Let’s look into the empowering journey of Sanjukta Dutta, the proud daughter of Assam, who globalized Chador Mekhela and inspired many fashion designers from Assam.
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Sanjukta Dutta is a well-known name in the fashion industry. From globalizing the traditional wear of Assam called Chador Mekhela to popularizing Assam silk all over India, Sanjukta has set a benchmark in the fashion world and paves the way for the growing fashion aspirants.
She is a creative genius who has been able to highlight the ramps with her mesmerizing silk pieces for years. Her work has been lauded by numerous well-known designers. It is her authenticity and uniqueness that make Sanjukta Dutta a fashion sensation.
Image credit: Sanjukta Dutta
Born in Nogaon, Assam, Sanjukta Dutta has made Assam proud by reviving its silk and traditional wear. She has been representing Assam for years through her clothing pieces and traditional jewelry, which are loved all around the world. It is her dedication that sets her apart from other artists and makes her a successful designer, wife, mother, and true inspiration for the youth.
Finding oneself
A studious daughter holding the dreams of her family, Sanjukta Dutta chased her ambitions all through her life. She not only excelled as a popular fashion label but also achieved scholastic goals.
She pursued engineering at Assam Engineering College. After completing her B.Tech., Sanjukta worked at the Public Works Department as an assistant engineer for ten years. But her profession never aligned with her passion.
Sanjukta had always yearned for a creative burst in her work that would enable her to achieve unprecedented heights and allow her to showcase her own personality. Technology was a way of earning a livelihood, but it was in the fabrics and silhouettes that she found her home.
The Big Step
When life pushes us to become our best selves, no force can stop a heart full of passion and dedication to achieve it. It was her creative hunger that drove Sanjukta to quit her well-earned position and resign from her job.
After years of working as an assistant engineer, Sanjukta decided to quit her job and start her dressmaking journey. Even her officials attempted to persuade her to reconsider her decision, but her entire family was opposed to it.
Her husband was the only one who encouraged and supported her to follow her heart and pursue her goals.
Blooming business
It all started with the Sohum Shoppe, where she started selling her garments, as the owner was a good acquaintance of her and fond of her designs. Sooner, it became a success, and she sold over 3,000 pieces in just a year and a half.
After quitting her job, Sanjukta initially started with three handlooms in Guwahati and a few artisans to prepare her designs. It was definitely a challenge for someone coming from an academic and tech background to set foot in the fashion industry, especially in a place like Assam where people were so rooted in traditional wear that fusion and innovation were far from reach.
She had to hire the artisans and provide them with all the utilities, including food and shelter. Sanjukta Dutta employed over 100 skilled artisans, 65 of whom were women, to prepare her dream pieces. She now has over 13 factories supplying silk garments all around India.
Sanjukta Dutta and the Studio
Sanjukta has been fond of dressmaking since a very young age. She always enjoyed making some custom pieces for her family and friends. She never really pondered the idea of selling those garments and building a career over them, but life had other plans for her.
After successfully selling a good amount of pieces, she decided to open her own custom boutique in Guwahati called Sanjukta’s Studio. It sells over 500 pieces a year, ranging from 10,000 to 80,000 rupees.
Each piece created by her is unique and customized, and it goes through a preparatory period of 45 days to tell its own beautiful story, adorning the woman draping it.
Living the dreams
It is a dream come true for any artist to represent the pride and tradition of their state at a national as well as international level. From setting a few handlooms to taking part in India’s most prestigious fashion show, Lakme Fashion Week, Sanjukta Dutta set a benchmark for future designers. She is the first Assamese woman to take part in Lakme Fashion Week.
It was the turning point in her career when she was invited to New York Fashion Week in 2022 to showcase her collection “Alphool,” representing Assam silk globally. It is marked as her biggest accomplishment.
Sanjukta Dutta was even delighted to design the outfit for the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, during her Kaziranga visit. She showcased her collection “Chiki-Miki” at Paris Fashion Week in 2023 and, in the same year, made her Cannes debut with a mulberry gown and Chador Mekhela.
More success awaits
She was conferred with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Excellence Award for the ‘Best Fashion Designer‘ in 2018. Sanjukta Dutta, during her interviews, has mentioned that fashion for her is self-discovery and a way of expression. It is a medium that has always given her a platform to express herself and blend creativity with her artistic genius.
Rimjim is a passionate researcher, writer, and storyteller. Being an Assamese, she feels the pride and enthusiasm for writing blogs,stories and articles promoting Assam, Assamese culture, lifestyle, and food. Email: rimjim@diversityassam.com
