Chennai designers repurpose old saris into contemporary fashion
According to The New Indian Express, upcycling businesses in Chennai are transforming pre-owned silk and other fabrics into modern clothing and accessories.
Designers in Chennai are increasingly turning old saris into contemporary ensembles, ranging from lehengas and kurtas to backpacks and fabric journals, according to The New Indian Express.
The trend, which gained niche footing in the city by 2017, has evolved from a domestic practice of repurposing fabric into a commercial business opportunity.
Pushpa Devariya Balu, founder of Sushdeva Studio, established her business in 2019 and offers customised designs including mother-daughter matching outfits and Indo-Western ensembles.
Balu noted that her team tests the strength of fabric, particularly around borders, to ensure it can withstand stitching before proceeding with a conversion.
Nithya Priya of Thiyas Boutique, who has operated for two years, focuses on retaining the originality of the sari, though she noted that matching new material with old fabric can be difficult.
Priya said that making a dress from an old sari is challenging because original motifs must be carefully positioned and fabric can tear when cut in certain directions.
Sangeetha Maruthapandian of Anjaz Studio uses digital sketches and AI to show customers how reimagined outfits will look on their body types.
Maruthapandian stated that upcycling helps a lineage survive and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.
A February 2026 Ministry of Textiles report estimates that India generates 7,073 kilotonnes of textile waste annually, with 4,100 kilotonnes being post-consumer waste.