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Mahip Marwaha - Founder, Bling Empire
Have you ever looked at a celebrity in a dazzling gown or maxi and thought, “Why can’t I wear something like that on my special days?”
The sparkle, the confidence, the way the dress catches the light and eyes — it all feels so magical, yet far too expensive to own. You begin to believe that your dream outfit is reserved only for the rich and famous.
“But why should glamour only belong to the rich? That’s what I often used to think when I was an actor,” recalls Mahip Marwaha in an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia.
And so, in 2022, Mahip launched Bling Empire, a partywear fashion brand that is quietly redefining the idea of affordable luxury in India.
Custom Glamour for Every Body and Budget
Bling Empire offers handcrafted party dresses made with intention, detail and a whole lot of care. Every design is handmade and custom on delicate mesh to support intricate embroidery. Inside, each dress comes with an interlock lining that makes it not just look jaw-dropping but also feel incredibly comfortable to wear.
Currently, the brand offers dresses for all sizes — whether slim, plus-size, XXL, or XXXL — across categories like co-ord sets and jumpsuits. The collection includes over 100 designs, including maxis, midis, and minis with names like Arabian Nights, Beaded Eclipse, Diamond Studded Maxi, Golden Fringe Jumpsuit, Middle East Luxe Dress, Silver Elegance Dress, and many more.
“Each dress you see on our website is handmade and takes around 20–25 days to be ready,” says the founder of Bling Empire in the Startup Pedia interview.
Despite the exceptional craftsmanship, the prices remain refreshingly accessible. Short dresses are priced between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000—nearly half the cost of similar styles from other brands. Gowns range from ₹30,000 to ₹40,000, whereas high-end designers often start at ₹80,000 and can go up to ₹1 lakh.
“A girl from a middle-class family can still afford a beautiful ₹10,000–₹15,000 dress for her birthday,” Mahip notes.
From ₹5 Lakh to ₹1 Crore Monthly Revenue
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Since Mahip didn’t have a big budget to start with, in 2021, he began with an investment of ₹5 lakh and hired a single tailor to stitch the dresses. From designing to sourcing materials, Mahip did everything on his own.
“Since I studied fashion design and also worked as an actor, I have a deep interest in and knowledge of fashion,” Mahip shared.
Two years ago, Mahip was generating an annual revenue of ₹5–6 crore by exporting dresses to international brands. Yet, he felt unfulfilled. “I was handling everything—from designing to stitching—but the final products were sold under their brand names. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I felt a strong urge to build something of my own,” Mahip shared in an interview with Startup Pedia.
Today, Bling Empire generates ₹1 crore in monthly revenue. While the majority of his customers are from Delhi, orders are now pouring in from other metro cities and even Tier 2 towns.
“Our dresses are so affordable and dazzling that I’m receiving inquiries from Tier 2 cities like Punjab, Dehradun, and other places,” he added.
Although the brand was launched in 2022, Mahip officially launched The Bling Empire’s website in November 2024 to meet the growing demand. Until then, he had been operating the brand solely through its official Instagram page.
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Looking Ahead: Scaling Style, Expanding Reach
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Mahip Marwaha has a clear vision for Bling Empire: to become India’s number one partywear brand.
“I want to own that space,” he said confidently.
While the brand currently operates from Delhi-NCR, Mahip is preparing for a nationwide expansion. “India is huge. I want to be in every city, every state,” he added.
He’s now focusing on Tier 2 cities like Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Raipur, and Hyderabad — areas that are already showing interest. To reach these cities, Mahip is planning exhibitions and on-ground events to help customers experience the brand firsthand.
He also plans to launch 20 new styles every month to keep the catalog fresh and relevant, especially during the upcoming summer season.
Financially, he has set an ambitious target of reaching ₹10 crore in revenue in the next financial year.
From Actor to Entrepreneur
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Mahip Marwaha grew up in Delhi in a business-oriented household. His father ran a knitwear brand, so entrepreneurship was always part of the family environment.
Despite having the option to join the family business, Mahip chose a different path — the fashion and glamour industry — which he felt naturally drawn to. Fortunately, his family supported his choice.
He went on to study fashion designing at Pearl Academy, Delhi, where he learned sketching, stitching, and garment construction. While still in college, he entered the modeling industry at 18, signing with Elite Model Management, walking ramps and doing campaigns.
In 2010, he auditioned for MTV Splitsvilla and was selected from over one lakh applicants. He became a finalist in Season 3, gaining nationwide attention. At 21, he moved to Mumbai to pursue acting full-time.
Over the next 6–7 years, Mahip appeared in TV serials like Parichay, featured in ads for Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and acted in the Bollywood film Rabba Mein Kya Karoon. He also attended countless fashion events and styled several friends in the industry.
“Lately, I began to realise that the acting industry wasn’t meant for me. I was always more inclined towards fashion. So, I chose fashion — and today, I’m the founder of an affordable partywear brand,” Mahip said as he concluded the Startup Pedia interview.
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