JIWYA was started by two textile scientists who moved their lives from the US to India. The idea is to create a grassroots-centric, purely plant-based fashion supply chain. We have tried to clean up from the inside as scientists for almost a decade through deep-tech textile work, but it wasn't enough. That is when we decided to take the leap of faith and lead by example. Textiles and fashion are two of the most polluting industries in the world and are in dire need of cleaning up. That is where we are stepping in to create a plastic-free and animal-free solution for clothing and fashion.
Problem: The fashion industry is the third largest global polluter and carbon emitter in the world, using 5 billion animals annually and sending 92 million metric tons of clothes to landfills, with 65% coming from synthetic fibres (a source of microplastics) derived from fossil fuels. All this happens at the cost of unethical labour, unsafe work conditions, and a no-living wage, especially in the global south. Most of these toxic chemicals—synthetic dyes, forever chemicals, and microplastics—make their way to human bodies.
Solution: At JIWYA, we are solving the many woes of fashion by creating a soil-to-soil supply chain. We rely on plant-powered innovation to create every raw material in our novel supply chain. A vertically integrated cycle of hand-dyeing, design, conception, product manufacturing, and final quality check happens in-house in a zero-waste production cycle. No plastics, no animals, no toxic chemicals or polluting dyes. 0% harmful, 100% plant-powered. Each of JIWYA's products showcases more than two authentic textile arts that are made for the wearer’s body. JIWYA, derived from Sanskrit for ‘jeev’ means life, soul spirit; it stands for a soil-to-soil life cycle of its products.
At JIWYA, we curate 100% plant-based fashion and lifestyle products for the eco-chic consumer who wants clean, safe, and meaningful fashion. The designs are bespoke, limited edition, support heritage Indian textile art, and aim to serve a global palette while proudly positioning 100+ Indian arts on the world stage. We follow UN SDGs 05, 08, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 and are PETA certified.
From the raw materials (fibres and dyes) to the packaging boxes and labels, everything is procured locally. It supports the livelihoods of small businesses local to the region and promotes the overall growth of sustainable communities. By using only natural resources, we ensure that not an ounce of plastic or synthetic material is used. This in turn eliminates the waste generated in landfills, keeps the water sources clean, and ensures the safety of the people working on the processes. With JIWYA using plant-based materials, another core ethos is working with 100+ textile artisans in India. Generational grassroot artisans who have mastered their art and practice the same in their own regions, using resources available locally, these artisans further employ over 33,000 workers who make their living contributing to the heritage textile art being practiced.
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