Open To Work
Siddharth Shashankan
Cochin
Summary
Accomplished Fashion Designer, Couturier, and Stylist with over 17 years of diverse experience spanning fashion design, brand management, operations, and creative direction. Currently leading Operations & Design at a growing fashion brand, I have successfully turned around a loss-making business into a profitable enterprise through strategic design interventions, operational improvements, and innovative marketing. Founder of Hangar Atelier, I launched two distinctive labels—Hangar (luxury) and Clipse (ready-to-wear)—known for their unique blend of elegance, sophistication, and practicality. My collections have showcased at renowned fashion weeks like Mercedes Benz Asia Fashion Week and Indonesia Fashion Week, and have been lauded for their creative excellence and exceptional craftsmanship. Recognized for my ability to marry business strategy with design innovation, I bring a hands-on approach to leading creative teams, building vendor networks, and optimizing operational processes. Whether designing for luxury clients or curating impactful campaigns, I strive to elevate brands through design, storytelling, and customer engagement.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Operations & Design
Lulu Celebrate
04.2022 - Current
- Spearheaded the transformation of a loss-making fashion label into a profitable brand within three years through strategic operational and creative interventions.
- Led the complete redesign of brand identity, elevating its market presence through impactful styling, curated campaigns, and enhanced customer experiences.
- Oversaw all aspects of operations — from vendor management to logistics — streamlining processes and optimizing costs without compromising quality.
- Personally sourced materials and built relationships with key vendors and manufacturers across multiple locations, negotiating favourable terms and onboarding reliable partners.
- Directed the interior design of retail and studio spaces, creating immersive brand environments that reflect the label’s identity.
- Conceptualized and executed high-impact marketing campaigns; styled and coordinated photoshoots to align with brand aesthetics and campaign goals.
- Identified operational inefficiencies and brand gaps, implementing corrective strategies that reversed downward trends and repositioned the brand for growth.
- Developed SOPs, managed cross-functional teams, and ensured alignment between design, marketing, production, and sales functions.
- Successfully turned around a financially struggling company into a profitable brand in under three years.
- Increased brand visibility and customer engagement through curated campaigns and elevated content strategy.
- Designed and executed the interiors for the brand at various locations, improving customer experience and brand alignment.
- Led a high-performing team across design, marketing, and operations with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Expanded the brand to five locations.
Freelance Fashion Stylist
Siddharth Shashankan
Cochin, IN
01.2021 - 02.2022
- Collaborated with a team to organize, style, and set up editorial and commercial shoots, ensuring alignment with brand and campaign vision.
- Worked closely with photographers, makeup artists, and models to create compelling visual stories.
- Provided clients with expert styling advice, helping them develop their signature looks and refine their personal style.
- Conducted research for fashion trends and liaised with showrooms to secure high-quality merchandise for shoots.
Owner /Creative Director
Hangar Atelier
Chennai, IN
10.2009 - 12.2020
- Founded and built Hangar Atelier, a luxury and ready-to-wear fashion brand known for its refined designs and celebrity clientele.
- Designed bespoke collections for women’s, men’s, and kidswear, blending modern aesthetics with timeless silhouettes.
- Directed seasonal collections and campaigns, showcasing at international fashion events like Mercedes Benz Asia Fashion Week (2014) and Indonesia Fashion Week (2015).
- Managed all business operations, from product development to sales forecasting and brand positioning.
- Recruited, trained, and led a creative team of designers, stylists, and production specialists.
- Styled and directed fashion shows, lookbooks, editorial shoots, and campaigns, ensuring high-quality visual representation of the brand.
- Mentored students from top fashion schools (NIFT, Pearl Academy, Central Saint Martins) in design techniques and creative problem-solving.
- Successfully launched and expanded Hangar Atelier into a recognized brand in the fashion industry.
- Featured in leading fashion magazines for design excellence, known for understated glamour and incredible detailing.
- Organized successful charity fashion shows, with proceeds benefiting local causes, including a showcase at the Red Dot Museum in Singapore.
- Established long-term relationships with premium fabric suppliers, optimizing cost while maintaining exceptional quality.
Professor
Pearl Academy Of Fashion
Chennai, IN
09.2009 - 08.2010
- Taught undergraduate courses on design theory, fashion illustration, and garment construction.
- Encouraged creativity and innovation in students, fostering an environment of collaboration and idea-sharing.
- Developed course materials, lesson plans, and assessments aligned with academic and industry standards.
- Mentored students on portfolio development and career planning, many of whom went on to successful careers in fashion.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design
12.2007
Awarded Best Design
Skills
- Fashion design and Styling
- Brand Strategy & Identity Development
- Vendor Sourcing & Negotiation
- Marketing & Campaign Strategy
- Interior Design & Space Planning
- Budget Management & Cost Control
- Creative Direction & Visual Merchandising
- Product Development & Trend Forecasting
- Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Training and Development
- Project Planning and Coordination
- Time Management & Schedule Coordination
Languages
Malayalam
English
Hindi
Tamil
Timeline
Head of Operations & Design - Lulu Celebrate
04.2022 - Current
Freelance Fashion Stylist - Siddharth Shashankan
01.2021 - 02.2022
Owner /Creative Director - Hangar Atelier
10.2009 - 12.2020
Professor - Pearl Academy Of Fashion
09.2009 - 08.2010
Raffles Design Institute - Bachelor of Arts, Fashion Design