Brands
Sania serves aces in style as Allen Solly’s first womenswear ambassador
MUMBAI: When sport meets style, the result is nothing short of smashing. Allen Solly Woman, from the house of Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Limited (ABLBL), has signed on none other than tennis legend and global fashion icon Sania Mirza as its first-ever brand ambassador. It’s a partnership that brings together aces and accessories, forehands and fashion, under one confident banner.
Sania needs no introduction. From becoming the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam title to collecting a cabinet of honours including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2015 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016, she has been a pioneer on court and an inspiration off it. Just as effortlessly, she has evolved into a style icon, blending athletic grit with elegance and individuality, embodying the very essence Allen Solly Woman seeks to celebrate.
“Allen Solly has always encouraged people to express themselves freely, something I deeply connect with,” said Sania Mirza. “I’ve lived life on my own terms, both on and off the court, and I am excited to partner with a brand that champions confidence and style for today’s women.”
For the brand, the moment marks a milestone. “We are delighted to welcome Sania Mirza as the face of Allen Solly Womenswear,” said Allen Solly Chief Business Officer Richa Pai. “Sania is a true icon who has broken barriers and inspired women to define success on their own terms. Her blend of confidence, style, and individuality perfectly reflects what Allen Solly stands for. This partnership opens a new chapter for us, one that celebrates women who embrace diversity and self-expression.”
Allen Solly Womenswear has already carved a reputation for rewriting the rulebook on women’s fashion. It pioneered workwear that married professionalism with contemporary flair, created casualwear that resonates with youthful energy, and built one of the largest handbag collections in India. Now, with Sania as its face, the brand is ready to serve an even bolder narrative.
A new campaign film featuring Sania Mirza is set to launch soon, bringing this partnership alive with the same energy she displayed on court, a mix of passion, confidence, and individuality.
From Wimbledon whites to wardrobe whites, Sania Mirza has always been about making her presence felt. With Allen Solly, she’s not just playing the game, she’s setting the style.
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
