Shaping Confidence: How Shradha Sud's Akara Leggings are Transforming Postpartum Fashion
Written by Heather Anderson
Meet Shradha Sud, the visionary behind Akara, a new fashion line revolutionizing postpartum and tummy-control wear for women. Drawing from her personal journey as a mom and entrepreneur, Shradha has dedicated herself to creating functional, stylish, and confidence-boosting solutions for women navigating the postpartum phase and beyond. In this candid interview, Shradha shares the inspiration behind Akara, the unique design of her patented tummy-control leggings, and her hopes for the brand's future in the U.S. market. Join us for a conversation full of passion, purpose, and problem-solving!
How did your journey into entrepreneurship begin? What inspired the creation of Akara?
Oh, it all started when I was pregnant back in 2015. At the time, I was working as a corporate lawyer, but I just couldn’t find smart, comfortable maternity clothes that made me feel confident. So, I launched my first brand, Mama Couture, in India. It was all about staple, statement pieces for pregnant women. But what really surprised me was that after giving birth, so many women, including myself, were still searching for something—especially when it came to tummy control post-pregnancy. We created something we hadn't seen in the market, and that’s how Akara came about. The name "Akara" means "shape" in Sanskrit, which ties into our mission of empowering women to shape their bodies and their lives on their terms.
What sets Akara leggings apart from other shapewear products in the market?
The key feature of Akara leggings is our patented eight-inch tummy control band. It's constructed with three tiers of elastic that provide grip and contour without rolling down or pinching. Most tummy-control leggings only have two layers, but we wanted to go further. Our leggings give women the benefit of structured support while remaining incredibly soft and comfortable for daily wear. You just slip them on, and they do the work of holding you in without discomfort. It’s designed to contour to the body while allowing movement and breathability—so no more muffin tops or rolling down waistbands!
What’s the story behind the name Akara?
Akara means "shape" in Sanskrit, and it really resonates with me. Women have the power to shape their lives, thoughts, and bodies, and Akara leggings are one tool to help women feel more confident in their daily lives. It’s not about conforming or hiding your body; it’s about embracing it with products that work for you, allowing you to just be comfortable and confident.
What have been some of your biggest challenges transitioning from corporate law to launching a fashion brand?
Oh, where do I start? It was a steep learning curve. I went from practicing law to learning about fabrics, sizing, and manufacturing. At one point, I was six months pregnant and using my own body as the model to explain to an all-male manufacturing team where a belly band should sit! It was challenging to communicate how maternity wear should fit when they had no personal experience of pregnancy. But that’s where I think my background as a lawyer helped—problem-solving is at the core of both careers.
“When you put on Akara leggings, it’s like slipping into your favorite bra or lipstick—it just boosts your confidence. Women deserve to feel empowered no matter what stage of life they’re in...”
How do Akara leggings empower women and promote body confidence?
Our goal with Akara is to offer a solution that’s seamless and comfortable, making women feel confident without forcing them to change their behavior or daily routine. When you put on Akara leggings, it’s like slipping into your favorite bra or lipstick—it just boosts your confidence. Women deserve to feel empowered no matter what stage of life they're in, and Akara is here to support that by offering clothing that’s designed to fit their evolving bodies, particularly during and after pregnancy.
What has been the reception of Akara in the U.S. market so far?
It’s been really exciting! We’ve launched in the U.S. after seeing success in India, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Women are telling us they’ve never experienced a product quite like it, and they're already asking when we’ll expand beyond leggings. I think we’ve tapped into something that many women have been seeking—a practical, comfortable solution that doesn’t require them to change their style or their bodies to feel good.
What does the future look like for Akara? Any upcoming product expansions or new markets?
We’re just getting started! Right now, we offer Akara leggings in four colors—Midnight Black, Chocolate Lover, Purple Haze, and Starlight Blue. But we plan to expand with more products focused on different aspects of body support for women. Eventually, we’ll move into solutions for men too! For now, though, we're focused on solving problems for women, one product at a time.
As a female founder, what advice would you give other women looking to start their own businesses?
You have to believe in the problem you're solving. For me, this journey was deeply personal—I was my own target market, and I knew that if I was struggling, others were too. Be ready for challenges, but stay true to your mission. And don’t hesitate to learn from others. I’m a big believer in researching what's already out there and drawing from others' successes and failures. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
What’s the best way for women interested in Akara leggings to get started?
It’s simple! You can shop directly on our website at Akara or through our Instagram and Facebook shops. We offer sizes from S to XXL, and the size chart is easy to follow. Our leggings are true to size, so just pick your usual size, and the magic of the tummy-control design will take care of the rest.
Visit Akara to browse our collection of tummy-control leggings.
Check out our sizing guide to find your perfect fit.
Connect with Akara Shop on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok for updates and styling tips.
You can also find Shradha Sud on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with her inside The Club membership for women Founders.