Raw Mango is coming to town! When I began researching sari wearing there was a few designers with a really fresh look on the sari. One of them was Raw Mango. Sanjay Garg talks about adapting traditional styles to make them simple, sophisticated and contemporary. Even the presentation of his brand is fresh and suddenly makes the sari more appealing to all. He has also revived an entire community by creating a renewed value for Handloom Saris. I find this not only inspiring because of my project but touching as my grandmother had a handloom company in her home in Sri Lanka.

So Raw Mango are coming to London. Heaven! So far in this journey it seems the only way to find anything new and interesting is in India. With the internet this can feel so close but also so far as the lifestyle doesn’t touch my everyday life, so for an event to take place here is very exciting. It’s like the Mothership is landing. I can’t wait to see these saris first hand.

My cousin Brindha, who is the only person in our family who now lives in Sri Lanka, went to a Raw Mango sale in Colombo so word has got around. My mother, sister, aunty and cousin are all going. This is a momentous occasion as I can’t think of anything that would bring us together to all go shopping. The sari crosses generations so is the only garment I can think of that a whole family can shop for together in one place. My mum and sister are coming from the North of England to London, my aunty has cancelled work and we are all looking forward to having a nice day together. It may be just a very good excuse to go shopping but this revived interest in sari has brought us together for the day and that is something very special.

All photos by Raw Mango

The Mothership Lands!

Heavenly Saris

I give up! - saved by a Sarong