Story 8 - From Threads to Themes: The Story Behind Alankara by Anitha Suresh

At 48, Anitha Suresh stands as a glowing example of how passion, patience, and perseverance can transform a simple hobby into a thriving business. The creative force behind Alankara, Anitha’s journey is one woven with tradition, talent, and deep-rooted family support.

What began as a pastime crafting beautiful outfits for herself and her daughter, Trisha Suresh, slowly evolved into something much bigger. Friends and family began to notice the intricate craftsmanship and often requested pieces of their own. One request led to another, and before long, Alankara was born—a brand that now offers bespoke event décor and boutique services, each crafted with immense love and detail.

Anitha attributes her creative instincts to her mother, believing that her flair for design and detailing is a gift passed down through generations. But what truly brought this dream to life was the unwavering support from her family, especially her daughter Trisha. Today, the mother-daughter duo make a powerful team. While Anitha leads the vision and execution, Trisha contributes her photography skills, helping Alankara gain visibility and attract new clients.

Despite being the founder, Anitha is a hands-on entrepreneur. She personally oversees almost every detail from sourcing materials to styling event venues, ensuring each project reflects the client’s vision and her signature style. Her attention to detail is relentless, and she constantly seeks feedback from her team and daughter to refine every element.

One of her favorite projects to date was for L&T, where everything came together perfectly just as she had envisioned. The event didn’t just earn her admiration, it brought in a wave of new clients who were captivated by her work. Another favorite project of hers turns out to be her very first project back in 2015, because of which she gained a lot of confidence to pursue this further.

Anitha’s creative process is deeply intuitive. She finds inspiration during quiet moments outdoors, absorbing the world around her. From there, she builds on the ideas, always beginning with deep conversations with her clients to understand exactly what they’re looking for, whether it's a tailored outfit or a grand event setup. She shares reference visuals, aligns expectations, and iterates until both she and the client are on the same page.

For her, creativity is therapeutic. The long hours and high-pressure deadlines are softened by the joy she finds in creation. However, the most nerve-wracking part, she admits, is waiting for the client’s reaction on the day of the event. “That final moment matters most to me,” she says.

While she loves working with clients who give her full creative freedom and trust her vision, not every project is smooth sailing. Some clients can be overly involved, while others come in with last-minute requests that leave little room for planning. Yet, even under pressure, Anitha has pulled off stunning last-minute setups that leave everyone in awe.

One of the bigger challenges in this industry, she notes, is unpredictability, quiet months with no weddings, or a sudden influx of overlapping projects. But through it all, her passion keeps her grounded.

When asked what advice she has for others looking to start something of their own, Anitha offers thoughtful wisdom: “Focus on what you’re truly good at and grow from there. Don’t just copy others hoping to make a quick profit. That isn't sustainable in the long run.”

Looking ahead, Anitha dreams of growing Alankara with more purpose. Many of her team members come from Kolkata and bring their families to Bangalore in search of better lives. Often, their children struggle in schools due to the language barrier. Anitha, in her own quiet way, is already doing her part teaching them Kannada whenever she can. But in the future, she hopes to invest more resources into helping them adapt and grow, just like she did with Alankara.

Anitha Suresh isn’t just running a business she’s building a legacy rooted in creativity, compassion, and community. And her story reminds us that beautiful things happen when talent meets intention. Follow Anitha's work below:

Alankara Designs

Alankara Decor