Dressing up Shiro
Pet parent Sravani Reddy starts Coimbatore’s rst pet clothing line featuring bright colours and breathable fabrics A 300ft long mural gracing the Tamil Nadu Institute of Urban Studies compound wall in Saibaba Colony symbolises feminine strength
he lively grati, featuring owing sarees, majestic elephants, and the city’s historical journey, infuses joy into public areas. The 300ft long mural gracing the Tamil Nadu Institute of Urban Studies compound wall at Alagesan Road in Saibaba Colony symbolises feminine strength, with a woman’s saree spanning the entire wall and connecting 24 images. This is a project initiated by the Bharathi Park Ladies Association (BPLA) with the support of Nippon Paints, in collaboration with the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID), Coimbatore Chapter and the Department of Architecture and Design, Karpagam University. “The grati stands as a heartfelt dedication to the women residing in the area, whose tireless eorts contribute to maintaining its greenery and cleanliness,” explains Shiwani, a third-year architecture student who led a group of 20 fellow department volunteers. After working six days under the scorching sun, I am happy to see the city buzzing with art. It’s our rst time seeing our paper drawings turn into something beautiful for everyone to enjoy,” says Shiwani, smiling.
The mural paints a journey through time and space. It begins with a regal scene in a palace courtyard, where a woman draped in a saree, each yard laden with history, sits gracefully. From there, the saree unfurls across picturesque
Tlandscapes — rivers, ower elds, and humble villages and temples — where blessings are bestowed by majestic elephants. Transitioning seamlessly, the mural captures the pulse of modern life, from the excitement of a cricket stadium
◣ ravani Reddy’s love for fashion took a new turn when she adopted Shiro, a Shih Tzu. The entrepreneur and fashion blogger has conceptualised a pet clothing brand called Le Shiro, which can be considered the city’s rst pet couture line. “I am a Shinchan fan, so I named her Shiro. I wanted the same name for my brand since my pet is my inspiration,” says Sravani, who calls her dog her CEO.
Sravani fondly recalls the day Shiro entered her life. Being a fashion designer, she wanted to dress up her dog as well. And as they say, like mother, like daughter: little Shiro was also enamoured by fashion and bright colours. “She gives a lot of attention to me when she sees me dressing up. That’s why she has taken a liking to clothing,” she says.
Sravani rst started dressing up Shiro as a puppy in 2019. “I had some leftover fabric and asked a tailor to stitch a dress for her,” she says, adding
Sto the bustling streets alive with the hum of cars, ights, and trains. Yet, amidst the urban sprawl, it poignantly reminds us of the price of progress as factories belch thick smoke into the sky, a stark contrast to the natural beauty that preceded. that she was not happy with how it turned out. “That is when I felt pets should have a separate clothing line,” she states.
Many pet parents buy infant clothes for their fur babies. But Sravani feels that it is important to customise pet clothing. “Dogs and cats need clothes with a high waist to walk comfortably and need an extra hook to attach the top and bottom so that it doesn’t fall o,” she says, adding that a Velcro nish and breathable fabric is important to avoid itchiness.
Matching sets for the pet and parent have been trending and Le Shiro has not stayed behind. Her line features clothes in bright yellows, browns and blues. Le Shiro is now an online venture, but Sravani hopes to expand into a walk-in store which specialises in pet essentials. “Pets can come in and choose what toys they want. They can also get a spa done,” she adds.
Sravani says since she is a pet parent herself, she is able to understand the needs of her customers. “We share snippets from our pets’ lives, such as how our babies wake us up, what they eat, and how fussy they are.” Le Shiro also stays in touch with its customers through personal birthday wishes.
It has been only ve months since Sravani started Le Shiro, but she has already garnered over a hundred customers from the city. Sravani’s family has now expanded: Shiro now has a daughter, the new co-CEO of the start-up.
For details, visit them on Instagram @leshiro.india
Nitu Rahul Parasher, President of BPLA, said such spaces enhance the dynamism of the urban environment. “We’ve noticed a community spirit, especially in Saibaba Colony. Residents and children walking past the mural are keen to grasp its signicance and often join to add their touch to
To the the artwork. It’s not just an artist’s interpretation; it’s a community-driven initiative.”
Located opposite the children’s park, the mural beckons visitors, especially children, who are drawn to its colours, she says. “A lot of trash thrown around here. Now, it’s a chance to teach people about keeping the environment tidy.”
“Every design is anchored by the theme of ‘yards’,” explains Kshrinee Aashish Raichuraa, Chairperson of IIID Coimbatore Centre. “In celebration of IIID’s golden jubilee, we introduced seven volumes of our Inscape design magazine. The rst folio was unveiled in Chennai, and now the second instalment, ‘The Yards We Scale,’ is unveiled in Coimbatore.” The aim is to nurture budding artists and give them the chance to shine in a public project.
With street art and grati transforming mundane walls into vibrant canvases, the urban landscape has seen the emergence of potent catalysts for change.