In 2018, Brajesh Gutgutia, a skilled product designer with over 25 years of expertise working with natural materials & fibres, launched Presisco Fashion, through which was born Akiiko, the company’s eco-friendly brand that values the beauty of natural materials and uses them to create high-quality everyday products. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of design, its products radiate minimalistic, warm, and positive vibes.
Innovating yet keeping things simple, Akiiko uses natural materials like raffia, cotton rope, jute, water hyacinth, and even wood or metal to make items like notebooks, bags, storage baskets, towels, scrunchies, and more. Its main materials of choice are cotton, hemp, Juco, and linen.
“Our in-house design team is what makes Akiiko propel,” Brajesh shares. Manya, the brand’s creative director, pulls inspiration from her background in the fashion sector; this one-of-a-kind fusion of inspirations gives visual aesthetic distinctiveness to the product line.
Eco-friendly totes were developed as a result of the plastic prohibition. Additionally, because the business was founded during the pandemic, it was expected that things that focused on comfort and wellbeing would help with future demand by encouraging self-care at home.
Explaining the name, Brajesh says, “The Japanese word for purity is Akiiko, and it seemed like an appropriate name that would pique the customer’s interest. The name’s abstract quality also enables us to develop a wide range of products.”
Kind to the environment
Despite the brand’s rather diverse product range, there is an overall visual style and attitude that connects everything. Carefully selected weaves of plant-based fibers are used to create items never before seen in the textile business. The production was initially outsourced, which presented the team with challenges.
“We were initially outsourcing the production, which was a challenging part for us. We began with one stitching machine of our own in the office, to speed up the sampling/ correction process. But over time, this developed into a full-fledged manufacturing facility that is currently compliant and produces privately labelled goods for a number of retailers across Europe and Asia,” Brajesh explains.
Sustainability lies at the core of Akiiko’s principles. Every order is thoughtfully packaged in recycled paper, entirely avoiding the use of plastic. The brand sources the majority of its raw materials from nearby communities, contributing to the support of the local economy. Emphasizing a commitment to nature, all products’ fabrics and fibers are derived from plants, eliminating the use of synthetic materials.
Moreover, Akiiko takes a responsible approach to coloration by using azo-free dyes, which release no harmful chemicals into the environment, ensuring no poisonous or cancer-causing substances are present. The brand’s focus on durability ensures that each item is crafted to be long-lasting, encouraging reduced consumption and waste. Since most of Akiiko’s items have multiple uses, they are functionally adaptable, which reduces consumption and, in turn, waste. Akiiko offers reusable gift packaging made from materials like juco (jute + cotton), cotton, and kraft all year long, which is not just refreshing for the eyes but also kind to the environment.
Supporting local economy
The majority of Akiiko’s raw materials come from small towns nearby like Erode, Karur, Madurai, etc. Weaving textiles is a significant industry in Tamil Nadu. Due to its location in Chennai, Akiiko benefits from the proximity to these cotton-growing towns. All other components originate in Indian villages.
As a brand that began during the lockdown, the challenges have been quite a few. The founder informs, “Our core team does not come from a fabric/ textile background. However, they had a creative vision and wanted to bring it to life. Finding the appropriate people to work with, procuring the necessary raw materials, developing the products, and gaining technical expertise about stitching, etc – the road has been difficult.”
These difficulties, however, won’t prevent Akiiko from growing; the company is currently concentrating on expanding its product line, particularly with useful things that will foster comfort and tranquillity and put customers at ease. Opening an Akiiko retail store is an aim for the near future.
Read Also- https://theorganicmagazine.com/textiles/eco-friendly/terra-tribe-dyeing-a-sustainable-future/
