Founded in 2013 in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Kardo was created with the intention of honoring India’s many traditional weaving and dyeing techniques, while bringing a modern touch and adapting them to today’s needs. In stark contrast to fast fashion and mass production, Kardo chooses a slow fashion approach, paying particular attention to detail and finish in each of their garments.
This shared philosophy led us to connect with this unique manufacturer. Our relationship gave birth to our first collaboration in the Spring/Summer 2022 season — a collaboration that met with great success.
Kardo offers a wide variety of fabrics, each more beautiful and unique than the last, available in different shirt cuts and designs. Our goal was to showcase their fabrics through a single design: a short-sleeve shirt with a straight, comfortable cut that suits a wide range of body types. Featuring an open collar and a chest pocket — nothing more — letting the vibrant colors and patterns offered by Kardo take center stage.
The many techniques used by Kardo require the expertise of numerous specialized artisans across the country.
The main techniques featured include:
- Hand-weaving for fabrics like Ikat, Handwoven, and Khadi
Ikat and Handwoven models from the collection:
Ikat Digital Lavender
Ikat Coral
Ikat 46
Rice Stitch Navy
- Hand dyeing, such as Indigo, using traditional methods like Bandhani
Indigo models from the collection:
Bandhani Indigo
- Hand block printing, a technique where carved wooden blocks are dipped in dye and stamped onto fabric
Block Print models from the collection:
BP69
BP86
BP89
BP91
BP94
BP96
BP98
AJK10
AJK11
To wrap up each collection, Kardo also creates a Patchwork model made from fabric offcuts from the current season. Each shirt is unique, based on available materials, so the pattern and color combinations can’t be predicted — but the result is always harmonious, showcasing multiple techniques in one shirt:
Patchwork Shirt
Another strength of Kardo lies in their approach to craftsmanship: each step of the garment’s creation is handled by a dedicated artisan, and their names are listed on the label inside the shirt — a way to highlight their skill and the human scale of the brand.
This commitment to local traditions comes from a desire to preserve these skills in an age where industrial machinery prioritizes quantity over quality.
Their motto is clear: "IT’S NOT WHERE IT IS MADE THAT MATTERS, BUT WHO MADE IT AND UNDER WHAT CONDITION"
In other words, what matters is not where something is made, but who made it and under what conditions. This philosophy aligns closely with ours, and it’s one we’re proud to promote through many of our partnerships. Kardo is a brand built on strong human values — values we support and wish to represent in order to honor the hard work and unique expertise of these artisans.