ABOUT US
The Thar
The desert, elemental, offers no distractions to hide behind, only the vast sky and the unchanging dunes. In isolation, the external noise fades, and it becomes the ideal place for a journey inward, a path of hermits, mystics, and prophets.
Inspired by Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, dress reflects a social order, with silhouettes shaped by practicality, adapting to changing bodies and seasons. Embellishment draws on locally available resources, often sparingly, in a landscape where water is precious.
Each detail in one’s dress signifies something — the width of a hem signifies whether she’s married, the block print motif what her family does, such as iron-smithing. The way a man’s turban is tied indicates his community, while its colour - the occasion.
Brand Name
The name Moonj is inspired by a local grass, commonly used to demarcate land. The melancholic, beautiful desert with spurts of moonj grass and khejri trees dotting the infinite landscape remains a memory of a Rajasthan fast disappearing amid the gentrification of modern life.
Moonj’s insistence on simplicity is an ode to this desert way of life, where the moonj serves multiple purposes — much like our products. It stands as a reminder to embrace irregularities, simplicity, and remain mindful of perishability.
Product
Our approach to impeccable tailoring celebrates the precision and kala of the human hand—techniques passed down through generations. Each garment is individually cut and sewn in our own atelier in Jaipur, made in small batches on old school sewing machines and finished by hand, allowing us to maintain meticulous attention to detail.
Biodegradable Materials: Using biodegradable fabrics ensures that clothing naturally breaks down at the conclusion of its life cycle, directly reducing landfill waste and pollution. These materials return to the earth without harmful residues, supporting a genuinely circular and responsible fashion ecosystem.
Minimal Waste Patterns: Pattern systems are engineered for maximum fabric efficiency, ensuring minimal material is discarded during the cutting process. This methodology promotes deliberate design and significantly reduces the ecological impact of garment production.
Azo-Free Dyes: These dyes are chemically formulated without the compounds that release carcinogenic amines, making them safer for both the wearer and the environment. They guarantee vibrant, long-lasting colours while keeping dyeing processes non-toxic and ecologically compliant.
The Art of Tailoring: We uphold the inherited techniques of pattern passed down through generations of artisans. Each garment is individually cut and sewn within our own karkhana, with meticulous attention to quality.
Hand Worked Fabrics: Complex procedures of handwork: embroidery, weaving & printing; the inherrent errors of human hand offer a unique advantage of irregularities and add to the uniqueness to the garment.
Endurance: Longevity is a choice mandated at every stage of production. By prioritising high stitch density and the physical tenacity of our fabrics, we produce garments built for a lifetime of use. From the initial cut to the care guidance offered after purchase, our process defines a commitment to the sustained life of the garment.
Crafts
Once integral to rural economies, many crafts in India are now under threat — compromised by mass production, price wars, and the growing unfeasibility of traditional practices in the face of climate change.
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M. Léger, dess. ; Jean Amable Pannelier,
aut. du texte -- 1816 -- images
Our focus on ensuring the economic viability of craft practices guarantees that artisans can sustain their livelihoods with dignity and pride. By cultivating conditions supportive of these communities, the traditions themselves are upheld, thereby promoting social and cultural well-being.
We explore each craft’s cultural relevance and social impact, innovating to revive, restore, and preserve—safeguarding traditional styles while reimagining them for contemporary use. Our aim is to build models of craft-based products that are both enduring and relevant today.
Karkhana
The Moonj Karkhana is a working space where artisans and designers come together to share skills and make things by hand. It encourages mutual learning and finding practical ways to ensure that traditional crafts remain relevant and supportive of the people who practice them.
The facility is mandated to provide respectful working conditions, fair remuneration, and stable employment, enabling craftspeople to work with professional dignity and continuity.
We undertake selective orders for international clients who seek to produce museum-quality separates using our production methods.
Circular by design
Moonj operates with a holistic view of the product life cycle. This means our responsibility extends from the ethical "beginnings"—how our materials are sourced, and our craftspeople are supported—right through to the environmental "ends," ensuring our garments are biodegradable and minimise waste.
The traditional angrakha was inherently minimum waste in its design. Rather than relying on curved or irregular pattern pieces, the garment was largely constructed from rectangular panels of fabric, allowing for the full utilisation of the loom width. Given that textiles were precious and often handwoven, tailors executed their work with great efficiency, ensuring that every fraction of the fabric—especially fine cotton or silk—was repurposed, either within the garment structure or as trims, borders, or ties. In this regard, the angrakha exemplifies a zero- or low-waste cutting tradition, masterfully balancing elegance with frugality and respect for material.
Biodegradable Materials: Using biodegradable fabrics ensures that clothing naturally breaks down at the conclusion of its life cycle, directly reducing landfill waste and pollution. These materials return to the earth without harmful residues, supporting a genuinely circular and responsible fashion ecosystem.
Azo-Free Dyes: These dyes are chemically formulated without the compounds that release carcinogenic amines, making them safer for both the wearer and the environment. They guarantee vibrant, long-lasting colours while keeping dyeing processes non-toxic and ecologically compliant.
Minimal Waste Patterns: Pattern systems are engineered for maximum fabric efficiency, ensuring minimal material is discarded during the cutting process. This methodology promotes deliberate design and significantly reduces the ecological impact of garment production.
The Katran Collection: (Scrap Repurposing) The repurposing of fabric offcuts into the Katran collection directly transforms surplus materials into unique, finite pieces. This process gives commercial waste a functional second life by converting discarded material into wearable designs.
The Founder
Sanyukta Singh's journey began with a simple, heartfelt desire: to create classic, exquisite Indian wear defined by its quality and enduring charm. This individual passion quickly blossomed into a mission—to build a truly ethical enterprise dedicated to cultural stewardship and craft. At the core of her work is a gentle focus on translating her own refined sensibility into garments that quietly inspire a more intentional and beautiful way of living.
Formerly Tokree
Moonj was formerly Tokree, which was established in 2015 with its flagship store located within the Kanota Courtyard at Narain Niwas Palace, Jaipur. While the brand name has been updated, our core values and commercial offering remain the same. Moonj has now transitioned from a clothing label into a textile-centric apparel brand, drawing inspiration from the region of Rajasthan.