A group of 6 female presenting people of mixed ethnicities and ages, unravelling sarees to drape in the different styles.
Leah and Poppy standing with their arms around each other for a photo. They are both draping a saree, Leah a pink and cream saree and Poppy a blue saree with red trim border.

Photo by: c.canphotography

SareeNaSorry @ Riot Crrrl

On the 21st of May, we ran our first SareeNaSorry Funshop at Riot Crrrl in Brighton. The idea behind the Funshop is to share the love of draping a saree as an art form with people who may not have the opportunity to in a way which is respectful, increasing knowledge of the social context behind it. We’d like to thank the RSA South East Grant which supported our new venture.

Snapshot…

Recognise.

The Saree is worn by people globally, yet the Western world has categorised the saree as a ‘traditional’ costume; it is the daily wear of millions of people all over the world, it is normal, versatile, dynamic, deeply feminine and a lot of fun.

From research we have found that the pandemic and identity politics are creating fear and disconnect. The project aims to reconnect people through the saree, a new lens which cultivates unity across cultural boundaries.

The pandemic has also had a significant negative impact on small local businesses, but more businesses are becoming socially conscious and wanting to have an impact in their local community.

The Re-Balance Approach

Review.

We want to create a Funshop that shares the love of draping a saree as an art form with people who may not have the opportunity to, in a way which is respectful, increasing knowledge of the social context behind it.

We aim to partner with different community organisations e.g. LGBTQ+ and refugees, to create rich discussions and intercultural connections.

We also aim to partner with local independent businesses, such as cafés and salons, to utilise the spaces that are often empty during key times of the week. The cost to the business is minimal but the potential social impact significant.

Respond.

We connected with 7 people from a mix of ethnic backgrounds (White British, Fijian, Bengali, Ethiopian).

We explored and discussed the context of the saree in regard to social experiences, its symbolism and supporting artisans. We explored not just cultural appropriation and appreciation but the intercultural privilege of draping the different styles.

Four different drapes were taught at the Funshop, with over 20 preloved sarees in different colours and materials to choose from.

The Funshop made people feel:

“liberated & adventurous”

“Empowered & beautiful”

“Joyous & accepted”

Funshop attendees were surprised by or learnt…

“The history of the garment has such a story”

“The ease of the saree in working with the body ”

“How comfortable sarees are”

“To be creative ”

Momtaz a British Bengali woman wearing a red black and gold saree she has paired with red lipstick and a red bandana headpiece. She is smiling with one hand on her hip and the other under her chin
Poppy a small brown British Bengali woman leading the SareeNaSorry Funshop discussion. In front of her are two people sitting in chairs
A group of 8 female presenting women of different ethnicities and ages draped in different coloured sarees. They are side-on with one arm on their hip and blowing a kiss.
Georgia a white British woman with brown curly hair is wrapped in a blue floral saree, she is smiling mouth open.
Poppy (British Bengali) and Yeshi (British Ethiopian) are both draped in blue sarees. They are standing against a pink wall and Poppy has her arm around Yeshis shoulders. They are smiling at the camera, their sides heads of their heads touching.
Naeemah, a British Fijian woman is draped in a blue and white saree she has matched with a black top and blue earrings. She is smiling with her hand on her hip.
Poppy a small brown British Bengali woman holding a pink saree and addressing the SareeNaSorry Funshop attendees who are sitting on chairs watching her.
Leah a white Britsh woman with tattoos is styling a pink and cream saree with a blue border. She is holding the loose end of the saree in her left hand and looking down.
Poppy a small brown woman with short black curly hair is adjusting Leah's checked orange, pink, silver, cream and blue saree. Two other people are watching Poppy adjust the saree
A group of 5 women draped in different colour sarees standing together smiling with their arms around each other.

Photos by: c.canphotography