Sometimes good sense strikes you when you least expect it. At least that’s what happened in my case. The fact that thought goes into my fashion choices was something that occurred to me very late. Cut to about 10 years earlier. I was indulging in my choicest handloom cotton Jamdani sarees and many other garments whenever I could, driven by my own instinct and nothing else. Of course, it was dictated by what was available as well.
Without realizing it, I was drawn into the fast fashion culture, particularly in terms of not just classic Jamdani sarees and even ethnic wear garments. I also did not bother about where the garments came from, their heritage, cultural legacy, and whether they were ethically sourced or not. These things were as far from my mind as possible. However, it hit me one day, when my little niece casually said- Pishi (aunt), how does the weaver know that you will need the saree for the wedding party? While she said it in an innocent context, it struck me later as I realized that there were a few things that were worth talking about. Let’s explore them in more detail below.
How Ethics and Sustainability Came to Mind
I had an insight when I realized that the fast fashion culture was not sustainable and led to a lot of wastage. Also, I also understood that many of the platforms where I used to buy Jamdani saree online were not selling authentic products sourced from weavers and traditional craftsmen. When it came to my favourite জামদানি শাড়ি, I understood that these sarees are symbolic of ancient weaving techniques, the painstaking skill and creativity of traditional craftsmen, the country’s cultural legacy.
At the same time, I kept thinking that whether there was a system where, in the words of my niece, the weaver or brand would know that a saree is needed and then only make it, to avoid wastage and burnout. Sustainability and ethics both occupied my mind at this stage. I decided not to buy sarees any more from platforms that functioned in the manner of fast fashion brands.
Pre-Order- The Best Solution
Even though my friends laughed at me for my newfound obsession, I decided to find the right solution that would offer sustainably and ethically sourced handwoven Jamdani sarees and other types from weavers and artisans, along with making sure that products were only made when customers ordered them. Not a tall order right? But sadly, it was hard to find, not just nationally, but also in Kolkata.
And then I found the best option- one of my friends casually talked about a pre-order process for sarees from this boutique called Tamal Boutique. It sounded interesting and I wasted no time in looking up the brand later. The more I saw, the more I was impressed. The brand has this unique pre-order model. In this case, I can order the saree that I want and it is then skillfully and sustainably crafted by traditional artisans and weavers. This not only ensured authenticity, but also fair pricing, along with zero wastage. This commitment towards minimizing wastage really won my heart. Once I went into this process, I understood how patience is the key towards making this model a success. We, as customers, also have a responsibility to understand that there’s immense skill and craftsmanship involved in making each cotton Jamdani silk saree. But there also, Tamal Boutique made things easier by giving me the timelines quite transparently, along with conducting quality checks at various stages of the process. Along with authenticity, one of the benefits of the pre-order model is the availability of customization choices. The entire experience was ultimately seamless and hassle-free.
Tamal Boutique- A Brand That Cares
As a long-time customer of the brand today, I have coined this tagline myself- Tamal Boutique is a brand that cares. It really cares for the traditional craftsmen and artisans, along with reducing wastage. The pre-order model is a godsend, bringing out the best artistry, transparent and fair pricing, and of course, higher ethics and sustainability. I will recommend everyone to pre-order the finest Jamdani sarees online from Tamal Boutique. It is important that we appreciate the slow fashion philosophy today, in a world where conserving resources and preserving local artisan communities is important. This is represented aptly by Tamal Boutique. That’s what I identified with, and this is what made me build a relationship for life with the brand.
I can happily encourage you to try the pre-order model here. It will not only give you something that’s exclusively yours at a fair price, but also warm your heart in the process! Trust me.