The Fabric Goddesses
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A Powerful Story of Fashion, Survival, and Global Connections
Title: The Fabric Goddesses: A Novel
Author: Rochelle Potkar
Genre: Literary Fiction / Social Drama
Themes: Global fashion industry, resilience, identity, survival, women’s stories
Setting: Bengaluru (India), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and New York (USA)
📖 About the Book
The novel follows the journey of a brown coat as it moves across continents—from the production floors of garment factories to international fashion runways. Through this single object, the lives of three women become intertwined in unexpected ways.
Each woman represents a different layer of the global fashion ecosystem, revealing the stark contrasts between glamour and hardship.
📚The Story: Three Women, One Global Journey
Adharshini Shenoy – The Model in New York
In New York’s competitive fashion world, Adharshini Shenoy is a young model striving for success. She chases the industry’s obsession with size-zero perfection, pushing her body and health to meet impossible standards.
Behind the glamorous runway appearances lies intense pressure, self-doubt, and the fear of losing relevance in a ruthless industry.
Beli Rahman – The Garment Worker in Dhaka
In Dhaka, Beli Rahman works tirelessly in a garment sweatshop. Her long hours and demanding conditions reflect the hidden labor that supports the global fashion market.
For Beli, every stitch represents survival. She works to support her children and build a future despite economic hardship.
Her story highlights the human cost behind mass-produced fashion.
Gita Hangal – The Struggling Worker in Bengaluru
In Bengaluru, Gita Hangal is trying to rebuild her life. Her education was interrupted, and she now strives for a promotion while caring for her son—a child born from a traumatic past.
Her journey is one of resilience and determination as she navigates both professional and personal challenges.
📖A Story That Connects the World
Through the journey of a single garment, the novel reveals how fashion connects people across continents.
From:
- Factory floors in South Asia
- Corporate offices in India
- Runways of New York
the story explores how global industries influence personal lives.
The narrative exposes the contrast between luxury fashion and the human struggles behind it.
🎯Major Themes in The Fabric Goddesses
1. The Hidden Reality of the Fashion Industry
The book uncovers the unseen labor and sacrifices that make the global fashion industry possible.
2. Women’s Strength and Resilience
Each protagonist represents a different form of resilience—physical, emotional, and social.
3. Trauma and Healing
The novel portrays how individuals confront past trauma while seeking dignity and independence.
4. Global Interconnectedness
Through the journey of the brown coat, the story illustrates how people in different parts of the world are connected by invisible economic and social threads.
✍️About the Author
Rochelle Potkar is an acclaimed Indian poet, fiction writer, and storyteller known for her ability to weave emotional depth with social themes.
She has written across multiple genres, including poetry, short stories, and novels. Some of her well-known works include:
- Bombay Hangovers (short story collection)
- Four Degrees of Separation (poetry collection)
- Paper Asylum (haibun)
- Coins in Rivers (poetry)
Potkar has also been associated with international literary programs and residencies, including the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. Her works often explore human relationships, cultural identity, and social realities through powerful storytelling.
🌟Why Readers Should Read The Fabric Goddesses
1. A Unique Perspective on Fashion
Most fashion stories focus on glamour, but this novel explores the human side of the industry.
2. Powerful Female Characters
The three protagonists are complex, resilient women whose stories inspire and move readers.
3. Global Storytelling
The narrative travels across continents, offering readers a broader perspective on globalization and labor.
4. Socially Relevant Themes
The book addresses real-world issues such as worker exploitation, body image pressure, and gender inequality.
5. Emotional and Thought-Provoking
Readers will experience a story that is both emotionally engaging and intellectually stimulating.
📚What Readers Will Gain From This Book
Readers can expect to gain:
- A deeper understanding of the global fashion supply chain
- Insight into the lives of women working in different parts of the industry
- A powerful narrative about resilience and transformation
- Greater awareness of social and economic inequalities
- A memorable literary journey across cultures and continents
📍Available at Doon Book Festival 2026
Visitors attending the Doon Book Festival 2026 will have the opportunity to explore The Fabric Goddesses: A Novel at the Kharidobecho Stall.
The festival will bring together authors, publishers, and book lovers from across the country, making it an ideal place to discover powerful and meaningful stories like this one.
⭐Final Thoughts
The Fabric Goddesses: A Novel is a compelling and socially conscious work of fiction that reveals the human stories behind global fashion.
Through the journeys of three women across continents, Rochelle Potkar crafts a narrative that is both intimate and global, emotional and thought-provoking.
For readers interested in literary fiction, women-centered narratives, and socially relevant storytelling, this novel offers an unforgettable reading experience.