Why I Started Arras

5 years ago I was working a demanding corporate job, juggling irregular hours and trying to squeeze my life into the company’s schedule. Even my holidays weren’t mine to plan—every year I would get home for Christmas for just a day and a half, flying out after work on the 24th and heading straight back to the office on the afternoon of the 26th. It was exhausting, restrictive, and, draining my joy.

What bothered me even more was the control employers seemed to have over basic aspects of my life. Needing approval for something as simple as a doctor’s appointment felt so unnecessary. 

One rainy day, as I stepped outside during a break at work, it hit me—I hadn’t seen the rains in years. I am an aquarian, I love water. But here I was, always indoors, too busy to enjoy the simplest things that once brought me happiness. It was a moment of quiet clarity, and I realised how much of myself I had lost in the daily grind.

The Turning Point

Around this time, I was also at the peak of my consumerism. I wouldn’t call myself a shopaholic, but I loved shopping and didn’t think much about what I was buying. I never looked at clothing labels, questioned what fabrics were made of or who made them, let alone their impact on my skin or the environment.

That changed one day when I was washing a sweater I’d bought from a major brand. I happened to glance at the label, which claimed it was a “wool blend.” Curious, I checked the fabric composition—95% nylon, 5% wool. That revelation opened my eyes to how misleading fashion marketing could be. I started scrutinising every label, and the more I learned, the more exasperated I became. Why couldn’t brands just tell us the truth? Why was greenwashing so rampant?

The more I researched, the guiltier I felt about my choices. I realised I’d been buying clothes made mostly from polyester—terrible for the environment—and contributing to a wasteful, exploitative system.

A Return to My Roots

By 2018, I had reached a breaking point. I left my job abruptly and returned to my hometown, Guwahati, unsure of my next steps. My brother’s wedding was coming up, so I decided to take a two-month break to help my family and figure things out.

During this time, I visited countless shops searching for wedding outfits for the family, and something shifted. I started thinking about Assamese textiles—the handmade mekhela sadors my mom and grandmother always wore. For my brother’s wedding, I chose a beautiful handmade mekhela sador for myself, and it reignited my love for these traditional, natural fabrics.

My research revealed fascinating facts: Assam is home to all four types of natural silk—eri, muga, mulberry, and tussar. Its humid weather is perfect for cotton weaving, and the state has the highest number of weavers in India, 90% of whom are women. It was like all the puzzle pieces were falling into place.

Taking the Leap

Even then, I hesitated. Starting a business felt risky. But it was my elder brother who finally nudged me. “Start now,” he said. “Once you’re back in a job, you’ll never come back to all this research you’ve done.” He was right—I love making plans but often struggle to execute them. So, I took the leap.

I wanted to build a platform that celebrated northeastern fabrics like ahimsa silk, supported generational weavers, and promoted handmade craftsmanship—all while being my own boss. It felt right, even if it was scary.

Five Years On

Now, five years later, starting Arras is the best decision I’ve ever made. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve focused on building a strong foundation. We could sell more if we simply traded fabrics or cut corners, but that’s not who we are. We manufacture our own silk fabrics, design our own block prints, and only use materials we’d proudly wear ourselves.

At Arras, we’re not just selling clothes. We’re building a community—one that values transparency, cares about its impact, and believes in a better future for fashion. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, let’s keep weaving stories of sustainability, dignity, and creativity—one thread at a time.

- Unmana