I have always had a love of vintage gauze dresses. During a trip to India, I witnessed the magic of block printing and its history. It was then that the idea of Daughters of India was sparked. I really wanted to create something unique that no one was offering \u2014 garments where women could feel beautiful and comfortable no matter what size and age. I wanted to support the artisans in India and bring their talents to the forefront and shine the light on their craft.<\/p>\n
Our dresses are constructed by hand by artisans in India and we adore everything they create. These artisans are at the forefront of everything we do. We don\u2019t do ranges or collections because we do not want unreasonable deadlines forced on our makers. We have always believed in producing one dress at a time and in smaller quantities to honour these beliefs. This also means that our artisans have a constant stream of work to support their families.<\/p>\n
I never wanted to feel the pressure of doing what other brands are doing. I just followed my heart with what I felt needed to be offered in the industry \u2014 to celebrate each dress and the craftsmanship that has gone into each piece.<\/p>\n
We practise slow fashion by controlling our quantities as well as releasing one dress at a time. This way we are never over-producing and this minimises landfill.<\/p>\n
We also believe in creating garments that are timeless and not a \u201ctrend\u201d. Our pieces can be passed down and worn for generations to come. We do not design pieces that will go out of fashion \u2014 the opposite in fact. Each piece is constructed by hand and is designed with versatility and longevity in mind.<\/p>\n
Our signature Kyra dress is the perfect dress for home, growing a baby bump, a summertime picnic or for a beautiful evening under the stars. The versatility is endless. As a mother of four, this means a huge deal to me as I want to make responsible decisions for my children\u2019s future on this planet. It\u2019s so important to lead by example.<\/p>\n
Oh gosh, the industry is forever evolving! We launched DOI in 2017 and we have seen so much change in that time. For one, the pandemic saw a rise in comfortable clothing. We were all at home for such a long time, so we reconsidered what we are purchasing and looked to comfort as a priority.<\/p>\n
Our dresses are so comfortable as most of them are constructed out of 100 per cent cotton, so our designs were certainly embraced more during this period.<\/p>\n
I am also seeing more and more conscious fashion labels being produced. I am proud to be a contributor in this part of the industry and happy that people are starting to educate themselves, whether you are a designer or a consumer.<\/p>\n
I wish consumers would be more conscious of what they are supporting when making\u00a0their purchases, and educate\u00a0themselves on the label they are purchasing from, rather than just buying the least-expensive option. There is normally a\u00a0cost\u00a0associated with supporting ethical, fair trade and slow fashion<\/a>, but what you\u00a0are\u00a0supporting in that cost is so incredibly valuable.<\/p>\n Educate yourselves, look at the brand\u2019s website and make conscious choices about what you are investing in. Find out who\u00a0made your clothing. If the price tag is very inexpensive, it was likely made in a fast-fashion environment or created in very\u00a0poor\u00a0conditions. The factories we\u00a0support are\u00a0Sedex-certified and our pricing reflects that.<\/p>\n We manage our waste by producing one dress at a time. This enables us to best manage the demand for our garments and align our production. We never produce mass quantities that contribute to landfill.<\/p>\n We love women who embrace their individual style and express themselves in their own way. We have seen our dresses styled with sneakers and vintage jackets or tall suede boots and trench coats for a more sophisticated look. We are loving clogs with Travel, workshops and dancing \u2026 connecting with myself through yoga, fitness and retreats are key to me.How do you ensure Daughters of India produces as little waste as possible across the supply chain?<\/h3>\n
How would you style your dresses during\u00a0the winter months?<\/h3>\n
\na little sock for this winter, and a cropped knit jumper or knitted vest layered over the top.<\/p>\nWhat makes you feel wild and alive?<\/h3>\n
\nWhat\u2019s next for Daughters of India?<\/p>\n