Kubsa

Ensures fair living wage for producers

Discloses the community being impacted

Reduces the environmental impact

Created using handcrafted methods

Made out of responsible materials

Avoids use of chemicals or toxic materials

Uses portion of proceeds to give back to the community

Kubsa uses design as a catalyst for change in the handloom sector in the North Karnataka region. Kubsa is reviving the once vibrant Khanna weaving by supporting the entire ecosystem of this handloom cluster. The products are the perfect balance of age-old techniques with contemporary aesthetics to suit the needs of the urban conscious consumer. Sarees and scarves are an expression of timeless motifs and weaving techniques. Their current range of products is naturally dyed and handwoven with a complex dobby mechanism.

Purpose

North Karnataka is a treasure trove of exceptionally skilled textiles that have been unexplored in the context of weaving traditions. For decades no design interventions have happened resulting in low demand. It was imperative to give new life to this once hugely popular textile cherished and worn by the women of North Karnataka and South Maharashtra. Kubsa’s mission is to create sustainable livelihood opportunities across value chains. People are at the core of this ethos. Every product made supports a range of artisans along with the renewal of traditional skillsets. The products are channels through which they meet their larger goal of generating sustainable livelihoods.

People

Kubsa acknowledges and supports every hand involved in the creation of our products. Their value chain involves a variety of skilled artisans starting from the pre-loom process to the post-production processes. Work opportunities at every stage are generated through their revival process. Artisans involved in dyeing, reed making, bobbin winding, warping, warp joining, drafting, denting, dobby design setting, weaving, finishing are benefited through Kubsa’s initiative. With a team that has grown from 10 to 50 members over the last year, they provide support in the domains of training, reskilling, technical knowledge, and infrastructure. Kubsa’s work contributes to the economic development of the entire region.

Planet

They use Mulberry silk and cotton produced within Karnataka for the products. Natural dyes are extracted from discarded organic material like pomegranate peel and Marigold flowers which are locally available. Conscious consumption of resources is built into the indigenous weaving techniques practiced in the cluster. All the fabric samples are converted into other products to reach their zero-waste goal.