X U T A [hoo-tah] n. thread We love the hand spun, the hand-woven, the naturally-dyed, the au natural. We love how it breathes. We love how it ages, and becomes softer, even wiser.
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ABOUT We weave fabric. Xuta works with weavers who are part of communities and families that have hand spun, hand woven, printed and dyed for generations. They are self-taught, original and open to sharing their skill. Our designs are simple & timeless, because they honour a tradition. Their techniques are traditional because they’ve stood the test of time. Each collection is named after the craftsperson who created it. It connects us to the individual’s own aesthetic and let’s us experience a part of their life. Xuta is a profit-sharing enterprise, and the sales from the products will contribute to the social and economic stability of the craftsmen. So that they can continue doing what they do best. We strive to preserve local customs, and hopefully, encourage a new generation of weavers to accept and celebrate their legacy. We also re-cycle un-used cloth from large manufacturers to make accessories of various styles and designs, something you will be proud to carry or keep at home. Each Xuta product is wrapped in one! Take home a Xuta today. We promise it will keep you all kinds of warm when you travel next. woven by X U T A
PRODUCTS Cotton Khadi Linen Bamboo Silk Raw Silk Wool Pashmina
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KHADI INDIGO
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A group of weavers in East India are reviving hand spun cotton and khadi. In a nearby village, a family of dyers have realised that there is only one plant that can create “natural blue dye� and India is the home to it - the plant, indigofera, commonly known as indigo. Xuta is working with the artisans to create some timeless pieces from finest fibres & reviving some traditional designs with a modern twist. woven by X U T A
Xuta works with a group of young (age 25 - 33 years old)Â weavers who have been trying to revive and experiment with hand spun silk / cotton thread to create very soft and light scarves. Taught by their parents and grand parents, this young group of weavers bring subtle modernism to each piece they weave.Â
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BENGAL MUSLIN
woven by X U T A
nilli (blue) & butidar (pink)
sutti
Two weavers two weaving styles two different counts same cloth. khadi
“poor man’s cloth” - fine, diaphanous cotton reviving the fabric traditional borders colours from nature (in most cases!) handmade tassels
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rangeeli
SAN
An experiment - weaving silk and cotton, but feels like cotton! colours by Xuta, woven by Roy (but his wife thought it to be dull and handmade /stitched the pompoms to add colour!)
Hand spun and hand woven fabric from flax plant, this linen scarf is like a piece of modern art.Â
woven by X U T A
HUMANYUN
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Humanyun is a self taught weaver based in Bihar. He has been instrumental in creating basic material out of cotton, silk and bamboo. Most of the colours are natural or azo free. According to Humanyun, his scarves can be worn by men and women - its been proven correct! His biggest challenge today is that the next generation is not keen to weave but he spends endless days going village to village teaching them about the benefits of being a weaving. Xuta is his biggest fan!Â
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Xuta works closely with a group of 300+ women weavers based in Bihar, India - who were earlier bonded labour but today earn their livelihood by weaving. These scarves are made of pure tassar, spun from the cocoon of Antherae moth, fed on the leaves of Arjun, Saja and Sal and wild castor in the forests of North eastern India. The texture and dull lustre of this wild yarn distinguishes it from cultivated mulberry silk. Its natural and azo- free dyes.
VAANYA
woven by X U T A
ERA
basak
Vibrant colours mixed with a black base thread to give a “shadow & sun look”, this type of silk was worn by Tai Ahom kings. It is commonly known as the “holy cloth” as it is anti-fungal, high moisture regain and very soft.
Based in Bangalore, India - Basak ‘s family has been weaving for several generations. Unlike his other family members, he boldly uses colours! Sadly he is not keen that the next generation pursues weaving as a profession. 100% silk stole
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raw silk
Vaanya
Crisp. Warm. Natural colour. 100% raw silk scarf
100% silk & wool scarf its simply warm (designed for men and women)
woven by X U T A
BUTTI
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Xuta has recently started working with Vankar who is an award wining weaver from Gujarat, India. He and Xuta are focussing on wool products. The wrap is 100% wool using the traditional tie and dye method. Available in green and pink
woven by X U T A
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Chippas are people who stamp or print. Xuta has recently started working with Vankar who is an award wining weaver from Gujarat, India. He and xuta are focussing on wool products. He has used blocked printing on a fine woolen scarf.
CHIPPAS
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narangi
pashmina
100% woollen wrap or throw bright colours with traditional designs
Xuta is working with group of nomadic weavers who move around the Himalayas during the summers and come down to the planes in the winters with their families, cattle & pashm thread to weave. Their designs are based on their adventures and what they see in nature. Each shawl is woven with pashm and gold / silver thread.Â
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trikona
Uni
100% woolen scarf, with traditional tribal pattern of triangles & stripes. a cosy piece to wrap around your neck or shoulders.
Xuta has recently started working with Vankar who is an award winning weaver from Gujarat, where he is trying to promote traditional weaves and colours in the international fashion industry. One of nine siblings, Vankar was taught the skill by his father and after years of weaving, it can take him up to two months to weave one shawl. He uses a pit loom for his shawls.
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KHADI
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Xtuta works with a small group of weavers, experimenting with khadi, linen, silk and gamocha designs. It draps like second skin.
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CONTACT shilpi.mahindroo@thexuta.com +44 (0) 789 685 1072
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TEAM The Weavers Shilpi Mahindroo Bordoloi (UK) Nilyanka Bhushan (India) Myounghee Jo (Graphic Design) Catalina Uribe (Model) Adam Kaniowski (Photographer) Alice Milner (Model) Emily Ainsworth (Photographer)
woven by X U T A