6 Women-Run Saree Businesses To Do Your Wedding Shopping From
Note: Price ranges vary from collection to collection and fabric to fabric for each of these sellers.
Shopping for an Indian wedding, whether you’re the bride, a guest, or a bridesmaid, involves doing a fair bit of shopping. Not only are there different functions to dress for, but a fair bit of gift-exchanging is involved no matter which side you’re from. So, since there’s so much we have to buy, be it for bridal trousseaus or for one’s wedding guest wardrobe, isn’t it best to shop from small entrepreneurs, especially women business owners? In order to promote that, we present some of our favourite women-run saree businesses to check out for your shaadi-shopping needs.
1. Chakori Ethnic is great for sarees to wear for your post-wedding luncheons
Bangalore-based business owner Kalyani Shah is the founder of Chakori Ethnic, and she is the one who curates and models the gorgeous sarees she sells. Each saree looks like something you’d wear to a traditional wedding and get complimented on. So, we think these sarees would be perfect for a bride’s trousseau, because they’re ideal for post-wedding functions, be it visiting relatives or attending weddings as a newly-wed bride.
So, it’s ideal for women who are looking to expand their traditional-wear wardrobe with flattering sarees which look timeless thanks to traditional weaves and patterns.
Buy their sarees here.
2. Ek Dori’s cocktail sarees are divine
Started by Abhilasha who also models many of her sarees, Ek Dori offers numerous kinds of sarees, ranging from casual to party-worthy. We love their cocktail sarees the most, though.
So, those who want a touch of glamour and contemporary style along with traditional sarees, will love what Ek Dori has to offer. Tasteful party-wear sarees don’t get better than the micropleated metallic sarees and the embellished net sarees available here. So, if you want to dip your toes into saree trends which are seen on actors and influencers, this site has some of the most well-finished and sophisticated options. The best part is that the pricing, while by no means low, is justified by the quality.
Buy their sarees here.
3. Peeli Dori’s collection is great for wedding guests looking for something “hatke”
Founded by Niharika Chaudhary who actually studied design, this site has some unique and one-of-a-kind sarees which stand out. There are some embellished numbers to help you unleash your inner film star. There are some floaty, sheer sarees which make you feel like an air nymph. Then, there are quite a few experimental numbers which you won’t find elsewhere.
Hence, this is the place to shop from if you want funky and original sarees which look designer and “hatke,” making the price tag feel a bit worth it.
Buy their sarees here.
4. Suta is all about upgrading your cotton sarees
Started by sisters Sujata and Taniya, Suta was all about highlighting cotton sarees when it started, and helped promote the work of weavers in Bengal. Isn’t it interesting how Suta became famous for taking something as basic as solid, un-printed single colour mulmul, and turning it into a material that millennials seek in their sarees?
Today, their collection has grown to include sequinned blouses, embroidered sarees, and a variety of other weaves, keeping up with current trends, but while promoting cotton as a textile. To say that these women have vision is an understatement, because everything from their experimentation with unique silhouettes, such as ruffles, to their smart fabric selection, such as lightweight cottons, is clever.
Buy their sarees here.
5. The Indian Ethnic Co.’s sarees are great for gifting and as clothes which are conversation-starters
Started by a mother-daughter duo, this brand is headed by Hetal Desai & Lekhinee Desai, whose focus is on promoting handloom sarees and the artisans who create them. If you’re looking for blingy, filmy sarees, this is not the place, because their collection contains evergreen heritage numbers in classic silks and cottons, created by craftspeople by hand.
Due to this, most of the sarees are good for wedding guests who want to wear conversation-starters which will grab the attention of people who are connoisseurs of sarees. Plus, such sarees have character to them, and are great for gifting to someone who appreciates traditional handloom sarees.
Buy their sarees here.
6. Kosataga is the place to buy bridal Banarasi sarees from
Started by sisters Soumya and Tanya Singh who actually grew up in Benares, this is the site where you’ll find a range of Banarasi sarees, which is something every bride wants at least one of. Anyone who loves dreamy silks and rich zari will fall in love with everything they see here.
You’d think that something as traditional as Banarasi sarees wouldn’t be exciting, but you’re wrong. Whether you want something in silk for your pheras, or a glamorous georgette Banarasi for your reception, the sarees available here are truly stunning, despite being classic.
Buy their sarees here.
Lead image credit: Kosataga.in, Chakori Ethnic