PRODUCT CATALOG TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 About us 02 About the founder 03 Our Goals 04 Must Haves! 05 Collaborations About Us Who are we? Founded in 2019, we start with the concept of fibre to fashion using yarns that are handspun, naturally dyed and handwoven on pitlooms following a process that contributes to an ethical model of creation which is most considerate of humanity and the environment. We create different fabrics like Kala Cotton, Kora cotton and Khadi with weavers across India. Our goal is to work towards a system that does not leave negative carbon footprint by promoting slow fashion and fair fashion. What we do? We believe in the philosophy of reviving indigenous varieties of cotton currently in Gujarat and Karnataka using age old techniques of weaving on Indian Handlooms - ‘Revival’ is a long process that is a function of time and quantifiable metrics. It requires many people to work in a given space over a period of time to ensure that the craft has enough demand for consistent employment. We recognise our ‘karigars’ as partners, collaborators and equals. Since the whole family is involved in the process of weaving, every small step taken contributes to an effort of making a wearable piece of art/textile. |1 About the Founder Rural Conversations is the brainchild of Richa Banjara, a fashion and textiles graduate from NIFT. Her love for Indian crafts and textiles, slow fashion and sustainable design found an expression in the development of this brand. She creates soulful narratives through her craft that evoke nostalgia and inspire thoughtfulness. The brand grew as a response to an ever changing world. It signals a shift from rapid consumption and disposal to ethical choices and mindful living. It recognises that green fashion is no longer an alternative, but a necessity. At Rural Conversations, we are mindful of our environmental impact and consciously strive towards reducing waste and devising eco-friendly methods of crafting our garments. We use indigenous varieties of cotton like Kala Cotton, Brown Cotton and Khadi that use artisanal led techniques of weaving, natural dyeing, hand embroidery and screen printing to create our natural fabrics. Our packaging is 100% biodegradable. We use handmade paper tags made of post consumer cotton waste and reusable cloth bags. We also operate on a made-to-order model, eliminating typical inventory issues Richa Banjara that lead to over production and wastage. Rural Conversations is about slow living with sustainability at its heart. For us the process is as important as the product. Our story is a collective narrative of all the makers whose shared efforts culminate in a beautiful legacy. Our fabrics are custom made in small batches by artisanal communities of West Bengal, Karnataka and Gujarat who weave the story of Rural Conversations. Each garment is carefully and slowly handcrafted in our studio in Ahmedabad with thoughtful details before it completes its journey in your wardrobe, ready to be a part of your story.While fabric remains the essence of a dress, its colour is its soul. A Rural Conversations dress is often in its kora form, fresh out of the loom which means an earthy, subtle and raw-natural shade which has been untouched by dyes but has retained its original form and colour. At times, they dance in shades of pastels, like a summer dream or a winter’s night. We dwell in our world of pastels inspired by sunsets, the most beautiful colours nature has presented. Our Goals Desi cotton strains are indigenous to Asia and Africa and have a short staple length of less than 32mm. Kala cotton is one of 20 strains of desi cotton that were once grown extensively in India. It was the traditional source of fabric yarn in pre-Independence Kutch. However, desi cotton (and with it, kala cotton) was relegated to the bottom of the textile hierarchy during colonization in India. From the early years of the British rule in India in the 1600s until Independence in 1947, desi cotton was exported to Britain, initially as a cheaper alternative for the masses. Despite the decline in cultivation of desi cotton during colonization, a large portion of the total land used for cotton grew varieties of desi cotton. This has changed post-Independence. A brief look at the fall in its acreage up until today : Period Timeline % of Desi Cotton (as % of total cotton acreage) ~1947 At the time of independence 98% 1947-1990 Shift towards long staple American Cotton in India 48% 2002 Introduction of genetically modified Bt cotton in India 25% Cumulative of the above as well as Today use of other non-indigenous 2% cotton We wish to see real change happen by understanding and supporting problems faced by farmers, weavers, dyers and come with solutions that promote the growth of indigenous varieties of cotton because they are safer for the environment, soil conscious and climate driven. Must Haves! Adrian Top - Rs. 3200/- Gerard Shorts - Rs.3500/- Emma Shirt - Rs. 3500/- Gerard Shorts - Rs.3500/- Almond Blossom Shirt - Rs. 3900/- Nathan palazzos -Rs.3800/- Elsa Top - Rs. 4200/- Nathan palazzos -Rs.3800/- Elsa Dress - Rs. 5200/- Malcolm Shirt - Rs. 3500/- Wilber pants - Rs.3800/- Malcolm Shirt - Rs. 3900/- Julian Skirt - Rs. 2200/- Malcolm Shirt - Rs. 3900/- Elvin Top - Rs. 3200/ Wilber Pants - Rs. 3800/- Free Size Poncho - Rs. 3700/- Tuffet Dress - Rs. 5600/- Collaborations Editorial shoot for Cake Magazine in collaboration with Swiss Brand - Sanikai Clothing. Photographed by : Jacco Meysner Model : Luana Shot in collaboration with Swiss Brand - Sanikai Clothing. Photographed by : Wongwannat Model and artist of the painting in the photo : Gabrielle Rul Shot in collaboration with an Ahmedabad based wellness brand - Clay Essentials. Our Kala Cotton fabrics have been used to make Aromatherapy Eye Pillows. Our Mesh Bags hand knotted using organic cotton threads shot in collaboration with Tatha Life Branding Agency - Social Sherpa Thankyou Please get in touch with us for further queries on : Email [email protected] Phone +91- 9959036211 Do follow us on Instagram rural_conversations
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