THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A two-minute video on the homepage of Desically Ethnic about their new initiative, Project Upcycle, instantly grabs your attention. It highlights the amount of industrial waste produced in a garment manufacturing unit, on a weekly basis. Precious handloom weaves in gorgeous colours often go to waste after say, a dress, jacket or a bag is designed. Hence, co-founders of the e-store, Akshaya M Rajee and Jai Subramaniam, have started a new initiative to create fashion accessories and ensembles out of the leftover materials post-production.
Recycle routine
On August 2, the portal unveiled an initiative called Project Upcycle from where you can buy exquisite ensembles and accessories created by local artisans mostly by using recycled weaves. “To see expensive and beautiful handlooms go to waste would hurt all of us. They are precious and a lot of hard work goes into creating them. Not just me, it would upset even the artisans and the team, which is why they started coming up with ideas about how to put them to use,” says Akshaya, who moved to Hyderabad along with her husband, Jai to start the venture.
Local and ethical
Although the portal often sells garments and jewellery curated from artisans all over the country, the ones that are on sale under Project Upcycle have been created locally in their factory unit in Sainikpuri. Established in March 2015, this e-store has become quite popular here and has over 92,000 followers on Facebook.“We ensure that we follow the rules of ethical and sustainable fashion, so it’s heartening to see that people from all over the world are interested in buying from us,” says Akshaya.
Go boho
The top picks in Project Upcycle are made from the likes of Ikat, Mangalgiri, Ajrak and a mix of block prints from Rajasthan. You can order upcycled necklaces and colourful bandanas, bohemian patchwork skirts and bags. The skirts and make up bags are some of the best buys suggest the co-founders.
Rs 120 onwards.
Details: desicallyethnic.com