Studio148
Studio148 is an exclusive Independent menswear boutique, offering the best in customer service along with an exclusive label of clothing. Located on the High Street of Teddington, we met with owner Nita Sharma to find out more and how she felt about winning Mrs India Business Woman of the Year 2019.
How long have you been trading in Teddington?
I have been trading in Teddington these past 10 years and Studio148 was launched in 2011.
What was your vision when you launched?
Prior to launching Studio148, it was an art supplier Selwyn Smith Studio, which I took over in 2008 as an professional artist. The Entrepreneur and dreamer within me helped to identify a gap for specialist menswear fashion in Teddington. Soon after I realised and converted my passion from art to fashion, which has resulted in successfully running a menswear boutique in Teddington. Attaining a degree in General Academy Studies specialising in Menswear Styling from NHJ style Academy in 2013 made me proud in 2011 when I became the 1st Indian woman to launch a menswear boutique in The London Borough of Richmond.
What makes the business stand out?
The original Victorian interior & exterior have been retained, the dark mahogany wooden shop front, the original wooden floor, and a featured old cooker shows how people use to live and work in olden days. The garments displayed at our boutique are personally handpicked from global specialty brands. These brands are rare to find online or in department stores, and customers love this exclusivity about Studio148.
You’ve recently won Business Women Mrs India 2019 award can you tell us a bit more about that?
In January 2019, I was honoured to be one of the finalist in the Mrs India UK 2019 pageant. The Pageant’s aim is to encourage, empower and provide opportunities to married women. It ensures learning, development, building confidence and strengthening the bond between diversified culture of Indians abroad. Mrs India UK is emphasising to redefine the myth of beauty by recognising beauty along with talent, knowledge and skills of these multi-talented women and will continue to do so to benefit today’s women. After 3 months of hard work, balancing between my family life with young kids, business and the pageant. The final was held on 14th April 2019, and I was awarded business women of 2019 and won 2nd runner up Mrs India UK title.
What do you love about Teddington?
Being a mother I love Teddington for it’s homely feel, after living in many different parts of London I finally feel Teddington is a very special town. It has a very close community, It’s small a town but it has everything you could ask for, from historical bushy park, Teddington lock cafes, restaurant, bars, pubs, boutiques and the best part is Teddington Lights Up. Every year in November they make the high street so beautiful with Xmas lights and encouraging the community to shop locally and support each other.
Besides your own shop what is your favourite shop in Teddington and why?
I am a big fan of gin & tonic so my favourite venue has to be 114, where I find the finest gin collection, and the amazing gin tasting event which they hold every last Saturday of the month. If anyone hasn’t tried I would highly recommend.
What is your guilty pleasure?
It has to be Gin & Tonic
If you could invite 3 guests to a dinner party, dead or alive, who would they be?
3 people won’t be enough for my party, but I would love to invite Princess Diana, Amitabh Bachchan (Bollywood legend) and Mr Harry Gordon Selfridge.
Where in the world would you like to visit if time and money was no object?
Bora Bora where I can just switch of for few days and be myself.
In no more than three words describe yourself
Fashionable, creative & an ambitious.
What do you see in the future for your business?
Online has taken over on Fashion industry. But there are many people who like to shop personally. I would like to keep our boutique as original possible by providing the unique & best quality garments at an affordable range, offering great customer service where they can enjoy shopping in a friendly environment without any pressure.. we like to put a smile on our customers face. Hopefully we will add made to measure service in the future, where customers can enjoy shopping on their door step instead of online or travelling far for specialist service.
