While growing up we went through difficult times but my mother managed by upcycling clothes. Table cloths covered trunks to make settees, old dresses made beautiful bolster covers. A darzi came once a week and fabrics were transformed into home furnishing. The most enduring memory is of Benarasi sarees which if she decided she didn’t like were converted into beautiful razaais.

Despite the ostensible financial leanness we were impeccably dressed. We got two new dresses and a pair of shoes every year which we wore to parties. She had an eye for colour, fabric and design. A bit of lace and spiffy combinations fashioned smart dresses from The Burda and other pattern books.

I have imbibed her love for handlooms and Indian traditional sarees. I don’t think she was consciously following a plan but my trousseau had sarees from every state and different colours – a varied palette. The ones chosen were smart, never OTT and she insisted on subdued elegance and sarees that wouldn’t quickly go out of style. Stuff that one could grow old with literally! A lesson for life! Jewellery made from money saved, somehow always looked very expensive as she wisely chose designs. We were always the envy of all we knew as they wondered where we procured our unique dresses. The darzi and some smart put together was the secret.

I attribute my love for handlooms and inherent sense of style, colour and design to my mother!