Project Naeth 01: Balaramapuram Handlooms

Balaramapuram is one of Kerala’s oldest handloom clusters, established over two centuries ago under the patronage of Maharaja Balarama Varma of Travancore. The region became known for its distinctive kasavu, unbleached cotton with borders in gold zari, woven on pit looms by skilled local families. These sarees, once an essential part of Kerala identity, carried not just elegance but continuity of craft.

When we visited Balaramapuram, we walked through almost every store on its weaving street. What we found was both beautiful and sobering. The fabrics remain timeless, but the hands behind them are fewer each year. Many looms are silent. The weavers we spoke to told us honestly that they don’t believe this work will last. With rising costs, declining demand, and younger generations turning away from the craft, the rhythm of the loom feels fragile.

This project began there, from listening. We chose not to let kasavu remain confined to sarees hanging untouched in shopfronts. Instead, we reimagined them into new silhouettes: oversized shirts, everyday wear, pieces that carry tradition into modern form. By reshaping without erasing, we hope to create relevance that sustains the craft and its people.

Project Naeth is about weaving past into present. For Balaramapuram, it means the loom continues to speak, not as a relic but as a living fabric.

Project Naeth 02: PET Bottles to Tshirts

At Naeth, sustainability is not an afterthought; it is woven into the very fabric of what we create. Our latest innovation focuses on transforming post-consumer PET bottles and regenerated bamboo cellulose fibers into sustainable textiles that combine science, responsibility, and design.

By upcycling PET bottles, we help divert plastic waste from landfills and oceans, reducing the dependence on virgin petroleum-based fibers. At the same time, bamboo provides a renewable, fast-growing, and low-water alternative to conventional natural fibers. Together, these materials form the foundation of a textile that aligns with the principles of the circular economy, ensuring performance without compromise to the environment.

The PET–bamboo blend offers exceptional strength and durability, making it resistant to wear and tear, while the bamboo component enhances breathability, moisture management, and natural antibacterial properties. The result is a fabric that performs well under stress yet feels soft and comfortable against the skin.

With negligible shrinkage, eco-efficient processing, and a reduced carbon footprint, this textile represents a step forward in sustainable design. Its versatility makes it ideal for everyday apparel, activewear, and even industrial applications, offering a responsible alternative to cotton and polyester.

At Naeth, we believe textiles are more than materials; they are carriers of innovation, culture, and change. By merging recycled polymers with renewable fibers, we are not only designing fabrics but also contributing to a more sustainable future.

Launching soon. Stay tuned.