Huts and Looms has a strong sense of purpose and is more than simply another saree brand. By highlighting their abilities, we hope to support the weavers’ community. To produce designs that meet the demands of modern Indian women, we collaborate closely with craftspeople.
Growing up surrounded by the beauty of handwoven sarees, Jaya Saha, Co-founder of Huts and Looms was greatly influenced by West Bengal’s rich handloom culture. It made priceless memories with her mother and grandmother. The weaving culture shaped her early years, and as she journeyed around India, she developed a greater comprehension of the life of the weaver community. Jaya left her prosperous corporate job to go on an exciting adventure with Tufan to learn more about handloom
weaving, fully immersing herself in the process, the difficulties, and the hospitality of the weaving families.
1. What inspired the founding of Huts & Looms?
The founding of Huts & Looms was motivated by a strong desire to significantly improve the lives of our clients as well as the rural Indian craftsmen. Tufan and I were exposed to music, art, and culture when we were growing up in Bengal, which influenced our understanding of the great diversity of Indian culture.
Two obvious problems were apparent to us as we learned more about the handloom industry. First, there existed a void in the availability of handloom sarees for contemporary Indian ladies. Many firms continued to use antiquated colour schemes and designs that didn’t appeal to modern consumers. Second, the supply chain was controlled by middlemen on the artisan side, depriving the weavers, who are the backbone of this skill, of a just portion of the profits.
To close this gap, we founded Huts and Looms. Our goal was quite clear: provide our clients with modern, value-driven designs while making sure that craftspeople get the credit and financial rewards they so well deserve. With care and a dedication to a brighter future for all, each saree we make conveys a tale of empowerment, tradition, and culture.
2. Can you explain Huts & Loom’s approach to preserving traditional handloom techniques?
We uphold the ancient weaving customs at Huts and Looms. Our sarees celebrate the workmanship that has been handed down through the years, from the elaborate Jamdani technique to hand-block printing and the art of weaving colour blocks.
We employ classic embroidery designs that draw inspiration from India’s imperial past. The way we reinterpret these classics is what makes us unique. We produce sarees that feel contemporary while maintaining their traditional roots by utilizing new colour schemes, strategic placements, and a minimalist design style. It’s our method of honouring Indian workmanship while keeping its soul intact and making it relevant to the modern world.
3. What challenges did you face while establishing Huts & Looms in the handloom industry?
There were many obstacles to overcome when we first started Huts and Looms, particularly because neither of us had any experience in fashion. Even though we had a great respect for Indian art and culture, it was a completely other experience to comprehend the technical aspects.
For example, we discovered that the colour of the warp thread may alter the entire palette, or that something as basic as the number of threads in cotton yarn could alter the feel of the fabric. The hand- block patterns have to be exact even in terms of size. We learned these subtleties gradually via trial and error and a desire to learn.
Another level of intricacy was introduced by the D2C market, which included machine-made duplicates and quick fashion fads. To stand out, we had to concentrate on presenting compelling stories, being open and honest about our offerings, and gaining the confidence of our clients. Another significant achievement was persuading craftspeople to adopt modern styles and teaching them new methods.
But we’ve always thought that obstacles seem less daunting when the intention is strong. Even if they were challenging, each step strengthened our resolve to honour handlooms while keeping them relevant in the modern world.
4. What challenges do you face in working directly with artisans from rural areas?
Finding craftspeople wasn’t difficult because we grew up in a village full of weavers; the difficult part was persuading them to collaborate with us. Many of them had been exploited for years, working via intermediaries who withheld or postponed their pay. It was difficult for them to trust a brand that was so new and unheard of as ours.
The introduction of modern designs created an additional challenge. Particularly when we first introduced our tissue sarees, there were several tries and mistakes. To get the ideal texture and beautiful finish, we threw away hundreds of pieces. It took time and perseverance to teach Bengali craftsmen how to work with zari warp, as it was completely new to them.
It took a village to build Huts and Looms, and it was like rearing a kid. Learning, unlearning, negotiating, and persuading were all part of the process. However, we saw its potential and overcame all challenges to make it a reality.
5. What steps do you take to minimize the environmental impact in your production processes?
Handloom goods are made entirely by hand at Huts and Looms, without the use of electricity. We work with organically grown fabrics such as silk, linen, and cotton. Our energy usage is negligible since we use hand block printing and hand embroidery rather than machine embroidery.
Sustainability is also given top priority at every stage. We conduct forward integration by recycling textiles with slight weaving defects into blouses or other products, and we hand-apply our colours. This keeps these items out of landfills and guarantees that nothing is wasted.
6. Can you explain the role of technology in managing logistics and inventory at Huts & Looms?
Technology keeps us efficient and well-organized at Huts and Looms. We utilize the software for inventory that keeps track of everything in real-time, including what is in stock, what is selling quickly, and what needs to be refilled. It guarantees that we always have what customers want and prevents us from overproducing.
Technology gives us direct access to delivery partners for logistics. Orders are handled instantly as soon as they are received, and consumers may simply follow the status of their shipment. It minimizes mistakes and saves time.
Data is also used to improve our planning. We can choose what to create more of and when by looking at sales patterns. In this manner, we prevent waste and maintain efficiency. All things considered, technology enables us to concentrate on what counts—assisting our craftsmen and providing our clients with the greatest possible service.
7. Can you describe the different types of sarees offered by Huts & Looms, and what sets each type apart?
We provide a wide variety of textiles at Huts and Looms, such as cotton, linen, organza, tissue, cotton-cotton blends, and cotton silks. We embrace a variety of artisan techniques, including embroidery, Kantha stitching, hand-block printing, hand painting, woven motifs, and Jacquard designs.
Our distinctive approach to design is what makes us stand out. We have carefully chosen our colour schemes, themes, and patterns to be both elegant and understated. Our sarees are ideal for a variety of settings because of their simple, fuss-free, and adaptable patterns. They are lightweight, drape easily, and are practical—elements that appeal to Gen Z and millennials, who like fashion that is both fashionable and carefree.
8. What role do sustainable materials play in your saree collections?
Sustainable accoutrements are at the heart of our saree collections. We prioritize fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, and their composites, all of which are naturally sourced and biodegradable. These accoutrements not only reduce environmental impact but also offer exceptional comfort and breathability.
In addition, we use ways like hand dyeing, hand weaving, and hand embroidery, which bear minimum energy consumption. By avoiding machine processes, we significantly reduce electricity use. We also exercise forward integration by repurposing fabric with weaving irregularities into blouses or accessories, icing minimum waste, and precluding these accoutrements from ending up in tips. Our commitment to sustainability isn’t just about the accoutrements we use but also about conserving
traditional crafts and supporting crafters, creating a positive impact on both the terrain and the communities we work with.
9. How do you ensure that your saree collections appeal to both traditional and modern tastes?
We concentrate on fusing contemporary design features with the artistry of traditional handwoven sarees. For instance, we maintain the traditional weaving methods while using more modern, straightforward designs and cuts that better fit the way of life of today.
We employ a combination of contemporary hues like pastels and earthy tones with timeless classics like rich reds and golds. This guarantees that everyone can find something they like, regardless of whether they like traditional or contemporary styles.
We are aware that convenience is important to contemporary ladies. Therefore, we provide pre-pleated sarees or designs that go well with modern blouses. This preserves the grandeur of a saree while making it easier to wear.
We experiment with little details, such as distinctive stitching or contemporary embellishments, to give the sarees a contemporary air without sacrificing their classic appeal.
10. Can you share any exciting upcoming collections or designs that customers can look
forward to in 2025?
We are excited about our 2025 collection, which will draw inspiration from the splendour and extravagance of India’s regal heritage. The materials will be breathable, opulent, feather-soft on the skin, and ideal for all-day wear. We’re also starting a new production line that will focus on cost, comfort, and design while providing contemporary Indian consumers with excellent value. Comfort and style shouldn’t have to be mutually exclusive; we want our clients to have both.
With contrasting handwork that gives each item a deep texture, the colour scheme will feature calming hues like blush pink, mocha, and bright yellow. Along with stunning hand embroidery, we’re thrilled to present warm, vivid hues like emerald green and fuchsia pink.
Furthermore, we are now previewing some innovative new patterns in Banarasi and Chikan Kari. We’re giving these timeless styles a modern spin that you won’t find anywhere else by utilizing our design language. There will be a lot of style, creativity, and classic beauty in this collection.
