There’s something pretty special about travelling to India and seeing the world behind Renew. The people, the craftsmanship, the colours, the food and the generosity of the communities we work with always leave us feeling inspired. This trip was no exception!
Brooke and Tegan recently packed their bags for India, with one big mission in mind: to capture the stories of the incredible people behind Renew. From the women in villages who spend hours stitching our Kantha blankets to the teams who transform those textiles into the clothing you know and love, we wanted to bring you a little closer to the hands and hearts behind your favourite pieces.
So, grab a cuppa and join us for a little recap of the journey!
First stop: West Bengal and the women behind our Kantha
After a whopping 24-hour door-to-door travel day, we finally arrived in West Bengal, ready to dive into the first part of our adventure.
One of the biggest highlights was spending time with the women who stitch our Kantha blankets. These women work from their homes, fitting their stitching around the many other chores that fill their days. For them, Kantha stitching provides a valuable source of additional income while allowing them to continue caring for their families and managing their households.
Every blanket is a labour of love. Depending on its size, thickness and skill level of the hands holding it, a single piece can take anywhere from days to months to complete. The stitching itself is simple in concept, but the time, patience and skill that go into creating these textiles are something else entirely.
Through our work with Kantha, we help generate employment for more than 5,000 women each year. Getting to see a little more of their daily lives and the joy they find in their work was a reminder of just how many people are connected through the textiles we use.
Tegan also had the opportunity to film a day in the life of one of the women who stitches our Kantha blankets. We’re so excited to share more of these stories with you as we bring the footage together!
One of the loveliest things about spending time in India is the incredible hospitality. Guests are welcomed with such generosity, and we were treated to plenty of beautiful home-cooked meals along the way. We can never eat enough! Everywhere they went, we were struck by how much pride the women take in what they do. There is a real love for the craft, and it shines through in the finished textiles.
There was also a particularly beautiful little story shared with us during the trip - many women learn Kantha stitching from a very young age, with the skill passed down through families and communities. Famillies wrap their tiny babies in Kantha because they believe the love stitched into the repurposed saris brings protection to their children.
We think there’s something really special about that. These textiles carry stories from the past, the hands of the women who stitch them and now, eventually, a new chapter in the form of a Renew garment.
Next stop: Jaipur and bringing designs to life
From West Bengal, we travelled to Jaipur to begin the sampling process with our production partners.
This is where our designs start to take shape beyond the drawing board. Meeting with our partners in person gives everyone the chance to work through patterns, check details, try different ideas and make sure each design is just right before moving forward with production.
Sampling is a whole lot easier when you can sit together, hold the fabric in your hands and talk through the little details face-to-face. Working with reclaimed textiles brings its own challenges - every fabric has its own character, so patterns and designs often need thoughtful adjustments to make the most of what we're working with.
It's always so fun seeing designs become reality and to work alongside the women who help turn those ideas into garments. Both of our partners are women who own and run the workshops, and the relationships we've built with them over the years mean a great deal to us.
One of the women we partner with has grown from a small basement studio into a three-storey building since we began. Seeing that growth has been incredibly meaningful, and we're so proud of her, and to be part of a relationship that continues to evolve and create opportunities for the people involved.
There are lovely surprises along the way, too. Sometimes our partners come to us with ideas they've had for our community they've designed themselves, which is always such a special moment. These relationships aren't simply about following instructions or producing a collection. They're about sharing ideas, exchanging knowledge and creating something together.
Having the chance to spend time in the workshops, talk through designs and see the work happening firsthand is a reminder of how much collaboration goes into every Renew piece.
A little time for exploring
Of course, a trip to India wouldn't be complete without making time to explore!
Between work in the workshops, we squeezed in some sightseeing and shopping around Jaipur. So many beautiful things to be found! So much haggling to be done! Iykyk.
India is a place full of colour, movement, history and unexpected discoveries. There's always something new to see, learn or experience, and even the little moments between work often become some of the most memorable parts of the trip.
But after a couple of full and inspiring weeks, it was time to head home, take everything in and get stuck into the rest of the year.
Coming home with full hearts
This trip was expansive, exciting and full of moments we're still reflecting on. Getting to spend time with our teams, hear their stories and capture some of the love and care that goes into our clothes is something we're incredibly grateful for.
At Renew, we often talk about the people behind our clothing, but there's a difference between knowing a story and having the opportunity to sit with the people living it. These visits give us a deeper understanding of the work, skill and dedication involved, while reminding us how much we all have to learn from one another.
We're grateful for the women who stitch our Kantha, the teams who bring our designs to life, the partners who share their knowledge and ideas, and every person who plays a part in bringing Renew into the world.
And, of course, we're grateful to you. Every time you choose Renew, you're helping support the livelihoods of the women and families who are part of this journey.
This is just the beginning of our India Travel Diaries. We have so many more stories, behind-the-scenes moments and little glimpses into the world behind Renew to share with you, and we can't wait to bring you along for the ride. To make sure you don't miss anything, sign up to our newsletter and join us on Instagram and in our private Facebook Community group.
Comments
Hello Lovelies,
such an interesting read!
Do I understand this right: first are blankets made in Benghal – and then the garments are made out of the blankets in Jaipur?
And will you offer real blankets in Kantha too? I would be interested!
Thank you very much for the insights!
Warmly, Sabina