(November 28, 2025) From the European classrooms to India’s artisanal ateliers, Annika Saraf and Sanchit Goyal were shaped by a truly global design education before returning home. From being named among the top five designers by Vogue Italia to Milan Fashion Week, today, they are proving that world-class luxury can be global in vision yet proudly designed, crafted, and made in India.
When Annika Saraf and Sanchit Goyal stepped away from Europe’s luxury corridors to return to India, it wasn’t to follow a blueprint, it was to rewrite one. ‘What if India’s craftsmanship could stand at the global forefront, without compromise, without cliché?’ That question became their north star. Eventually, it led to the birth of AKINNA, a modern luxury leather goods brand designed with a global sensibility, yet rooted in Indian heritage.
“The skill, the precision, and the artistry that exist here (India) are world-class, yet, for years, the narrative of luxury leather has been dominated by the West. That’s something we’re deeply passionate about changing,” says Annika in a chat with Global Indian.
Annika Saraf and Sanchit Goel
Milan Fashion Week: A defining global debut
“It was a defining moment for us. It wasn’t just about presenting a collection. It was about placing Indian craftsmanship on one of the world’s most prestigious fashion stages,” says Annika of her brand’s debut at Milan Fashion Week.
Their collection featured the ‘Milano Bag’, inspired by the architecture of the Duomo di Milano, and the ‘Tutti Frutti’ line — a vibrant celebration of individuality and joy. Each piece was handcrafted in India from 100 per cent pure, LWG-certified leather, blending European design sensibility with Indian artistry.
“For us, Milan symbolised validation — that Made in India luxury can stand proudly on the global map. It reaffirmed our belief that true luxury lies in intention, craftsmanship, and timeless design,” says Sanchit.
Vogue Italia: Recognition that shifted the narrative
AKINNA being named among the top five designers in Italy by Vogue Italia was another big moment in their journey. “It reaffirmed that we’re not alone in this journey, that there’s a global audience who believes in the same vision we do: that Indian craftsmanship deserves a seat at the luxury table.”
Reclaiming India’s place in global luxury
Why isn’t India leading the global luxury conversation? — they often wondered. The entrepreneur duo say that AKINNA was borne from the conviction that India’s craft story needed to step into the spotlight. “We’re one of the world’s largest leather exporters with unmatched craftsmanship, yet Indian luxury rarely gets the respect it deserves. That gap became impossible for me to ignore,” recalls Annika. India ranks second worldwide in both production and consumption of leather.
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Bridging worlds, elevating standards
Starting a luxury‐leather goods brand in India with global ambition came with its own set of challenges. Bridging two worlds was one of them. On one hand, the design language and luxury codes of Europe, on the other, the traditional artisanal ecosystem in India. “It meant aligning expectations, elevating craft processes, and ensuring that Indian-manufactured pieces meet luxury standards without losing soul.” They overcame this by hands-on involvement — designers onsite, artisans engaged and mentored, each bag review looped for quality.
Perception shift
Then came the production scale vs small-batch artisan quality. So, they deliberately chose to invest in fewer pieces, higher quality, and create a scarcity that signals value. “In the global luxury narrative, often heritage houses from Paris, Milan dominate. We had to challenge the perception. India isn’t just the supply chain of luxury — it had to be the origin,” says Annika, underlining that it requires storytelling, brand-building, and shifting mindsets.
Ethical, intentional, Indian
At AKINNA, only top-grain Indian leathers, carefully selected for their rich texture and lasting strength, is used. “Every hide is LWG-certified, which underscores our commitment to ethical sourcing and responsible production. Our collection is built around silhouette, versatility and intention.” From shoulder bags, cross-bodies, Tote bags to business bags, wallets and purses and more, one can find a whole lot of accessories for women and men. While Annika leads with design intuition, Sanchit focuses on the structural framework that allows that creativity to flourish.
Business Philosophy: Luxury with purpose
Their business philosophy is rooted in one simple idea — luxury with intention. “We don’t chase trends; we create pieces that last, that tell a story, and that feel personal to the person carrying them,” says Annika. She says their philosophy is all about blending global design thinking with India’s artisanal heritage, proving that beauty and responsibility can coexist — and that timeless design will always outlast fast fashion.
Annika’s Journey: From Delhi roots to Milan’s design world
After graduation, she moved to the London School of Economics to pursue her Master’s in Economics. She excelled academically, but felt an undeniable disconnect. “I realised economics wasn’t the life I wanted,” says Annika, whose father is a Chartered Accountant and mother has a Master’s in English Literature.
Annika Saraf
With her family’s unwavering support, Annika made the difficult yet freeing decision to drop out and choose design. Soon after, she moved to Milan and began studying Design, Luxury, and specifically Luxury Accessories at Istituto Marangoni. “It felt like coming home to myself. I had always been drawn to fine materials, thoughtful details, and beautiful craftsmanship, even as a child, but it was in Milan that I understood these instincts could become a career.”
Sanchit’s Journey: A small-town start to global perspectives
Sanchit was born in Dehradun, a quiet town that taught him the value of simplicity early on. Both his parents were government officials, so academics were always taken seriously at home. He completed his schooling at St. Joseph’s Academy, which shaped him far beyond textbooks. “It was the place that taught me success isn’t defined only by marks. I played sports, participated in debates and school plays, and realised that personality matters as much as performance.”
After Class 12, he moved to Delhi and enrolled in Delhi University for Mathematics (Hons.). He eventually dropped out and returned home to pursue a B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering from Graphic Era Deemed to be University. That decision changed everything. “I graduated with the highest placement package in my batch and became the only candidate selected by LG Electronics.”
Shaping her craft: The making of a luxury designer
Annika’s creative journey truly began at Istituto Marangoni, Milan. With a Master’s in Luxury Accessories Design, she spent nearly eight years shaping her craft, working with houses like Prada and Stella McCartney, and eventually creating the Lucia Bag for Borbonese, which debuted at Milan Fashion Week FW20.
But the journey wasn’t linear, nor was it easy. “When I first arrived in Milan, I remember struggling with something as fundamental as a moodboard. Watching classmates, many with years of industry experience, create them effortlessly was intimidating,” she recalls. Her confidence took a hit, and she questioned whether she belonged there at all. “But giving up has never been part of who I am. So I stayed, learned, unlearned, and kept showing up until the work finally began to feel like my own,” says Annika.
Sanchit in Seoul: Understanding consumers at scale
Sanchit’s first job in LG’s mobile division exposed him to consumer behaviour at scale. A few months later, the company relocated him to Seoul, South Korea, giving him the first taste of working in international markets. “That experience shifted something in me, it made me curious about the entire consumer value chain, from product idea to the moment of sale.” Following that curiosity, he went on to pursue a double master’s at EDHEC Business School in France, Masters in Management with a specialisation in Fashion & Luxury Management.
Sanchit Goel
Lessons from France and global brands
Studying at EDHEC Business School shaped him in ways he didn’t fully understand back then. “It taught me two things very quickly: how to survive exam week purely on croissants, and how business actually works when you step outside the safety of a textbook.” During his master’s, Sanchit worked on live projects with L’Oréal and Christian Dior, which opened his eyes to how global brands think, adapt, and innovate. “It forced me to look beyond frameworks and find real solutions to real problems for real consumers.” That experience expanded his horizons in a way classrooms never could. After graduating, he went on to work with global giants like Coty, Lactalis, and Whirlpool.
At Copenhagen: Building strategy for international markets
Later, he was selected as one of only three candidates across Europe, Middle East & Africa for Whirlpool’s Fast Track Leadership Program based in Milan, working across product marketing and commercial strategy.
In 2023, he moved to Copenhagen as Head of Product Marketing at Aquaporin, helping the company transition from B2B to B2C. “Each role added a different layer to my understanding of products, consumers, and global markets. But in every boardroom I sat in, one thing kept repeating itself, India was always a priority market for global brands.”
Growing AKINNA’s global footprint
Annika and Sanchit are focused on expanding their international presence. “We are also exploring new product categories, from small leather goods and travel accessories to limited-edition collections that blend functionality with emotion.”
Crafting creative vision
Annika’s mornings usually begin at the atelier with reviewing prototypes, refining silhouettes, experimenting with textures, and ensuring every detail aligns with our design philosophy of quiet luxury. “I work closely with our artisans, exploring how each stitch or fold enhances the emotional resonance of the bag.”
Beyond design, a large part of her day revolves around creative direction — conceptualising collections, curating campaigns, and translating the brand’s ethos into visuals and experiences.
Building the brand’s strategic backbone
Sanchit’s day is grounded in the operational and strategic backbone of the brand. He oversees production, sourcing, logistics, and collaborations with their artisan partners. “I spend a lot of time ensuring our supply chain upholds the highest ethical and quality standards—from LWG-certified leathers to small-batch craftsmanship.”
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Beyond work
Outside of design, Annika is drawn to anything that fuels creativity: art, music, movies, and travel. “Fitness is also a big part of my routine, it keeps my mind clear and my energy grounded.”
For Sanchit, who has always been curious by nature, travel is his way of learning and resetting. “Outside of work, you’ll usually find me catching up with friends over good food or meeting new people with interesting stories to tell. And when I’m not doing that, I’m probably on my bike, chasing open roads and new perspectives.”
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