Steven Mathew's MahLah.in blends legacy, sustainability, and craftsmanship to redefine Indian luxury leather for a new generation of conscious consumers.
When Steven Mathew speaks about leather, you don’t just hear a founder pitching a product. You hear an artist unpacking a philosophy. The 27-year-old founder of MahLah.in, an Indian e-commerce brand specializing in premium leather apparel and accessories, isn’t just building a business. He’s fulfilling a legacy that began with his mother’s unfulfilled entrepreneurial dream and reimagining the future of sustainable fashion in the process.
"My mother wanted to start her own apparel business," Steven shares. "But she faced challenges at every step. No reliable suppliers, bureaucracy, corruption. Watching her give up ignited something in me. I took it upon myself to make her dream a reality."
But it wasn’t just red tape and bank troubles that derailed her efforts. Steven recalls an even deeper injustice.
"Many suppliers didn't even talk straight to my mother. They spoke in slanderous or double entendre ways just because she is a woman. That stayed with me. It made me want to change the game for good."
And he did—on his own terms, with uncompromising quality, and a deeply personal mission.
Steven’s journey into entrepreneurship didn’t begin in a boardroom or an Ivy League classroom. It began at 16, working for a government contracting company.
"It gave me real-world experience I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else. I learned how business is really done. The good, the bad, and the ugly," he reflects.
Even back then, Steven found himself drawn not just to operations, but to the craft. His fascination with watching artisans at work—hands shaping, stitching, and perfecting products—sparked a lifelong respect for the makers behind every masterpiece.
“It’s amazing to see people working together to create something beautiful. But what truly completes that process is knowing that the product will be loved by a customer and used meaningfully in their life.”
The average Indian consumer, according to Steven, has been misled.
"More than 80% of leather sold in India is just scraps mixed with glue and plastic, sold as ‘genuine leather’. That’s not leather. It’s a lie."
This realization led to the founding of MahLah.in, a brand that stands in direct opposition to fast fashion and greenwashing. MahLah specializes in full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather sourced from eco-conscious tanneries—leather that ages beautifully, lasts over a decade, and decomposes naturally.
"Even the so-called ‘vegan’ options are mostly plastic. We wanted to offer something truly sustainable, something that stands the test of time," Steven says. "Our motto is simple: Buy it for life."
Steven describes full-grain leather as more than a material:
"It’s an experience completely unique to an individual. As the leather ages, it develops a rich character known as patina. This tells the story of the person using it. No two pieces will ever age the same."
MahLah’s product line includes leather bags, accessories, and fully custom-made jackets and skirts, with a unique commitment to sizing inclusivity.
“Fashion forgets people with unusual body types. Tall, muscular, chubby, petite. We make custom jackets for everyone. Tailored to fit their unique frame, complete with personalized lining and detailing.”
Steven is candid about the hurdles he’s faced—chief among them is corruption in the banking system.
"To open a current account at IDFC, I had to buy a ₹50,000 life insurance policy. Every bank pushed for something similar. It was exhausting and demoralizing."
But the challenges didn’t stop there. The glossy allure of digital marketing quickly gave way to disillusionment.
"Digital marketing is a sham now. The ROI is abysmal. We shifted our focus to organic and offline marketing, and that’s where we started seeing real results," Steven says.
MahLah’s turning point came in an unexpected but deeply validating moment.
"A CEO of a multi-million dollar company placed an order, loved the product, and said, ‘I get it. This isn’t just fashion. It’s art.’"
That CEO would become Steven’s angel investor and mentor, helping him take MahLah from a niche e-commerce brand to a rising star in India’s luxury leather space.
Steven’s influences are as diverse as his designs. He finds inspiration in contemporary art, minimalist luxury, and even the eccentric universe of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, a cult-favorite manga.
"JoJo inspired me to look at fashion as storytelling. Each piece should have character, attitude, and a sense of individuality," he shares.
That ethos is stitched into every MahLah product. From the hand-cut panels to the bespoke interior linings, no two pieces are quite the same.
Looking ahead, Steven has ambitious plans for MahLah.
"In five years, I see MahLah as a global player in the luxury leather industry. But more than that, I want to open design boutique showrooms where customers can control every detail. Leather, lining, fit, everything."
These showrooms, he envisions, will be part workshop, part gallery—spaces where craftsmanship is celebrated and customers become co-creators.
Steven doesn’t romanticize entrepreneurship. For him, it’s a road paved with grit, resilience, and the occasional bribe demand.
"Start with purpose, not profit. And don’t expect shortcuts. Everything worth building takes time, effort, and standing by your values. Even when it costs you."
He also urges new founders to dig deep into their craft.
“Whatever you sell, know it inside out. I visit tanneries and workshops because I want to understand what I'm offering. Not just as a businessman, but as a creator.”
Steven Mathew didn’t set out to create a fashion empire. He set out to honor a dream. In doing so, he’s built something even bigger—a movement toward mindful luxury, ethical production, and fashion that fits everyone.
MahLah is more than a brand. It is a rebellion against fast fashion, a homage to craftsmanship, and a quiet revolution in leather.
If you’ve ever believed that fashion should last longer, mean more, and feel better, then Steven’s story is your sign to get involved.
🌐 Website: mahlah.in
📸 Instagram: @mahlah.official
💼 LinkedIn: Steven Mathew
Explore timeless leather. Customize your own. Join the movement.
I am an entrepreneur, marketer, and mentor with a certification in entrepreneurship from IIT Delhi, one of the most prestigious institutions in India. I have a passion for connecting businesses with their ideal customers, solving real-world problems, and inspiring the next generation of founders.I founded and lead DevoByte, a digital marketing agency that provides a range of services, from SEO a
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Add a newsletter to your widget area.
Top Stories
