Harago

It was evident from a young age that Harsh was creatively inclined with a keen eye for aesthetics – citing an incident of disposing cushion covers that didn’t please his exacting eye during his childhood – yet his foray into the world of fashion kick-started much later. A business and economics graduate, he embarked on a career in solar energy and waste management before following his heart and making his childhood passion reality. During extensive travels across India, often with his grandmother who is also an avid collector of textiles, Harsh sourced fabrics from craftspeople directly to make his own wardrobe. It was during a stint at UNHCR in New York that he became familiar with the term ‘sustainable’ fashion, which sparked an idea. Upon returning to India, he dedicated time to visit rural parts of the country, frequently staying with artisans and weavers’ communities to learn more about their craft. Inspired by the beauty he saw being woven on handlooms and recognising a gap in the market for beautiful menswear he decided to take the plunge and launched HARAGO in January 2019. Intended as a ‘responsible’ menswear brand, today HARAGO’s clientele consists of both sexes, perhaps owed to its timeless, casual-chic appeal coupled with exquisite handloom and vintage textiles. Although aesthetic is pivotal to Harsh, it is his respect and appreciation for artisans and their skills that really drive him. Style needs to merge with substance and he zealously supports ‘cultural preservation’, not only by enabling family-run businesses but also training the next generation of artisans to keep these intricate crafts alive. His ethos of ‘buy less, buy better’ ties in with his background in waste management, another aspect of the industry he would like to address. Fabrics are only commissioned following client orders, therefore, by default reducing waste. HARAGO does not follow fashion trends, garments are not defined by seasons and select pieces can be re-ordered.