The 90-hour workweek comment from L&T’s Chairperson has sparked a big debate. His remark about ‘how long you can stare at your wife’ and the idea that you should just get to work didn’t sit well with many people.
Curious about how this resonates in the fashion industry, we turned to top leaders from brands for their take on work-life balance.
After speaking with several leaders, one thing became clear: no matter the approach, most leaders believe that spending quality time with their spouses—or even just staring at them— adds real value to life.
Turns out, everyone in the fashion industry has their own approach to balance. Some focus on taking regular breaks, while others believe in work-life integration—where work and personal life coexist naturally. A few even draw inspiration from Coco Chanel, who blended work and life seamlessly.
Then, there are those who are fully dedicated to their work, especially if they don’t have family commitments. In the end, we got responses that addressed the issue of work-life balance with a nuanced perspective that truly captures the complexity of the topic.
1. “I follow a quarterly approach for holidays”
With 25 years of experience in the apparel industry, spanning factory management to brand leadership, I have worked across diverse cultures in India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Egypt and Bahrain, while also engaging with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Vietnam. This journey has shaped my understanding of work-life balance in a fast-paced, highly demanding industry. My perspective is that work-life balance depends largely on two key factors: First, company culture and leadership play a crucial role. Some organisations foster an environment where employees feel empowered to manage their time effectively, while others create a culture of constant pressure. How managers and leaders handle their teams, whether they trust, delegate and support employees or micromanage and overburden them, directly impacts work-life balance. A positive culture enables individuals to be productive without feeling overwhelmed.
Second, work-life balance is deeply connected to how well an individual fits into their role. If someone is well-suited for their job, possesses the right skills and manages responsibilities efficiently, they can naturally maintain balance. However, if a person struggles due to a mismatch in capabilities or expectations, work becomes stressful, leading to burnout and an imbalance that affects both personal and professional life.
Over the years, I’ve developed my own structured approach to maintaining balance in life. I make sure to take time off regularly, planning two short holidays each year, where I combine one leave day with two consecutive holidays to make a three-day break. I also make sure to take two long holidays, combining five leave days with a weekend for a full seven-day break. I follow a quarterly approach:
Quarter 1 for a short holiday, Quarter 2 for a long holiday, Quarter 3 for another short holiday and Quarter 4 for a long one. I also make sure to take leave on personal milestones—my wife’s and kids’ birthdays, our wedding anniversary and my own birthday. Sometimes, I even align my holidays with these special occasions to make the most of them.
On weekends, I have some rituals to unwind and relax. We often dine out as a family, which helps us relax and enjoy each other’s company. There are also lazy weekends with Swiggy, where I order in and give my wife a break from cooking. Movie time is another part of our routine, allowing us to bond as a family while enjoying a good film together.
I also make sure to celebrate festivals with enthusiasm, as they bring joy and a sense of togetherness. Regularly meeting friends is another way I maintain strong social connections. Of course, celebrating New Year’s Eve is a must for me to welcome the year with joy and positivity.
Narendra Babu, VP Sourcing, Jockey
2. “I prioritise nutrition, meditation and exercise”
I can tell you it’s a delicate dance, but it’s absolutely achievable! First off all, I prioritise nutrition, meditation and exercise. Eating a plant-based diet not only fuels my body but also aligns with my values of sustainability. I make it a point to compost and grow my own vegetables through a community farm in Gurgaon—it’s a grounding experience that connects me to nature and my community. Social connections are crucial too. I dedicate my weekends to spending time with family and friends, which helps recharge my spirit. Travelling regularly allows me to learn and gain new perspectives, which is vital in this ever-evolving industry. Incorporating regular workouts—whether trekking, walking or swimming—keeps me energised and focused. I believe that work should be a place of encouragement and inspiration, where I can help others while pursuing my passion.
Kriti Tula, Founder, Doodlage
3. “Fashion never sleeps, so I blend it in”
Let’s be honest – in the fashion business, work-life balance is a myth. It’s all about work-life integration – where both coexist in a way that makes sense. The fashion world operates 24/7 – new trends, customer demands and launches which don’t wait. Instead of separating work and life, I integrate them by finding ways to enjoy both simultaneously, whether it’s brainstorming over coffee with friends or drawing inspiration from travel experiences.
From product launches to store openings, my schedule is packed. The key to integration? Making time for personal life just as I do for work. Whether it’s hitting the gym (because a strong body powers a strong mind) or spending time with family, I lock it in like an important business deal.
Fashion is not just my job; it’s my passion. The excitement of seeing a new collection come to life or a store launch buzzing with energy makes it easy to blend work into life without it feeling like a burden.
Whether it’s a viral campaign, a successful store opening or even a great team brainstorming session, celebrating small victories helps keep my morale high and prevents burnout.
Chetan Siyal, CMO and Founding Member, Snitch
4. “I’ve had no work-life balance so far”
Back in December 2019, Pink Moon participated in Myntra’s EORS sale for the first time. I stayed up until midnight to see how things were going and then I kept checking the sales dashboard every hour. It was exciting to watch the sales grow every minute as more orders came in. This is just one example of how the e-commerce business runs 24/7… it works at night, on weekends, holidays and even during festivals. The industry is always changing, with shifting customer behaviour, trends and raw material prices, so you have to be alert to stay ahead.
For me personally, not having a family or other responsibilities at home has allowed me to focus fully on building Pink Moon. I can honestly say I’ve had no work-life balance so far, but I’m trying every day to build a strong team that can work independently. I’m also working on creating processes that don’t rely on specific people, so the company can grow and I can have time to learn yoga.
Divya Goenka, Founder, The Pink Moon
5. “Passion turns work into pleasure”
There’s a saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” and this couldn’t be truer in this world of constant creativity from sketching designs and sourcing materials to chasing trends. It’s a lifestyle, not just a 9-to-5 job.
My life today is a beautiful mix of work and passion. I find a lot of inspiration in the words of the legendary designer, Coco Chanel: “Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” Chanel was deeply immersed in her creations, never separating herself from the world she was shaping. She lived and breathed her brand—her dedication, creativity and relentless drive to break fashion norms were her lifeblood. Yet, she also knew the importance of rejuvenation. Whether it was finding inspiration in her time at the French Riviera or through her interactions with artists and intellectuals, Chanel’s ability to constantly recharge creatively is what allowed her to create timeless designs that still impact fashion today. When your work is your passion, it doesn’t feel like a burden and that’s the sweet spot!
Rajiv Bajaj, Head – Product and Design, Jack & Jones
6. “Everyone’s priorities must be respected”
At our office, we believe that family comes first, it’s the most important thing. Everyone, no matter their role, is encouraged to take care of family matters. If someone needs time for something at home, we support them fully. We work as a team to cover for anyone who needs to miss work, ensuring that no one feels overwhelmed.
In our sourcing team, for instance, we have 35 people. Occasionally, some let me know they’re attending an event, a party, or need to take care of something personal, like a parent-teacher meeting. I’m completely fine with it, as long as they’re open and honest about it.
This reflects the open work culture we’ve built, where everyone’s priorities are respected. The flexibility and mutual respect we share helps everyone perform at their best, knowing they can manage personal matters while contributing to our work.
The key is that no one feels insecure here. We all help each other out. For instance, even when someone isn’t feeling well, they still show up for important moments because they want to be part of the team.
A great example of this was last week when we were about to launch a new product. One of our managers had been working on it for two months, but two days before the presentation, he injured his foot badly. We told him to rest, but he still showed up with a bandage because he was committed to the presentation. That’s the kind of dedication we have.
When we take care of the people in our company, they take care of the business in return.
Rishi Behal, VP Sourcing, The Souled Store
7. “Really loving what you do makes all the difference”
There is a huge business element in any fashion business which can be demanding. Simple things like setting boundaries, embracing flexibility and making time for self-care can go a long way in helping a team stay inspired, motivated and creative!
The Bear House is a 9-to-9 menswear brand that empowers the modern man to seamlessly transition from office to after hours. Our work culture is very similar to this philosophy. We create a fluid, easygoing ambience at work where we firmly believe that people do their best work when they feel their best. We try to ensure that our team enjoys the process of creation and being enablers of change! Really loving what you do makes all the difference!”
Harsh Somaiya, Co-founder, The Bear House
(With exclusive inputs from Kannupriya Mehta)
