Entrepreneurship, ethical fashion, and the importance of cultural craft preservation with Nayana Kodesia

We recently caught up with London College of Fashion (LCF), Alumni, Nayana Kodesia, whose exciting career has seen her cross oceans and boarders, to hear more about her career and successes since graduating. Nayana took the time to give us her expertise on being an ethical fashion entrepreneur and spoke on the importance of cultural craft preservation.

Since graduating from BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development in 2015, Nayana’s career has led her around the world, working at a number of large, recognisable brands. Currently a Designer at Banana Republic in San Francisco, Nayana has also launched her own global brand and spoken at NYC Climate Week about how collaboration, innovation, and honouring time-tested traditions could be the tools to combat the environmental issues the fashion industry faces.

You’ve had a very exciting career history to date – having worked in many countries, started your own clothing label, and speaking at functions about your expertise. What have been some of your highlights since graduating?

Since graduating from LCF in 2015, my career has taken me on an incredible journey across multiple countries, allowing me to explore fashion through the lenses of craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Manish Arora, Canada Goose, and Banana Republic, where I focused on blending design, ethical production, and global supply chain strategy. Along the way, I launched NYNA, a womenswear label that brings heritage craft to the world stage, and in 2025, I expanded my vision with Dumroo, a sustainable homeware brand collaborating with Jamdani weavers (a UNESCO-recognized craft form) and master embroiderers to create high-quality, handloom products that merge tradition with contemporary aesthetics.

One of the most rewarding moments of my career was speaking at New York Climate Week during UNGA 2024, where I had the opportunity to advocate for artisans, push for sustainable solutions, and engage in thought-provoking discussions with fellow changemakers.

You recently spoke at NYC Climate Week at the Fusion Fashion Tech Society Summit. What were some of your key takeaways about the future of fashion from an environmental and sustainability perspective?

Speaking at NYC Climate Week was a reminder that while the challenges of climate change in fashion are immense, the solutions lie in collaboration, innovation, and honoring time-tested traditions. Exchanging ideas with sustainability trailblazers reinforced that real progress happens when we unite our expertise and resources to drive systemic change.

One of my biggest takeaways was the urgent need to bridge the gap between technology and craft. In our pursuit of sustainability, we often overlook the wisdom embedded in heritage craft practices—techniques that have naturally prioritized circularity, minimal waste, and ethical production for centuries.

It was a powerful moment to advocate for artisans, whose skills and knowledge are not just cultural legacies but also key to shaping a more regenerative future for fashion.

You’ve spoken of your work with artisans and the importance of uplifting traditional craft communities—how can preserving these heritage skills create a positive impact for both artisans and the industry?

Traditional crafts have always prioritized minimal waste, natural materials, and slow craftsmanship. While these techniques were once the pillars of fashion, the rise of fast fashion, trend cycles, and hyper-consumerism has led to a sharp decline in valuing both the art and the artist behind handloom products—pieces meant to be treasured for generations.

If we don’t support artisans through fair wages, recognition, and respect, these crafts will disappear within a generation, becoming nothing more than museum exhibits and stories in history books.

When we champion and invest in artisans, we do more than preserve tradition—we create impact. We fuel local economies, establish sustainable cash flow, and shift the focus from mass production to quality craftsmanship. This not only strengthens circular supply chains but also ensures that every product carries a unique voice.

What inspired you to launch your clothing label, NYNA? Do you have any advice for our students looking to start their own ethical brands?

NYNA was born from a simple idea: heritage craftsmanship deserves center stage. I saw a gap in the industry—while sustainable brands focused on materials, few truly championed the artisans behind the craft. I wanted to create a brand that celebrated slow, intentional fashion while making age-old techniques feel modern and globally accessible.

Let’s be real—it’s not going to be easy. Ethical production is expensive, and finding funding can be just as tough, especially if you’re committed to not cutting corners on quality and sustainability. But that’s exactly why starting small is key.

Keep your quantity low, test your market, and be ready to pivot when needed. What you start with may not be what your brand evolves into—and that’s okay. Don’t get too emotionally attached to your first designs. As artists, we pour our hearts into our work, but fashion is a business, and adaptability is what keeps you moving forward.

Build a team that complements your skills. You can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything alone, trust me I tried.  Find people who bring strengths you lack—whether it’s marketing, production, or finance. Every day will come with new challenges, and you will make mistakes. The key is to learn fast, adjust, and keep going.

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