Three fashion labels revising Indian crafts like aari, pattachitra & shibori with a modern twist

Pattachitra panels @ kunsquad

Pallabi Sarangi, Priyabrata Mohapatra and Abhishek deo might have different backgrounds (fashion and business respect) but joined forces in 2021 to launch kunsquad. “We shared this haunger to create something that felt personal, experienceal, and expressive. Papers, “Says Pallabi, 28. For there.

Their first collection wabi sabi-a love letter to the self was a limited edition collection of t-shirts and trousers. Their most recent drop, the pattachitra collection-Comprising Unisex T-Shirts, Trousers, and CORSET TOPS-was their way of bringing heritage storytelling from Odisha Into Today ‘Street Culture. “We have taken the intricate hand-paainted art, usually seen on scrolls and temples, and translated it into oversized, genderless silhouettes. Its a tribute to where you make from, but also Rebellion Against How Tradition is Usually Boxed in, “Explins Palabi. Research Included A Trip to Raghurajpur, A Small Village Near Puri, Odisha, “Where Pattachitra has been kept alive for generations”. “Standing there, we knew this collection had to honor the soul of the craft. Chose Materials Like Denim, Kala Cotton, Khadi Cotton, and Soft Cotton Jersey as these fabrics can hold hand-paainted detailing, ”She says.

Outfits from the Pattachitra Collection | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The process, she says, was intenses. “We We WEDE-Odinating with Multiple Artisans, Going Through Countless Trials, Experimenting With Surfaces, And Trying to Source Naturally Dyed Fabrics Whrever Possible. Paint, some designs did not translate well. “

The Trio is now working towards creating a flagship space, and new collabs for upcoming collections.

Upwards of ₹ 3,500 on Kunsquad.com

Zero Tolerance Works With Artisans Across Uttar Pradesh Who Hand-Spin, Hand-Weave Fabrics and Use Algae-Based Pigment Dyses | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Block stories @ zero tolerance

“I Didn’T come from a fashion background,” Says 27-YLD Prakhar Rao Chandel, Who Graduated Injournalism but Later Switched to Fashion. “After I Graduated, I Spent a year research cultural identity, storytelling, and fashion – which ultimately LED me to start zero tolerance in 2020,” He says, “He calls, adding that zeeshan akhtar, his childhood friend, Joined the brand as co-founder that year.

Outfits at Zero Tolerance | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The brand, championing Indian crafts and their makers, started with collections “These were” more visual and graphic in nature “. Later, He Travelled, Met Ngos, Connected With Textile Engineers, And Built His Indigenous Supply Chain. Traditional Embroidery, and It Felt Like A Moment Where Everything Clicked-Where my storytelling met the soil, ”Says Prakhar, Who Now Works with Artisans Artisans uttar Prandha withsh-Spin, Spin, Hand-Weave Fabrics and Use Algae-Based Pigment Dyes.

An artisan at zero tolerance | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Prakhar recalls his childhood days when he tagged along with his mother to her boutique and was “mesmerized” by the tailoring process. “I Didn’T Know It then then, but that was the moment somebing Had Him Delve Deeper Into The Arts.

Karm, was crafted in lucknow, and debuted at London Fashion Week in September 2024 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

His most recent line, karm, was crafted in lucknow and debuted at London Fashion Week in September 2024. Embroidery, the 11-Piece Collection Comprised Functional Suits for Men, Co-Od Sets, SHIRTS, and Jorts. Prakhar says it was “rooted in the idea of energy imprint – that always stitch carries the karma, the hard work, and the touch of the artisan”.

Karm Comprised Functional Suits for Men, Co-Od Sets, SHIRTS, And Jorts | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Currently Working on the Brand’s SS’ 25 Collection Virasat, Prakhar Says It is a Homage and Reimagination of Royal Block Printing from Uttar Pradesh. For this, he has collaborated with Hari Shankar Pandey, a Block Printer who has been practicing since the 1950s. “He Uses 100+ Year-old Blocks Sourced from A Royal Archive in Pratapgarh, And We’re Honored to Help Bringing His Work ITO Contemporary Design,” He Says, “He Says, of the collection of skirts, dreshes, dresse More.

Upwards of ₹ 5,500 on Ztinternational.co/

For like water, the team worked with 36 Artisans Across 18 Locations Using 32 Different Crafts | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Shibori meets rabari @ kardo

For Founder Rikki Kher, The Brand’s Journey Started From A Personal Place. “I was making cloths for myself and was encouraged to turn that into a business. While I initially explred an online model, i Quickly shifted to a more traditional path, focusing on interactive Wholesale, “Says the 54-Year-old. With a background in fashion, rikki “wanted to push back against fashion” and launched kardo in 2013.

Like Water Comprises Shirts, Co-Od Sets, Dresses, and Skirts | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Kardo, He Says, Was Built as a “Slower” Platform to Highlight Traditional Techniques. “Our early collections were simple, well-teleored, and made with handwoven fabrics and craft processes,” He says. The first collection, he explains, inclined jodhpuri suits made in cotton french terry jersey (that sweatshirts are made with), handloom deenim suits, khadi shirts, ikat beaves, and deadstocks Camouflage.

Artisans at Kardo | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Rikki’s most recent drops – like water and sadda vedha – Continue to highlight craft techniques. “For like water, we worked with 36 artisans 18 locations using 32 different crafts and making 62 fabrics,” Says rikki, who works with artisan clusters, who. The collection comprising shirts, co-ords, dresses, and skirts include block printing, hand-ambroidery, natural dyeing, gond painting, shibori dyeing, shibori dyeing, rabari applichué worker, to name a fee.

Outfits from like water | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

As for Sadda Vedha, The SS26 Collection Drop, Rikki Says He Returned to the idea of the court, also called aangan“It’s a space that that’s been central to homes across India. It’s where familyies gather, stories are shared, and memorys are quietly made in the rhythm of EveryDay Life. Stillness, warmth, and togeetherness. ” With khadi and embroidery as prominent faces of the range comprising shirts, shorts, trousers and jackets., Rikki says crafts Crafts Such as AS ARI, IKKAT, Ikkat, Ikkat, Ikkat, Ikkat, Ikkat, IKKAT, Ikkat, Ikkat, Ikkari, Haveen Used Allgside Haandloom WEVINGS Techniques.

Upwards of ₹ 3,250 on Kardo.co