I was a Sari founder, Stefano Funari, explained that every woman involved in this project gains new skills and financial independence. In the process of upcycling saris, they end up upcycling their own lives. Thus, I was a Sari makes a real change in the life of every artisan involved. With women empowerment at the core of everything it does, it engages women from underprivileged communities to become the artisans of our designs and their futures. The relationship with the artisans and the entire training and production process is managed through NGO’s partners: Community Outreach Programme and Animedh Charitable Trust . These women come from different backgrounds and families – having often received little education. They come to our partner’s vocational training centres for a variety of reasons. However, they all end up united by a passion for their work, realizing that their involvement matters and that the initiative’s success is contingent on their dedication and creativity.

Each ‘I was a sari’ product is handmade by Indian artisans using recycled saris, making each one beautifully unique.