Festive Funshop
To round off 2024, we headed back to About Balance for an intimate, festive Funshop. It was a gentle afternoon and a perfect way to bring the year to a close.
Snapshot…
The Funshop…
The Funshop began with introductions and intentions for the session. We wanted to focus on the idea of self-expression in everyday life, intentionality in dressing, and developing a connection with the saree. This Funshop was specifically designed and tailored for the participants, both of whom had deep appreciation and connection to India through travelling there for work and personal purposes.
They both shared that they had plans to travel to India again, one for a wedding and the other to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela, the biggest Mela in India in 2024. Ahead of these events, they wanted to learn how to drape a saree so that they could respect local custom while attending. They also shared that they wanted to learn about the saree’s history, to strengthen their connections to their friends, family, and to a culture that they are not native to but have admiration for and experience with.
With this in mind, Poppy, the instructor, began with an insight into the world of the saree. She talked about where sarees come from, how they are produced and their historical and cultural meaning. The group reflected that being given this context was a highlight of the session and helped them to appreciate the garments for more than their aesthetic value. The participants shared that they were ‘surprised’ and ‘empowered’ by what they learnt about the nivi drape and how it revolutionised South Asian women’s ability to participate in public life. One person even shared that they wished there was a post-graduate course on sarees!
As the group was particularly struck by the story of the nivi drape, we focused on that particular drape, taking our time to perfect it and get comfortable with how we felt in that style. The participants wanted to feel confident draping on their own in preparation for their upcoming events. Whilst draping, we thought about how the nivi drape symbolised modernity for women during the campaign for Indian Independence from the British Empire. Keeping this context in our minds renewed our respect for the saree and saree wearers around the globe.
The act of dressing up was empowering also. Dressing in clothes that make you feel good, having fun with friends and taking pride in your self-expression are all things that we believe can make a significant impact on your mental well-being. An attendee reflected that the Funshop made [her] feel ‘more like the real me in a way that I've never truly felt before’. Being free of external opinions and dressing for joy allowed her to feel comfortable, without pretence. To hear that the participants left feeling ‘beautiful’, ‘strong’ and free to be themselves, inspires us to make sure that everybody gets to experience the joy of wearing a saree!
After the Funshop, a participant got in touch to share that when she wore a saree at a wedding, she felt a huge sense of pride and connection to the people and culture around her. It is a gift for us to help people connect with others and inspire cultural appreciation, so that the art of draping does not become lost.
The Funshop Made People Feel…
“This was amazing. I’ll spread the word everywhere I go!”
“I felt empowered, beautiful, stronger, even taller!”
“I was surprised by the origin story of the blouse - and how the nivi drape was a revolution.”
