The Sewing School and Tailoring

The sewing school, a project initiated in April 2016, runs for 4 afternoons a week over a span of 2 years, after which a diploma is awarded. The course is aimed at young women aged between 16 and 20 who, having had to leave school, do not hold any educational qualifications or who wish to learn a trade to be able to work and become independent.

Attending the course also helps delay the age at which families marry off the young women. Currently, the course is attended by 7 girls, three of whom have shown good skills and will be able to join the Balò Tailoring. The teacher, Shabana, who is also the coordinator and head of the Tailoring, graduated from the Fashion and Design Institute of Calcutta. Her story is exemplary because, despite being a good student, she couldn’t attend college because her parents couldn't afford the fees. She got married and had two children, then, with the earnings from sewing and coordinating the tailoring, she enrolled in the Fashion and Design Institute, fulfilling her dream. She completed it with excellent grades and can now teach.

The tailoring section took its first steps in 2007 with a couple of seamstresses who only knew the basics of the trade and were used to making only local clothes. The road traveled together has been long and hard and now, great improvements have been achieved.! Balò Social Brand is now a reality and its leaders are appreciated: the tailoring workshop produces two collections a year. In the tailoring workshop, five seamstresses are permanently employed under the supervision and coordination of Shabana, the person responsible for the tailoring. Thanks to this work, these young women are independent and have acquired a key role and status within their families. They receive an equitable remuneration for their output. This enhances their commitment and achievements, and in case of illness, Balò covers their medical expenses.