This Brand Turns Gorgeous Old Saris Into Bags, Necklaces And More

I Was A Sari transforms lovely old saris into bags, clothing and other accessories.

I Was A Sari has been helmed by Stefano Funari who Community Outreach Programme {C.O.R.P} which aides disadvantaged women in vocational training. Thus, as a partnership between the Italian design school, Politecnico di Milano and the NGOs the project has taken shape. Recycled saris serve as a way of bringing the traditional outfit of India at a global platform and at the same time providing employment to the local women.

I Was A Sari, in that sense, is a beautiful project that transforms old saris, a traditional outfit worn by Indian women into something more relevant and with the time like bags, scarves or accessories like a neck-piece. As a lifestyle brand it has been been shown at the Lakme Fashion Week and has once again thrown the light on the underdog garment of India, the docile sari.

Since the project gets the best of both world, the support of the local NGOs and the skill and expertise of Milan Fashion School, the project aims to get grown bigger and better by reaching out to more and more people.

It supports and aims to empower local women who upcycle the old saris {which otherwise are just kept in cupboards or thrown away} into something as stylish as a tote bag, or a bracelet. The women hand-stitch these accessories which are then sold for INR 1,200 upwards {for a bracelet}.

If you’d like to know more about the project, go here.