Two Sisters, One Dream: The Story of Stanwells Kids, a Women-Led Brand
Every brand has a beginning. Ours didn't start in a boardroom or with a big cheque. It started with two sisters, a small room, and a stubborn belief that children's clothing in India could be made with more care than it usually was. Nearly a decade later, that belief is still the heart of everything we do.
It began in 2016, with five ladies and a lot of hope
Back in 2016, we — Shejina and Shehna Shajahan — were still students when we decided to start Stanwells Kids. We had no industry connections and no large investment behind us. What we had was a genuine love for children's fashion and the conviction that we could build something of our own from the ground up.
In the beginning, there were just five of us. Five people, a handful of designs, and a lot of long days. We made plenty of mistakes and learned from every single one of them. Slowly, order by order and family by family, our humble student-led venture started to grow into something real — a brand that parents across the country could recognize and trust.
A women-led business, on purpose
We are proud to be a women-led brand — and for us, that has never been just a line on a page. It shapes the real, everyday decisions: who we hire, how we treat the people who work with us, and the attention we put into every single piece that leaves our unit.
In a market where so much is built on simply reselling and importing, we chose the harder path of making things ourselves. Today our team includes our own designer, a supervisor, skilled production staff, and an in-house tailoring unit. Every dress is designed and stitched by people we know, in a place we run. That control is exactly what lets us stand behind our quality with real confidence.
Shejina and Shehana Shajahan, the sisters behind Stanwells Kids.
Born together as sisters, building Stanwells Kids together as founders.
From small beginnings to a nationwide presence
As we grew, we expanded our operations into two main areas, each playing an important role in the business. To serve our growing customer base better, we created a clear distinction between the two.
Our wholesale section continues under the Stanwells Kids Garments name, focusing on bulk orders for retailers and giving shops across India access to our products at fair, competitive prices. We are also available in market places such as Amazon, Myntra & Mirraw. Our retail section works with direct to customer website sale to reach families directly through a range of platforms. Both work hand in hand as partners, each playing to its strengths so we can reach more families in more places.
Made with care, made to last
We specialise in occasion and ethnic wear for baby girls — birthday frocks, lehenga choli sets, premium gowns, party wear, and festive outfits for little ones from three months to eight years old.
Because we run our own production unit, we control quality from the fabric all the way to the finished garment. We choose soft, breathable materials that are kind to a child's delicate skin, and we build our dresses to handle the demands of a child's day — the running, the playing, the celebrating. Our made-to-order approach means we waste less and pay far closer attention to fit and finish. We genuinely care that a dress feels as good as it looks, because we know it's being worn by a child on a day that matters to their family.
The Manpower Behind Stanwells Kids
Behind every Stanwells Kids dress is a team of real people — our in-house designer, supervisor, skilled tailoring staff, and production unit — who bring each piece to life by hand in Kerala. This is the manpower, and the heart, behind our women-led brand.
The Stanwells Kids team, together on a festive onam celebration
Celebrating Onam together at Stanwells Kids.
Behind the scenes at Stanwells Kids.
A look back at our journey so far.
The people who make Stanwells Kids possible.
Rooted in Kerala, serving all of India
Our home is Kerala, and our culture runs through everything we make — never more so than during Onam, when families come to us to dress their little ones for the most important celebration of the year. There is nothing quite like seeing a child in a kasavu-inspired outfit we designed and stitched ourselves.
From those local roots, we've grown to reach families right across the country. Stanwells Kids is now available on our own website as well as major platforms including Amazon and Myntra, making it easier for parents everywhere to find clothing they can trust — that perfect balance of comfort, quality, and style.
What we believe
At Stanwells Kids, we think of ourselves as more than a clothing brand. We are a family, and our mission is simple: to create clothing that parents can trust and children love to wear. Comfort and durability matter to us as much as how a dress looks in a photograph. Kids grow fast and move constantly, so we prioritize high-quality fabrics and thoughtful designs that let them move freely and feel confident on their special days.
Still being written
We're proud of how far we've come, but honestly, we're just as excited about what's next — new collections, a wider reach, and a constant effort to do children's fashion a little better than before. Through all of it, one thing hasn't changed: our deep gratitude to the families who have trusted us to be part of their children's most special moments.
From two sisters with a dream to a brand that families across India rely on — this is the Stanwells Kids story. And it's still being written. Thank you for being part of the journey.
Explore our latest new arrivals, browse our birthday dress collection, or discover ethnic lehenga choli for your little one.
