Sustainable fashion is a growing trend in the fashion industry that focuses on creating clothing that has a minimal impact on the environment. This includes using sustainable materials, reducing waste during production, and promoting fair labor practices. The concept of sustainable fashion also emphasizes the longevity of clothing and encourages consumers to invest in high-quality, timeless pieces that can be worn for years to come. By prioritizing sustainability in fashion, we can reduce the negative impact of the industry on the environment and create a more ethical and responsible approach to fashion consumption.
Meet Gurminder Matharu, a fashion enthusiast with thirty years of experience in the apparel industry. She is leading her team at Ltdedition to bring the best apparel to their customers. As the company’s ambassador to the world of sourcing, buying, production, and distribution, Gurminder is the driving force behind the success of this sustainable fashion brand.
With her force and passion for this business, Gurminder founded Ltdedition with her team to bring the fashion industry the dedication it deserves in creating the best sustainable products. Join us in celebrating this fashion industry insider, Gurminder Matharu, and her commitment to sustainable fashion.
Gurminder is a passionate professional who knows how to lead her team in creating high-quality commercial products with a sustainable core. Her ability to maintain long-lasting business relationships with like-minded manufacturers sets her apart from the rest. Her extensive knowledge of the European fashion industry allows her to think along with the customer and deliver customized services. She offers Ltdedition customers a variety of high-end products that are both fashionable and sustainable.
The Company
In a world where sustainable fashion is becoming increasingly important, Ltdedition is working tirelessly to make this vision a reality. It has partnered with brands and retailers to create shared value through its intuitive approach to sustainability.
As a global sourcing forum, Ltdedition works with authentic suppliers who are certified for sustainable products, primarily based in India, Bangladesh, and China. The team is dedicated to managing the supply chain for a range of fashion needs, including apparel, shoes, accessories, and home furnishings, ensuring that customers receive high-quality products within the shortest possible timeframe.
Environmental sustainability is at the core of Ltdedition’s mission. Looking towards the future with great aspirations, the company understands the importance of preserving nature, which it sees as being as close to the divine as possible. As a result, Ltdedition vows to continue prioritizing sustainability and ensuring that its customers never feel guilty about the impact of their fashion choices on the planet.
From Childhood Fascination to Running a Multinational Company
Since her early childhood, Gurminder had been fascinated by the process of garment making. Watching her mother stitch school uniforms and clothes at home on a Singer’s hand machine sparked her interest in fashion design. After completing her high school education, Gurminder pursued her passion and enrolled in a fashion design program at an institute in New Delhi.
Under the tutelage of renowned teachers like Ms. Vandana Narang and Ms. Bani Jha, Gurminder honed her skills in garment making, putting in long hours of hard work to perfect every step of the process. She gained practical experience by creating garments for herself and her siblings, applying her theoretical knowledge to create beautiful pieces.
Gurminder entered the fashion industry by starting at a small export house in Greater Kailash. Over time, she worked her way up to running and overseeing the entire sample room of a larger export house. Her hard work and dedication eventually led her to become the Country Head for a European multinational, where she ran their head office in Gurgaon for over 25 years.
Starting a Company During the Pandemic
Starting a new company amidst the pandemic when other businesses were shutting down was a daunting task for Gurminder. The challenges of working from home during the lockdown only added to the difficulties. From managing paperwork to designing the company’s website, every step came with its own set of hurdles. The biggest challenge was finding and retaining customers, as retail shops were closing down and orders were dropping.
Despite the obstacles, Gurminder persevered, and the first order was a turning point. The graph steadily improved, but the pressure of all the work remained. Working 24×7, seven days a week, Gurminder felt the weight of responsibility for not just her own family but also those who worked with her.
The pressure was tough to mitigate, and Gurminder often found herself praying for strength and guidance. Nevertheless, she remained grateful for the people who believed in her vision for LTDedition and trusted her to provide for them. Though times were tough, Gurminder knew that she had the expertise and determination to succeed, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
Resilience, Integrity, and Creating a Positive Work Culture
One of the significant milestones in Gurminder’s professional journey was her perspective on leadership and the impact it had on her attitude and behavior towards the industry. She believes that respect is not something that can be demanded, but rather earned through gratitude and good behaviour. To be a leader, one must have resilience and integrity, as these qualities have the potential to bring out the best outcome. Gurminder also emphasizes the importance of creating a positive and trustworthy work culture, where people can openly communicate their ideas without fear of judgment or doubt.
Gurminder recognizes that her success as a business leader is not solely based on her own efforts, but also on the people who have accepted her as their leader and supported her outside of the garment industry. She believes in the interconnectedness of work and life and strives to create a work environment where everyone’s input and suggestions are valued. For Gurminder, leadership is not about personal gain, but rather about serving the people she works with.
Exploring the Vision and Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Future
For three decades, Gurminder has been immersed in the apparel industry, surrounded by a network of talented individuals from diverse fields. She has explored fairs, traveled to exotic locales like printing and weaving mills, and regularly met with manufacturers to stay abreast of developments in her industry. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Gurminder never shies away from new technologies, preferring instead to surround herself with skilled experts in this area.
But LTDedition is more than just Gurminder’s vision – it’s a shared dream among a tight-knit team of collaborators. Through years of collaboration, they’ve built a foundation of trust and mutual respect that fuels their passion for sustainable fashion. Together, they strive to create a platform that will promote “sustainable fashion for good” and unite people around the world in this common cause.
At the heart of their vision is a belief in the power of business to effect positive change in the world. Through a shared set of values, they hope to inspire others to join them in their pursuit of a more sustainable future. By doing their part to create a better tomorrow, they believe they can create a brighter future for all.
Valuable Advice for Young Women Leaders
As a successful entrepreneur and business leader, Gurminder has some valuable advice for young, emerging women leaders. Firstly, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, even during the most challenging of times. Keeping your head held high and believing in yourself and your vision is essential for success.
Secondly, Gurminder stresses the importance of treating the people you work with well. These individuals are your colleagues, your peers, and your team, and they will be there to support you throughout your journey. So, it’s crucial to treat them with kindness, empathy, and respect, regardless of their position in the hierarchy.
Gurminder also notes that holding a title may give you authority, but it’s important to use that power wisely and with firmness, so that you never have to use it. Ultimately, good leadership is about how you treat people, and the mark of a great leader is someone who can inspire and motivate their team to achieve great things. By following these principles, young women leaders can set themselves up for success and make a positive impact in their industries and beyond.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
