Designer and artist Shilpa Tibrewala’s clothing brand, Artt n Attire, specialises in handwoven saris, suits, dupattas, lehengas and fabrics. This two-week-old store at Anna Nagar is a result of her three-year business of selling saris, which started at her home. Trained by artist AV Elango, Shilpa worked as an art teacher at Serra international school.“The parents showed interest in saris that I used to wear. This clientele that I have gathered so far is merely for my taste of clothing and through word of mouth. We don’t compromise on quality for the sake of requests from our customers,” says the 42-year-old Shilpa.
When you enter this 1,000 sq feet store, you see a balanced colour composition of saris on all sides. The shop is furnished with a walnut and cream combination and few lamps here and there add a traditional touch. There are framed prints of Kanjivaram, Benares, Kota and other work on the walls too. “ I started with about 10 pieces in my fourth floor apartment and still managed to have clients from Madurai, Tiruchi. Now there are hundreds of saris in my shop,” says Shilpa.When asked for her statement piece, she picks a Kanjivaram sari with a fusion work of ikat in royal blue. Her collections are all curated from weavers of north predominantly-Bhuj, Kota, Benares, Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat. “Travelling with my father has been an inspiration for me to pick up different style from places. I have also admired works of designer Ayush Kejriwal for the way she presents her saris,” she shares. A part of their profit goes back to the handloom industry by helping weavers to get their children educated.
`1,500 upwards. At Artt and Attire. Details: 42020303