Cut From The Same Cloth

VEENA RAMESH’S ETHNIC COLLAGE CURATES THE CHOICEST OF FABRICS FOR THE DISCERNING CUSTOMER

- Devika S Kartha

The story of fabric has been woven into the history of our human existence and has now become and indispensable part of our day to day lives. Beginning in ancient times when our ancestors plaited and weaved natural flax cotton and wool to create fabric and colored with dyes extracted from plants to our modern georgettes, organza and denims that are spun and woven in huge mechanized mills rolling out hundreds of meters in a matter of minutes. Today our lives are wrapped up in fabric of all kinds and colours. One would never leave the front door unless he or she were clothed from head to toe in clothing that reflected his/ her style, and even in the safety of our homes most of us love to feel the warmth and comfort of a nice pair of cotton pajamas.

India’s love affair with fabric is one that has spanned over the centuries. Every state has its own unique kind of weaving style from the lush and luxurious Kanchipuram silks of Tamil Nadu, the rich and creamy Kasavu sarees of Kerala, the Banarasi silks of Varanasi and the Kota Doria of Rajastan to name a few. Veena Ramesh has long been drawn to the allure of yards of beautiful fabric. A native of Payyoli in Calicut district, Veena, an MBA graduate, was working as a banking professional when she decided to take her love for all things woven to the next level. “It was a dream I always had in the back of my mind and I had the support of my husband to help my passion take flight.” she says. We take to Veena about her entrepreneurial journey and how fabric makes her world go around.

Tell us about Ethnic Collage and your foray into the business?