Diti Mistry

DITI is the label of Diti Mistry, who makes handcrafted fashion and home accessories from discarded fabric, jute, wood and stone. She is a Fashion Communication graduate of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai.

Her creative life started as an illustrator, doodler and artist. The turn came during an internship at a fashion studio in Auroville, where finding discarded and leftover fabric opened up sustainable design as a direction. After graduating she worked as an illustrator in advertising across a range of design projects.

She started DITI in 2018. Since then she has shown at exhibitions across India and built a retail presence in Mumbai, Goa and Delhi. In 2023 she was part of Namaste India, showcased in Paris and organised by the Embassy of India, France.

Her collaborations include UNIQLO and The Bookstore, New Delhi. Her work has been recognised at 20 Under 35 DesignXDesign, People of India, and Bharat Tex 2023 Women Entrepreneur.

In the brand's own words: "Stories can be told without waste. Fashion and art can be made without haste." The stated focus is to reuse materials, "reduce pollution and protect the earth," by working slowly and deliberately.

Materials: pre- and post-consumer textile waste and handcrafted textiles, worked into wearable art alongside jute, wood and stone.

Packaging: textile bags made from waste fabric. The brand reports recyclable, biodegradable or compostable material across at least half of its packaging, and no single-use plastic.

People: the brand works with local women in Delhi, paid at least minimum wage and paid on time, working the hours that suit them. It reports no child or bonded labour, safe conditions, public holidays, non-discriminatory practice and freedom of association.