This wrap is an easy style for many outfits thanks to its multi-coloured design. The bright blue ikat motif on one side looks great with a pink or blue dress or jeans. You can effortlessly combine the yellow-red on the other side with fresh summer colors. Use the shawl on summer evenings when it gets chilly outside, or cuddle up nice and warm on the couch.

The silk of this wrap is sourced from worn saris. These are sorted by color and fabric from two different saris are embroidered into one scarf by women in West Bengal with Kantha embroidery.

Reusing sarees

Reusing silk sarees is a very old tradition in India. The sari, the national dress of Hindustani women in India, is about 6 meters long. Silk sarees are a precious possession. They stay in the family for a long time and pass from mother to daughter. But at a good time they go out the door anyway. Then the sari is sold to the local pot-and-pan woman, or traded for cooking utensils.

Fairly Paid Kantha

Kantha scarves are popular worldwide. Unfortunately, many of these scarves are made by women who are paid way too little. We buy our scarves from an NGO that pays women fairly for their work. The women embroider at home, in their village. Once a month they take the bus to the village where their 'didi', the woman who founded this organization, receives them. They receive a fixed price for the type of embroidery (simple or complex) per meter.

Kantha embroiderers in West Bengal

The women embroider the silk strips together. A difficult job because the silk is rather “slippery”. Making a wrap takes about 30 - 40 days, depending on how many hours a day the women work on it. On average they embroider about 3 hours a day.

The maker has embroidered her initials in the corner of each scarf.