Cottedge

Achada is a cloth used underneath fabrics during block printing, reused until it reaches the end of its lifecycle. I rediscovered it in India and was struck by its layered colors and abstract patterns. What’s often overlooked revealed itself as something full of possibility - now being reimagined into one-of-a-kind, wearable pieces.

Kala cotton is one of those fabrics that grows on you. I’m sharing why I love working with it and why it felt right for the next Cottedge collection.

One of the highlights of my recent India trip was visiting Mathak, a small village in Kutch, and meeting Geeta Rabari artisan designer and seeing her work up close.

As we drove through the village, I noticed women sitting outside in the sun, absorbed in their embroidery - some alone, others in small groups, chatting as they worked.

When I met Geeta, I was amazed by her craftsmanship. Cottedge Kediya tops are also made by her team, and I happened to be wearing mine during the visit, which made the moment feel full circle. Geeta’s embroidery collection included traditional Rabari motifs in appliqué work and beautiful glasswork embroidery in bright colors. The level of detail in each piece was incredible. I’m still in awe of her work.

I wanted to buy some pieces for myself and some to gift to friends and family, but it was honestly hard to decide because everything was so intricate and beautiful.

Geeta was there with her husband, Bhavesh, their daughter, and his mother. I spent the afternoon with them, having tea and looking through many works of embroidery. Their warmth and hospitality stayed with me, and I really appreciated being welcomed into their home and village.

One thing that stood out to me was learning that Geeta had learned embroidery from her mother-in-law, who was sitting alongside us, working on her own pieces. Seeing Geeta learn and continue the same craft, side by side, felt special. Their daughter was adorable, and she brought along her favorite outfit, made by her mom, to play dress up.

Until this visit, I had only interacted with Bhavesh virtually, through WhatsApp and Instagram. Meeting the family in person was very meaningful. It was also fascinating to see how embroidery is such a natural part of everyday life and tradition in the community.

I brought back a few pieces from this visit, some I’ve kept and some I’ll share over time. These pieces work beautifully as framed art or can be repurposed into pillow covers, bags, or other decorative pieces. More than anything, it reminded me how much time and care goes into each piece. I really value the skill behind this work and feel fortunate to be able to bring a part of it into Cottedge.

I’ll be sharing a few of these pieces on Instagram soon so feel free to follow along if you’d like.