Shirt Story is a celebration of the Indian Dyers, Spinners, Weavers and Tailors whose craft skills have meticulously been handed down from generation to generation over thousands of years. We are privileged to be working with family friends at Rajka Designs in Ahmedabad; Raju, Samvit and Ritu Sarabhai and their expert team who together bring skills, passion and extensive knowledge of Indian handmade textile craftsmanship.

Across three generations and between two continents Shirt Story is committed to encouraging greater appreciation of Indian handmade textiles; rich bold colours, patterns, the soft feel of a handwoven cloth that breathes in summer and offers warmth in the winter. We strongly believe in slow fashion. This concept encourages consumers to make ethical thoughtful choices to support sustainability in the fashion industry. Shirt Story is passionate about caring for our supply chain and we wish to encourage consumers to care with us in a collective effort to protect our planet.

Khadi is a hand-woven natural fibre cloth originating from eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent. It is a versatile fabric, cool in summer and warm in winter.

Our shirts are inspired by Khadi cotton which is an important element of our design and a story central to all of our collections. Khadi cloth has been hand spun into yarn on a spinning wheel called a charkha and hand woven by weavers in India since the 6th century. The development of Khadi silk, cotton and wool provided strength, self-sufficiency and employment for many millions during India's freedom struggle for self-rule from the British.

In 1918 Mahatma Gandhi began a national movement for Khadi to be produced in the villages as an ideology for self-reliance and self-governance. Khadi became not only a symbol of revolution and resistance but the face of an Indian identity which marked the start of a democracy in a true sense.

The term 'ikat' comes from the Malay word 'mengikat', meaning to tie or to bind. This refers to the tie-dyeing method used to give these textiles their unque vibrancy of colour and design. Ikat has now come to refer to the textiles themselves as well as the process.

A love of bold geometric Ikat designs is one of the reasons Shirt Story was born. Bringing colour, pattern and texture to the conversation in our design studio that had previously been dominated by simplicity and the natural beauty of plain Khadi cloth. 

We have huge respect for the infinite patience and imagination of the master weavers and dyers in the villages of Andhra Pradesh who are creating complex warp and weft patterns with us. Their vibrant eco-friendly dyes and unique design sense comes alive in our shirts.