Launch of Silai Label At The Lakme Fashion Week

It is a story of a fashion label originating from the grassroot level and making it on the big stage of a Fashion Week. This is the launch of Silai, a brand created with intense passion and a mélange of collaborations, from the Silai school women to fashion designers, NGOs and Usha's own team, working round the clock to make it happen. The past few months have seen rigorous training sessions for the shortlisted Silai school women by the fashion designer mentors, sleepless night and stiff production schedules, but what shines through it all is the grit and dedication that these women brought to the project. It was more than just being a part of a global fashion network for these women. Coming to a city like Mumbai itself was a dream come true for many of them. For years Lakme Fashion Week has led the conversation on promoting Indian handlooms and textiles. This season they decided to bring the impact of skill training and sustainable development in our country to the fore. A specially designed show to launch the Usha Silai Label and showcase the work done by the Silai school women was put together as an ode to sustainability and a success story for India's quest for skill development. The Silai label initiative has come a long way from its conception to launch and the journey has only just begun.

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Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching
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.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Usha Silai School has empowered many rural women to support their family and send their children to school.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

The Usha Silai School, established in a small nondescript village that goes by the name of Kottai, is helping empower people from varied communities.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

The all-inclusive Usha Silai School Programme covers the entire nation from hamlets tucked between hills to villages cast by the sea.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

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.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Usha Silai School learner Lucy has trained seven other women in her community, helping them to become financially independent.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

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.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

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.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Usha Silai School, in association with a Gujarat based NGO called Kala Raksha, is trying to bring about a Silai revolution in Bhuj.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Besides training other women from their community, many Usha Silai School learners have become entrepreneurs in their own right.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

With sewing becoming easily accessible and lucrative, the silai schools are also helping revive traditional motifs and designs.

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