From Sarees To Separates: Celebrate National Handloom Day With These Labels

Fashion isn't just about garments. It's about weaving stories, and we're about to unravel a tale of contemporary handloomHandloom fabrics have been intricately and inseparably woven into the colourful tapestry of India’s rich cultural heritage, from the clothing of our ancestors to becoming a symbol of national pride and resistance. Embedded with the learnings of multiple generations of skilled artisans, our handloom traditions date back to the Indus Valley civilisation, spinning an enchanting tale of this country’s history and evolution. While the industrial revolution might have caused handlooms to take a backseat for a bit, our rising cadre of young designers is contemporising these fabrics. Our handloom sector is the second biggest unorganised industry in our country, and this wave of creativity is giving it the limelight it deserves.Handloom has evolved beyond thaan fabric that we haggle over in markets and carefully preserved yards of sarees passed down from mother to daughter. Today, designers realise the value of eco-friendly handloom fabrics that support the slow-fashion movement. Thus a new generation of handloom-based fashion is born – edgy and contemporary, catering to streetwear and classic, old-school fashion lovers alike. In honour of National Handloom Day, here are some of our favourite handloom picks for you to add to cart asap.OUSHKBased in Kolkata, Ussama Shabir’s label Oushk is founded on the philosophy of embracing slow fashion by exploring India’s rich handloom heritage. Each collection is based on a theme that is chosen after meticulous research, driven by the desire to revive Indian handicrafts. Meaning ‘adorn yourself’, Oushk’s bold and vibrant designs and prints are often accentuated with heavy embroidery and textile techniques that will definitely make you stand out in a crowd.

A striking green handwoven silk outfit adorned with a meticulously embroidered tree pattern, drawing inspiration from the breathtaking scenery of Kashmir is our pick from Oushk. Find it hereTILFIFounded with the aim of bringing Varanasi’s famous Banarasi sarees back to life, Tilfi focuses on accentuating the authentic handloom fabric. Boasting a stunning collection of sarees, Tilfi’s storytelling is where the brand stands apart. Each of their collections honour a different aspect of Indian culture, from kathak to legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

This delicate and ethereal Kora silk saree in a soft pastel sage hue, enhanced with exquisite Meenakari bootis featuring subtle floral patterns in complementary pastel shades will add sophistication to your wardrobe like nothing else. The glistening Tissue silk border and pallu add a touch of shimmering elegance to this graceful ensemble. Find it hereLABEL RAMALabel Rama’s Rajeswari Mavuri hails from a weaving family, and this unique insight has helped her establish a brand that treats India as a muse and comes alive in its handloom designs. Focusing on modern silhouettes, Mavuri makes it a point to involve the weavers and artisans in the design process, resulting in exquisite details and a sense of ownership for the craftsmen who make the garments possible.

The dress is peach and ebullient, adorned with frothy layers of frills on one side, while the other side showcases an understated self-striped white. It is crafted from two kinds of handwoven cotton, with the peach fabric boasting a finer count than the white, and is a unique style statement. Find it here

SHOBITAMShobitam is a global ethnic wear brand that proudly champions the preservation of timeless treasures through exquisite handwoven sarees. Each masterpiece is a testament to skilled artisans' passion, showcasing our culture's grandeur on a global stage. Founded by fashionistas Aparna and Ambika in Seattle, US, Shobitam makes elegant Indian ethnic wear affordable and accessible worldwide. They collaborate with weavers across India, popularising lesser-known weaves, and directly offer these to customers online at competitive prices.

This handwoven linen saree featuring kalam motifs and an antique golden border and pallu is a stunning must-have for festive occasions. Find it hereOKHAIAn established name in the handloom sector, Okhai's vision is all about empowering women from less privileged backgrounds, helping them discover new talents, and building the self-confidence and self-esteem they need to earn through their own hard work and creativity. Okhai truly understands and embraces the vibrant culture and traditions that these rural communities cherish, fusing the beauty of traditional art with fresh, modern designs and innovative techniques to create stunning products that are both timeless and trendy.

This gorgeous silk dupatta is made from handloom tussar silk and adorned with hand-painted madhubani art and floral bootas. It will instantly elevate any outfit, and you can find it here.BETWEEN CULTUREFounded by NIFT graduates Robsang and Nritika Tamang, Between Culture is an expression of no-boundaries design based on India’s rich handloom offerings. Deeply inspired by their childhood, many of their design elements are derived from Sikkim’s handicrafts, such as doko, a traditional basket weave. Breaking norms, Between Culture’s handloom creations are edgy and streetwear-inspired, perfect for a unique style statement that supports India’s handloom heritage.

This hand-stitched halter neck crop top and interwoven pants will help you express your personality with pizazz. Find it hereJOSKAISujaya Hazarika centred her label Joskai around preserving and promoting tribal visual elements such as motifs and colours onto Assam’s native eri and mulberry silk. The voluminous designs speak a distinctive language, and Hazarika collaborates with local artisans and craftsmen to keep Assam’s textile heritage alive. Organic dyes and digital prints co-exist at Joskai, creating a brand that has something for everyone.

A one-shoulder pink Mulberry Silk Kaftan adorned with gold zari boota all over, featuring belted detailing at the waist, perfectly paired with satin pants and a handwoven zari border is our pick from Joskai. Find it hereMONRIFounded by Monalisha during the pandemic in 2020, Monri is all about colours. The traditional red and white from Bengal is a prominent theme in all of their collections, which range from handloom sarees to kurtas and dresses. Infused with the old-world glamour of Kolkata, Monri brings handloom textiles to a modern audience.

This vibrant blue and white dress made of handwoven jamdani and mulmul cotton will light up your wardrobe with colour. Find it hereNAUSHAD ALINaushad Ali’s eponymous label is made in Pondicherry but has featured countless Indian textiles from various craft clusters all over India, such as West Bengal, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Pochampalli, Mangalagiri, Jaipur, and Kutch. Simple and to the point, Ali’s designs are minimal and suited for everyday wear. His brand transcends gender norms, providing androgynous options in handloom fabrics.

This elegantly designed dress draws inspiration from Japanese tailoring, featuring a charming tie-up detail. Skillfully crafted by artisans located across India, and fashioned from handwoven silk cotton, this is our pick from Naushad Ali. Find it hereJOHARGRAMThrough Johargram, Ashish Satyavrat Sahu set out to shed light on Jharkhand’s local handloom textiles. Thus the proud ‘Made In Jharkhand’ label. The pandemic forced Sahu to take a closer look at home, and Jharkhand’s mai sari, botoi, and biru shawl formed the basis of the brand’s design concept – all translated into streetwear staples like bomber jackets and co-ord sets.

Crafted from Jharkhand handloom textiles by the skilled artisans of the Jharkhand Bunkar community, this green co-ord set features a plain woven cotton fabric. With a perfect blend of edginess, modernity, and rooted charm, the chequered design of this set makes it an ideal choice for your holiday wardrobe. Find it hereADHEERAAdheera, an Ahmedabad-based textile brand, specialises in Shibori techniques under the guidance of self-taught Shibori artist and fashion entrepreneur Dipika Udhani. Starting with a casual curiosity in tie and dye methods, Adheera grew into an advocate for ethical fashion, drawing inspiration from traditional Shibori techniques. The brand prioritises sustainability by using organic fabrics, hand stitching, and natural dyes. Each handcrafted piece reflects their dedication to minimal waste, unique designs, and empowering local artisans through collaborations and NGO partnerships.

Crafted from hand-spun organic cotton, the ensemble includes a front-open jacket with notched collars and full sleeves, an inner V-neck sleeveless fitted crop top, and a bottom with side pleats, a front belt, back elastic, and dual side pockets. Perfect for the days when you couldn’t be bothered to style an outfit, you can find it here.URA MAKUHailing from the upper valleys of Assam, Manjushree Saikia is deeply rooted in Assamese textiles and folk cultures. After graduating as a Textile Designer from the NIFT in 2016, her curiosity about cultures and crafts led her to travel across India's craft clusters. Inspired by skilled artisans and their humility, she founded Ura Maku in 2018. Ura means flying, while maku is the word for weaving shuttles, symbolising the fusion of tradition and innovation. Ura Maku embraces timeless power suits, handwoven textiles, and local crafts, crafting stylish, sustainable, and natural apparel with a strong cultural foundation.

Featuring a double-breasted crop jacket with an asymmetrical hem detail, accompanied by pleated Hakama-style pants in both the front and back, this handwoven cotton power suit is an office statement piece. Find it hereROUKARouka means 'bodice' in Malayalam and 'corridor' in Japanese, symbolising the connection between weavers and wearers. Designer Sreejith Jeevan, a graduate of NID, Ahmedabad, and ENSAD, Paris, fuses Indian textiles with a local essence. Established in 2014, Rouka reimagined the traditional kasavu saree post-Kerala floods, infusing it with contemporary flair. The label partners with mindful and innovative fashion initiatives, collaborating with Aranya Natural and Usha Silai.

This tunic is crafted from handwoven cotton kasavu fabric, sourced from Chendamangalam. This piece is a testament to Rouka’s commitment to supporting the cluster and is a beautiful no-fuss piece that can be styled as a dress or a kurta. Find it hereKANELLEKanika Jain’s Kanelle is a brand that celebrates women's authenticity and independence, crafting each product with an innovative, hand-crafted approach. Their collections narrate stories, catering to modern, fearless women. Collaborating with artisans, Kanelle employs age-old techniques like block printing, hand embroidery, and textile weaving to create modern, tailored separates with meticulous detail.

These wide-leg printed trousers with a side-opening zipper, designed in handloom Chanderi fabric are a one-of-a-kind piece. The trousers come in an elegant ivory hue and feature a delicate floral pattern. Find it hereKH HOUSE OF KHADDARKamal Hasan’s House Of Khaddar innovatively blends authentic handloom textiles with Western designs. Collaborating directly with weavers and craftspeople, including block makers and printers, this line redefines khadi's image from traditional to trendy. Led by designer Ms Amritha Ram, who is known for her distinctive style in the Indian film industry, KHHOK's mission is to revive and contemporise khadi, increasing its appeal for the urban youth. By bringing modern design to age-old khadi weaves, they ensure a sustainable future for these communities while redefining fashion norms.

An offering from their latest collection ‘Chaos’, this colourful khadi jacket and dress redefine the bland khadi stereotype. Find it hereWUNDERHAUSBased in Pondicherry, Wunderhaus is a brand that focuses on enabling skill transfer among farmers and weavers, and the youth. It was founded by NIFT alum Kedar Maddula after the spate of suicides from cotton farmers. Maddula’s Wunderhaus utilises a youth-centric design language that appeals to the younger generation, thereby providing employment and economic opportunities for artisans. In addition to uplifting the indigenous textiles and community, Maddula’s designs are exclusively genderfluid.

This ikat shirt and sarong made from Bihari handloom material is a gender-neutral and simple statement that celebrates India’s crafts. Find it hereERODE CLOTHINGErode highlights that cultural erosion extends beyond the physical to intangible heritage. Erode’s garments break free from conventional tailoring and gender norms, embodying the rich textile legacy of Erode, Tamil Nadu. Woven with care by local artisans, the fabrics reflect the town's expertise in small-batch production. Weaving and music share a profound connection, with history uniting rhythmic chants and melodic tunes, and this is the thought behind their collection that unites jamakkalam textiles with Jimi Hendrix’s style. This inspiration many flared pants, colourful separates, and lots of vests.

A forest green blazer featuring a reversible panel of jamakkalam fabric and a deconstructed top-notch collar, printed viscose lining, and strategically placed ties holding the halves together are secured by button closure at the front and is a unique piece guaranteed to have people stop and stare. Find it hereARCHANA JAJUAfter marrying into a textile family, Archana Jaju embarked on a journey of learning handwork, crafts, handlooms, and traditional craftsmanship. After two decades of dedicated experimentation and hard work, she established her eponymous brand in 1996. Archana's work harmoniously merges India's handlooms and handicrafts, collaborating with artisans across the country. Her captivating sarees and dupattas showcase unique blends of crafts and looms, characterised by meticulous attention to detail, resulting in exceptional and distinctive pieces.

This sage green hand-painted kalamkari saree on kanjeevaram silk and khadi embellished with zari work is an absolute stunner. Find it hereANAVILANIFT graduate Anavila Misra founded her eponymous label on the basis of the women of artisan communities who toil over their crafts and form the soul of the brand. Working with various craft clusters across India from Jharkhand to West Bengal, Misra redefined the saree by infusing it with a minimal yet classy touch that allowed the handwoven fabrics to shine through. Anavila’s sarees are modern, comfortable, and sustainable.

This handwoven linen saree featuring vibrant indigo hand-block designs is our pick from Anavila. Find it here