A Revival STORY
This 45-year-old store in the city has been dedicatedly converting heirloom sarees into wearable pieces of design.
For 45 years now, a simple old bungalow in Victoria Layout has been one of the best kept secrets in town and the seat of handloom revival like no other. Established by the Late Chimmy Nanjappa in 1974, Vimor now sees the involvement of her grandchildren. Once the antique saree business ran out of pieces, the family decided to venture into revival sarees. Walk into the store with an heirloom saree and Pavithra Muddaya, 58, Nanjappa's daughter and a self-taught designer, will translate those memories into a wearable piece for you. The revival happens in stages, based on whether you want an exact replica or an interpretation of the original, the fabric you choose and the number of pieces you are looking to own.
The tiny single room shop stacked with sarees in old wood and glass cabinets has been witness to the who's who of the country and beyond. A peek into the guest books reveals recent visits by singer Shubha Mudgal and designer Wendell Rodricks, among others. Regulars include actor Ratna Pathak Shah and the Gandhi family, known to have worn these sarees for generations. In here, it isn't just about buying a saree but a crash course on the different weaves, craft and an insight into the life of weavers in the regions down South. "We have built a repository of sorts over the years. At first I would learn about the styles, motifs and terms from the weavers, now I teach it back to them in a more practical way. Over years, we proudly say that each of the weavers we have associated with is now bigger than us. They often come to see us in their luxury cars", says Muddaya.
While revival sarees may be Vimor's strong point, there is a lot more on offer here, including a new series crafted in Rajasthan using the traditional rug design of the region. "I took the rug designs and set the loom to create sarees using those patterns. Each saree takes a weaver a month to create", she explains. Rajasthan's traditional gota work has seen a new form by making its way into weaves instead of being embroidered. Other than that, there are lungi sarees, those with the Karnataka emblem Gandaberunda, and one where a weaver translated his experiences in a town onto yarn peppered with motifs of traditional carriages and helicopters. It is these little surprises and the tales behind them, unlike any other saree retailer that make a visit to Vimor special.
AT Vimor, 49 (new#28) Victoria Layout, 3rd Cross TEL 9886739291
PRICE Rs 900 onwards
We have built a repository over the years. At first, I would learn about the styles, motifs and terms from the weavers, now I teach it to them.