Mital Doshi
Design Director
Al Mizan Group, La Zone Design Studio | Dubai, UAE
Janam Bhumi:
Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat, India
Dharma Bhumi:
Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Karma Bhumi:
Dubai, UAE
Nomadic in Spirit, Earthed in Values
The ‘Mital’ Factor: “Reach for the sky, but make sure your feet are touching the ground.”
THE WOMAN
In her 30s, Mital Doshi is wise beyond her years. She channels legendary martial artist Bruce Lee’s ‘Be Like Water’ philosophy in her approach towards life. Adaptable and resilient, she has navigated continents — from India to Kenya to the UAE, the US to India and back to the UAE — and she has thrived everywhere.
Born on 24 October 1989, in Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat, to humble parents, and guided by both sets of morally-sound grandparents, Mital embodies the very definition of a good human being — culturally inclined, ethically grounded, and immensely confident. “I can be master of all, if needed,” she says with conviction. The eldest child, Mital, believes in the power of family, and has never hesitated from learning something new from her siblings, brother Kaival, and sister, Pearl. “I have always looked up to Kaival for his business sense; his calm, balanced and content personality, and Pearl for her love and connection towards care for all humanity, the environment. She inspires me to come up with sustainable initiatives that are not only good for the business, but also for the society we live in,” Mital says.
THE JOURNEY
Mital’s parents left India, settled in Kenya in 1995, and then shifted to Dubai in 1998 when Mital was nine. She already knew that she wanted to be in fashion design, so she studied arts under the IGCSE curriculum in Dubai and then pursued her undergraduate programme in Fashion Design and Information Technology from Manipal University, Bay Branch in Dubai. In 2011, the family migrated to the United States and Mital pursued her master’s in Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise (FIDM) in Los Angeles to understand the technicalities of the fashion industry.
In 2012, Mital returned to Dubai and began her own venture, ‘Lemonein’. This venture is more a philosophy than a brand, borrowing from her multicultural influences to designing textiles based on them. The designs were unique, with every piece telling a story. Now Lemonein has taken on a broader form in home design, retaining its essence.
In 2017, she married Baiju, a mechatronics engineer and now an entrepreneur, and shifted to Ahmedabad. She deftly balanced her family responsibilities with her own career journey, exploring fields from marketing to F&B, including a Vegetarian and Vegan Sushi cloud kitchen. Among the first to introduce Sushi as a concept in Ahmedabad, they became popular quickly as a healthy-eating brand.
Amid the chaos of the pandemic, Mital’s life course changed again, and they found themselves back in Dubai, joining Mital’s father in his real estate business. Mital is the Design Director of Al Mizan Developers and Baiju is the Development Director. As part of Al Mizan, Mital and Baiju have also established La Zone, a design studio. “Our motto is simple — you imagine, and we’ll create. I bring the creativity, and he has the talent to execute.”
Mital’s passion has seamlessly flown from fashion designing to merchandising, to designing properties. In between, she also crafted jewellery, influenced by her Kutch origins, including for the National award-winning Gujarati movie ‘Hellaro’.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Mital’s values are rooted in the ‘family first’ ethos and the spiritual values of Jainism. She says, “We practice Vipassana and even hosted Gyan Shala in our Dubai home for over a decade. Giving has been an integral part of our growing up. It is our family identity. My father is deeply involved in awareness campaigns on cardiac health, working with world-renowned cardiologist Dr. Ramesh Kapadia to promote preventive heart healthcare. Baiju’s family runs a centre offering free acupressure and services for over 30 years.”
When Mital and Baiju got married, their first event was celebrated with school children in Nilpur and on their daughter Isha’s birth, they sponsored more children. In Dubai, they ensure daily meals for their on-site labourers. In Kenya, they continue to support food drives and children’s programmes.
THE LEGACY
Mital is an inspiring young entrepreneur with bold visions of empowering other women. She aims to launch an initiative where village women can become designers and create affordable fashion that celebrates not just inner beauty but also supports their communities.
There is no doubt that she can accomplish everything she sets out to achieve. Mital reflects a rare wisdom when she speaks of how her life has changed courses, meandering through the ebb and flow. Her family is her anchor. In Baiju, she has found her ideal confluence. “Baiju completes that part of me which I’m not really the best at, and he lets me shine in the areas where I am strong. Together, we balance each other perfectly.”
Their daughter, Isha, embodies the tributary that carries forward the legacy. Isha’s name comes from combining her great-grandfathers’ names—Ishwarlal and Shantilal. She already practices prayers, yoga, and visits the Derasar daily. “She is our legacy, learning to value others, while valuing herself, and I could not be prouder.”
For Mital, legacy isn’t just what she passes on but how it reflects into the world. She says, “Professionally, I want my work in design to inspire more than win accolades. Recognition matters, but it is more important to be of value to others and stay rooted. Personally, she sees herself as “a nomadic spirit with a sophisticated lifestyle.”
To us, Mital invokes the infinite sea – vast, flowing – holding within her the depth of values, layered cultural influences, and experiences, making her who she is.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“As a child, I lived in small homes, shared spaces, and a spirit of togetherness. Today, I see India booming with global influences while retaining traditions.
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“I have always believed that my roots and values have remained intact, contributing to my success. Indian values do not confine you; they become your pillar of success. Today, every corner of the world respects Indian values and tries to adopt the same.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“Family unity is something I learned from my roots, and it still reflects in my relationships with my siblings and cousins. This is rare in foreign lands. My brother, sister, and I have shared a great personal and professional bond, and I want my daughter to learn and adopt the same values.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“India has come a long way. In recent decades, it has achieved the status of being a nation with a sound economy. India is already on the way to becoming an unavoidable preference today, be it in terms of spending power, wealth, and intelligence.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“My dream is for India to become an unavoidable global preference—like China or the US once were—where an Indian passport is a matter of pride. For the youth, especially the girls out there, I would advise them to unlock their energy and identify their strengths and capabilities but always stay grounded. Share happiness and enjoy what you have.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
I loved the street ‘makkais’ (corn), Kutchhi ‘dabeli’ and ‘kulfi’ from Mandvi.
NOW
We follow a sattvic (natural and fresh) diet. I am also fond of ‘turiya saag’. But as a foodie, I will try any world cuisine.
Sport Spirit
THEN
I was very active as a child. My cousins and I played everything from ‘kho kho’ to ‘kabaddi’ to board games.
NOW
I love sports, but I hardly get time. Whenever we have time, Baiju and I play badminton. During the pandemic, we learned to play golf.
Music Tastes
THEN
I was a true-blue Bollywood ‘Desi’ girl.
NOW
I love dancing, and can move to any music – Bollywood, English, Arabic. Sufi music calms me.
Holiday Life
THEN
Trips to grandparents’ place, regular travel to India from Kenya and Dubai.
NOW
I love exploring any new place and culture. We explore at least one new place every year. My favourite is Bali, where we went for our honeymoon, and Georgia, which has become our yearly retreat.
Leisure Habits
THEN
As a child, I loved crafts. I used to make greeting cards, dabble in nail art, and such.
NOW
I love watching movies, especially thrillers. I am not too picky. I enjoy no-brainer comedies and art house cinema alike.
AKA
Mital Doshi Al Mizan Group | Mital Doshi La Zone Design Studio | Al Mizan Group Design Leadership | La Zone Design Studio Dubai
