House of Khaddar: Step into the World of Innovation

House of Khaddar: Step into the World of Innovation

House of Khaddar, where the rich tapestry of Indian heritage seamlessly merges with Western designs, Giving birth to a unique and sustainable fashion statement. In an exclusive interview with the creative mind behind K.H., discover the inspiration that sparked this harmonious blend during the early days at FIT New York. Explore the brand’s commitment to weaving communities across India, directly engaging with women-led clusters to craft one-of-a-kind styles. From thin fabrics with elegant falls to stable weaves, House of Khaddar bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, emphasizing direct interaction with weavers and eliminating middlemen. Dive into the distinctive features that set House of Khaddar apart from other clothing lines. Breaking the myth that sustainability can’t be synonymous with high fashion, KHHK introduces handwoven Khaddar denim, a sustainable blend of 70% denim and 30% Khaddar, challenging industry norms.

Uncover the refreshing take the House of Khaddar brings to Khadi, transforming it into a fabric of luxury embraced by renowned personalities on the red carpet. With the recent launch of their US website, explore the diverse range of clothing, from classic suits to boho chic capsules, designed to cater to every fashion-forward individual. Delve into the brand’s vision for a sustainable future, where increasing demand translates to economic growth for weaving communities across states. House of Khaddar envisions a revival and preservation of the dying art of handloom, ensuring its availability for generations to come in a sustainable fashion world.

Zoey: Can you tell us more about House of Khaddar and what inspired the brand’s unique blend of Indian heritage and Western designs? 

Amritha Ram: The inspiration started back at school while I was pursuing my fashion design degree at FIT New York. I have always been inspired by Western cuts and pattern-making alongside my love for Indian fabrics was very strong too. So back at school, my first collection was an amalgamation of Indian embroidery, fabric with Western cuts. Hence we decided to work on Khaddar which I would call one of the earliest sustainable fabrics. That evolved, I was clear in thought that the cuts had to be completely Western and I also wanted to prove a point that the fabric is a wonderful canvas and it is up to the artist to decide what goes on it and thus KHHK- is a beautiful blend of Indian heritage handloom and western designs.

Zoey: How does House of Khaddar work directly with weavers and craft communities in India to create their one-of-a-kind styles? 

Amritha Ram: When we started House of Khaddar we first identified all the weaving clusters across the country and then we decided that we would go to work with the smaller clusters where they were all women that were doing the weaving and it was very important for their livelihood that they Had demand to supply. We work with the weavers and tell them what count we would like to have the weave on as some designs require the fabric to be thin and have a certain amount of fall while some other designs require more fabric stability. Since we interact directly with them, it is easy to understand each other’s requirements and take it forward,.  interaction with the weavers they also benefit directly without any middlemen.

 

Zoey: What sets House of Khaddar apart from other clothing lines in terms of their use of Western silhouettes and techniques? 

Amritha Ram: As I mentioned before, this probably is one of the earliest sustainable fabrics and is currently probably one of the few handloom fabrics that works on blending heritage and design seamlessly with Western designs a. We would like to break the myth that sustainable brands also can double up as a niche fashion brand that quality sets us completely apart as we make everything from a red-carpet suit to what the current season demands. As we all know that change is constant in fashion, we are constantly working on improving and improvising our designs with every season to make sure that, we produce everything gets us into the classic contemporary and modern designs that push us into the one of top brands competing for that niche space in the market. We also have come up with our own handwoven Khaddar denim. As we all know the maximum amount of wastage in the textile industry is from denim, we have produced a weave that is 70% denim and 30% Khaddar. This fabric is also completely handwoven on looms and takes about 8 to 12 weeks for the fabric to be woven and then the dyeing process which is also sustainable. So, all this put together we set ourselves completely apart from the other brands competing for the same space.

Zoey: Could you elaborate on the refreshing take that House of Khaddar’s pieces have on Khadi and how they make it relatable to the current market?

Amritha Ram: At the cost of repeating myself, I would have to say that Khaddar was always synonymous with being very standard in terms of design, but we have come a long way from there. The first collection that we launched was the fall collection where we made trenches and jackets lined with a fabric that keeps you warm for the fall. We have also set foot into the red carpet styles a classic example would be the recent Comic-Con film festival in San Diego wherein  Mr. Kamal Haasan and the director Mr. Nag Ashwin wore Khaddar to launch their film. We have also had other Indian actors, embracing this beautiful sustainable fabric on the red carpet and that would be the ultimate aim to transform this into a fabric of luxury that joins hands with sustainability and hence creates a niche brand that caters to fashion in the most sustainable way possible.

Zoey: With the launch of their website in the US, what can customers expect from House of Khaddar in terms of their range of clothing and size options? 

Amritha Ram: With the website launch in terms of design, I think we will have a complete range of what everyone could be looking for. Right from our launch collection Nunool which comprises classic designs in suits and trenches for men and women, It also has co-ords and everything that you would look for in a business, classic, or chic suit that is fashionable. With the next collection Warp and Weft, we got into the modern category where we had our Khaddar denim pieces and The Varsity collection that we launched at the Paris Fashion Week. We also have different styles of dresses from chic to red carpet styles that we launched in New York. All these dresses have intricate embroidery in various techniques that are an integral part of every design. We have our current collection CHAOS which is a beautiful blend of artistry and painting on Khaddar. Adding to the above we have our boho chic capsule which has harems, jumpsuits, tops, and more. Then we have our solids that have jumpsuits and casual dresses. Lastly, our Color-blocked suits and trenches which I would say would be the most eye-catching pieces of the season. As a creative head and designer of KHHK, I think we have everything that a fashion-forward person would look for in a brand

Zoey: How does House of Khaddar aim to build a sustainable future for the communities they work with while targeting a different market? 

Amritha Ram: As we all know it is a demand versus supply industry and the more demand the more the supply. We as a country have weaving communities across the states and currently, we are only working with a small part of them. With more growth we are looking to work with more weaving communities and with an increase in the requirement of fabric from the weavers it will improve their economic condition and it would revive and preserve the technique and tradition of weaving. the dying art form of handloom and make this art form available for the innovative generations to come in a sustainable world of fashion.

Zoey: Can you share any specific examples of how the House of Khaddar brings contemporary design to age-old weaves like Khadi?

Amritha Ram: As mentioned before, Khaddar has always been primarily used in creating Indian traditional clothing designs. This marks a giant leap in the versatility of the fabric in showcasing what it could provide for a fashion-forward sustainable world. We currently have an array of designs ranging from suits, trenches, dresses, boho chic clothing, and red-carpet dresses and suits. This is a promising way of fusion the oldest traditional handloom fabric with the latest designs in the current global sustainable sphere the fashion community is looking forward to creating.

Zoey: What role do you play in House of Khaddar, and how has her background in the Indian film industry influenced the brand’s vision? 

Amritha Ram: I’m the head of design and the creative outlook of the brand which includes the placement of the brand in the right slot. Having worked with various artisans during her process of creating costumes for films as a costume designer,  each zone and state of India specializes in a certain type of artistry and design. Her exposure to these and understanding of how they are incorporated into the design will help set new standards with the various techniques and artistry of the designs from the brand. Some of the embroidery techniques date back to being inspired by the Moghul era and hence they have a very intricate way of handwork patchwork and more. She has also been exposed to creating various designs for different characters and working under some very experienced and famous directors from the Indian film industry with over 75 films and still counting. The knowledge and exposure she has gained help create a new space for the brand and cuts that express the fabric in the most beautiful way possible.

Zoey: What type of clothing does the House of Khaddar offer and what is the size range? 

Amritha Ram: K.H. has all styles of clothing from classic to contemporary and modern to boho chic. Concerning sizing we start from XXS and go to 4XL. The sizing templates are created accordingly.

Zoey: What is the mission of the House of Khaddar? 

Amritha Ram: Our mission revolves around preserving the art of weaving the most ancient sustainable fabric Khaddar and transforming it into a fashionable and timeless product suitable for all generations. We’re also committed to nurturing the future of our weaver communities by innovating new products tailored to diverse markets. The essence of House of Khaddar lies in seamlessly blending modern designs with traditional weaves like Khadi, ensuring the fabric’s cut, texture, and fit are in sync with contemporary aesthetics.

Zoey: Can you provide an overview of House of Khaddar and what makes it unique in the fashion industry? 

Amritha Ram: The uniqueness of the House of Khaddar is the fact that we employ one of the most ancient and artistic methods of creating a sustainable fabric and this probably dates back to the Indus Valley civilization where small fragments of cloth were woven using the handloom techniques. Khaddar is one hundred percent handmade using traditional looms for weaving and traditional Methods of dyeing using sustainable dyes. This sets the fabric apart and the fact that a fabric of such great artistry produces designs that cater to every fashion enthusiast and the younger generation that believes in fashion that keeps evolving with change.

Zoey: What is the significance of Khadi in House of Khaddar’s pieces, and how do they offer a refreshing take on this traditional fabric? 

Amritha Ram: The significance of House of Khaddar – is that we have revolutionized the way the world looks at Khaddar and we have completely transformed it into a fabric that produces modern designs that every fashion lover would love to possess. We have also taken this fabric globally and presented it to a niche global audience.

House of Khaddar stands as a testament to the harmonious marriage of Indian heritage and Western designs, creating a distinctive space in the world of sustainable fashion. From the initial inspiration that blossomed during fashion design studies at FIT New York to the meticulous collaboration with weaving communities across India, K.H. showcases a commitment to authenticity and craftsmanship.

The brand’s innovative approach challenges conventional norms, introducing handwoven Khaddar denim and proving that sustainability can seamlessly coexist with high fashion. The launch of their US website expands the reach of House of Khaddar, offering a diverse range of clothing options catering to the eclectic tastes of a global audience.

As the House of Khaddar envisions a sustainable future, direct engagement with weaving communities becomes a driving force for economic growth and the preservation of traditional handloom techniques. The brand’s contemporary designs breathe new life into age-old weaves like Khadi, making a compelling statement in the evolving landscape of global sustainable fashion.

Under the visionary guidance of Ms. Amritha Ram, the brand not only embodies a fusion of tradition and modernity but also draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of the Indian film industry. With each piece reflecting a story of heritage and artistry, House of Khaddar invites fashion enthusiasts to embark on a journey where every garment tells a tale of cultural resonance.

In a world where fashion meets responsibility, the House of Khaddar emerges as a beacon of conscious style, inviting individuals to embrace a sustainable, elegant, and culturally enriched wardrobe. This is not just a brand; it’s a narrative woven with threads of tradition, innovation, and a commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future.