Sisters Shweta, Ankita Dhariwal On Creating Culturally Rooted Babywear

Most of us probably have that one childhood picture where we’re crying in a party outfit. Even now, as adults, the thought of wearing a synthetic or netted dress gives us the jitters, not to mention those uncomfortable sleeves! However, two Indian sisters and co-founders are on a mission to change that.

Shweta and Ankita Dhariwal are the founders of Whitewater Kids, a brand that reimagines babywear as comfortable, functional, and unapologetically Indian. Shweta is an NID graduate and mother of two, and Ankita is an alumna of the London College of Communication. Shweta’s journey with vitiligo and Ankita’s experience with a neuromuscular disorder have also shaped their perspective on building a brand rooted in comfort, inclusivity, and care.

In an interview with SheThePeople, the Dhariwal sisters spoke about their vision for creating a sustainable babywear brand and how their bond has evolved while working as co-founders.

Dhariwal Sisters In Conversation With SheThePeople

STP:  As adults, many of us often find synthetic and netted partywear uncomfortable, and it's undoubtedly more challenging for children. What sparked the idea to create comfortable yet stylish partywear for kids?

Shweta Dhariwal -  The thought really began with simply watching children move. They run, crawl under tables, do cartwheels in the middle of a living room, and dance with abandon. Yet, so much of partywear is designed for the complete opposite—silhouettes that restrict movement. As adults, we can politely suffer in uncomfortable clothes for a few hours, but children simply won’t. They tug, they fidget, they cry or sulk, or they strip down to whatever feels better.  

We wanted to create clothing where they could be their most joyful, unconscious self, without a parent needing to change them into something “comfortable” halfway through an event. Or the reverse, just for the “cake cutting” photographs. Our idea was to design products that allow a child to be fully present in the moment.

STP: In recent years, we’ve seen a wave of the ‘sad beige’ trend dominating children’s wear, with brands leaning into muted, neutral palettes for everything from clothing to blankets and towels. Amidst this, you’ve embraced vibrant colours. What inspired you to take that bold, joyful route?

Ankita Dhariwal-  For us, childhood is anything but muted. Children don’t hold back in their expression - from the way they chatter to how they colour outside the lines or paint a pink elephant without hesitation. Beige has its own elegance, but it doesn’t capture the spirited chaos of childhood.

Our palette is a balance of earthy hues and brights inspired by India itself: the bold turmeric yellows of a morning market, the reds and greens of Durga Puja, the layered blues of a Hyderabad evening sky. Colours aren’t just visual, they carry memory and emotion. They can make a child feel confident, joyful, and noticed. And in a country like India, where every festival, street corner, and home is alive with shades, it felt only natural to celebrate that vibrancy in our clothes.

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STP: Your collections beautifully reflect the folk art heritage of Kolkata. What was the thought process behind weaving this cultural narrative into your designs?

Ankita Dhariwal- We believe clothing can be more than fabric stitched together - it can tell stories. Kolkata’s folk art forms, whether it’s the running threads of kantha or the painted panels of patachitra, are not just decorative; they carry generations of storytelling within them. When a child wears a motif inspired by these traditions, they’re not just dressed up - they’re carrying a little piece of the artisan’s imagination with them. For us, it is also about re-imagining heritage: not keeping it locked up in museum glass, but letting it travel to playgrounds, birthday parties, and classrooms.

It’s a way of saying heritage is alive, fluid, and can evolve into something new, while still holding the weight of where it came from.

STP: As sisters and co-founders, how do you balance your professional roles with your personal bond? Would you say collaborating as siblings makes decision-making easier, or do you often bring differing perspectives to the table?

Shweta Dhariwal- We admit that while it is not easy, working with a sibling is like having both an anchor and a sparring partner. There’s a lifetime of shared experiences that means we don’t have to explain ourselves too much - an unspoken shorthand. But that doesn’t mean we agree on everything.

Our differences in perspective often bring the best out of our work, because we’re constantly challenging each other. Ankita draws on her first-hand customer interactions and marketing acumen, while I contribute design expertise from NID and strategy through my love for lifelong learning. 

STP: Your brand champions handloom and works closely with artisans. How has this hands-on, community-rooted approach shaped your journey?

Shweta & Ankita Dhariwal- Choosing to work directly with artisans has rooted our journey in something far deeper than just product creation. Every fabric choice, every stitch, every motif is grounded in the hands that make them and the lives they touch. This approach slows the process down, but it’s richer and far more rewarding. It’s not only about volume or profit, but also about a craftsperson’s respect, keeping a skill alive for another generation, and ensuring that the piece in a child’s wardrobe carries with it a story of love and livelihood of its maker.

STP: Handloom is deeply embedded in India’s cultural legacy. How have you navigated the balance between preserving this traditional craft and integrating modern technologies into your design and production processes?

Shweta Dhariwal-  While the hand block printing or embroidery we use is preserved exactly as it has been done for centuries, technology allows us to make these crafts more sustainable and accessible. By reducing sampling waste with digital prototypes, archiving designs so they’re not lost over time, or using communication tools to collaborate across distances, we have been able to use technology as a partner. The goal is not to replace the human hand, but to create an ecosystem where artisans’ work is not only preserved but also thrives in the contemporary world.