To many the realm of NGOs and that of the retail world may seem light years apart. However, for others, like Madhavi Rongala, owner of Yellow Button Boutique in Indiranagar, there exists, in such ventures, an opportunity to empower people and provide livelihoods.
The store showcases crafts and clothing accessories sourced from several NGOs across India.
From Tamil Nadu comes a nice collection of fruit and picnic baskets, lunch bags and the like, made by an NGO called M.Rm.Rm foundation. Hand painted pouches, tote bags and t-shirts under the label ’36 Rang’ make their way from Chattisgarh and are interestingly the handiworks of inmates of the state’s prison. The store is also as ‘green’ as it is yellow. Jewellery pieces made from waste by a NGO called Sanchali, instantly draw the shoppers’ eyes.
The bright little store was an idea that struck Madhavi when she decided to get back to working after having previously left her job for motherhood. Yellow Button was the baby of Madhavi’s creative vision and was to become the platform for artists, designers and also NGOs.
“I worked in the US for a while and gave it up for motherhood and moved to India. And when I was planning to start work again, I decided to do something fun and creative and did not want to return to a corporate job, that’s how the boutique happened,” said Madhavi. When asked about the beginnings of the boutique she said, “When I planned to start my own boutique, I just had to find the right place. Though it took me quite a while to locate this place, I wanted something nearer home and Indiranagar is a great place for retail. Through friends and online networking I got in touch with various designers from across the country and I had enough stuff to showcase in my boutique.”
The store has an array of articles like handbags, accessories, women’s clothing and utilities. Madhavi finds selecting the items in her shop intriguing. “Picking products is the most fun part of my job because it’s something I would wear myself,” added Madhavi.
Go ahead and get a little bit of sunshine from the store.