ARTISANAL PARTNERS
At House of Papaya, we believe in the power of community.
Each piece is co-created with skilled female artisans in rural India to preserve ancestral techniques and support their creative independence.
When you support us, you’re not only adding a piece of clothing to your wardrobe — you’re becoming a partner in uplifting a whole community of women creatives.
Introducing
Saheli Women - Rajasthan, India
Saheli is a women-led NGO that provide economic and social empowerment to the women in the Rajasthan area.
Over the past decade, Saheli has successfully challenged social and cultural barriers for women to work outside their home.
- They are now employing more than 100 village ladies and giving them the opportunity of their own agency and voice.
These talented women are not just makers; they are storytellers, each weaving a part of their heritage into their work, using ancestral techniques.
- Their pieces reflect a deep connection to tradition and culture, while creating pathways toward a more prosperous and equal future for women.
More about this collection:
What is the role of Saheli?
As a main partner, Saheli has:
- Created all patterns from this first collection
- Sewn each garment
- Hand-wove the brown organic cotton of the Lucie dress, Vero Pant & Anna top and the silk of the Feli skirt and Eva top
- Hand-dyed all of the silk for the Eva top and Feli skirt
- Linked us with other organisations
How is this collection circular?
Sustainable Materials and Practices
Each garment is crafted from natural fibers like cotton, silk, and wool, hand-dyed or azo-free dyed, with most fabrics being hand-woven. The use of natural materials and dyes ensures no microplastics and harmful chemicals are released into the environment or onto your skin, making it healthier for people and less harmful to ecosystems.
Holistic Waste Reduction Strategy
From shell and wood buttons to mono-material packaging printed with single-color ink made in the EU, every element is chosen to minimize waste.
Circularity is considered from the beginning by selecting mono-material elements that allow for seamless recycling. Hand-woven fabrics further reduce the carbon footprint by eliminating the need for industrial machinery. These tightly woven textiles also offer greater durability and longevity than their machine-made counterparts, supporting a longer product life cycle.
Social and Economic Sustainability
Collaboration with organizations like Saheli Women aligns with circular economy principles by fostering ethical practices, skill development, and community well-being. This partnership supports social inclusion and economic empowerment for women, creating a positive social impact.
Preserving Craftsmanship and Culture
Handcrafted products highlight local craftsmanship and cultural heritage, integral to sustainable practices. Supporting these traditions revitalizes artisanal skills and connects consumers with the stories behind each product.
Promoting Conscious Consumption
Special pieces made with purpose and intention increase emotional attachment, encouraging consumers to care for and retain items longer. This extended lifecycle reduces waste and promotes thoughtful consumption.
Encouraging Responsible Business
The production goes beyond profit, prioritizing social and environmental value through ethical sourcing, slow fashion, and low-impact methods. This commitment reinforces the importance of balancing business goals with global responsibility.
Where does your money go?
Working with NGO's translate into the creation of circular revenue streams.
NGOs reinvest profits into community development, education, or training programs.
This creates a positive feedback loop where the production process supports broader societal and environmental benefits, contributing to a holistic circular system.
- Saheli's next investment dream?
Planting a forest, with a tree planted for every garment produced, giving back to the earth after she gifted us with the resources to create one of a kind pieces.
Introducing
Yasin Shahabuddin's family (Dabu Block Print) - Rajasthan, India
Yasin Shahabuddin is a third-generation master dyer and block printer from Rajasthan, India, continuing a 200-year-old family tradition of using natural vegetable dyes and wooden hand blocks.
His family avoids artificial dyes, ensuring that workers and wearers are not exposed to harmful chemicals.
The color development process is an art form, with techniques that, while similar across India, are regionally adapted to local conditions.
The indigo water in their factory has remained unchanged for over 30 years, contributing to a unique and refined color quality.
Which handcrafted pieces touched the hands of Yasin's family?
The Lucie pants are hand-dyed in Indigo and Peach color by Yasin's family.
Introducing
Shastra Society - Himachal Pradesh, India
Shastra Society is an NGO focused on supporting underprivileged women and children in rural and tribal Himalayan areas.
In this particular project, we had the privilege of being the first to collaborate with women from Naggar village, who hand-wove wool and mixed wool textiles for us. These textiles are a testament to their cultural heritage, showcasing traditional Kullu patterns.
Despite the language barriers and the challenges faced by these incredible women as novices in establishing weaving projects with foreign brands, we took it to heart to collaborate with them and support their empowerment journey.