Self-employed women's group to go global

Ahmedabad, March 20 (IANS) The Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), which assists poor women in the unorganised sector to make a living, is all set to take its apparel brand Hansiba to foreign shores by holding fashion shows in the US and Britain and exhibitions in Nepal and Bhutan.

SEWA chairperson Reema Nanavaty said: "Our apparel brand Hansiba will now hold fashion shows in the US and UK this year, besides exhibitions in Nepal and Bhutan."

Buoyed by the success of its fashion show, 'Ananta - The Flamboyant Stitch,' held here Friday, Nanavaty has planned for a fashion show in the US in July and another in London a month later.

"This will give a global impetus and help establish Hansiba, which is essentially an endeavour of the rural artisans of SEWA, in the international market," she said.

Nanavaty said the organisation was also working to expand Hansiba in the country itself to improve visibility as well as availability.

"The expansion plans include, among other things, opening of a store in Bangalore and Hyderabad," she added.

A day-long event, 'Reflections of Ananta,' which included a photo exhibition of rural artisans caught in telling moments of everyday life and screening of a 26-minute movie "Reflections" on the conceptualisation and journey of Ananta, was a runaway success.

The stellar attraction at the show, however, remained the Hansiba apparel styled by French designer Graham Hollick as part of his summer collection.