OUR BODY | PEOPLE

Inspired by my Indian roots that continuously reminded me of the importance of slow and thoughtful living, I began to explore sustainability and impact-driven brands during my Masters at UCL, London.

I reached out to manufacturers, suppliers, designers and large export houses only to learn that there was waste and loss either in the physical, monetary or emotional form. Furthermore, I couldn't find any brand that was truly inclusive, sustainable and, at the same time, celebrated the glory of Indian textiles and weaves in a modern and functional way.

The day I was rummaging through my mom’s treasure trove of clothes, it dawned upon me that women all over India are sitting on bundles of beautiful saris, shawls and stoles that they don’t wear anymore but, can’t part with either, as they are too expensive or have a sentimental value.

House of Katran is an answer to all these problems and a way of making a positive impact by repurposing family heirlooms, factory waste and post-consumer waste, and allowing them a fresh lease of life.

With my mother’s knowledge and decades of experience working with textiles, we together conceptualised and laid down the foundation of our brand. We currently work with a local Masterji (a popular term for tailors and seamstresses) as well as marginalised women at upskilling centres in in India to keep the indigenous craft alive and provide employment. Our craftsmen work as freelancers, allowing them to work with numerous brands and earn more.

OUR MIND | PHILOSOPHY

Conscious and mindful living is an art and requires unrelenting effort. It requires us to step back, re-evaluate and make deliberate decisions that will have a lasting impact. It’s about engaging in meaningful conversations with yourself and society to find answers for how to better our life, community and world. 

The word Katran /(kut̪ə)(run)/ translates to cutting, piece or shred. It is what is left over, unused and unwanted. Our mission is to rethink waste and bring it back to life by salvaging and transforming unused textiles and fabrics into modern day, functional silhouettes and accessories. Each product is designed by meticulously utilising the katran and ensuring there is minimal to no wastage. All waste (if any) is collected and will soon be utilised to manufacture smaller products such as jewellery, wash bags and totes. 

We are an inclusive brand that celebrates the human form in every way. Our products are free size, age-, gender- and diversity-inclusive, which means that you can now wear, share and pass down these unique pieces with all your loved ones.

Circular economy principles and upcycling is deeply embedded in the DNA of our Indian culture and plays a pivotal role in our design process. House of Katran is saying goodbye to the ‘take-make-waste’ model of the fashion industry and adopting a regenerative approach i.e. a circular fashion model.

As a sustainable brand, we aim to use minimal packaging with minimum print collateral. Our packaging is sourced from No Issue (a leading sustainable packaging brand) and independent small manufacturers. Although our current packaging is not 100% sustainable, we are in the process of implementing necessary changes and plan to achieve this goal at the earliest.

OUR SOUL| PLANET & PURPOSE

Conscious and mindful consumption is non-negotiable to build a positive impact on our planet. According to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, the equivalent of a rubbish truck load of clothes is burnt or buried in the landfill every second. Approximately 14 million tonnes of textile waste is produced annually that can be recycled or upcycled.

As a small, homegrown and sustainable business, we urge our clients and partners to slow down and rethink their choices. Our mission is to help the planet recover, regenerate and recuperate by reducing carbon emissions and waste. It is time we became a part of the solution by redesigning fashion itself. House of Katran aims to solve this problem by participating in a circular fashion model where the prime focus is to minimise textile waste through upcycling.