narmohan das — master dyer, assam
Narmohan Das is a skilled artisan and co-founder of the Ahimsa Eri Silk Project in Assam, India. He is known for his expertise in natural dyeing and for pioneering ethical practices in Eri silk production — where silkworms are allowed to complete their natural lifecycle.
Through this initiative, more than 750 rural households across 14 villages have been engaged in sustainable livelihoods, including farming, spinning, dyeing, and weaving. The silk is produced entirely by hand using traditional techniques and plant-based dyes
annaloom — weaving studio, assam
annaloom was founded by Anna-Louise Meynell in 2013 and is based in Golaghat, Assam. The studio partners with women artisans to create handwoven textiles that combine traditional Assamese techniques with timeless, contemporary design.
Anna-Louise brings both hands-on experience and academic insight to her work - having completed a PhD on Eri silk in Northeast India. Her background in textile design and deep respect for craftsmanship shape Annaloom’s ethos: to honour traditional weaving while offering ethical, sustainable alternatives.
Together with her husband, Champak Deka, she also runs Medini Homestay — a sustainable retreat near Kaziranga National Park that reflects the same care and artistry.
kiniho — eri silk brand, meghalaya
Kiniho was founded by Iba Mallai in 2016 in Umden, Meghalaya - a village known for its heritage of Eri silk weaving. While living far from home and seeking ethical alternatives for her clothing line, Iba was drawn back
by her mother’s voice urging her to reconnect with her roots — a journey that led her to rediscover the soulful traditions of Meghalaya’s silk.
The brand’s name, Kiniho, means “These are the ones” in the Bhoi language — a reminder that what we seek is often waiting to be recognised within our own heritage. Kiniho’s designs blend traditional techniques with a quiet modernity, each piece made in close collaboration with local artisans and farmers.
baphinbha -design studio, meghalaya
Founded in 2023 by sisters Baphinbha and Labynta Rynjah, supported by their father, in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. Baphinbha is a women-led design studio rooted in Khasi textile tradition. Their work celebrates and reimagines Eri silk through clean, contemporary silhouettes that honour ancestral craftsmanship.
By working directly with women weavers in and around Mawdiangum, the sisters support sustainable livelihoods and ensure that most profits go directly to the artisans. Every piece reflects care, collaboration, and pride in preserving this living tradition.
friendly export — workshop, kathmandu
Friendly Export is a family-run workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal, founded by Ram Hari Khanal in 2004. Specializing in handwoven cashmere and merino wool shawls, the workshop emphasizes quality craftsmanship, ethical production, and the use of natural materials.
With a small team of skilled artisans, Friendly Export focuses on creating timeless pieces that reflect a commitment to sustainability and traditional techniques.