Prachi Saraf, Founder of Vyusti, a sustainable premium handloom brand.

Prachi was born and raised in an Indian business family in Bombay. She went to Cathedral & John Connon School and then further studied in Bombay.

Later she moved to London to pursue further studies at the Cardiff University Whales, UK.

Upon her return in 2009 to India, Prachi joined hands with her father to run the family business. It was on this job that she discovered her interest and passion for Indian fashion and textiles.

She took charge of the family business as the lead in-house designer and went on to design, develop and manufacture fashion apparel and accessories for the company.

The family business gave Saraf an opportunity to closely work with the weaving community across India. This experience, led with her knowledge of design, strengthened by her sense of style and passion to create, led her to successfully start Vyusti, the for-profit social enterprise.

With Vyusti, Prachi hopes to revive the beautiful yet forgotten traditional weaves of India and make them more accessible to the urban woman.

An avid textile enthusiast, Prachi loves binge watching shows on Netflix or travelling with her… family in her free time. 

BRAND STORY

Indian handloom, popularly known for its beauty and variety, can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The intricate texture and rich colour of woven patterns of handloom pieces can leave anyone spellbound. Vyusti is a fashion brand of handwoven products made by artisans residing in rural parts of India. Our products include pure handwoven cotton and silk sarees and dupattas as well as shawls made of pure handwoven cotton and wool. The idea is to promote the beautiful yet forgotten weaves of India.

At Vyusti, we wish to incorporate the values of pure homegrown sustainability by Mahatma Gandhi and that of an Atmanirbhar Bharat laid by Shri Narendra Modi. Vyusti creates a space that enables these handloom artisans to be endowed with prosperity through their artistic expertise. A space that enables them to dream and achieve those dreams without having to measure its scale. The skill, precision and flair with which the weavers weave to create intricate patterns and designs is extraordinary. Their products are luxury heirloom pieces that are completely sustainable. The value of sustainable fashion is that it showcases much-needed compassion to humanity as well as the environment.

The goal is to provide independence, growth and prosperity to the craftsmen that work with proficiency to create these rich and exquisite pieces. Vyusti was started with the intent to support local artisans by creating a platform to showcase and sell their products. The creators should reap the benefits of the sale value of their work. This gives them the opportunity to not only be self-sufficient but also upscale their lives.

Vyusti Trust is an initiative created by the founder of Vyusti, Prachi Saraf and her team to provide the likes of such skilled artisans with benefits that they are entitled to, yet not given – the kind of benefits that are usually taken for granted by the common man. Vyusti Trust makes sure to look after the healthcare of the weavers and their immediate families, giving them access to proper medical care. They also look after the education for the weavers’ children who have aspirations of studying and making their mark in the world as businessmen, doctors, etc. but have rarely got the opportunity to pursue these aspirations. In addition, Vyusti Trust provides several other such benefits which help provide a better future and enhance the lives of such skilled artisans for generations to come. The idea is to give back to a community that has been working tirelessly and selflessly for generations without expecting very much in return and to make sure that in the years to come, the life they lead, is one out of choice and not helplessness.