Sundara: Sustainable, Block-Dyed Sleepwear with Purpose
By ESTELLE PULESTON
For Erika Tucker, pajamas are much more than just a garment. They have become a way for her to explore her love of traditional art and craft while also giving back to the community in various ways.
Earlier this year, she founded Sundara, an ethically-produced, made-in-India sleepwear brand that is the culmination of years spent studying textile design and immersing herself in the world of traditional block printing. After initially studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology, her path led her to India where she learned more about this time-honored, slow fashion printing technique and natural dyeing methods directly from the artisans still keeping these traditions alive.
All exclusive to the brand, Sundara’s prints are inspired by Tucker’s travels, often around India. Once she has developed a sketch, it’s handed over to women-owned workshops in Jaipur where artisans carefully hand-carve it onto the wooden blocks that will be used to print it – slowly, one press at a time – onto soft and breathable cotton fabrics.
The result is a ‘perfectly imperfect’ pattern where minor irregularities are valued, a reminder that real human hands spend time and effort creating it and that, by purchasing and wearing Sundara, you’re helping to preserve traditional skills. This is sleepwear with “a celebration of craftsmanship, tradition, and artistry woven into every piece”, says Tucker.
As for the dyes, they are all Ekko-certified and made using natural plant-based ingredients such as roots, bark, indigo, madder and pomegranate rind, leading to a lively debut collection color palette full of reds, blues and greens. The sleepwear itself is made in small batches, prioritizing quality and sustainability.
As well as supporting economic development, female empowerment, and cultural preservation in India, Sundara benefits communities closer to home too through Tucker’s non-profit Pajama Jams, with a “buy a pair, share a pair” initiative linked to selected Sundara garments. Founded 16 years ago, it has so far distributed over 30,000 brand new pajama sets to children in need such as those living in shelters and foster care.
Sundara’s sleepwear range includes short and long PJ sets, nightgowns, and a fabulous tie-front robe which combines multiple prints so that it coordinates beautifully with various looks from the rest of the collection. Contrast trims and fun pleat and ruffle details add further visual interest to the looks, and many of them could be just as easily styled as outerwear.
Sizes run from XS to XL, and prices from $118 to $228.
Contact information:
Website: https://sundaratextiles.com/
Instagram: @sundaratextiles
Email: erika@sundaratextiles.com
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