Inside Kardo’s Craft-Led Collections
Amidst the clamour of mass-produced fashion, Kardo rises like a whispered rebellion - a brand where every thread carries a legacy. Founded in 2013 by Rikki Kher, the Kardo philosophy joyfully delivers modern silhouettes infused with India’s ancient textile soul, crafting garments that are as much about feeling as they are about form.
From its modest origins in a tiny New Delhi workshop with just one tailor and a single sewing machine, Kardo has bloomed into an international cult favourite. But at its heart, it remains fiercely local. Here, Kher’s vision pulses: to honour India’s centuries-old craft traditions while resisting the hollow churn of fast fashion.
Kardo block printed suit and shirt from the 'Friendship' collection. Photo: Hansraj Dochaniya.
Kardo’s creations are conversations between past and present. Picture rain-fed Kala cotton, hand-spun and handwoven in Kutch, transformed into breezy shirts. Or Ajrakh block prints, each geometric pattern a fingerprint of Gujarat’s legendary Sufiyan Khatri. Bandhani’s tie-dyed whispers, the intricate tracery of Chikankari and Kantha embroidery, the quiet strength of handwoven Khadi and raw denim - these aren’t trends; they’re testaments to human hands and ancient rhythms.
Artisan block-printer of Rajasthan, printing fabrics for Kardo.
What sets Kardo apart isn’t just its aesthetic - it’s the deep respect for the maker. Their ONExONE process entrusts each garment to a single artisan, who cuts, sews, and shapes it from start to finish. This rare, almost meditative approach breathes life into the fabric and ensures that every piece carries the signature of its creator - literally. Each garment bears a tag naming the artisans behind it, honouring their labor, their story, their artistry.
Kardo Ronen shirts from the Spring/Summer 2025 'Like Water' Collection.
For Spring/Summer 2025, Kardo turns to water for inspiration, capturing its fluidity, its softness, and its quiet power. Expect silhouettes that float and ripple, colours that evoke morning mist and river stones, and fabrics that feel as light as air. Behind these designs is an orchestra of 36 artisan groups from 18 regions of India, their hands in symphony working across 32 traditional techniques on 62 different fabrics.
W'Menswear for Kardo, a special collection honouring centuries-old methods of fabrication.
Kardo’s roots in New Delhi are more than a matter of logistics. They represent a living bond with India’s artisan communities - a bond of mutual respect, shared creativity, and cultural stewardship. Each collection is an act of preservation, a way to keep the stories of the past alive in the clothing of today.
In a world drowning in disposable fashion, Kardo offers a lifeline and a way to dress that feels honest, human, and full of soul.
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Image Credits:
LEAD: Kardo artisan garments from the Spring/Summer 2024 collection.
All other images as credited in the photo captions.