From looms to labels: Kochi’s fashion boom

Way back in 2018, in the aftermath of the floods in Kochi, a group of stakeholders in the fashion industry got together for the sake of the weavers of Chendamangalam. It was Onam, most of the stock was soiled by flooding waters there was no avenue for sale. Almost eight years to the date, Kochi-based designer Shalini James, of the designer label Mantra, put out an impassioned plea on Facebook asking for help selling the saleable stock. Other designers from Kochi joined in the endeavour, pulling their weight, forming groups/collectives to help, while putting the Kerala handloom on the fashion map of India. The rewards of which the industry continues to reap..