Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Wednesday, 28 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Kantala is an ethical fashion accessory brand inspired by a 300-year-old traditional hand-weaving technique, indigenous to a tiny hamlet in Sri Lanka’s hill country.
Founded in August 2013 by two young professionals, the brand combines Sri Lanka’s natural beauty and vibrant culture with a hand-woven mat to make unique, colourful and functional fashion accessories that are good for the people and planet.
Kantala’s fashion accessories are made for the discerning customer who believes that high quality fashion can also be responsible. It achieves this through passion for design, quality and innovation coupled with social and environmental values which are at the core of all business activities. The traditional artisans are at the centre of everything Kantala does, providing them a sustainable livelihood and helping to protect one of Sri Lanka’s beautiful handcrafts for the future.
This year marks an important year for Kantala. “It is time consumers throughout the world have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful handbags we make together with our artisans. Also, it is time the hardworking artisans receive due recognition for safeguarding and perfecting this wonderful hand-weaving technique,” said a spokesman, inviting all keen to join Kantala in this journey as it takes a giant leap beyond the shores of Sri Lanka and into the global market.
Following is a look at the origins of Kantala, its operations and future plans including a crowd-funding initiative of $ 40,000 for international expansion.
Co-founders, Vikum and Nadishan, harboured ambitions of one day founding their very own venture. Starting off as colleagues, Vikum and Nadishan quickly struck a chord, building a friendship based on shared values, aspirations and not least a passion for the same football team and fast cars. During their individual searches for the perfect idea they were inspired to join forces and bring their vision for Kantala to life.
Vikum and Nadishan always felt Sri Lanka had more to offer than being just a manufacturing destination for global fashion brands. During his travels, Vikum was inspired by how Egypt’s rich culture and crafts were integrated into contemporary goods. Inspired by his discovery, Vikum returned determined to carry Sri Lanka’s wonderful traditional crafts to the global market 0through contemporary products and help traditional artisans secure a sustainable livelihood.
While searching for the right traditional craft to take beyond Sri Lanka, Vikum was directed to a village of artisans outside of Kandy by a family friend. Upon visiting the village, Vikum came across the community of artisans and their traditional hand-woven mats.
He met Dharmadasa in the village and after a chat Vikum knew straight away the search was over and in Dharmadasa he had met an artisan who shared his vision for the traditional hand-woven mats.
Vikum shared his findings with Nadishan, explaining to him details of the hand-woven mat, the history behind it and what he had in mind. Nadishan agreed that the hand-woven mat had immense potential and agreed to partner with Vikum to create a venture that would support the livelihoods of the traditional artisans.
While at their full-time jobs, Vikum and Nadishan set about laying the foundation for their venture, frequently visiting the village of Henavala, trialling different mats, handbag designs and researching the market.
Given their background in the world of investment and finance, Vikum and Nadishan had a lot to learn and sought advice from people already in the sector. In a little under two years from having first conceived the idea, Vikum and Nadishan resigned from their day jobs and took the plunge to operate Kantala full time.
“Kantala” / kæntǝla: / is named after the Sanskrit word for the Hana plant – which yields the core material used to create all of the products. The Hana plant (Agave cantala) is a sustainable plant with a signature rosette of thick leaves which can reach up to two meters in length. The leaves are scraped to extract a fine fibre, which is used to weave all the mats used in the Kantala products.
Kantala makes fashion accessories that reflect and enhance the taste and personality of its customers. Tasteful and functional designs that retain the splendour of the hand-woven Hana mats are the essence of Kantala products.
From the cheerful and reliable everyday handbag to the glamorous and delicate masterpiece, there is a Kantala product for every mood and occasion.
The fibre extracted from the Hana plant is dyed using either natural plant colour or reactive dyes, conforming to stringent ecological standards. Other vegan materials, such as Fair Trade guaranteed handloom, Piñatex – a pineapple fibre based leather alternative, and up-cycled materials such as polished coconut shells are used to complete every Kantala product.
The hand-woven Hana mat is the centre piece of every Kantala product. It is a craft perfected and passed down the generations for over 300 years in the village of Henavala. It is woven with precision, passion and pride by the master artisans residing in the village. To this day they retain the simple and eco-friendly process introduced by their ancestors.
Today, 95 families reside in Henavala. However, owing to economic reasons around 10 families actively engage in the craft and the younger folk continue to venture beyond the village in search of more lucrative and modern jobs.
Through the popularisation of the hand-woven Hana mat through Kantala, it endeavours to provide the artisans of Henavala a respectable livelihood and encourage a new generation to continue the tradition.
No animals are harmed: Kantala ensures no animals are harmed during the process of making its products. No animal based material is used to make a Kantala retail product.
Kantala is a PETA Approved Vegan brand.
Good for people – good for planet: Kantala is a Good Market, Sri Lanka approved vendor. That means it is certified as a ‘good for people – good for planet’ organisation.
Fair trading and a fair price: Kantala pays the traditional artisans of Henavala 15% above the inflation adjusted ‘rural income receiver’s mean income per month’.
Timely payment: On average, payments are made to the traditional artisans of Henavala within 9.5 days of receiving the invoice.
Open dialogue: At all times open communication is maintained with the traditional artisans of Henavala, sharing knowledge and information.
Sustainable Sourcing award: Kantala received the 2016 award for Sustainable Sourcing from the Good Market, Sri Lanka for the use of sustainable materials, OEKO Tex and ISO certified dyes and natural dyes.
Vikum wears multiple hats working at Kantala. While his main function is to set the strategic direction of the brand and the environment and resources for the rest of the eco-system to operate, he also manages the supply chain of the brand. Vikum also wears the accountant, office assistant and delivery boy hats when the situation requires him to.
Vikum completed his higher education in the UK, completing a bachelors in business and economics. He worked for a year in London in asset management. Upon returning to Sri Lanka he worked with the country’s largest apparel exporter for three years. Kantala is Vikum’s third entrepreneurial venture, having tried his hand in a cinnamon export venture and HR software solution before.
An avid traveller, Vikum has visited over 20 countries and counts Jordan and Lebanon as his favourite countries thus far. He enjoys the close interaction with local cultures, tasting traditional cuisine and discovering places off the beaten path. He identifies himself as a foodie who “lives to eat” and isn’t afraid to experiment in the kitchen.
Nadishan is in charge of all the sales and marketing functions at Kantala. From setting the annual marketing plans to executing them on social media or meeting customers and clients, Nadishan is Kantala’s salesman. He spends hours behind the lens perfecting each and every social media post and also functions as Kantala’s lead delivery boy.
Nadishan too completed his higher education in the UK, completing his masters in financial mathematics. He counts two years of professional experience in the UK having worked with a couple of investment banks and funds. In Sri Lanka, Nadishan also worked with the country’s largest apparel exporter for two years, joining the same team as Vikum. Kantala is Nadishan’s first startup venture.
Nadishan is without doubt one of the biggest football fans in Sri Lanka. His interest in football goes beyond the pitch. Nadishan counts many books about successful players and managers in his collection. He likes to hit the gym often and believes in the importance of leading a healthy life.
The crowd-funding campaign will be Kantala’s launch pad for international expansion. The profits raised from the campaign will be utilised to support Kantala’s international expansion, the purchase of a Hana fibre cleaning machine and setting up of a weavers co-operative for the artisans.
The crowd-funding campaign was launched on 26 June and ends on 26 July.
Kantala has set a $ 40,000 fixed funding target to raise from the campaign
Kantala will be offering its first range of products to combine the new Piñatex material with the core material of all Kantala products, the Hana mat. Products will include a large tote, medium tote, large wristlet, folding clutch and zip-around wallet in a range of colours.
Kantala will host its crowd-funding campaign on IndieGoGo.
All products will be dispatched to the contributors during the first week of December in time for Christmas.
All products are shipped globally, free of charge. Campaign backers are liable to settle duties and taxes, if applicable, at point of entry to their country/territory.
Visit Kantala profile at kantala.goodmarket.global.
