At the time I began the Saree project, I didn’t know the world was coming to a collective halt. There was no mass news alert in November that could have warned us all of a new calamity which was coming up sooner and faster than one could imagine. It feels like science fiction, and yet it’s impacting everyone, together.

I’m stuck outside of India, unable to visit my parents now, and having to work from home with a baby and no childcare support. But I am also inherently grateful for being able to manage this right now, and am thankful that so many medical professionals are working round the clock to help.

I continue getting to my backyard to drape Sarees, even if just for a photo on Instagram. It’s keeping me sane, and making me feel at-least something is normal. Mental health alone is a sufficient plus. I am also using this opportunity to support handloom weavers and small businesses when I can. This does mean buying from small businesses, sharing their stories and helping them through this crisis.

It’s harder to keep updating the blog though as I work through very long days. I’ve been updating Instagram and here’s the list from Week 9 through Week 16.

Week 9: Board meeting style (literally) Worn with a clean silk Everlane shirt in another unblouse variation. Simple drape, no pins, loose pallu. In a lovely dual toned Mangalagiri cotton from Abraham and Thakore. Details on the instagram post here.

Week 10: Office meeting style in a Tussar silk specifically designed for office wear by Bunavat weaves (handloom production). Worn with an Everlane bodysuit. Details on the instagram post here.

Week 11: Saree as a pleated skirt in a Noorkari Chikankari Kota Doria saree which has so many other draping options- I can’t wait to try it in the summer again. Worn with a simple tank and sweater for nippy spring here in Michigan. Details on instagram post here.

Week 12: A new kashta with a six yard saree in a Meena Bazaar georgette that I wore for Navreh (beginning of the Kashmiri new year) with a Suta blouse. Details on instagram post here.

Week 13: The Ranchi drape with the Mangalagiri worn previously as a board meeting Saree. This is a shorter Saree and is quite literally wrapped up. Worn with a regular tee. Details on instagram post here.

Week 14: Boggili Posi Kattukodam without pallu worn with a tank and a ari-work jacket. Details on instagram here.

Week 15: A Saree skirt worn with a tank and Pashmina scarf. Details here.

Week 16: A dhoti styled saree worn with a belt. More here

All images on the main Saree project page!