Registry of Sarees launches first collection for weaving initiative Yali

Published
Mar 1, 2021

Research institute the Registry of Sarees has launched its first collection ‘Hosa Arambha’ for new brand ‘Yali’, dedicated to handloom sarees.

Yali’s maiden collection features seven handloom sarees and launched on the brand’s new e-commerce site. Prices range from Rs 5,998 ($81.87) to Rs 7,140 and the collection’s colour palette mixes bright reds with whites and navy blues with simple patterns including checks and stripes.

The collection was conceptualised by trained architect Kshitija Mruthyunjaya. To create the collection, Mruthyunjaya was introduced to a group of weavers from Kodiyala in Karnataka by social welfare organisation Shreni’s Trust. Mruthyunjaya collaborated with the weavers and the initiative aims to reconnect the weavers with their roots.

“The idea was to provide them with a sustainable platform to come back home, these weavers were on a minimum daily wage module, while working in power loom,” Mruthyunjaya told Elle India about the brand’s aims.

“They were working with materials like polyester and synthetic fibres which ultimately contributes to the fast fashion market, and contradicts their authentic craft. These are original cotton weavers and we wanted to bring them back to their roots, as only four out of 400 families were still practising the craft when we started the research.”

As the project aims to make handloom economically viable once again, Yali is holding workshops on e-commerce, digital processes, and clientele.

“A pin code is woven on the saree, which will give the consumer details about the weaver and the place it was woven in,” said Mruthyunjaya.