Ashwini Narayan
Ashwini Narayan, a prolific saree stylist, is one of the most free-spirited and inspirational women we know! She initially lived in Mumbai and now has settled in Hyderabad to be a full-time stylist. Her experiments with saree draping styles are totally unique every single time! She aims to keep the ever-gorgeous sarees forever stylish and also inspire the younger generation to keep the magic of the saree alive.
“Why limit a woman or a sari to a single definition? Breaking stereotypes, one drape at a time – the sari is here to stay as the garment of the future”- Ashwini.
Ashwini’s Talent
Ashwini can style any piece of unstitched material to look like it’s been worn for decades. Her balance of comfort and style makes her style exquisite. Her love for exploring different ways to drape sarees is so pure that she can always make a simple piece look exotic.
An Enemies to Lovers Feud with the Garment
The love Ashwini has for sarees is not a childhood fascination of hers. In fact, she hated sarees and only wore them when necessary. Even at her wedding, Ashwini wanted to wear her jeans because sarees weren’t her thing at all. She recollects arguing with her mother when Ashwini advocated actively for buying clothes that she would actually wear. She says she was forced to wear a saree at her own wedding.
It all started when Ashwini and her husband were visiting their friend and discussed how China had influenced so much of the Indian market and how we should embrace Indian goods more. A conversation that began over snacks made in good spirits soon transformed into a turning point in Ashwini’s life. After seeing the glory of sarees and realising their importance, Ashwini finally made her peace with them. She decided that sarees were the ideal garment for her and wanted to dress more eclectically.
Impromptu Draping Challenges
Then came the question of draping. After she got married, she was gifted a beautiful collection of handloom sarees. She had to face the inevitable choice of either learning how to drape sarees or letting all the amazing pieces she received for her wedding go to someone else. So, she took on the 14-day Nivi challenge and made it her aim to become the best at draping.
Ashwini finds creative and one-of-a-kind draping styles, and this style of fashion is how she expresses herself. She likes the idea of sarees being more sustainable, and her impact locally benefits the weavers. She also makes a point of repeating her sarees, as she believes it is the best ode she can give to the weaver.
Art of Draping
Ashwini’s passion for draping sarees is no less than a form of art. Her creativity and passion for draping sarees and promoting sustainability go beyond the local norms of what should be. Ashwini sets her standard for art and exceeds them by far. Her uniqueness and free-spirited style of art and living make her an exceptional epitome of art and a woman whose art goes down in history.
Conclusion
Ashwini documents her saree styles on Instagram, where you can find inspiration and peek into her colourful mind.
Kankatala celebrates Ashwini as one of the ‘Heroes in Sarees’ as we put the spotlight on 8 real-life women achievers who have managed to break the glass ceiling in various fields while draped in a saree. This initiative aims to highlight the fact that there is nothing a woman in a saree cannot do.
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