The Human Fabric of KARDO
In an industry often driven by speed and scale, KARDO offers something far more considered. Founded on the belief that clothing should carry the imprint of the people who make it, the New Delhi–based label has built a quiet but powerful reputation for its commitment to craftsmanship, transparency, and human connection. Each garment tells a story — not just of design, but of origin, process, and the many skilled hands behind it.
Rooted in India’s rich textile heritage, KARDO approaches menswear through a thoughtful balance of tradition and modernity. Handwoven fabrics, natural dyes, and time-honoured techniques are reinterpreted through contemporary silhouettes, creating pieces that feel both grounded and relevant. Rather than chasing trends, the brand focuses on integrity — allowing materials, makers, and methods to guide the outcome.
In this conversation, Rikki Kher, the founder of KARDO, reflects on the philosophy behind the label, the importance of recognising artisans, and why what some call “slow fashion” is, for them, simply a continuation of how things have always been made.
Foundations of KARDO
Maze: For those discovering KARDO for the first time, how would you describe the brand in three words?
Kardo: Unapologetic. Craft. Human.
Maze: KARDO is known for its commitment to craftsmanship and transparency — can you tell us a bit about the journey behind each garment?
Kardo: The journey of our garments begins with the textile and carries the imprint of many hands. We source fabrics from skilled artisans and weaving communities across India, allowing their knowledge and techniques to guide our design. Once the fabric is ready, each piece is cut and stitched in small batches at our atelier in New Delhi, preserving the integrity of the weave and minimising excess.
We like to share details of the material, its origin, and the processes behind it — so the wearer understands not just what they are wearing, but who made it and where it comes from. It is important to us that transparency is not a sentiment but a practice that gives credit where it is due and keeps the human story intact, from the loom to the finished garment.
Maze: There’s a real sense of individuality in your pieces. How do you balance traditional techniques with modern design?
Kardo: Our design philosophy begins with the textile. Traditional techniques offer depth and authenticity, while contemporary silhouettes make them versatile for today. We design menswear inspired by vintage functional clothing forms through an Indian lens, such that heritage crafts exist naturally within a modern wardrobe. It becomes a dialogue of sorts between past and present. The balance, for us, lies in restraint–letting tradition speak without overwhelming the design or making it archival.
Maze: Your collections often highlight the hands behind the work. Why is it important for you to spotlight the makers?
Kardo: It’s fundamental for us to highlight our makers because craftsmanship is not anonymous. Behind every garment is a person, a skill, and a lineage of knowledge. Craft traditions survive because of the people who sustain them, and acknowledging the makers restores visibility and authorship to their work. It also reminds us that clothing is a collective effort, shaped by human connection rather than mass production.
At the same time, it changes the internal culture. When you know your name will be on a piece, your relationship to the work is different. And as a brand, it reminds us that we are not “using” craft; we are in partnership with individuals whose livelihoods and dignity matter as much as the final image of the garment.
On Time, Craft & Philosophy
Maze: What does “slow fashion” mean to you in 2026 — and how does KARDO embody that philosophy?
Kardo: “Slow fashion” is a term we don’t use very often. To be honest, we don’t think of ourselves as a “slow fashion” brand. That term suggests we’re reacting to something. The way we work is simply how clothing has always been made in India — through time, skill, and human involvement. Nothing about it is rushed, because it can’t be. When you work with handwoven fabrics and traditional techniques, you realise very quickly that time isn’t something you can compress. A handmade fabric takes as long as it takes. A natural dye behaves in its own way. We don’t try to control that—we work with it.
If anything, what’s called “slow fashion” today is more of a return to what is normal for us. But, to address your question, in 2026, slow fashion isn’t about resisting speed, for me. It’s about restoring dignity, authorship, and longevity to what we wear.
Maze: If someone is buying their first KARDO piece, what would you recommend and why?
Kardo: The hand-embroidered khadi shirts are very close to my heart, so I’d recommend those. They carry this incredible labour — hours of handwork on a humble fabric — and yet they’re just shirts you can wear every day. And, people respond to them because you can feel the work in them without it being loud.
I’m also fond of our early khadi (hand-spun and hand-woven cotton) denim because it marks a time when very few people were putting those textiles into menswear in the way we did it. So, I always show them to customers when I’m at the shop. Our block-printed shirts took a traditional process, and I think we made them contemporary.
Maze: Fabrics are so central to your identity — do you remember the first textile that made you stop and think, “this is it”?
Kardo: Yes, encountering handwoven textiles early on was transformative. In 2013, I was in a khadi store in Jaipur, and that was my first eureka moment — a traditional fabric full of significance, yet rarely used in a truly modern way. I began to consider how we could make this fabric synonymous with bureaucrats and the past feel contemporary and culturally relevant. Khadi’s irregular beauty and tactile depth revealed the poetry of the human hand and a deep connection to India’s history and authenticity. That moment affirmed my belief that fabric would always be the starting point of KARDO.
Maze: How does your environment and culture influence each collection?
Kardo: India is not a reference point for us — it is our context. Its textiles, landscapes, and ways of making naturally inform our work. Rather than borrowing from culture, we respond to what surrounds us: the structure of workwear, the patina of time, and the knowledge embedded in craft traditions. Each collection becomes an exploration of India as it is lived and experienced, translated into garments with global resonance.
The Product & The Wearer
Maze: KARDO feels both timeless and contemporary — who is the “KARDO customer” in your mind?
Kardo: I don’t think of a strict demographic when I design. The KARDO customer or wearer is someone who cares about how things are made and how they feel, rather than only about logos or trends. They might be in creative fields – we’ve seen a lot of musicians and artists have love for our clothes – but they could just as easily be doctors, teachers, or engineers who want clothes that feel considered.
They usually like things that are subtly distinctive — a particular cut, a hand-done detail, a fabric that doesn’t look like everything else in the market. Most importantly though, they appreciate Indian textile heritage and they’re willing to build a wardrobe over time, not binge on disposable fashion.
Maze: What’s a small detail in your garments that most people might overlook, but you’re especially proud of?
Kardo: The name of the maker on our label is a detail I hold close. Each KARDO garment is crafted by a single tailor, instilling ownership and precision at every stage. It’s a small but meaningful act that honours the skill of the person who made it and the team that follows.
Voice, Culture & What's Next
Maze: If KARDO had a soundtrack, what would be playing in the background?
Kardo: Right now, it would be Bobbi Humphrey, Seu Jorge and Sarathy Korwar. But if I had to choose a single soundtrack it would be ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ by Stevie Wonder, a masterclass in range, beauty, values and pure groove.
Maze: What’s next for the brand—anything exciting you can share with us?
Kardo: We’re growing with intention. Our focus is on strengthening relationships with artisan communities, with our retail partners that value our provenance, and opening new retail spaces in India. At the same time, we’re exploring new ways to document and share the stories of our textiles, so that their origins remain central to everything we do.
Maze: Finally, what’s the best compliment someone can give a piece of KARDO clothing?
Kardo: Someone wearing one of our pieces is the single best compliment we can receive.
Speaking with KARDO was a genuine pleasure — thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly honest in its perspective on modern clothing. As the brand continues to evolve, its focus remains clear: to honour the hands behind the work and the stories woven into every fabric. In a landscape that often prioritises the new, KARDO stands as a reminder that meaning, longevity, and human connection never go out of style. It’s this clarity and integrity that makes us especially proud to represent KARDO at Maze, and to share its story with a community that values craftsmanship, authenticity, and the people behind the product.