Handloom sarees have been an integral part of Indian culture and tradition for centuries. The intricacy and beauty of these hand-woven fabrics are unmatched, making them the perfect choice for special occasions and everyday wear. However, the popularity of synthetic and powerloom sarees has left handloom sarees in the shadows, leading to the decline of the artisans and weavers who create them. It was this realization that led Indigenous Boutique, a 36-year-old 2 entrepreneur, to start their brand, Indigenous Boutique.
Indienous is a traditional name that reflects both the tradition/ culrure of India and the quality of the products offered. The brand offers handloom sarees made from traditional fabrics like Chanderi, Ajrakh, cotton, Tussar, silk, and Paithani, among others. The brand’s signature products are the Chanderi, Paithani, Sambalpuri Pato, Gopalpur tussar, Bengal cotton, Odisha Cotton, Berhampur silk & Handloom Ikat sarees, which are affordable without compromising on quality.
A Friendly Affair: How two friends at their 36-year Duo Launched the Business.
Co-founded by Smiti & Sutapa, the brand was launched on July 5th, 2023. Since then, it has become a platform for artisans and weavers to showcase their skills and promote their craft. Indigenous Boutiques’s products fall under categories like Sambalpuri, Tussar silk, Berhampuri, Paithani, Orissa Cotton, Jamdani, Ikat, Chanderi, Banarasi, Ajrakh Blouse, and Ajrakh Saree.
One of the pain points that Indigenous solves is making handloom sarees accessible and affordable to everyone. The brand’s mission is to promote sustainable clothing and spread the rich heritage of handloom sarees to younger generations. The brand’s founder, Smita & Sutapa, started the business with just 5 lakhs at the age of 36, a testament to their passion for promoting the handloom industry.
The brand’s story began when Sutapa went shopping for Smita’s 10th wedding anniversary. She stumbled upon handloom sarees and were immediately drawn to the beauty and tradition of the fabrics. Sutapa decided to purchase a Paithani saree and was surprised to learn that it was hand-woven by weavers in the nearby location. After further research, she realized that handloom sarees were becoming a dying art, and it was time to take action. Sutapa & Smiti began working with 27 weavers, and their collaboration resulted in the creation of the brand’s signature Handloom sarees.
The Indigenous Boutique on 4th Nov 2023, unveils the first large-scale exhibition in the “The Soul” residential Society of Newtown to examine the contemporary Indian saree It brings together around 60 examples of trailblazing sarees, nearly all from designers and studios across Bengal & Orissa.
Apart from Sarees, Smiti & Sutapa always believes in Women Empowerment, so this Exhibition was not only for sarees but also for Jewelry @Ms Emili, Elegant Hand-crafted Bedsheet @ Ms. Arpita, Kurti @Ms. Mona, Diwali Items @ Ms. Shrabani, SRA’s creative Corner, Art & Craft @Soma Roy Kundu & Sweta Kundu.
