For designer Akanksha Rathore, inspiration sparks from the smallest of details: a colour scheme manifesting in nature, an object from her mother’s closet, the stitching on traditional footwear. With that little detail as her departure point, Rathore builds up a collection for her lifestyle brand Kilchu, which sells clothing, footwear, and bags.
Her entrepreneurial journey began with finding weavers and sourcing fabric from the village. With artisans who are collaborators, Rathore’s designs are unique and speak to the Indian sensibility while being firmly rooted in a contemporary space, bringing together tradition and modernity. Kilchu has evolved as a brand since its launch in 2019. Now, Rathore also works with weavers in places like Bengal, Bihar and Karnataka. Her fabrics, engagement with employees, and outlook towards fashion, all align with the philosophy of slow fashion and sustainability. The business works on a make-on-order model, not keeping any stock and ensuring there’s no waste from dead stock.
Modern cuts, classic fabrics. Minimalist approach, maximalist impact. This is what makes Kilchu special.
For Kilchu, inspirations are almost always quirky and close at hand. A little found object could be the seed idea to an entire collection. Yet, Kilchu aims at not only being spontaneous but also by responding to nature and what’s contemporary.