Innovation

Though Bunavat was officially founded in 2018, its roots trace back to Avipsha’s journey—starting a small business, collaborating with government departments and NGOs, and her serendipitous meeting with Ismail Bhai, a master weaver. Her love for saris and handloom textiles soon turned into a mission to empower artisans and preserve their craft.

Be it the remote clusters of Dhonekhali or Gajendra Ghat ,Bunavat connects 36 artisan clusters across 11 states in India, including remote regions like Dhonekhali and Gajendra Ghat. Many of these artisans previously suffered from underpayment, as intermediaries took much of the margin. Bunavat eliminates these intermediaries, ensuring fair pay by not negotiating with artisans. (SDG 1)

 “As a principle, we don't negotiate with weavers. This is something that we've been very conscious of” Avipsha remarked.

Avipsha actively seeks to connect the stories of the weavers with the customers, aligning with the globally recognized campaign “Who made my clothes?” and the customers gratitude stories with the weavers. (SDG 8).

“And usually in April, there's a week that is celebrated, where a lot of consumers are reaching out and asking brands who made my clothes so that they are more transparent, and they're paying fairly. But I think for now, it is not just about a week, we continue saying that and working on that throughout the year. It forms a very important part of our product offerings for us. Product is not just the product; it’s about the story and the overall experience,” Avipsha added with a wide smile.

Excerpt from the interview regarding how customers extended their gratitude: -

“We asked our customers to wear some of their sarees that they picked from us and record a small video thanking the weavers or the artisan and telling how much they like it.

 And we went and played those back in the cluster and it was wonderful to see so many elderly people with tears in their eyes because they've never known that their craft is being admired or there's so much respect for their work.”

As operations scaled, Bunavat shifted to a production-based model, allowing them to design unique products while maintaining handwoven production to save energy. Bunavat exclusively uses natural fibers and azo-free dyes, aligning with SDG 12. Their entirely handwoven process significantly reduces energy consumption, as no electricity is used. Additionally, zero-waste practices, such as repurposing fabric scraps into accessories and using discarded cloth for packaging, further minimize environmental impact.

Bunavat’s commitment to SDG 5 and SDG 10 is also evident, as 35% of their workforce comprises women. By providing a safe working environment, Bunavat empowers women, fostering economic independence and social inclusion. Bunavat has integrated AI for design and are in talks with an organization to insert QR codes in saree weaving to enable product traceability. This holistic approach not only addresses multiple UN SDGs but also tries to achieve the benchmark for sustainable and ethical business practices, contributing to a better world.

Weavers at work

Inspiration

Avipsha, the founder of Bunavat, drew inspiration from her lifelong love for handloom sarees and a deep curiosity about the origins and makers of these garments. Growing up in West Bengal, surrounded by rich weaving traditions, she witnessed her family’s affinity for handloom sarees, which sparked her interest in understanding their craftsmanship. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I was very curious to know about the process... I felt that if somebody knew what goes into the making of the garment, they would value it much more as a handmade product.”

Her passion for handlooms grew further during a visit to Ajrakhpur, Gujarat, where she met Ismail Bhai, a resilient artisan who revived his family’s block printing legacy after years of struggle. She recounted his story, saying, his father stopped talking to him because he thought poverty was returning, but Ismail Bhai persisted and turned his family’s fortune around. Inspired by his dedication, Avipsha felt compelled to share such stories with the world, believing they could create a deeper appreciation for handcrafted products.

Her time in the development sector and work with underprivileged communities further solidified her commitment to social impact. Avipsha emphasized, “I always believed in the power of relationships and the collective... Bunavat’s philosophy is doing well by doing good.” This blend of personal passion, inspiring encounters, and a desire for meaningful impact fueled her vision to establish Bunavat as a platform celebrating artisans and sustainable craftsmanship.

Avipsha also believes that small changes are the ones that create the most impact. She remarked that “Clothing is one of the easiest changes toward sustainable living—it’s a lower-hanging fruit compared to altering eating habits or other lifestyle changes.”

Overall impact

“We are not empowering anyone. When you say empower, you always put them at a position of lesser power. They are the people who are at a position of power because they have the skills, and their weaving is such a great form of combination of both science and art because it's very skillful. You know the amount of mathematics that goes into weaving. Sometimes we will sit together and solve formulas to be able to get the design right.” -Avipsha quoted this clarifying that Bunavat is not about empowering weavers. It's about standing with them, along them, together...

Bunavat’s innovation has ensured consistent income for artisans by establishing direct collaborations and eliminating intermediaries. Acting as a direct point of contact between weavers and customers, artisans are able to access the full benefits of the last-mile connection, retaining a larger share of the value created by their work. This model has provided artisans with steady income streams, helping them overcome financial instability. Additionally, skilling initiatives, such as digital marketing and customer engagement training, have equipped artisans with tools to thrive in the digital-first market, making them more reliable and capable in today’s economy.

Bunavat’s commitment to fair wages and sustainability has uplifted artisan communities from their poverty stridden life and motivates the youngsters also to be in this space. For these artisans Bunavat is not just a workplace but a Go-To place-"AN EXTENDED FAMILY".

“You're buying something that can be passed down generations. So, ensuring that quality is maintained... it's like an investment that can be handed down to generations.”

This is not just a statement made by Avipsha; it summarizes the whole essence of Bunavat. The company works with products designed to last, allowing customers to invest in items that can be passed down through generations, rather than buying disposable fashion that ends up in landfills. This focus on quality ensures a lasting impact on the planet, the environment, and individual health. Many customers, who switch from synthetic fabrics to natural fibers, immediately feel the difference, as synthetic materials can irritate the skin. This highlights the short and long-term impact of Bunavat’s approach, benefiting both the environment and individual well-being.

Business benefit

Bunavat’s transition to a production-focused model has significantly enhanced its business operations. By moving from merely sourcing products to designing and collaborating directly with artisans, the company has achieved a 15-18% increase in revenue. This growth stems from higher product prices driven by innovative modern designs, which have also boosted the average order value. In regions like Maheshwar, Bunavat has secured looms and ensured steady work for artisans by directly funding production, creating employment opportunities for new weavers. This consistent production model, coupled with fair pay, has provided artisans with financial stability and career growth, fostering greater employee retention and overall wellbeing.

The innovation has also opened doors to new markets and product categories. By introducing modern, artistic aesthetics to traditional crafts, Bunavat has appealed to younger urban consumers who seek sustainable fashion but might not have previously considered sarees. Additionally, this design evolution has unlocked opportunities in the international market, where unique pieces like geometric pen kalamkari sarees resonate with global audiences as wearable art. Bunavat is further exploring new product lines, including apparel and furnishings, aiming to adapt its traditional craft to wider market preferences.

While Bunavat has yet to formally pursue external investment, the innovative designs and sustainable approach have garnered appreciation from industry professionals and craft-focused investors. Bunavat has also appreciated by YourStory and other media publications.  This recognition highlights the brand’s potential for future growth, supported by its strong emphasis on sustainability, craftsmanship, and market adaptability.

Social and environmental benefit

Bunavat’s innovative approach delivers significant benefits to both society and the environment by addressing multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its direct-to-consumer business model. By connecting last-mile weavers to end consumers and eliminating intermediaries Bunavat is ensuring fair wages and sustainable livelihoods for artisans, preserving traditional crafts while boosting economic development in weaving clusters across India which is providing employment opportunities across the national geographies such as West Bengal,Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat & other states. One of the most pressing issues in the Fast fashion industry is creation of Landfills that seriously impacts the quality of the soil and causes biodiversity loss.In contrast to this Bunavat's commitment to long lasting and natural fabrics ensures they remain far removed from contributing to such environmental harm.

Additionally, Bunavat actively engages in hiring women artisans and enabling them by providing a safe, secure, and inclusive working environment. This fosters economic independence and social inclusion for women, contributing to broader societal equity.

The integration of AI in design, along with the potential use of QR codes for product traceability, bolsters transparency and fosters consumer trust, further solidifying the company’s commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Bunavat’s comprehensive approach not only empowers marginalized communities and preserves cultural heritage but also champions gender equality and safeguards the environment through innovative, sustainable solutions.

Interview

Avipsha Thakur, Founder

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