EKA

When Rina Singh conceptualised EKA there were only a few of textile-led luxury labels championing sustainability and handloom fabrics. Raised in a family of agriculturists who celebrated community-led craftsmanship, the fashion designer's aesthetic is deeply rooted in India. Her love and reverence for indigenous craft led her to launch EKA in 2011 with he husband Sandeep Dua. The Indian womenswear label makes handcrafted collections from natural textiles handwoven in rural parts of India. With the use of indigenous textile techniques and master craftsmanship, the eco-conscious brand creates unique contemporary apparel for daily living.

Eco-conscious brand Eka finds charm in pastoral pleasures, a lilting breeze or the warmth of a lifelong friend. This spirit takes shape in soulful clothing that lives on through individual expression. We make our own textiles, favouring the mechanics and raw beauty of natural fibers. Functional and timeless, Eka is made in India and draws from indigenous skills whereby natural materials are developed from India’s regional craft belts.  

Eka is reflective of designer Rina Singh’s personal ethos of simple living inspired by her upbringing in a family of agriculturalists and her education at the National institute of Fashion Design Gandhinagar. Her deep understanding of textile design has developed through both international exposure and extensive travel across rural India and the connections made during this time are central to her vision and shared by her husband and the brand's Managing Director- Sandeep Dua. 

Sustainability is deeply ingrained into the brand's fabric even though it does not come without its unique set of challenges. "Sometimes natural fibres pose a huge challenge in terms of exploring new silhouettes and shapes and finishes… We work directly with the craft groups that we are committed with. We work with only hundred per cent natural fibres, we work with minimum industrial waste. We work with the notion of building livelihoods and sustaining small scale craft groups and independent value chain…" she tells Platform. "We work with indigenous crafts as a part of our design philosophy, we work with block printed textiles that are developed and printed within the studio. We work through a well established ethical chain of sourcing our raw materials, we work with the highest value of quality that hand made processes can deliver."

What is the secret of Rina Singh's runaway success? She tells Platform: "In terms of evolving the design direction, I think editing is the most important and yet least explored tool. which I have learned to utilise well. I work with the international market and launch my seasons ahead of time to book orders for next season, and after that its launched in the Indian market at the fashion show and closer to the retail launches. I've learnt to differentiate between the two markets and cater to each separately in terms of retail timelines and marketing."

So it's no wonder that Rina Singh was awarded Chairman's Scholarship from Wigan and Leigh College to study fashion in the UK in 1998. She recieved Elle India Graduates Award in 2015 and was Runners up at the Vogue India Fashion Fund 2016. She was also regional finalist from India for Woolmark International 2016. She’s had successful collaborations with Uniqlo, Good Earth and ikai asai and executed state sponsored textile development projects at the local crafts clusters development with regional state bodies.

Many fashion designers have used their creativity to strive for change through design. Eco-conscious womenswear label Eka delivers relaxed silhouettes, beautifully handwoven and handcrafted for daily life. The sustainable label's fabrics are all hand-loomed in India including linen and wool that works well in layered basics or statement pieces. 

Since the launch of her fashion house in 2011, Rina Singh has been a pioneer of eco-friendly fashion, offering sustainable and ecologically conscious womenswear. The fashion designer envisioned sustainable luxury label EKA as her personal ethos of simple living.. one that is connected to her upbringing in a family of agriculturalists. Her deep understanding of textile design has developed through both International exposure and extensive travel across rural India. The connections made are central to her vision and shared by her husband and the brand's Managing Director Sandeep Dua. 

EKA designs and retails womenswear handwoven and handcrafted by indigenous weaver clusters and artisans across rural India. The contemporary globally- relevant apparel and accessories are perfect for simple daily living in India and overseas.