ABOUT NIHA
Niha Elety is sustainable fashion advocate and designer.
She uses fashion, art and heritage to bring awareness about sustainability and its importance.
Niha's Start
Growing up in Hyderabad, India, sustainability was not some new concept, it was the way of life. After moving to India from the US at the age of 11, Niha developed a lot of knowledge of sustainability from a South Asian lens and realized how ingrained it was BIPOC cultures. From the accessibility of locally made textiles and fresh food, to the flourishing cultural heritage, these systems were much healthier than what she saw in the Global North. But, unfortunately many countries like India are still reeling from the effects of colonization and capitalistic systems.
That is what inspired Niha to advocate through art and design.
Bringing Inclusivity
When joining the sustainability space full of advocates and leaders, Niha noticed that there weren't many discussions about culture and ancestral knowledge. Since then her goal has been to bring inclusivity and a variety of perspectives from BIPOC creators (the original sustainability leaders) to the environmental movement.
Today and forward she actively works to bring these conversations to the forefront as a topic leader for Intersectional Environmentalist and speaker on intersectional environmentalism.
Creating with Communities
Niha is a Founder and Co-creator at Tega Collective, a sustainable fashion enterprise that champions Adivasi communities from India and their textile traditions. With each clothing collection Tega co-creates with communities by highlighting their traditional colors, patterns and natural symbols.
Tega collaborates with unique artisan partners for capsule collections where 7% percentage of our proceeds are funneled back to the communities we work with for each collection to remove traditional hierarchy of power and profit.
These communities are paid for sharing indigenous knowledge on platforms as a part of reparations. Tega strives to build healing and enriching relationships with the communities and ecosystems that support.
SHOP WITH PURPOSE
Discover my curated collection of sustainable brands
& resources
CLOTHING, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, WOMAN OWNED, NATURAL MATERIALS, UPCYCLED, ZERO WASTE, ARTISAN MADE
Rengé
An ethical South Asian label always inspired by nature to create stunning embroidered pieces from surplus fabrics
ACCESSORIES, ARTISAN MADE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, WOMAN OWNED
Saeyri
Modern jewelry designed for those with an eclectic taste; crafted with classic tools by artisans rooted in local traditions.
CLOTHING, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, WOMAN OWNED, NATURAL MATERIALS, ARTISAN MADE, INDIGENOUS OWNED
Josakai
Indigenous-owned, clothing brand exploring artisanal textiles from North eastern India.
CLOTHING, LOUNGE WEAR, RECYCLED MATERIALS
ÉTICA
An ethical denim brand made in Los Angeles
REGENERATIVE, INDIGENOUS OWNED, BIPOC OWNED, BOOK
Braiding Sweetgrass
Alternative forms of Indigenous knowledge outside of traditional scientific methodologies.
ACCESSORIES, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, BIPOC OWNED
Kira the Label
‘Kira’ is an endeavor to create artisan made accessories that are organically fit to the body.
SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, ARTISAN MADE, FAIR TRADE, BIPOC OWNED, WOMAN OWNED
Namaskaya
Empowering artisans through handmade pieces.
SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, CLOTHING, NATURAL MATERIALS, CIRCULAR, WOMAN OWNED
Turn Black
Turn Black is an ethical label from India producing all black ensembles from certified organic fibers.
NATURAL MATERIALS, CLOTHING, LOUNGE WEAR
Hara the Label
A clothing label designed for you and our earth collectively. Consciously creating pieces that are soft and beautiful with sustainable and ethical practices at the core.
CLOTHING, ACTIVE WEAR, SWIMWEAR, NATURAL MATERIALS
Indigo Luna
Ethically made Yogawear, Swimwear & Linen.
HOME, FURNITURE
Burrow
Handcrafted furniture from sturdy, sustainably-sourced hardwood and scratch- and stain-resistant, non-toxic fabrics.
CLOTHING, ARTISAN MADE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, NATURAL MATERIALS, WOMAN OWNED
The Summer House In
Ethically made pieces in India with natural fibres
SHOES, RECYCLED MATERIALS
Vivaia
Recycled luxury footwear from ocean- bound plastic
BLACK OWNED, BIPOC OWNED, CLOTHING, SECOND HAND, WOMAN OWNED
Shop Thrilling
A black and woman-owned business, curating vintage and secondhand items from the best boutiques across the United States
CLOTHING, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, WOMAN OWNED, NATURAL MATERIALS, ARTISAN MADE
Ilamra
An artisan forward label reviving Kalamkari block printing and the usage of natural dyes.
CLOTHING, NATURAL MATERIALS, LOUNGE WEAR, FAIR TRADE, RECYCLED MATERIALS
Shop Wayre
Travel while being sustainable. This label creates comfortable and travel friendly capsules.
ACCESSORIES, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, WOMAN OWNED, ARAB OWNED
Sayran
Eclectic jewelry with protection from the evil eye. Collections are inspired by Kurdish/SWANA roots.
BIPOC OWNED, LATINX OWNED, CLOTHING, RECYCLED MATERIALS, NA, WOMAN OWNED
Farm Rio
Brazilian clothing brand embodying the vibrant colors of Rio. Focused on reforestation of the Amazon planting over 500,000 trees!
BLACK OWNED, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, BOOK
Consumed:
The Need for Collective Change on Colonialism, Climate Change and Consumerism
ACCESSORIES, NATURAL MATERIALS
Will and Bear
Sustainable hats for the road.
HOME, KITCHEN, WOMAN OWNED, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, BIPOC OWNED, COOKING
Our Place
Ethically made cookware with non-stick ceramic coating. Our Place supports the Los Angeles Food Policy Council to improve food insecurity.
FAIR TRADE, NATURAL MATERIALS, ACCESSORIES, ARTISAN MADE, WOMAN OWNED
Faire Collection
A fresh take on craftsmanship by fair-trade artisans highlighting Ecuador and Vietnam's local natural materials
HOME, CIRCULAR
Forgo
Sustainable essentials going beyond plastic
ZERO WASTE, BEAUTY, CIRCULAR, VEGAN
Trestique
A endlessly refillable clean makeup system.
HOME, FURNITURE
Avocado Mattress
A brand whose supply chain starts directly from farms to mattress production. Sourced in India, ethically made in Los Angeles
CIRCULAR, CLOTHING, SWIMWEAR, WOMAN OWNED
Loop Swim
Swimwear that closes the loop on circularity with ocean-bound plastic
ARTISAN MADE, ACCESSORIES, UPCYCLED, NATURAL MATERIALS, CLOTHING, BIPOC OWNED, ASIAN OWNED, WOMAN OWNED
Equal Hands
Handmade ethical fashion from different artisan groups in parts of the world focusing on people, planet and progress.
REGENERATIVE, NATURAL MATERIALS, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, BIPOC OWNED, CLOTHING, CIRCULAR, ARTISAN MADE
Oshadi Collective
Oshadi is a contemporary womenswear brand mindfully creating a regenerative & circular seed to sew supply chain handmade in India with traditional craft techniques and sustainable materials.
UPCYCLED, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, WOMAN OWNED, CIRCULAR, NATURAL MATERIALS, ACCESSORIES
We Are Labeless
A sustainable fashion brand out of Delhi focused on a women-centric value chain through zero-waste cycle of conscious clothing. Pieces are upcycled from scraps with a focus championing craft from different parts of India.
CLOTHING, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, WOMAN OWNED, ARTISAN MADE, ACCESSORIES, SIZE INCLUSIVE
Abacaxi
A quirky and colorful designer blending together Western sihouettes with Indian appliques.
CLOTHING, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, NATURAL MATERIALS, ARTISAN MADE
Ahmev
Timeless silhouettes thoughtfully crafted by artisans, underpinning the luxury contemporary designs.
WOMAN OWNED, NATURAL MATERIALS, REGENERATIVE, ARTISAN MADE, FAIR TRADE
Christy Dawn
Airy dresses made regeneratively in collaboration with Oshadi Collective.
BOOK, INDIGENOUS OWNED, REGENERATIVE, HOME, BIPOC OWNED
Fresh Banana Leaves
An Indigenous environmental scientist breaks down why western conservationism isn’t working.
SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, ARTISAN MADE, CLOTHING, NATURAL MATERIALS
Johargram
A contemporary streetwear brand highlighting textiles of Jharkand's tribal communities.
CIRCULAR, CLOTHING, ACTIVE WEAR, SWIMWEAR, SIZE INCLUSIVE
Girlfriend Collective
Sustainable, ethically made activewear from fishing nets in sizes XXS-6XL.
SECOND HAND, ARTISAN MADE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, BIPOC OWNED, CLOTHING, WOMAN OWNED
No Borders
A South Asian owned concept store that shares stories of different cultures through the works of artists and designers from all around the world.
ARTISAN MADE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, SECOND HAND, MARKETPLACE, CLOTHING, BIPOC OWNED
Ikkivi
A curated shop for sustainable and ethical contemporary fashion featuring Indian designers.
CLOTHING, ARTISAN MADE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, NATURAL MATERIALS, WOMAN OWNED
The Summer House In
Ethically made pieces in India with natural fibres
CLOTHING, LOUNGE WEAR, ACTIVE WEAR, NATURAL MATERIALS
Mate the Label
A essentials brand ethically made in Los Angeles with non-toxic, natural and Organic materials.
HOME, UPCYCLED
Sabai Design
Sustainable, ethically U.S made furniture from upcycled fabrics and refurbished piece.
CLOTHING, SWIMWEAR, SIZE INCLUSIVE, WOMAN OWNED
You Swim
Swimwear made to adapt to fit your body’s natural state of flux. Ethically sourced, woven, dyed, cut and sewn in England
BLACK OWNED, BIPOC OWNED, ACCESSORIES, UPCYCLED, RECYCLED MATERIALS, CIRCULAR, WOMAN OWNED
Fatra
Ethical handbags upcycled from repurposed plastic containers such as laundry detergent, coffee, and cookie containers as the body of every bag.
ARTISAN MADE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, SECOND HAND, MARKETPLACE, CLOTHING, BIPOC OWNED
Ikkivi
A curated shop for sustainable and ethical contemporary fashion featuring Indian designers.
SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, CLOTHING, NATURAL MATERIALS, CIRCULAR, WOMAN OWNED
Turn Black
Turn Black is an ethical label from India producing all black ensembles from certified organic fibers.
CLOTHING, NATURAL MATERIALS, LOUNGE WEAR, FAIR TRADE
Hass Apparel
A loungewear brand by the Avocado group with a transparent supply chain and championing natural materials. Each purchase helps fight food insecurity
NATURAL MATERIALS, ARTISAN MADE, UPCYCLED, LATINX OWNED, CLOTHING
Shop Loti
Upcycled textiles ethically crafted by Independent Seamstresses in Lima, Peru
LATINX OWNED, BIPOC OWNED, CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES, HOME, KITCHEN, NATURAL MATERIALS, UPCYCLED
Selva Negra
Elevated casuals made and upcycled ethically in Los Angeles
BOOK, INDIGENOUS OWNED, REGENERATIVE, HOME, BIPOC OWNED
Required Reading
NDN Collective, Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power.
SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, UPCYCLED, CLOTHING, ARTISAN MADE
Zazi Vintage
One of a kind coats and dresses handmade from vintage embroidery suzani pieces.
COOKING, HOME, KITCHEN, WOMAN OWNED
Lettuce Grow
Hydroponic farmstand for farm fresh produce in your home.
ZERO WASTE, BEAUTY, HOME
By Humankind
Zero waste personal care products.
BEAUTY, ZERO WASTE
The Earthling Co.
Zero waste personal care products.
ZERO WASTE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, HOME, BIPOC OWNED, WOMAN OWNED
The Sustainable Change
Working towards a greener future with affordable and accessible household items
ARTISAN MADE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, CLOTHING, WOMAN OWNED
Riya Collective
A South Asian owned platform to represent boutique creatives and designers all over the world.
ZERO WASTE, UPCYCLED, CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES, WOMAN OWNED
Tonle
Zero waste apparel, textiles and home goods.
SHOES, VEGAN, ACCESSORIES, WOMAN OWNED
Sylven New York
Responsible luxury shoes exploring plant-based leather alternatives
SECOND HAND, ARTISAN MADE, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, BIPOC OWNED, CLOTHING, WOMAN OWNED
No Borders
A South Asian owned concept store that shares stories of different cultures through the works of artists and designers from all around the world.
CLOTHING, SOUTH ASIAN OWNED, ARTISAN MADE, BIPOC OWNED, WOMAN OWNED
Ammarah Collective
A platform for premium sustainable & ethical South Asian designer brands.
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Desi fashion blogger
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bipoc environmentalist
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brown sustainable designer
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indian artist
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south asian sustainability blogger