Megan, what inspired you to create Daughters of India?
I have always had a love of vintage gauze dresses. During a trip to India, I witnessed the magic of block printing and its history. It was then that the idea of Daughters of India was sparked. I really wanted to create something unique that no one was offering — garments where women could feel beautiful and comfortable no matter what size and age. I wanted to support the artisans in India and bring their talents to the forefront and shine the light on their craft.
You don’t create in collections or ranges. Can you tell us why?
Our dresses are constructed by hand by artisans in India and we adore everything they create. These artisans are at the forefront of everything we do. We don’t do ranges or collections because we do not want unreasonable deadlines forced on our makers. We have always believed in producing one dress at a time and in smaller quantities to honour these beliefs. This also means that our artisans have a constant stream of work to support their families.
I never wanted to feel the pressure of doing what other brands are doing. I just followed my heart with what I felt needed to be offered in the industry — to celebrate each dress and the craftsmanship that has gone into each piece.
How do you practise slow fashion and what does it mean to you?
We practise slow fashion by controlling our quantities as well as releasing one dress at a time. This way we are never over-producing and this minimises landfill.
We also believe in creating garments that are timeless and not a “trend”. Our pieces can be passed down and worn for generations to come. We do not design pieces that will go out of fashion — the opposite in fact. Each piece is constructed by hand and is designed with versatility and longevity in mind.
Our signature Kyra dress is the perfect dress for home, growing a baby bump, a summertime picnic or for a beautiful evening under the stars. The versatility is endless. As a mother of four, this means a huge deal to me as I want to make responsible decisions for my children’s future on this planet. It’s so important to lead by example.
How has the industry changed since you started out five years ago?
Oh gosh, the industry is forever evolving! We launched DOI in 2017 and we have seen so much change in that time. For one, the pandemic saw a rise in comfortable clothing. We were all at home for such a long time, so we reconsidered what we are purchasing and looked to comfort as a priority.
Our dresses are so comfortable as most of them are constructed out of 100 per cent cotton, so our designs were certainly embraced more during this period.
I am also seeing more and more conscious fashion labels being produced. I am proud to be a contributor in this part of the industry and happy that people are starting to educate themselves, whether you are a designer or a consumer.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about the fashion industry?
I wish consumers would be more conscious of what they are supporting when making their purchases, and educate themselves on the label they are purchasing from, rather than just buying the least-expensive option. There is normally a cost associated with supporting ethical, fair trade and slow fashion, but what you are supporting in that cost is so incredibly valuable.
Educate yourselves, look at the brand’s website and make conscious choices about what you are investing in. Find out who made your clothing. If the price tag is very inexpensive, it was likely made in a fast-fashion environment or created in very poor conditions. The factories we support are Sedex-certified and our pricing reflects that.
How do you ensure Daughters of India produces as little waste as possible across the supply chain?
We manage our waste by producing one dress at a time. This enables us to best manage the demand for our garments and align our production. We never produce mass quantities that contribute to landfill.
How would you style your dresses during the winter months?
We love women who embrace their individual style and express themselves in their own way. We have seen our dresses styled with sneakers and vintage jackets or tall suede boots and trench coats for a more sophisticated look. We are loving clogs with
a little sock for this winter, and a cropped knit jumper or knitted vest layered over the top.
What makes you feel wild and alive?
Travel, workshops and dancing … connecting with myself through yoga, fitness and retreats are key to me.
What’s next for Daughters of India?
We would love to extend our charity work in India. We have always supported empowering women and gender equality, but I would love to expand that as DOI grows. We have some very exciting initiatives we are working on in the background that we hope we can share in the very near future!
For more, visit daughtersofindia.net and @daughtersofindia on Instagram.
