How Singapore fashion label The Dori turns old saris into one-of-a-kind shirts
Named after the Hindi word for thread, The Dori is how three childhood friends are upcycling old saris into everyday wear, and reconnecting with their roots.
The Dori is a fashion label founded by three childhood friends in Singapore who upcycle old saris into unique shirts, reconnecting with their cultural roots. Named after the Hindi word for thread, The Dori was started in January 2025 by digital creator Rishabh Sharma after he experimented with turning his mother's sari into a shirt and found success on social media.
The trio, including Ajinkya Kulkarni and Laavanya Kejriwal, began by gathering saris from family friends and noticed that many were collecting dust instead of being donated. They aimed to create unisex and androgynous garments that would fill the gap left by existing brands focusing on women's wear. The first collection, "New Beginnings: 45 one-of-a-kind shirts," was launched in July 2025 at One Trick Pony and sold out within the day.
The shirts are made by hand, with the most intricate parts of the sari becoming the focal point, while the borders are turned into cuffs, plackets, or back yokes. The team faces challenges in finding artisans and running a clothing business, but sees their dual identity as a blessing, as they can tap into two rich cultural roots.
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- How Singapore fashion label The Dori turns old saris into one-of-a-kind shirts channelnewsasia.com
