Nari

Category: Accessories

Project Nari is a fashion activism initiative that transforms the overlooked history of the Heathrow virginity tests of the 1960s–70s into symbolic artefacts of remembrance and resistance. Inspired by the South Asian women who endured and protested these invasive procedures, the project explores themes of identity, home, and belonging through personal and collective narratives. Artist Preethi Kosanam reclaims this hidden injustice using leather, brass, khadi cloth, and indigo dye—materials rich with cultural and political meaning. Leather straps become symbols of strength; brass marquetry honors traditional South Asian patterns; khadi cloth evokes resistance; and indigo dye layers the work in colonial memory. Nari is both protest and tribute—uncovering silenced histories, offering solace to communities affected by generational trauma, and honoring the resilience of those who fought for dignity. Each artefact is a testament to suffering endured, voices raised, and the quiet strength that shapes cultural memory and belonging.