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Rescued Sex Workers In Bengal And Bihar Create Magic With Recycled Saris

Rescued Sex Workers In Bengal And Bihar Create Magic With Recycled Saris
rosenasammi.com

Sex workers in West Bengal and Bihar are assisting a US-based designer in production of jewellery and hair accessories fashioned out of upcycled saris with sale proceeds going towards educating women rescued from trafficking.

"I am thrilled that we have teamed together to produce an eco-friendly product. I have used up-cycled saris to create this collection, hence the name Who's Sari now? Our focus is jewellery and hair accessories. We have bangles, necklaces and various styled headbands. We also have a line of bags launching soon," says Rosena Sammi, founder, Rosena Sammi Jewelry.

Who's Sari Now? is an initiative in association with Apne Aap Women Worldwide to empower women and children rescued by the Delhi-based anti-sex trafficking NGO from the red light districts across India.

Sales from the Who's Sari Now jewellery and accessories collection, which uses up-cycled saris, will directly benefit the education of the rescued girls and women.

"A percentage of the profit from the bangles and headbands will go to support school for children from red-light areas in India through the Apne Aap community centres," says Ruchira Gupta, Founder and President Apne Aap Women Worldwide.

Rosena Sammi Jewelry is a global-chic brand launched this January. Celebrity fans of her jewellery include Rihanna, Jessica Simpson, Blake Lively, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Alba, Naomi Watts and Hilary Duff besides Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra.

"I am the mother of two young girls and I have always had an interest in advocating for women, both as a lawyer and as a jewelry designer. When I met Ruchira and learnt about the work she was doing, I knew this was an opportunity to make a difference," says Sammi.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.