Published 28th March 2025

A Conversation With: Nikita Ladwa, Founder of The Naked Laundry


At Cutter & Squidge, we’ve always been big fans of Nikita Ladwa. Not only is she an incredibly talented entrepreneur, but she’s also a great friend of the brand. We loved collaborating with Nikita last year on a VIP event to celebrate Diwali, bringing together creativity, culture and community. We admire not only her innovative spirit, but for creating something truly unique with The Naked Laundry. As an aspirational female founder, Nikita’s journey is one that’s both inspiring and relatable, and we were lucky enough to sit down with her for a chat. From her entrepreneurial insights to her favourite baking disasters, we got the lowdown on it all!


Business & Leadership

What inspired you to start The Naked Laundry?

It all started with a wardrobe malfunction at university. I needed a blouse to match my lehenga, and my mum sent a lehenga blouse that was too small. With no other options, I ended up holding it together with safety pins. I realised how many South Asian outfits don’t allow for mix and matching or size flexibility, leaving pieces unused in wardrobes. That sparked the idea for The Naked Laundry, a brand offering versatile Asian-wear that can be mixed and matched with your current wardrobe, giving women more freedom and options.

 

What’s your favourite thing about being a female founder?

For me, It’s definitely the freedom to create something that truly reflects what I believe in. Being able to build a brand that resonates with women and makes them feel good in their clothes is honestly so rewarding. Plus, the hustle of building something from scratch feels incredibly empowering.

 

Starting a business isn't easy! What did you find to be your biggest challenges and wins so far?

The hardest part has probably been juggling all the different hats, designing, managing cash flow, marketing… and the list goes on. But the wins? Honestly, just seeing how much people love our pieces, and hearing that our designs make them feel confident, that’s what makes all the late nights worth it.

 

What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

Document the journey, even on your worst days. When you're starting out, it’s easy to want everything to look perfect, but people connect with authenticity. Shoot your early struggles as much as your wins, it’s all part of the story. Take your customers along for the ride, and they’ll appreciate the realness behind the brand. The good, the bad, and everything in between makes the journey relatable.

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to The Naked Laundry, and what do you think are the biggest areas to focus on to support women in business?

It’s a celebration of women’s strength and everything we’ve achieved, but also a reminder that there’s so much more to be done. I think we need to focus on giving women more access to funding, mentorship and platforms to amplify their voices. Supporting women-led businesses is key.

 

Who inspires you most?

Honestly, the women who go after what they want without apologising for it. Whether it’s entrepreneurs, creators or everyday women making a difference, those are the real inspirations.

 

What’s one piece of advice you live by as a female founder?

Trust your gut. There will always be opinions, doubts and second-guessing, but at the end of the day, only you know your vision. If you believe in it, go for it!


All Things Baking

We couldn’t resist asking Nikita a few bake-tastic questions too (we are Cutter & Squidge, after all)! Here’s what she had to say:

 

If you had to live by one bake or cake for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Definitely the Passionfruit and Pistachio Cake from Cutter & Squidge. It’s the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, with the richness of pistachio and the bright pop of passionfruit. It’s the kind of cake that feels indulgent but fresh, and honestly, I could eat it every day without getting bored!

 

Have you ever had a baking disaster so bad you had to pretend it never happened?

Oh, definitely! A few years ago, I tried to make a rose syrup cake for my best friend’s birthday. I was all excited to surprise her with something special, but it ended up flopping big time. The cake melted with the icing and just looked like a gooey mess, total disaster! Let’s just say, I’ve learned to stick to what I know now!

 

If your personality was a cake, what would it be and why?

It would be a zesty lemon drizzle cake! Refreshing, uplifting and with just the right amount of sweetness and tang. Like the cake, I’m all about bringing energy, positivity and a little burst of fun to the table. Plus, a good lemon drizzle always leaves a lasting impression, just like I try to do!

 

What’s your guilty pleasure bake—the one you make just for yourself and don’t share?

Fresh-out-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. They’re just so good that I can’t help but devour them before anyone else has a chance to!

 

And finally, what's one thing you'd gift from our website (we had to ask!)?

I'd have to say the Vegan Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake. This sounds right up my street!


Nikita Ladwa is a true pioneer. Her journey with The Naked Laundry is a testament to her creativity, passion and commitment to building a brand that empowers women. We’re beyond grateful for the chance to chat with her and are excited to continue supporting her and The Naked Laundry on her incredible journey.

 

 

 

by Annabel Lui

 

Annabel is the co-founder of Cutter & Squidge and takes inspiration from around the world to create delicious bakes for our blog and collections


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