THE BRAND
Sonam Khetan, based in Paris and New Delhi, is a contemporary, elegant and edgy ready-to-wear womenswear brand made by hand. It is inspired by ancient cultures and craftsmanship, as well as contemporary art. A great amount of time is dedicated in researching each collection, studying scientific findings and reading specialized publications, this research guides the collection. Social and environmental issues are a very important part of each collection.
SK is not just about design and fashion, it’s about understanding and appreciating the great body of work that people across the world have produced over time. It’s about being mindful of the beauty of the natural world and manifesting it through fashion, reminding us about the deep inter- connectedness of humans and nature.
In 2023, Sonam Khetan was chosen as the GenNext designer of 2023 by Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI and received Elle India’s Designer of the Year award.
OUR VALUES
Committed
Sonam Khetan was founded on the idea that fashion was a way to inform our customers to inspire them to act for the Planet. Each of our collections is based on deep research on a subject connected to ecology. All the research is shared on our website and available to everyone.
We are using no animal products, no fur or leather.
Timeless
In starting Sonam Khetan, our goal was to create timeless pieces transcending the seasonal wearability of garments. We believe in style more than in fashion cycles, we believe a beautiful, well made garment is a timeless piece which can be worn season after season with the same pleasure. Craft means clothes are made with skill and care and built to last.
Supportive
We source our fabrics locally from NGOs that employ local people, from local fabric stores, textile mills and indigenous craft clusters who develop special fabrics for us. We also work with women led collectives.
Healing
Sonam Khetan uses mostly natural dyes made from flowers collected in local temples or locally sourced. This eliminates water pollution and chemical hazards to the dyers.
We also follow the principles of Ayurveda on the benefits of the plants used in the natural dyes. The brand focuses not only on style, but also on the health of women wearing our garments.
Artistic
We believe artists contribute to improving everyone’s lives. They also help us understand the world we live in. At Sonam Khetan, we regularly work with some of the most inspiring contemporary artists. We want to bring art into the life of the women who wear our collections and pay tribute to the artists who inspire us.
Caring
Sonam Khetan was founded on the principle of caring: for the Earth, for the people, for natural life. To avoid overproduction and inventory excess, our garments are made to order. We work with khadi cotton and khadi silk which are spun and woven by hand therefore producing no electricity and zero CO2 emissions. We use fabrics that are natural and compostable. All our materials are locally sourced.
We recycle our studio scraps to create beautiful new fabrics. We use a technique called zero waste pattern to eliminate waste and we are committed to recycling garments at the end of their life.
Luxurious
All our garments are designed and hand tailored in our Delhi studio. Each piece is individually made.
Each garment is signed with the names of its makers. They are true artists and as such they sign their artwork. We believe a garment is the sum of the work of each individual. We also believe that craftsmanship is a person behind a garment who cares enough to gain mastery.
By creating beautiful garments we want to improve the life of women who wear them and bring some joy and optimism in their life. We know how a beautiful, well made garment can impact our life.
THE PEOPLE
SONAM KHETAN
Founder & Creative Director
Sonam Khetan was born in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and grew up in Bangalore, in the South of India. She started her life as a textile designer, working at Himatsingka Seide, working for American and European luxury home furnishing brands.
Her creativity was further nurtured by her experience of living in Paris for five years. She became acquainted with European art, lifestyle, and culture. While in Paris, Sonam worked in the print and embroidery department at Balmain’s. She also did stints at up and coming brands like Ludovic de Saint-Sernin and Coralie Marabelle.
JEAN-SÉBASTIEN STEHLI
Managing Director
After graduating from the Paris University Law School and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York, Jean-Sébastien worked as a reporter and an editor for French magazines. Until 2000, based in California, he was reporting on American culture and politics for European media. In 2007, he became managing director of Andrée Putman’s studio, one of the world’s most prestigious design and interior architecture firms. In 2009, he joined Madame Figaro, France’s largest women’s weekly magazine, as associate managing editor before joining Sonam Khetan in 2022.
