Our Story

 

WHO WE ARE

We are a fashion and design house empowering community artisans. We make things that matter and weave joy into every story. In a world where fashion and design are often seen as excess, Chambray & Co. is a proof that style and sustainability can coexist. Inspired by nature and captivated by the city, Chambray & Co. tells a story of a lifestyle which embodies a connectedness and balance with the natural world. 

Chambray & Co. has captured the essence of the modern woman.⁠
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We are experimental, authentic & real. The perfect blend of effortless and chic. The brand is polished, yet extremely personable. Passionate about life and style.⁠
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Socially aware and adaptable to seasons. Chambray & Co. is contemporary without being too directional. Beautifully handcrafted, modern collections - wearable & timeless. We are not just about fashion, we focus on the way we make you feel. An aspirational lifestyle to live by.⁠
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Whether it’s a casual movie, long lunch with friends or a frocked up night on the town. Chambray & Co. is that trusted, amazingly good friend you can’t get enough of.⁠

Our story is not one of a kind but it will certainly contribute towards a better tomorrow. Lending it form, shape and accent is its storyteller, designer and founder-

ESHA AGARWAL FERNANDES

A Circular approach to fashion has long been neglected in India. However, with the coming of age of a new generation of entrepreneurs with evolved aesthetics and creative training, this is rapidly changing. Recognising this need, our Founder, graduate from the most premier design institute in India, National Institute of Fashion Technology (New Delhi) honed her expertise by acquiring experience with industry stalwarts like Rohit Bal, Manish Arora and Shyamal & Bhumika. She then went back to school at the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) in 2018 to focus on domain knowledge and management frameworks as well as financial and commercial aspects of the business of craft and sustainable businesses.

Now with an experienced eye and a flair for lifestyle businesses, a desire and motivation to go global, and belief in Indian crafts, she has set out to focus on her unique Indianness with global relevance through conscious, inclusive and circular business practices to promote Indian artisanal heritage.
INDUSTRY VALIDATION
  • Shortlisted for the TOP 25 Emerging Brands in the fashion & apparel category by Nykaa & LBB 2023
  • Our organisational growth is accelerated by NSRCEL at IIM-Bangalore sponsored by Goldman Sachs 2022
  • Winner of the DRAPERS SUSTAINABLE FASHION AWARDS 2021 for the best Circularity Initiative
  • Currently being incubated under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, India and Ministry of Textiles, India as a part of the PRATIBHA DESIGN PROJECT 2021
  • Invited to showcase our collection at the SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK US 2020 as a guest designer
  • Showcased our collection at India’s biggest Sustainable Fashion Awards - CIRCULAR DESIGN CHALLENGE 2020 at Lakme Fashion Week
  • Selected as the top idea for HUMANS of CIRCULARITY challenge organised by Circular Apparel Innovation Factory, powered by Intellecap

WHAT WE DO

At Chambray & Co. we combine modern aesthetics and traditional crafts, using the Indian woman's inherited expertise in needlework to up-cycle textile that has been spilled out of the system. We source discards from large textile and garment producers and use our craft to carefully piece the waste together, hiding the flaws and enhancing the products. Our products celebrate Craft in its true maximalist glory and also hold a promise of being worn, loved and even passed on.

Started with a passion for contemporary expression of Indian crafts and from an intuitive perspective on ‘artisanal clothing’ at Chambray & Co. we honour the versatility of Indian embroideries while gently reminding the Indian women of their roots & reviving their skills of needle work.

We encourage responsible consumption by disrupting existing supply chains and creating an alternate closed loop system of procurement, production & promotion.

The basic ideology of the brand is making sure we are not consuming way more than what we are contributing and taking care of the environment and the society so that they can continue to take care of us.
At Chambray & Co., we have never followed trends or seasons. It is a tiny dot in the larger scheme of things. But it is a start. Little things go a long way. Or so we believe. With a holistic approach to design, we focus on small-scale production using natural and sustainable materials and methods.
In the coming years our endeavour is to tread consciously in every process of our manufacturing as we partner with underprivileged women across the country to co-create products focusing on the rooted sustainability of our Indian traditional practices.

 

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHY WE ARE DOING IT

As a billion dollar industry and the second most polluting business after oil, fashion has a direct and ghastly impact on the environment. The vast amounts of water used and the processing methods for fabrics contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases which are the cause for climate change. In a manic hustle to keep up with the mass production demanded by Fast Fashion the industry is contributing to today’s sustainability challenge in several alarming ways. Sustainable and slow fashion is all about mindfully and consciously protecting our planet. The change has to be on a more global and conscious level for it to make a profound impact and change.

We don’t just love seeing transformation, we love being a big part of it! Chambray & co. is a life and livelihood partner for empowered and dignified artisans as they strive to weave better futures for their families and communities.We have years of experience in building a eco-ethical fashion label, learning along the way, making a lot of mistakes, and pushing forward anyway.

AND ANOTHER BIG WHY

You! Your decision to surround yourself with things that matter inspire us every day! We thought you should know.

Thank you for weaving joyful stories with us!