Les Sûtras founder Zenia Dutta Roy (centre) cuts the anniversary cake, accompanied by her family and friends; Credit: Jazmin Campbell / Chronicle.lu

On Friday evening, Les Sûtras, a Luxembourg-based designer fashion brand with a social purpose, celebrated the first anniversary of its flagship boutique in Luxembourg-Ville, as well as the sixth anniversary of the brand's inception.

This special anniversary event, held at Les Sûtras boutique in Galerie Beaumont on Grand Rue, brought together about 100 people to celebrate the entrepreneurial journey and achievements of Zenia Dutta Roy and her team over the past six years. Guests socialised over crémant and finger food before Zenia cut the anniversary cake and presented the story of Les Sûtras.

Zenia, who moved to Luxembourg fourteen years ago and founded Les Sûtras in November 2016, explained how it all started with an idea which "took a lot of effort to become a dream"; she initially faced obstacles related to finance and fashion as well as the fear of failure. However, her family fully supported her in following her dream. Zenia recalled that the brand has an important social mission, pursued in collaboration with local non-profit Aide à l'Enfance de l'Inde et du Népal (AEIN), with a part of the profits of Les Sûtras purchases going towards supporting the education of children in India. Representatives of AEIN were present at the anniversary event and thanked Zenia for her continued support. Indeed, with Les Sûtras, Zenia hopes to bring her country of birth, India, and her adopted country, Luxembourg, closer together - a goal that is reflected in the motto "Threads that bind" (note that "sutra" means "thread" in Sanskrit).

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, she elaborated: "I am trying to bring both cultures together. Threads that bind both my home countries together".

Speaking on behalf of the Indian community in Luxembourg, Madhumalti Sharma, Founder and President of Workshop4Me asbl, shared how proud the community is of Zenia and wished her further success.

The evening continued with a short video featuring highlights from Les Sûtras' journey so far, as well as more snacks, drinks and special discounts on a variety of products, from colourful scarves, jackets and shoes to intricate brooches and headbands. The brand also offers a range of home products and bridalwear. Most of the concepts, colours and designs are done in Luxembourg, with sustainability in mind, by Zenia and sometimes in collaboration with other designers, whilst the products are made in India, thus "bringing together Indian skilled craftsmanship and Luxembourgish fashion", added Les Sûtras' founder.