Our Story

Our Story

By Varsha Bhatia & Jigyasa Bhatia

Sooti Dhaage began with a shared love between a mother and daughter — Varsha Bhatia and Jigyasa Bhatia — rooted in craft, memory, and storytelling.

Jigyasa, a fashion designer, was always drawn to the art, design, and clothing of the Mughal era. There was a certain quiet elegance in it — a sense of calm and beauty that felt timeless. That curiosity slowly led her to discover Chikankari — its motifs, techniques, and rich history. The more she read, the more she found herself deeply connected to the craft.

Every visit to her nani’s home became an opportunity to bring back a few Chikankari kurtas — pieces that didn’t just look beautiful, but made her feel it too.

From Varsha’s perspective, watching this journey unfold felt familiar.
Growing up in Uttar Pradesh, she had seen women effortlessly wear Chikankari as part of everyday life — it was never a trend, just something that belonged. When she came across one of Jigyasa’s blogs on Chikankari, she was left inspired. It reminded her of her own memories and sparked a thought — what if this love for craft could become something more?

With years of experience running small home-based businesses and successfully organising multiple Chikankari exhibitions, Varsha had already been closely connected to the craft. That foundation, combined with Jigyasa’s growing curiosity, naturally evolved into something bigger.

What began as a shared appreciation for Chikankari soon turned into a larger vision. Together, they realised — why stop at one craft? India is home to countless textiles, embroideries, and weaving traditions, each carried forward by skilled artisans who deserve to be seen, valued, and celebrated.

Today, Jigyasa works in fashion sustainability in the UK, and it felt impossible not to bring those learnings back to support the rich craft culture of her own country. Building Sooti Dhaage across time zones, navigating distance and challenges along the way, has been a journey of patience and purpose.

Bringing together Varsha’s hands-on experience and Jigyasa’s vision for a more sustainable future, we hope to build a brand that is both meaningful and impactful.

And now, we’re finally here — ready to begin.

Sooti Dhaage is our way of rediscovering India’s crafts and bringing them into modern wardrobes — thoughtfully, consciously, and with deep respect for the hands behind each piece.

Our aim is simple:
To rediscover India, thread by thread.