of Design, her research on women's consumption behaviour among Generation Z in Delhi led her to closely observe the growing disconnect between rapid consumption and material waste, inspiring her commitment to circularity.
Deepa started The Second Wardrobe to explore how discarded materials can be reintroduced into everyday life. Drawing inspiration from the culture of reuse and repair commonly practiced in Indian households, she actively challenges the traditional linear model of the fashion industry. By treating pre-loved garments, vintage remnants, and deadstock textiles as raw materials rather than waste, she breathes new life into discarded textiles through thoughtful and functional designs.
She currently leads the brand's research, sourcing, design development, and storytelling, while collaborating with women-led artisan and production communities to prove that conscious fashion can be elegant, unique, and long-lasting. Under her leadership, The Second Wardrobe has participated in exhibitions and pop-ups across 2025, while collaborating with platforms that support sustainability, handmade products, and conscious consumption.
"We believe in countering the culture of constant replacement. Instead of encouraging more consumption, we focus on extending the life of existing materials & reworking discarded textiles into practical, thoughtful designs that naturally complement modern lifestyles and wardrobes."— Deepa Kumar, Founder
Milestones of Circularity
NIFT Research & Discovery
While completing her Master of Design at NIFT, Deepa researched Gen Z consumption behavior in Delhi, uncovering the disconnect between clothes buying cycles and landfill textile waste.
Starting the Wardrobe
Drawing inspiration from domestic Indian cultures of reuse, repair, and circular care, Deepa founded The Second Wardrobe in Delhi to test functional accessory upcycling.
Artisan Communities
Began collaborating directly with local women-led artisan groups and production houses to ensure fair trade practices and high-end handcrafted quality.
Showcases & Exhibitions
Engaged conscious consumers via national design exhibitions and multiple successful sustainability pop-ups.