Menswear in India has long leaned either too formal or too casual, leaving little space for everyday clothing with character. In 2017, Tanvi Somaiya decided to change that narrative with The Bear House, by giving men exactly what they needed- a 9-to-9 minimal look that could be worn at work and after.
It’s for the young gentleman of today. The one who loves to care. About the way he looks. The half-tucked tee, the rolled-up sleeves. About feelings. About the things he said. He’s the gentleman with a heart of gold.
Making a Mark on Shark Tank India
In a moment that brought years of vision into sharp national focus, Tanvi Somaiya and her co-founder, Harsh Somaiya, stood before the investors on Shark Tank India Season 4, pitching their menswear brand, The Bear House, to the country. The brand’s strong fundamentals, focused identity, and proven growth caught the attention of Namita Thapar, who backed their vision with a ₹3 crore investment. But that pitch represented much more than a funding milestone. It marked the arrival of The Bear House as a serious contender in India’s fashion retail landscape.
For Tanvi, that spotlight was the result of seven years of disciplined work, design intuition, and staying rooted in an idea that began with a simple question: “If an Indian factory can design and manufacture for global brands, why shouldn’t Indian customers enjoy the same premium products and quality?
Early Foundations and a Clear Vision
Tanvi Somaiya’s grounding in fashion began at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Mumbai, where she studied Fashion and Clothing Technology. While her academic training equipped her with a strong understanding of textiles and design systems, it was her time assisting designers and styling celebrities in Mumbai’s fashion circuit that sharpened her creative instincts. Being a travel enthusiast, she developed a deep appreciation for subtle elegance, an ethos that would later form the cornerstone of her brand’s design philosophy.
After graduating, Tanvi joined an export house, working closely with her husband, Harsh, in managing manufacturing and sampling for global brands like Zara and Mango. This hands-on experience gave her more than just technical insight, revealing a distinct gap in the Indian menswear market. “There was always something missing in the men’s casualwear space,” she says. “We saw an opportunity to offer high-quality, well-designed clothing that’s globally inspired yet practical for the Indian customer.”
Building the Bear House
In 2017, Tanvi Somaiya founded The Bear House, setting out to craft premium, smart casual menswear that combined European-inspired design with a modern Indian sensibility, carefully shaping the brand’s visual language and product line.
Her design philosophy centers on “elevated core,” a belief in timeless, minimal silhouettes with refined details that speak of quality rather than excess. This approach has helped The Bear House stand apart in a crowded market. Tanvi’s role has always gone beyond aesthetics. From fabric sourcing to sampling and final production, she remains closely involved in every stage of the product cycle. Her understanding of material, fit, and function ensures each piece aligns with the brand’s promise: comfort-driven clothing with clean lines and international appeal.
Growing Through Insight and Intuition
As both a creative leader and business strategist, Tanvi Somaiya’s ability to navigate the nuances of consumer expectations has become a key pillar in the brand’s growth. At The Bear House, her intuition is never disconnected from data but sharpened by it. She constantly studies customer behaviour, tracks product performance, and refines collections based on evolving preferences. Whether it’s a shift in colour palettes, fits, or emerging styles, she ensures the brand moves in sync with its audience while staying anchored in its design values.
A firm believer in fieldwork, Tanvi frequently visits trade shows, factories, and mills across the country to source materials and gather insights. These experiences give her a first-hand understanding of market demands, cost dynamics, and production challenges, knowledge that’s often missing in boardroom-only decision making.
Moreover, she is receptive towards how menswear has changed dramatically in the last few years – not just in design or product, but in the sensibility of the young man today- he’s expressive, curious, and far more aware of style as self-expression.
The brand earned a loyal customer base, especially among urban, style-conscious men seeking effortless daily wear. The result: a D2C brand that has scaled steadily, today leading Myntra’s shirt category and available across major online platforms like Flipkart, Ajio, Nykaa, Amazon, and Zepto, as well as in retail stores across Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and now Dubai.
Balancing Leadership and Life
Tanvi’s journey as a founder took on new meaning when she also stepped into motherhood. She doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges that come with managing two full-time roles, but she also doesn’t let them define or limit her. Over time, she has learned to prioritize with clarity, delegate with trust, and set boundaries that honor both her roles as a mother and a business leader. As a mother, she balances her personal and professional life with ease and grace
Her experience offers a powerful message to young women: ambition and personal milestones don’t have to compete. “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that women don’t have to choose; you can do both, and on your own terms,” Tanvi Somaiya says.
Design-Led, Detail-Focused
Tanvi’s aesthetic sensibilities are rooted in her exposure to European fashion and design culture. She’s inspired by its emphasis on understated elegance, quality materials, and functional sophistication. These elements are evident in The Bear House collections, where neutral tones, tailored cuts, and subtle prints come together in versatile pieces that reflect modern masculinity.
One of her most defining moves was reimagining the classic flannel shirt for the Indian climate. Traditionally seen as a winter staple, The Bear House flannel was reworked in 100% cotton, made light, breathable, and yet cozy-looking. The response was immediate—flannels became a bestseller from day one and continue to contribute nearly 40% of the brand’s shirt revenue.
For Tanvi Somaiya, comfort, movement, and wearability are non-negotiable. Every piece is designed to be stylish yet minimal, with a fit that works across body types. By focusing on versatility and timeless appeal, she’s turned a rugged, seasonal classic into a core staple for the modern Indian man.
She’s meticulous when it comes to fabric. Every material is sourced with a focus on comfort, durability, and finish. “Good design doesn’t shout—it whispers,” she often says, summing up her belief that true quality is felt, not flaunted.
Each product starts as a concept on paper, is refined through sampling rounds, and only reaches the shelf once it meets her standards. This attention to detail has become a defining trait of the brand and one of the key reasons behind its growing popularity.
Strategic Growth and a Global Expansion
From the start, The Bear House was built with a long-term vision. One that saw beyond online-first retail. While digital platforms helped the brand scale in its early years, Tanvi and Harsh understood the importance of physical retail in shaping a true lifestyle label. Early this year, the launch of their first exclusive brand outlet in the Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru marked a new chapter. The Bear House now has 18 stores across 9 cities in India, with an international store in Dubai as well.
The stores are more than just another retail point, highlighting the brand’s minimalist, European-inspired aesthetic in the real world. Designed to reflect The Bear House’s clean visual identity, it gives customers the opportunity to explore the craftsmanship, fabric, and detail that define the collections. For Tanvi, this move has reinforced the brand’s presence beyond screens and into the everyday style consciousness of the modern young gentlemen.
The Bear House also launched Bear Café at its flagship Store in Koramangala. The goal is to enhance the shopping experience for anyone who comes into the store. “We set out to create more than just a café. We wanted to build an experience that mirrors our approach to style: elevated, effortless, and never too serious. A space that feels as comfortable and inviting as our clothes,” says Tanvi Somaiya
Since its inception, The Bear House has recorded consistent growth, accelerated further by its recent ₹50 crore Series A funding round led by JM Financial. With this capital, Tanvi and the team are now focused on expanding retail presence across the country and abroad, along with deepening the brand’s storytelling.
For Tanvi Somaiya, offline retail is not just about scale, but about creating immersive brand experiences that resonate with customers. “We’re moving toward a more omnichannel presence. While digital helps us scale quickly, offline touchpoints allow customers to feel the product and engage with the brand in a more personal way,” she explains.
Leadership, Learning, and Looking Ahead
Tanvi credits much of her leadership evolution to her husband and co-founder, Harsh, whom she calls her biggest mentor. His strategic thinking and belief in her capabilities gave her the confidence to take bold decisions, from starting the brand to pitching on national television.
Her biggest professional learning was trusting her instincts. In an industry where trends move fast and playbooks are limited, she’s learned to lean into intuition, backed by data and hands-on insight. It’s a mindset that has helped The Bear House stay true to its identity while evolving with consumer needs. She’s also quick to note that her journey wouldn’t be possible without the team that supports her. “Building a brand is never a solo effort. I’ve been lucky to work with people who believe in the vision and bring their best to the table every day.”
A Vision Rooted in Purpose
Tanvi Somaiya’s goal for the future of The Bear House is ambitious yet grounded. She envisions the brand becoming a globally recognized name for contemporary menswear, known not just for its product, but for its point of view. With plans to expand categories, open more retail stores, and invest in deeper brand storytelling, she’s preparing the business for its next phase of growth.
More than a fashion brand, The Bear House represents a mindset where design is thoughtful, quality is non-negotiable, and individuality is celebrated. Tanvi continues to shape its journey, driven by the same principle that started it all: building something that lasts, led by vision, guided by detail, and executed with quiet confidence.
Advice for the Next Generation
She encourages aspiring leaders to stay close to their customers, understand their needs deeply, and build products that serve a real purpose. Above all, she stresses the importance of dreaming big but backing it up with relentless execution.
“The only way to become successful is to start. If you have the vision for it, with hard work, you will be able to achieve it,” says Tanvi, loud and clear, for the next generation of entrepreneurs passionate about making a mark in the retail industry.
