Mining for precious metals and gemstones has devastating environmental impacts, from contamination of waterways, to greenhouse gas emissions, and soil erosion. Moreover, the jewelry industry often involves child labor and inhumane working conditions. While several multi-national jewelers are adopting responsible practices for sourcing gold, silver and gemstones, my preference is to opt for recycled and… Continue reading Upcycling Indian jewelry
If you’ve ever had that dreaded “I have nothing to wear” moment, this project’s for you. In today’s culture of fast fashion, there’s often pressure to own the latest styles and always have something new to wear. To meet these unrealistic expectations, women are turning to inexpensive, mass-produced lehengas that are becoming easier to find… Continue reading A printed sari gets a makeover
Festival season is right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you have to go out a buy a new outfit (and create more waste!). With a little creativity and just a few new materials, you can take an old sari and transform it into a party-ready, modern lehenga. For this project, I upcycled a… Continue reading Sari transformed to a party-ready lehenga
When life gives you lemons…upcycle! This project stemmed from an ironing mishap. The pallu of a South Indian silk sari was damaged beyond repair by a too-hot iron. What was left was about 5 yards of beautiful rose pink fabric that we upcycled into a high-waist lehenga. For a modern, figure-flattering look, we created a… Continue reading Sari 911 – Two lehenga looks from one damaged sari
Hanging in my closet was a monochromatic mint green lehenga, and while I love mint green, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. With top designers inspiring the mix and match trend, gone are the days where lehengas were limited to a single color. Instead, designers are opting for unexpected combinations, where… Continue reading Lehenga 2.0 – A fresh take on a basic lehenga
An outdated sari can be upcycled into just about any modern outfit. Tucked away in my mom’s closet was a vintage brocade sari, worn by my paternal grandmother more than 35 years ago to my parents’ wedding. Although a beautiful piece, the sari was too short for either my mom or I to wear. Interested… Continue reading Sari, not sari
While many style-conscious consumers around the world have come to rely on fast-fashion retailers for the latest looks at low prices, disasters such as the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Dhaka and documentary films such as The True Cost are opening consumers’ eyes to the brutal working conditions, environmental degradation, and unethical practices that the fast-fashion industry contributes… Continue reading Eco-chic shopping in India
My upcycling journey was inspired by a passion for environmental sustainability and also by my grandmother, a true re-fashionista. My grandmother had several saris from her bridal trousseau that had been with her for nearly 60 years — including a remnant of a lehenga worn by her mother nearly 75 years ago. These pieces held… Continue reading Heirloom saris upcycled into evening stoles
South Asian fashion is characterized by a unique convergence of the traditional and contemporary, where bold colors and intricate handiwork meet increasingly modern styles and silhouettes. But, keeping up with the latest fashion trends can be harsh on the environment and your budget. For the eco-conscious fashionista, upcycling offers an alternative to reduce waste and save… Continue reading Reimagining Indian Fashion
india reFashioned 