Suta's Sister Duo Make The Traditional Drape Trending Again With Sneaker-Ready Sarees

While the saree has been an power woven armor worn daily for one generation of women, most of the next generation struggles to drape it. While the power suit with pleats and pallus was once confidently carried to work places, markets and more, saree has become an occasion-only fit for most of the younger crowd.

Looking to shift this, this sister duo's boot-strapped business, is determined to bring the saree back in its full glory. Sujata and Taniya Biswas' vision of making the elegant six yards accessible to the younger generation again is the very story of Suta Saree.

Apart from the brand name being a combination of their names, it also means 'thread' and 'daughter' which "fits perfectly," according to Sujata. The sisters said that creating a brand with impact was one thing that pushed them to quit their corporate jobs to pursue this dream.

When asked about what's different about a Suta saree, Taniya had a simple response, "When you see a Suta saree, you know its a Suta saree."

While a few may borrow their mother's or aunt's sarees for a few functions, it is clear that most youngsters are not confident enough to invest in or buy their own saree.

"We wanted Sarees to make a come-back in people's lives. We wanted Gen Z to go out, buy their own sarees and wear it with confidence" added Sujata. To build their business these founders had to lean in and listen to what exactly was holding girls back from wearing sarees.

"Initially we were like no, girls should learn how to wear a saree and why are they not wearing it the way we are. But we listen to customers," said Sujata. Things changed as they understood the intimidation of wearing a saree and soon started offering clip-ons and ready-to-wear options.

"A lot of youngsters are buying our sarees now and a lot of women who had initially stopped wearing sarees," said the elder sibling.

Owning a business with someone who you ran around with since you were in diapers, is a rare feat. When asked about their bond, the Biswas sisters have the widest smiles.

"During our childhood, our father had a transferable job, so we moved around a lot. Only constant for each other was us and we had to be friends and soulmates. We do fight it out sometimes but we do not take it to bed so we finish all our fights in five minutes," Taniya recounts.

Working together definitely looked different from childhood and the sisters had to work on their relationship. It was not just them anymore and their dynamic stretched to support 17,000 weavers and artisans alongside their 300 member team.

Another chaotic but practical way that these sisters keep their dynamic alive is the duo's living arrangement.

"We live together with our kids, husbands and our parents. There are 13 of us living in the same household. So she knows if there is a mess in the house that she can help and take charge. I don't think either of us could've had better co-founders." explains Sujata.