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About
Stay cool and stylish all summer long with this soon-to-be wardrobe staple from Indian artisan Una Gupta. Crafted from 100% cotton, the sleeveless dress features a screen-printed floral motif on an indigo base, a v-neckline embellished with shimmering sequins, and a comfortable relaxed fit.
Product details
- 100% cotton
- Do not bleach
- Use a warm iron
- Machine wash on gentle cycle
- Tumble dry on low heat
- 0.23 kgs
- 0.5 lbs
- Size: L,XXL
- Size: L,XXL
Meet the artist
"I would love to see that Indian style clothing becomes part of the world of fashion, and that I am part of this revolution."
"Hi, I'm Una from the beautiful city of Delhi and since childhood, I always wanted to create my own designs. I never wanted to look like everyone else. After finishing college I took a one year course in designing as I was really keen on following this as my career, despite much opposition from my father. He wanted me to follow the family tradition of going into the academic field. This discussion was perhaps one of my most difficult ones, but I was convinced about becoming a designer and I went ahead with my plan. When my father saw my potential and success, he was so proud of me!
"Starting on my own wasn't easy even though I had the required training and work experience. I was ready to venture on my own so I started by setting up a workshop in my own house. However like many young women entrepreneurs, I faced the challenge of balancing family life and raising funds. On top of that was the fact that it takes time to get the right team, and finding the clients. Having a supportive partner and my own perseverance ensured that I was operationally profitable within the first year.
"I have always been quite fascinated by the rich traditional arts of India, which perhaps also made me take up designing. I love block printing, using natural dyes and natural fabrics such as cotton and silk, and the beautiful art of embroidery.
"I learned from my mother the art of sewing and embroidery, which has helped me a lot to create something different. I look at the practical aspect of designing, for example when I was a student I had to use public transport to go to college, and it was easier to keep change in your pocket. So I started sewing hidden but accessible pockets in all my clothes. I still do that and most of my customers love the idea.
"I have always wanted to make reasonably priced yet fashionable clothes that are accessible to women that suits their personalities and body types.
"My dream is to help preserve the art of block printing, the use of natural vegetable dyes and India's traditional embroidery. I would love to see that Indian style clothing becomes part of the world of fashion, and that I am part of this revolution.
"It is so unfortunate that these days, the traditional block prints are being copied by cotton mills and are available at cheap prices. It is difficult to explain to customers why they should buy handmade block prints when the ones from the mills are cheaper and seemingly do not have any flaws. This has also meant that there are fewer artists who are willing to continue with this practice since the demand is diminishing and they are barely able to make enough to survive. I generally buy material from the local markets but I do travel to different cities to source materials not available. I try and minimize my day-to-day wastage of fabric by re-using smaller pieces to make clothes for children, bags and even experiment by combining textures and prints.
"I get my inspiration from the women in the countryside who are struggling to keep the traditional arts alive. I strongly believe that it’s important to showcase their work, and style it for a modern India so that our fabrics and embroidery continue to be relevant in a modern and globalized world, and I think my job is to work as the change agent.
"I feel very strongly about empowering women and I take pride in working with the local community. I employ only women to do embroidery work. They are economically deprived working class women with limited education. This job brings income to their family, which many have used to further educate their children. One of those women has been with me for over twenty years and has been able to send her daughter to college. Her daughter graduated with English honors from Delhi University last year.
"I have also been involved with a few NGOs where I had the opportunity of interacting and teaching women the art of hand embroidery and stitching. My work place is truly multi-religious: there are Hindu, Muslim and Christian men and women so we celebrate all the festivals and they are all able to take days off to celebrate their religious holiday."
This item was handmade in India by NOVICA artisan borrowers. Kiva lenders have helped these artisans stock up on materials, buy more tools and grow their businesses.
This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!
- Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
- Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
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We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
Return instructions
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
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We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.