Q and A with Vinti M. from India, living in San Diego, California

“We should cherish every moment we have with our loved ones and surround ourselves with people who care and uplift us.”

Intro: My name is Vinti Mehra and I live in sunny San Diego, California, with my husband, two kids, and a dog named Maggi.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: I have always been passionate about fabrics, their texture, and patterns. I like creating, expressing, and storytelling through textile.

I have worked in the garment industry for two and a half decades. Five years ago, on Earth Day, I started my business: The Mahi Boutique.

Mahi means ‘Earth’ in Sanskrit and is also an amalgam of my kids’ names.

My boutique focuses on timeless and sustainable styles with purpose and care. I design clothing using organic cotton, linen, and 100% cotton, focusing on essentials that embody both simplicity and longevity.

My love of fabrics taught me to create patterns using zero or minimum waste pattern techniques. I am deeply committed to creating every piece with responsibility and intention.

For me, fabrics are a medium for thoughtful design, ethical living, and quiet beauty. My passion extends beyond fashion, it’s about shaping a better future one garment at a time.

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Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I grew up in a very traditional and culturally rich environment in a small town in India, where everyone knew everyone!

I had a wonderful childhood with my loving parents and a sweet little sister.

Education was an integral and important part of my upbringing.

While my dad, being a pharmacist, worked long hours, my mom was always there for my sister and I.

My love for fabrics, patterns, and sewing came together at a very early stage of my life. We used to go shopping for fabrics, mostly cotton, and have our clothes tailored. Early on, we realized the importance of caring for and mending our clothes, and even passing down our lightly used clothing to younger siblings and cousins.

So, when the time came for me to decide what I would pursue in my career, it was a no-brainer. I did my postgraduate in garment manufacturing technology and began working in the garment industry shortly thereafter.

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Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: Life is the most valuable thing we have. It is the root of everything, the chance to feel, to grow, to create, to love, and to be loved. We should cherish every moment we have with our loved ones and surround ourselves with people who care and uplift us. Stay humble and close to our roots.

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Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: Feminism to me is equality of all genders in aspects of fairness, choice, and freedom. The ability for everyone, regardless of gender, to live fully and authentically with respect and dignity.

MORE FROM VINTI: Over the years of my sustainable journey, I have realized that it’s about taking small steps towards a better future. Kind Regards, Vinti Mehra

Shop The Mahi Boutique here.