Building a Purpose-Led Brand Through Sustainable Fashion

“Passion isn’t always a straight path. Sometimes it takes years of struggle, wrong turns, and family expectations before you find the space to create what you truly love.”

In this inspiring episode of The Forties Formula podcast, hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with creative duo BEATRICE NANNINI and NAVEEN MURUGAN, founders of Raja Rani, a sustainable fashion brand that blends music, culture, and conscious living. Their story is one of bold imagination, transforming traditional Indian saris into kimonos that carry heritage, artistry, and heart.

They share the story behind upcycling saris into one-of-a-kind kimonos, the cultural significance woven into every piece, and how their brand stays true to sustainability while scaling globally. From navigating creative challenges and using AI to streamline business, to building a loyal community that connects fashion, music, and experiences, Beatrice and Naveen reveal the heart and vision behind Raja Rani.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that true style is not just worn, it’s lived, created, and shared with intention.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 – Episode Snippet 03:44 – The meaning behind Raja Rani

06:18 – Naveen's backstories: pursuing passion despite obstacles

11:59 – How Naveen and Beatrice combined music and fashion

17:34 – Testing ideas and community support

19:21 – Upcycling saris and production challenges

21:31 – How size-free philosophy reduce waste and honor body diversity

26:02 – How do you scale a business that is truly sustainable?

28:35 – Happiness over revenue

31:14 – The Replay project

34:11 – Fashion shifts spark unique sari designs

37:20 – Color, energy, and personal expression

38:28 – Hot or Hype with Naveen and Beatrice

42:48 – Using AI in business without replacing creativity

48:41 – Rajarani as a unique ecosystem

52:07 – Upcoming projects of Raja Rani

53:46 – The 40s formula: self-love, selectivity, and following your heart

56:02 – Collaboration, timing, and authentic engagement

This episode was supported by the creative team at Raja Rani - shop our looks and much more sustainable style at Raja Rani, and at Singapore-based Boutiques Fair Nov 20-23.

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