Collection: Katab

Katab is a traditional hand appliqué practice from Kutch, historically used for home textiles such as cushion covers and decorative pieces. The first time we saw it, we were struck by its quiet beauty and precision. It felt too powerful to remain limited to furnishings. In 2021, we began exploring how Katab could move into garments.

The shift was not easy. The craft was traditionally executed in square compositions structured for cushions and panels. We worked closely with artisans to reinterpret it into yokes, blouses  and jackets. It required time, trust, and repeated trials within the villages.

At that point, only a handful of elder women were practicing Katab. It is slow, meticulous work and younger generations were not naturally drawn to it. We began with five artisans. As the craft found new relevance through garments, that number grew to 45 women.

Gradually, younger members of artisan families began engaging with the craft again, not only practicing it but emerging as small entrepreneurs and expanding its application beyond traditional furnishings into wearable forms.

What changed was not the technique but its direction. Katab was no longer confined to a single format. It entered wardrobes and travelled beyond the village. Every artisan interprets the craft in her own way, making each garment truly one of a kind.

For us, Katab represents co-creation in its purest form, a balance between designer and artisan.