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WAFEANDY Onboards Former Bestseller India CEO Vineet Gautam as Strategic Advisor & Brand Mentor

• ByStartupStory     |    June 20, 2025

Fast-emerging Indian footwear brand WAFEANDY has announced the onboarding of Mr. Vineet Gautam, former CEO of Bestseller India, as its Strategic Advisor and Brand Mentor. The move signals a major milestone in the brand’s growth journey and underlines its ambition to scale aggressively across India and beyond.

WAFEANDY, known for its comfort-first design approach and signature cork footbed technology, has quickly earned a name in the Indian D2C footwear space. With a focus on wellness, sustainability, and fashion-forward comfort, the brand now looks to strengthen its market presence through strategic mentorship and experienced leadership.

Mr. Gautam brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the Indian fashion and lifestyle industry, having played a pivotal role in building global brands like JACK & JONES, VERO MODA, and ONLY under the Bestseller umbrella. His expertise in retail expansion, brand building, and customer-centric innovation will now be channelled into guiding WAFEANDY’s strategy across retail, digital, and global platforms.

“Having someone of Mr. Gautam’s stature believe in our vision is both humbling and empowering,” said Dharmvir Singh, Founder of WAFEANDY. “His mentorship will play a vital role as we aim to redefine comfort and sustainability in Indian footwear. We’re confident that his experience will help us evolve into a household name.”

Mr. Gautam’s appointment comes at a critical juncture as WAFEANDY gears up for its next phase of growth. With plans to expand its footprint across retail stores, e-commerce channels, and select international markets, the company views this collaboration as a strategic accelerator to build a differentiated and scalable brand.

This collaboration also represents a larger trend of seasoned industry leaders supporting new-age consumer startups, especially those with a focus on health, design, and sustainability. As India’s D2C ecosystem matures, such partnerships are seen as key levers for young brands to bridge the gap between innovation and scale.

With its unique blend of ergonomic design, sustainable materials, and bold ambitions, WAFEANDY continues to position itself as a next-generation footwear brand ready to serve modern Indian consumers—step by comfortable step.

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