After my first week of the CraftHER Leadership in Action programme, I have lots to reflect on. Four other scholars and I have been lucky enough to be part of this year’s CraftHER cohort, and it has been a wonderful introduction to life here in India.

CraftHER is associated with Swara, a fashion brand set up by the inspiring Asha Scaria Vettoor. The programme focuses on sustainable fashion, female empowerment, and craft. This initial week was more of an introduction, as we adjusted to Kerala and its incredible culture. On our first day, we had a variety of workshops to get to know each other better and reflect on our goals for our time here. We also had time to explore Kochi in the evening, trying delicious food and seeing the beautiful buildings along the seafront.

The next few days brought much excitement; we visited Save the Loom, a local organisation that aims to preserve the craft of weaving and promote sustainable fashion practices. A personal highlight for me was learning about the Vidhi Sarees initiative. In response to the restrictive uniform for lawyers in India, designers at Save the Loom created a collection of grey, white, and black sarees for female lawyers, enabling them to maximise their time while staying comfortable in court. It was truly fascinating to begin to see how business, fashion, and the law all intersect, and I am excited to find out more.

Another highlight was visiting the opening of the fashion boutique Milan. We felt privileged to speak with the owner, who gave us extensive insight into her journey creating one of Kochi’s most iconic fashion brands. We were even invited to the launch party that evening, where we fully immersed ourselves in the local culture: wearing sarees, dancing, and eating even more delicious food. The next day we spoke to Isabelle, the founder of Bhume, a sustainable brand that recycles textiles to make beautiful products. I felt particularly inspired by her, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about her journey and how she bridges gaps between communities.

This first week has been truly incredible, I have learnt so much already, and I am excited for our next week working with Forest Post.