Kala Cotton
Kala Cotton is a resilient, indigenous variety of old-world cotton grown in the semi-arid region of Kutch, Gujarat. Deeply rooted in the region’s agricultural history, it thrives in harsh conditions without the need for irrigation, pesticides, or synthetic fertilisers. This makes it not only one of the most environmentally sustainable cottons in the world, but also a vital part of preserving biodiversity and supporting small-scale farmers who practice rain-fed, low-impact farming.
Just a short distance from the cotton fields lies Bhujodi, a village with over 600 years of textile tradition. Known for its skilled artisan families and rich weaving heritage, Bhujodi remains a vibrant hub of craftsmanship. We are honoured to collaborate with a family of master weavers here, working closely to develop our custom handwoven Kala Cotton fabrics.
The process is entirely manual—from ginning the raw cotton, to spinning the yarn on traditional charkhas, to weaving and dyeing the cloth by hand. Natural dyes such as indigo, pomegranate rind, and iron-jaggery mixtures are often used, creating a palette that reflects the earthy tones of the region.
The resulting fabric has a unique texture—slubby, breathable, and full of irregularities that speak to its handmade nature. It has a quiet strength to it: soft yet sturdy, simple yet full of character.
Once woven, the fabric makes its way to our tailoring unit on the outskirts of Auroville in Tamil Nadu. There, it is cut and sewn with care into pieces that are both contemporary and timeless—designed to be worn often, cherished deeply, and to grow more beautiful with use.
