Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Solo Fashion Designer

Or how I went from “what am I doing?!” to “look what I made!

Let’s be real—being a one-woman fashion studio isn’t always romantic fabric swatches and twirling mannequins. Sometimes, it’s standing in your workspace at 1AM, surrounded by thread scraps, staring at a half-finished dress, and asking, “Why did I think I could do this again?”

Yep, self-doubt and I? We’ve shared many a late-night sewing session.

But every time I pushed through that doubt and finished a piece, every time I saw someone light up while wearing something I made, it whispered back: “You’re on the right path.”

Now, while I say solo, the truth is—I didn’t do all of this completely alone. My college friend (and resident UI/UX wizard) helped me bring my website dreams to life. I even learned how to build on Framer in the process! Who knew lines of code and clean layouts could be so satisfying?

And then there’s my school friend, who shows up to my workspace each week, armed with pattern paper and pure good vibes. She’s been there through the late-night sewing marathons, the coffee-fueled fabric decisions, and the “wait… is this sleeve inside out?” moments. I’m beyond grateful.

Studio Nish was never about perfection. It’s about heart. It’s about creating pieces that feel like you. Pieces that tell a story—even if that story includes a mild emotional breakdown over interfacing.

To anyone doubting themselves while chasing a dream: you’ve got this. Trust the vision, embrace the chaos, and never underestimate the power of a good support system.

With love & stitches,
Nishtha Vij