Sarees: Designers, Curators- I

Do you love draping a saree? I certainly do and living here in the UK, I never miss an opportunity to wear one,  and especially, if the saree is a ‘hand-me-down‘, then for me, its ‘preciousness quotient‘ just trebles!

This post is dedicated to those timeless, ageless beauties that make most of us grin with joy and pride. As important as it is for the artisans to weave their magic, the roles of a saree designer (sometimes the saree weavers, weave their own designs and at other times they weave the design of another designer) and that of a saree curator are very important too.  It is their responsibility to ensure that the hard work of the artisan-weavers is well rewarded by making these sarees available to people globally.

So, here we look at the work of such people, whilst remembering the ladies who wear it with utmost style and elegance, ‘cos without these saree-loving ladies, neither the saree curators nor the artisan-weavers/ saree designers would be earning a living! So, a big thank you to the saree-loving-wearing ladies, the saree designers,  the saree curators and the brilliant artisan-weavers, who create this gorgeousness, just for you and me.

There are so many creative people in the ‘saree world’ but for now, we will have a look at two of these gorgeous women, who create and spread the magic of colours and weaves. Read away:

Lakshmi Store by Vani Polavaram:  This lovely lady designs each saree herself and ensures the idea behind each design and the skill behind each weave is experienced and transmitted as pure joy to the end-customer.  Lakshmi, which is Vani’s store is housed in a beautiful heritage bungalow in Chennai. Have a look on her website, here or just drop into her store to experience the joy and treat yourself.

Vibhuti Saree Lounge by Lakshmi Chaturvedi: A gorgeous lady,  who is very passionate about giving the weavers a better life. She travels the length and breadth of the country, to handpick sarees directly from the weavers and then works hard to ensure their work is available to her customers across the globe, working under the name of ‘Vibhuti Sarees‘.  Have a peep at her online page right here, drop into her saree lounge in Noida (just outside Delhi) for a browse or just speak to her for your saree-needs. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

How do you shop in these two places?

Lakshmi store, Chennai
18 seethammal road, alwarpet, chennai – 600018
Anytime Monday to Saturday – 10 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Contact: Tel: +91 44 45032222
Website: http://www.lakshmi.co

Vibhuti Saree Lounge, Noida
B-14 Secctor 60 Noida-U.P.201301
Email: vibhuti.sarees@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9811449308
Website: http://vibhutilounge.com/

Allow the colours and the weaves do all the talking…support the weavers, support handmade….after all, you are notjustashopper!

Shilpa xx

Cover Image: Top: Lakshmi Store; Bottom: Vibhuti Saree Lounge