SukkhaCitta: happiness

In celebration of Earth Day and looking to the future of building sustainable practices, the Selvedge team joined the live streaming of the podcast, Planet Hope, with Times Environment Editor, Adam Vaughan, and founder of SukkhaCitta, Denica Riadini-Flesch to learn more about SukkhaCitta's pioneering work to empower rural communities in Indonesia, preserving textile craft practices and reviving regenerative methods of producing textile fibres and dyes. Directly translated as "happiness" in Indonesian, SukkhaCitta is pioneering a holistic approach to a sustainable clothing brand.

©️ Rolex / Sebastien Agnetti. Image above: ©️ SukkhaCitta

Now in its seventh year, SukkhaCitta is demonstrating that it is possible to build a profitable clothing business that takes care of its impact on the planet and continues to research and reflect its footprint. It is a farm-to-closet clothing supply chain dedicated to women’s empowerment, respect for nature and the preservation of local cultures.

Their use of resist-dye techniques is subtle and innovative, designing elegant, universal and gender neutral pieces. Its clothing is sold online and through a handful of shops, cutting out the middlemen that so often reap the rewards of the women’s labour. By connecting the rural craftswomen more directly with consumers, Denica is able to pay the women a fair living wage.


©️ SukkhaCitta

Denica explained how rural communities have reviving traditional growing methods, growing different plants together - chilli to attract pests away from the nearby cotton fibres and rows of corn to protect from the sun and weather as it towers above the cotton plant. Hearing these stories of ingenuity reminded us of how simple solutions can often be, in an age where we rely so heavily on technology and academic rigour. 

By setting up craft schools, women are trained in how to earn a living wage from their craft and how to set up and run their own businesses, they have given rural women not only the knowledge to demand a fair wage but the confidence to do so. 

©️ SukkhaCitta

As we sat listening SukkhaCitta's story, their journey sounded almost effortless but hard work is often seamless in great entrepreneurs. Building sustainable clothing practices continues to demand great determination and perseverance and SukkhaCitta's commitment and energy to achieve their goals shines as they continue to share their knowledge and experiences around the world.

Find out more and SukkhaCitta and follow their journey:
www.sukkhacitta.com

@sukkhacitta

Do you have a story to share with us of building sustainable practices in textile production?