Journey in fashion through stitching stories | Aditi Bhonsle | TEDxCITBengaluru
Aditi Bhonsle’s journey with embroidery began in childhood, during summers spent at her grandmother’s house, where vibrant threads and shared stories created more than just patterns—they marked the first epoch of her creative life. As time went on, life pulled her in different directions—a corporate job, IAS preparation, MBA coaching—but none felt right. It was only when she revisited her love for fashion and needlework that she entered her second epoch: one defined by purpose and passion.Opening a boutique, she dreamt of weaving traditional embroidery into modern design. Though initial responses were slight, she kept evolving her craft. Then came marriage and motherhood—followed by the challenges of postpartum depression. This difficult period marked her third epoch, one of healing. Music, which she had once set aside, returned to her life and helped rebuild her confidence.During the COVID-19 pandemic, embroidery re-entered her life with new meaning. Aditi picked up her needle again, and this time it stayed. From sharing work on WhatsApp to launching her Instagram page “Kadhaaee”, her hobby blossomed into a global mission. She began teaching online classes, connecting with students across ages and countries—even inspiring senior citizens to stitch again.Through Kadhaaee, Aditi works to revive hand embroidery as not just a craft, but a mindful, inclusive, and therapeutic practice. For her, it’s a way to slow down, tell stories, and preserve culture in a fast-paced digital world.She leaves us with a thought: if a single strand of thread can carry centuries of emotion and history, imagine what it could add to your story. Each stitch is more than just design—it’s an epoch of growth, patience, and resilience waiting to be made. Aditi Bhonsle, the visionary behind Kadhaaee is a passionate fashion designer redefining tradition through intricate hand embroidery. Since 2009, she has been weaving heritage into modern fashion, making this timeless craftwork. Founding Kadhaaee in 2020 to preserve and celebrate embroidery, she was also honored with the Aspiring Women Entrepreneur award in 2023. Through her work, she continues to stitch stories into fabric, transforming embroidery into a bridge between tradition and innovation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx