Allanga sarees: Beauty through paintwork

By Fathima Riznaz Hafi

The traditional saree in itself radiates beauty and elegance but when creativity especially in the form of artwork is incorporated into it, there is a whole new level of beauty to be witnessed. 

Allanga is an online shop that thrives through its artwork to create little masterpieces in the form of sarees. While maintaining the traditional concepts of a saree, Allanga seeks to add value to its products by exploring a diversity of designs, colours, tones and textures and implementing them in its creations.

Allanga Founder Nilangi Perera creates her own designs as well as custom-made ones meeting her clients in person to get a clear idea of what would be ideal for the particular client, not only in terms of what that client desires but also what would best suit her. 

Allanga was launched only a month ago but has already completed its first collection and begun the second one.  

The Weekend FT spoke to Nilangi to learn more about what goes into Allanga’s sarees. 

 

How it happened

“I learnt design at universityand then went for some training in silk painting and basic styles. I graduated recently and wasn’t sure what career to pursue – I studied in two streams –accounting and designing and wanted to be very independent when deciding what I wanted to do in my future.

“I went for a few job interviews but didn’t feel I would fit in any of those places. Then I took a three-month break, did a lot of travelling and finally decided I wanted to do something on my own, which was a business where I can create something out of paint because I love painting and that’s how Allanga started,” she said.

“I was really scared at first because it was a risky decision but then I thought I’m still young and just graduated so I have time to experiment and wouldn’t get that after 10 years – I wouldn’t be this adventurous. What made it easier was my family has been very supportive the whole time.”

 

Freedom

“Just by selling two or three sarees I can earn more than what I would if I was working for a company; I don’t like to do an eight-to-five job – waking up early in the morning; this work gives me freedom and I can travel as well – I like to travel and take my own pictures – I get ideas for shades and tones and colours and how I can incorporate those into my designs from my travelling. I’m a big fine art fan so I get my colour inspirations from that. I’m very happy. This is something I enjoy; it’s not just the money – it’s my passion and I put a lot of effort into it.”

Personal touch

“Allanga is like an art – it is painting and colours. I think my positive aspect is my knowledge in colour. I would therefore use it as a differentiating factor from the rest of the sarees that are in the design market as I’m doing something new.

“I don’t like glitter on me; even when I go to weddings I don’t like to wear shimmery stuff because it doesn’t go well with my complexion so I created something of my own by playing around with colours. I do the same for my clients – I come up with designs that suit that particular client.”

Showing us a saree that she had just completed, which carried a beautiful painting of butterflies in a multitude of vivid colours she explained, “This is not something that would fit my taste but the customer specifically asked for a lot of colours. So I had to give her something that I could incorporate a lot of colours in – that’s why I went with butterflies!

“Allanga is about creating your own signature style so if you’re not satisfied with what’s there in the market, our customised service would allow you to express yourself in the way you want. The designer knows the colour that would be suitable for a particular complexion or what you should wear according to your body size – that’s where the designer adds value to the brand.

“Many people tell me they like my collection and that ‘it’s like wearing an art piece’ – that’s the best compliment that I got – that’s what I wanted to give as well and they have recognised it!” 

 

Premium brand

Since she started this she gets many enquiries – more than 100 per day and a lot of requests to bring down the price but she’s a bit indecisive on that. She says in the designer saree market the prices for premium brands are higher than hers. 

“It’s a craft-based thing – the designer adds value and it takes a lot of time – it’s not something you produce out of nowhere – you have to think about the design, colour and the complexion of the person and the desire of the person to create something for them. We put a lot of emphasis on the material, the paint is very costly and the process is very integrated – you have to put a lot of effort and be able to find a market that would appreciate this work.”

 

Future goals 

“The response has been really good and I was able to sell off my first collection without any trouble – even through an online shop and at a premium price. If I expand this into a boutique and perhaps get into Colombo Fashion Week, maybe I would get more opportunities. 

“I want to expand to everyday wear, party dresses, couture dresses, and not stick to just sarees but for that I would need more workforce; right now I’m doing this alone so my output is limited. Little by little I will add things into the brand,” she said.

“Eventually I want to go abroad to do a fashion internship and learn new things.” 

The new addition to Allanga is its bridal and bridesmaids attire. They have a few weddings coming up in December and next year.

Pix by Shehan Gunasekara

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