This is just one of the countless stories of women who are now turning their long-awaited dreams into reality and finally becoming the confident individual they always wanted to be. All because of the innovative brand I Was A Sari, started by Stefano Funari, who always wanted to
“make a real change in the life of every artisan involved.”
“Working here at I Was A Sari, I have learned the importance of finding one’s identity. I realized that there can be countless brands, but only some take a step to address the issues out there and that is the need of the hour. I always wanted to work with a venture which was not just a brand. It should be about fashion and marketing but also needs to have a purpose and meaning. And ‘I Was A Sari’ was the answer I was looking for and I fell in love with it,” says Poornima Pande, 33, Director of marketing and communications at I Was A Sari.
With an eco-ethical approach to fashion, the brand transforms old unique and coveted Indian saris into new styles, like bags, pouch, apparels, scarves, etc, with the help of women from underprivileged communities. Sharing the amazing concept on which I Was A Sari thrives on, Poornima maps out their path to a women-empowered India.
Excerpts:
How did ‘I Was A Sari’ come to be? How did you end up joining this amazing venture?
It was our founder Stefano Funari’s brainchild. He had been working with children at the time, doing social service and he realized that for the future of India to be bright, the women in the house need to be confident, empowered, and financially independent.
He had seen what women, who are regarded as weak and just limited to the kitchen, could sew, how they could transform one thing into another. So, once he was in a chorbazar and saw heaps of the most beautiful saris being sold and the idea of ‘I Was A Sari’ struck him, to be a brand about the most iconic garment in India, reviving the old charm and work for women’s empowerment as well.
Amazing concept, I must say. But these women artisans you work with, how do you come in contact with them?
We collaborate with NGOs: Community Outreach Programme and Animedh Charitable Trust via which we enlist these women. Also, generally in India women have basic stitching and tailoring skills, but even if they don’t, we give them entire proper training beforehand before they become a part of the production team.
