Namai Studio's Kantha-Inspired Jackets Blend Bengali Heritage and Sustainability

Some of my fondest childhood memories involve visiting Kolkata, sitting in my grandma's – or as I called her, my Dida’s – lap, wrapped up in a blanket as it rained outside. I’d run my hands up and down the quilt and I can still remember the feeling of the divots between its stitches under my thumb and the changes in texture as I moved from one patch of cloth to the next. Today, I know this is called 'Kantha', a generations-old style of stitching that upcycles old saris and dhotis traditionally used to craft children’s blankets. Yet, despite this rich history, I've often wondered whether the lingering memories of my Dida gloss my view of this art form with sentimentality. 

Namai Studio takes this nostalgic style and (literally and figuratively) upcycles it to create modern, one-of-a-kind garments. Founded by British-Indian, Bianca Kuttickattu, the brand was founded in 2020, in the depths of the pandemic. As life slowed down for us all in quarantine, Kuttickattu used this time to reconnect with her roots and craft clothes with intention. This deliberate deceleration is refreshing to see today, especially as the fast fashion model remains prevalent across the world, prioritizing profits over environmentally friendly practices and artistic intention. Namai Studio has sustainability, traditional homage, and creative innovation at the core of its brand, setting it apart from its contemporaries.

The brand is best known for its statement jackets, which use the Kantha method of stitching and patchwork to craft pieces from second-hand quilts sourced in Jaipur. As a result, these pieces are on their third life cycle by the time they’re in their customers' hands.

Every stitch in these jackets holds a piece of history, honouring memories like the ones I shared with my grandmother. However, despite its old sources and inspirations, these jackets’ geometric silhouettes and unique pattern combinations are bold and untraditional, making each Namai Studio piece feel fresh. This combination of the old and the new keeps innovation and artistry at the forefront of the label's identity. 

Check out their pieces here.

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