Back

Reimagining the Saree in India

March 17, 2026 by Student Bernice M.

Back to all projects

Learning Targets

  • Adaptability/Managing Complexity
  • Creativity
  • Visual Literacy

Location: Mumbai, India | Term: 2025-2026

The Driving Question

How can traditional garments be reimagined through the merging of innovation and contemporary ethics with a deep-rooted history and culture?

The Project: The Umushanana-Saree Fusion

In response to the driving question, Bernice developed a bespoke saree design that acts as a cultural bridge between Indian textile tradition and her own Rwandan heritage.

  • The Design Goal: Working from a hypothetical client brief, Bernice sought to design a garment that felt “effortless and modern.” The result was a fusion concept inspired by the Rwandan Umushanana, reimagining the saree as a global garment suitable for high-profile celebrations like Rwandan weddings.
  • Innovation & Ethics: Her design process prioritized “slow fashion” ethics, researching sustainable materials like Tussar silk and examining how digital looms and CAD programs can modernize production without losing the “sacred geometry” of hand-drawn motifs.
Mastering the pinch: A close-up look at the precision required for Bandhani tie-dyeing, where small sections of fabric are bound to resist dye and create intricate patterns.

Field Research & Immersive Learning

To ground her design in “deep-rooted history,” Bernice engaged in extensive field research throughout Mumbai:

  • Sacred Geometry: By studying the Kanheri Caves and the Global Vipassana Pagoda, Bernice analyzed ancient architectural patterns—such as the Flower of Life—and translated those spiritual symbols into contemporary textile motifs.
  • Radical Resourcefulness: An excursion to the Dharavi informal economy provided a lesson in “contemporary ethics.” She observed how the community’s circular economy repurposes every scrap of fabric, proving that high-efficiency production can be deeply sustainable.
  • Technical Workshops: Bernice took part in hands-on learning in Bandhani (Tie-dyeing) and Block Printing, mastering the technical precision required to balance traditional complexity with a modern, “effortless” aesthetic.
A high-angle shot looking down at a large, circular stone floor inside a grand hall. The floor features an intricate geometric star-shaped pattern made of inlaid stone. A person stands near the center of the design, providing a sense of the massive scale of the architecture. The space is part of the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai, visited during the Śāṭikā Sūtra module.

Final Product: A Bespoke Design Brief

The module culminated in a technical design for a 5,000-year-old garment reimagined for the 21st century.

  • The Assessment: Bernice produced a final design specification, including a client needs analysis and a structural breakdown of the saree’s Par (border) and Pallu.
  • The Summative Reflection: In her final analysis, she reflected on the ethics of cultural representation, arguing that the “Umushanana-Saree” is not just a piece of clothing, but a respectful evolution that celebrates diversity and the shared pride found in both Indian and Rwandan traditions.

Related posts