7 South Asian Designers Reviving Traditional Handloom for Gen Z

Handloom weaves have long been revered in South Asian fashion, weaving history, heritage, and artistry into every thread.

From the regal richness of Banarasi silk to the delicate intricacy of Chikankari, these textiles tell stories that span generations.

Yet, in an age driven by fast fashion and digital trends, many feared traditional crafts would fade into obscurity.

That concern, however, is being turned on its head. A new wave of South Asian designers is taking the lead in preserving these crafts by reimagining them for today’s Gen Z audience.

The result is a vibrant fusion of old-world charm and contemporary cool reshaping the ethnic fashion narrative.

With innovation, sustainability, and cultural pride at their core, these designers are redefining what it means to wear heritage.

This shift isn’t simply about aesthetics. It reflects deeper changes in how young consumers engage with identity, craftsmanship, and ethical fashion.

According to a 2023 report by McKinsey & Company, Gen Z shoppers are more likely than previous generations to support brands prioritising transparency, sustainability, and cultural representation.

For South Asian youth, wearing handloom isn’t just a style statement; it’s a powerful act of reclamation and pride.

These seven designers are helping lead that charge, one stitch at a time.

Raw Mango

Raw Mango, founded by Sanjay Garg, is widely credited with revolutionising the way handloom is perceived in India and beyond.

The brand’s ethos lies in celebrating Indian textiles while offering silhouettes that are versatile and wearable.

With its roots in Varanasi’s famed weaving traditions, Raw Mango blends the richness of Banarasi brocades with modern cuts like boxy blouses, tailored trousers, and structured dresses.

What makes Raw Mango resonate with Gen Z is its minimal yet impactful design philosophy.

The label avoids heavy embellishments in favour of textile-driven storytelling, allowing the fabric to shine.

Garg often speaks about the need to view handloom not as costume or nostalgia, but as everyday luxury.

This sentiment aligns with younger consumers who value authenticity and quiet confidence over overt glamour.

Beyond the garments themselves, Raw Mango has invested in educating its audience.

Through curated campaigns and storytelling, the brand highlights the artisans, regions, and techniques behind each weave.

This transparent approach helps foster a deeper appreciation for the craft, enhancing the brand’s credibility and emotional appeal.

The Loom Art

Riga-based Indian designer Preeti Jhawar launched The Loom Art to challenge the status quo of machine-made fast fashion.

The brand champions slow fashion by working exclusively with handwoven fabrics sourced from rural artisans across India.

It stands out for its whimsical aesthetics, featuring bold embroidery, oversized fits, and dreamy colour palettes.

For Gen Z, The Loom Art offers both fashion and purpose.

Each garment is one-of-a-kind, and Jhawar ensures that every collection supports local craftspeople, with a strong emphasis on ethical production.

The brand’s popularity has surged across social media platforms, particularly among young South Asian influencers who are vocal about sustainability and conscious consumption.

Incorporating traditional weaves like jamdani and handspun cotton, The Loom Art offers co-ords, tunics, and jackets that feel fresh yet grounded.

Jhawar’s dedication to preserving textile heritage while creating fashion-forward pieces has made her brand a standout choice for those seeking wearable art with a soul.

SUKETDHIR

Menswear designer Suket Dhir has carved a niche by reinterpreting Indian fabrics for a contemporary male audience.

Winner of the 2015 International Woolmark Prize, Dhir brings a sense of quiet luxury to handloom, merging tailored silhouettes with relaxed elegance.

His use of ikat, khadi, and jamdani demonstrates that traditional weaves can be effortlessly stylish, even in global fashion capitals.

What appeals most to Gen Z is the label’s rejection of rigid gender norms.

Many of Dhir’s designs feature soft tailoring, layered drapes, and flowing lines that blur the boundaries of conventional menswear.

By collaborating directly with artisans and keeping production local, SUKETDHIR not only preserves but elevates craft traditions.

His designs have been worn by Bollywood actors and global creatives alike, making the brand a bridge between heritage and high fashion.

Torani

Karan Torani’s label, Torani, has quickly become a favourite among young South Asians drawn to nostalgia-laced fashion.

The brand is known for its dreamy campaigns that evoke small-town India, with a particular fondness for phulkari embroidery and mulmul cottons.

Torani doesn’t just design clothes. He tells stories through them.

His collections are rooted in personal memories, folk tales, and regional customs, yet they cater to a digitally savvy audience.

The use of soft pastel hues, gender-fluid styling, and breezy silhouettes gives the label a youthful edge.

Phulkari shawls are styled with crop tops, while lehengas are paired with sports-inspired cholis, creating a visual dialogue between past and present.

Gen Z is drawn to Torani not only for his aesthetics but for his transparency around craft and emotion.

Each campaign often includes background on the textile origin, the artisan community, and even poetry, making the fashion experience deeply immersive and educational.

Ka-Sha

Karishma Shahani Khan’s label Ka-Sha is rooted in the belief that clothing should be both expressive and environmentally responsible.

Based in Pune, Ka-Sha works primarily with handwoven cotton, naturally dyed fabrics, and upcycled materials.

Khan collaborates with artisans from Maharashtra, Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh, blending regional crafts with experimental design.

Ka-Sha’s vibrant, layered aesthetic has found a dedicated audience among Gen Z creatives who enjoy personalising their wardrobe.

With patchwork jackets, asymmetric kurtas, and convertible garments, the brand champions individuality and freedom.

It’s less about trends and more about identity.

The brand also runs Heart to Haat, an initiative that promotes upcycling and zero-waste practices.

This commitment to sustainability, paired with a deep respect for artisanship, positions Ka-Sha as a future-facing label with cultural roots.

Péro

Founded by Aneeth Arora, Péro blurs the lines between fashion and folk art.

Known for its eclectic use of embroidery, layering, and handloom, the label sources textiles from across India and reinvents them with a global flair.

Arora’s designs often include traditional weaves like Maheshwari and khadi, presented in playful, oversized silhouettes.

Gen Z customers appreciate Péro for its storytelling and texture.

Garments are adorned with handcrafted buttons, colourful tassels, and subtle narratives sewn into each seam.

The label’s global success shows that tradition can indeed have mass appeal when presented authentically.

Péro’s strength lies in its dual identity: deeply Indian in origin, yet adaptable enough for the streets of Shoreditch or Seoul.

This cross-cultural versatility has cemented its place among the new vanguard of handloom fashion.

Runaway Bicycle

Runaway Bicycle, a Mumbai-based label by Preeti Verma, focuses on comfort-driven silhouettes made from handwoven fabrics.

Known for its soft aesthetics, flowing dresses, and neutral palettes, the label embodies the slow fashion movement.

Every piece is crafted using techniques like hand spinning, natural dyeing, and handloom weaving, often with fabrics sourced from Bengal and Gujarat.

What sets Runaway Bicycle apart is its subtlety.

While other brands may go bold with design, Verma keeps things minimal, allowing the texture and integrity of the fabric to speak volumes.

This approach appeals to Gen Z shoppers who seek authenticity and longevity in their wardrobe.

The brand’s storytelling focuses on process and people, with regular insights into the artisan journey and the slow rhythm of handloom work.

In doing so, Runaway Bicycle turns clothing into a quiet celebration of heritage, comfort, and self-expression.

These designers represent a significant shift in how handloom is positioned in the modern fashion landscape.

Rather than relegating traditional weaves to bridalwear or festive occasions, they are weaving them into the everyday lives of young South Asians.

The result is a fashion movement that honours the past while boldly stepping into the future.

For Gen Z, fashion is as much about values as it is about visuals.

These labels understand that, and they are succeeding because they meet their audience at the intersection of style, sustainability, and storytelling.

By reviving handloom in such creative and conscious ways, these designers ensure that South Asia’s rich textile legacy thrives.

As conversations around ethical fashion and cultural pride continue to gain momentum, one thing is clear: handloom isn’t a relic of the past.

It’s the fabric of the future, reimagined through a youthful, innovative, and deeply rooted lens.