Ensures fair living wage for producers
Discloses the community being impacted
Reduces the environmental impact
Focusses on women producers
Created using handcrafted methods
Reduces/Reuses/
Recycles resources
Recycles resources
Made out of responsible materials
Avoids use of chemicals or toxic materials
Uses portion of proceeds to give back to the community
Kullvi Whims is a social enterprise based in Naggar, a village in Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. With a focus on indigenous Himalayan wool, they work with traditional artisans in Kullu Valley, through craft, heritage, and fibers that have been integral to these artisans for generations. Kulvi Whims strives to incorporate their abundant landscape into every step of their value chain. They source wool from nomadic shepherds who traverse the Himalayan ranges and engage in natural dyeing with local flora, spinning the yarn, knitting, and weaving, from fleece to fabric.
Purpose
Kullvi Whims’ process centers around working with the strong design vocabulary and inherent creativity of the artisans. Through their conversations and collaborative approach which involves research into older pieces, designs, and techniques they hold a space where intangible heritage can be transmitted and showcased by its keepers - the artisanal community. Working through this local value chain of pastoralists and traditional artisans, Kullvi Whims has created a brand that stands for sustainability, alternate systems, and strong local economies.
People
Artisanal practices in Himachal Pradesh, be they weaves or knits have a very distinct identity in the motifs that are woven or knit. Indigenous wool has been an important source of income for herders, and the primary raw material for wool artisans to work with. These economies support rural livelihoods and hold diverse knowledge and cultural expressions. Khulvi Whims work with the nomadic shepherds who traverse the Himalayan ranges and connect the pastoral economy with the local artisanal economy. They enable two alternate modes of production and livelihood to sustain and flourish.
Planet
They work with Desi Oon which is indigenous, eco-friendly, and sustains local economies. The wool produced by the Himalayan sheep of Himachal Pradesh; sheep of gaddi breeds, and cross breeds, perfectly adapted to the local climate, grazing resources, and terrain. The sheep graze on and help in the regeneration of the fragile mountain ecosystems; thus sequestering carbon and producing wool that has the gentlest of carbon footprints. The wool is naturally dyed, so there are no harsh chemicals used in their entire process.
