Saree industry needs mass-market revival, not couture reimagination, opinion argues

Op-ed contends India's saree economy is being narrowed by elite reinterpretation while handloom weavers lose ground. Cites Air India's reintroduction of zippered sarees for cabin crew as a functional revival cue, urging couturiers and consumers to back weavers across income brackets.

— Source publishedSat, 16 May, 2026, 00:44 IST·First seen Sat, 16 May, 2026, 00:50 IST·Source ET Small Business

What happened

Opinion piece argues India's saree industry needs revival via remarketing to all income brackets rather than elite reimagination. Notes Air India reintroducing

Why this matters

Weaver clusters and mid-priced handloom labels may become acquisition or partnership targets as the narrative shifts from elite reinvention to broad-based category revival.