Upasana Design Studio is a conscious fashion and design studio based in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, founded by Uma Haimavati. Upasana was conceived in 1997 and grew from a small design studio into a practice centred on conscious living, sustainable fashion, craftsmanship, community and creative problem-solving.

Upasana creates consciously crafted clothing and lifestyle products, bringing together contemporary design with India’s rich textile heritage. Its collections include dresses, jackets, tops, sets, accessories, yoga wear, wellness-inspired clothing and conscious gifting. The studio works with materials and techniques including organic cotton, handloom textiles, natural dyes, hand-block printing, khadi and other traditional Indian textile practices.

Sustainability is an important part of Upasana’s design process. The studio works with handloom weaving clusters and artisans across India, supports traditional craftsmanship and explores materials and processes that reduce environmental impact. It has also worked with upcycled and discarded materials, treating fashion as a space for creative reuse and zero-waste thinking.

Beyond clothing, Upasana uses design as a tool for social and environmental change. Its projects have addressed issues including farmer livelihoods, plastic waste, the loss of traditional weaving skills and the economic impact of natural disasters. Notable initiatives include Tsunamika, a livelihood and community project supporting fisherwomen after the 2004 tsunami; SmallSteps, a reusable-bag initiative created as an alternative to plastic carry bags; Varanasi Weavers, supporting weaving communities and traditional skills; and Paruthi, an organic cotton clothing initiative supporting India’s organic farming community.

Through its work, Upasana brings together ethical practice, sustainable processes, handloom heritage, organic materials, community empowerment and conscious design, with the belief that fashion and business can contribute to positive social and environmental change.

Visit Upasana

📍 Auroville: Upasana Auroville, Auroshilpam, Auroville, Bommayapalayam, Tamil Nadu – 605101

📍 Puducherry: Upasana, House of Auroville, 16 Kosakadai, Ambalathadayar Street, Pondicherry – 605001

📱 WhatsApp: +91 94429 82957

📧 Email: marketing@upasana.in

🌐 Website: www.upasana.in

Upasana is a place for those interested in conscious fashion, sustainable textiles, Indian craftsmanship, ethical design, organic materials and community-centred initiatives.