DALLAS — Two local women from North Texas came up with the sari closet, where South Asian women across North Texas and the country can talk about their garments.
The concept has gained so much traction, some of the Indian garments are being repurposed to help people in need.
"We would go into our closets and look around, and say 'oh my goodness,'" said Anu Basu, the creator of sariup.com.
Saris are a South Asian tradition, garments that women tend to keep stacked in their closets for decades.
"What are we going to do with all these clothes?," said Basu.
One day, during the pandemic, Basu and her partner started Sari Up.
"Let’s turn it into a business. Let’s take the old sari’s and create a platform, people can trade their saris," said Basu.
From selling to trading, each one of these saris has a sentimental story behind them.
"We all have this emotional connection with our aunts, grandmothers, mothers," said Basu.
The saris help women build a connection, a connection now shared on an online platform..
"We tend to relate a specific sari to them," Basu said.
Each sari is made in a different region of India. And the colors symbolize a different sentiment.
"It’s a folk art, form of folk art, intricate embroideries, stiches," Basu said about saris.
With all the Saris they’ve been getting from around the country, the creators decided to repurpose the garments by making bags, dresses, pillows and window coverings -- making sure the sentiment stays in the family.
‘’The female members of the family usually sit around it, and work on different parts,’’ Basu said.
Sari Up is also making sure people in need can benefit from the garments by donating 6 yards of fabric to anyone who need them.
To share your story, or build your closet, visit Sari Up's website here.