Ugadi Special offers
Hyderabad: In the backdrop of hand weavers struggling to compete with industrial weaving, here is a city-based startup that seeks to seamlessly blend tradition with modern fashion.
The concept of the startup Ekor, which provides a platform where one can directly connect with weavers and get clothes designed as per one’s own choice and wish, was born after witnessing the plight of weavers. According to Ekor founder, Sai Kiran Kore, it all started when he went to travel as part of a documentary.
“I am originally a photographer and a friend of mine once asked me to cover handloom weavers as part of his documentary. I travelled to Pochampalli and other places known for their handlooms and it was then that I realised the struggles of weavers. I felt something could be done to improve their lives by incorporating modern fashion and making it popular,” shares Sai Kiran.
According to him, weavers work with cooperative societies or in tie-ups with local master weavers or in sheds organised by master weavers but they don’t have access to sell their wares directly.
“I was really moved by their condition and while I was still mulling over the idea, my friend Sneha Reddy joined me and we started this design studio,” he says.
For Sneha, it was her roots that made her want to be a part of this. “I saw my grandmother in handwoven clothes all my life and when Sai pitched me this idea, I instantly connected to this and we started off. We probably are not the first ones with such an idea but we definitely are playing a part in how handlooms are perceived,” she shares.
According to them, handlooms have a great potential in today’s fashion and one look at their designs reaffirms this, as they have shirts, kurtas, dresses, fashionable tops for women and more, all made out of traditional handlooms.
But what is the story behind the name? To this, Sai Kiran says, “My last name is Kore and Ekor is just a spin of my last name.”
Another interesting fact about this initiative is that they don’t want to bring in any investor to scale it up. “I don’t want to compromise on the quality or the idea or even the pricing as I want to keep it affordable to everyone,” adds Sai Kiran.
Mangalagiri Handloomers get a helping hand - (The New Indian Epress)
HYDERABAD: Strong desire to showcase the work of handloom weavers led Sai Kiran Kore and Sneha Reddy Konakati create Ekor Design Studio. While the pandemic has affected many businesses adversely, this duo launched their venture two months ago and found a lot of support.The journey began when Sai Kiran, who is a photographer and owns Ekor Photography, went to Mangalagiri in Guntur as part of a project.
“My friend, who was making a documentary on handloom weavers asked me to take a few snaps. As interacted with the weavers, I understood their daily struggles to weave a piece of cloth and to market it in a way which makes it attractive for the new-age buyers. Some weavers work in co-operative societies where they are shareholders. When these societies fail to provide work, weavers approach local master weavers, who are engaged in the production and trading of handloom. The co-operative society or the master weaver generally supplies yarn and dyes to the weavers. Access to market is in the hands of either the cooperative society or the master weaver. There is also a small third category of weavers, who do not own looms and work in sheds organised by the master weaver. I was moved by their dedication to their craft, and the immense struggles they face. I decided to give these weavers a platform to sell, and hence Ekor Design Studio was born.”
Sneha, who has recently completed her BTech, firmly believes that we must go back to our roots to serve the society. “Our customers trust us, and believe that we will give the weavers their fair share. Initially, we used to go to these villages and buy the material, but after regular purchases, the weavers decided to send it to us in Hyderabad. We get them stitched here, sell them through our studio, and send the proceedings to the weavers.