As more people look for sustainable fashion options, Om for Khadi, founded by Meeta Manglani and Pooja Kapoor, has been weaving the historical fabric khadi into everything from evening gowns to bedsheets and gift hampers
Two women from Ahmedabad, Meeta Manglani and Pooja Kapoor are redefining khadi with their venture, Om for Khadi.. Photo Courtesy: Om for Khadi
Khadi – the word reminds us of Mahatma Gandhi. He made us realise that khadi was not just some homespun cloth but a revolutionary idea, a symbol of self-respect and self-reliance. We are aware of the role khadi played in the Swadeshi Movement but with changing times, although khadi was considered important, it never became everyone’s choice. Can you imagine wearing a khadi lehenga for a wedding or a khadi evening gown for a cocktail party or gifting a Diwali hamper that has khadi products? Two women from Ahmedabad, Meeta Manglani and Pooja Kapoor are redefining khadi with their venture, Om for Khadi.
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A boutique in Ahmedabad’s Gulbai Tekra has an interesting display of khadi products. In a time when we all are concerned about the environment and climate change – fast fashion also becomes a questionable choice and so we must look towards khadi – our very own sustainable fabric. Om for Khadi has reimagined this historical fabric for a number of modern uses – as party wear, wedding attires, suits, kaftans, evening gowns, bed sheets, table runners, table mats, and even curtains.
Meeta Manglani has been working in the fashion industry for two decades. While talking to Mid-day Online she explained her interest in khadi. She said, “I was intrigued by our indigenous weaving practices. In the process, I understood khadi better. No one ever imagined that khadi can be available in various colours, with varied thickness for the flow and fall of attire, and can be used for various cuts and designs. I decided to explore all of this along with my focus on getting more work for Khadi weavers. I joined hands with Pooja Kapoor to work more on khadi, not just as a fabric but also as an ideology, and experience.” 
The Ahmedabad-based brand has reimagined the historical fabric as party wear, wedding attires, suits, kaftans and evening gowns. Photo Courtesy: Om for Khadi
Other than stylish khadi attires you can get various options of soft furnishing made of khadi at Om for Khadi. The store, inaugurated on October 2, tried something unique when it decided to offer khadi hampers as Diwali gift options. To their surprise, the hampers with khadi table runners and mats, organic achaars and honey options sold like hot pancakes. They even designed khadi dresses for a dance performance and the fall of the material was perfect.
Pooja Kapoor looks after the production and has travelled to connect with weavers. She says, “Khadi can be the first choice for anyone looking for a sustainable fabric. Yes, khadi is about simplicity but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. Upscaling khadi has been a very good experience. We have tried embroidery on khadi and the results have been wonderful. At one of the weddings, our client decided to gift khadi stoles to their guests and it was highly appreciated. With khadi, you can be stylish and also give a message of sustainable fashion.” Kapoor adds, “The market for khadi products is huge. When the KVIC chairman visited the store, he loved the products. No one had ever thought of khadi bedsheets, or clothes for infants from khadi. The concept behind Om for Khadi is simple, Om is forever and so is khadi. We are breaking the perception around khadi and we have received tremendous response.”
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