About Us
Aikyam as it is:
Aikyam is a design studio that handcrafts new collections of fabric accessories from pre – consumer fabric waste also known as scrap fabrics. We are making an effort to reduce the amount of pre -consumer fabric waste/textile waste and up cycle the existing ones as efficiently as possible. Our motto is to turn what is perceived to be trash into a treasured product for further meaningful utilization. The fabrics that we use to handcraft our products are not from used goods but are excess from fashion companies and design studios. No two products have the same fabric which adds to the uniqueness of our products. All our products are short limited edition collections.
Sustainability and Eco-friendliness is the foundation of our studio.
In all sincerity we are hoping to show a different perspective on fashion. “What you see depends not only on what you look at but also where you look from.’’
-Niveditha
Our Philosophy
Aikyam simply translates to oneness. Oneness with everything that is in and around you – oneness with being. In a sincere effort to uplift our ability to be present at the moment and therefore be one with
being through our work we believe we could show you a different way of life.
All that is required to be present – is love. Love without judgment, fear or doubt. “In love for the sake of love is the key.”
Embroidery, crochet, tatting and other types of needle work are shown to keep our awareness heightened at the moment, invariably helping us be present in the now. The process of designing new
products enables us be more creative and the colors that we come across while sketching ,cutting or embellishing heals us. Making the “Read and Seed kit” help us show gratitude to the mother earth for all that she has bestowed upon us. In every step we remind ourselves to be in love with it just for the sake of love.
“Love unites; love transforms.”
In love and with love,
Niveditha
Niveditha D Ragulkanth
Hey there,
I am Niveditha , a student of life , a servant of the all knowing consciousness and a ardent being of love.
The idea of a studio struck me one day ,while I was sitting in my hallway and I started out by collecting a
few pieces of fabric from my cupboard and started dyeing them with turmeric, beetroot, and onions -cut
them to make a pocket warmer. As I made them using a single needle and thread, I realized that I loved the
process of sketching it and fabricating it. The idea of a studio kept brewing in my head as I visualized
every single step of making it happen during the night. As destiny has it, I stumbled upon an
embroidered piece of cloth in my cupboard and fell instantly in awe with the intricacy of that work, not
until that day had I really observed the beauty in it. In fact, I never really knew I owned such a piece.
From then on, I have wanted to learn embroidery, having had some introduction during my childhood
from my mom I was aware of the concentration and patience that was required to do it.
I was offered some lessons from a neighbor for 3 stitches and took the rest of my lessons from books
and YouTube. I was fascinated by the work I was able to do in a week’s time. My dad had an antique
sewing machine lying dormant with him and offered me chance to use it. Until that day I have never
used a sewing machine and with few trials and tribulations I got onto sewing my first head band in a two days’ time. In similar ways I learned tatting, dyeing, fashion illustration etc… and thus my journey began.I not only design but also write, paint, run business etc… all this was possible because of the time, exposure I had and my ability to read extensively. This company is up and running since 2021 and has its successful journey since.
I am a designer in making by experience and not degree.
I started off designing a logo in a notebook for the studio , sketching the products and designs ,
fabricating them , testing them ,packaging , making seed balls ,photography, designing the website ,
writing this article, the other content for the site so on and so forth all by myself. All the operations of
the studio are done by a single person which is a contributing factor to the limited edition collection
from Aikyam.
This studio is solely run by me from start to this day because I believe that a versatile experience teaches
good craft than monogamous roles that we take upon ourselves.
All the written content for the site except for this one will be written in plural personal pronouns such as
(we, us, our etc.…) that is because I believe that everything and everybody that I came across while
making this happen and until now has contributed their due bits by timely interventions in my life –in
turn inspiring me to do mine. This company has been up and running since 2021 and has had a successful journey since. Our studio has expanded enormously in size and its capabilities now.
Therefore, Aikyam is “us” and not “I”.
In infinite love and with infinite love,
Niveditha
Follow @Aikyamventures
SUSTAINABILITY
Return gift
As much as we deserve health and harmony so does the environment around us– so do the flora and
fauna which live far away from our line of sight and the 5 elements of nature –ether, air ,water, earth,
and fire some of which remain invisible . Our unconscious eco-inimical actions affect them with equal
magnitude as it affects us and our immediate environment. We owe them as much Love as we owe
you. Therefore, we decided to gift you a kit which we call the” Read & Seed kit” with every product you
buy from us. With this kit you can grow your own garden of love and wisdom both internally and
externally.
Personal scraps
As a zero waste design studio we repurpose our wastes into handmade paper, pin cushion stuffing ,
appliqué work bits and much more.
Shipping
We are conscious of the carbon emissions produced during the shipment process. In an attempt to
reduce our carbon footprints we offer carbon neutral shipping. Our shipments are packed in recycled
envelopes made out paper and our products are packed in 100% recycled cardboards. Some of our
product packaging is hand- made and hand written.
Work in progress
In all honesty we are always a work in progress- constantly evolving to learn more about life and
sustainable approach to living. If you feel any part of our process needs perspective, kindly DO NOT BE
HESITANT to reach out to us at aikyamstore27@gmail.com or leave us a message in contact us.
Niveditha
