In 2020, Nancy was preparing for UPSC. But COVID-19 brought everything to a standstill — including her family’s finances. She had to make a choice: wait for offline coaching to resume, or try something else.
With Rs 2.5 lakh saved for her coaching, Nancy invested instead in a second-hand phone, camera, & lighting equipment. And started making fashion content — mostly stitched outfits she modelled herself.
It was a big risk. But she had a bigger reason -- giving her mother a better life. Her mom worked in a factory, returning home exhausted, covered in coal dust. Nancy wanted that to end.
For over a year, her videos barely got noticed. Some got 400 views, some a thousand. Still, she created every day — shooting with her brother, stitching for hours, learning as she went.
Her early attempts at trending formats drew criticism. She was trolled, mocked, and body shamed. But Nancy didn’t stop. Her focus was always on the bigger picture: giving her family stability.
Then came the breakthrough: a 100-day series showing the entire process: buying fabric, stitching, designing -- all from scratch, often on a decades-old sewing machine gifted to her mom.
These reels went viral and people began noticing her real talent and sheer grit -- Nancy had no formal training in fashion or sewing. Fame and fans followed.
In 2024, she walked the Cannes red carpet in her own creation. In 2025, she returned, once again in her own (spectacular!) design — still self-made, still grounded, still mentioning her mother.
At Cannes, she spoke in Hindi, confidently owned her identity, and showed the world that success doesn’t need to come from big labels or backgrounds — just big dreams and relentless effort.
Why her story resonates so deeply? Because it’s more than just fashion. It’s about a daughter who refused to let her mother carry the weight of sacrifice alone.
Nancy Tyagi is a reminder that dreams stitched with love, grit, and purpose can take you anywhere.