Kara on Brown Living™

Kara

Weaves of Kerala

Kara is a Unique Design-Centered Handmade Textiles crafted with traditional techniques, vibrant colors, and skilled artistry.

About Kara

Kara Ventures is a women-led, Fair Trade Certified social enterprise working to revive Kerala’s traditional handloom industry. Rooted in sustainability and craftsmanship, we reimagined the humble Thorthu (traditional Kerala towel) through thoughtful design and innovation. The collection includes everything from elegant cocktail napkins and beach towels to bathrobes, table linen, and travel accessories.

Mission Statement

Create and market an exclusive brand of value-added products from traditional handloom cotton towels.

Impact Created

The products created from this timeless fabric have found their place in large retail outlets in the USA, such as Anthropologie, Williams Sonoma, Bloomingdale's, ABC Carpet and Home, and several small boutique shops around the globe. We have been able to supply to the hospitality industry and event gifting too.

Impact Metric	Value
Overall employment created	7
% of Women Employees	95%
Number of Artisans Empowered	500

What are the causes you support?

Artisan Livelihoods, Fair Trade / Ethical Wage, Women Empowerment

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What is the manufacturing process?

The products are woven as per our design and specifications by the Weaving Cooperative in and around Kerala. Large orders are at women's tailoring cooperatives or at our own studio, where we have tailoring staff.

What are the ingredients/materials you use?

Our weaving cooperatives uses 100% cotton yarn. For the dyes, they use azo-free vat dyes. Vat dyes are a group of synthetic dyes that are primarily used for dyeing cotton, linen, and other cellulose fibers. They are known for their ability to produce deep, vibrant, and long-lasting colors, making them ideal for textiles that require high color fastness, especially in garments that are exposed to frequent washing or sunlight.

How do you source your raw materials/ ingredients?

The yarns are sourced from Government yarn banks. The yarns are usually processed and dyed in-house. Occasionally, they outsource the dyeing. The dyes, too, are sourced from designated dye vendors.

During its life and beyond, can your products be repurposed or composted at home?

Our products are crafted from 100% cotton towel fabric, known for its exceptional absorbency and durability. This high-quality fabric is not only soft and gentle but also built to withstand everyday use, ensuring a long-lasting life. Due to its robust nature, our towels maintain their effectiveness wash after wash, offering unparalleled performance and longevity. Once they've reached the end of their primary use as towels, they can be repurposed, making them an eco-friendly choice. The fabric’s absorbent properties and sturdiness make it ideal for a second life as counter cleaning cloths or even floor mops, continuing to serve your needs in a practical, sustainable way.

Kara Weaves was started in 2007 by Chitra Gopalakrishnan (left) and Indu Menon (right).

Indu, a seasoned social anthropologist (IIM Ahmedabad, Kuwait University) with over 30 years of experience and co-author of Women Weavers (1983), leads fabric production and brand management from Kerala.

Chitra, a graphic designer with dual MFAs from ESAG Penninghen and the Cranbrook Academy of Art, drives the brand’s creative vision and teaches design at San Diego State University.

Together, they blend social impact, design, and craft to bring Kara Weaves to life.

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