India’s textile and apparel industry has a strong value chain, extending from fibre to yarn, fabric and apparel. The industry includes handicrafts, wool, silk, spinning, weaving, processing and apparel manufacturing, making it one of the most diverse sectors in the country.
In this interview, Shripat Jagirdar, Co-Founder of Weaving Vibes, shares his entrepreneurial journey, the idea behind the brand, the challenges of building a sustainable fabric business and his vision for the future of hemp textiles in India.
Tell us about your journey since the beginning of your career
I was born and brought up in South Mumbai in a textile family. My grandfather worked with companies such as Raymond and Mafatlal for most of his life, and my father started his own textile weaving factory in 1988 just outside Mumbai.
I was around textiles from a very young age. I still remember that in the 1990s, Fridays were industrial holidays in Vasai due to load shedding, so my father would be at home on Fridays. On Sundays, I would often accompany him to the factory. That is where my interest in textiles began.
After graduation, I pursued a diploma course in textiles from Sasmira College, Mumbai. I then joined my father at the factory in 2014 and began learning the business from the ground up. In 2019, after years of working with traditional fabrics, I discovered sustainable, eco-friendly and natural fabrics. That immediately appealed to me and eventually led to the birth of Weaving Vibes.
How would you describe yourself in one or two words? Who has been your guide and source of inspiration?
I would describe myself as a spiritual and innovative entrepreneur. My life draws inspiration from two areas: entrepreneurship and the Art of Living.
Growing up in a business family, entrepreneurship came naturally to me. Hustling through the day, making every penny count and innovating to stay relevant are lessons I have learned from my father. He has been my support, teacher and constant guide.
On the other side, the Art of Living has been an important part of my personal journey. It shapes the way I learn, work and look at life. For me, spirituality and sustainability go hand in hand because both bring us closer to the planet.
What do you like most about your work? What are your passions, mission and goals?
My work is to manufacture sustainable fabrics for a sustainable future. We produce premium sustainable fabrics for apparel, home décor, accessories, shoes, bags, luggage and other industries. I do not see this as just a job; it is my passion.
Since starting Weaving Vibes, I have become more passionate about creating and innovating with new weaves, blends, colours, prints and designs using sustainable, natural and eco-friendly raw materials and processes.
Our mission at Weaving Vibes is to help the earth heal by encouraging the use of products that are less harmful to the planet. One of my goals is to see more people gradually shift a meaningful part of their wardrobe toward sustainable clothing and a more conscious lifestyle.
Tell us briefly about Weaving Vibes and its products
Weaving Vibes is a sustainable fabric manufacturing company focused on fabric innovation and practical applications. We are a made-to-order manufacturing company creating sustainable woven fabrics for apparel, home décor, accessories, shoes, bags, luggage and other industries.
The company has an in-house monthly capacity of up to 300,000 metres of hemp and blended fabrics. We work directly with clients to develop fabrics according to their requirements. Weaving Vibes is GOTS, OCS and ISO 9001 certified and is primarily involved in exporting fabrics.
We also operate an e-commerce website where upcoming fashion designers, boutique brands, students and small buyers can purchase fabrics in low quantities. We offer more than 50 hemp and hemp-blended fabric options ranging from 90 GSM to 340 GSM.
Our value-added services include special finishes such as water resistance, stain repellence, eco-printing, coloured finishes, tie-dyeing and other fashion fabric finishes.
Why did you choose to manufacture sustainable fabrics such as hemp?
We are all aware of the global warming and pollution crisis. Textiles are one of the major contributors to global pollution. While some clothing is donated or recycled, a large amount of textile waste reaches landfills, where it can release greenhouse gases and leach toxins and dyes into soil and water.
Hemp, on the other hand, is a natural crop with several environmental benefits. It can help reduce carbon footprint, enrich the soil it grows in and biodegrade back into nature. Hemp requires less water than cotton and can produce strong fibre for textile applications.
Hemp fabric is naturally strong, breathable, antimicrobial and UV-resistant. It becomes softer with use while maintaining durability, which helps products made from hemp fabrics last longer. These are some of the reasons we chose to manufacture sustainable fabrics such as hemp.
What are your major achievements and your company’s achievements under your leadership?
Our vision in 2019 was to manufacture premium hemp fabric for multiple industries. Turning that vision into a commercially viable and high-quality fabric range has been one of our biggest achievements.
Weaving Vibes has developed a large range of hemp and hemp-blended fabrics for different applications. We started commercial sales during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, yet saw strong traction because sustainable fabrics were becoming the need of the hour.
Another important achievement is that we built a business model with 100% advance payment for B2B fabric orders. In an industry where long credit cycles are common, this helped us create a more disciplined and financially stable working model.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
One of the main personal challenges was the decision to start something new while moving away from the comfort of the family business. It was emotionally difficult because there was a strong connection with the existing business, but I wanted to build something I truly believed in.
The second major challenge was credit. Weaving is an investment-heavy industry, and manufacturers often pay 100% advance for raw materials but sell finished fabrics on long credit. We decided to follow a strict 100% advance payment policy for fabrics, which has worked well for us.
The third challenge was low MOQ demand. Since hemp was still a new product, many customers wanted smaller quantities such as 10-20 metres. Initially, this was difficult from a production and cost perspective. However, after a lot of effort, we developed systems to supply smaller quantities through our website.
What is your view on the current scenario of the industry and its future?
India has a strong opportunity to become an important player in industrial hemp and sustainable textiles. As industrial hemp gains more acceptance and cultivation improves, the textile industry can get better access to fibres for high-quality sustainable fabrics.
The future of sustainable textiles looks promising. More brands need to adopt sustainability and promote eco-fashion in a practical way. As awareness grows, sustainable fabrics can become a regular part of mainstream collections instead of remaining a niche choice.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Do something that makes you happy, in business and in life. Human beings need wealth, health and happiness. Wealth can be earned and enjoyed, but it means very little if you are not healthy and happy. Health is important, but again, what good is it if you are not happy?
Happiness is not earned; it is a state of mind. It is free. Whatever you do, if it wakes you up with a smile and puts you back in bed with a smile, it is worth it.
Tell us about your future business plans
Along with exports, we are focusing more on India as a market. Our website allows people to purchase and experience hemp and hemp-blended fabrics directly.
We are also planning to move into knitwear made from hemp and hemp blends. Our larger aim is to build and promote a sustainable community in India through the fabrics we manufacture and the awareness we create around sustainable living.
To support this vision, we are curating opportunities that bring the sustainability community together and give brands, creators and conscious businesses a platform to showcase and sell their products.
