Sustainable Style
It happens all the time. You’re trying to get dressed and everything you own feels tired and drab. When the wardrobe blues bring you down, strike back with a burst of bold turquoise. Or maybe you’re in the mood for rich dusty rose? No matter your preference, GreenSewn’s vintage silk scarves and wraps are the perfect accessory, with just the right blend of gorgeous colors. They’re handmade in India from upcycled saris, so each one is unique. And these wraps have real soul. Traces of life in a faraway place add authenticity to the delicate silks. With a GreenSewn scarf or wrap, you’re wearing a bit of living history.
Dan Shir, a 25-year shoe industry veteran, started GreenSewn because he wanted to produce something more sustainable and meaningful. He’s also the creator of Tia’s sandals, which have interchangeable ties made from recycled saris. “Sari Wallah” women collect the old saris and bring them to GreenSewn’s workshop near New Dehli. The saris are washed by hand in a mixture of water and soapnuts, the dried fruit of the soapberry tree (soapnuts are a great all-natural laundry detergent alternative, like these from Laundry Tree). Sections of the garments are then pieced together by hand to create the scarves and larger wraps. No two are alike, but they’re all gorgeous. Plus, with each purchase, GreenSewn plants 10 trees in a community at risk of deforestation. That’s just one more great reason to wrap yourself in one of these eco-chic treasures, made from the softest, silkiest and prettiest saris.
Dan
My name is Dan Shir, and I'm delighted to have our GreenSewn recycled vintage silk Sari scarves and wraps featured on Daily Grommet today. For those of you who may not know what a Sari is, it is a traditional long garment worn by women in India. We give old Saris a new life by lovingly upcycling them into luxurious, ultra limited edition and gloriously colorful green fashion creations that are both unique and sustainable. I will be available to answer any and all of your questions today , so don't be shy...ask away! Get some Good Karma by "Saving a Sari"... 10 trees planted with every purchase.
Katherine – Grommet Team
1/26/2010 12:48 PMThese scarves are just gorgeous! We are offering them at 20% off their retail price today - make sure to enter the code greensewn20 in the shopping cart to receive the discount.
I wanted to bring over a few more pictures of these wraps (again, colors will vary) to show you how beautiful they are worn in a variety of ways! Here are the smaller silk scarves:
And the larger silk scarves/wraps:
Sue
1/26/2010 1:27 PMI just got two of these scarves, and I love them. They are really fun and versatile. You can tie them lots of different ways. Everywhere I go, I get compliments.
Sara – Grommet Team
1/26/2010 1:30 PMI gave one of these to my niece. She tells me she is stopped in the street by people admiring it. I love the reuse of the beautiful saris.
Jules – Grommet Team
1/26/2010 1:42 PMDan--Maybe this is a silly question...but will these saris ever run out? Are Indian women bartering them as much as they ever did, these days?
Dan
1/26/2010 2:05 PMHi Jules, that's a good question and not at all silly. Time magazine wrote a piece a while back discussing how the next generation of Indian women are becoming more westernized and how sari makers are suffering as a result. So long term.. these could be rare. But for the foreseeable future, there are still enough women in India who do barter, and "sari wallah" women who go door to door collecting. So for now.. not to worry:))-
Dan
Dan – Special Guest
1/26/2010 2:08 PMHere is a link to the Time article.. if anyone is interested.
"The dying art of the Sari"
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1906693,00.html
-Dan
Katherine – Grommet Team
1/26/2010 2:26 PMThat's a great article. It sounds like it could be written of many traditional crafts anywhere. I never realized that India wouldn't be immune to cheaper Chinese imports.
Karen
1/26/2010 8:04 PMI have one of the wider ones. My sister got one for me and one for my 19 year old daughter for Christmas. They're pretty and fun to wear. Very bright colors. Hope a lot of people get them.
Mimi
1/26/2010 8:18 PMThis is so creative and fashionable. I enjoy getting my daily grommets every day. It's so nice to see what thoughtful people can come up with. Good job!
Jules – Grommet Team
1/26/2010 9:22 PMMimi, Thanks for the kind words...it is so satisfying to connect these kinds of products and their creators with people like you who appreciate their work. Let us know if you see any possible Grommets we should get to know.
Shah
10/5/2011 12:41 AMHello Dan,
I am a Bangladeshi. Just finished my University.
I loved your Sari-recycling design scarf, it is wonderful.
I like to know, if I would be able to do such scarf in Bangladesh.
I am very resourceful person, have no guidance.
Can I be any assistant?
I am travelling around Australia and Asia for last three months and will return back in Dhaka in a month, 1st of November.
Regards
Shah
Katherine – Grommet Team
10/5/2011 11:23 AM@Shah: I have forwarded your message on to Dan who will be in touch if this sounds like a good match for his company. Thanks for stopping by and we wish you safe travels.
Cynthia
10/31/2011 9:16 PMThese are just gorgeous. I have two of them. When they arrived I couldn't give them as the gifts I had intended. I kept both.
Katherine – Grommet Team
10/31/2011 11:16 PM@Cynthia Fazzini: Love it! You may just have to buy two more because you know they will be a hit as gifts. Thanks for stopping back to let us know.