Rani Sharma
By: Veena Rao of NRI Pulse Magazine.

Rani Sharma has the unique distinction of introducing high-end boutique culture to Atlanta and the rest of southeast USA. With over 25 years of experience in the field of designing, Rani is the reigning fashion guru of the southeast. Using pure materials and subtle work, Rani has gained a place in the heart of fashionistas, bridal families and men and women who want to dress well.

Born into a business family in Delhi, designing clothes was a childhood hobby that culminated into a life long passion. The youngest sibling amongst a family of career driven engineers and doctors, Rani was keen to prove that she had talent too. She started off designing clothes for her relatives. Against stiff opposition from her family, she took up her hobby as a career, and eventually launched a boutique from home, once she was married.

Within years, she was touring the US and UK, presenting her works to people beyond the seas. She later moved to the US with her family. Today, Rani is based in Atlanta, GA where she runs a ritzy, high-end boutique, Raneez.

It has been a life-long dream to open a boutique in the US, says Rani. She read the market and the needs of customers. She found out that people here have good taste but no time to shop. Using her extensive knowledge of textiles, embroidery, texture and design, Rani opened Raneez in 2006 to fill the need for good clothes in the region.

Rani molds her customer in a way that let’s his/her personality shine through. She spends time with her clients, providing in-depth advice on dressing, accessorizing and makeup. Raneez caters to all age groups and body types. The boutique is not just a shop, but a place to relax, chit-chat, snack on Indian delights and have a good time. Rani has a bubbly, vivacious personality that charms her clients into visiting her again and again.

Rani has been working with the same manufacturing unit and suppliers for the past 25 years, which ensures exceptional teamwork. She visits India every 3-4 months, traveling extensively through the country, keeping up with the trends. She then interprets and remolds whatever she has gleaned during her visits, to create her own trend setting collections.

Rani has a fashion column in NRI Pulse Newspaper, where she talks about new trends in clothes and accessories.

Today, much of her collection is devoted to bridal wear. A section of her boutique is a bridal studio, complete with a raised platform with mirror on three sides, sofas to relax on between trials, and state-of-the-art lighting. She dresses the whole bridal party- the bride, groom, family and friends. Over the years, she has dressed several very satisfied bridal parties, who can vouch for her talent and ability to provide good advice.

A very religious person, Rani is married and has two grown children. She attributes her success to the support of her family and friends. She loves Atlanta, the city that has lent wings to her dreams.

To her, the best measure of success is that her family in India, which was opposed to her career ambitions, is today very proud of her success.