A Samasta Story of Sustainable Fashion

Reborn from the Flood: A Samasta Story of Sustainable Fashion

By Mridulika Menon

In December 2015, our boutique in Kotturpuram, Chennai was hit by the floods.

A season of relentless rain ended in devastating floods. Our shop, located in the basement of my parent's home, was suddenly under water. Within hours, precious collections of handcrafted sarees, block-printed textiles, and years of records were submerged.

As the water rose, we had to be rescued by boat and truck. My 6 year old daughter had to be carried out on her uncle’s shoulders through neck-deep water. We had to be rescued by boat to the safety of a friend's house.

For nearly a week, we couldn’t access the space. When the water finally receded and the pumping stopped, we went down to see the damage and I was devastated:

Sarees, soaked throughly, Computers and printers, damaged beyond repair and Files and bill books, completely illegible.

Most would have considered it a total loss. But my mother didn’t believe in throwing things away.

🌿 A Lesson in Resilience

My mother has always lived by the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle — long before they became popular hashtags. In the days that followed, she poured her energy into rescuing every piece of fabric.

The sarees were washed and rewashed. Some were dyed to hide stains. Others were block-printed, treated with love, or embroidered to mask water damage. A few were cut and reworked into new silhouettes.

What emerged wasn’t ruin — it was reinvention.
A collection of pieces that carried the scars of survival and the beauty of rebirth.
They were no longer just garments. They were stories.

✨ What Sustainable Fashion Truly Means

At Samasta, sustainability isn’t just about materials. It’s about:

  • Respecting the time and skill behind handwoven textiles

  • Honouring heritage over hype

  • Looking at waste as an opportunity to create

A single handwoven saree can take weeks — even months — to create. That kind of artistry deserves reverence, not replacement. What the flood taught us is that damage doesn’t mean the end. Sometimes, it’s the beginning of something more meaningful.

🧵 Samasta Today: Fashion with Purpose

This flood story is woven into the very DNA of Samasta. Our collections today reflect this journey — celebrating upcycled fashion, conscious design, and the belief that true beauty lies in imperfection and resilience.

Whether it's a jacket made from an old dupatta, or a blouse stitched from leftover silk, our pieces carry more than aesthetic — they carry soul.

Because fashion should not just look good. It should mean something.

🌸 Join Our Journey

Explore our latest collections and workshops dedicated to sustainable design, styling, and textile revival.
From handwoven sarees to reimagined heirlooms, everything at Samasta is a tribute to thoughtful living.

👉 Visit our boutique in Alwarpet, Chennai
👉 Follow our stories on Instagram: @samastaonline
👉 Join us for upcoming events and workshops on upcycling, draping, and more.

#SustainableFashion #UpcycledSarees #SamastaStories #ChennaiFloods #TextileRevival #ResilientFashion #HandloomIndia #SlowFashionMovement #MadeInIndia #EcoChic #FashionWithMeaning

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