How this fashion brand helping rural women find financial independence through handmade fashion

Suhani Dahia hails from Jind district of Haryana, helms a global fashion brand from her Delhi residence, and drives social change in the villages of India through her Saum Global Foundation. The trust channels the knitting talents of rural women into handcrafted creations for Tayt, her fashion label with a store in Saket. Tayt not only provides sustainable livelihoods to women across the country through ethical fashion but also supports Saum's initiatives with its profits.

This innovative approach uplifts the ladies, preserves traditional crafts, and harmonizes heritage with contemporary fashion. In an interview with Bizz Buzz, Suhani Dahia, Founder, Saum Global Foundation and Tayt, discusses the transformative power of social entrepreneurship and its unique model of positive change

What is the meaning of Saum and Tayt?

Saum means ''that which purifies everything.'' Tayt is the Goddess of Textile. Our artisans are the goddesses of their craft.

You mentioned a turning point in Vizag that led to the founding of Saum Global Foundation.

I was vacationing at a resort in Vizag for some 15 odd days, and the days were filled with fun activities. The setting was beautiful, and the routine kept up its rhythm as usual. Yet one day, as I was sitting on the beach, a hollowness settled within me. I found myself feeling empty. I found myself wondering if this was all life had to offer, if this was the true essence of living. I felt like I was missing something in life, that this was not all I was looking for.

I thought harder…What is that one thing that brings me real happiness, where I tend to forget everything else and lose myself in it? I closed my eyes. A memory surfaced. In a flashback, I saw those kids I used to teach. It was a very filmy moment, but I saw how those kids used to run around calling, "Didi, didi, didi…"

When was this teaching experience? Tell me more about it and how it shaped your vision.

Those were the days when I lived near Lonavala, a rural pocket near Bombay. I'd pack a bag full of books and simple joys for the kids—anything to spark their curiosity. The moment they saw me approaching, they'd come running to meet me. That feeling was literally priceless. In that moment, nothing felt more precious than their little arms closing around me. Their eyes sparkled with happiness just because I was there. Sometimes, they'd even go into the forest, gather wildflowers, and weave them into beautiful garlands just for me. "Didi aengi..." ("Our Didi is coming!") they'd repeat with such anticipation. It had my heart.

So in Vizag, I found myself thinking about that moment, and it made me feel complete. I realized this is what I seek from life—the profound joy found in connection, in nurturing, in making a difference. Those experiences planted the seed for the Saum Global Foundation. It wasn't a grand plan, but a quiet understanding that this—this was the path I needed to walk.

How did Saum Global Foundation's work begin?

Our foundation focuses on making women in rural India financially independent by providing them opportunities to learn and earn. We began in Rajasthan, initially assisting young, vulnerable girls who had fled their homes. Those adolescent girls had endured many hardships. They had run away but carried the weight of personal atrocities, betrayals and traumas.

We offered them essentials and even items like makeup that piqued their interest. This simple gesture helped us gain their confidence. Slowly and gradually, as they began to trust us, they opened up about their stories, their desires, and their circumstances. Our initial aim was to become a support system. Eventually, we helped them navigate their emotional turmoil, heal from their past, and ultimately, rebuild their lives.

What sparked the idea for Tayt, the clothing brand that supports Saum's work?

It all started during the pandemic lockdown. I was back in Haryana, surrounded by family. My village is near Pillu Khera in Jind district in Hisar. One day, while cleaning, we stumbled upon my grandmother's trunk. Inside, nestled amongst forgotten things, I found beautiful hand-knitted sweaters. A wave of nostalgia washed over me. These were my Nani's creations.She, along with my Dadi, had passed away when I was very young, but their legacy lived on in these pieces woven with love.

It sparked an idea. I felt these traditional crafts held immense potential.

I called up the women we had worked with in Rajasthan and asked if they could knit and create something like those sweaters. They readily agreed. I enlisted the help of talent from NIFT to modernize the designs. I also wanted to ensure the women who work with us have year-round work, not just during winter. So we decided to launch fashion for all seasons — crochet with pure cotton yarn for the summers, and the classic woolen knits for colder months.

There and then, Tayt was born—a brand built on the foundation of empowering women, preserving tradition, and offering sustainable, stylish clothing. It's been six years in the making, with two of those spent navigating the pandemic. But through it all, Tayt has been bridging the gap between heritage and modern fashion—powered by some of the most enterprising women in Indian villages and towns.

Where are your artisan clusters?

Our biggest group is in Himachal, and we've got five more clusters in rural areas in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, we have a whole group focused on printing and dyeing fabrics, not knitting. They make beautiful, hand-dyed kaftans. Closer to home, in Haryana, there's a Saum cluster in the village of Jalalana. Spreading out like this lets us work with an amazing network of women, all connected by the same goal.

How is Saum's work being funded?

Saum is completely self-funded. Even before graduation, I was independent, working a student visa consultancy job for six months. After my Masters in International Business, I started a company focusing on food grain and aquaculture trading. Earlier the profits from that venture kept Saum going but now we are self-sustaining. No handouts, no corporate social responsibility money, not even a dime from family.

What is your strategy for incorporating more artisan communities?

So, we have a group of ladies in each state and each group has one to two chief artisans who are perfect in their craft and manage the day-to-day operations. These local leaders provide essential training and tools to anyone who wants to get started. That's how all the Saum Gram groups are self-multiplying.

How many women have been provided livelihood so far? Can you give an idea about how much these women are able to earn monthly through Saum?

Currently, more than 400 artisans across India are working with us. Income depends upon their skills and productivity capacity. If a woman is travelling or occupied with household work, her contribution is impacted and income fluctuates with the work hours. On an average, they are earning between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000 per month.

Where does the majority of Tayt's market lie? How do you ensure Tayt's growth trajectory remains sustainable for both the business and the artisans?

Majorly, Tayt's market is in metro cities. We have pop up stores in the DLF malls in Delhi. Nowadays, people prefer handmade and sustainable clothes. We have a good reach on social media and people can place orders through our website as well. Now, we are making dresses in combination with pure fabric and crochet patches, and getting a significant response.

Building a brand identity in the fashion industry can be challenging. How do you plan on increasing brand awareness for Tayt, particularly in a competitive market?

Yes, initially it was a big challenge for me because fashion was new to me. I had no idea whom and how to approach. I did R&D and understood the market. We positioned ourselves— where we stand in fast fashion. We registered with govt organisations to showcase work, and participated in national and international exhibitions. From there on, we started getting a good response.

What goals do you have for Tayt and Saum individually?

We aim to establish Tayt as a globally recognized brand synonymous with high-quality, handcrafted, and sustainable clothing. We want people who seek unique, hand-knit or crocheted pieces to instantly think of Tayt.

Saum Gram's primary focus is expanding its reach across different regions in India. Generating rural employment is the first priority of Saum.

What keeps you going?

I can work 17-18 hours non-stop. I can spend all day, every day, working on this. I jump in the car, drive up to the mountains in Himachal, sleep on the floor with the ladies, enjoy the traditional 'chulhe ka roti'. These women inspire me every single day. And in turn, I hope to empower them. It's a two-way street – we learn from each other.

Did you have any role models growing up? Did anyone in your family inspire your social conscience?

See, I never thought about the fashion industry or getting into it. It just happened to me. Yes, my father inspires me the most to do social work. Giving back to society is his mantra and the same is followed by me.

Running a social enterprise comes with its own set of challenges. What has been the most difficult obstacle you've overcome, and how did you navigate it?

Trust me, dreaming and implementing things— both are different things. Most challenging part was handling everything all alone. It was stressful. Will it succeed or not? People are depending on you. Will I be able to do it or not? People will not trust until you reach a certain point in work or business. So bringing it to that certain level was the most challenging part. Just keep faith in your work and God will keep guiding you.

What message do you have for women in rural India?

Women in our villages possess incredible skills, but they don't know how to utilize them for growth. Through Saum, we are trying to get in touch with them and provide training free of cost. My message for all women out there is, don't hesitate to connect with us – your art has the power to transform your life. You don't need to leave town or go anywhere, join us and all the necessary resources and facilities will be provided to you.