How does Weaving Vibes stand out from the competition?
In one sentence, Weaving Vibes is a one-stop manufacturer for sustainable woven fabrics. The brand is built on made-to-order manufacturing and operates its own weaving unit with an in-house capacity of up to 300,000 metres of sustainable fabric per month.
Weaving Vibes works closely with brands to develop new fabrics, blends and applications. Over the years, we have manufactured more than 45 varieties of hemp fabric across 90-320 GSM, including different blends designed for apparel, home furnishings, accessories and other product categories.
Our strategy is simple: understand what the client needs and manufacture accordingly. Because we have our own weaving plant, modern machinery, a skilled design team and an experienced workforce, we can offer faster production, competitive pricing and the flexibility to customise fabrics as per client requirements.
What made you choose fibres like hemp and bamboo? Are you exploring other niche fibres too?
Hemp stood out because of its environmental value and fabric performance. Compared with many conventional crops, hemp requires significantly less water, can support soil health, and generally needs fewer pesticides and harmful chemicals. It is also one of the strongest natural fibres and is known for antimicrobial, UV-resistant, mould-resistant and mildew-resistant properties.
Hemp fabric is durable, breathable and comfortable. It softens beautifully with use and adapts well to different climates, helping the wearer feel cooler in summer and warmer in winter. With water becoming a precious resource and textiles being one of the most water-intensive industries, hemp-based textiles are no longer just an alternative; they are becoming a necessity.
When I joined my family business in 2015, we were manufacturing premium woven fabrics such as cotton and blended textiles. Around 2018, I started learning more about textile waste, pollution and the amount of water required to bring a garment to life. That made me look for a better, more sustainable fabric option.
In 2019, during my research, I discovered hemp fabric. Its nature, strength and possibilities inspired me to create Indian woven hemp fabrics. It took time, research, investment and guidance from my father to understand how best to manufacture it. Once the process and certifications were in place, it felt like the right time to launch Weaving Vibes.
Once you enter the world of sustainability, the possibilities are endless. Along with hemp and bamboo, we are also exploring other natural fibres such as banana, soya, orange, aloe vera, lotus and rose.
What does sustainability mean to you?
To me, sustainability means maximum utilisation with minimum wastage and the least possible impact on the environment. Whether it is fabric, resources or finished products, anything we buy or consume should be used to its full potential and disposed of with minimal harm.
Bhiwandi as a powerloom cluster has certain notions attached to it, such as low quality, lack of professionalism and limited sustainable practices. How do you break this barrier?
The answer is confidence and fair play. The only way to break this barrier is to build confidence among suppliers and buyers through quality, professionalism and transparency.
Today, markets are global and buyers understand quality standards, ethical practices and responsible production. If a manufacturer wants to be part of the international market, it has to follow sustainable and global working practices. That is the approach we follow at Weaving Vibes.
Tell us about the important principles Weaving Vibes has been built on
One of our main principles is simple: never compromise on quality. Our goodwill in the market depends on the quality of fabric we manufacture. Even while sourcing fibre or yarn, we prioritise quality over price.
Fabric quality should also be judged over time. A garment tells its real story after multiple washes. Hemp fabric is unique because it becomes softer with every wash while retaining its strength and durability. When a customer wears a hemp shirt or dress after many washes, the fabric itself builds confidence in the product.
Weaving Vibes was launched just before the Covid-19 pandemic, which was a challenging time to introduce a new line of fabrics. However, we survived and grew because of the principles and practices followed at Karishma Exports, our parent company. Karishma Exports has been manufacturing woven fabrics since 1988 and has seen many ups and downs in the textile trade. That experience became the foundation on which Weaving Vibes was built.
Tell us about some unique business, HR and production practices you follow
Weaving Vibes was born just before the pandemic, and the early months were difficult. In March 2020, many of our workers had returned to their villages, production had almost stopped, looms were not running, and travel was restricted.
At that time, our mentor, Mr. Shridhar Jagirdar, and the team came up with the idea of manufacturing 100% hemp masks while housing employees and the lab in-house. We arranged transport for workers to return from their villages and provided housing and food at our premises. By May 2020, with government permissions, we restarted production.
We also follow a strict no-waste policy. No metre of fabric or kilogram of yarn is wasted. Fabric and yarn waste is upcycled and converted into final products such as cushions, bedspreads, apparel and decorative items through our collaboration with SHM Designs Pvt. Ltd.
What is new at Weaving Vibes in terms of products, services and capacity expansion?
We are collaborating with upcoming designers, labels and small boutiques that want to experiment with sustainable fabrics but need smaller lot quantities. Many young designers are unable to source small quantities directly from manufacturers at practical rates, so Weaving Vibes helps bridge that gap.
Our fabrics are being used not only in apparel but also in home furnishings, shoes, luggage and other product categories. We currently have the capacity to manufacture up to 300,000 metres of hemp fabric in 58-inch width per month in-house.
In terms of services, we offer fabric dyeing with AZO-free dyes as per Pantone shade requirements, water-resistant treatment, antibacterial finishes, antiviral finishes, wrinkle-free treatment and other fabric finishing options. We also guide startups on which fabric is best suited for their product. Along with fabric development, we offer garmenting, tie-dyeing and digital printing on fabric.
You have a strong focus on design and innovation. Tell us about some unique products you have introduced.
We launched Weaving Vibes with the aim of manufacturing innovative sustainable fabrics. We started with 100% hemp fabrics, ranging from 90 GSM sheer fabrics to 320 GSM canvas fabrics, and later diversified into blends such as hemp-cotton, hemp-bamboo, hemp-rPET, hemp-Tencel and hemp-banana.
The unique part of Weaving Vibes is that clients are free to choose their own blend, GSM and weave. For example, a client can choose a hemp-bamboo-banana-cotton blend in 180 GSM twill weave for trousers, or select from plain weave, twill weave, Oxford weave, sateen weave, herringbone weave or custom dobby weaves.
Customisation is the USP of the brand. Everyone wants something unique, and our role is to convert that requirement into a fabric that is practical, sustainable and commercially usable.
How did the lockdown impact your business, and how did you emerge stronger?
The lockdown had a major impact on us because Weaving Vibes had just started before the pandemic. However, shifting to digital marketing and online exhibitions helped us stay visible. We launched our website in November 2020, allowing customers to purchase fabric online, which helped improve sales.
The lockdown also gave birth to many sustainable garment brands, as people had more time to think, create and develop new ideas. This helped increase interest in sustainable fabrics. The European market started placing orders by late 2020, and local demand in India for hemp fabrics also started rising.
How do you see the sustainable fabric market growing?
The market for sustainable products, especially hemp, is growing globally. More brands are beginning to understand the importance of using responsible fabrics in their collections. I believe sustainable fabrics will become a regular part of fashion, home décor and lifestyle products as consumers become more conscious of the environmental impact of textiles.
Hemp textiles are important because they offer a practical way to reduce environmental impact without compromising durability, comfort or design possibilities. As awareness grows, more brands will include sustainable fabrics in their collections.
We have been hearing for years that weaving is the weak link in the textile industry. What is your take on this?
I would not call weaving a weak link; I would call it a financially intensive link. Weavers usually buy yarn or fibre with 100% advance payment, but fabric is traditionally sold on 45-60 days credit. Profit margins are often in single digits, so manufacturers remain financially stretched.
In local markets, the situation can be even tougher, with payments sometimes delayed by more than 120 days. Setting up a certified factory with global standards and ethical working practices also requires significant capital.
Weaving Vibes exists to provide fabrics with a lower carbon footprint. We believe this is not only a time to focus on profits, but also a time to create awareness through weaves and fabrics. Our aim is to show that people can proudly wear garments with a conscience.
