Who Makes Our Clothes?

Manimekala Fuller has been making clothes for herself for as long as she can remember… far before she could actually sew. Her mother, grandmother and aunts shared their love of textiles with her from childhood, continuing a long family history of dressmaking.

While studying on the University of Westminster's prestigious fashion design course, Mekala gained international experience in the industry under designers Roksanda Illinčić and Manish Arora, amongst others. Fully trained in pattern-cutting and sewing as well as design, Mekala hand-makes the majority of Manimekala pieces herself in her south London studio.

Inspired by her multicultural British-Indian heritage, Mekala also collaborates with female-led artisan groups to support and nurture traditional craft skills.

Saheli Women is a nonprofit social enterprise in rural India that financially empowers rural, marginalised women through skills development programmes and meaningful livelihood opportunities through fashion and textiles. Located in the village of Bhikamkor, near Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Saheli Women now employs over 100 women, providing them with fair wages, health insurance coverage, and a safe work environment free from gender, religious and caste discrimination.

Saheli Women was launched in 2015 as a social initiative of the Institute For Philanthropy and Humanitarian Development (IPHD), a women’s empowerment and rural community development nonprofit based in Jodhpur, India. Additionally, IPHD sponsors the educations of all daughters of Saheli Women members, runs the only female health clinic in the village, and delivers workshops on a range of topics including human rights, feminism, menstrual hygiene, health, and financial literacy.

Roopali Bhakthavatsala is an alumnus of Istituto Marangoni, Milan. She believes fashion is an insight into people - how they conceive life and society, their philosophy and beliefs.

Now based in her hometown of Bengaluru, Roopali and her team make clothes for the women of today; edgy, smart, fun and strong. These qualities are translated into design in terms of sketch, silhouette, fabric and embroidery. The resulting labour of love creates pieces that resonate with a diverse audience.

Roopali and Mekala have been close friends since their days interning together and they are thrilled to be able to collaborate creatively, particularly on intricate embroidery designs.