We were lucky to catch up with Julie Patel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Julie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Almost every South Asian woman I know has stacks of saris sitting in bins or suitcases in their house. Saris are somewhere between 6 to 7 yards of fabric, that is draped a certain way around a woman’s body, and worn as occasionwear. Similar to a prom dress, a sari is something that is for the most part worn once, and then put aside. They are also given as gifts at weddings and other cultural events and tend to accumulate over time. Seeing western brands come out with dresses, pants, and jackets made from fabrics from India struck a light bulb for me. I then started playing around with making these western silhouettes with my own saris. Once I started wearing my own creations to events, friends started asking me to do the same with their saris. It was then that I decided to make this a business. With the emphasis on sustainability, and also preserving our culture, my business has grown to new heights. It also holds some sentimental value to the customer. Many use the saris of their elders or ancestors to make something wearable while honoring them and reducing waste. Why buy something new, when you can remake something that’s already in your closet? This is how “saris reborn” by Julkee Fashion blossomed.
Julie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have always loved fashion since I was young. I never studied it, however, I decided to teach myself in my early 20s. The basis of my business is upcycling saris into western dresses and outfits for women and children. I am proud to call myself a sustainable brand. I am also a size-inclusive brand, making custom work for any size.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I believe I am currently at a time in my career when I want to pivot. I would like to build a team to help me sew so that I can do more volume. I believe that I can still provide a very custom experience but will be able to take on more orders and help more customers with this team.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I often deal with the backlash from those who believe that it’s not okay to cut up saris. They believe I am insulting the culture and it should be left the way it is. There will always be some who disagree with what I do, but I focus on my customers who continue to support me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.julkeefashion.com
- Instagram: JulkeeFashion
- Facebook: JulkeeFashion
Image Credits
Em Bateman