 Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 14: Fabric Nation, Jammu's premier destination for curated fabrics, hosted Unmute - a one-of-a-kind afternoon celebrating real stories, quiet resilience, and creative courage. The event marked an elegant intersection of design and dialogue, where entrepreneurship was not showcased through accolades, but through authenticity.
As a brand where the finest fabric brands and designer collections come together, Fabric Nation is home to fabrics catering to both everyday elegance and couture sophistication. The store features premium brands like Floor & Furnishings, Nilaya by Asian Paints, and Maishaa, while also offering exclusive wall coverings, upholstery, and curtain fabrics from renowned Indian design houses such as Sabyasachi and Ritu Kumar.
The event Unmute, curated by Paayal Saraf, the founder of Fabric Nation and the design studio Samaya, reflected this very philosophy. Designed as a circle rather than a stage, Unmute brought together some of Jammu's most spirited entrepreneurs and creators for conversations rooted in vulnerability, perseverance, and purpose.
The gathering was graced by three distinguished women leaders: Kuvrani Ritu Singh, Co-Founder of the Maharaja Hari Singh Foundation and Chairperson of DPS Jammu, Katra & Nagbani; Devyani Rana, Executive Director & CEO, Take One Television & Digital Network and Vice President, BJP Yuva Morcha; and Aarti Chowdhary, Chairperson, FICCI FLO JK & L and Founder of Luxuries of Kashmir.
Kr. Ritu Singh remarked that spaces like Unmute are rare - where voices are heard not for their titles but for their truths. Devyani Rana described the event as a grounded and inspiring exchange - the kind of real, unfiltered stories India needs to hear. Aarti Chowdhary reflected on the power of women-led conversations that are driven by clarity, character, and courage.
The panel featured inspiring entrepreneurs from the region, including: Dr Palki Sharma (Founder, PS Body, Skin, & Hair), Ridhima Arora (Founder, Namhya Foods) Adishree Singh (Co-founder, Reformary), Harman Khorana & Udit Kalra (Co-founders, Sama Homestays), Sakshi Khullar (Founder & Artist, SKA Studio), Iruvanthika Chowdhary (Founder, Brandify) Guneet Singh (Founder, Kitaab Aur Kalam Foundation), Ashwarya Thakur (Founding Chef, Ohaana Patisserie & Pantry).
Each founder shared their personal journeys - the doubts, dilemmas, and defining moments that shaped their growth. Rather than pitches or rehearsed narratives, the afternoon was filled with unfiltered stories of silent grit and turning points no one saw coming.
At the helm was Payal Saraf, a designer whose career spans over two decades. Through her studio Samaya, she has transformed homes into timeless sanctuaries. With Fabric Nation, she has extended this vision into curated experiences - blending craftsmanship, storytelling, and emotion. She envisioned Unmute as a space for honest, human connection - not a spotlight, but a circle where presence, not performance, takes centre stage.
Unmute emerged as more than an event. It became a reminder - that behind every brand is a brave beginning, behind every success a silent story. For Jammu's evolving creative landscape, it marked a moment of reflection, community, and celebration that will echo well beyond the studio walls. |
