A designer based in Calgary, Alberta, has launched a new, trendy line of turbans as her new venture this summer. 32-year-old Jenn Nguyen, has designed material for Sikh turban, or dastar, in colourful and unique prints and fitting called her venture ‘Trendy Singh’.
According to , her venture also got a shout out from Jagmeet Singh, the newly elected leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, with her brother Gurratan Singh modelling her new range.
Nguyen launched her outlet this summer with a variety of limited edition turbans in floral, camo and static designs one of which is already sold out on her website. She wanted to combine art with dastars as she was influenced by the values of Sikhism, which to her were very beautiful.
Source: Trendy Singh
The first design on offer had 250 metres of turban material in voile which could be bought at $7 per metre. More prints followed and three more will be made available soon. Not only this, she has also added a line of trendy and modern accessories to her collection such as cufflinks, lapel pins and collar studs, each with a Sikh-related motif.
Jenn Nguyen isn’t a Sikh. But, while going through a personal crisis caused by a loss, she was introduced to a gurdwara by a friend in order to find a way to heal. She found the Sikh community very accepting and started to connect with them, a connection she has maintained, which led to this particular project.
Camo design Source: Trendy Singh
However, this project was not only to combine art with dastar or to honour the Sikh values. By giving a fashionable touch to the turban, she wanted to use art as a conversation started over religious head wear that’s still viewed with concern by some in Canada.
“It’s something that can create a conversation. Fashion is a good medium, and not threatening to people. I feel like it breaks a barrier, though some people say it’s disrespectful.
Static design Source: Trendy Singh
“People think trends and fashion as very superficial. But I’m not trying to go for consumerism. I want to show people how they (Sikhs) truly are,” she said.
The fabric for the turbans is sourced from India, where Nguyen’s designs are hand printed by traditional craftsfolk in Rajasthan.
Nguyen plans to take Trendy Sikh to United States and United Kingdom next but hasn’t ruled out the possibility of selling it in India.
Source: Trendy Singh
All profits from Trendy Singh are earmarked for Sikh charities.
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