Handloom clothing is a traditional clothing trend that is almost forgotten. Luckily, there is someone among us who is working hard to revive this. Meet Saikiran Kore, a photographer who is working towards popularizing the traditional style of hand-woven clothes.
Saikiran once got an idea to shoot the entire process of farming – from beginning to end. However, before he could put his plan to action, someone had already worked on that theme. Saikiran didn’t want to repeat the same.
Waiting For His Passion – Saikiran Kore
SaiKiran waited for his special calling while pursuing photography. He got the idea of a handloom business when he heard the IT Minister of Telangana, Mr. KT Rama Rao, promoting handloom clothes at an event a couple of years ago. It inspired Saikiran, and he was looking for opportunities to implement his ideas. He was still a struggling photographer in 2018.
He had neither the knowledge, skill, or money needed to bring back the traditional clothing trend.
However, the lack of these things couldn’t stop Saikiran from exploring the handloom world. Along with a couple, he went to villages like Pochampalli, Vellanki, and many other rural areas in Telangana, famous for handloom work. He learned a lot about the handloom process and the struggles associated with it. During this time, Saikiran met Sneha Reddy Konakati, a co-founder who deals with clients and vendor management at ekor.
Making The Team And The Brand
The duo met at a friend’s book launch and connected almost instantly. They were both passionate about reviving the traditional clothing trend and wanted to work together. Soon the team grew, and the duo was joined by a friend, Narendra. He offered to look after the content-related needs of the organization. Another member of this team is Sushma Soma, who is a design expert.
Interestingly, they all met through a familiar friend named Atchuta. Atchuta and Suma kore are also the teams of ekor when the team analyzes decision making and account management. The passion of all these people put together created ekor – Everyday ekor, Everyday Handloom!
When a great thing has to happen, destiny brings all the required people together. They formed a brilliant team to promote the traditional clothing trend – handlooms!
The hard work of the team is not unnoticed. All thanks to the power of social media. Many people have expressed their appreciation and support for ekor.
The company gets its catchy name from its owner’s surname. ‘Kore’ in Saikiran’s name was smartly tweaked to ekor. Saikiran didn’t want to give an ordinary name to his unique idea. As intended, the name turns out to be as rare and unique as the product. It now grabs the attention of handloom seekers.
At ekor, they bring the raw materials from remote places of Telangana, have them stitched and designed by weavers and display them in their boutique. They try to sell this traditional clothing in a fashionable way such that it’s liked, bought and worn by everyone. Simply put, clothes at ekor are fashionable and affordable.
The only obstacle to the business is its pricing. To make it affordable to all, products at ekor are always reasonably priced. It leaves the team with very little or no scope for profit. ekor is solely financed by Saikiran. He invests the money from photography into the company. Sai Kiran didn’t want to bring in investors who may compel him to compromise on the idea, quality, or pricing.
ekor’s Success Story
Talking about achievements in this field, Sai Kiran proudly speaks of one person Dr. Ravikiran who consistently sticks to his handloom clothes. He was a client of Saikiran’s from the photography assignment. When he learned about the handloom company, he joined hands in promoting the traditional clothing trend. Today, this client and his entire family wear only handloom clothes from the ekor design studio. A month He bought 18 pieces of handloom clothes from ekor. This man is living by the tagline of the company.
All the hard work at ekor, took its people back to the IT Minister, Mr. KT Rama Rao. Saikiran got an opportunity to meet the minister and present a shirt hand-loomed for him. The minister appreciated and encouraged ekor.
ekor gets unpaid promotion through social media. Soon print media started writing about it and made it more popular. To date, the story of the brand ambassador of the traditional clothing trend is covered by newspapers and TV programs like Telangana Today and ETV Yuva, and many more.
With time Saikiran hopes to turn his venture into a huge brand and reach out to as many people as possible. Let’s hope that he is successful in bringing back the traditional clothing trend.
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