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Silai School Women From Jaipur And Ahmedabad Prepare For The Lakme Fashion Fashion Week
Delhi: 'There is a lot of improvement in my stitching,' says Sunita, who is a part of the Kaladera (Jaipur) cluster of the Usha Silai School. "I never thought of making such good clothes (which) will be on a fashion show ramp."
Under the guidance of Amit Vijaya and Richard Pandav of the AMRICH fashion label, Sunita was just one of the women who not only learnt new sewing techniques but was also part of the ideation process that established the 'Silai' label.
Another participant from the Kaladera cluster, Santosh, too found the entire experience a step in the right direction.
Impressed by the skill level of the participants in their cluster, Amit and Richard raved about one particular woman.
For Rekhaben too life has come a long way from heartbreaks and misery of a life with an ailing husband, whose deteriorating health conditions forced her to look for ways to earn a living.
"They have given priority to this work irrespective of their family constraints," says Soham Dave, a professional designer and the mentor to the Ahmedabad cluster. "More than anything they are keen learners, they are keen to update themselves," he said. "One thing is for sure that this experience will increase their confidence," Soham concludes.
It has taken months of hard work and training to prepare these women for the glitz and glamour of the Lakme Fashion Week. As the journey moves to its climax, the women of the silai school look back at this phase as a life changing experience, one that will stay with them for good.
Also Read: Follow The Journey Of Silai Fashion Label: Women In Kolkata And Puducherry Get To Work With Their Fashion Designer Mentors
Under the guidance of Amit Vijaya and Richard Pandav of the AMRICH fashion label, Sunita was just one of the women who not only learnt new sewing techniques but was also part of the ideation process that established the 'Silai' label.
We told these women that people from all around the world are going to see what you make and put on the ramp, and that they would be competing with other designers, too, who are showcasing their work as well, said Vijaya explaining what kept these women motivated to go the extra mile.
Another participant from the Kaladera cluster, Santosh, too found the entire experience a step in the right direction.
There was no one to support us. Ladies were not allowed to step out from the house, said Santosh who faced severe discrimination for not being able to bear children. However, all her woes have dissipated since she joined the USHA Silai school.
Now, I support my family financially and have built a shop with my earnings, says Santosh, who is no longer just a sewing expert but has also become a teacher.
Impressed by the skill level of the participants in their cluster, Amit and Richard raved about one particular woman.
During the assessment process, when all women came up with garments like blouses and sarees, one woman named Rekha came with a bag, said Vijaya. The bag was very well made and only needed a bit of tweaking and it was exciting for us to have someone on the team who knew how to attach a zipper.
For Rekhaben too life has come a long way from heartbreaks and misery of a life with an ailing husband, whose deteriorating health conditions forced her to look for ways to earn a living.
I have been doing this work from past one and half years. I have learnt how to stitch blouses and dresses but now, I am also learning new designs said Rekhaben, who became part of the Ahmedabad cluster of the Silai Label movement.
"They have given priority to this work irrespective of their family constraints," says Soham Dave, a professional designer and the mentor to the Ahmedabad cluster. "More than anything they are keen learners, they are keen to update themselves," he said. "One thing is for sure that this experience will increase their confidence," Soham concludes.
Before coming here we were making very basic designs and clothes for ladies in the village. And now we have this opportunity to work with designers which will help increase our profits as well, said Raizaben, a participant in the Ahmedabad cluster.
It has taken months of hard work and training to prepare these women for the glitz and glamour of the Lakme Fashion Week. As the journey moves to its climax, the women of the silai school look back at this phase as a life changing experience, one that will stay with them for good.
Also Read: Follow The Journey Of Silai Fashion Label: Women In Kolkata And Puducherry Get To Work With Their Fashion Designer Mentors
Published: February 27, 2018 12:30 IST
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Do you want to be a part of the huge change that Usha Silai School is bringing about in the lives of millions of rural women? With just a simple click of a button, you can now contribute towards the opening of an Usha Silai School or support various other aspects of the school.
Kushalta Ke Kadam, an initiative by USHA Silai School and NDTV has entered its eighth season. The aim is to empower more women across rural India by teaching them sewing skills and helping them open new doors of opportunities for themselves. The initiative encourages rural women to become financially independent and entrepreneurs by taking up sewing and training others in their respective communities.
Since 2011, the USHA Silai School initiative has trained more than 12 lakh rural women through over 33,000 Silai schools, spanning over 20,751 villages across India.
The women earn Rs. 4,000 – 5,000 per month on an average, with the highest recorded monthly earning being Rs. 84,000 in a month. This earning works as a catalyst towards building their self-confidence, reducing gender inequities, and raising their stature within their families and in society at large.
Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching
Rebari girls grow up learning traditional embroidery, which along with their new found sewing skills developed at Usha Silai Schools, is helping them earn a living.
Usha Silai School has empowered many rural women to support their family and send their children to school.
The Usha Silai School, established in a small nondescript village that goes by the name of Kottai, is helping empower people from varied communities.
The all-inclusive Usha Silai School Programme covers the entire nation from hamlets tucked between hills to villages cast by the sea.
Vegetables farmers from the Mizoram hills earn very little given the topography of the area. Usha Silai Schools have played an important part in this region by skilling women to financially contribute towards their households.
Usha Silai School learner Lucy has trained seven other women in her community, helping them to become financially independent.
Women like Kaviben from the nomadic Rebari community are finally laying down their roots as they begin to gain financial independence and thereby stability through Usha Silai School.
Usha Silai School, located in the Gujarat's Bhuj village, is enabling rural women to earn as much as Rs. 2,500-4,000 each month.
Usha Silai School, in association with a Gujarat based NGO called Kala Raksha, is trying to bring about a Silai revolution in Bhuj.
Besides training other women from their community, many Usha Silai School learners have become entrepreneurs in their own right.
With sewing becoming easily accessible and lucrative, the silai schools are also helping revive traditional motifs and designs.
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