Fashion to us,
should complete a full circle.
We believe fashion is not meant to be extracted and discarded, but grown, shaped, and returned. It begins with the earth, takes form through human hands, and must find its way back without leaving any harmful traces behind. Thus we create mindfully, slowly, respectfully, and in small batches.
This way of thinking did not come from trends or markets; it emerged from listening to nature, to craft traditions, and to the quiet wisdom of making less but better. This is the philosophy from which LeelaLer emerged.
Crafted from Legacy,
Shaped for Today
India once nurtured a naturally self-sustaining textile culture. Each region grew its own resilient "desi" cotton, Gossypium arboreum and G. herbaceum adapted to local soils and climates, For centuries, cotton spinning and weaving thrived as village crafts, creating fabrics celebrated across the world.
By 1947, indigenous species still covered nearly all cotton fields. Yet colonial trade policies had already shifted focus towards exports for British mills, and later, independent India's push for high-yield hybrids and GM (Genetically Modified) varieties further sidelined traditional systems. As commercial mills expanded, low-input, regionally adapted cottons declined, and were replaced by water and chemical intensive cultivation.
We are working to bring back what was once ours: clothing that restores rather than depletes, and returns gently to the earth: harmless, compostable and life-giving.
Crafted from Legacy,
Shaped for Today
The Name that chose us
The Name that chose us
In Gujarati, LeelaLer is an expression of pure joy, a state of ease, abundance, and quiet prosperity. It describes a life lived lightly and without burden. When we first heard it, the resonance was immediate; it felt instinctively aligned with what we hoped our offerings would embody.
As we reflected further, its meaning unfolded more deeply. Leela evokes play and creative expression, while Ler suggests a returning movement, like a soft wave meeting the shore. Together, they describe a rhythm of making that is calm, deliberate, and conscious of its place in the larger whole.
More than a name, LeelaLer is a way of being. Our garments move through the world gently - handcrafted with care, worn with pride, and designed to return without leaving a trace.
Our Story
At LeelaLer, we believe in creating with intention, honouring heritage, craft and the earth we live on. Our journey began when three paths crossed, each driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference, and together we discovered a new way forward. We are three partners bound by a common purpose.
Shaila Nambiar, designer, artist, and educator (NID, Ahmedabad; MSU Baroda) with a keen eye for detail, finds her voice through materials, textures, and forms. The creative brain behind LeelaLer's design language, she brings together her deep understanding of craft and contemporary aesthetics. Shaila has been instrumental in bringing the ethos of sustainability to life, shaping not just what LeelaLer creates but how it is created. Over the past two decades, she has worked extensively in the textile industry and craft sector while continuing her art practice, and nurtured young designers as visiting faculty at leading design institutes,
Sagar Deshpande, a graphic designer (Fine Arts, MSU Baroda) and calligraphy artist, brings ideas to life with his craft, creative instinct and keen attention to detail. He has an intuitive connection with plants, birds and insects, reflecting a deep, natural affinity for the world around him. His artistic touch is seen across our logo and visual identity, where design meets poetry.
Anshul Rajbanshi, steers the business side of our team and carries a farmer's heart. When he's not driving LeelaLer ahead, he can be found tending to his small organic farm, growing vegetables the traditional way, with care and respect for nature, His firm belief in "replenish, revive, reuse and recycle" resonates with circular living, the basic ethos of LeelaLer.
Together, Anshul and Sagar have been running a successful graphic design studio for nearly two decades, crafting stories through visuals and communication.
Each of us were already on a journey to make a positive change; in our own ways, through our choices, work and creative paths. When we came together, conversations turned into explorations: traveling through villages, discovering our heritage and meeting remarkable craftsmen who keep traditional skills alive.
Those journeys planted a seed, a deep urge to bring purpose and meaning into our work. It was a knowledge our ancestors lived by long before us, a way of creating in harmony with nature. We wanted to celebrate our heritage, give it new life and carry it forward as a beacon of hope for generations to come, through clothing that respects the earth, embraces sustainability and returns gently to it at the end of its journey.
That's how LeelaLer came into being; born from soil, stories and a shared belief in mindful creation. We believe clothing can be both beautiful and ethical. Made with care for the soil, the maker and the wearer, our garments remind us that what we wear can also be what we heal. Designed for modern global citizens, our silhouettes are timeless yet effortless, encouraging every generation to embrace Indian heritage with pride.
