WESTxEAST | A Virtual Bespoke Clothing Service
An innovative South Asian brand preserving Indian craftsmanship.
Project Description
WHO WE ARE:
WESTxEAST is a women-owned fashion brand that specializes in creating custom South Asian garments. We provide clients with a virtual design service, allowing them to have sensibly priced, perfectly tailored, and consciously produced outfits delivered straight to their door.
We commit ourselves to using environmentally sustainable clothing-production practices, and we prioritize & support the livelihoods of skilled dyers, tailors, pattern-makers, weavers, and embroiderers in India.
WHY WE'RE RAISING MONEY:
As an exclusively digital design service, we want to keep providing our growing clientele with a safe and reliable way to shop amid the ongoing COVID pandemic. In light of India's worsening economic & public health crises, we want to strengthen our support for our team of Indian artisans and tailors.
If we can reach our goal of $15,000, our small business will have the resources to:
-
Expand our production workspace in India by hiring a full-time staff of local artisans, craftspeople, and textile weavers.
-
Further improve our existing digital design process by incorporating cutting-edge virtual technology.
MEET OUR CO-FOUNDERS:
Tania and Liya are veterans of the luxury fashion industry, bringing a combined 20 years of experience to their growing brand. The duo co-founded WESTxEAST in 2015, to solve a problem they personally experienced as Indian-American women. When sourcing traditional clothing to wear for cultural events, they felt disappointed by the services and products they received from existing vendors.
Taking matters into their own hands, Tania and Liya created their own virtual design service. Not only did WESTxEAST help their Indian-American community maintain their ties to their heritage, it also served to reinvigorate traditional artisanship in South Asian garment-production by providing new opportunities for local craftspeople.
THE PROBLEM:
Before WESTxEAST, South Asian-Americans were faced with three unsatisfactory options when shopping for traditional garments to wear at their cultural events:
-
Exhausting trip to South Asia – Spend time and money flying across the globe, only to find that local vendors don't have the styles they're looking for.
-
Local Boutiques with outdated stock – While these businesses are more accessible, they often provide out-of-fashion stocks at high markups.
-
Untrustworthy fast-fashion websites – Though they offer a wide selection and convenience, customers have no guarantee they will receive the same outfits they saw on screen.
OUR SOLUTION:
WESTxEAST offers a smarter solution for modern South Asian-Americans:
With our virtual design service, clients can have traditional outfits created according to their exact specifications, and delivered straight to their door–all while comfortably lounging on their couch.
HOW OUR PROCESS WORKS:
OUR PAST CLIENTS:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
As first-generation Indian-Americans, WESTxEAST has allowed us to take pride in our dual identity, and we are excited to share our vision with you. Thank you so much for supporting us in our mission to provide a better, virtual way to shop for South Asian apparel!
If you choose to take part in our fundraising campaign, we'll show our appreciation by sending you some of our handcrafted limited edition products in return. We can't wait to share this journey with you!
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
1.) I have donated to your campaign–when can I expect to receive my rewards?
All gift bundles will be shipped out by end of September 2021. We will contact you after the end of our campaign with updates on your shipment.
2.) When will you announce the winner of the Hand-Painted Saree raffle?
We will announce the winner on September 15th, 2021. Check your email for updates!
3.) How and when can I schedule the Wardrobe/Wedding Styling Consultation I received in return for my $150 contribution?
Wardrobe or Wedding Styling Consultations can be booked starting September 1st, 2021. Check your email for a link to book your free Consult call that time. After completing your booking, we will send you additional information about your upcoming Consultation.
4.) I have donated $350, $550, $650, or $1,500 to receive a custom wardrobe package. How do I choose my designs, and when can I expect to receive these?
First, we will email you a questionnaire (when our campaign ends), so you can send us your measurements and select the silhouettes & color palettes for each outfit.
Then, we will have our production team in India create your garments! We will send you regular updates when your wardrobe is ready and being shipped to your address.
5.) Can I get more details about the gift and accessory bundles I can receive in return for my contribution?
Absolutely! The descriptions of these items are detailed below:
Plantable Thank You Cards:
Eco-friendly cards with a message expressing our gratitude for your contribution to our campaign. When planted in the earth, they grow Indian saffron marigolds. The paper is hand-made using recycled newsprint sheets and sprinkled with dry flower seeds.
Munnar Masks:
Available in 6 colors, these masks are exclusively made for our campaign. They're hand-woven using 100% organic, naturally dyed, and locally grown cotton. Each mask is made by women weavers in the Chendamangalam district of Kerala, through WESTxEAST's collaboration with the Save The Loom Project. Save The Loom provides sustained work for local women artisans who make custom textile products, thus preserving craft clusters native to India.
Thenmala Tote Bag:
Made from 100% unbleached and chemical-free cotton that is biodegradable. The bag has a firm grip, sturdy stitching, and long straps for durability and strength for everyday use.
Wayanad Wallet:
100% cotton upcycled fabrics, hand-blocked dabu prints from Rajasthan, and cruelty-free vegan leather are sewn by local artisans into this unisex wallet/card holder.
Nila silk scarf:
Soft mulberry silk fabric hand block-printed using natural charcoal and khadi chalk pigments in traditional Jaipur motifs and techniques. These unisex scarves are named after one of the most beautiful rivers in Kerala, as the feather-light fabric drapes like flowing water.
Prem Cufflinks:
These cufflinks are crafted using real swarovski crystals, which are carefully adorned by hand into precisely carved silver metal.
Sundari Banarasi Shawl:
These beautiful shawls come in 2 dual-toned colors: purple-pink or orange-pink. A colorful play of contrasting colors in the warp and the weft of these handwoven silk shawls brings surprising tones and shades at every stroke of light.
Shobana Potli Bag:
Made in pure eri silk (black), raw tussar silk (white), or zari (gold) fabrics, these potli bags can be worn traditionally on the wrists or on the waist or as side bags using the trendy gold chains. The fabrics & colors can be customized as per your request!
Contribute any amount of your choosing to show your support for our small business, and our efforts to provide sustainable income for Indian textile artisans.
To show our appreciation for your support,
- You will be entered into a raffle to win:
- A one-of-a-kind hand-painted saree OR a handcrafted kurta & pant set.
- AND a matching hand-painted face mask.
- You will also get a shout-out on WESTxEAST's official Instagram page.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support, we will:
- Send you a Plantable Thank You Card, which grows into saffron marigolds when planted in your garden.
- Give you a shout-out on the official WESTxEAST Instagram page.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support, we will send you:
- A Plantable Thank You Card that grows into saffron marigolds.
- A signature Thenmala Tote Bag.
- A cotton Munnar Mask (in 1 of 6 colors), hand-weaved by local craftswomen in Kerala, India.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support, we will send you:
- A hand-woven Nila Silk Scarf.
- Prem Swarovski Crystal Cufflinks.
- A Shobana Silk Potli Bag (in 1 of 3 colors).
- A signature Thenmala Tote Bag.
- A hand-weaved Munnar Mask (in 1 of 6 colors).
- A Plantable Thank You card.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support, we will send you:
- A Sundari Banarasi Silk Shawl (in 1 of 2 dual-toned shades).
- A unisex Wayanad Wallet.
- A hand-woven Nila Silk Scarf.
- Prem Swarovski Cufflinks.
- A Shobana Silk Potli Bag (in 1 of 3 colors).
- A Thenmala Cotton Tote Bag.
- A hand-weaved Munnar Mask (in 1 of 6 colors).
- A Plantable Thank You card.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support:
We will provide you with a 1 hour virtual consultation* of your choosing:
Option A) Wardrobe Styling Consultation
- Learn how to perfect your personal wardrobe from a luxury fashion industry expert.
Option B) Wedding Styling Consultation
- Learn how to design a beautiful wedding ceremony or reception from an award-winning wedding stylist.
*Valued at $350
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation:
We will create 6 pieces of traditional Indian clothing* for your little one. These pieces can mixed-&-matched to create a total of 8 unique outfits!
- You will get to select the color & silhouette for each piece.
- Each garment will be tailored to your child or toddler's exact measurements.
*Retail value: $850
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation:
We will create 5 pieces of traditional Indian menswear* for you, which you can mix-&-match to create a total of 6 unique outfits!
- You will get to select the color & silhouette of each piece.
- Each garment will be specially tailored to your exact measurements.
*Retail value: $1750
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation:
We will create 6 pieces of traditional Indian womenswear* for you, which you can mix-&-match to create a total of 8 unique outfits!
- You will get to select the silhouette & color of each piece.
- Each garment will be specially tailored to fit your exact measurements.
*Retail value: $2000
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation:
We will create five 3-piece outfits* for you and your loved ones.
- You will get to select the color & silhouette of each piece.
- Each garment will be specially tailored to the wearer's exact measurements.
*Retail value: $3500
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
Rewards
Contribute any amount of your choosing to show your support for our small business, and our efforts to provide sustainable income for Indian textile artisans.
To show our appreciation for your support,
- You will be entered into a raffle to win:
- A one-of-a-kind hand-painted saree OR a handcrafted kurta & pant set.
- AND a matching hand-painted face mask.
- You will also get a shout-out on WESTxEAST's official Instagram page.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support, we will:
- Send you a Plantable Thank You Card, which grows into saffron marigolds when planted in your garden.
- Give you a shout-out on the official WESTxEAST Instagram page.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support, we will send you:
- A Plantable Thank You Card that grows into saffron marigolds.
- A signature Thenmala Tote Bag.
- A cotton Munnar Mask (in 1 of 6 colors), hand-weaved by local craftswomen in Kerala, India.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support, we will send you:
- A hand-woven Nila Silk Scarf.
- Prem Swarovski Crystal Cufflinks.
- A Shobana Silk Potli Bag (in 1 of 3 colors).
- A signature Thenmala Tote Bag.
- A hand-weaved Munnar Mask (in 1 of 6 colors).
- A Plantable Thank You card.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support, we will send you:
- A Sundari Banarasi Silk Shawl (in 1 of 2 dual-toned shades).
- A unisex Wayanad Wallet.
- A hand-woven Nila Silk Scarf.
- Prem Swarovski Cufflinks.
- A Shobana Silk Potli Bag (in 1 of 3 colors).
- A Thenmala Cotton Tote Bag.
- A hand-weaved Munnar Mask (in 1 of 6 colors).
- A Plantable Thank You card.
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation for your support:
We will provide you with a 1 hour virtual consultation* of your choosing:
Option A) Wardrobe Styling Consultation
- Learn how to perfect your personal wardrobe from a luxury fashion industry expert.
Option B) Wedding Styling Consultation
- Learn how to design a beautiful wedding ceremony or reception from an award-winning wedding stylist.
*Valued at $350
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation:
We will create 6 pieces of traditional Indian clothing* for your little one. These pieces can mixed-&-matched to create a total of 8 unique outfits!
- You will get to select the color & silhouette for each piece.
- Each garment will be tailored to your child or toddler's exact measurements.
*Retail value: $850
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation:
We will create 5 pieces of traditional Indian menswear* for you, which you can mix-&-match to create a total of 6 unique outfits!
- You will get to select the color & silhouette of each piece.
- Each garment will be specially tailored to your exact measurements.
*Retail value: $1750
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation:
We will create 6 pieces of traditional Indian womenswear* for you, which you can mix-&-match to create a total of 8 unique outfits!
- You will get to select the silhouette & color of each piece.
- Each garment will be specially tailored to fit your exact measurements.
*Retail value: $2000
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)
To show our appreciation:
We will create five 3-piece outfits* for you and your loved ones.
- You will get to select the color & silhouette of each piece.
- Each garment will be specially tailored to the wearer's exact measurements.
*Retail value: $3500
(See FAQ tab for more details on this reward)