This September at London Fashion Week 2025, we were proud to share a story that is deeply personal to us as a brand. A story about heritage, craft, and most importantly, the people whose artistry breathes life into fashion.

WEAVE: A Bhavani Tribute Brings Ethical & Sustainable Fashion to London Fashion Week 2025

On September 21 at Devonshire Square, we presented our latest sustainable collection, WEAVE: A Bhavani Tribute. This vibrant, sustainable collection celebrates the centuries-old handloom tradition of the Bhavani Jamakkalam from Tamil Nadu, India.

For us, our London Fashion Week showcase was not just about presenting the collection on the runway; it was about showcasing our brand's identity. It was about honouring the craft and upholding Vino’s commitment to placing artisans at the centre of fashion, giving them the recognition they deserve on the world stage. Central to our story this year was Mr Sakthivel Periyasamy, a master weaver hailing from Bhavani.

A Historic Runway Moment

In what we believe was a landmark occasion for London Fashion Week, Mr. Sakthivel Periyasamy, joined our founder and designer Vino Supraja for the final bow. For over five decades, Mr. Periyasamy has dedicated his life to weaving Jamakkalams, a tradition passed through his family and countless others in his community.

This moment of designer and maker jointly taking a bow was profoundly meaningful to us. Fashion often celebrates the finished product, but the hands that make it are rarely seen. By inviting Mr. Periyasamy to take the stage, we wanted to remind the world that behind every piece of clothing is a human story; one of skill, patience, and cultural pride.

Reimagining the Jamakkalam

The Bhavani Jamakkalam is known for its bold stripes, vibrant colours, and unique weaving technique. Once an everyday household essential, the craft has been slowly disappearing with changing lifestyles. With WEAVE: A Bhavani Tribute, our goal has been to bring this textile back into the global conversation by transforming it into something unexpected: contemporary silhouettes and premium handbags.

Each garment in the collection is pieced together like a tapestry, reflecting the act of weaving tradition into the modern world. Our finale dress, crafted from more than 400 individual fabric pieces, is a powerful symbol of heritage reconstructed into something bold, striking, and timeless.

A Performance Beyond Fashion

Fashion, to us, is an immersive experience, and this collection deserved a stage that could capture its soul. That’s why we brought together incredible voices from India’s art, music, and theatre community to enrich the runway.

The show opened with a theatrical performance led by Vaanmadhi Jagan and choreographed by Palani Murugan, blending folk dance traditions with drama. The runway soundtrack, composed by Paul Jacob, brought ancient Tamil instruments into conversation with contemporary sounds, including an English rap by BlaaZe inspired by the poet Subramania Bharathiyar, and vocals from celebrated folk artists Chinna Ponnu and Antony Dasan.

The result was a performance as layered and dynamic as the craft itself. By bringing the Jamakkalam to London, we hope to not only revive a tradition but also reimagine its place in the world of sustainable fashion.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Our founder, Vino Supraja, was deeply moved by the response to the show, and our thanks go out to all who support our brand and its cause for sustainable ethical fashion.

One particular comment we would love to share with you came from Lisa Honan CBE, Former Governor of St Helena and UK Ambassador to Nepal, who wrote:

"And what a poignant place in which to do this with Mr. Sakthivel Periyasamy. Devonshire Square is original 18th century East India Company warehouses, where previously the beautiful woven cloth from Bengal weavers would have been stored. Indeed, today the warehouse on your right is still called the ‘Bengal Store’. Goosebumps!"

Vino reflected, "Reading Lisa’s words made me realise even more how history, place, and people came together on that runway. What we thought was just a show became something much bigger- a tribute across time to every artisan who has carried the weight of heritage crafts in silence. This moment now feels even more meaningful- a fitting tribute to the weavers of Bhavani and beyond, in that very location."

Finally, a very special thank you goes to Mr. Sakthivel Periyasamy, whose presence and artistry gave this collection its soul. And to every single person who helped bring the show to life. From musicians and performers to choreographers, artisans, and our supporters around the world, we are endlessly grateful. Together we can make a change.

We’d love to know your thoughts on this collection and our London Fashion Week 2025 show. You can get in touch with us any time on social media or by email. 

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