Our Story
Pali used to be a language, a city, and more. Its origins in ancient India are linked to peace, joy, and a celebration of tradition. As a language, it was instrumental in the expression of an ancient culture’s feelings, thoughts, ideas and more. Today, as a fashion brand, Pali wants to help you express your individuality and life through our clothes.
Pali’s casual chic menswear marries Indian ethnic motifs and fabrics with contemporary styling. Our logo is the peepal leaf; evergreen, ever renewing and yet ever changing. And with every collection, we intend to celebrate expression through different South Asian craft traditions, offering you a constantly refreshed set of silhouettes to choose from.
Gul Mahal - Our First Collection
Inspired by the timeless charm of Mughal Gardens, our first collection, Gul Mahal, is an exploration of the resist-dyeing craft known as Ajrakh. Soft fabric made of natural cotton is block printed and saturated with natural dyes to create unique, fluid pieces.
Over thousands of years, Ajrakh has survived, evolved, and thrived as a handcrafted art form. It involves 16 stages of dyeing and processing, carried out over 16-21 days. All the dyes used are natural, lending vibrant, jewel-like tones to the fabric. The secrets of the craft are handed down through families, leading to skilled artisans with the benefit of many generations of experience.
Making Expression Sustainable and Ethical
Pali actively supports the preservation of ancient cultural traditions, communities, and livelihoods through sustainable, ecological practices. We are particular about:
Ethical sourcing | Directly from artisans | Ethical labor practices
From fabrics to threads, all our raw materials are sourced or created responsibly and sustainably. We work with artisans directly to ensure fair pricing and treatment for the workers. With the emphasis on ancient sustainable arts, we also ensure that any ecological and social impacts are taken into consideration during sourcing as well as for workers’ safety.
A small portion of the profits from Pali will go directly to craft collectives to help keep these crafts alive for the next generation of craftsmen and consumers.