In the world of fashion, few names shine as brightly as Moonray, a luxury ready-to-wear brand founded in 2021 by the dynamic mother-daughter duo, Karishma and Avantika Swali. Their journey for fashion began with a mutual love for design and a relentless passion for inclusion, and sustainability, which gave birth to Moonray — a brand that combines their love for craftsmanship with a strong desire for connection and cultural freedom.
The heart of Moonray beats within its artisans — a collective spearheaded by artistic director Karishma Swali herself. This ensemble of creative minds channels diverse perspectives into a dialogue between traditional craft and modern artisanal visions. Their collaborative efforts give rise to Moonray's unique aesthetic that contemporises craft; giving modern life to ancient techniques.
In order to honour their deep heritage, Moonray dedicates 80% of its designs to diverse craft forms like handloom fabrics, hand embroidery, macrame, crochet, and tie-dye. These crafts are ingeniously reinterpreted to bear the distinctive Moonray mark.
States of Matter, Moonray's Spring/Summer 2023 collection draws inspiration from the ever-changing nature of matter. The collection showcases a variety of crochet dresses with embroidered beads and delicately handcrafted lace collars. The Moonstone series cleverly incorporates semi-precious gemstones onto fluid crochet knit fabric, capturing the essence of transformation.
The Bubble Drift series introduces circular cut-outs ornamented with beads, playing with the balance between solidity and fluidity. With colours like sand dune yellow and sienna red, the collection elicits a sense of spontaneity and weightlessness. The iconic Moon-o-Gram series graces raw denim with engraved 'MR' monograms, paying homage to Moonray's identity.
Forces in Balance, Moonray's Autumn/Winter 2023 collection, mirrors the cosmic dance between harmony and coexistence. Drawing inspiration from gravity, this collection embodies the interplay of opposing forces, light and shadow. The Gravity series exhibits intricately embellished clusters, symbolising particles drawn together by gravity, reminiscent of the birth of celestial bodies. The Moonbeam series captures the spectrum of light through gradient-coloured godet pleats. From vibrant wild berry pinks to calming serene blacks, the colour palette produces a palpable sense of equilibrium.
The collection features meticulously crafted pieces including contemporary separates and hand-pleated skirts, all united by the theme of balance. Signature motifs like the Moonflower and Moon-o-Gram adorn the collection, echoing Moonray's philosophy of finding beauty in harmony.
In the present time, our ecological footprint bears significant weight. Moonray takes a stand against the notion of deeming anyone or anything irrelevant or useless, recognising this as a missed chance for boundless exploration. Through inspiration from the eco-friendly ethos of handcraft, Moonray promotes sustainable advancement, considerate development, and the use of responsible materials to alleviate the global waste.
Moonray's journey extends far beyond the realm of fashion. Whilst being deeply committed to principles of equality and inclusion, the brand directs 50% of its profits from all products towards empowering children's education and supporting animal welfare through its NGO partnerships. This ethos of giving back intertwines with Moonray's focus on sustainability, where biodegradable and vegan-certified fabrics continue to shape their brand narrative and identity.
If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:
Detangle Denim With Rkivecity's Aesthetic & Nostalgic Take On Upcycled Fashion
A Homegrown Brand Crafting Upcycled Clothing Using Discarded Denim & Fabric Scraps
Navinder Nangla’s Disruptive Approach Is Challenging Singular Aesthetics In Fashion