Our approach
In a world of fast fashion and hidden costs, we choose transparency. From seed to stitch, we share our process openly because trust, like our fabric, is meant to last. Simple, beautiful and compostable.
How are we trying to achieve that?
Rethink
Change the way we produce.
Shifting from mass production to mindful creation. We work with local artisans, natural materials and processes that honour both craft and the planet. Designing with purpose, we design pieces that last in style, quality and relevance. Honouring heritage and uplifting artisans.
Refuse
Saying no to unnecessary consumption.
We don't chase fast trends or create garments meant to be discarded. Instead, we make fewer pieces thoughtfully crafted, responsibly sourced and built to be worn longer. We also request customers not to indulge in impulsive fast fashion buys. Every "no" they say makes room for the "yes" that respects comfort and the planet.
Regenerate
Restoring what has been lost.
We focus on rebuilding ecosystems and craft traditions. We support chemical-free farming, use natural indigenous fibres and plant-based dyes, and work directly with artisan communities. Every piece we make is part of a cycle that gives back by allowing craft and nature to thrive together.
Moving with Purpose
To move with purpose is to remain conscious of every stage of making a garment from origin to use, and eventually, return. We design with circularity at the core, creating each piece with its entire life cycle in mind so nothing becomes waste. Slow, mindful batches allow every garment to hold meaning, becoming something you reach for because it feels right, not rushed. We believe fashion should nourish rather than deplete, carrying respect for the soil, the maker and the wearer.
Fashion is an integral part of everyone's life. It expresses who we are. But it's also true that the fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to water pollution, overflowing landfills, resource wastage, human and animal exploitation and, increasingly, greenwashing.
We love fashion and we want it to be good for you, for our makers and for the planet today and tomorrow. In our own small but sincere way, we're working to make a difference. Here's how we do it...
We are not just Sustainable, we are Compostable!
At LeelaLer, we believe our presence on this planet should leave the lightest possible footprint. Our garments are made to be compostable. Every element, when composted under suitable conditions, gently turns into healthy manure. This doesn't happen by accident, It is the result of our many careful choices. We don't just talk sustainability - we live it.
Handwoven Cotton
Garments that return to the earth and enrich it
We use rain-fed, indigenous (desi) cotton, deliberately avoiding resource-hungry, genetically modified (GMO) varieties. Yarn from this cotton is handwoven by skilled artisans in rural India, sourced through credible NGOs and Khadi-certified organisations, ensuring fair wages and dignity for every craftsperson.
Handwoven Cotton
Garments that return to the earth and enrich it
Natural Dyes
you can trust
Natural Dyes
you can trust
Our dyes are 100% natural, using plant-based ingredients or naturally occurring minerals. So much so, our dyer checks the alkalinity of the indigo vat by dipping in his finger and tasting it. If he can taste it, you can confidently wear it!
Ever the skeptics, we also get our fabrics tested regularly - to confirm they're truly 100% cotton and free from VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) or hidden synthetics. This system helps us keep our supply chain honest... and yes, it has helped us spot a few "wolves in sheep's clothing" along the way.
Sewing Threads
return to the earth, too
Our sewing threads are custom-made using GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton, meeting OEKO-TEX® Sustainable Textile Standards.
Unlike the rest of the industry, which conveniently uses cotton blended with polyester or cellulose, we use pure cotton threads; otherwise, how would your garment decompose eventually?
It has its challenges, though. Pure cotton sewing threads have lower tensile strength, so we trained our tailors to stitch slowly, quite literally embracing slow fashion!
Sewing Threads
return to the earth too
Every layer matters
Every layer matters
Our garments use fusible cotton interlining with bio-adhesives (probably the only one in India). These are approved by Hohenstein Labs as biodegradable and eco-toxicologically harmless. It is one more way we keep our promise that no synthetic traces should ever reach the soil.
Our buttons are made from natural coconut shells. The elastic that we use is 100% cotton with natural rubber,
We call our brand and care labels as Vanishing Labels. They are printed using natural indigo inks. They may fade long before the garment does, and that is perfectly fine with us. What matters most is staying true to purity.
We also take a firm stand: if we cannot find an eco-friendly alternative for any component, we simply don't use it. For instance, none of our garments have zippers because we couldn't source zippers with natural, compostable tapes. So we redesigned the garments to work beautifully without them!
Crafted with care
Once the fabrics reach our in-house workshop, they're washed using just warm water or toxin-free, plant-based detergents. Then, our master tailors bring them to life, creating soulful garments with great attention to detail and finish.
Crafted with care
Transparency - because you deserve it
Complete transparency is part of our craftsmanship. Every detail matters, and every detail is yours to know.
We asked ourselves: why should all the information stay on a tag that gets thrown away? Wouldn't you want the details to stay with the garment long after purchase?
We've stitched a custom QR code label on every LeelaLer garment! So next time your friend asks you, "What's this fabric?"- you can scan and tell her not just the fabric, but even its source, the ingredients used in the dye, the care instructions and a lot more.
