Reversible Kantha Cotton Donza | ivory & black

An intentionally easy and relaxed jacket that balances effortless style with rustic charm. Its clean lines, neutral palette and impeccable craftsmanship give it an understated sophistication, while its roots in homespun cotton, woven in remote villages of West Bengal, pay homage to tradition. Inspired by the timeless checked lungis of rural Bengal and humble, home-based kantha stitch, this piece seamlessly merges heritage with contemporary design.

 

• Fully reversible - one side in all-over sashiko-inspired kantha hand embroidery in black on off-white cotton; the reverse in bold white & black check cotton
• Cut to the pattern of a traditional Japanese donza fisherman jacket; silhouette akin to a bomber jacket
• One size with relaxed silhouette
• Closes on both sides with hand-beaten brass buttons
• Wide cut body with kimono collar
• Full length, cone-shaped sleeves
• Welt pockets on one side
• Double layered in beautifully soft, light-mid weight homespun & woven cotton
• All orders come lovingly packed in upcycled silk bags

• One size: fits S-XL comfortably
  • Length center front 28"
  • Chest & hip 70” round
  • Cross-shoulder 33"
  • Armhole 18” round
  • Sleeve length 24”

 +/- a tolerance inherent to hand made clothing

• Fabric: 100% cotton
• Handfeel: Delicately slubbed, beautifully soft and mid-weight
• Care: Gentle hand wash separately in cold water. Do not soak. Gentle steam iron. 
• Origin: West Bengal, India

 

 

Textile Story

 

Kantha is a form of hand quilting in which layers of cloth are secured with dense rows of running stitch. Traditionally used to repurpose worn saris, the technique creates a lightly padded textile with a characteristic rippled surface and subtle geometric movement.

 

Each of our cotton kantha pieces are hand-stitched in the homes of women artisans belonging to a cooperative of over 1,400 members in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Kantha has been practiced within these communities for generations, passed down as a domestic, skill-based tradition.

 

This piece is constructed on homespun cotton, a handwoven cloth defined by its soft structure and natural irregularity. The slight variations in yarn and weave give the fabric a quiet texture and allow it to settle fluidly with wear.

 

The stitching builds pattern through repetition, incorporating traditional kantha motifs such as mura, alongside influences drawn from Japanese sashiko. Though geographically distant, kantha and sashiko developed as parallel village practices: both rooted in mending and reinforcement, using stitch to extend the life of cloth while introducing rhythm, structure, and individual expression.

 

Natural dyes are used to achieve a restrained, earthy palette. Derived from local plant and mineral sources, these colours may shift gently over time, reflecting the material’s organic origin. 

 

Any variations or irregularities are to be celebrated. They are part of the design & inherent to the handcrafted production process, making this item beautifully unique.