Sanjana JS, Nazreen Najeeb and Sridevi G Nair sell handmade hair accessories through their social media handles and exhibitions
Sanjana JS, Nazreen Najeeb and Sridevi G Nair sell handmade hair accessories through their social media handles and exhibitions
When Kottayam-based mother of three Asha Varghese was looking for interesting hair accessories for her twin girls Sara and Bela, Instagram helped her. She came across the online store of Sanjana JS’s handmade hair accessories, The Bow Story. “I have been his client for almost two years now. I also ordered colour-coordinated floral accessories like tiaras and pin clips for my family members for the wedding,” says Asha. Sanjana is one of the Thiruvananthapuram-based entrepreneurs who make hair accessories for customers of all ages.
Sanjana JS with her daughter Nainika | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Character-themed hairbows like Snow White or the Little Mermaid, mother-daughter combo sets in the same color or theme, birthday and party specials, tiaras for weddings, floral headpieces, frilled bows… take your pick while surfing gets spoiled. Social media pages of these entrepreneurs.
Simplicity and an innate knack for craft and color helped these entrepreneurs win over customers. When Sanjana found it difficult to buy hair accessories for her six-month-old daughter during the pandemic-induced lockdown, she turned to her flair for crafts to make some accessories at home. YouTube tutorials came to her rescue to hone her skills. “As word grew, friends and family wanted me to make it for them too,” says 27-year-old Sanjana, from Nettayam. Thus, The Bow Story (@the_bow_story) was born in 2020.
Rui’s hair accessories powered by Nazreen Najeeb | photo credit: special arrangement
Nazreen Najeeb also became an entrepreneur during the lockdown. An alumnus of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, she was working in a boutique in Kottayam. After leaving the job in December 2020, he launched Rui (@rui.cares) in January 2021.
Nazreen Najeeb, a cotton spinner | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Meanwhile, Sridevi’s store, My Little Bow Shop (@mylittlebowshop_bysreedevi) is a branch of her online store for jewelery and accessories, Tempting Factors by Sridevi, which was launched four years ago. “Some of my regular customers used to ask if I had stuff for kids. That is why I launched my brand this January,” says 27-year-old Sridevi.
While a large part of their business is through Instagram or Facebook, these entrepreneurs are also regulars at sales and exhibitions in the city. The products are imaginative and include hair bands, bows, clips, scrunchies, tiaras, wraps and crowns in myriad designs and color combinations.
Sridevi ji Nair | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
While Sanjana and Sridevi come up with customized products, Nazreen, 27, a former lecturer, has a stock of hand-embroidered scrunchie ribbons, pinwheel bows, headbands, sailor bows and bunny bows. “I have been making bridal dresses with hand embroidery and so I have included it in accessories,” says Nazreen, “We have a collection with tie-and-dye fabrics, and even turmeric and A single tie- and dye method made from tea. ,
From the Brand My Little Bow Shop, Scratchy | photo credit: special arrangement
All of them ship goods across India. Rates start from ₹ 50 per piece. Leather, soft nylon, and elastic are also used to make accessories. Beads, garlands, flowers, stars, charms etc. are used as adornments.