The Fabric: Premium Cotton-Linen Chosen with Purpose
We work with breathable cotton-linen shirts for men and women, sourcing our blends directly from Indian textile regions with a long history of handloom production. The fabric is chosen specifically for how it feels across seasons, light enough to serve as premium cotton-linen resort wear, yet substantial enough to hold structure and take to intense hand-stitching without puckering.
Every bolt of fabric is inspected before it reaches our artisans. Because we are an indie designer clothing brand, we don't work at scale. That means we can afford to be incredibly particular.
The Kantha Stitch: A Traditional Indian Heritage Craft
Kantha is one of India's oldest embroidery traditions, originating in Bengal and practiced for centuries as a way of layering and reinforcing cloth. The stitch itself is deceptively simple, a running stitch, repeated in intricate geometric patterns but the true skill lies in the consistency, the perfect thread tension, and the design sense that guides each line.
Our artisans have trained in this traditional Kantha stitch menswear and womenswear culture for generations. Because the stitching on each Chaks shirt is done entirely by hand, no two pieces are identical. Small variations in the pattern are not flaws, they are the beautiful, unique signature of the person who made it.
Our Slow Fashion Making Process
To create a true sustainable luxury casual shirt, each piece must move slowly through several dedicated stages in our workshop:
-
Pattern Cutting: Done entirely by hand to minimize fabric waste and ensure our minimalist geometric embroidered shirt motifs align perfectly across the seams.
-
Hand-Stitching: The most time-intensive stage. A single shirt requires hours of continuous, focused embroidery work by a skilled artisan.
-
Assembly: Collars, plackets, and cuffs are constructed with careful attention to how the stitching interacts with the garment's overall structure.
-
Quality Check: Each individual piece is reviewed personally before it leaves our workshop.
Why We Design Limited-Edition Collections
We release our shirts in small quantities deliberately. It keeps our production honest, we only make what our artisans can execute beautifully and it means that when you invest in Chaks, you are purchasing eco-friendly handcrafted mens fashion that thousands of others won't own.
"Limited edition" is not a marketing phrase for us. It is the natural consequence of true artisan-made embroidered shirts.
The Result: Wearable Art
A Chaks shirt is not a fast-fashion impulse buy. It is an investment in luxury travel outfits and sustainable fashion made slowly, using heritage techniques that predate industrialization by centuries. We think that's worth knowing before you wear it.
Explore the Debut Collection: "Transit"
Discover how we have brought this heritage craft into modern, everyday silhouettes.
Our flagship piece, the Manchitra Black Kantha Shirt, is a stunning black designer shirt with white contrast stitching running across a rich cotton base. For a slightly more understated look, the Chhaya Black Kantha Shirt relies on minimalist, clean lines that offer incredible styling versatility.