Stitching Heritage into Every Thread with Kauseyah

My name is Shweta Rao, and before I introduce my conscious clothing label Kauseyah, I’d love to take you back to where it all began—my childhood in the quiet villages of Chhattisgarh. Though I’m South Indian by origin, I was raised amidst the rustic charm and rich traditions of this heartland state. That unique blend of cultures shaped my worldview and ignited a lifelong passion for craft.

I grew up surrounded by the rhythmic hum of handlooms and the earthy scent of natural dyes. Some of my most vivid memories are of walking through serene villages and watching tribal weavers at work—barefoot, grounded, and completely immersed in their art. There was something sacred in the way they wove—not just fabric, but legacy, memory, and meaning. Over time, however, I watched those looms fall silent, as the quiet beauty of handloom was replaced by the noise of fast fashion.

That silence never left me.

Determined to give voice to those forgotten weavers, I pursued Fashion & Apparel at the Vogue Institute of Art & Design and later specialized at NIFT, Mumbai. It was clear to me, even as a child, that fashion was my calling—but not the kind that faded with seasons. I wanted to design for stories.

After years in the mainstream industry, I felt a void. So in 2019, I took a leap of faith and returned to my roots. That leap became Kauseyah—a conscious label born from emotion, purpose, and a desire to revive the textile traditions and artistic brilliance of my homeland.

The journey has been anything but easy. I began with long, uncomfortable travels into the tribal belts of Chhattisgarh—often alone—staying in unfamiliar homes, learning local dialects, and slowly earning the trust of artisans. I faced skepticism, cultural gaps, financial struggles, and countless rejections from buyers who didn’t yet see the value in “slow fashion.”

I wore every hat—designer, field researcher, packaging team, delivery person, storyteller. From manually taking orders to wrapping parcels on my floor late into the night, I’ve shipped packages across India and even to countries like the USA, UK, and Singapore. Every international order felt like a small miracle—a thread from a tribal loom finding its way into a global home.

And through it all, one constant was my family—especially my parents—who stood by me, even when they didn’t fully understand my path. My mother, who now helps with packaging and even contributes handmade crochet elements, and my father, who patiently supported every decision, have both been my quiet strength. Without them, Kauseyah wouldn’t have its heartbeat.

What is Kauseyah?

Kauseyah is my love letter to Chhattisgarh’s unseen heritage. I work closely with tribal artisans—especially women—to preserve and promote Kosa silk and indigenous handloom techniques. Each piece is handmade, rooted in sustainability, and created through zero-waste practices. Our designs carry not just beauty, but the spirit and stories of the hands that made them.

A few milestones along the way:

• Revived forgotten motifs and weaves through ongoing on-ground research and storytelling
• Built a trusted network of tribal women artisans who now earn dignified livelihoods
• Shipped handcrafted textiles to conscious buyers across the globe
• Recognized by Hon. Smriti Irani Ji (Union Minister for Minority Affairs) for our contribution to artisan upliftment
• Supported by the Chhattisgarh State Government for our grassroots impact

Kauseyah has slowly grown from a one-woman dream into a small but committed community of makers, storytellers, and change-makers. We may be tiny compared to big fashion houses, but every thread we weave is filled with purpose.

Here are our online touchpoints:
Instagram: @kauseyah_com
LinkedIn: Shweta Rao 
Website: www.kauseyah.com (currently under maintenance)