Kinal Mandliya

BA (Hons) Fashion Design

By the time Kinal began her undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University, she had already launched a successful sustainable fashion brand. Furthering her knowledge and skills at BCU, she has since showcased her business at New York Fashion Week and received notable press attention.

“I began exploring fashion soon after graduating from school at 16. I then studied it at institutions in India, where I became increasingly interested in the sustainability side of things. I noticed how perfectly usable fabric was often neglected in markets and businesses. This observation eventually became the foundation of Soi & Doro, the sustainable fashion accessories brand I started at age 17.

“I founded Soi & Doro with the belief that fashion can be beautiful, high quality and sustainable at the same time. My brand creates fashion accessories using repurposed and surplus textiles, giving existing materials another life. 

“I saw the same unsustainable practices on a much larger scale during the Covid-19 pandemic. I was working for my family business and I discovered that fabrics purchased in bulk were often left in storage. Instead of letting these materials go to waste, I began experimenting with ways to transform them into accessories. I created scrunchies and within weeks demand grew significantly.

“This strengthened my decision to pursue my education further. I wanted to broaden my perspective and understand how fashion, sustainability, research and innovation could come together. BCU stood out to me because of its strong creative environment and the opportunity to learn alongside people from different backgrounds and cultures.

“My experience at BCU was genuinely a journey of growth, learning and resilience. I was determined to make the most of my time at BCU because I genuinely wanted to grow as a designer. The people who supported me, the knowledge I gained and the opportunities I created for myself are what I choose to carry forward. 

“Since graduation, I have continued developing the brand through online sales and a number of UK marketplace events. The latter have enabled me to meet customers, understand different perspectives on conscious fashion, and represent Indian creativity and sustainability in the UK. Some particular milestones that stand out include showcasing my work at both New York and Birmingham Fashion Week, featuring in Forbes India and Birmingham Gazette.

“My journey has also expanded into writing and sustainability advocacy. I have completed 15 chapters of my first book on sustainability and conscious fashion, which I hope will be published in 2027. I am also focused on growing Soi & Doro internationally while gaining international perspectives on sustainability.

“To anyone studying or considering studying fashion, I’d recommend you to stay curious and keep learning. Fashion is constantly changing so never stop researching, experimenting and challenging your own ideas. Explore different cultures, techniques, materials and perspectives, and allow them to influence your work.

“Secondly, if a door doesn’t open, create your own. I started Soi & Doro and learned that taking the first step, even with limited resources, can lead to opportunities you never expected. Put your work out there, attend markets, speak to people and build genuine connections.

“Finally, know what you are going to do. The fashion industry is competitive. Having a clear purpose will help you stay grounded. For example, sustainability has always been at the heart of my work. Keep learning, keep creating and don’t let anyone else’s opinion define what you are capable of achieving.”