Anuj Sharma could work a piece of cloth to turn into a dress, bag, scarf or turban. Long before ethical fashion became a buzzword, he was championing the, “No cutting, no stitching; one size fits all” mantra. This was since he launched his namesake label in 2007 followed by Button Masala in 2009. 

With fashion schools shuttering during the lockdown, the Ahmedabad resident says he was inundated with enquiries from students and enthusiasts for online internships. What started as an online teaching programme last June with a batch of 25, has mentored 800 students within just 10 months. He introduces students to the joys of upcycling, and teaches them to make garments, bags, jewellery, even curtains, from ordinary objects found around the house. “The turban has been a favourite assignment of the students. I am glad that the head wrap, which is intrinsically Indian, is attracting attention.”