At the time when urban Indians were moving away to attires like suits, kurtis and jeans, I went to the bold step of creating a venture for promoting and selling sarees. That was 9 years back, 2014. Today I am a proud owner of a brand Zodin Lifestyle which has a loyal fan following around the saree, the most sensational attire for a woman.
The saree situation in 2014
I would like to call that the smartphone era. Social media and tiktok were taking over. A combination of factors led to a situation where sarees suddenly left the scene and was replaced by the more fashionable and convenient options.
Stores were taking the saree off their shelves and informal wear like jeans were becoming formal. That time I was a mom to be. The question in front of me was should I join the mainstream or go with an idea close to my heart.
Why Saree?
Because it is the most beautiful attire any woman can wear. I am yet to see or hear a woman say that she does not look good in a saree. This attire has a universal appeal at all ages and can be worn irrespective of any body structure. It brings beauty, attractiveness, and respect to a woman. It can also fit any budget too.
I am very fond of wearing sarees and I wear sarees from all over India from Banarasi silk to Kanjiwaram silk, Bandhni from Gujarat to Pochampally from Telengana, Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra’s Paithani.
One of the most unique features that make a saree so admirable is that each type of saree reflects its unique culture and art of the region it comes from.
We took this risky step for the following reasons
I love to see women in saree, want every woman to wear this beautiful attire. So, for me this is just not a business to earn money but my sincere effort to provide a platform to women of all ages to explore and experience the richness and greatness of our Indian Karigars and weavers.
With western culture and influence we are forgetting our roots. It’s our tradition that when a girl hit puberty, she is being gifted a sari by her relatives and even her friends too. For me saree is not just an attire but a part of my culture which I want to pass on to my future generations also.
To save our culture, our handloom industry, the weavers whose income solely depends on weaving these sarees. I directly source from small weavers to help them with direct profit without middlemen commission.
Convincing women to buy sarees
The art of selling saree requires a deeper bond and connection with each client that visits. It is not just selling a saree but connecting to a human element beyond business to retain my customers. I understand their needs and accordingly guide them. Another important aspect of my business principle is that I don’t make my customers buy unnecessarily.
And nothing else gives me more joy than seeing the young generation styling Zodin Lifestyle’s saree as per them and a senior citizen draping the saree on her 50th Anniversary party.
I have my great grandmother who loves buying from me to a 17-year-old who buys her first saree for her farewell party from me.
Why Zodin
A women wear so many hats – working or housewife; she is a daughter/wife /mother, grandmother etc… Similarly, I help my customers to style and adapt their saree in different forms- as a saree/as a lehenga or as a western outfit. I make my customer wear the same saree both in bold as well as an ethnic way so that she can enjoy wearing same saree in multiple ways.
We have extensive variety, texture, fabrics, draping style in India and I source from all over the country try to get the various kinds under one umbrella suitable to every budget and the best prices.
I have my loyal customers from metro cities to places like Samastipur in Bihar to Simdega in Jharkhand.
My life journey is not just about selling sarees. I have also helped other women entrepreneurs to enter this business by providing them with advice and assistance. I take lot of interest and focus on helping my co women entrepreneurs with lining up the business segments to helping them set up their business.
We are soon planning to launch Zodin Lifestyle online!
So just call us and fix an appointment to visit our Pitampura store.
https://www.instagram.com/zodinlifestyle/
https://www.facebook.com/Zodin-Lifestyle-830956690616612/
I am Manisha Yadav, Founder and Ideologue of Narisakti. MBA Student and Digital Marketing expert, I take your brand online and help you reach more customers.
