Charkha & Loom

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• India (Himalaya/​Himachal, Kullu Valley)
• Amsterdam, Netherlands

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

Production takes place primarily in India (Himalaya/​Himachal, Kullu Valley), supplemented by a small atelier in Amsterdam. India enables direct access to the craft groups (shearing, washing, carding, spinning, hand weaving/​knitting, plant dyeing) and thus handcrafted products.

At the same time, typical country risks remain around wage levels, occupational safety, and informal structures. Formal evidence such as audit reports or written protocols is not available. 
Instead, the company refers to personal on-site evaluations. The founder visits the production sites and checks wages, working conditions, production steps, and the actors involved in the supply chain. 
Charkha & Loom has a ​“Supplier & Manufacturer Code of Conduct” that defines minimum standards for labour rights, occupational safety, working hours, pay, non-discrimination, and the handling of subcontracting.

All products are handmade.

Charkha & Loom works with a social enterprise from New Delhi that employs Afghan women with refugee experience. This creates access to income and skilled craft work. In addition, the founder works closely with women’s groups in the Himalayas.

MATERIALS

• Indigenous Himalayan sheep’s wool (mulesing-free)
• Cotton
• Eri (Peace) Silk
• Upcycled fabric remnants (via partners for home décor products)

With proper care, sheep’s wool is durable and potentially biodegradable. Read more about the natural fibre here.

PACKAGING

• In the supply chain, the products are delivered in shipping cartons made of cardboard.
• For e‑commerce shipping, the brand uses cardboard boxes or poly mailers.

WATER USE & CHEMICALS

The focus is on artisanal processing and plant-based dyes (incl. using marigold, madder, indigo, walnut/​onion skins). In addition, black is created from naturally black wool and grey by mixing undyed wools, which reduces additional dyeing steps.
Charkha & Loom uses exclusively natural fibres, meaning no microplastics are released during wear.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Mostly mono-fibres are used, which can potentially make later recycling easier. 
For home décor products (via partners), upcycled fabric remnants are used. According to the company, these are mostly made of cotton, partly with beads or trims that may be made from blended fibres, which can make recycling more difficult depending on the composition.

The company does not currently offer a take-back service.

Handcrafted knitted and woven products are often generally easy to repair. However, the company does not name a specific repair service or specific circular construction methods.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

The company does not currently offer a repair service or take-back system. However, it is stated that such options are to be developed in the future.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• India
• The Netherlands, Amsterdam

The headquarters is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

TRANSPORT

• Charkha & Loom ships the goods from India to Amsterdam via UPS.
• UPS is also used for e‑commerce shipping.

• Sheep’s wool (indigenous Himalayan sheep’s wool, mulesing-free), origin: India (Himalaya/​Himachal) 
  The wool comes from the Gaddi Nomadic Tribe (nomadic sheep herding in the Himalayan region).
• Eri (Peace) Silk, origin: India

According to its own statements, the wool is mulesing-free. In addition, there is a wool report from Kullvi Whims. 
A written code of conduct is not mentioned.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Charkha & Loom offers products for women and men. The assortment mainly includes dresses, as well as skirts, jackets, shirts, loungewear, and accessories such as hats, socks, gloves, and scarves. Home and décor items are also offered.

The brand combines traditional craft techniques with modern, wearable designs.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

Charkha & Loom publishes only two drops per year. New designs are launched in very small quantities (approx. 3 – 5 pieces per design), and for the summer line only as much is produced/​printed as needed.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

On the product pages, Charkha & Loom shows material information, care instructions, a product description, as well as references to handcraft and technique.
There is context about the region and the makers, but no clear, verifiable identifier that would allow customers to trace the specific item individually back to a particular workshop or person. The country of production is not given as a formal traceability system, but mentioned on general pages of the website.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

The company has defined minimum standards for labour rights, occupational safety, working hours, pay, non-discrimination, and the handling of subcontracting through a ​“Supplier & Manufacturer Code of Conduct”.
On the website, the materials as well as the individual handwork steps and the context around the women artisans are communicated. Partners are also presented. However, actual traceability per specific item is not apparent.
Through direct on-site visits, the internal code of conduct, and the comparatively manageable supply chain, there is still transparency, even without a formal traceability system per individual item.