5 minute read
Shop Sincro
For many, Goa often begins and ends with beaches, sunsets, and a relaxed holiday mood. But for Radha Shinkre, the founder of Shop Sincro, the essence of Goa runs much deeper — held within its culture, craft traditions, and stories woven across generations. Shop Sincro was born from her desire to bring this heritage into the spotlight, through a textile that is deeply rooted in Goa’s history: the Kunbi saree.
A Personal Connection to Craft
Radha’s journey blends diverse experiences and inspirations. After completing her Bachelor of Arts, she pursued chocolate and pastry arts, gaining exposure in international hospitality. Returning home in 2017, she worked in her family’s hotel business, where constant interaction with guests made her realize that Goa’s cultural richness was often overlooked.
Building Shop Sincro with Purpose
Radha and her mother, Rajal Shinkre, co-founded Shop Sincro with a clear mission:
To create contemporary Kunbi sarees while retaining the fabric’s traditional weave and authenticity. Her mother’s experience played a pivotal role. As a former college principal, she had helped set up a Kunbi Handloom Centre in collaboration with the late Wendell Rodricks, a globally respected fashion designer who deeply valued Goan heritage. This legacy served as both inspiration and foundation.
Crafting Contemporary Kunbi
Shop Sincro works closely with hand-loom weavers to produce sarees that preserve the authentic Kunbi weave while using high-quality natural fabrics and introducing fresh colours and patterns suited to modern tastes. The aim is not to change the identity of the Kunbi saree, but to renew its relevance for today’s generation.
Navigating Challenges with Collaboration and Clarity
Two major challenges shaped the journey:
Working with weavers unfamiliar with contemporary designs.
Many weavers were hesitant to experiment initially. Radha spent time collaborating closely, refining designs to align with weaving constraints, making the creative process mutual rather than disruptive.
Convincing customers of the saree’s authenticity.
She addressed this by educating buyers — explaining that what defines Kunbi is the weave itself, not just the older colour palette.
As customers began to experience the craftsmanship and story behind each piece, acceptance turned into appreciation.
What Keeps the Vision Strong
Radha’s motivation comes from a clear and meaningful goal:
To make the Kunbi weave recognized and respected across India and, eventually, internationally. Experimentation keeps her inspired. Recent collections, like blue Kunbi sarees with fish motifs, draw inspiration from Goa’s coastline and culinary traditions, blending culture with design innovation. Family support, especially from her husband and parents, has been her steady grounding force.
Achievements Along the Way
Professionally, every new collection selling out has been her most affirming milestone — proof that the narrative resonates.
Personally, she considers the growth of patience and trust in the process her most meaningful achievement.
Staying Ahead with Purpose, Not Competition
What distinguishes shop sincro from the rest is their signature pallu. Each piece carries a distinct play of colours and patterns. Radha believes revival is a shared mission. Anyone promoting Kunbi contributes to preserving the craft.
Shop Sincro stands out for its thoughtful design approach — honouring the authenticity of the original weave while refreshing colours and motifs to connect with newer generations.
Working with a Close Knit Team
Shop Sincro currently operates as a small and handson setup. Radha works directly with weavers and textile experts, ensuring every step aligns with her vision and quality standards.
The Power of Genuine Connections
Networking has played an essential role — especially through pop-ups, exhibitions, and local markets, where personal interaction deepens brand awareness.
She believes in connecting to share stories and learn, not just to sell.
A memorable moment reinforced this: a saree purchase happened because of a shared bond between military families — proof that connection is often the real currency.
Scaling with Identity, Visibility, and Storytelling
To grow sustainably, Shop Sincro focuses on creating a strong signature identity, especially highlighted through its distinctive pallu design, while increasing its presence at Goa-based pop-ups and exhibitions. Additionally, the brand uses social media to share stories, craftsmanship, and the cultural context behind each piece, deepening connection and awareness.
Living a Balanced Life
Radha maintains balance by structuring work around a flexible routine. She enjoys gym training, badminton, and running, and travels every few months to meet her husband posted on the border. Her father supports the business during her travels, allowing her to step away without worry.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Start small and stay consistent — you don’t need every plan in place, just the courage to begin and the patience to grow. Surround yourself with people who support your vision. Looking ahead, the path forward is clear: to make Kunbi a celebrated and widely recognized Indian handloom, on par with Paithani, Banarasi, and Chanderi.
