: NID Alumni Make Clothes Using 100% Rainwater Solar Energy, Brand Reaches US UK #IndiaNEWS #Fashion Tucked away in scenic Almora in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is a bustling textile design

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Posted in: #IndiaNEWS #Fashion

NID Alumni Make Clothes Using 100% Rainwater Solar Energy, Brand Reaches US UK #IndiaNEWS #Fashion
Tucked away in scenic Almora in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is a bustling textile design studio – Peoli. Founded in 2015, by two alumni (and batchmates) of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad – Abhinav Dhoundiyal and Vasanthi Veluri, Peoli is named after the yellow wildflower native to this region. The Peoli blooms through spring and the duo believes it brings warmth and hope after the long, harsh winter. Just like what they hope their venture is doing for the local populace.
Peoli is a remarkable venture for several reasons. It uses only natural fibres and dyes and is reviving traditional skills. Also, it follows several eco-friendly practices and empowers the local women it employs by giving them a comfortable livelihood.
On offer under the Peoli brand are overcoats, pullovers, cardigans, shawls, scarves and accessories like socks, caps, gloves, and bags. While Abhinav, who belongs to Almora, leads the design and production, Vasanthi focuses on marketing and sales.
Slow Fashion
A Peoli wool sweater, knit using a combination of indigenous wool of Uttarakhand and imported Merino wool a contemporary adaptation of the local and the global, handmade and for the modern customer.
“We believe in slow fashion. How much is produced and how often a consumer buys something new are factors that have environmental implications in terms of using natural resources and waste generation. That’s why we ensure the durability of the product as well as keep our designs classic so that they endure in terms of fashion trends. We do not come out with a new line of products every few months. We take a long time to develop our products. We dye and make products in small batches which helps us align our processes with the often uncertain weather conditions,� explains Vasanthi.
Peoli won two awards recently – one for design and the other for being an eco-friendly enterprise. “AIACA (All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association) honoured us with the first Shilp Udyam Samman for Best Green Enterprise in 2021. The prize amount will enable us to minimise our carbon footprint further. It has helped us increase the capacity of rainwater harvesting and natural dyeing efforts and to expand and reach out to newer international markets,� says Abhinav with a smile.
Green Practices
Using locally available raw materials like the seed coverings of a local plant called Mallotus Philippensis, also known as Kamala for extracting colour.
Natural and indigenous fibres are used to make their apparel and accessories. Cotton from Kutch (grown with less water and no synthetic fertiliser), Harsil wool from Uttarakhand, Tibetan wool, Himalayan nettle and hemp, Ahimsa silk from Assam (obtained without harming the silkworms) and Merino wool (imported from New Zealand) are the main raw materials.

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