Meet your new Kantha Jacket!
Your new kantha jacket is sure to become one of your most comfortable wardrobe staples. A sustainable one-of-a kind treasure is now in your hands, so get ready to welcome history and tradition into your wardrobe!
What does Kantha mean?
Kantha textiles are traditionally created from old or vintage saris, which makes perfect sense as the word ‘Kantha’ translates to ‘rags’ from Sanskrit. The word Kantha is used to refer to both the textile, and the long simple running stitch used to create them – the Kantha stitch.
To create Kantha textiles, the recycled materials are stacked on top of each other, and hand stitched together. The warmth that these layers provide is one of the reasons you’ll frequently see Kantha blankets, bedspreads and cushions. This is also what makes Kantha the perfect textile for your upcycled jacket!
What is the history of my Kantha Jacket?
Kantha is one of the most important textile arts in Eastern India. It can be traced back 500 years, found at the heart of the Bengali culture in the tradition of upcycling materials as a means of warmth and comfort.
Creating kantha textiles is a generational skill frequently passed down in Bengali families. Quilts and blankets are made and designed from the family’s recycled textiles; the saris or dhotis used hold stories from each member of the family. This is why kantha textiles are traditionally given as wedding or new baby presents, as they are deeply personal, handcrafted gifts sure to become an heirloom.
Kantha textiles are traditionally found in Bangladesh, Bengal, Odisha and Tripura. The simplistic technique used can also be compared to the Japanese Sashiko stitching, as both have their roots in recycling and giving new life and purpose to old textiles.
What makes my Kantha Jacket sustainable?
Sustainability is the core of Kantha textiles, as true kantha is made from layers of recycled materials. Traditionally, the yarn used to embroider was even salvaged from old materials, textiles and clothing.
Recycling materials not only means that waste is kept out of the landfill, but that no new inks or dyes are used for production of your garment. Each kantha garment carries a story through the history of its materials, creating a garment that you’ll care for and keep in your wardrobe for years to come.
By preventing this environmental harm and giving old materials new life, kantha actively defies the fast fashion cycle in favour of a kinder and more environmental model.
