What if the outfits you wore once could have another life and save you money while saving the planet?
Anoli Mathur, founder and CEO of Circular Threads, shares her incredible journey from management consulting at EY to creating the UK’s fastest growing platform for pre-loved South Asian clothing. From the struggles of cultural identity growing up in London to spotting a gap in the wedding fashion market, Anoli has built a business that’s rewriting the rules of tradition, sustainability, and style.
In this conversation, we explore:
How immigrant roots shaped her identity and entrepreneurial drive
The painful truth about waste in South Asian fashion
Why brides and grooms are embracing the “pre-loved” movement
The future of sustainable weddings and circular fashion
This is a story about heritage, identity, and building a business that challenges the way we think about clothing, culture, and sustainability.
Chapters
00:00 – Meet Anoli Mathur, founder of Circular Threads
00:30 – An immigrant story shaped by chance encounters
04:00 – Growing up in London & struggling with cultural identity
07:00 – Fitting in vs. celebrating heritage
10:00 – Life in consulting & the spark of entrepreneurship
12:30 – The loft discovery that sparked Circular Threads
15:00 – Why South Asian fashion is broken
19:20 – Selling vs. renting – what really works
21:00 – Menswear, bridal wear & expanding the market
23:20 – From weddings to wardrobes: new customer habits
26:00 – How long can outfits last?
28:30 – Solving the “clothes in storage” problem
34:30 – The environmental impact of South Asian weddings
36:40 – Why price and design matter more than sustainability (for now)
39:20 – Building a movement beyond fashion
42:00 – The future: partnerships, accessories & one-stop shop for weddings
44:30 – Final reflections & why sustainability must also be convenient
