Adwaita Nayar, an Indian businesswoman, has established herself as a leader in the retail industry, following in the footsteps of her mother, Falguni Nayar, the founder and CEO of Nykaa, a renowned beauty and lifestyle retail company formerly known as FSN. Adwaita’s journey with Nykaa began in 2013, and she has since climbed the ranks, holding the position of Executive Director since July 2021. She also serves as the chairperson and CEO of Nykaa Fashion, showcasing her significant contributions to the company’s growth.
Her mother, Falguni, a former investment banker, made the bold decision to leave her job in 2012 to establish Nykaa. Today, Nykaa boasts a market cap of Rs 51578 crore, as of July 18. It has become a household name, selling thousands of brands online and through over 120 stores across India. According to Forbes, Falguni is recognized as one of the richest women in India, with a real-time net worth of Rs 27590 crore.
Adwaita’s path to Nykaa involved gaining valuable experience in various roles at prominent companies like Morgan Stanley, Bain & Company, Citi, and CARE Tanzania. Her educational background includes an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Applied Math from Yale University. Upon completing her studies, she rejoined Nykaa in 2017 as CEO of FSN Brands, taking on the critical task of strengthening the company’s offline retail presence.
Since 2018, Adwaita has played a pivotal role in building Nykaa Fashion’s business. She currently oversees nykaafashion.com and numerous owned and partner brands, further solidifying her leadership position within the company. Her brother, Anchit Nayar, has also joined the family business, leaving his own career in the US in 2017 to work alongside his mother. He currently serves as the chairman and CEO of Nykaa E-Retail, showcasing the strong family bond driving Nykaa’s success.
