3. Dastkar

Since 1981, this not-for-profit NGO has been advocating for traditional Indian craftspeople. Dastkar offers support services and marketing platforms (bazaars and exhibitions) to crafters, which enable a direct connection with patrons. Over the past months, Dastkar has focussed on getting essentials (including masks) to almost 2,000 artisan families. “We try to help smaller rural groups without access to other assistance, and to find local support to see that help goes to the right people in equal amounts,” says Tyabji. In phase-II, the organization is extending various support services, including raw materials, product development and online marketing to crafts communities. Patrons can order select products via the recently launched #dastkargoesonline social media campaign or its official e-commerce website. It’s also accepting donations for its Artisan Support Fund.
dastkar.org | Shipping across India.

4. Fabindia

One of India’s largest lifestyle retailers, Fabindia is known for its India Modern aesthetic. Its products, ranging from apparel and home decor to beauty and food, are often made using traditional techniques and handmade processes. The brand links over 55,000 craft-based rural producers to urban markets. In April, it launched The Hope Mask initiative, aimed at protecting the livelihoods of artisans and tailors involved in the making of reusable cotton masks.
fabindia.com | Stores open in select locations; shipping across India.

5. Freedom Tree

Lifestyle label Freedom Tree’s playful, modern designs are rooted in traditional, handmade crafting techniques. Conceptualized in-house, the products are brought to life by a network of small-scale producers and master artisans, which include fabric and wicker weavers, ceramists, woodcarvers, and inlay artisans among others. Over the past two months, its designers have worked closely with creative partners and crafters to tweak their workflow in response to available raw materials, skillsets and individual community needs. After launching Seed, its Spring collection, earlier this year, Freedom Tree is now focussed on making upcycled cotton masks in its signature prints.
freedomtree.in | Stores open in select locations. Shipping across India.

6. Gunava Design

Gunava Design’s classic lines are characterized by delicate embroidered detailing. The furniture, lighting and accessories label collaborates with craftspeople from Sriperumbudur, a small town around 50km from Chennai, once known for its skilled embroiderers. “We’ve reached out to our team for any extra support [they’ve needed] financially [during the lockdown],” says designer and founder Vaishnovi Reddy. After being closed since mid-March, the studio began a phased reopening in June.
gunavadesign.com

7. iTokri

iTokri is a collaborative platform for India’s craft communities to reach potential domestic and international customers. With a network of over 500 artisan groups and individuals, the product offering encompasses everything from fashion to home decor. The brand prides itself in being the only online platform whose operations are based on stock acquisitions, which eases the producer’s inventory-holding burden. “When most of our artisans are facing a drop in sales and massive order cancellations, iTokri has adopted a zero-cancellation policy for all producers during lockdown. We continue to support artisan communities with rations and in other livelihood crisis situations,” says founder Nitin Pamnani. iTokri recently launched #maskmela, a collection of cotton masks by artisans across the country.
itokri.com | Shipping in India and internationally.

8. Mianzi

Mianzi, a Mumbai-based bamboo furniture and lighting brand, works with craftspeople in Madhya Pradesh, Assam and other parts of Northeast India. While in lockdown, the company has developed moulds and jigs that make it possible for artisans to work from home, skilfully and swiftly bringing the label’s eco-friendly, sculptural designs to life. “We provided a hike in salary to the artisans to make sure they feel relieved and motivated,” adds Shashank Gautam, founder and designer, Mianzi.
mianzi.in | Shipping to all major cities.

9. P.O.D

Founded by architects Nishita Kamdar and Veeram Shah, P.O.D is an artisan-based design studio whose creations balance form with function. The design concepts are executed by a small Rajasthani-origin, Ahmedabad- based community of woodcrafters, cane weavers and brass fabricators. “When you’re buying something that is handmade and crafted you’re not just buying a product but feeding several stomachs. A single product goes through the hands of at least five-six different artisans,” says Kamdar. While P.O.D’s new line is currently on hold, the label continues to market existing designs. “We didn’t just help our artisans but also donated to a few trusts that were helping other artisans in the community,” she says.
@pod_piecesofdesire | Shipping across India.

10. Towithfrom

Delhi-based Unlike Design Co retails its lifestyle products under the towithfrom label. Via its Made Of India line, the studio has been collaborating with craft communities across the country to infuse its minimalist-contemporary designs with a distinct Indian flavour. During the Covid-19 lockdown, the company has supported its Kashmiri artisans via Whatsapp-based flash sales with all proceeds going directly to crafter accounts. “Surprisingly, and probably due to built-up resilience and familiarity with adverse local conditions, the Kashmiri artisans sound most hopeful of the future,” says designer Harpreet Padam, a partner at Unlike Design Co. “In Andhra Pradesh, we’ve only managed to aid their [artisans] own local fundraising, so that the poorest amongst them don’t run out of food.”
towithfrom.com | Shipping to all major cities, except Mumbai.