Buna embodies a slow way of life that is rooted in culture, craft and community. Buna stands at an interesting intersection of local and global, traditional and innovative, classic and contemporary.
OUR AESTHETIC
The name Buna means handwork in the literal sense, creating the backbone for a slow-paced, mindful and personalized aesthetic. Each Buna garment is a play of natural fabrics defining a life of breathability, light and airiness that it wants its wearers to be part of. With every product we create, we want you to savor each thread; each thought that goes into it. To be washed over by a feeling of familiarity and serenity like one feels with the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves gently caressing the shores. To feel as free as the summer breeze that blows through the cedars on a hilltop. To be overcome by a feeling of nostalgia, of home, as evoked by the crinkles of our grandmother’s warm smile. Every string, strung together creates the harmonious lull of the Buna aesthetic put together to wash you over with calmness and serenity.
Our Vision
Buna is about slow living with sustainability at its heart. For us, the process is as important as the product. Our story is a collective narrative of all the makers whose shared efforts culminate in a beautiful legacy. Our fabrics are custom-made in small batches by artisanal communities in West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, who weave the story of Buna. Each garment is carefully and slowly handcrafted in our studio in Delhi with thoughtful details before it completes its journey in your wardrobe, ready to be a part of your story.
Buna is the brainchild of Pallavi Shantam, a fashion graduate from NIFT. Her love for Indian crafts and textiles, slow fashion, and sustainable design found expression in Buna. She creates soulful narratives through her craft that evoke nostalgia and inspire thoughtfulness.
PROUDLY SUSTAINABLE
Buna grew as a response to an ever-changing world. It signals a shift from rapid consumption and disposal to ethical choices and mindful living. It recognizes that green fashion is no longer an alternative but a necessity. At Buna, we are mindful of our environmental impact and consciously strive to reduce waste and devise eco-friendly methods of crafting our garments. We use artisanal-led techniques of weaving and hand block printing to create our natural fabrics. Our packaging is 100% biodegradable, utilizing compostable plant-based polybags, seed tags made of post-consumer cotton waste, and reusable cloth bags. We also operate on a made-to-order model, eliminating typical inventory issues that lead to overproduction and wastage.
Process
Being from India, we stay true to our indigenous roots and take pride in our ethnicity while catering to a global audience. Our process is slow and deliberate. Each piece of our collection is meticulously designed and conceptualized with nature and its seasons in mind. Our designs are then transferred to the most natural forms of fabrics – we only work with mulmul, handwoven and handspun cotton, chanderi, and linen sourced from different regions in India. We refrain from using synthetics like rayon, polyester, nylon, acrylic, or spandex, which do not decompose and leave a permanent mark on the environment. These might mimic the qualities of natural fibers, but their plastic and other harmful derivatives are a slow poison to the earth. Unlike fast fashion, we believe in producing limited quantities and prefer to produce on order to avoid wastage and excess production.
While the material remains the essence of a dress, its color is its soul. A Buna dress often remains in its kora form, fresh out of the loom, which means an earthy, subtle, and raw-natural shade untouched by dyes but retaining its original form and color. Thus, most of our garments are in shades of white. At times, they dance in shades of pastels, like a summer dream or a winter’s night. It speaks of elegance and class. We dwell in our world of pastels, inspired by sunsets and the most beautiful colors that nature has presented.
"At Buna, we embrace the beauty of slow living and the rich heritage of Indian craftsmanship. Every piece we create tells a story of mindful design, meticulous handwork, and sustainable practices. Our garments are not just fashion; they are a celebration of nature, tradition, and the timeless art of creation."
Pallavi Shantam - Founder and Creative Director