Sarees aren’t just ordinary clothing items; they are neatly folded pieces of heritage, carrying intricate craftsmanship and the feeling of being wrapped in love.
If you're looking for one that reflects Goan culture and is crafted with warmth, here's where you'll find yourself lost in a collection of beautiful creations, making it difficult to pick just one.
“We make handloom Kunbi sarees with a contemporary twist, while not letting go of its true essence as far as the weave, loom and quality of fabric is concerned,” says Radha Shinkre, the owner of Shop Sincro.
Growing up, Radha was fascinated with her mother’s saree collection from across India. But, while she loved sarees, she didn’t connect to the typical kunbi saree, a red, chequered saree that is named after one of Goa’s oldest tribes.
Eventually that changed. Along with her mother Rajal Shinkre, she set up Shop Sincro where the duo are reimagining traditional patterns and colours to make Kunbi sarees a vibrant and stylish choice for the younger generation.
“During her tenure as a college principal, my mother played a pivotal role in establishing a handloom weaving centre for Kunbi sarees, an initiative supported by the late Wendell Rodricks, the internationally renowned fashion designer,” reminisces Radha, who was inspired to make Kunbi a global handloom craft and thus began her dream of reimagining the Kunbi saree.
The process of creating one batch of sarees takes about two to three months. Making it in small batches helps make each saree design unique and preserve the exclusivity.
“It begins with sourcing high quality yarn, dyeing it in vibrant hues as per the design. Setting up the loom itself takes about 15 days. Each saree is woven by a skilled weaver, taking about two days to complete,” she explains.
Working with skilled weavers and fabric construction experts based in Karnataka, who produce their designs, Radha also engages the services of women artisans from different parts of India and Goa to embellish the sarees as and when required.
And why get your hands on their sarees? Well, Kunbi weaving is a unique technique that interlocks the weft and warp yarns to create a fine, sieve-like fabric, and at Shop Sincro, this traditional craft is elevated by innovative experiments with colours, patterns, borders and interesting pallu designs.
“All this gives each saree a distinct and contemporary appeal. The fusion of heritage weaving techniques with modern aesthetics sets our sarees apart,” says the owner, revealing that she aspires to establish her own weaving unit in Goa where she can train and empower local artisans.
From a young girl who draped dupattas to mimic sarees, to someone who embarked on a journey to reinvent an old craft, today, Radha’s saree venture stands as a testament to her dedication.
DETAILS
BUY AT: Sarees are available at The Sincro Hotel, Margao and online on Instagram @shopsincro
PRICING: Kunbi sarees range from Rs 2800 to Rs 5000. Other sarees like Bagru handblock print, tie dye, Zardozi hand embroidery, Chanderi silk, Bengal mul cotton, etc range from Rs 1300 to Rs 8000