Founder of the homegrown bag label Sarjaa, Anjana Arjun vividly recalls never being attached to the concept of fashion while growing up. A tomboy in middle school, her sartorial choices included long and baggy shirts, shorts and sneakers. As someone who still recognises herself as a tomboy at heart, Anjana realises there’s been a metamorphosis wherein over the past decade or so, she has ventured into experimenting with sophisticated and feminine looks, depending on her mood. She adds, “Fashion is really a lifestyle for many people and represents personalities and characters. It should never be intimidating to anyone. It should really be a fun way to express themselves.”
Sarjaa is a label that has been built on the pillars of modern aesthetics and sustainability. “Sarjaa came to fruition after finding a gap in the market for high-quality, premium handbags, made with ethically-sourced materials.” Each plant-based handbag is a work of art, uniquely handcrafted using fruit leathers such as apple skin — a first in India — pineapple and cactus leather, ethically-sourced silks and cotton, recyclable aluminium and prints designed by local artists, which are used in the inner lining of the bags.
Having studied at Parsons, and then worked with renowned labels such as Proenza Schouler and Elie Tahari, Anjana’s biggest takeaway has been learning about the ethics of maintaining a successful business. She breaks it down further, “I think showing up everyday to work and getting your work done is important, and if that feels too hard, then you may not be as passionate. In the creative world especially, I learnt that it's important to be very open to constructive criticism. It will only make your work better.”
When it comes to Sarjaa’s process of creation, collaboration is key. Their work stretches from Chennai to parts of Karnataka. The designing is first done by her and the team. They later prototype them, and then convey the tech packs to the manufacturing unit, who then execute the final product. Sarjaa’s bags have been two years in the making. The research and development of the new materials was long and laborious. “We tested how strong the materials could really be, what kind of needle and threads would work with them, and what kind of materials goes with which design we had in mind. It was a tough process, but I think the team worked with such passion and great attitude to meet design expectations.”
The label’s design language is truly unique. Their first drop includes six different designs, each made at least in three different colours. Each bag comes with its own story. Anjana explains, “From a merchandising point-of-view, I wanted to have a classic bag that would be timeless, a few trendy mini bags, a big tote, and a good top-handle, easy to get in and out of kind of bags. Basically, a well-rounded collection. I definitely wanted each bag to correlate with each other and speak to the brand's aesthetic. Each of the bags have their own names, named in different languages around India.”
When it comes to the fashion of now, her thought process is clear — she believes there needs to be a massive slow down and quality should be given precedence. There needs to be enough light shed on the afterlife of a product. As someone who is occupied with the design, marketing and finance of the label, Anjana has her plate full, but is also focusing on expanding the label. On a parting note, she concludes, “I also have a life outside of the business. I make sure to walk my dogs everyday, spend time with family and friends, visit our temple and my farm animals. I would say, all of the above are definitely keeping me content.”
Text Unnati Saini
Date 06-10-2022